Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by eczematous lesions and recurrent pruritus. The pathogenesis of AD involves epidermal barrier impairments, immune dysfunction, and both genetic and environmental factors. This review presents the latest findings regarding the involvement of microRNA (miRNA) molecules in AD pathogenesis and their potential application as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The following miRNAs were analyzed in detail: miR-223, miR-10a-5p, miR-29b, miR-146a-5p, miR-451a, miR-124, miR-143, miR-151a, miR-24, miR-191, and miR-155. Their molecular mechanisms and potential clinical implications are discussed. Understanding the role of specific microRNAs in AD pathogenesis may contribute to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this disease.

Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common, though often underdiagnosed, gynecological disorder of women of reproductive age. The disease presents with painful abdominal cramps associated with menstrual bleeding in the absence of pelvic abnormalities. Symptoms are caused primarily by increased levels of prostaglandins produced by the endometrium, which provides hypercontraction of the uterine muscles, ischemia, and pain. Dysmenorrhea is usually treated pharmacologically with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or hormonal contraception. In particularly severe cases, surgical treatment is also possible. Nonetheless, an increasing amount of studies on non-pharmacological treatments have been published recently. Methods like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), acupuncture, continuous topical heat, or exercise and yoga seem to be effective in reducing the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea. All have an anti-inflammatory effect by lowering prostaglandin levels, but they also contribute to reducing symptoms through other mechanisms. TENS elevates the pain threshold and, together with acupuncture, causes the release of endogenous opioids. Heat, yoga, and acupuncture also lead to increased blood flow in the uterus, reducing hypoxia. Their additional advantage is the low cost and ease of self-use, except for acupuncture, depending on the patient's needs. Side effects of non-pharmacological treatments are usually mild and rarely reported.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory skin disease in the pediatric population. In recent years, the role of microRNAs in inflammatory and immunological mechanisms as specific biomarkers of AD has received growing attention. The aim of the present study was a quantitative assessment of serum expression levels of miR-100, miR-224 and miR-155 in children with AD compared with healthy peers, and an analysis of their potential associations with clinical disease phenotype, severity of skin lesions (SCORAD), cytokine profile, immunological parameters and the presence of concomitant allergic diseases. The study included 12 children with AD and 9 healthy children. Selected miRNAs were isolated from serum, followed by reverse transcription using universal primers and quantification by qRT-PCR. Children with AD exhibited significantly higher expression levels of miR-155 compared with controls (p = 0.003). No statistically significant differences were observed for miR-100 and miR-224. miR-100 expression was significantly higher in children with a positive history of inhalant allergy compared with those without such a diagnosis (p = 0.014). A positive correlation was observed between miR-100 levels and the percentage of eosinophils (r = 0.599; p = 0.052) as well as absolute eosinophil count (r = 0.600; p = 0.051). MiR-155 is significantly upregulated in children with AD suggesting it as a candidate biomarker worthy of further investigation in larger cohorts. Although miR-100 did not differentiate the groups, its correlation with eosinophilia and inhalant allergy suggests a role in disease phenotyping.

Introduction and objective: Nowadays, the use of electronic devices has become an integral part of daily life. The consequence of this is both a prolonged state of constant alertness due to emerging notifications and exposure to blue light emitted by phones, tablets and laptops. The purpose...

Introduction and aim. The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate dietary regimen that induces a state of ketosis, shifting the body’s fuel source from glucose to ketone bodies produced from fatty acids. The aim of this paper is to analyze the influence of the KD on athletes’ performance, body composition and other aspects of body function. Materials and methods. A comprehensive literature search has been conducted through PubMed database using keywords such as “ketogenic diet sport” and “ketogenic diet athletes”, “ketogenic diet body”. Analysis of literature. Some studies suggest that a KD can be a viable method for reducing body fat without negatively affecting strength, power, or muscle mass in athletes. It has been found that KD can increase fat oxidation. However, KD may not be optimal for improving performance in high-intensity endurance events or activities that require quick bursts of energy fueled by carbohydrates. Additionally, KD may not have a significant effect on factors such as VO2max, HRmax, time to exhaustion, and perceived exertion in some athletes. Conclusion. More research is required to understand the effects of the ketogenic diet on athletes’ performance. It may aid in weight loss and fat oxidation, but questions remain regarding adaptation time, sport-specific benefits, and impact on various body parameters.

Introduction: Influenza remains a significant public health concern in the paediatric population, contributing to substantial morbidity, risk of complications, and burden on healthcare systems both globally and nationally. In Poland, between several hundred thousand and several million influenza cases are reported annually, with a considerable proportion occurring among preschool- and school-aged children. Objective: To analyse the incidence, clinical course, and selected laboratory parameters in children diagnosed with influenza in 2024 at the Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Nephrology and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on medical records of 166 children aged 6 months to 16 years with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Demographic characteristics, viral type, clinical course, vaccination status, laboratory findings, treatment setting, and therapeutic management were assessed. Results: The most frequently affected group comprised preschool-aged children (median age: 4 years; interquartile range, IQR: 2.0– 7.0). Influenza type A was the predominant etiological agent (74.1%). Most infections occurred during the winter season (70.5% of cases). Hospitalisation was required in 7.8% of patients, primarily due to persistent fever unresponsive to antipyretic treatment. Household transmission was reported in 19.3% of cases. Influenza vaccination was documented in 18.1% of children. Antibiotic therapy was administered to 15.1% of patients. Conclusions: Influenza in 2024 was characterised was characterised by typical seasonality and a predominance of influenza type A virus. Low vaccination coverage among children contributed to viral transmission, increased incidence, and hospitalisations. The findings highlight the need to intensify educational efforts promoting vaccination as a key preventive strategy.