Background This pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary effects of a two-week post-exercise foam rolling intervention on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and kicking performance (TAIKT) in martial arts athletes. Material and methods Martial arts athletes from Latvia (n=10) and Poland (n=8) were allocated to either a foam rolling or a control condition and completed a two-week intervention while continuing regular training. DOMS and TAIKT were assessed before and after the intervention. Absolute change scores (post-pre) were calculated and compared between groups using parametric or nonparametric tests. Results DOMS decreased following foam rolling in both cohorts (Latvia: U=25, p=0.009; Poland: t(6)=2.80, p=0.03). TAIKT improved significantly after foam rolling (Latvia: t(8)=-6.39, p<0.001; Poland: t(6)=-8.76, p<0.001). Conclusions These findings support the feasibility of post-exercise foam rolling as a recovery strategy in martial arts athletes. However, results should be interpreted cautiously given the pilot design, small sample sizes, and ongoing training during the intervention. Larger, controlled studies are required.

Background Dietary habits formed during university years influence long-term health, yet evidence comparing gender-specific and cross-country patterns in Central Europe is limited. This study assessed differences in dietary intake between Polish and Slovak university students using standardized FFQ-6 daily intake conversions. Material and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in February-March 2025 among 574 Polish and Slovak students (77% female; mean age 22.5±2.68 years). Dietary intake was evaluated using the FFQ-6. Gender and country differences were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests with effect sizes (r). Results Female students reported a higher intake of vegetables and fruits, while males consumed significantly more red and processed meat, refined grains, animal fats, and energy drinks (p<0.05). In international comparisons, Polish females showed higher consumption of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and nuts but also a higher intake of red meat, added fats, and energy drinks. Slovak students reported a higher dairy intake and slightly lower consumption of sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages. Effect sizes were small to moderate. Conclusions Our findings show meaningful gender-specific and cross-country differences in the dietary patterns of Polish and Slovak university students, highlighting several areas – especially meat, fats, and vegetable intake – where improvements in everyday dietary routines may be beneficial.

Among gastrointestinal disorders, to this day, many diseases are insufficiently studied. One of these under-researched conditions is eosinophilic gastroenteritis. The underlying cause of this rare disease is an inflammatory process affecting a large section of the alimentary tract – mainly the stomach and small intestine. This condition presents with non-specific clinical symptoms. Due to similarities between the initial symptoms and those of other prevalent gastrointestinal conditions, patients often initially receive an inaccurate diagnosis, leading to ineffective treatment and a significant challenge for physicians. Unfortunately, even if the diagnosis is made, the treatment process remains challenging. Due to the lack of precise recommendations regarding the medical approach, some individuals need to modify their therapy multiple times before the symptoms resolve. This systematic review is based on the PubMed database and concentrates on articles published between 2014 and 2024, focusing on case reports of patients under 18 years of age. The main aim was to expand the knowledge regarding the etiology, symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment approaches for eosinophilic gastroenteritis .

This systematic review synthesizes findings from 45 studies (2019-2024) on hybrid closed-loop (HCL) systems in pediatric type 1 diabetes (T1D). Consistent improvements in glycemic control were observed, with time-in-range (TIR, 70-180 mg/dL) increasing by 6.7-36.7 percentage points, particularly among patients transitioning from multiple daily injections. Adolescents benefited more than younger children (18.4% vs. 14.3% TIR increase, p=0.01), with nighttime control improving significantly (23.6% TIR increase, p<0.001). HbA1c reductions reached clinical significance in 68% of studies, and the likelihood of achieving HbA1c ≤6.5% tripled with HCL use (OR=3.03, p<0.001). Hyperglycemia (>250 mg/dL) decreased by up to 81%, while hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL) showed modest but consistent reductions. Preliminary neurodevelopmental findings indicated improved brain structure metrics. However, disparities persist: only 30% of studies included underrepresented groups, and real-world data showed 21% lower HCL adoption in low-income populations. Device efficacy depended on usage patterns, with optimal TIR requiring ≥85% engagement in automated mode. Despite their transformative potential, HCL systems face challenges related to access and variability in response. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, standardized metrics, and AI-driven personalization to enhance pediatric diabetes management.

Background This major study examines the correlation of virtues of character strengths with well-being dimensions, identifying character strengths as predictors of well-being in boys and girls. Material and methods Data was collected from 200 students (100 boys, 100 girls) from 9th to 12th grades using purposive sampling. The Pearson correlation method and stepwise regression analysis were employed to examine the score. Results Correlational analysis showed that character strength virtues had a positive correlation with almost all dimensions of well-being, and stepwise regression analysis revealed that character strengths emerged as distinct predictors of well-being for boys and girls. Boys’ well-being was predicted by five character strengths, while girls’ well-being was predicted by two character strengths. Character strengths accounted for approximately 35% of the variance in well-being for both boys and girls. Conclusions The study shows the importance of character strengths for adolescents’ well-being. Character strengths play an important role in embracing the positive which results in better well-being.

