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POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT IN DENTISTRY: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF THE USE OF NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS
Background. Postoperative pain is a frequent consequence of dental procedures and significantly affects patient comfort and recovery. The severity and duration of pain vary depending on the type of procedure and individual patient factors. Although it usually resolves within a few days, in some cases it may become chronic. Effective pain management is therefore essential.
Aim. This review presents contemporary strategies for managing postoperative dental pain, with particular emphasis on the use and efficacy of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Material and methods. A narrative review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Relevant peer-reviewed original articles, systematic reviews, and clinical trials published in English were selected. The inclusion criteria focused on studies concerning the use of NSAIDs in various dental disciplines, including conservative dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, periodontology, prosthetics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. Articles not related to dental postoperative pain or NSAID use, case reports, and expert opinions were excluded.
Results. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and selective COX-2 inhibitors have proven effective in reducing postoperative dental pain across a broad range of procedures. Their mechanism involves cyclooxygenase inhibition and modulation of inflammatory pathways. In many clinical scenarios, NSAIDs surpass opioids and paracetamol alone in efficacy. Preoperative administration is often beneficial, especially in pediatric and orthodontic cases. Additional non-pharmacological methods, such as cryotherapy and laser therapy, further enhance outcomes. However, gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular risks must be considered.
Conclusions. NSAIDs are fundamental in managing postoperative dental pain due to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The best outcomes are achieved through a personalized, multimodal approach combining NSAIDs with non-pharmacological strategies, ensuring effective pain relief while minimizing adverse effects
COMBINATION OF FOLINIC ACID AND PSYCHOTHERAPY AS A MODERN METHOD OF TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex disorder of the development and functioning of the central nervous system. The onset of the disorder is usually in early childhood. It is characterized by difficulty in reading and communicating feelings, disturbances in the ability to build interpersonal relationships, as well as impoverishment and stereotypical behavior.
Materials and methods: This article, based on a PubMed review of available research, examines the impact of folinic acid and Picture Exchange Communication System therapy on improving communication in children with ASD.
Results: In the first of the reported studies, a double-blind study was conducted - 48 children with an autism spectrum disorder and language impairment were randomized to receive 12 weeks of high dose folinic acid or placebo. The improvement in verbal communication, as measured by a standardized ability-appropriate tool, was significantly greater in participants receiving folinic acid compared to those receiving placebo.
In the second test, 20 children were qualified for the study. The program consisted of 24 sessions of individual speech therapy and followed the six phases proposed in the PECS training manual. All children were clinically assessed by a team of child psychiatrists, neuropsychologists and speech therapists. After the study was completed, there was a clear increase in children's understanding of all instructions compared to the initial phase of the program.
Conclusions: The therapies described above improve the communication skills of patients on the autism spectrum. Not only does it provide an augmentative or alternative communication tool for children to express their needs, it also significantly improves understanding of contextual information
LIVER FUNCTION AND LIPID METABOLISM MARKERS IN YOUNG ATHLETES FOLLOWING HIGH-PROTEIN DIETS
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an increasingly significant health issue among young adults, marked by the coexistence of visceral obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. A key component of its pathogenesis is chronic low-grade inflammation, reflected by elevated levels of biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Recently, attention has turned to the potential of physical activity as a modifiable factor that can influence inflammatory status and reduce MetS risk.
Objective: This study aimed to review current scientific evidence on the impact of regular physical activity on selected inflammatory markers and the risk of MetS in young adults.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted covering publications from 2015 to 2024. Scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were searched using keywords such as "physical activity," "inflammatory markers," "cytokines," "CRP," "TNF-alpha," "IL-6," and "metabolic syndrome." Included studies were randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and prospective cohort studies involving individuals aged 18–35.
Results and conclusion: Findings revealed that regular physical activity- especially programs combining aerobic and resistance training- significantly lowered CRP, TNF-α, and IL-8 levels, while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines. Participants with higher physical activity levels were consistently less likely to meet MetS diagnostic criteria, even after adjusting for BMI. Additional benefits included improved insulin sensitivity, reduced oxidative stress, and favorable changes in lipid profiles. The anti-inflammatory effects were dose-dependent, with the most significant outcomes observed in those performing at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity weekly. Physical activity should be regarded as a key preventive measure against MetS and long-term cardiovascular risk in young adults
THE IMPACT OF SLEEP ON ENDURANCE ADAPTATIONS AND WEIGHT LOSS DURING RUNNING TRAINING IN OVERWEIGHT ADULTS: REVIEW
Sleep rarely receives as much attention as training or diet, yet it significantly influences how effective running programs are for weight loss, especially in adults with overweight or obesity. Poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep duration, common in this population, consistently limit improvements in aerobic fitness, reduce the effectiveness of fat loss, and slow down recovery after exercise. In contrast, better sleep habits support quicker endurance gains, more efficient recovery, and healthier body composition changes. Even simple interventions, such as maintaining regular sleep schedules, limiting screen use before bedtime, and improving overall sleep hygiene, can substantially improve training outcomes. This review highlights sleep as an essential component of successful running-based weight-loss interventions. Trainers and healthcare professionals should prioritize sleep improvement strategies to maximize exercise benefits. However, future research with larger groups and longer follow-up periods is necessary to confirm these findings and clarify optimal sleep interventions.
