Eating disorders in pediatric population, analysis of some of the most common risk factors

Introduction: This article reviews a number of studies that have sought to determine what are risk factors that may cause eating disorders in the pediatric population, taking into account the age and gender of the subjects. This study focuses on issues related to purging, bulimic behaviors, and psychological orthorexia and what impact the most common risk factors for these behaviors have in the pediatric population.   Aim of study: The aim of the study is to present a comprehensive review of some of the most common risk factors predisposing to the development of eating disorders in the pediatric population, and how these factors have a direct impact on each other and are intertwined, by using available knowledge, paying particular attention to a new potential risk factor - social media.   Materials and methods: Materials used in this study were found in the PubMed database, using the following keywords: ,,Social media”, ,,Mass media”, ,,Peers”, ,,Family”, ,,Orthorexia nervosa”, ,,Social media”, ,,Children”, ,,Adolescence”.   Conclusion: Eating disorders are a growing problem. Our research focuses on potential risk factors, with the greatest emphasis on a relatively new risk factor: social media and screen time, and how these two factors influence young minds, what impact they have on the eating habits of children and adolescents, and what can be done to prevent eating disorders in the pediatric population

Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A review of varied health benefits

Introduction:   Garlic (Allium sativum L.), has been cultivated in various countries and is valued for its medicinal and culinary properties. It contains bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, organic sulfides, polysaccharides, and saponins, with allicin being a particularly studied compound. These compounds have been shown to possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic and antihypertensive effects. Garlic has been used for over 5000 years as a curative plant and has potential applications in food science, medicine, and nutraceuticals.  Aim of the Study:   The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive review of the overall impact of Allium sativum L. on human health and in order to draw attention to the benefits of regular consumption.  Materials and methods:  A comprehensive review of scientific and medical literature was conducted utilizing PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Searching terms were: garlic, Allium sativum L., garlic anti-inflammatory, garlic anticancer, garlic health effects.   Conclusion:   Allium sativum L. is associated with a comprehensive range of beneficial effects on the human body. These include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, positive influence on lipid profile, cardiovascular system, and the anticancer activity among others by stimulation of tumor apoptosis. As a result, garlic and its bioactive compounds hold promise as functional foods or nutraceuticals for the prevention and treatment of various diseases.&nbsp

Psoriatic arthritis - Tofacitinib as a new treatment

Introduction: JAK inhibitors are used in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis when there is a lack of effective response or intolerance to first-line drugs or their use must be discontinued due to the presence of side effects. JAK inhibitors inhibit the JAK-STAT signaling pathway which plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This mechanism leads to a reduction in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines which causes rapid improvement in the patient's clinical condition. Tofacitinib is the best-known drug in this group; its use carries an increased risk of cardiovascular events and reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Regular monitoring of patients results in faster detection of the first signs of undesirable effects and the cessation of their progression. The drug's safety profile is acceptable and the benefits outweigh possible complications.   Aim of  the study:   The aim of the study is to summarize the available knowledge about tofacitinib treatment in psoriatic arthritis. The way of work, effectiveness of treatment and potential side effects were summarized and described.   Materials and methods:   The literature available in PubMed database was reviewed using the following keywords: “Psoriatic arthritis”, “Tofacitinib”, “JAK inhibitors”, “JAK-STAT”   Conclusion:   Tofacitinib treatment in rheumatology is used in psoriatic arthritis. The rapid improvement in the clinical condition of patients treated with JAK inhibitors is due to their direct impact on the modulation of the pathogenesis of the disease. The predictable benefits of therapy outweigh the side effects which can be detected at an early stage with regular monitoring of the patient

Finger Injury Related to Climbing: Anatomy, Function, Mechanism of Injury, Diagnosis, Treatment

Introduction  Rock climbing has surged in popularity over the past few decades, attracting a diverse range of participants from recreational enthusiasts to professional athletes. While climbing offers numerous physical and mental benefits, it also presents significant injury risks. Rock climbing is a sport that imposes extreme stress on the fingers, particularly on the flexor pulley system. Injuries to these structures can severely impact a climber's ability to perform and progress in the sport. Understanding the anatomy, injury mechanisms, and treatment modalities is essential for effective management and prevention.  Aim of the study  The purpose of this narrative review is to comprehensively describe information on the anatomy, function, mechanism of injury, diagnosis, and treatment modalities of the finger flexor pulley system (FFPS).  Materials and methods   The methodology for the literature search involved using the keyword "pulley" and adding terms such as "treatment", "mechanism", "function", "anatomy", "diagnosis", and "symptoms". The search terms were entered into the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The review works and clinical trials were taken into account.  Conclusion   Finger flexor pulley system (FFPS) strain is a common overuse injury in climbers, often caused by the crimp grip used in rock climbing. Pulleys A2 and A4 are particularly vulnerable. Diagnosis involves physical examination and imaging tests, such as ultrasonography and, if necessary, magnetic resonance imaging. Grade I to III injuries are typically treated conservatively, while surgical treatment may be necessary for grade IVb injuries. Using a splint or H-taping the fingers after an injury can help prevent further damage and provide support for the affected pulleys.

