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The article is an attempt to read Małgorzata Kur’s The Last Tree on The Earth in the context of the climate crisis and eco-feminism. The researcher writes the story of a girl taking care of the only tree in the world, not only in the trend of engaged literature, but also in the cited book; she also notices new trends emerging in education and pedagogy. Małgorzata Kur’s book is therefore an ecological story directing readers’ attention to the relations between people and non-people, but also a text about shaping an empathetic attitude among the young generation, which paradoxically consists of both a sense of fragility and agency. It is thanks to them that the kairotic moment mentioned by the researcher after Olga Tokarczuk can be considered as a chance to change the world.

Artykuł jest próbą opisu wybranych książek Justyny Bednarek, znanej i nagradzanej pisarki dla dzieci (Nowe przygody skarpetek (jeszcze bardziej niesamowite), Basik Grysik i wrony, Pan Stanisław odlatuje). Badaczka skupia się przede wszystkim na zagadnieniach związanych ze sposobami reprezentowania przez Bednarek relacji człowieka ze światem. Wójcik-Dudek dowodzi, że w twórczości Bednarek najsilniejszą reprezentację w przedstawianiu człowieka uwikłanego w świat ma nić oraz jej dosłowne i symboliczne znaczenia.

To present the results of testicular ultrasonography supported by clinical and hormonal aspects in paediatric patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS). Prospective analysis of medical files of 20 patients diagnosed with KS between 2016 and 2022. Assessed data included analysis of causes of referral, ultrasound, and clinical characterisation with hormonal evaluation of serum FSH, LH, testosterone, inhibin B, and anti-Müllerian hormone. Non-mosaic Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY) was diagnosed in 65% of cases (13/20) by the geneticist (including 7 cases prenatally), in 25% (5/20) by the endocrinologist and in 10% (2/20) by the hematologist. Ultrasound assessment revealed bilateral testicular microlithiasis (TM) in all patients. The youngest KS patient with TM was 3 months old. TM patterns have not changed during follow-ups of up to 6 years in any of the patients. In all KS patients markedly reduced echogenicity and in pubertal KS patients, also irregular echostructure of the testes was observed. The hormonal patterns observed in the study group were typical for those already described in KS. Sertoli and Leydig cell function was intact in prepubertal patients and deteriorated after the start of puberty.Conclusion: Although the degenerative process in the testicular tissue starts very early in the testes in KS and is reflected in morphological changes seen in ultrasonography, Sertoli and Leydig cell hormonal function is normal in prepubertal KS patients. What is Known:• So far, normal Leydig and Sertoli cell function was observed in infants and prepubertal KS patients. What is New:• The morphological changes in the testes in KS may already be seen in early infancy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between PMS (premenstrual syndrome)-related pain among young women following a particular type of diet during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was compared to the period before the pandemic. Furthermore, we aimed to determine whether the increase in the intensification of pain was correlated to their age, body weight, height and BMI, and whether there are differences in PMS-related pain between women who differ in their diet. A total of 181 young female Caucasian patients who met the criteria for PMS were involved in the study. Patients were divided according to the kind of diet they had followed during the last 12 months before the first medical evaluation. The rise in pain score was evaluated according to the Visual Analog Scale before and during the pandemic. Women following a non-vegetarian (“basic”) diet had a significantly higher body weight in comparison to those on a vegetarian diet. Furthermore, a significant difference was noted between the level of intensification of pain before and during the pandemic in women applying a basic diet, a vegetarian and an elimination diet. Before the pandemic, women from all groups felt weaker pain than during the pandemic. No significant difference in the intensification of pain during the pandemic was shown between women with various diets, nor was there a correlation between intensification of pain and the girl’s age, BMI, their body weight and also height for any of the diets applied.

Puberty is a complex process leading to physical, sexual, and psychosocial maturation. The changes in morphology and organ function during puberty also affect blood pressure (BP) regulation, and as a consequence (BP) values change noticeably, reaching values often higher than after reaching full maturity. In children entering puberty, BP, especially systolic, increases and then reaches adult values by the end of puberty. The mechanisms responsible for this process are complex and not fully understood. Sex hormones, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, and insulin, whose production increases during puberty, significantly regulate BP through complex and overlapping mechanisms. During puberty, the incidence of arterial hypertension also increases, especially in children with excess body weight. The present paper presents the current state of knowledge regarding the influence of processes occurring during puberty on blood pressure.

