Background: Plica as a disease entity appeared fi rst in the 13th century. Its aetiology is still unknown and not fully understood. Being, in fact, an irreversible condition of tangling and felting the hair, its origin was interpreted in various ways, from religious ones, through lack of hygiene to mental illness. Although p. polonica originates from Eastern and Central Europe, and p. neuropathica, typical of Indian people, was fi rst described in England, many characteristics connect these two conditions. Aim and Objectives: The study aimed to review the plica species over the centuries and to compare p. neuropathica and p. polonica. Materials and Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for medical articles, books and case studies on plica published up 1884 to 2020. We conducted a systematic and critical review of the literature to compare p. polonica and p. neuropathica. Results: Plica polonica and Plica neuropathica are the same disease entity. Conclusion: The variety of names and interpretations of the disease has made plica a condition still to be fully explained.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Their prevalence is expected to rise with demographic shifts and increasing obesity rates. Excessive sugar consumption, especially from added sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), is a major modifiable risk factor of CVDs. It contributes to obesity, metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. High-sugar diets affect metabolic and cardiovascular health. They also contribute to neurobehavioral dysfunction by influencing the brain’s reward pathways, promoting hedonic eating, and reinforcing dependence on sweet taste. Fruits, a natural source of sweet-tasting compounds, are widely considered healthier than processed sweets. Epidemiological evidence shows a protective link between fruit consumption and lower risk of acute cardiovascular events like stroke and coronary heart disease. This benefit is largely due to bioactive compounds in fruits, such as fiber, polyphenols, and micronutrients. Based on current evidence, fruits can satisfy sweet cravings. In this paper, we will discuss the potential of fruits as an alternative to added sugars, emphasizing their beneficial effects on metabolic and cardiovascular health.

Multifaced lipoedema: a problematic and complex condition in the population of young women. Lipoedema is a chronic disease with various manifestation of symptoms, related to excessive deposition of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the legs, ...

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is an adjunctive therapeutic method that uses purposeful human-animal interaction in the treatment process. Systematic literature reviews and randomized controlled trials from the last few years (2015-2025) demonstrate that AAT has significant effects in reducing anxiety, depression, pain, and improving the quality of life of patients with various diseases. This paper analyzes the biological mechanisms of animal-assisted therapy (AAT), its clinical applications, and research limitations, pointing to the need for standardized research methods and greater interest in this form of intervention in healthcare systems.

Polyphenols are a diverse group of plant-derived compounds. As a part of the human diet, they have a broad spectrum of biological activity, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties through multiple metabolic pathways. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise, although widely used to improve physical performance, is associated with causing substantial metabolic and oxidative stress, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and muscle damage. Some studies indicate that polyphenol intake may inhibit reactive oxygen species formation, modulate cytokine release, lower lipid peroxidation and damage of deoxyribonucleic acid, and improve markers of muscle recovery, potentially accelerating recovery after HIIT. However, other research contradicts the positive impact of polyphenol supplementation on recovery or performance.

Infertility is a significant global health issue. It can have profound medical, psychological, and social consequences. As medical understanding of reproductive health advances, numerous factors contributing to reduced fertility have been identified. In recent years, nutritional supplementation has gained increasing attention as a potential adjunct to standard infertility treatments. Research now investigates its roles in various biological and reproductive processes. To review current knowledge on the role, safety, and mechanisms of nutritional supplements in infertility treatment. We conducted a narrative review of scientific literature from 2012 to 2025. The search included PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We included randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and guidelines from scientific societies. Studies of low methodological quality were excluded. The strongest evidence supports folic acid supplementation, which acts as a methyl donor to improve oocyte quality and prevent neural tube defects. Myo-inositol demonstrated 85% effectiveness in restoring ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Coenzyme Q10 improves oocyte quality, especially in women over 35 years old. Antioxidants and minerals support sperm health by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing seminal parameters. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids modify cell membrane fluidity to enhance sperm quality, particularly when the omega-6/omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio is optimized. Probiotics may support treatment by promoting a healthy gut microbiota and lowering systemic oxidative stress. Nutritional supplementation is a promising supportive approach in infertility treatment. What is more, personalized supplementation based on metabolic and genetic profiles is a future direction. Supplements are generally safe at recommended doses; however, precautions against overdose and self-medication are essential.