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Jarosław Pasek,1 Grzegorz Cieślar,2 Aleksander Sieroń2 1Institute of Physical Education Tourism and Physiotherapy, University of Jan Długosz in Częstochowa, Częstochowa, Poland; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Bytom, Poland Abstract: The most frequent causes of leg ulcers are chronic venous disease (CVD) related mainly to venous hypertension and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) related to disseminated atheromatous lesions in lower limb arteries. In 15%–21% of patients, ulcers of mixed venous-arterial etiology occur, which are usually more resistant for conservative therapy (compression therapy, pharmacotherapy, wearing elastic stockings, leg elevation and massage, change of lifestyle, and regular physical exercises). The contemporary model of complex therapy of leg ulcers in the course of chronic venous and arterial insufficiency more often also comprises numerous physical therapy procedures as associated therapy. This paper presents beneficial results of treatment applied to a 58-year-old patient with 1-month lasting painful chronic ulcers of both shins of mixed venous-arterial etiology, resistant to conservative therapy, which was performed by using the device Laserobaria-S for local combined physical therapy including simultaneous action of hyperbaric oxygen, extremely low-frequency (ELF) variable magnetic field, and low-energy light radiation. As a result of a 9-week therapeutic cycle consisting of 30 daily procedures, a complete healing of ulcers in both shins with accompanying subsidence of pain and substantial reduction in the intensity of local inflammation around the ulcer was obtained. The patient reported no side effects, and no complications were observed during the therapy. Keywords: mixed etiology leg ulcer, chronic venous-arterial insufficiency, treatment, combine physical therapy, supplementary therapy, local hyperbaric oxygen therapy, low-energy light therapy, magnetotherapy, Laserobaria-S

The aims of this study were to evaluate the influence of an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on [³H]glucose uptake in the peripheral tissues and organs of rats. Rats were exposed to ELF-EMF (frequency-10 Hz, induction -1.8-3.8 mT) one hour daily for 14 consecutive days. Control animals were sham exposed. On the 15th day (24 hours after last exposure) rats were injected with D-[³H]-6-glucose 500µCi/kg IP. Fifteen minutes later animals were sacrificed by decapitation and peripheral tissues were excised and examined for radioactivity (desintegrations per minute, DPm/100 mg wet tissue weight), which expressed [³H]glucose uptake. In most of the examined tissues and organs, such as liver, kidney, heart muscle, cartilage, connective tissue, tendon and skin, [³H]glucose uptake in ELF-EMF-exposed animals was significantly higher as compared to that in the sham control. exposure to ELF-EMF did not influence [³H]glucose uptake in the thoracic aorta and the skeletal muscle. It is concluded that ELF-EMF impacts tissue glucose uptake by facilitating glucose transport via cell membranes, dependent and probably also independent of its role in increasing insulin action in insulin-dependent tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vein diseases are one of the most common civilization diseases. The most advanced form chronic venous insufficiency are venous leg ulcers. The study included 40 patients, 20 male (50%) and 20 female (50%) in age between 52 and 88 years (mean age: 68.00 ± 8.55 years) with venous leg ulcers lasting 12.50 ± 5.45 months. Patients were distributed randomly in a double-blind study into two equal groups including 20 patients each (group 1-polarized light therapy and group 2-sham exposure). Patients from both groups received routine pharmacological treatment, specialistic medical dressings and compression therapy. In addition, patients were exposed to a cycle of polarized light therapy procedures or to sham exposures (30 procedures performed in two series of 15 procedures). Wound surface area was evaluated by computerized planimetry and pain intensity was assessed with the use of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after therapy (2.5 months). The analysis showed a statistically significant reduction of surface ulcers area between groups 1 and 2. The median (IQR) size of wounds in group 1 was 2.4 (1.95-2.9) cm 2 , in group 2; 2.8 (2.6-3.1) cm 2 ( p  = 0.038). The level of pain (VAS) after treatment was assessed in group 1, median (IQR): 2 (2-3) points, in group 2 4.5 (4-5) points; and the observed difference was also statistically significant ( p  < 0.001). In group 1, after treatment, the area of ulcers decreased-median (IQR): 33.05 (28.7-41.48) %, in group 2 by 18.99 (15-24.4) % ( p  < 0.001). In group 1, the pain intensity measured using the VAS scale decreased with a median (IQR): 71.42 (61.25-71.42) %, in group 2: 37.5 (28.57-50) % ( p  < 0.001). Complex therapy with polarized light therapy added to standard care was more effective than standard care alone in reducing of ulcers surface area and intensity of pain ailments in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background and Objectives : The thyroid is a key endocrine gland for the regulation of metabolic processes. A body composition analysis (BCA) is a valuable complement to the assessment of body mass index, which is derived only from body weight and height. This cross-sectional retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationships between thyroid volume (TV) and thyroid function parameters, anthropometric measurements, BCA parameters, and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults without clinically overt thyroid disease. Material and Methods : This study involved 45 people (females: 57.8%; MetS: 28.9%) hospitalized for planned diagnostics without signs of acute illness or a deterioration of their health and without thyroid disease, who underwent thyroid ultrasound scans, biochemical tests to assess their thyroid function, MetS assessments, anthropometric measurements, and BCAs using the bioelectrical impedance method. Results: The TV was significantly larger in people with MetS compared to people without MetS. The TV was significantly higher and the serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentration was significantly lower in overweight and obese people than in normal and underweight people. The free triiodothyronine (FT3) serum concentration and TV were correlated with waist circumference and some parameters of the BCA, and the FT3 concentration was also correlated with the body mass index, waist-hip ratio, and waist-height ratio. No significant correlations were found between the FT4 and TSH and the results of the anthropometric and BCA measurements. Conclusions: Even in a population of euthyroid patients without clinically overt thyroid disease, there were some significant relationships between the volume and function of the thyroid gland and the results of their anthropometric parameters, BCAs, and the presence of MetS features.