AimThis article presents the results of research from an implementation project aimed at developing measures to prevent peer bullying. Peer bullying is understood as systematic aggressive behaviours directed at harm to the victim in a situation where there is a relationship of power and authority imbalance between the bully and the victim. Highlights and ImplicationsThe problem of peer bullying is widespread in Polish schools, and as such requires systemic actions targeted at all school society members. ConclusionThe result of the research is the RESQL peer violence prevention system consisting of a mobile app, a panel supporting intervening teachers and a set of tool/scenarios for working with students. The article presents the implementation of the system in schools and the very encouraging results of the evaluation studies carried out as part of pilot implementation.

The state of hydration of the body depends on the balance between the amount of water and salt consumed and excreted (the urinary extraction of excess sodium requires water). Inappropriate nutrition, particularly consuming too much processed food, causes obesity in children and additionally causes excessive sodium consumption, thus increasing the risk of excessive water loss. The aim of this study was to assess the hydration status of children with obesity and the relation between hydration, body composition, urinary sodium extraction, and nutrient intake. The study group consisted of 27 patients with obesity, with a mean age of 12.89 ± SD 2.79. Each patient’s height, weight, body composition (electrical bioimpedance (BIA)), diet (7-day record), and biochemical tests were assessed. The hydration status was assessed using 24-hour urine collection, 24-hour urine osmolality, and an ultrasound of the vena cava (IVC/Ao index). Overall, 55% of children (n = 15) had urine osmolality values above 800 mOsm/kgH2O, which indicates significant dehydration, and 53% (n = 14) were dehydrated, based on the IVC/Ao index. Children with obesity and dehydration had a significantly higher BMI (31.79 vs. 27.32; p = 0.0228), fat mass percentage (37.23% vs. 30.07% p = 0.0051), and fat mass in kg (30.89 vs. 20.55; p = 0.0158), and significantly higher sodium intake from their diet (3390.0 mg vs. 2921.0 mg; p = 0.0230), as well as their sodium/potassium ratio (2.4 vs. 2.0; p = 0.0043). The 24-hour urinary sodium excretion and osmolality values were directly related to fat-mass percentage and fat-mass (in kg) in a simple linear correlation analysis. Our preliminary results confirm that obesity is related to dehydration. The overall high sodium excretion in children with obesity indicates an excessive salt intake along with low potassium intake, which is a significant predictor of dehydration, regardless of the total water intake (TWI).

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a simple tool to monitor cardiovascular stress. The proper function of the cardiovascular system is a problem among firefighters. Physical activity has health benefits correlated with psychological stress. Physically active people should be more resilient to psychological stress, but this has not always been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine whether cranial techniques would have an effect on HRV parameters. Osteopathy in the cranium reduces stress and improves cardiovascular function. Fifty-seven firefighter cadets aged 18–24 years (21.63 ± 1.41) participated in the study. All subjects had their heart rate variability measured and were randomly assigned either to the cranial techniques (CS) group, with therapy performed once a week for 5 weeks), or to the control group (CO). After 5 weeks, heart rate variability was measured again in both groups. In the Friedman test, in the CS group there was a statistically significant effect of cranial techniques on Heart Rate (HR) and Low Frequency (LF), but not on High Frequency (HF); in the CO group, a statistically significant difference was observed for HR, HF and LF. In the Nemenyi test, in the CS group there was a statistically significant difference for HR and LF and in the CO group for HR, HF and LF. After applying hierarchical clustering with Euclidean measure and the complete method, dendrograms were drawn up showing similarities for HR, HF and LF values. The cranial techniques and touch might exert a beneficial effect on HRV. Both factors can be used in stressful situations to lower HRV.

Childhood obesity is one of the most important problems of public health. Searching was conducted by using PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, MEDLINE, and EBSCO databases, from January 2022 to June 2022, for English language meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, and observational studies from all over the world. Five main topics were defined in a consensus join statement of the Polish Society of Pediatrics, Polish Society for Pediatric Obesity, Polish Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and Polish Association for the Study on Obesity: (1) definition, causes, consequences of obesity; (2) treatment of obesity; (3) obesity prevention; (4) the role of primary care in the prevention of obesity; (5) Recommendations for general practitioners, parents, teachers, and regional authorities. The statement outlines the role of diet, physical activity in the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity, and gives appropriate recommendations for interventions by schools, parents, and primary health care. A multisite approach to weight control in children is recommended, taking into account the age, the severity of obesity, and the presence of obesity-related diseases. Combined interventions consisting of dietary modification, physical activity, behavioral therapy, and education are effective in improving metabolic and anthropometric indices. More actions are needed to strengthen the role of primary care in the effective prevention and treatment of obesity because a comprehensive, multi-component intervention appears to yield the best results.

