PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Men face distinctive health-related challenges as a result of biological, behavioral, and sociocultural factors. In addition, the modern healthcare system does not offer men equal opportunities and options to ensure sex-specific access and delivery to health services. Men's health concerns are, indeed, often not addressed or even forgotten. In this review, we wanted to assess the impact of biology and sociocultural effects on sex-specific life-expectancy. RECENT FINDINGS: Globally, men have a shorter life expectancy than women. With a 5.8 years gender gap in the USA and 5.4 in the EU-27 (both in 2022). Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and accidents continue to represent the primary causes of mortality for both genders with all having disproportional preponderance in men. In recent years, there has been a notable decline in age-adjusted mortality rates related to cancer, while there has been an increase in deaths from accidental and intentional self-harm. Moreover, in the United States, men are more likely than women to develop and die from nonsex-specific cancers. As a result, men's poor health affects productivity, absenteeism, and employment. SUMMARY: The status of men in healthcare is complex. It is rooted in history, culture, and institutions. To address disparities, we need a comprehensive approach that includes policy reforms, sociocultural changes, and a fair and equitable public discourse. Grassroots and top-down strategies are needed to ensure a value-based societal healthcare system acknowledging the unique health needs of men.

• MeSH
• Healthcare Disparities statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Health Status Disparities MeSH
• Health Services Accessibility statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Life Expectancy * MeSH
• Delivery of Health Care statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Health Equity MeSH
• Sex Factors MeSH
• Men's Health * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Geographicals
• United States MeSH

PURPOSE: The study sought to understand the experiences of working age adults with myeloma and their partner/family members, living in Czechia, Germany, and Poland. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 36 working age adults living with myeloma, and three family members. Data were collected from May to October 2022. Thematic analysis was applied to the data. RESULTS: Healthcare and state support within each country are described. The degree of work engagement was informed by patients' symptom burden, treatment needs, state financial aid, and family/financial obligations. Many did not conceptualise their status as involving 'return to work' as they had continued to be engaged with their jobs throughout. For some, remote working enabled them to manage treatments/side-effects and their job, while avoiding infection. In some cases, patients did not tell their employer or colleagues about their illness, for fear of discrimination. CONCLUSION: While experiences varied between countries, common across accounts was a struggle to balance ongoing treatments with employment, at a time when participants were expected to finance their own households and maintain their income and roles. Implications for Cancer Survivors To improve quality of life, clinical discussions around treatment decision-making should take into account patients' attitudes/approach to work, type of work engaged in, and other activities considered important to them. European Union and national cancer plans should set out optimum standards for employers, to ensure an equitable benchmark for how employees are supported. Such approaches would improve legal protections and better enforcement of employer policies to accommodate patients' limitations in the workplace.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Quality of Life * MeSH
• Qualitative Research MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Multiple Myeloma * psychology   therapy   epidemiology   mortality   MeSH
• Cancer Survivors * psychology   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Interviews as Topic MeSH
• Employment * statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Germany MeSH
• Poland MeSH

