Background: Clinically relevant acute postoperative pancreatitis (CR-PPAP) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a complication that may lead to the development of local and systemic consequences. The study aimed to identify risk factors for CR-PPAP and assess the impact of CR-PPAP on the postoperative course after PD. Methods: The study retrospectively analyzed data from 428 consecutive patients who underwent PD at a single center between January 2013 and December 2022. The presence of increased amylase activity in plasma, above the upper limit of normal 48 h after surgery, was checked. CR-PPAP was diagnosed when accompanied by disturbing radiological features and/or symptoms requiring treatment. We investigated the relationship between the occurrence of CR-PPAP and the development of postoperative complications after PD, and possible predictors of CR-PPAP. Results: The postoperative follow-up period was 90 days. Of the 428 patients, 18.2% (n = 78) had CR-PPAP. It was associated with increased rates of CR-POPF, delayed gastric emptying, occurrence of intra-abdominal collections, postoperative hemorrhage, peritonitis, and septic shock. Patients who developed CR-PPAP were more often reoperated (37.17% vs. 6.9%, p < 0.0001)) and had increased postoperative mortality (14.1% vs. 5.74%, p < 0.0001). Soft pancreatic parenchyma, intraoperative blood loss, small diameter of the pancreatic duct, and diagnosis of adenocarcinoma papillae Vateri were independent risk factors for CR-PPAP and showed the best performance in predicting CR-PPAP. Conclusions: CR-PPAP is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative complications after PD, worse treatment outcomes, and an increased risk of reoperation and mortality. Pancreatic consistency, intraoperative blood loss, width of the duct of Wirsung, and histopathological diagnosis can be used to assess the risk of CR-PPAP. Amylase activity 48 h after surgery > 161 U/L is highly specific in the diagnosis of CR-PPAP.
Background/Objectives: Fatty liver disease (FLD) is currently the most common liver disorder, affecting 25–30% of the global population. Its occurrence is strongly associated with overweight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. In 2020, the disease definition was revised from NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) to MAFLD (metabolic-associated fatty liver disease), emphasizing its link to metabolic dysfunction and marking a major shift in clinical evaluation and risk stratification. We assessed the association between MAFLD and cardiovascular risk factors in a geriatric population by comparing patients with and without fatty liver disease and evaluating the influence of selected metabolic and echocardiographic parameters on MAFLD prevalence. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using data from patients treated at the Department of Geriatrics, the University Clinical Hospital, in Wrocław. The study included 237 patients diagnosed with fatty liver disease and 148 controls without liver pathology. The groups were compared in terms of comorbidities, laboratory abnormalities, body mass index (BMI), and left ventricular hypertrophy. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the association between the severity of selected variables and the risk of MAFLD. Results: Patients with MAFLD had significantly higher body weight and BMI compared to controls. Diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia were more frequent in the MAFLD group, whereas HDL and vitamin D3 levels were lower. Echocardiographic indicators of left ventricular hypertrophy [IVSd, LVPWd, (IVSd + LVPWd)/2] were significantly elevated in MAFLD patients. Conclusions: This study confirms a strong association between MAFLD and cardiovascular risk factors in elderly patients. The inclusion of a control group allowed for more precise evaluation, supporting the role of MAFLD as an independent cardiometabolic risk indicator in geriatric care.
Mammography is a critical tool in breast cancer screening and secondary prevention, enabling early detection and significantly reducing breast cancer mortality. This literature review assesses the effectiveness of mammography in identifying early-stage tumors, discussing its advantages, limitations, and specific challenges. Additionally, advancements in imaging techniques, such as 3D tomosynthesis, are examined, especially for their enhanced sensitivity in women with dense breast tissue, which reduces structural overlap and improves diagnostic precision. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in mammographic image analysis opens new opportunities, supporting radiologists by automating the detection and classification of potential lesions, thereby increasing screening efficiency and reducing false-positive rates. However, effective implementation of AI requires seamless integration with clinical systems and ongoing research to refine algorithms for diverse clinical needs. Furthermore, legal frameworks are essential to delineate responsibility in AI-supported diagnostics. This review emphasizes the status of breast cancer screening in Poland, where participation rates remain low despite the availability of free screenings. This highlights the need for improved public awareness and accessibility, especially in underserved areas. Overall, the findings underscore the fundamental role of mammography in breast cancer detection, with AI and other technological advancements significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy while identifying areas for further improvement.
Ankle sprains, particularly lateral sprains involving the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), represent up to 85% of ankle injuries and are common in both athletic and general populations. Despite their prevalence, misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment can lead to chronic ankle instability and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This narrative review synthesizes current clinical guidelines and evidence-based practices for diagnosis and treatment. Clinical assessment, supported by the Ottawa Ankle Rules, ultrasound, and MRI, enables accurate injury classification. Conservative treatment is preferred for Grade I and II injuries, with early mobilization and functional support—especially within the POLICE protocol—demonstrating superior outcomes. Exercise therapy effectively reduces recurrence, while surgical intervention is reserved for Grade III injuries or chronic instability in high-demand patients. Timely and structured rehabilitation remains key to restoring ankle function.
Lumbar disc herniation is considered one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with a lifetime risk of occurrence as high as 30%. A common initial symptom is pain in the sacro-lumbar region, which may radiate to the buttocks or lower extremities. The management of patients with lumbar disc herniation includes both conservative and surgical treatments. Conservative treatment involves medications, physical therapy, traction and appropriate exercises, and often yields good clinical results in 60–90% of patients. Surgical options include various techniques, such as open discectomy, microdiscectomy, percutaneous laser disc decompression, and percutaneous microscopic discectomy, among others. The purpose of this article is to present therapeutic methods used in the conservative and surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation and to assess these methods in terms of clinical outcomes.
29 September 2025 in International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science
In recent years a steady increase in the prevalence of obesity has caused a growing interest in pharmacological anti-obesity treatment, including semaglutide, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which has been proven effective in inducing weight loss in obese patients. However, due to rapid growth of its popularity, monitoring and updatig of guidelines and potential adverse effects may have been outpaced. One of the adverse effects taken into consideration is semaglutide’s impact on reduction of lean mass, fat-free mass and muscle mass. Available studies, although not unanimous, indicate that although decrease of lean mass occurs alongside loss of fat mass, proportion of lean mass increases. Moreover, some studies suggest that semaglutide treatment has a positive impact on muscle function. Nevertheless, the search for strategies allowing for mitigation of lean mass loss during this treatment is still necessary, particularly considering groups of patients at risk of such a complication. Two approaches are being considered: lifestyle interventions and pharmacological treatment. Studies suggest that resistance exercise training interventions can elicit significant increases in lean mass during semaglutide treatment. When it comes to dietary interventions, there is significant need for research that would aim at identifying dietary factors promoting lean mass preservation in this population. Currently explored pharmacological support options include various human monoclonal antibodies (bimagrumab, trevogrumab, garetosumab). Introducing these drugs alongside semaglutide has promoted lean mass preservation despite fat mass loss. Currently existing studies should serve as a guide for further extensive research. At this time, it seems there are more questions than answers surrounding the issue of semaglutide’s impact on lean mass and strategies to mitigate its excess loss.