Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the regulation of calcium-phosphate metabolism and the proper functioning of multiple body systems. The widespread prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has led to a significant increase in supplementation in the general population over recent years. However, this trend has been accompanied by a growing number of cases of hypervitaminosis D, primarily resulting from uncontrolled intake of high-dose vitamin D preparations. Excess vitamin D leads to disturbances in calcium homeostasis, most notably hypercalcemia, which may manifest itself in nonspecific systemic symptoms and result in serious organ complications such as nephrocalcinosis and renal failure. A major contributing factor is the widespread availability of vitamin D-containing preparations, combined with insufficient patient awareness of the potential consequences of excessive intake. Therefore, the aim of this work is to present the current state of knowledge regarding hypervitaminosis D and its significance from a public health perspective. An analysis of literature indicates that physicians play a key role in the rational management of vitamin D supplementation, identification of risk factors, and patient education. Adherence to current supplementation guidelines and regular monitoring of therapy can significantly reduce the risk of developing hypervitaminosis D.

Background Tick-borne diseases are the fastest-growing vector-borne infections in northern Europe, yet no comprehensive multi-country analysis of Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) trends across the Nordic countries using standardized post-2018 European surveillance data has been published. Material and methods Annual case counts were extracted from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Surveillance Atlas for LB (Denmark, Norway) and TBE (all four countries). Descriptive time-series analysis included year-over-year changes, compound annual growth rates (CAGR), crude incidence rates, and pre- versus post-COVID-19 comparisons. Results Over seven years, 3,118 LB and 4,344 TBE cases were reported. Denmark showed the most rapid growth for both LB (CAGR +19.1%) and TBE (CAGR +30.8%). Combined Nordic TBE burden increased 37.2% (2018-2024), with post-COVID-19 annual cases exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 57.7%. Peak regional TBE case count occurred in 2023 (898 cases). Conclusions Both diseases show escalating trends with substantial inter-country variation. These findings establish pre-vaccine baselines for LB, strengthen the case for expanding TBE vaccination, and highlight critical surveillance gaps – particularly the absence of ECDC-reported LB data for Sweden and Finland.

Background This study examined age- and sex-specific differences in motives for physical activity among residents of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. The study used the Special Eurobarometer on Sport and Physical Activity methodology, allowing comparison within a broader European context. Material and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2023 with 945 participants (439 men, 506 women) aged 15-94 years. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests with Holm’s correction, and Cramér’s V for effect sizes across age and sex groups were used. Results Improving health was the most frequently reported motive across all age groups and between both sexes, consistent with the EU trends. Younger individuals more often reported appearance-, performance-, enjoyment-, competition-, self-esteem-, and skill-related motives, whereas older adults focused primarily on health, relaxation, and fitness. Women emphasized appearance and weight control more than men, while men were more motivated by enjoyment, competition, and socializing. With age, appearance- and self-esteem-related motives declined more among women, whereas performance- and competition-related motives declined more among men. Conclusions Motives for physical activity in Vojvodina vary significantly by age and sex, largely mirroring the EU patterns. These findings highlight the need for age- and sex-sensitive promotion strategies that reflect both European trends and local contexts.

This literature review included scientific articles, published between 2022 and 2025, indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and Proquest. The article investigates the potential of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), to improve the quality of cancer care. LLMs have demonstrated effectiveness in patient education by simplifying complex medical terminology and tailoring content to the user’s level of understanding. LLMs also assist physicians in clinical decision-making by analyzing medical data and supporting adherence to the latest guidelines. However, expert oversight is still necessary due to the risk of error. For cancer prevention, LLMs promote healthy lifestyle adoption, participation in screening programs, and vaccination. They also play an important role in reducing inequities in access to information. Another key feature of LLMs is their ability to translate complex diagnostic reports into patient-friendly language. LLMs have also shown promise in counteracting cancer-related misinformation. However, the article identifies certain LLMs limitations, such as model hallucination, incomplete personalization, and unresolved legal liability concerns. The article emphasizes ethical dilemmas, particularly those related to patient autonomy and the risk of dehumanizing care. For future progress, the article emphasizes the need to integrate LLMs into e-health systems and to develop specialized models supported by interdisciplinary teams.

Informal employment can impact the continuation of breastfeeding. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the available scientific evidence on breastfeeding and the barriers faced by women working in informal employment contexts. A scoping review was conducted following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. A search was carried in the PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, and Web of Science databases, without language or year restrictions. Original studies that analyzed barriers to breastfeeding in informal employment contexts were included. Data selection and extraction were performed independently by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by consensus. Eight studies conducted in Mexico, India, South Africa, Uganda, Ghana, and Brazil were included. The main barriers identified were the absence of policies, early return to work due to economic necessity, personal valuation of breastfeeding, and family and partner support. The role of prenatal care and the mother’s mental health is highlighted. Complementary international evidence reinforces that labor and sociocultural inequalities limit the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Informal employment is a structural determinant that hinders breastfeeding. In addition, the lack of public policies, economic pressure, as well as personal and immediate environment factors, such as family, are barriers that impact successful breastfeeding.