This study aimed to investigate the process of disclosing bullying victimization from the former victims’ point of view. Twenty-three individuals with prior experience of victimization at school were interviewed. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze the data, which generated a grounded theory of help-seeking in victimization, comprising factors and conditions that influenced the willingness to ask for help when bullied. We concentrated on disclosure barriers and facilitators in a school context to identify important factors, which comprised type of peer harassment, type and form of initial attack, perception of available support at school, and perception of peer support. In terms of the practical implications of the present study, the identification of disclosure tendencies could provide a basis for developing school policies to facilitate disclosure.

(1) Background: The complete picture of the disease is not fully recognized and extends far beyond the pelvis. The disease’s impacts lead to systemic inflammation, in turn resulting in sensitization to pain. The aim of this study was to check whether statistical correlations exist in women with endometriosis with regard to their experience of pain: headache, pelvic pain, temporomandibular joint pain, along with teeth clenching and the treatment of the disease. We constructed contingency tables, followed by Pearson’s chi-square test and Cramer’s V coefficient values. (2) Methods: A survey was conducted among 128 women aged 33.43 ± 5.79 with a diagnosis of endometriosis (disease duration 6.40 ± 5.88 years). (3) Results: There was a correlation between the occurrence of pain on the right and left sides of the pelvis and pain on the right and left sides of the temporomandibular joint, p-value = 0.0397, V = 0.2350, and between the presence of pelvic pain and the treatment of endometriosis, p-value = 0.0104, V = 0.3709, and between the presence of pain outside the pelvis and the treatment of endometriosis, p-value = 0.0311, V = 0.4549. There was a highly significant correlation between teeth clenching and temporomandibular joint pain, p-value = 0.0005, V = 0.3695. (4) Conclusions: The study revealed a correlation between pelvic endometriosis symptoms and symptoms in the temporomandibular joint.

The present study aimed to investigate how those who had been chronic victims of bullying perceive their bullying experience from their initial attacks to their bullying exit, how they understood processes and actions causing a situation to become progressively worse, and how they interpreted their own coping behaviors. Nine individuals who were victimized for at least 6 years were interviewed. The grounded theory approach was used to analyze the data, which generated a grounded theory of the downward spiral of bullying, demonstrating hidden aspects of bullying-the victims inner process as a response to external victimizing and accompanying events. The interdependence of those processes is presented in a timeline to show their cumulative nature as new vicious circles of bullying involving maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., self-blame), which form an overriding pattern of behavior that renders victims unable to break it even if they enter a new peer group. In terms of policy implications, the findings suggest the need to introduce school transition programs supporting school adaptation, identify chronic victims, and take every victimhood narrative seriously. Funding Agencies|Ministry of Science and Higher Education in PolandMinistry of Science and Higher Education, Poland [012/RID/2018/19]

Background Gastrointestinal tract function and it’s integrity are controlled by a number of peptides whose secretion is influenced by severe inflammation. In stomach the main regulatory peptide is ghrelin. For upper small intestine cholecystokinin and lower small intestine glucagon-like peptide- 1 are secreted, while fibroblast growth factor-21 is secreted by several organs, including the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue [12]. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation causes serious mucosal damage, which can reflect on this peptides. Methods The aim of the study was to determine fasting plasma concentrations of ghrelin, cholecystokinin, glucagon- like peptide-1, and fibroblast growth factor-21, and their gene expressions, before and 6 months after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.27 children were studied, control group included 26 healthy children. Results Acute graft versus host disease was diagnosed in 11 patients (41%, n = 27). Median pre-transplantation concentrations of gastrointestinal peptides, as well as their gene expressions, were significantly lower in studied group compared with the control group. Only median of fibroblast growth factor-21 concentration was near-significantly higher before stem cell transplantation than in the control group. The post–hematopoietic transplant results revealed significantly higher concentrations of the studied peptides (except fibroblast growth factor-21) and respective gene expressions as compare to pre transplant results. Median glucagone like peptide-1 concentrations were significantly decreased in patients with features of acute graft versus host disease. Moreover, negative correlation between glucagone like peptide-1 concentrations and acute graft versus host disease severity was found. Conclusions Increased concentrations and gene expressions of gastrointestinal tract regulation peptides can be caused by stimulation of regeneration in the severe injured organ. Measurement of these parameters may be a useful method of assessment of severity of gastrointestinal tract complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

