The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of contrast heat and cold pressure therapy (CHCP) on muscle tone, elasticity, stiffness, perfusion unit, and muscle fatigue indices after plyometric training consisting of five sets of jumping on a 50-cm high box until exhaustion. A prospective, randomized, controlled single-blind study design was used. Twenty professional MMA fighters were included in the study. The experimental group (n = 10) was subjected to the CHCP protocol (eGR), while the control group (cGR) (n = 10) was subjected to sham therapy. Both protocols consisted of three CHCP sessions performed immediately after plyometric exercise, 24 and 48 h afterwards. Measurements were taken at the following time points: 1) at rest; 2) 1 min post-exercise; 3) 1 min post-CHCP therapy; 4) 24 h post-CHCP therapy; 5) 48 h post-CHCP therapy. The results of the eGR compared to the cGR showed significantly higher perfusion at time point 5 (p < 0.001), higher muscle tone at time points 1, and 3–5 (p < 0.001 for all), higher stiffness at time points 1, 3–5 (p < 0.001 for all) and a higher pain threshold at time points 1 and 5 (p < 0.001 for all). This study suggests a positive effect of CHCP therapy on muscle biomechanics, the pain threshold, and tissue perfusion, which may contribute to increasing the effectiveness of post-exercise muscle recovery in MMA athletes.

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of compression contrast therapy (CT) and dry needling therapy (DN) on muscle tension (MT), muscle strength (Fmax), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and perfusion (PU) following fatigue of forearm muscles (e.g., flexor carpi radialis) in combat sports athletes. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was employed. Participants first underwent muscle fatigue induction, which involved sustaining an isometric handgrip at 60% of their maximum voluntary contraction in 5-second cycles. This was followed by exposure to one of the regenerative therapies. Forty-five participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: CT/DN (n = 15), CT/ShDN (n = 15), and ShCT/DN (n = 15). The sham condition (Sh) involved a simulated version of the technique. Measurements were taken at four time points: (i) at rest; (ii) immediately after exercise that led to a state of fatigue; (iii) 5 minutes after therapy (PostTh5min); and (iv) 24 hours after therapy (PostTh24h). Each participant was exposed to one experimental condition and one control condition, thereby undergoing evaluation in two sessions. Significant differences between groups were found in MT during the PostTh5min (p = 0.005), as well as in PU during the PostTh5min (p < 0.001) and PU during the PostTh24h (p < 0.001). All groups showed significant improvements at 5 minutes post-therapy compared to immediately post-muscle fatigue. As conclusions, CT/DN seems to be significantly better for enhancing MT and PU after 5 minutes of muscle fatigue induction. Using either CT, DN, or both combined is recommended to enhance the recovery of muscle functionality and properties, favoring recovery and potentially speeding up performance enhancement.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by a combination of metabolic abnormalities, such as central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, and significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. The high prevalence of MetS is a public health concern, necessitating rapid identification and intervention strategies to prevent this emerging epidemic. Diagnosing MetS requires the presence of three or more of these abnormalities, underscoring the need for effective management approaches. Despite a growing body of literature, limited reviews have critically evaluated the complex interplay between metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and coagulation, particularly in the context of dietary interventions. Therefore, this article reviews the relationship between metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and thrombotic diseases, with an emphasis on their impacts on hematological health. Furthermore, this review explores the potential role of vegetarian and vegan dietary patterns in controlling these processes and improving hematological outcomes. This narrative review aims to critically evaluate current research on the inflammatory and thrombotic implications of MetS and assess the potential modulating role of vegan and plant-based diets within this context.