Purpose : Tendons adapt to loads applied to them, by changing their own mechanical properties. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of practicing sport in the form of weightlifting/strength training by individuals of various age groups upon the mechanical properties of the patellar tendon. Methods : 200 people participated in the study. Group 1 ( n = 109) comprised individuals training strength sports as amateurs, group 2 ( n = 91) consisted of people who were not physically active. The patellar tendon was examined in various positions of the knee joint: 0, 30, 60, 90, 120° respectively. The following mechanical parameters were measured with the use of a device for myoto-nometric measurements, MyotonPRO: frequency [Hz], stiffness [N/m], decrement [log], relaxation time [ms] and creep [De]. The results were compared as regards physical activity, training history, BMI value, and gender. Results : Stiffness and tone increased while elasticity decreased with patellar tendon stretching degree. In the group of individuals in training, greater stiffness and tone and lower elasticity were noted. Moreover, stiffness and tone appeared to be higher in elderly people and individuals with longer training experience. Conclusions : Mechanical loads connected with strength training result in development of adaptive changes in the patellar tendon, in the form of higher stiffness and tone, as well as lower elasticity. The MyotonPRO device is useful for quantitative assessment of the mechanical properties of patellar tendon., (© 2024 Sebastian Szajkowski et al., published by Sciendo.)

Determination of the hypericin-photodynamic (HY-PDT) effect on the secretion of cytokines secreted by the skin cells, may be the basis for using the immunomodulatory effect of photodynamic action in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. The study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of hypericin (HY) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) performed in vitro on cultures of selected skin cell lines. The study used two human cell lines, primary dermal fibroblast (HDFa) and primary epidermal keratinocytes (HEKa). The MTT test was used to define the metabolic activity of treated cells. Cell supernatants subjected to sublethal PDT were assessed to determine the interleukins: IL-2, IL-8, IL-10, IL-11, IL-19, IL-22, and metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1). The results confirm the destructive effect of HY-PDT and the immunomodulatory effects of sublethal doses on the selected skin cells, depending on the concentration of HY and the light doses. No statistically significant differences were noted in IL-2 and IL-10 concentration after HY-PDT for HEKa and HDFa lines. After using HY-PDT, the concentration of IL-8, MMP-1, IL-22, and IL-11 significantly decreased in the HEKa line. Moreover, the concentration of IL-19 and MMP-1 significantly decreased in the HDFa line. The concentration of IL-11 in the HDFa line after using only the HY, without the light, increased but decreased after HY-PDT. Our experiment confirmed that HY-PDT has not only a cytotoxic effect but, used in sublethal doses, also presents immunomodulatory properties. These may be an advantage of HY-PDT when used in the treatment of persistent skin inflammation, connected with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines resistant to conventional treatment methods.

Cancer therapy, especially for tumors near sensitive areas, demands precise treatment. This review explores photodynamic therapy (PDT), a method leveraging photosensitizers (PS), specific wavelength light, and oxygen to target cancer effectively. Recent advancements affirm PDT's efficacy, utilizing ROS generation to induce cancer cell death. With a history spanning over decades, PDT's dynamic evolution has expanded its application across dermatology, oncology, and dentistry. This review aims to dissect PDT's principles, from its inception to contemporary medical applications, highlighting its role in modern cancer treatment strategies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Aebisher, Rogóż, Myśliwiec, Dynarowicz, Wiench, Cieślar, Kawczyk-Krupka and Bartusik-Aebisher.)