To present the sonographic follow-up of intrathyroidal ectopic thymus (IET) in children and adolescent patients. Out of the 507 children referred to FNAB between 2006 and 2018, 30 (5.9%) pediatric patients (10 females), mean age 5.7 years (1.2–13.8, median 4.9 years) were diagnosed with IET. A retrospective analysis of medical files of patients diagnosed with IET between 2006 and 2018. Assessed data included ultrasound characterisation, elastographic strain ratio (SR) results and hormonal evaluation. Analysis of thyroid US scans revealed that the mean age at the first thyroid ultrasound was 5.7 (1.2–13.8, median 4.9) years, and at the last US 10.7 (3.7–18, median 10.5) years. The mean time of the IET observation was 59.6 (2–148, median 53.5) months. On US, IET was hypoechoic with multiple linear and punctate echoes, hypovascular, fusiform on longitudinal plane and round or polygonal on an axial plane, more common in the right thyroid lobe (66.7%) and located in the posterior part of the lobes (54.5%), bilateral in two patients and multifocal in one patient. SR of IET was similar to the surrounding normal thyroid tissue. Complete regression of IET was observed in 12/30 patients after a mean time of 81.7 months (median 76.5), at the mean age of 13.7 (9.2–18, median 13.9) years. FNAB was performed in 10/30 and a hemithyroidectomy in 1/30 IET patients. In the FNAB (+) group, patients were younger (5.08 vs 6.08 years) and lesions were larger (0.12 ml vs 0.05 ml) than in the FNAB (−) group. All patients with IET were euthyroid with negative TPOAb and TgAb levels. The reproducibility of unique ultrasound features of IETs allows for safe long-term follow-up of these benign lesions in the majority of pediatric patients: not only monitoring the regression of IET but also screening towards the rare occurrence of a tumor arising from the IET.

Hypertension remains the main cause of cardiovascular complications leading to increased mortality. The discoveries of recent years underline the important role of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in initiating the development of arterial hypertension. The endothelium lines the interior of the entire vascular system in the body and acts as a physical barrier between blood and tissues. Substances and mediators produced by the endothelium exhibit antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Oxidative stress and inflammation are conditions that damage the endothelium and shift endothelial function from vasoprotective to vasoconstrictive, prothrombotic, and pro-apoptotic functions. A dysfunctional endothelium contributes to the development of hypertension and further cardiovascular complications. Reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of ED-associated hypertension. New technologies provide tools to identify pathological changes in the structure and function of the endothelium. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) contributes to the development of arterial hypertension and should be considered in therapeutic strategies for children with hypertension.

The Bolesław waste heap in South Poland, with total soil Zn concentrations higher than 50,000 mg kg

Objectives Coexistence of arterial hypertension (AH) in children with obesity increases morbidity and shortens life. Its role as an indicator of coexisting metabolic complications is however less known. The objective of the study was to compare metabolic profiles of children with obesity and with or without AH. Methods We included patients aged 10–18 with the BMI Z-score ≥2. Diagnosis of AH was based on the European Society of Hypertension criteria (2016). Metabolic profiles were assessed by glucose and insulin levels taken before and after glucose load, fasting levels of triglycerides (TG), total (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and HOMA-IR. Results Of 534 patients, 33.5% were diagnosed with AH. The AH patients, as compared to non-AH, had higher fasting insulin levels (22 vs. 19.7 mIU/L, p=0.04), HOMA-IR (4.5 vs. 4.0, p=0.029), and post-load glucose level (6.3 vs. 5.7, p=0.000041). No differences in the post-load insulin levels (113 vs. 100 mIU/L, p=0.056), fasting glucose (4.5 vs. 4.5 mmol/L, p=0.5), or lipids were found (TC: 4.4 vs. 4.4 mmol/L, p=0.9; LDL: 2.7 vs. 2.7, p=0.2; TG: 1.4 vs. 1.4 mmol/L, p=0.5; HDL: 1.1 vs. 1.2, p=0.3. Conclusions Concomitance of AH in children with obesity may be an indicator of coexisting metabolic complications.