Methods: This narrative review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between 2010 and 2025. The search used combinations of the terms sleep, running, endurance training, obesity, and weight loss. Studies were eligible if they included adults with overweight or obesity participating in running programs and reported outcomes related to endurance, recovery, or body composition. Randomized trials, observational research, and review articles were considered.
Results: The reviewed studies consistently show that poor or insufficient sleep limits the benefits of running‑based programs in adults with overweight and obesity. Participants sleeping less than 7–8 hours often achieved smaller gains in aerobic fitness, recovered more slowly, and experienced less favorable body composition changes, including greater loss of lean mass.
In contrast, good sleep habits were linked to better endurance improvements, more efficient recovery, and greater fat loss. Even simple steps like keeping a regular bedtime appeared to improve training adherence and outcomes. Still, most studies were small and short‑term, underlining the need for larger, long‑term research.
Conclusions: Sleep clearly matters for adults with overweight or obesity who take up running to lose weight. When sleep quality or duration is compromised, the benefits of training are noticeably reduced, improvements in endurance come more slowly, recovery takes longer, and fat loss is less efficient. Conversely, maintaining good sleep habits appears to amplify the positive effects of running programs, making progress faster and more sustainable. From a practical standpoint, trainers and clinicians should consider sleep not just as a passive recovery process, but as an active part of effective weight-management strategies. Simple recommendations like regular sleep schedules or better sleep hygiene may lead to substantial improvements in training outcomes. Future studies should further clarify how targeted sleep interventions can enhance exercise-based programs in this population
INSTAGRAM VS REALITY: INFLUENCE OF INSTAGRAM ON DEPRESSION AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS - A LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction and purpose: The vast majority of the global population has access to the internet and consequently to social networking services (SNSs). These are online social media platforms that facilitate interaction between users and enable the sharing of information. One of the most popular SNSs is Instagram. However, the utilisation of this application does exert an influence on the mental health of users, yielding both favourable and unfavourable outcomes. This study aims to review the literature on the correlation between Instagram use and depression among the largest group of users – adolescents and young adults.
Stage of knowledge: Instagram is a free application for sharing photos and videos which has rapidly become an integral part of life for many people around the world. Due to the visual nature of its content, this social networking platform possesses characteristics that differentiate it from other such services, making it worthwhile to investigate the effects of this medium on mental health. Given its popularity, particularly among young users, studying the correlation between Instagram and a range of psychological well-being variables can provide valuable insights into its impact on the mental health of adolescents and young adults, such as depression.
Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted utilising the Google Scholar and PubMed databases, employing the following keywords: Instagram, Social Networking Services, Depression, Mental Health, Adolescents, Young Adults.
Results: Unlimited access to social networking services has an impact on the mental health of users. Specifically Instagram use can lead to unfavorable results on mental well-being, such as depression. The group most vulnerable to these negative consequences is also the largest group of users – adolescents and young adults.
Conclusions: Further research on the influence of Instagram on depression among adolescents and young adults is essential to gain a more profound understanding of their mental health and to identify effective methods of preventing the adverse outcomes associated with social media use, such as depression. Furthermore, the potential of Instagram as a medium for promoting mental health should be given due consideration
A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF RATHKE’S CLEFT CYSTS: DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGES AND MANAGEMENT TRENDS
Introduction and purpose: Rathke’s cleft cysts (RCCs) are benign, epithelium-lined lesions located in the sellar or suprasellar region, originating from remnants of Rathke’s pouch. While often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, RCCs may lead to significant clinical symptoms due to compression of adjacent structures, including the pituitary gland and optic chiasm. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of RCCs and emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis and individualized management, especially in symptomatic cases.
Material and methods: The review is based on scientific literature published between 2005 and 2025, retrieved from PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar using the following keywords: “Rathke’s cleft cyst,”, “Rathke’s cyst diagnosis,” “Rathke’s cyst treatment,” “pituitary cyst surgery,” and “Rathke’s cyst recurrence”.
Results: Analysis of the literature indicates that although most RCCs remain asymptomatic, a significant subset causes symptoms such as headaches, visual disturbances, and endocrine dysfunction. MRI remains the most effective diagnostic tool, while treatment typically involves transsphenoidal surgical drainage. Recurrence rates vary depending on the surgical technique and inflammatory changes within the cyst wall. Emerging approaches, such as steroid-eluting stents, show promise in reducing recurrence, though further research is needed.
Conclusions: RCCs, though generally benign, may result in substantial morbidity in symptomatic patients. Accurate diagnosis, appropriate imaging, and tailored treatment are essential for optimal outcomes. Long-term follow-up is recommended due to the potential for recurrence, and novel interventions offer promising avenues for future management strategies
"THE ONE RING" AND EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS AS TRICKY TRIGGERS OF REFLUX SYMPTOMS – A CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW
Background: eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and Schatzki ring are distinct conditions, but their clinical presentation may resemble one another. Moreover, they can closely mimic the third common disorder, that is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) making a patient diagnostic approach even more challenging.