The endorsement of conspiracy theories may be increased by subjectively perceived stress. Yet, it is not known whether this correlation is caused by the effects of the acute stress reaction on the brain or other psychological, social, or methodological factors. The effect of an experimentally induced acute stress reaction on conspiracy thinking was tested on a sample (n = 115) of students of medicine. Although the stress procedure caused a substantial increase in salivary cortisol, there was no significant effect on endorsing conspiracy theories or adopting conspiracy interpretations of novel information. The results confirmed no effect of the acute stress reaction on conspiracy thinking, suggesting it may be absent or weaker than expected. The study demonstrated the viability of psychophysiological experimental design in conspiracy research and may inspire further examination of the physiological mechanisms underlying susceptibility to conspiracy theories.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Hydrocortisone analysis   metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Stress, Psychological * psychology   MeSH
• Saliva chemistry   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease which results in reversible hair loss. Janus kinase inhibitors are prescribed for severe alopecia areata with encouraging results. There are no studies comparing the efficacy and safety of Janus kinase inhibitors to traditional treatment options, such as topical immunomodulators and traditional immunosuppressants. AIMS: To retrospectively compare the efficacy and safety of baricitinib, an approved Janus kinase inhibitor, to other treatments for severe AA during a 6-month treatment period. MATERIALS/METHODS: We included patients with newly presenting, relapsing or treatment-resistant alopecia areata with Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score ≥ 50, for the period between July 2021 and July 2023. Medical histories were reviewed and possible side effects were recorded. Primary endpoints were SALT ≤ 20 and SALT ≤ 10 after 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (53 females) were divided into three groups: topical immunomodulators (51 patients); baricitinib (19 patients); and a group receiving pulsed intramuscular corticosteroids or traditional immunosuppressants (11 patients). Twenty-one patients received more than one treatment options within 2 years. After 6 months, the baricitinib group showed superior efficacy with 32% and 26% of patients achieving SALT ≤ 20 and SALT ≤ 10, compared to 12% and 9% in both other groups. Baricitinib demonstrated better secondary outcomes (50% and 90% reduction from initial SALT scores). All treatments exhibited mild-to-moderate and expected side effects. Weight gain, which had not been reported in clinical trials for alopecia areata, was observed in three baricitinib-treated patients. CONCLUSION: Baricitinib was superior to traditional treatments for severe alopecia areata after 6 months. Weight gain concerned 16% of patients receiving baricitinib.

• MeSH
• Alopecia Areata * drug therapy   MeSH
• Azetidines * adverse effects   therapeutic use   administration & dosage   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Adrenal Cortex Hormones therapeutic use   administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Immunologic Factors administration & dosage   adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Immunosuppressive Agents * adverse effects   therapeutic use   administration & dosage   MeSH
• Janus Kinase Inhibitors * adverse effects   administration & dosage   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Purines * adverse effects   administration & dosage   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Pyrazoles * adverse effects   administration & dosage   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Severity of Illness Index * MeSH
• Sulfonamides * adverse effects   administration & dosage   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: While active surveillance (AS) is an alternative to surgical interventions in patients with small renal masses (SRMs), evidence regarding its oncological efficacy is still debated. We aimed to evaluate oncological outcomes for patients with SRMs who underwent AS in comparison to surgical interventions. METHODS: In April 2024, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were queried for comparative studies evaluating AS in patients with SRMs (PROSPERO: CRD42024530299). The primary outcomes were overall (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). A random-effects model was used for quantitative analysis. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: We identified eight eligible studies (three prospective, four retrospective, and one study based on Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results [SEER] data) involving 4947 patients. Pooling of data with the SEER data set revealed significantly higher OS rates for patients receiving surgical interventions (hazard ratio [HR] 0.73; p = 0.007), especially partial nephrectomy (PN; HR 0.62; p < 0.001). However, in a sensitivity analysis excluding the SEER data set there was no significant difference in OS between AS and surgical interventions overall (HR 0.84; p = 0.3), but the PN subgroup had longer OS than the AS group (HR 0.6; p = 0.002). Only the study based on the SEER data set showed a significant difference in CSS. The main limitations include selection bias in retrospective studies, and classification of interventions in the SEER database study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Patients treated with AS had similar OS to those who underwent surgery or ablation, although caution is needed in interpreting the data owing to the potential for selection bias and variability in AS protocols. Our review reinforces the need for personalized shared decision-making to identify patients with SRMs who are most likely to benefit from AS. PATIENT SUMMARY: For well-selected patients with a small kidney mass suspicious for cancer, active surveillance seems to be a safe alternative to surgery, with similar overall survival. However, the evidence is still limited and more studies are needed to help in identifying the best candidates for active surveillance.