Background: Home isolation during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown strongly impacted everyday life, affecting, in particular, eating habits and everyday activity. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the pandemic on behaviors and subsequent changes in body mass index (BMI) in children from Southern Poland. Methods: The study included 206 participants (104 females and 102 males) with a complete analysis of 177 participants (96 females and 81 males) with a mean age of 12.8 ± 2.6 years admitted to three pediatric endocrinology clinics (Rzeszów, Kraków, and Katowice) due to simple obesity, type 1 diabetes mellitus, somatotropin pituitary deficiency on growth hormone replacement therapy, and other endocrine and metabolic disorders between June and September 2020. The study used a self-prepared questionnaire regarding eating habits, physical activity, screen time, and sleep before and during the lockdown. Anthropometric measurements were performed under clinical settings twice (before the pandemic in January–March 2020, and in June–September 2020). Results: During the lockdown, BMI z-scores increased over the whole group, especially in obese children (0.073 ± 0.18, p = 0.002). The number of children who declared low and high physical activity of more than 60 min per day declined from 41.2% and 18.6% to 31.1% and 6.2% (p = 0.03 and p < 0.001), respectively; sleep times over 8 h increased (46.9% vs. 60.4% p = 0.007); screen times over 5 h daily increased (14.7% to 46.9%, p < 0.001). Eating habits did not change significantly. Conclusions: Daily physical activity and sleep levels were affected by the pandemic leading to the increase of BMI, especially in obese patients with endocrine disorders. During the COVID-19 pandemic, forward-thinking strategies must be developed to prevent childhood obesity.

Obesity has become a major epidemic in the 21st century. It increases the risk of dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, which are known cardiometabolic risk factors and components of the metabolic syndrome. Although overt cardiovascular (CV) diseases such as stroke or myocardial infarction are the domain of adulthood, it is evident that the CV continuum begins very early in life. Recognition of risk factors and early stages of CV damage, at a time when these processes are still reversible, and the development of prevention strategies are major pillars in reducing CV morbidity and mortality in the general population. In this review, we will discuss the role of well-known but also novel risk factors linking obesity and increased CV risk from prenatal age to adulthood, including the role of perinatal factors, diet, nutrigenomics, and nutri-epigenetics, hyperuricemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiorespiratory fitness. The importance of ‘tracking’ of these risk factors on adult CV health is highlighted and the economic impact of childhood obesity as well as preventive strategies are discussed.

Cel Artykułu dotyczy wyników badań z projektu wdrożeniowego mającego na celu opracowanie działań zapobiegających prześladowaniu i dręczeniu rówieśniczemu. Prześladowanie rówieśnicze jest rozumiane jako systematyczne działania agresywne nakierowane na krzywdę ofiary w sytuacji gdy pomiędzy agresorem i ofiarą zachodzi relacja braku równowagi siły i władzy. Tezy Problem prześladowania rówieśniczego jest rozpowszechniony w polskich szkołach a jego rozwiązanie wymaga działań systemowych kierowanych do wszystkich członków szkolnej społeczności. Konkluzje Efektem projektu badawczego jest system zapobiegania przemocy rówieśniczej RESQL – składający się z aplikacji mobilnej, panelu wspierającego nauczycieli interwentów oraz zestawu narzędzi/scenariuszy do pracy z uczniami. Artykuł przedstawia schemat wdrożenia systemu w szkołach oraz bardzo zachęcające wyniki badań ewaluacyjnych przeprowadzonych w ramach wdrożeń pilotażowych.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBP-1 to -7) are involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation and may be associated with various metabolic parameters. The aim of our study was to compare levels of IGFs and IGFBPs and the expressions of their genes in children before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to assess their potential as markers of late metabolic complications of HSCT. We also conducted additional comparisons with healthy controls and of correlations of IGF and IGFBP levels with anthropometric and biochemical parameters. We analyzed 19 children treated with HSCT and 21 healthy controls. We found no significant differences in the levels of IGFs and IGFBPs and expressions of their genes before and after HSCT, while IGF and IGFBP levels were significantly lower in children treated with HSCT compared with controls. We conclude that our results did not reveal significant differences between the levels of IGFs and IGFBPs before and after HSCT, which would make them obvious candidates for markers of late complications of the procedure in children. However, due to the very low number of patients this conclusion must be taken with caution and may be altered by further research.