Background and Objectives: Treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis is challenging given that there are various of available treatment options with no clear gold standard. The aim of the study was to examine the dose-escalation effect of rESWT on the biomechanical parameters of the plantar fascia and pain ailments. Materials and Methods: In the experimental group ( n = 30), the intensity of the shock wave was increased every two subsequent treatment sessions. In the control group ( n = 32), the treatment parameters were not changed. In both groups, six treatments were performed, with two treatment sessions a week. In order to assess the biomechanical parameters of the plantar fascia, myotonometric measurements were performed. The pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: The tension of the plantar fascia attachment in the experimental group decreased from 27.69 ± 2.06 [Hz] before treatment to 26.29 ± 1.69 [Hz] after treatment ( p = 0.009) and to 26.03 ± 2.15 [Hz] 1 month after the beginning of treatment ( p = 0.003). In the control group, the frequency results did not change significantly ( p > 0.05). Flexibility increased in both groups. The test results before treatment and 1 month after the beginning of the treatment showed statistical significance in the experimental group ( p = 0.001) vs. ( p = 0.002) in the control group. The differences were not statistically significant between groups ( p > 0.05). The assessment of pain intensity carried out 1 month after the end of treatment in the experimental group amounted to 3.14 ± 2.28 points, which was statistically significantly lower compared to that in the control group, where it amounted to 5.14 ± 1.92 points. ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: The use of rESWT performed with an increasing intensity of impact during subsequent treatment procedures demonstrated greater effectiveness in improving the biomechanical parameters of the plantar fascia and was also more effective in reducing the pain ailments. Our results are encouraging. The dose escalation in the treatment cycle is worth considering. To prove that this method of treatment is more effective, a randomized controlled trial should be carried out on a representative sample.

The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have significantly impacted the quality of life of society in many countries in various aspects. The purpose of this study was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the consumption of meat and fish in society in Poland as well as the factors that determined these changes. The cross-sectional study was conducted using an original online questionnaire between 8th and 18th of April 2020. The subjects were selected randomly. The target population were adults living in Poland. The inclusion criterion for the study was the age of at least 18 years and consent to selfless participation in the study. Communication via social media such as Facebook or Instagram was used to enroll more participants from different socio-demographic subgroups. The questionnaire was divided into two parts-the first part contained questions about sex, age, body mass, body height, residence, level of education, and occupation, and the second part consisted of specific questions about the consumption frequency of different kinds of meat during the COVID-19 lockdown period (in comparison to the time before the pandemic). A total of 3888 people took part in the study including 84.54% women, with an average age of 30.17 ± 9.22 years. The frequency of poultry consumption increased, while for pork, beef, ham and other meat products as well as fish and seafood it declined. The factors that influenced the change in dietary patterns during the lockdown related to the COVID-19 pandemic included age, body mass index, gender, place of residence, and type of work performed. However, no relationship was found between the change in meat and fish consumption during the pandemic and the level of education and form of employment during the pandemic.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an abnormal inflammatory response in the skin to food, environmental IgE, or non-IgE allergens. This disease belongs to a group of inflammatory diseases that affect both children and adults. In highly developed countries, AD is diagnosed twice as often in children than in adults, which may possibly be connected to increased urbanization. The immune system's pathomechanisms of AD involve humoral mechanisms with IgE, cellular T lymphocytes, dendritic cells occurring in the dermis, Langerhans cells occurring in the epidermis, and other cells infiltrating the site of inflammation (eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells, neutrophils, and basophils). Cytokines are small proteins that affect the interaction and communication between cells. This review characterizes cytokines and potential aspects of the treatment of atopic dermatitis, as well as new strategies that are currently being developed, including targeting cytokines and their receptors.

