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Aim of the study: To evaluate serum concentrations of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and associated long chain n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic (LA), arachidonic acid (AA)) together with estimated desaturase activities in obese children with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Material and methods: The prospective study included 57 children with obesity. MASLD was diagnosed according to the latest consensus. The total intrahepatic lipid content (TILC) was assessed by magnetic resonance proton spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Fasting serum concentrations of LA, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and AA were measured. The estimated Δ5 desaturase (D5D) activity was calculated based on the AA to DGLA ratio and the estimated Δ6 desaturase (D6D) activity based on the DGLA to LA ratio. Results: MASLD was diagnosed in 25 children. DGLA was significantly higher in children with obesity in comparison to the reference group (n = 19, p < 0.01). The DGLA/LA ratio was significantly elevated, while the AA/ DGLA ratio was significantly lower in obese subjects compared with the reference group. DGLA concentration and estimated D6D activity correlated positively with TILC. The ability of DGLA concentration to detect liver steatosis in 1HMRS was significant (AUC = 0.72, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Serum DGLA levels may be considered as a potential novel non-invasive biomarker for liver steatosis detection in children. The differences in the serum concentrations of DGLA, LA and AA between the groups and correlations found between their concentrations and other parameters suggest their potential role in pathogenesis and development of MASLD in children with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study: The new term "metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease" (MASLD) focuses on the bidirectional interplay between fatty liver and metabolic dysregulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of uric acid (UA) in overweight/obese children and adolescents and to determine the association of this parameter with MASLD and metabolic dysregulation. Material and methods: One hundred and ninety-four overweight/obese children with suspected liver disease were included in the study. MASLD was diagnosed according to the latest consensus. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was based on the International Diabetes Federation criteria in children aged ≥ 10 years (n = 182). Results: MASLD was diagnosed in 68.56% and MetS in 26.92% of patients. Children with MASLD had significantly higher values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), UA and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Significantly higher levels of insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and UA were observed in patients with MetS. Correlations were observed between UA and ALT, AST, GGT, TG, insulin, HOMA-IR, mean IMT, body mass index (BMI) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in overweight and obese children. UA was helpful in differentiating between children with MetS and without MetS (p = 0.0003), while only borderline statistical significance was observed for MASLD (p = 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that UA may be a potential additional and readily available marker of metabolic dysfunction in children with MASLD. Further studies on a larger group of patients are needed to confirm this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although researchers extensively study the rapid generation and spread of misinformation about the novel coronavirus during the pandemic, numerous other health-related topics are contaminating the internet with misinformation that have not received as much attention. Objective: This study aims to gauge the reach of the most popular medical content on the World Wide Web, extending beyond the confines of the pandemic. We conducted evaluations of subject matter and credibility for the years 2021 and 2022, following the principles of evidence-based medicine with assessments performed by experienced clinicians. Methods: We used 274 keywords to conduct web page searches through the BuzzSumo Enterprise Application. These keywords were chosen based on medical topics derived from surveys administered to medical practitioners. The search parameters were confined to 2 distinct date ranges: (1) January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021; (2) January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. Our searches were specifically limited to web pages in the Polish language and filtered by the specified date ranges. The analysis encompassed 161 web pages retrieved in 2021 and 105 retrieved in 2022. Each web page underwent scrutiny by a seasoned doctor to assess its credibility, aligning with evidence-based medicine standards. Furthermore, we gathered data on social media engagements associated with the web pages, considering platforms such as Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit, and Twitter. Results: In 2022, the prevalence of unreliable information related to COVID-19 saw a noteworthy decline compared to 2021. Specifically, the percentage of noncredible web pages discussing COVID-19 and general vaccinations decreased from 57% (43/76) to 24% (6/25) and 42% (10/25) to 30% (3/10), respectively. However, during the same period, there was a considerable uptick in the dissemination of untrustworthy content on social media pertaining to other medical topics. The percentage of noncredible web pages covering cholesterol, statins, and cardiology rose from 11% (3/28) to 26% (9/35) and from 18% (5/28) to 26% (6/23), respectively. Conclusions: Efforts undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic to curb the dissemination of misinformation seem to have yielded positive results. Nevertheless, our analysis suggests that these interventions need to be consistently implemented across both established and emerging medical subjects. It appears that as interest in the pandemic waned, other topics gained prominence, essentially "filling the vacuum" and necessitating ongoing measures to address misinformation across a broader spectrum of health-related subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: The incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is rapidly increasing in both children and adults. However, despite extensive research, data on disease pathogenesis and useful markers for predicting treatment response are still lacking. The aim of the study was to analyze matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) expression in the esophagus of pediatric patients with EoE. Material and methods: This single-center study included newly diagnosed children with EoE based on endoscopic and histopathological results, children with esophageal eosinophilia (EE) not meeting the EoE criteria and healthy controls. Immunohistochemistry for MMP-1 and TIMP-1 was performed. Results: Among the 30 children whose biopsy specimens were evaluated, 10 patients were diagnosed with EoE, 10 patients with EE and 10 were healthy controls. Weak expression of MMP-1 in esophageal samples was observed in half or more cases in each group. However, strong MMP-1 expression was noted in half of EoE patients before treatment with a decrease in number of cases after treatment. Interestingly, lack of TIMP-1 expression was noted in all EoE patients, in contrast to EE samples, or control cases. Children with strong MMP-1 expression at the time of EoE diagnosis appeared to respond less well to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) either alone or in combination with an elimination diet. There were no differences in MMP-1 expression with PPI monotherapy as opposed to combination therapy. Conclusions: Our data revealed that children with EoE did not express TIMP-1 in esophageal tissue, unlike EE and healthy controls. More intense expression of MMP-1 at diagnosis was associated with a poor response to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Journal of Allergology / Alergologia Polska is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)