Simple Summary Intense physical activity contributes to an increased consumption of oxygen transported by red blood cells. The red blood cells’ differentiation and proliferation process is mainly stimulated by erythropoietin (EPO) and erythroferrone (ERFE), which are novel markers of erythroid activity. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of concentration of these hormones in athletes’ blood. Seventy-three clinically healthy men took part in this study. Participants were divided into groups according to their physical activity, as assessed by the questionnaire survey. The first group included 39 athletes, the second group included 18 men with moderate physical activity, and the third—16 men with a sedentary lifestyle. Men with a high level of weekly physical activity had significantly different concentrations of ERFE and EPO than men with insufficient weekly physical activity. Higher endogenic ERFE and EPO levels are indicators of increased erythropoiesis in the period of intensified physical activity. The results obtained suggest the important role of endogenic EPO in the process of adaptation to intense physical activity. Abstract Intense physical activity contributes to an increased demand for red blood cells, which transport oxygen to working muscles. The purpose of this study was to assess the concentration of erythroferrone (ERFE), the novel marker of erythroid activity in athletes, during the beginning of their training season. The study group consisted of 39 athletes aged 23.24 ± 3.77 years. The study was carried out during the athletes’ preparatory period of the training cycle. The control group consisted of 34 healthy men aged 22.33 ± 2.77 years. The erythropoietic activity was evaluated by determining athletes’ concentrations of erythropoietin (EPO) and erythroferrone (ERFE). The level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). In the athletes’ group, we observed higher concentrations of EPO (Me = 12.65 mIU/mL) and ERFE (40.00 pg/mL) compared to the control group (EPO: Me = 5.74 mIU/ml, p = 0.001; ERFE: Me = 25.50 pg/mL, p = 0.0034). The average intensity of physical exercise significantly differentiated the participants as far as EPO and ERFE concentrations. These results suggest that intense physical activity, at least at the beginning of the training season, may stimulate EPO production, which increases ERFE release. This seems to be an adaptative mechanism that provides adequate iron for enhanced erythropoiesis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with systemic inflammation. A wide range of adipokines activities suggests they influence pathogenesis and infection course. The aim was to assess concentrations of chemerin, omentin, and vaspin among COVID-19 patients with an emphasis on adipokines relationship with COVID-19 severity, concomitant metabolic abnormalities and liver dysfunction. Serum chemerin, omentin and vaspin concentrations were measured in serum collected from 70 COVID-19 patients at the moment of admission to hospital, before any treatment was applied and 20 healthy controls. Serum chemerin and omentin concentrations were significantly decreased in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy volunteers (271.0 vs. 373.0 ng/ml; p p = 0.01, respectively). There were no correlations of analyzed adipokines with COVID-19 severity based on the presence of pneumonia, dyspnea, or necessity of Intensive Care Unit hospitalization (ICU). Liver test abnormalities did not influence adipokines levels. Elevated GGT activity was associated with ICU admission, presence of pneumonia and elevated concentrations of CRP, ferritin and interleukin 6. Chemerin and omentin depletion in COVID-19 patients suggests that this adipokines deficiency play influential role in disease pathogenesis. However, there was no relationship between lower adipokines level and frequency of COVID-19 symptoms as well as disease severity. The only predictive factor which could predispose to a more severe COVID-19 course, including the presence of pneumonia and ICU hospitalization, was GGT activity.

