Alternative medicine - a replacement or an adjunctive for conventional therapy of chronic pain

Introduction and purpose:  Many people worldwide suffer from chronic pain. It is a very inconvenient condition on its own, not only an accompanying symptom of other diseases. Conventional drug treatment may be insufficient in some cases or may even cause serious side effects in the long term. In response to this, we aim to demonstrate the diversity of alternative pain management techniques in this review and identify conditions where such techniques may be beneficial to patients. State of knowledge: This paper evaluates some of the most common alternative pain management methods (acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, mind body therapies, herbal medicine, music therapy)  and their application in specific cases of chronic pain.  We also describe the possible mechanisms of action involved in the effectiveness of these techniques, based on contemporary studies. Summary: In conclusion, there are conditions where alternative medicine may be beneficial for patients suffering from chronic pain. The studies taken into account showed the best effects for chronic musculoskeletal pain treated with methods such as acupuncture and massage. Mind-body therapies may reduce stress levels and symptoms of depression associated with chronic pain, consequently improving the quality of patients' lives. However, alternative methods should not yet be considered as replacements for conventional drug therapy. More studies are needed to evaluate whether alternative therapies will play a significant role in chronic pain management in the future

Supplementation of vitamin D in children with obesity and vitamin D deficiency - review of outcomes in terms of obesity parameters and comorbidities

In recent years, vitamin D deficiency and obesity in paediatric population have reached epidemic levels worldwide as crucial health concerns with far-reaching consequences. There has been a substantial growth in studies dedicated to these two public health issues over the last years. Numerous studies have confirmed that excess body weight has negative impact on vitamin D metabolism, leading to a higher risk of low levels of this essential vitamin, among individuals who are overweight or obese. Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the development of obesity-related conditions as insulin resistance, type two diabetes, NAFLD and cardiovascular disease due to anti-inflammatory properties, impact on the endocrine system and metabolic functions of this vital nutrient. Vitamin D supplementation seems to be a beneficial addition to pharmacology and lifestyle changes during obesity treatment

Acne vulgaris and treatment with topical retinoids - adapalene and tretinoin

Introduction and purpose: Acne vulgaris is a disease that mainly affects young people and is associated with overactive sebaceous glands. The disease mainly affects the face but can also occur on the back. Depending on the clinical picture, we can distinguish different types of acne and make our treatment dependent on it. The aim of the study will be to compare the effects of topical retinoids on acne vulgaris. State of knowledge: Topical retinoids have a direct anti-inflammatory effect and prevent the formation of blackheads and microcomedones. Five retinoids are currently available for topical treatment of acne vulgaris. We distinguish three generations. The mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it is known that they react with the RAR and RXR receptors. In the review paper, we will compare the effects of adapalene with tretinoin. Conclusion: According to the indicated study results, there is no significant difference in the effect of treatment with adapalene or tretinoin. Adapalene showed less irritation during treatment than tretinoin. The most important thing during acne treatment is choosing the right concentration and formulation by the dermatologist so that the patient does not stop treatment

Non-typical fluorescence effects and biological activity in selected 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives : spectroscopic and theoretical studies on substituent, molecular aggregation, and pH effects

The below article presents the results of spectroscopic research, theoretical (time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT)), microbiological, and antioxidative calculations for three compounds from the group of 1,3,4-thiadiazoles: 2-amino-5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (TB), 2-amino-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (TS), 2-amino-5-(2-hydroxy-5-sulfobenzoyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (TSF). In the fluorescence emission spectra (TS) of solutions with varying concentrations of hydrogen ions, a particularly interesting effect of dual fluorescence was observed. The aforementioned effect was observed even more clearly in the environment of butan-1-ol, relative to the compound’s concentration. Depending on the modification of the resorcylic substituent (TS and TSF), we observed the emergence of two separate, partially overlapping, fluorescence emission spectra or a single emission spectrum. Interpretation of the obtained spectra using stationary and time-resolved spectroscopy allowed the correlation of the effect’s emergence with the phenomenon of molecular aggregation (of a particular type) as well as, above all, the structure of the substituent system. The overlap of said effects most likely induces the processes related to the phenomenon of charge transfer (in TS) and is responsible for the observed fluorescence effects. Also, the position of the –OH group (in the resorcylic ring) is significant and can facilitate the charge transfer (CT). The determinations of the changes in the dipole moment and TD-DFT calculations further corroborate the above assumption. The following paper presents the analysis (the first for this particular group of analogues) of the fluorescence effects relative to the changes in the structure of the resorcylic group combined with pH effects. The results of biological studies also indicate the highest pharmacological potential of the analogue in the case where the effects of dual fluorescence emission are observed, which predisposes this particular group of fluorophores as effective fluorescence probes or potential pharmaceuticals with antimycotic properties