Aim of the study: presentation of a case with EoE with coexistence of Schatzki ring and related subject literature review.
Materials and methods: one case of non-specific GERD symptoms and gradual dysphagia development. Literature review of existing reports and data regarding epidemiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic approach to patients with EoE suspicion. Presentation of the current guidelines on disease management. Additionally, we discuss the medical challenges that may occur in patients with esophageal dysfunction and highlight that further studies are warranted to better explain EoE's long-term impact on patient outcomes.
Conclusions: EoE has become increasingly recognized over the last decade, but may still create a clinical challenge. Its symptoms vary with age, and pathogenesis is still not fully explained. Experts in the field recommend special criteria for diagnosing EoE, which should be followed to establish the proper diagnosis. Further studies are warranted to better explain EoE's pathophysiology and long-term impact on patient outcomes
INSULINOMA: CONTEMPORARY STRATEGIES FOR DIAGNOSIS, CLINICAL PRESENTATION, AND MULTIMODAL TREATMENT OF PANCREATIC NEUROENDOCRINE INSULIN-SECRETING TUMORS
Introduction: Insulinoma, though rare, represents the most frequent hormonally active neuroendocrine neoplasm of the pancreas, responsible for causing endogenous hypoglycemia. In over 90% of cases, it presents as a solitary, benign, well-defined tumor smaller than 2 cm. Despite the presence of typical clinical signs, diagnosis is often postponed due to nonspecific symptoms that may mimic neurological or psychiatric disorders.
Objective: This review aims to provide an updated overview of diagnostic strategies and treatment options for insulinomas in adults, excluding those linked to MEN syndrome or von Hippel-Lindau disease, with particular focus on imaging modalities for tumor localization and therapeutic alternatives for unresectable or malignant lesions.
Methods: We analyzed the effectiveness of various imaging techniques, including non-invasive modalities (ultrasound, CT, MRI) and invasive methods (endoscopic ultrasound [EUS], arterial stimulation with venous sampling [ASVS]), in detecting insulinomas. Surgical approaches were reviewed alongside minimally invasive options such as alcohol ablation, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), embolization, and medical therapies. Management strategies for malignant insulinomas were also examined, emphasizing the role of multimodal treatment, including chemoembolization and liver transplantation.
Conclusions: Surgical removal remains the preferred treatment for most insulinomas, offering the possibility of complete remission. Precise preoperative localization greatly enhances surgical success and minimizes complications. In cases where resection is not feasible or in malignant disease, alternative therapies can help manage hypoglycemia and improve quality of life. Progress in imaging techniques and glucose monitoring is reshaping the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape for insulinoma
PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AND CANCER PROGRESSION
Background: Psychological stress, particularly in its chronic form, is increasingly recognized as a factor influencing cancer progression through complex neuroendocrine, immunological, and molecular mechanisms. Chronic activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) leads to dysregulated cortisol and catecholamine levels, which suppress anti-tumour immunity, promote angiogenesis, and enhance tumour cell invasiveness and metastasis.
Aim: To synthesise current evidence on the biological mechanisms linking psychological stress to cancer progression and to highlight the therapeutic potential of psychosocial interventions in oncology.
Material and methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed database. Relevant preclinical and clinical studies published between 2000 and 2024 were selected to examine the influence of psychological stress on cancer biology and disease progression.
Results: Chronic stress contributes to cancer growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance through hormonal imbalance, immune suppression, and chronic inflammation. Disruption of the tumour microenvironment further facilitates malignant progression. Studies particularly emphasize these effects in breast and ovarian cancers. Psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have demonstrated benefits in both psychological well-being and biological markers of disease activity.
Conclusions: Psychological stress significantly impacts cancer progression through multiple biological pathways. Integrating stress-reducing interventions into standard oncological care may enhance patient outcomes and offer a complementary strategy in cancer management
VULVODYNIA AND ITS IMPACT ON WOMEN’S QUALITY OF LIFE
Introduction: Vulvodynia is defined as chronic vulvar pain or discomfort lasting for at least three months without a clear somatic, infectious or neurological cause. Despite growing interest in the field of chronic pain in gynecology, vulvodynia remains poorly recognized and frequently marginalized in clinical practice.
Material and methods: This article is based on a review of scientific literature available in databases such as PubMed and Scopus covering publications from 2000 to 2024 on vulvodynia and its impact on women’s quality of life. The analysis includes original studies, systematic reviews and clinical guidelines by the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) and the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD).
Aim of study: The aim is to present the current state of knowledge on vulvodynia with a focus on its impact on women’s quality of life, including mental health, sexual functioning, social relationships and work activity.
Conclusion: Vulvodynia remains a significant and underdiagnosed health problem with serious consequences for women’s quality of life. Increasing awareness and education among healthcare professionals are essential to improve diagnosis and management of vulvodynia. Promoting further research, expanding access to interdisciplinary care and integrating medical, psychological and physiotherapeutic interventions may contribute to more effective treatment, improved functioning of affected women and reduction of the broader socioeconomic burden associated with the disease