The human gut microbiome and its relationship with both physiological and pathological functions have long intrigued researchers. One of the most fascinating and important areas within this domain is cognitive function. Given that a substantial number of studies, especially interventional ones, have been conducted on animal models, the findings of which are not fully generalizable to humans and may therefore be misinterpreted, the purpose of this study is to synthesize evidence from the most recent human research. Current evidence indicates that the gut microbiota is linked to cognitive function in both healthy and diseased states, with numerous studies suggesting a potential causal relationship between the two. Although the majority of these studies associate changes in cognitive function with differences in the composition of the gut microbiota, some findings also indicate an inverse relationship.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the principal complications seen in the recipients of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), and persists as a leading cause of post-transplant morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence highlights the crucial influence of the gut microbiome (GM) on transplant outcomes. Microbial dysbiosis, characterized by reduced bacterial diversity and pathogenic overgrowth, is strongly associated with higher rates of complications and mortality. Patients with lower microbial diversity exhibit poorer overall survival (OS) and an increased incidence of acute GVHD (aGVHD). Conversely, restoration of beneficial commensal communities has been shown to enhance immune homeostasis, mitigate GVHD severity, and decrease infection risk. Emerging therapeutic strategies now focus on modulating the intestinal microbiome through dietary interventions, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). It has been demonstrated that bacterial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from the diet, especially a diet rich in fibers, reduce the occurrence/severity of GVHD by inducing regulatory T cells (Tregs), which release anti-inflammatory cytokines and regulate the host immune system. Hence, the implementation of dietary fibers (DFs) could increase beneficial commensals, Treg induction, and improve outcomes such as GVHD and OS in recipients of allo-HCT. Hereupon, this review addresses how a fiber-rich diet modulates GM composition, reinforces epithelial barrier integrity, and improves the efficacy of Treg-based immunotherapy by stabilizing their regulatory phenotype and increasing their functional persistence, ultimately leading to a reduction in GI complications associated with GVHD. Unlike prior reviews that primarily cover the microbiome–GVHD axis or Treg therapies in isolation, this review emphasizes fermentable dietary fibers as a mechanistically grounded, clinically actionable strategy to support Treg stability and persistence via microbiota-derived metabolites. We integrate mechanistic evidence with emerging clinical feasibility data and ongoing trials of prebiotic supplementation in allogeneic HSCT.

Leczenie ran jest sztuką, której początki sięgają początków ludzkości. Można przypuszczać, że dobór różnych materiałów o właściwościach wspomagających gojenie ran następował metodą prób i błędów przez długi okres. W rezultacie, gdy około 6000 lat temu zaczęły powstawać pierwsze cywilizacje, pojawiło się wiele skutecznych metod miejscowego leczenia ran. Od zarania dziejów rany i owrzodzenia skóry stanowiły przedmiot zainteresowania mędrców i medyków, ponieważ były nie tylko poważnym problemem dla chorych, ale również wyzwaniem dla osób zajmujących się ich leczeniem. Ogromny postęp w tej dziedzinie, dokonany w ciągu ostatnich 150 lat, nie byłby możliwy bez wcześniejszych osiągnięć i doświadczeń, które uczyniły zaopatrywanie ran jednym z głównych bodźców do rozwoju medycyny. Pomysłowość ludzi oraz ich dążenie do rozwiązywania problemów związanych z trudno gojącymi się ranami przyczyniały się do nieustannego doskonalenia metod leczenia. Już starożytni Rzymianie, Grecy oraz Babilończycy usystematyzowali objawy stanu zapalnego ran. Wśród pionierów w tej dziedzinie należy wymienić Hipokratesa z Kos, Aulusa Corneliusa Celsusa oraz arabskiego lekarza znanego pod łacińskim imieniem Abulcasis. Leczenie opierało się głównie na obserwacji i doświadczeniu. W terapii wykorzystywano różnorodne naturalne substancje, takie jak rośliny, miód, wino, pajęczyny czy mleko. Rany opatrywano materiałami pochodzenia naturalnego, m.in. lnem, wełną, jedwabiem czy gliną. Zioła stosowano w formie maści lub okładów, a wśród roślin o właściwościach ściągających lub antybakteryjnych używano m.in. dziurawca zwyczajnego, żywokostu oraz rdestu. Znaczący postęp w technikach leczenia ran nastąpił w XVII wieku, dzięki odkryciom w zakresie anatomii naczyń krwionośnych dokonanym przez Hieronima de Fabritiusa, Marcella Malpighiego oraz Benjamina Brodiego. W tym okresie zaczęto stosować bardziej zaawansowane procedury, takie jak podwiązywanie naczyń krwionośnych. Pojawiły się również innowacyjne metody opatrywania ran, w tym bandażowanie kończyn dolnych z wykorzystaniem materiałów nasączonych lekami, co znacząco przyczyniło się do poprawy skuteczności terapii.