Autoimmune pancreatitis - role of intestinal microbiota in pathogenesis. Review of the literature

Introduction: Autoimmune pancreatitis is a type of chronic autoimmune inflammation that can be divided into two types. Type 1 is a clinical manifestation of IgG4-mediated disease, while type 2 may coexist with inflammatory bowel diseases. Objective: The aim of the study is to review the literature on the role of the intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of autoimmune pancreatitis. Methods: A literature review was conducted on databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using the terms: ”autoimmune pancreatits”, “intestinal dysbiosis”, “intestinal microbiome”, and “pathogenesis”. Conclusions: The intestinal microbiota has an impact on the development of autoimmune pancreatitis, but it is not the main pathogenic factor, but rather a risk factor

Clinical manifestations of Graves’ disease among adults - a review of literature

Introduction: The most common cause of hyperthyroidism among adults is Graves' disease. The symptoms that occur in the course of this disease affect various systems and organs, including the skin, eyes, cardiovascular system, nervous system and respiratory system. The aim of the study: The aim of the work was to review available publications and materials and present the current state of knowledge on possible symptoms of Graves' disease among adults. Material and method: A review of publications available in the PubMed database was conducted. Articles were searched in English using keywords such as Graves' disease, hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, thyroid disease. Subsequently, works related to the subject of the publication were selected. Conclusions: Graves' disease is a fairly common endocrine disorder, but its diagnosis can be delayed due to the variety and non-specificity of symptoms. In untreated cases, hyperthyroidism can lead to a life-threatening condition. Effective antithyroid drugs are available, so it is important to remain vigilant and recommend monitoring thyroid function tests if there are suspicions of its dysfunction

How blue light affect sleep

  Many external factors affect human sleep. One of them is visible light. Its effect on the human body consists in synchronizing the biological clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus with the 24-hour solar cycle. The short fraction of light waves perceived by humans as blue waves is the strongest factor that synchronizes the circadian system, which maintains the internal homeostasis of many biological and psychological rhythms. This impact depends on the amount, duration and time of exposure to blue light during the day. Exposure to blue light during the day is important for inhibiting the secretion of melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland and playing a key role in entraining the circadian rhythm. While exposure to blue light is essential for maintaining the body's well-being, alertness, and cognitive abilities during the day, chronic exposure to low-intensity blue light right before bedtime can have serious consequences for sleep quality, circadian phase, and cycle duration. That is why the right amount and the right time of exposure to blue light are so important

Endurance Training and Cardiovascular Health: Mechanism and Clinical Implications

Introduction and objective: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, but regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Intensive endurance training brings many undeniable benefits but recently there have been scientific studies regarding potential complications that this type of physical activity may cause. This publication attempts to analyze whether the intensity of endurance training can reach a level at which it becomes harmful to the health of athletes. Materials and methods: This article reviews the literature on the impact of physical activity on cardiovascular health, with particular emphasis on endurance training. Articles were searched by key words, e.g. endurance training, cardiovascular health, marathon, running, cycling in various configurations, in Pubmed, Medline, Google Scholar databases. Actual state of knowledge: Regular physical activity is commonly regarded as the best preventive factor for cardiovascular diseases. Intensive endurance training significantly increases the efficiency of the cardiovascular system. Despite the significant benefits of regular endurance training, scientific reports suggest that athletes practicing this type of activity are more prone to developing certain cardiovascular disorders, such as coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, sinus bradycardia, and myocardial fibrosis. Colclusion: Regular and moderate aerobic physical activity is key to maintain optimal health. Endurance athletes develop a series of adaptations in the cardiovascular system, exhibit greater survival rates, and are less likely to experience sudden cardiac death compared to those who do not engage in regular physical activity. There is evidence suggesting a higher incidence of certain cardiovascular complications compared to healthy individuals who do not engage in sports. The reasons for these changes and their impact should be the subject of further research

Periodicities and Plasma Density Structure of Jupiter’s Dawnside Magnetosphere

The ability to quantify variations in magnetic field topology and density within Jupiter’s magnetosphere is an important step in understanding the overall structure and dynamics. The Juno spacecraft has provided a rich data set in the dawnside magnetosphere. The recent Grid Agnostic MHD for Extended Research Applications (GAMERA) global simulation study by Zhang et al. (2021) showed a highly structured plasmadisc with closed magnetic field lines mapping between the outer dawn-tail flank and the high latitude polar region. To test these model predictions, we examined Juno’s magnetic field data and electron/energetic particle data to categorize portions of orbits 1-15 into one of three regions based on plasma confinement: the flux pileup region, the intermediate region, and the plasmadisc region. For each region we examined periodicities from magnetic field fluctuations and particle density fluctuations on the 1-10 hours time scale. Periodicities on this time scale could relate to internal (e.g. plasmadisc structure) or external processes (e.g. Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices). Similar analysis was performed on the GAMERA simulation with the data split into two regions, an outer (150 \u3e R \u3e 60) region and an inner (R \u3c 60) region. Finally, using published density moments from Huscher et al. (2021) we compared the relative density variations of the Juno moments and the GAMERA simulation to further understand the overall structure and dynamics of the plasmadisc. The agreement between data and simulation supports the existence of such a highly structured plasmadisc