Background This study evaluated acute stress symptom severity, anxiety, and depression levels in emergency department patients and examined their interrelationships. Material and methods A cross-sectional design was employed. The Acute Stress Symptom Severity Scale (ASSSS) assessed stress severity, while the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) evaluated anxiety and depression. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were conducted. Results The mean ASSSS score was 8.77±3.43, indicating moderate acute stress, with scores ranging from 2.0 to 20.0 and a median of 9.0. The mean HADS-Anxiety score was 9.14±3.33, with a median of 10.0, reflecting moderate anxiety (range: 2.0-19.0). The mean HADS-Depression score was 11.07±4.41, with a median of 10.0, indicating moderate depression with more variability (range: 1.0-21.0). Correlation analyses showed a weak positive relationship between the ASSSS and HADS-Anxiety scores (r=0.290, <i>p</i><0.001), suggesting higher acute stress is linked to increased anxiety. A weak negative correlation between the ASSSS and HADS-Depression scores (r=-0.364, <i>p</i><0.001) indicated higher stress is associated with lower depression levels. Conclusions Acute stress is moderately prevalent in emergency patients and positively correlates with anxiety while negatively correlating with depression. Integrated approaches are essential for managing these interconnected conditions in emergency care.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy-related condition characterized by glucose intolerance, significantly impacting both maternal and fetal health. Among the modifiable risk factors, physical inactivity has been identified as a key contributor to GDM. The review synthesizes findings from twelve studies conducted across eight countries, with a combined total of 24,583 participants. The results consistently indicate that women who engage in regular physical activity (PA) before and during early pregnancy have a lower risk of developing GDM. The protective effect is particularly pronounced among those active before conception. Despite the consistent associations, variations in study design, population characteristics, and methods for assessing PA lead to differences in reported outcomes. The findings emphasize the importance of PA as a preventive measure, highlighting its role in prenatal care. However, variability in results across studies points to the need for further research to develop specific guidelines and targeted interventions. Incorporating PA into prenatal programs could enhance maternal and child health by reducing the risk of GDM and its associated long-term metabolic complications.

Background The aim of this paper is to examine whether there are differences in physical self-concept between people with physical disabilities who underwent a 12-week experimental treatment of the inclusive Baskin game and subjects of the control group who continued with their daily activities. Material and methods The "Physical Self-Description Questionnaire" (PSDQ) was applied, which contains 11 subscales, 9 scales for specific components of physical self-concept, and two general scales. Results The results of the t-test of dependent samples showed a statistically significant difference in favor of the subjects of the experimental group between the two measurements in the appearance variable (p=0.02), while the results of the Mann-Whitney test indicated a statistically significant increase in the value of the esteem variable at the final measurement (p=0.04). The effect of changes was the largest in the esteem variable (Z=-2.02). The obtained results indicate that participation in the inclusive Baskin game can have a positive impact on certain aspects of physical self-description in individuals with physical disabilities, particularly in terms of appearance and esteem. Conclusions This suggests the potential benefits of adapted sports games, emphasizing the need for their implementation in inclusive sports initiatives.

Background The research area of health communication is expanding, and digital media is being widely studied. Although digital media and digital health information are pervasive, there is a huge gap in research on how they affect people's behavior. The research explores the efficacy of digital health messages and communication strategies in enhancing health literacy and health behavior interventions. The research integrated the protection action decision model and the theory of normative social behavior. Material and methods The study employs a cross-sectional online survey to collect data from 520 unmarried, separated and divorced adults with potential future marriages. Results The results verified that digital health messages from health authorities could ingrain the risk perception about genetic diseases and protective action perception of premarital screening, resulting in protection motivation. Likewise, the normative factor of the injunctive norm was surprisingly not significant. Digital health messages promote outcome expectations and perceptions about genetic diseases, intensifying protection motivation and the relationship between descriptive norms. Conclusions The research clarified that regardless of prevailing normative beliefs about premarital testing, health messages disseminated from health authorities’ digital platforms can ingrain a greater extent of perceived risk, protective action, and outcome expectations, enhancing motivation to adopt premarital genetic testing.

Background Today, aesthetic medicine encompasses various subfields, including regenerative medicine. The goal of regenerative therapy is not only to improve the skin’s appearance aesthetically but also to stimulate natural repair mechanisms, such as collagen and elastin synthesis and tissue regeneration, which contribute to long-lasting results and improved skin health. One of the fundamental treatments in this field is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze the skin before and after treatment with PRP and PRF and to determine the series of cascading changes occurring in the skin. Material and methods A retrospective analysis of photographs of 35 women taken before and after single PRP and PRF treatment was conducted. The images were captured using the Observ 520x device. Mathematical measurements of changes in the images were performed using ImageJ software. The Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) was used to evaluate the changes observed in the photographs after the procedure. Results Based on mathematical parameters obtained from the ImageJ program, vascularity, and skin tone were compared. A paired t-test indicated a statistically significant improvement in the study group in the following areas: forehead discoloration, right cheek discoloration, left cheek discoloration, forehead vascularity, and left cheek vascularity. Conclusions The use of PRP and PRF in aesthetic medicine is an effective treatment that delivers the expected results.