Ekologiczne aspekty zarządzania rozwojem przedsiębiorstw i regionów

Praca recenzowana / peer-reviewed pape

Influence of the Weight of a School Backpack on Spinal Curvature in the Sagittal Plane of Seven-Year-Old Children

The aim of the paper was to determine a correlation between the weight of a child’s backpack, their body weight, and certain features of their body posture. Material and Methods. The study group consisted of 109 children, all aged seven years. The parameters of body posture were determined using the Zebris Ultrasonic System. Results. The number of children carrying a school backpack in accordance with recommendations was 44 subjects (40.37%). Statistically significant changes were found in the total length of the spine (Z=2.223, p=0.026) and between backpack weight and changes in the following parameters: the total length of the spine (rs=-0.3999, p=0.017), the length and the angle of the lumbar lordosis (rs=-0.3352, p=0.049), the angle of the lumbar lordosis (rs=-0.5065, p=0.002), and the sacral angle (rs=-0.4279, p=0.010). Conclusions. Wearing a backpack heavier than 10% of one’s body weight can cause shallowing of the lumbar lordosis and a tendency towards a vertical position of the sacrum. Monitoring the weight of children’s school backpacks and enabling them to leave books and notebooks at school would probably be beneficial in reducing the daily burden put on children’s spines

Characteristics of chosen lower limb anthropometric parameters in non-weight bearing and in weight-bearing conditions in school children