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Stanisław Godlewski, Marta Keil, Monika Kwaśniewska, Piotr Morawski, Paulina Skorupska and Weronika Szczawińska talk about Ewa Guderian-Czaplińsk

Amplified Vasodilatation within the Referred Pain Zone of Trigger Points Is Characteristic of Gluteal Syndrome—A Type of Nociplastic Pain Mimicking Sciatica

Gluteal syndrome (GS) mimicking sciatica is a new disease that has been recently recognized and included in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision. The present study examines nociplastic pain involvement in GS and sciatica patients using a new Skorupska protocol (SP) test that provokes amplified vasodilatation in the area of expected muscle-referred pain. A positive test is confirmed if there is (i) a development of autonomic referred pain (AURP) and (ii) an increase in the delta of average temperature (Δ₸°) > 0.3 °C at the end of the stimulation and during the observation SP phases. Chronic GS (n = 20) and sciatica (n = 30) patients were examined. The SP test confirmed muscle-referred pain for (i) all GS patients with 90.6% positive thermograms (Δ₸° 0.6 ± 0.8 °C; maximum AURP 8.9 ± 13.6% (both p < 0.05)) and (ii) those sciatica (n = 8) patients who reported pain sensation during the test with 20.6% positive thermograms (Δ₸° 0.7 ± 0.7 °C; maximum AURP 15.1 ± 17.8% (both p < 0.05)). The remaining sciatica (n = 22) patients did not report pain during the test and presented a Δ₸° decrease and the AURP size below 1%. Conclusion: Amplified vasodilatation suggesting nociplastic pain involvement was confirmed for all GS and sciatica patients who reported painful sensations in the zone typical for gluteus minimus referred pain during the test

Relationship between latent trigger points, lower limb asymmetry and muscle fatigue in elite short-track athletes

Abstract Background Short-track speed skating movement involves asymmetric overloading of the lower left side of the body. The gluteus maximus fatigue limits the physical and mental athletic capacity to perform set tasks. A possible link between the presence of latent trigger points (LTrPs) and muscle fatigue development/persistence has been posited. The aim of the study was to determine whether elite short-track speed skating can result in the impairment of the musculoskeletal system of the lower limbs. Methods Elite short-track athletes as the experimental group (EXP) = 9, 19.5 ± 1.8 years, and healthy subjects as the control group (CON) = 18, 20.8 ± 1.2 years, were tested for: (i) lower limb loading asymmetry using ground reaction force (GRF) measurements during quiet standing, (ii) gluteus maximus fatigue measured with surface electromyography (sEMG) during the Biering-Sorensen test, and (iii) LTrPs presence in the 14 examined muscles of the pelvic girdle and lower limbs. Results There were between-group differences in the number of LTrPs, with the EXP group (left lower limb (LLL) n = 18, right lower limb (RLL) n = 9) showing more LTrPs compared to the CON group (LLL n = 2, RLL n = 1), (p < 0.001), and within-group differences in the EXP group only (p < 0.001). There were also significant differences in muscle fatigue for the left side (p < 0.001) both between the groups and within the EXP group (p ≤ 0.001). The vertical ground reaction force (GRF) measurement showed a loading rate of 2% (p = 0.013) in the athletes’ LLL exclusively. Conclusions The study confirmed an increased prevalence of LTrPs, increased muscle fatigue and left-sided limb load asymmetry in elite short-track athletes. Trial registration The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (Resolution No 110/22 of 10 March 2022). Trial registration: 20/07/2022, Trial Id: ACTRN12622001016729

Retrospective Analysis of Functional Pain among Professional Climbers

Climbing became one of the official Olympic sports in 2020. The nociplastic pain mechanism is indicated as important in professional sports. Functional pain, which has not been examined in climbers until now, can be an example of nociplastic pain. This study aimed to determine functional pain locations in climbers according to gender and dominant climbing style. Climbers (n = 183) and healthy subjects (n = 160) completed an online survey focused on functional pain occurrence in the head, spine, and upper limbs. The logistic regression showed that climbing predisposes one to functional pain at: Gleno-humeral joint (odds ratio (OR): 3.06; area under the curve (AUC): 0.635), elbow (OR: 2.86; AUC: 0.625), fingers (OR: 7.74; AUC: 0.733), all (p p < 0.05). Climbing predisposes one to functional pain development in the upper limb. While the male climbers mainly suffered from finger functional pain, the female climbers reported functional pain in the GHJ and the thoracic and lumbosacral spine. Further studies on functional pain occurrence are recommended

Pluripotent state transitions coordinate morphogenesis in mouse and human embryos

The foundations of mammalian development lie in a cluster of embryonic epiblast stem cells. In response to extracellular matrix signalling, these cells undergo epithelialization and create an apical surface in contact with a cavity, a fundamental event for all subsequent development. Concomitantly, epiblast cells transit through distinct pluripotent states, before lineage commitment at gastrulation. These pluripotent states have been characterized at the molecular level, but their biological importance remains unclear. Here we show that exit from an unrestricted naive pluripotent state is required for epiblast epithelialization and generation of the pro-amniotic cavity in mouse embryos. Embryonic stem cells locked in the naive state are able to initiate polarization but fail to undergo lumenogenesis. Mechanistically, exit from naive pluripotency activates an Oct4-governed transcriptional program that results in expression of glycosylated sialomucin proteins and the vesicle tethering and fusion events of lumenogenesis. Similarly, exit of epiblasts from naive pluripotency in cultured human post-implantation embryos triggers amniotic cavity formation and developmental progression. Our results add tissue-level architecture as a new criterion for the characterization of different pluripotent states, and show the relevance of transitions between these states during development of the mammalian embryo.status: publishe