Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent, underdiagnosed disease that imposes a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of patients and a financial burden on individuals, their families, and society. Development of new methods of testing other than an overnight sleep study, such as measurement of serum or plasma biomarkers, may provide an easier diagnostic process to identify patients with OSA and allow earlier initiation of treatment, which might prevent serious comorbidities. We conducted a systematic review and quality assessment of available meta-analyses regarding potential diagnostic and monitoring biomarkers of obstructive sleep apnea. A total of 14 sets of candidate biomarkers displayed differences in levels or concentrations in OSA patients compared to non-OSA controls, and decreased after OSA treatment: CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, Il-8, HCY, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, VEGF, TC, LDLc, HDLc, TG, leptin, MDA, ALT, AST, IGF-1, adiponectin, and cortisol. This review summarizes the evidence for OSA-associated potential biomarkers and demonstrates that the quality of available studies, as measured by AMSTAR2, is often low and associated with a high risk of bias.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent and underdiagnosed condition associated with cardiovascular diseases, depression, accidents, and stroke. There is an increasing need for alternative diagnostic tools beyond overnight sleep studies that measure the Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI). In this single-center, case-control study, we evaluated serum and plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, CRP, and S100B in 80 subjects, including 52 OSA patients (27 moderate [15 ≤ AHI ˂ 30], 25 severe [AHI ≥ 30]) and 28 non-OSA controls (AHI 0-5). Participants with OSA showed approximately 2 times higher median concentrations of CRP in plasma, and IL-6 in serum, as well as 1.3 to 1.7 times higher concentrations of TNF-α and IL-8 in plasma compared with the control group. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive capabilities of these serum and plasma biomarkers in distinguishing between the OSA and control groups, revealing varying sensitivity and specificity. In summary, in this study, serum and plasma biomarkers CRP, S100B, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 have been shown to be elevated in patients with OSA, correlated positively with disease severity, age, and BMI. These results support the potential role of these biomarkers in diagnosing OSA, supplementing traditional methods such as overnight sleep studies.

Hereditary fructose intolerance is a rare genetic disorder that is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, with mutations sometimes occurring spontaneously. Consuming fructose triggers biochemical abnormalities, disrupting liver processes like glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Recent studies have revealed elevated intrahepatic fat levels in affected individuals. Symptoms include aversion to fructose-containing foods, hypoglycemia, liver and kidney dysfunction, and growth delays, with severe cases leading to liver enlargement, fatty liver disease, kidney failure, and life-threatening hypoglycemia. In this case study, we present a 20-month-old child with symptoms including difficulty passing stool, abdominal rigidity, abdominal pain with bloating and hypoglycemia. Initial clinical findings revealed elevated liver enzymes, a mildly enlarged hyperechoic liver, hypercholesterolemia, and borderline alpha-fetoprotein values. Diagnostic assessments identified hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) with pathogenic variants in the ALDOB gene, along with a diagnosis of celiac disease. Genetic testing of the parents revealed carrier status for pathological aldolase B genes. This case underscores the importance of comprehensive clinical evaluation and genetic testing in pediatric patients with complex metabolic presentations.

Introduction: Patients’ access to public healthcare has been limited during the COVID-19 pandemic. The psychological factor – the fear of patients and medical staff of infection, especially before the introduction of vaccinations – had also a negative impact on the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the degree of advancement of laryngeal cancer in patients referring for diagnosis and treatment to a IV-level clinical referral hospital.Material and methods: The medical documentation of patients presenting to IVth level reference clinical hospital was retrospectively analyzed in pre-, during and post-pandemic period of time. The total number of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED), inclusive of those receiving otolaryngological consultation, patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and advancement stage of disease was assessed. Additionally the comprehensive count of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures pertaining to the larynx and trachea, during the three above mentioned periods of time was performed.Results and discussion: The study revealed a significant decrease in the number of patients presenting to the ED during the pandemic, with a more pronounced drop among otolaryngological patients. The number of patients with laryngeal tumor treated in our hospital as well as the number of laryngeal diagnostic and therapeutic procedures remained stable throughout analysed periods of time. During pandemic period significant drop of patients with early-stage (T1) laryngeal cancers was observed.Conclusions: Despite maintained surgical activity in level IV reference hospital, fewer patients with early stage of laryngeal cancer (T1) were diagnosed and treated during pandemic.

Introduction: Physical activity is vital for the holistic development of children, benefiting physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains. Engaging in regular physical activities from an early age fosters a healthy body, emotional and social well-being, and cognitive development. Aim: This study explores the diverse benefits of physical activity on childhood development, focusing on physical health, cognitive functions, social skills, and emotional well-being. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing existing research on the impact of physical activity on various aspects of childhood development. Searches were performed across databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords like "childhood physical activity" and "childhood sport." Results: Physical activity promotes healthy growth, enhances cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, and helps maintain a healthy weight, reducing obesity risks. It improves memory, attention, and executive functions, contributing to better academic performance. Socially, it fosters peer relationships, enhances social skills, and cultivates leadership qualities. Emotionally, it aids in emotional regulation, boosts self-esteem, and reduces anxiety and depression. Discussion: The findings highlight the multifaceted benefits of physical activity on children's development, corroborating existing literature. Despite robust evidence, limitations such as reliance on self-reported data and cross-sectional study designs constrain causal inferences. Future research should use objective measures and longitudinal approaches, considering interactions with diet, sleep, and lifestyle factors. Conclusion: Physical activity significantly benefits childhood development across physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains. Addressing limitations in existing research will enhance the understanding and application of physical activity in promoting holistic child development.