Background Few studies indicate the occurrence of abnormal nocturnal dipping of blood pressure (BP) in 35-50% of children and adolescents with obesity. The relation between that phenomenon and metabolic complications of obesity remains unclear. To evaluate the association between disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, and nocturnal non-dipping in pediatric patients with obesity. Methods In 207 children (53.14% girls, mean age 14 (range 2-17), mean BMI Z-SCORE 4.38, range 2.07-10.74) standard 24-h Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring was performed. Normal dipping was defined as a ≥ 10% decline in BP during the night. Results There were 106 (51.21%) cases of non-dippers. The mean 24-h nocturnal systolic BP (SBP) reduction (%) was 9.9 ± 5.5. The mean 24-h nocturnal diastolic BP (DBP) reduction (%) was 15.8 ± 8.5. There was a significant correlation between BMI Z-SCORE and mean day-time SBP (r = 0.14 P = .042). There are positive correlations between 24-h heart rate (beats/min) and BMI Z-SCORE (r = 0.15, P = .027), between fasting glucose and systolic BP Z-SCORE (r = 0.17, P = .03) and between mean diastolic BP and LDL cholesterol (r = 0.23, P = .004). Total cholesterol level was significantly higher in non-dippers (4.34 vs. 3.99 mmol/L, P = .034). There were no significant differences between non-dippers and dippers regarding fasting glucose (4.6 vs. 4.8 mmol/L), 120'post load glucose (5.7 vs. 5.9 mmol/L), insulin (19 vs. 20.2 µIU/mL), HOMA-IR (2.36 vs. 2.44), LDL cholesterol (2.64 vs. 2.51 mmol/L), HDL cholesterol (1.06 vs. 1.03 mmol/L) or triglycerides (1.36 vs. 1.34 mmol/L) levels. Conclusion Nocturnal non-dipping is frequent in pediatric patients with obesity. It is associated with higher total cholesterol levels.

Endometriosis is a disease whose underlying cause is the growth of the endometrium outside the uterine cavity. The disease is characterised by unpleasant pain in the pelvic region, irrespective of the phase of the woman’s cycle. Physiotherapy in its various forms can be an excellent complement to the gynaecological treatment of endometriosis, by virtue of reducing inflammation, alleviating pain and thus significantly improving women’s quality of life. Physiotherapy in endometriosis should include kinesiotherapy, manual therapy including visceral therapy, physical therapy, spa treatment including balneotherapy, and hydrotherapy. The aim of this study is to present the use of physiotherapy as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of endometriosis. A review of the available literature in the Medline, PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed without being limited by the time frame of available publications on the forms of physiotherapy used in the treatment of endometriosis.

Analysis of liver biopsy specimens showed that SARS-CoV-2 might have led to liver damage. This study aimed to evaluate the role of selected hepatokines and myokines in the development and progression of COVID-19. Seventy patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Irisin, pentraxin 3, fetuin-A, and FGF-21 serum concentrations and biochemical parameters were assessed using an immunoenzymatic method with commercially available enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Serum fetuin-A concentrations were significantly decreased in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy volunteers. The serum concentration of FGF-21 was significantly increased in obese COVID-19 patients compared to overweight ones. Moreover, the FGF-21 level was higher in COVID-19 patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome than in patients without metabolic syndrome. PTX3 concentration was higher in COVID-19 patients with higher HOMA-IR values than those with lower HOMA-IR values. COVID-19 patients with HOMA-IR ≤ 3 and &gt, 3 had significantly lower fetuin-A levels than the control group. Irisin concentration was significantly decreased in the HOMA-IR ≤ 3 COVID-19 subgroup when comparing with the control group. Lower levels of fetuin-A observed in COVID-19 patients despite higher HOMA-IR, CRP, and ferritin levels, pneumonia, patients requiring ICU care suggests that fetuin-A deficiency predisposes to more severe COVID-19 course. Upregulated pentraxin 3 may be used as a potential predictor of COVID-19 severity.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin-like growth-factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) regulate cell proliferation and differentiation and may be of importance in obesity development. The aim of the study was to analyze the expression of chosen IGF-axis genes and the concentration of their protein products in 28 obese children (OB) and 34 healthy control (HC), and their correlation with essential parameters associated with childhood obesity. The gene expression of IGFBP7 was higher, and the expression of IGF2 and IGFBP1 genes was lower in the OB. The expression of IGFBP6 tended to be lower in OB. IGFBP4 concentration was significantly higher, and IGFBP3 tended to be higher in the OB compared to the HC, while IGFBP1, IGFBP2, and IGFBP6 were significantly lower, and IGFBP7 tended to be lower in OB. We found numerous correlations between IGFs and IGFBP concentration and obesity metabolic parameters. IGFBP6 correlated positively with apelin, cholecystokinin, glucagone-like peptide-1, and leptin receptor. These peptides were also significantly lower in obese children in our study. The biological role of decreased levels of IGFBP6 in obese children needs further investigation.