Purpose: Venous leg ulcers are chronic wounds that are difficult to cure. The aim of the study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of two methods of physical medicine - magneto-LED therapy and magnetostimulation, applied as adjuvant treatment in the treatment of venous leg ulcers., Methods: The study included 81 patients, 37 male (45.6%) and 44 female (54.3%) ones, age range between 45 and 90 years, with venous leg ulcers. The patients were assigned to two study groups: magneto-LED therapy (group 1) or magnetostimulation (group 2). In both groups, a total of 40 daily procedures were performed. Wound healing was evaluated using computerized planimetry and the pain intensity on numeric rating scale., Results: After treatment, the decrease in healing rate in group 1 was statistically significantly higher in comparison to group 2 ( p  < 0.001), while a statistically significant reduction in the surface area of ulcers was obtained, amounting on the average from 6.34 ± 1.29 cm 2 to 2.31 ± 1.25 cm 2 in group 1 ( p  < 0.001), and from 6.52 ± 1.20 cm 2 to 4.79 ± 1.17 cm 2 in group 2 ( p  < 0.001). The percentage changes of ulcers area in group 1 (64.21 ± 17.94%) were statistically significantly greater as compared to group 2 (25.87 ± 14.07%) ( p  < 0.001). After treatment, the decrease in pain relief in group 1 was statistically significantly higher in comparison to group 2 ( p  = 0.006), while pain intensity after treatment decreased statistically significantly in both compared groups of patients ( p  < 0.001)., Conclusions: Magneto-LED therapy and magnetostimulation caused significant reduction of surface area of the treated venous leg ulcers and pain intensity, yet magneto-LED therapy was more efficient. Both evaluated methods also significantly reduced pain intensity.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly used in modern medicine. It has found application in the treatment of breast cancer. The most common cancer among women is breast cancer. We collected cancer cells from the breast from the material received after surgery. We focused on tumors that were larger than 10 mm in size. Breast cancer tissues for this quantitative non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study could be seen macroscopically. The current study aimed to present findings on quantitative non-contrast MRI of breast cancer cells post-PDT through the evaluation of relaxation times. The aim of this work was to use and optimize a 1.5 T MRI system. MRI tests were performed using a clinical scanner, namely the OPTIMA MR360 manufactured by General Electric HealthCare. The work included analysis of T1 and T2 relaxation times. This analysis was performed using the MATLAB package (produced by MathWorks). The created application is based on medical MRI images saved in the DICOM3.0 standard. T1 and T2 measurements were subjected to the Shapiro-Wilk test, which showed that both samples belonged to a normal distribution, so a parametric t -test for dependent samples was used to test for between-sample variability. The study included 30 sections tested in 2 stages, with consistent technical parameters. For T1 measurements, 12 scans were performed with varying repetition times (TR) and a constant echo time (TE) of 3 ms. For T2 measurements, 12 scans were performed with a fixed repetition time of 10,000 ms and varying echo times. After treating samples with PpIX disodium salt and bubbling with pure oxygen, PDT irradiation was applied. The cell relaxation time after therapy was significantly shorter than the cell relaxation time before PDT. The cells were exposed to PpIX disodium salt as the administered pharmacological substance. The study showed that the therapy significantly affected tumor cells, which was confirmed by a significant reduction in tumor cell relaxation time on the MRI results.

The aim of this work was to use and optimize a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for three-dimensional (3D) images of small samples obtained from breast cell cultures in vitro. The basis of this study was to design MRI equipment to enable imaging of MCF-7 breast cancer cell cultures (about 1 million cells) in 1.5 and 2 mL glass tubes and/or bioreactors with an external diameter of less than 20 mm. Additionally, the development of software to calculate longitudinal and transverse relaxation times is described. Imaging tests were performed using a clinical MRI scanner OPTIMA 360 manufactured by GEMS. Due to the size of the tested objects, it was necessary to design additional receiving circuits allowing for the study of MCF-7 cell cultures placed in glass bioreactors. The examined sample's volume did not exceed 2.0 mL nor did the number of cells exceed 1 million. This work also included a modification of the sequence to allow for the analysis of T 1 and T 2 relaxation times. The analysis was performed using the MATLAB package (produced by MathWorks). The created application is based on medical MR images saved in the DICOM3.0 standard which ensures that the data analyzed are reliable and unchangeable in an unintentional manner that could affect the measurement results. The possibility of using 1.5 T MRI systems for cell culture research providing quantitative information from in vitro studies was realized. The scanning resolution for FOV = 5 cm and the matrix was achieved at a level of resolution of less than 0.1 mm/pixel. Receiving elements were built allowing for the acquisition of data for MRI image reconstruction confirmed by images of a phantom with a known structure and geometry. Magnetic resonance sequences were modified for the saturation recovery (SR) method, the purpose of which was to determine relaxation times. An application in MATLAB was developed that allows for the analysis of T 1 and T 2 relaxation times. The relaxation times of cell cultures were determined over a 6-week period. In the first week, the T 1 time value was 1100 ± 40 ms, which decreased to 673 ± 59 ms by the sixth week. For T 2 , the results were 171 ± 10 ms and 128 ± 12 ms, respectively.

Cardiovascular diseases are the third most common cause of death in the world. The most common are heart attacks and stroke. Cardiovascular diseases are a global problem monitored by many centers, including the World Health Organization (WHO). Atherosclerosis is one aspect that significantly influences the development and management of cardiovascular diseases. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the therapeutic methods used for various types of inflammatory, cancerous and non-cancer diseases. Currently, it is not practiced very often in the field of cardiology. It is most often practiced and tested experimentally under in vitro experimental conditions. In clinical practice, the use of PDT is still rare. The aim of this review was to characterize the effectiveness of PDT in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the most frequently used photosensitizers in cardiology are summarized.