The relationship between hypothyroidism and physical exercise: impact on exercise tolerance and health

Background: Hypothyroidism is a common disorder among patients and it is well known that individuals with hypothyroidism often have lower tolerance for physical activity. However, regular exercise can have a positive impact on health and quality of life of these patients. Objective: The aim of this work is to review the relationship between hypothyroidism and physical activity, including the potential benefits of physical exercise for individuals with hypothyroidism, as well as the factors that may limit exercise tolerance in this population. Method: A literature review was conducted on databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using terms „hypothyroidism”, „physical exercise”, „exercise tolerance”, „quality of life”, „thyroid function”. Results:  People with hypothyroidism engage in sports less frequently, which may be due to the influence of hypothyroidism on the lungs, heart and muscles, which can cause impaired exercise tolerance. However, physical exercise in individuals with hypothyroidism may have a positive impact on thyroid function, depressive states and cognitive functions. Conclusions: Studies suggest that exercise can have positive effects on thyroid function, mood and symptoms of depression in patients with hypothyroidism. Therefore, incorporating regular physical activity into the management of hypothyroidism can be an important strategy for improving health outcomes in these patients

Oncoplastic breast conserving surgery: is there a need for standardization?: Results of a nationwide survey

Introduction: The NABON Breast Cancer Audit showed that more than 70% of the Dutch women undergoing surgery for breast cancer maintained their breast contour by breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or by immediate reconstruction after ablative surgery. The proportion of oncoplastic surgery applied in patients undergoing breast-conserving treatment remains unknown. The aim of our study was to assess the need for standardization of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OPBCS) in an attempt to enable measurement of the quality of OPBCS. Methods: To gain a better understanding of current practice in OPBCS, we sent a questionnaire to all breast surgeons in The Netherlands who are members of the breast surgery working group (n = 134). Results: A total of 60 breast surgeons, representing different hospitals in The Netherlands, responded. 61.7% of the breast surgeons performed BCS on 60–100% of their patients. 68.3% responded that BCS was performed using OPS techniques in up to 40% of their patients. OPBCS was defined as level I volume displacement by 45.2% of the breast surgeons and as BCS performed by a breast surgeon and plastic surgeon together by 32.3% of the breast surgeons. 94.5% indicated that there is a need for standardization of the definition of OPBCS in The Netherlands. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that OPBCS is a major part of daily clinical practice of Dutch breast surgeons treating BC patients. Despite this, there is no clear definition of OPS in breast-conserving treatment in The Netherlands. Only after standardization can a classification code and quality indicator be initiated for OPBCS. Ultimately, this will facilitate improvement in quality of BC care. Analysis and support of clinical decision makin

Trauma-focused treatments for refugee children: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of KIDNET versus EMDR therapy versus a waitlist control group (KIEM)

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in refugees is reportedly higher in comparison to the general population. Refugee children specifically are often coping with trauma and loss and are at risk for mental health difficulties. With staggering numbers of people seeking refuge around the world and 50% being 18 years or younger, research examining the effects of trauma-focused therapies for refugee children with PTSD is highly needed. Both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and the child version of Narrative Exposure Therapy (KIDNET) have been used for refugees, although these treatment methods have not been systematically compared. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effectiveness of EMDR and KIDNET, compared to a waitlist control group and with each other, offered to refugee children. METHODS: A randomized controlled three-arm trial has been designed. The primary outcome is PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity assessed with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children DSM5 (CAPS-CA-5) at baseline (T1), 1 month post-treatment, or after 8 weeks of waiting (T2) and 3 months follow-up (T3). Additionally, instruments to assess posttraumatic stress symptoms, behavioral and emotional problems, and quality of life perception in children aged 8-18 are conducted at T1, T2, and T3. DISCUSSION: This is the first RCT that examines the effectiveness of EMDR and KIDNET in refugee children aged 8-18 years specifically, compared to a waitlist control group intended to reduce PTSD diagnosis and severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms and comorbid complaints in a growing and challenging population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register NL40769 . Retrospectively registered on June 16, 2021