Soft tissue relaxation plays a significant role in contemporary physiotherapy and manual therapy, supporting pain management, rehabilitation, and the improvement of musculoskeletal function. The aim of this study was to present and discuss the current literature on selected soft tissue relaxation techniques, their mechanisms of action, and their reported effects on the musculoskeletal system. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), covering publications from 2015 to 2025. The following keywords were used: “soft tissues”, “muscles”, “fascia”, “relaxation”, “physiotherapy”. Massage therapy was the most frequently evaluated intervention (4 studies), demonstrating effects such as reduced muscle tension, improved relaxation, and pain relief. Dry needling (3 studies) was effective in reducing pain and increasing the range of motion. Techniques such as foam rolling, hold-relax, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), and soft tissue release also demonstrated positive effects on muscle flexibility, range of motion, and pain reduction. Other techniques, reported in individual studies, showed varied clinical outcomes. The effectiveness of soft tissue relaxation techniques depends on individual patient characteristics, the type of dysfunction, and the clinical context.

Background Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist primarily used to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is also recommended as part of the therapeutic strategy for individuals with metabolic syndrome or obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of semaglutide administration on body weight reduction, eating behaviors, energy intake, and appetite control in women with diagnosed obesity and insulin resistance. Material and methods The study included 104 women diagnosed with obesity and insulin resistance who tolerated semaglutide therapy without adverse effects. Results Participants using semaglutide demonstrated a mean decrease in daily energy intake of 103 kcal (p=0.034; d=-0.21) compared with baseline. A significant reduction in body weight (mean -2.85 kg) was observed, along with decreases in body fat content, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Conclusions Semaglutide use was associated with appetite suppression, reduced snacking frequency, and a subsequent decrease in body weight and body fat percentage, indicating its beneficial role in weight management among women with obesity and insulin resistance.

The aim of the study is to review the literature and synthesize the research results on the role of physical activity as a tool for strengthening mental resilience in women and its impact on the symptoms of depression and overall mental well-being. The analysis included empirical studies and reviews (systematics and meta-analyses) published between 2022 and 2025. Populations of women of different ages were included (students, perinatal, and menopausal women). The evaluation focused on exercise interventions, as well as the correlation between activity level, depression, stress, and resilience indicators. Research confirms that regular physical activity reduces the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms and increases the level of mental resilience, sense of meaning, and self-efficacy. These effects were observed especially in women during periods of increased psychosocial burden. Resilience was found to be a key mediator in the relationship between activity and mental health, while social factors acted as moderators. The results highlight the need to include exercise programs in preventive and therapeutic interventions addressed to women at different stages of life. Future research should focus on personalizing activity programs and on the long-term biological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying resilience enhancement.

Background The university period critically influences the formation of health-related lifestyles. This study aimed to assess changes in health-promoting behaviors, physical activity, and the sense of health control among students over a decade (2016 vs. 2026), examining differences between physical education and social science students. Material and methods The study involved two groups of students (N=752) surveyed in 2016 and 2026, employing purposeful sampling. Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), and the Multidimensional Health Literacy Scale (MHLC). Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated. Results By 2026, a significant increase in sedentary time was observed (from 212.6 to 318.6 min/day; p<0.001). Social science students exhibited a substantial decrease in physical activity (intense exercise: 720 to 240 MET-min/week; moderate: 708.9 to 300 MET-min/week). Both cohorts experienced increased BMI, more notably among social science students. A significant decrease in MHLC-I intensity, indicating a weakened sense of health control, was also noted. Conclusions The observed increases in sedentary behavior and BMI, coupled with a decline in internal health locus of control by 2026, underscore the urgent need for targeted health promotion programs within academic environments.

Background Pediatric chest pain is a common reason for Emergency Department (ED) visits, but it is rarely due to serious cardiac issues. The causes are mainly non-cardiac and include musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and psychogenic origins. Material and methods This study aimed to assess the causes of chest pain and their correlations with clinical and demographic factors among children and adolescents from eastern Poland. A retrospective analysis covered 1,849 pediatric chest pain cases from 189,282 emergency department visits at the University Children’s Hospital between 2018-2023. Pain characteristics, clinical data, comorbidities, and treatment approaches were evaluated. Results The most common causes were idiopathic (60.48%) and musculoskeletal (22.29%). Hospitalizations for pulmonary-related issues accounted for 12.44%. Physical activity often worsened pain, with dyspnea and palpitations as frequent comorbid symptoms. Bronchial asthma was the most common comorbidity (4.04%). Caffeine intake and smoking were linked to increased stabbing pain. Treatment was needed in 26.07% of cases, mostly conservative. Conclusions Pediatric chest pain is rarely linked to serious conditions. Most cases are mild and effectively managed conservatively. Factors such as stimulants and psychogenic causes play a role, while cardiac causes remain uncommon.