Research objectives: The objective of this study was to synthesise evidence on resting heart rate (RHR) and heart rate variability (HRV) as biomarkers of biological aging, with a focus on their relationships to multisystem physiological decline across cardiovascular, metabolic, autonomic, and inflammatory domains. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted. Included publications comprised population-based cohorts, mechanistic studies, biomarker analyses, and autonomic assessments evaluating associations between RHR, HRV, biological aging markers, morbidity, and mortality. Key findings: Elevated RHR consistently aligned with signatures of accelerated aging, including adverse cardiometabolic profiles, reduced autonomic flexibility, and increased inflammatory activation. Higher RHR was associated with older brain age, diminished functional resilience, and biomarker patterns characteristic of inflammaging, such as heightened interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α. Lower RHR corresponded to slower biological aging trajectories. HRV analyses complemented these findings, linking reduced parasympathetic activity and lower variability with diminished physiological adaptability and greater aging burden. Conclusions: RHR emerges as a robust, multidimensional biomarker that integrates signals of cumulative physiological decline and reliably identifies individuals exhibiting accelerated biological aging. Its consistent associations with molecular, functional, and clinical indicators of aging highlight its value as a practical, noninvasive tool for assessing multisystem health status.

Chronic low-grade inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of many chronic disorders, and inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are frequently used to quantify systemic inflammatory activity. Yoga, a multidimensional mind–body practice combining physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, has been proposed as an adjunctive strategy to modulate stress-related neuroendocrine pathways and inflammation. This narrative review summarizes and critically discusses evidence on the effects of yoga-based interventions on CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in adults with chronic conditions. The literature was explored using targeted searches of major biomedical databases and relevant reference lists, prioritizing randomized trials and meta-analyses reporting biomarker outcomes. Across clinical contexts—including inflammatory rheumatic disease, cardiovascular risk and post–myocardial infarction rehabilitation, and inflammatory bowel disease—yoga interventions consistently improved patient-reported outcomes such as stress, anxiety, and quality of life. Biomarker findings were heterogeneous: reductions in TNF-α and IL-6 were reported in some settings and protocols, whereas CRP changes were less consistent. Differences in populations, intervention intensity and duration, comparator conditions, and biomarker assessment methods likely contribute to variability across studies. Overall, current evidence suggests yoga may have anti-inflammatory potential in selected chronic disease populations, but more standardized, adequately powered trials with longer follow-up are needed to clarify the magnitude, durability, and mechanisms of biomarker effects.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains the leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in the elderly. Increasing attention has been directed toward lipid metabolism as a potential contributor to disease onset and progression. The overlap between AMD and atherosclerosis—particularly regarding lipid accumulation, endothelial dysfunction, and chronic inflammation—has prompted interest in lipid-lowering therapies. This narrative review synthesizes the clinical evidence published between 2020 and 2025 on the potential role of statins and fenofibrate in AMD risk modification and disease progression. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using combined MeSH and free-text terms related to lipid-lowering agents and AMD. Human studies evaluating clinical incidence or progression outcomes were considered alongside contextual evidence from prior evidence syntheses. Overall, findings remain heterogeneous. Most studies did not demonstrate a consistent association between statin therapy and AMD incidence or progression in unselected populations. However, selected reports suggested a potential delay in dry AMD onset or slower disease progression among patients receiving prolonged or higher-intensity statin treatment. Evidence regarding fenofibrate was more limited and heterogeneous, with only a tentative protective signal observed in adherent users, particularly for non-exudative AMD. The current literature does not support lipid-lowering therapy as a universal preventive strategy for AMD. Nonetheless, subgroup-specific benefits cannot be excluded, especially in early disease stages or metabolically high-risk populations. Further well-designed prospective and randomized studies are needed to clarify therapeutic relevance and identify the patients who are most likely to benefit.

Melanoma ranks among the most aggressive cutaneous malignancies, distinguished by its high metastatic potential and rapidly evolving clinical course. Early detection remains a major challenge, as differentiating pigmented lesions demands substantial clinical expertise, often in combination with advanced imaging modalities. Over the past decade, therapeutic progress has been remarkable, particularly with the advent of molecularly targeted agents and immunotherapy, which have markedly improved survival outcomes in patients with advanced-stage disease. Nevertheless, significant obstacles persist, including the emergence of treatment resistance, therapy-associated toxicities, and the limited availability of modern diagnostic and therapeutic options in many centers. This narrative review provides an up-to-date synthesis of diagnostic pathways and systemic treatment strategies in melanoma, highlighting areas that remain underexplored in the literature, including challenges in early detection, therapeutic selection, and real-world limitations of current interventions. By examining these specific challenges, the review provides actionable insights for clinicians and informs strategies to optimize melanoma management.

Visual information supports anticipation, decision-making, and movement control in professional sport, yet visual performance comprises distinct optical, oculomotor, attentional, and perceptual-cognitive processes. This narrative review evaluated evidence directly linking eye movements or quantitative oculomotor measures with sport-specific performance in professional or international-level athletes. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for studies published from 2015 to 2025, with backward and forward citation tracking. Eight eligible studies represented association football, Australian Rules football, baseball, cricket, and tennis. In football, more frequent and appropriately timed scanning was associated with a greater probability of successful passing, while in-situ eye tracking indicated that information was often acquired during brief scans without conventionally classified fixations. More successful Australian Rules football decisions were characterized by faster responses, fewer fixations, and greater allocation of viewing time to viable options. In baseball and cricket, smooth-pursuit accuracy, oculomotor timing, fixation stability, and composite visual measures were associated with plate discipline, competitive level, batting, and bowling outcomes. Tennis returners demonstrated individualized but adaptable visual search strategies centered on phase-specific kinematic information. Across sports, the findings support task-specific and context-sensitive gaze control rather than a universal expert pattern. However, the evidence is limited by predominantly observational designs, small male samples, heterogeneous devices and definitions, and limited external validation. Eye-tracking and oculomotor assessment may complement clinical, technical, and tactical evaluation, but training prescription and talent-selection applications require standardized methods, prospective validation, and demonstrated transfer to competition.

Background. Postmenopausal women are prone to recurrent urinary and vaginal infections due to estrogen decline, epithelial atrophy, elevated pH, and loss of Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota. Antibiotics reduce recurrences but promote resistance. Probiotics may restore vaginal homeostasis, inhibit pathogens, and modulate immunity. Aim. To review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on probiotics for prevention and treatment of urogenital infections in postmenopausal women. Materials and methods. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to, in line with PRISMA. Eligible RCTs investigated probiotic interventions reporting clinical or microbiological outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. Results were synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity. Results. Six RCTs were included. Vaginally derived strains such as L. rhamnosus GR-1, L. reuteri RC-14, L. crispatus, L. gasseri, and L. jensenii improved Nugent scores and vaginal microbiota. Oral GR-1/RC-14 achieved meaningful changes even after short treatment, whereas L. rhamnosus GG was ineffective due to poor colonization. Large-scale trials showed probiotics less effective than antibiotics for UTI prevention but without inducing resistance. All regimens were well tolerated, with no serious adverse events. Conclusion. Probiotics are safe and may improve vaginal microbiota in postmenopausal women. Efficacy is strain- and route-dependent, with GR-1/RC-14 showing the most consistent results. While not a replacement for antibiotics, probiotics represent a promising adjunct in non-hormonal management of urogenital health. Further high-quality trials are needed to establish optimal use.