Wstęp. Stopa jest złożoną strukturą biokinematyczną, która w trakcie filogenezy przechodziła szereg zmian przystosowujących ją do przenoszenia dynamicznych i dużych obciążeń. Rozrost stóp na długość jest bardziej zaawansowany niż na szerokość. Stopa prawidłowo ukształtowana jest sprężysta, dzięki odpowiedniemu wysklepieniu, które tworzą łuki podłużny i poprzeczny. Cel pracy. Ocena wysklepienia łuków stopy prawej i lewej podczas obciążenia i odciążenia u dzieci w wieku 10-12 lat. Materiał i metody. Badaniami objęto grupę 159 uczniów szkoły podstawowej w Rzeszowie, województwo podkarpackie. Wśród badanych było 77 chłopców (48%) i 82 dziewczynki (52%). Wiek badanych mieścił się w przedziale 10-12 lat, 10-latkowie (51 osób) i 11- latkowie (51 osób) stanowili po 32%, natomiast najliczniejszą grupę badanych stanowili 12-latkowie (57 osób), którzy stanowili 36%. Do komputerowej oceny stóp wykorzystano CQ Elektronik System. Wyniki. Wskaźnik Wejsfloga we wszystkich trzech pomiarach,zarówno w stopie prawej, jak i lewej mieścił się w przedziale 2,55–3,00, co oznacza, że stopy charakteryzowały się prawidłowym wysklepieniem. Najniższą wartość, lecz mieszczącą się w normie wykazywała stopa prawa podczas trzeciej próby w obciążeniu w staniu jednonóż (2,6). Natomiast najwyższą wartość wykazywała stopa lewa podczas równomiernego obciążenia w staniu obunóż (3,0). Biorąc pod uwagę kąt Clarke’a, w odciążeniu w pozycji siedzącej u dzieci występują stopy nadmiernie wydrążone, zarówno prawa (53,5), jak i lewa (53,4). W staniu obunóż stopa prawa (45,2) i lewa (42,7) charakteryzują się prawidłowym wysklepieniem łuku podłużnego. Natomiast podczas trzeciego pomiaru w obciążeniu jednonóż – zarówno stopa prawa (37,2), jak i lewa (35,2) posiadają obniżone wysklepienie. Wnioski. Stopy badanej grupy są to stopy słabo wydolne, które w pozycji siedzącej (w odciążeniu) są nadmiernie wysklepione, a podczas obciążenia jednonóż (stanie) obniżone. Taki stan stóp wskazuje na niewydolność stóp mięśniową lub więzadłową.Introduction. The foot is a complex biokinematic structure. In the process of phylogenesis it undergoes a number of changes that adapt it to the task of carrying heavy and dynamic loads. The development of the foot to its length is greater than to its width. The correctly developed foot is springy owing to the properly developed foot arches – the longitudinal and the transverse arches. Aim of the study. The assessment of foot arches of the left and the right foot in weight- bearing and in non-weight bearing conditions in children 10-12 years of age. Material and methods. The study population consisted of 159 students of a primary school in Rzeszów, Poland. There were 77 boys (48%) and 82 girls (52%) in the study population. The subjects’ age was between 10 and 12 years, with 10-year-olds (51 subjects) and 11-year-olds (51 subjects) consisting 32% of the group each, and 12-year-olds (57 subjects) consisting 36% of the group. We used CQ Elektronik System for computer assessment of the feet.Results. For all three measurements, Wejsflog’s index values, for both the right and the left foot, were within the range of 2.55-3.00, which means that the feet had correct arches. We observed the lowest value (2.6 - still within the norm, though) for the right foot in the third measurement – singleleg standing in weight-bearing conditions. We observed the greatest value (3.0) in the left foot in bilateral standing, with weight evenly distributed. The Clarke’s angle in non-weight bearing conditions (sitting) revealed excessive longitudinal foot arches in children, both in the right (53.5) and the left (53.4) foot. In bilateral standing, both the right foot and the left foot had proper longitudinal arches (45.2 and 42.7, respectively). In the third measurement – single-leg standing, weight bearing conditions – both the right and the left foot’s longitudinal arches were lowered (37.2 and 35.2, respectively). Conclusions. The feet of the study population were weak – when sitting (non-weight bearing conditions), they had excessive foot arches, while in single-leg weight-bearing conditions (standing) they had lowered foot arches. This condition points at a muscle or ligament dysfunction of the feet

Correlation of physical activity and fitness with arches of the foot in children

Study aim: Physical activity is crucial for a child’s development, as well as for the development of the foot. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of the level of physical activity and physical fitness with the arches of the foot in children in non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing conditions

Analysis of foot structure in young recreational female ballet dancers

Study aim: The human foot is an essential element of the locomotor system. It plays a key role in both the dynamics and the statics of the whole lower limb. The normal structure of the foot determines its mechanical function. During growth and formation of the foot structure, sport activity plays an important role

Body Posture Asymmetry in Prematurely Born Children at Six Years of Age

Aims. The purpose of the study was to assess body posture asymmetries in the standing and sitting position in prematurely born children at six years of age. Study Design and Subjects. We measured trunk symmetry in coronal plane. The study was carried out in a group of 101 children, aged 6-7 years, mean age of 6.63, including 50 preterm children born at gestational age <32 weeks (preterm group) and 51 full-term children (control group). Outcome Measures. Trunk symmetry in coronal plane was measured using photogrammetric technique with Mora 4G CQ Elektronik. The subjects were examined in standing and sitting position. Statistical analyses were carried out using Shapiro-Wilk W-test, Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Pearson’s chi-squared test. Statistical significance was assumed at p<0.05. Results. No significant differences were found between the groups in the asymmetries identified in the relevant anthropometric points, relative to the position assumed during the examination or to the subjects’ sex. Conclusions. There are no significant differences in body posture in the coronal plane, between preterm children and full-term children. Premature birth does not have adverse effects related to body posture asymmetry in preterm children at the age of six