Nutritional status of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel diseases is related to disease duration and clinical picture at diagnosis.

This cross-sectional study presents the nutritional status of newly diagnosed pediatric patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) and its association with the duration of the disease and selected clinical features. We analyzed the data of 41 pediatric patients with CD and 29 with UC (mean age: 13.1 y, range: 5.2-18.0 y) up to 3 mo. from diagnosis. Anthropometry included body weight, body height, body mass index (BMI), three skinfold thicknesses, mid-upper arm circumference and mid-upper arm muscle circumference adjusted for age and sex using national standards. Anthropometry was linked to the disease duration, location of the disease, symptoms, and blood test results. Both studied groups presented significantly lower BMI compared to the reference population, but only children with CD characterized with significantly worse nutritional status according to arm anthropometry. In CD, better nutritional status was associated mainly with longer disease duration and, to a lesser extent, with extraintestinal manifestations, perianal disease, and small intestinal lesions. In UC, anemia at diagnosis was associated with poor nutritional status. Our finding emphasizes the need for more attentive diagnostic care for pediatric patients who exhibit extraintestinal symptoms or perianal disease with no obvious signs of malnutrition, to avoid diagnostic delays.

[Cistus - queen of teas]. / Czystek ­ królowa herbat.

The aim of our article is to present a healthy qualities of Cistus. Cistus is plant belonging to the Cistaceae has strong health-promoting properties through its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, bacteriostatic and antifungal activities. Cistus has an inhibitory effect on the multiplication of viruses, which can be used to treat cold and influenza. A significant effect of the Cistus on stopping the growth and proliferation of prostatic cells was also demonstrated, which evidence of cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity. This activity can be used in both benign and malignant prostatic enlargement, as well as adjuvant in the treatment of other cancers. Extract from Cistus through modulation of immune system significantly strengthens immunity and has antiallergic activity. Cistus has a lot of polyphenols that destroy free radicals, inhibit the formation and development of inflammation in the body, strengthen, energize, and have a preventive effect on cardiovascular diseases. Through bioflavonoids, it works synergistically with vitamin C, enhancing its action, and also protects the mucous membrane of the stomach, preventing the formation of ulcers, or helping to treat them. Because of healing properties, as well as taste qualities the Cistus- teacan be boldly recommended as a daily drink for both young and old people. The promoting the use of infusion from a Cistus along with honey or lemon juice should be as wide as possible.

TOFI phenotype - its effect on the occurrence of diabetes.

Recent studies have reported a significant increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes in the past 30 years. They also predict that this trend will continue. This is related to a change in lifestyle, which results in a parallel increase in the incidence of overweight and obesity. However, symptoms of the metabolic syndrome, so far closely related to abdominal obesity, are relatively common among people with normal body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. The aim of the study is to present the TOFI phenotype (thin outside, fat inside) as an important factor in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. In the 1980s, the first study of the MONW (metabolic obese normal weight), a phenotype that is characterized by metabolic diseases in people with normal body weight. Since then, no uniform criteria have been established for MONW deployment, which has created difficulties in identifying affected individuals. Recent work has appeared describing the TOFI phenotype, which seems to lead to the appearance of MONW. People affected by this problem, in spite of undersized fatty tissue, have an increased amount of adipose tissue surrounding the internal organs, which increases the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In the diagnostics of the TOFI phenotype, magnetic resonance imaging is of paramount importance. Previous studies did not provide clear answers about the pathogenesis of TOFI nor which factors stimulate its development. Prophylaxis and treatment of the syndrome include increased physical activity, the promotion of correct eating habits, and a use of metformin.

[Turmeric - not only spice]. / Kurkuma ­ nie tylko przyprawa.

The purpose of this article is to introduce the role of turmeric in medicine and summarize the current state of research on its applications. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has had a wide range of uses in middle eastern and orietnal traditional medicine. Currently, however, its use has been truncated to a common cooking spice, despite numerous studies pointing to its healing properties and possible use in the treatment of many diseases. The main focus is on curcumin, a polyphenol which serves as the biologically active component of turmeric. Curcumin's anti-inflammatory effects have been well documented in medical studies, with wide ranging applications from the treatment of rheumatologic diseases such as arthritis to dermatology, with significant effects in the treatment of psoriasis, acne and in relieving of itching. In addition to the effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines, curcumin can also accelerate healing of skin wounds. Apart from controlling the body's inflammatory response, curcumin has a bacteriostatic effect, which has been shown to be an important factor in the treatment of diseases with complex etiology. Additionally, studies show that curcumin's effects on oncogenesis, the process of metastasis, angiogenesis, apoptosis or response to cytostatic drugs have yielded promising results. It has been confirmed that its antioxidant effect correlates with a decrease in LDL levels in blood and to a reduced risk of atherosclerosis. Curcumin consumption has also been shown to have a vasodilating effect through its indirect impact on prostacyclins and directly on vascular endothelium. Many of the mention medicinal properties of turmeric are still the subject of research and debate; as such, only some of them have entered the phase of clinical trials.