Potential health benefits from coffee consumption

The history of coffee goes back to the 10th century. Currently, coffee is a widespread drink, with recent studies reporting a global consumption of 164,9 million 60-kg bags in 2020/2021. The effect of coffee on human health has been studied for many years. The active ingredients of coffee include polyphenols, lactones, diterpenes, niacin, the trigonelline (vitamin B3 precursor), magnesium and potassium. Potential factors that could change its properties include the type of beans, the roasting process, the grinding process and the brewing process. Authors searched PubMed and Google Scholar using searchterms coffee, cardiovascular system disease, CVD, type II diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and caffeine. We manually searched the references of selected articles for additional relevant articles. We selected articles relevant to a general medicine readership, prioritizing systematic reviews, cases and clinical practice guidelines. The literature contains the latest reports on the impact of coffee on human health, including cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Drinking coffee may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, because of the caffeine blocking A1 and A2A receptors. It may also contribute to decreasing the risk of type II diabetes, increasing the secretion of GLP-1 and increasing the sensitivity of tissues to insulin. The influence of coffee on the development of Alzheimer’s disease is still being investigated. Coffee is a common drink for many people, so you should know its impact on human health. Contrary to appearances, coffee may have many health-promoting properties

COVID-19 in periodontal patients

Periodontitis is a complex multifactorial disease. COVID-19 pandemic prompted researchers to look for a relationship between SARS-CoV 2 infection and periodontal diseases. The SARS-CoV 2 pathomechanism is associated with the ACE2 receptor, which is highly expressed in periodontal patients. The virus causes a cytokine storm which is also seen in periodontitis. Periopathogen proteases can degrade the S protein of the virus, which facilitates its entry into the host cell. In addition, galectin-3, a protein present in periodontitis, is morphologically similar to the S protein of the virus, which may cause the easier attachment of the virus with the host cell more easily and increase the immune response. In patients infected with SARS-CoV 2, oral lesions such as erosions, ulcers, petechiae, acute parotitis and necrotizing gingivitis occur.  The aim of the study is to present the latest reports on the possible mechanisms of the influence of periodontal diseases on the infection and course of SARS-CoV 2 infection and to describe cases of changes in the oral cavity in the course of COVID-19

What do we know about creatine supplementation?

Creatine is one of the most often used supplements nowadays. Its popularity can be attributed to a wide variety of clinical implications. The intent of this paper was to evaluate and review the latest publications about the usage and potential clinical effects on the human body of creatine supplementation and to bring attention to new findings in this subject. Authors explored PubMed, CrossRef and Google Scholar using keywords: creatine, supplements, ergogenic aids, neuroprotection, bioenergetics. Furthermore, the references of selected articles were manually investigated for additional relevant articles. The bibliography focused mainly on systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case reports. The selection of individual articles was carried out in accordance with the determinants of general medicine readership. There is still a lot to learn about creatine supplementation and its potentially beneficial effects. Further evidence-based studies are required, as the amount of reliable data and information is still not sufficient and lots of them have yet to be examined

Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a disease caused by reactivation of varicella-zoster  virus in the geniculate ganglion. It may be one of the common reasons of the facial palsy. Symptoms of the RHS include vesicular rash on the auricle, external auditory canal, soft palate, pharynx, facial nerve paralysis, ear pain, tinnitus, vertigo and hearing loss. There may be other symptoms connected to cranial nerves (CN) V, VIII, IX or X, when they are involved.  Men are more likely to develop lesions than women. Risk of developing Ramsay-Hunt syndrome increases with age. Authors searched Google Scholar and PubMed, using searchterms Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, varicella-zoster virus, VZV, facial palsy. We manually searched the references of selected articles for additional relevant articles. We selected articles relevant to a general medicine readership and prioritised systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines and cases. The literature contains the latest reports on Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. Clinicians should not ignore patients’ symptoms and always pay attention to possibility of VZV infection and the development of RHS, as treatment should be started within 72 hours after the onset of the symptoms. Main treatment includes antiviral drugs and corticosteroids. The results are promising

Trigeminal Neuralgia - where are we today?

Introduction: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is one of the most crippling facial pain syndromes, which has a significant impact on quality of life. This chronic disorder presents as brief shock-like paroxysmal severe, stabbing pain with rapid onset in the distribution of trigeminal nerve (CNV). The aim of this article was to review the recent literature about the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment methods and the important advances in all these fields.Etiology and pathomechanism: The best known and tested theory on the genesis of the trigeminal neuralgia seems to be a nerve compression at the nerve root entry-zone. However there are other theories like the trigeminal convergence-projection theory, the bioresonance hypothesis or the ignition theory that are trying to explain the etiology of TN. Treatment: Available treatment methods consist mainly of medications and surgical procedures. Surgical treatment may be divided into 2 categories: destructive and non-destructive. Among these interventions we can distinguish percutaneous rhizotomy stereotactic radiosurgery and microvascular decompression. All of them are very efficacious, however MVD is approved as the gold standard in the treatment of TN. Botulinum neurotoxin  type A injections are not the first line for treatment, but it may be an attractive alternative for classic pharmaceutical or surgical therapy, as it’s safe and effective. Acupuncture is also proposed in recent studies as a valuable treatment option, even though there is little well-designed research.Conclusion: Much remains to be learned about the diagnosis, pathomechanism and methods of treatment of neuropathic pain and the efficacy of each of them. Further evidence-based studies are needed, as the amount of reliable materials is still not sufficient and lots of them have yet to be examined

Platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin in oral surgery: a narrative review

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) are biological products derived from the plasma fraction of autologous blood that have a platelet concentration above that of the original blood. Cytokines and growth factors are present in platelet-based preparations, and their application has gained great attention in dentistry. The aim of this review was to comprehensively examine the latest scientific evidence on the use of PRF and PRP in oral surgery, and to describe current operational protocols. Platelet-rich fibrin is used after third molar extractions, in the treatment of alveolar osteitis and trismus, and in implant surgery. Platelet-rich plasma is utilized in sinus lift procedures, after tooth extractions, and in patients undergoing the treatment of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Based on this review, plenty of data indicates that the PRF-PRP usage in oral surgery shows promising results. However, no consistent protocols have been presented in the analyzed articles. Further research is needed to provide clinicians with evidence-based clinical recommendations and to develop protocols on the use of these preparations in dental surgery

Malignant hyperthermia – state of knowledge

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a relatively rare, but potentially lethal genetic disorder. That disease is characterized by hypermetabolic response of the skeletal muscles caused by exposure to triggering agents e.g. volatile anesthetics or depolarizing neuromuscular blockers. The object of this article was to review and assess the most recent published works about the epidemiology, etiology, pathomechanism, therapy of the MH and the new advances in all these fields. Authors scrutinized PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords: malignant hyperthermia, volatile anesthetics, ryanodine receptor mutation. In addition to this, the references of chosen articles were manually scoured for supplementary applicable articles. The literature was selected on the basis of a general medicine readership and prioritized clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews and case reports. The references include the latest reports on malignant hyperthermia, apart from works of historical importance. Available treatment methods consist mainly of pharmacotherapy, symptomatic treatment and monitoring of vital parameters. Dantrolene is a first-choice drug in initial treatment of MH and is considered the only specific antidote. In spite of the constant advances in the areas of medicine there is still much to be discovered about MH. Further studies are necessary, as the amount of credible evidence is not adequate

Oral diseases in patients infected with HIV

Introduction: In recent years, more and more people have become infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Of great importance in the course of HIV infection are symptoms and diseases, which often occurs in the oral cavity with a corresponding decrease in lymphocytes.Aim: The aim of the study was the study was to present the most common oral diseases in patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus like hairy leukoplakia, Candidas, angular cheilitis, Linear Gingival Erythema, Herpesviridae virus infections, ulcerative lesions or xerostomia.Description: Clinicians should pay attention to oral manifestation of HIV infections because it may speed up the diagnostics process and may allow better control of the course of the infection. Hairy leukoplakia related to EBV is a marker of HIV on the side border of the tongue and appears as a hyperkeratotic stripes. Candidiasis may occur in many forms as acute pseudomembranous candidiasis, acute erythematous candidiasis, hyperplastic candidiasis or Median Rhomboid Glossitis. The most common fungus is Candida albicans but there may also be Candida krusei, Candida glabrata or Candida tropicalis. Another disease is Angular Cheilitis which is an inflammatory process localized in the commissure of the labia and can be caused by vitamin B deficiency, Candida, Staphylococcus or Streptococcus infection. Linear Gingival Erythema is a red linear lesion on the gingival margin infiltrated by polynuclear leukocytes and plasma cells. Patients with HIV also present Herpesviridae infections symptoms, ulcerations. Summary: This review shows that HIV/AIDS patients should be monitored for oral manifestation of the HIV infection and weakened immune system. Diseases described in this study are reliable markers of the HIV infection and clinicians should pay attention to them to monitor the course of primary infection

Frey syndrome

Frey syndrome is a condition of gustatory sweating and hyperemia related to damage of the auriculotemporal nerve. It affects around 80% of patients after parotidectomy. Syndrome may be easily diagnosed with an iodine-starch test, even in patients without symptoms, which are about 20% depending on studies. Authors searched PubMed and Google Scholar using searchterms Frey syndrome, auriculotemporal nerve, greater auricular nerve, tympanic nerve, parotidectomy. We manually searched the references of selected articles for additional relevant articles. We selected articles relevant to a general medicine readership and prioritized systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines and cases. The literature contains the latest reports on Frey syndrome. Symptoms of Frey syndrome are: redding of the skin due to vasodilatation, excessive sweating or tingling and burning sensation of the cheek skin. Clinicians should pay attention to frey syndrome in patients after parotid gland surgery. Treatment includes botulinum toxin type A most commonly, topical injection of alcohol, scopolamine, glycopyrrolate and less common surgical treatment including transection of auriculotemporal nerve. Frey syndrome is not such a rare disease and should be always considered by clinicians because it may worsen the quality of patients' life

Electronic cigarettes and their effects on human health

In the last decade electronic cigarettes also known as e-cigarettes have gained popularity. These are devices designed to imitate regular cigarettes. They provide nicotine via inhalation without using tabacco. The introduction of alternative nicotine delivery devices to the consumer market has inspired a vivid debate on the harmfulness of these products. It is discussed whether they are regulated, safe and as harmless as it is claimed. The purpose of this article was to describe the chemical composition of the e-cigarettes and its influence on human’s health. The devices contain many various groups of potentially toxic and carcinogenic compounts: carbonyls, volatile organic compounts and nitrosamines. The researchs has shown that e-cigarettes contain significantly lower concentration of those substances than the traditional cigarettes. On the other hand, it should be remembered that scientists still do not know potential long term pathologies caused by the liquids