• MeSH
• Ablation Techniques methods   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Kidney Neoplasms * surgery   mortality   pathology   MeSH
• Nephrectomy * methods   MeSH
• Watchful Waiting * MeSH
• Tumor Burden MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Systematic Review MeSH

While there is substantial research on what people want in their romantic and sexual partners, much of this work focuses on WEIRD, youthful samples, fails to consider the role of undesirable characteristics (i.e., things people do not want in partners) at all, or in conjunction with desirable characteristics (i.e., things people do want in partners), and may be overly reliant on psychometric approaches to pivotal variables in mating psychology like mate value and sociosexuality. In a nationally representative (online) sample of 2280 people from Czechia (aged between 18 and 50 years old), we examined linear and quadratic age, education, and self-perceived mate value (desirability) effects on the desired levels in mate choice of eight undesirable and seven desirable characteristics in men and women in relation to ostensible metrics of mate value. Self-perceived mate value alone explained little variance (men 1%, women 2%), while all mate value and mating strategy indicators together explained little variance of mate preferences and aversions (men 3%, women 5%). Desirable characteristics were better explained by mate value than undesirable ones. Our results are in line with evolutionary predictions suggesting that women are more demanding. Also, more qualities to offer correlate with more expectations in a partner.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Interpersonal Relations MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Marriage psychology   MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Self Concept MeSH
• Sexual Behavior psychology   MeSH
• Sexual Partners * psychology   MeSH
• Choice Behavior MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Respirační syncytiální virus (rsV) patří mezi nejčastější původce infekcí dolních cest dýchacích u kojenců a malých dětí. každoročně celosvětově způsobuje miliony případů bronchiolitidy a pneumonie a je jednou z vedoucích příčin hospitalizace kojenců v zimních měsících, kdy působí výraznou zátěž zdravotnickému systému. Vzhledem k absenci specifické antivirové terapie zůstávala klíčovým opatřením prevence. tradiční možností ochrany bylo podávání palivizumabu (synagis) – monoklonálních protilátek určených k ochraně vysoce rizikových kojenců. nové možnosti prevence nyní přinášejí dva zásadní průlomy – dlouhodobě působící monoklonální protilátku nirsevimab pro novorozence a kojence a vakcínu abrysvo. ta je určena pro těhotné ženy mezi 24. a 36. týdnem těhotenství a zajišťuje pasivní ochranu novorozenců přenosem mateřských protilátek placentou. Imunitní systém novorozence není po narození plně vyvinutý, což zvyšuje jeho zranitelnost vůči infekcím, zejména v prvních měsících života. Během prvního roku dochází k postupnému zrání vrozené i adaptivní imunity, přičemž klíčovou roli v ochraně hraje pasivní imunita přenášená z matky. Vakcinace těhotných žen je proto považována za jednu z nejúčinnějších strategií ochrany novorozenců před závažnými infekcemi. Díky rozvoji nových technologií lze očekávat, že prevence rsV se stane běžnou součástí pediatrické péče, což povede ke snížení nemocnosti a úmrtnosti spojené s tímto virem. Cílem tohoto článku je poskytnout komplexní přehled o rsV infekci u kojenců a možnostech prevence pasivní imunizací.

The respiratory syncytial virus (rsV) is one of the most common causes of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. each year, it causes millions of cases of bronchiolitis and pneumonia and is one of the leading causes of infant hospitalisation during the winter months, placing a significant burden on the healthcare system. Due to the lack of specific antiviral therapy, prevention remained the key measure. the traditional approach to protection has been the administration of palivizumab (synagis), a monoclonal antibody intended for high-risk infants. However, new prevention strategies have brought two breakthroughs: the long-acting monoclonal antibody nirsevimab for neonates and infants and the abrysvo vaccine. abrysvo is designed for pregnant women between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation, providing passive protection to newborns by transferring maternal antibodies via the placenta. The immune system of a newborn is not fully developed at birth, making infants particularly vulnerable to infections, especially during the first months of life. throughout the first year, both innate and adaptive immunity gradually mature, with passive immunity transferred from the mother playing a key protective role — which is why maternal vaccination is considered one of the most effective strategies to protect newborns from severe infections. With the advancement of new technologies, rsV prevention is expected to become a routine part of pediatric care, leading to a reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with this virus. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of rsV infection in infants and prevention strategies through vaccination.

• Keywords
• vakcína Abrysvo, studie MATISSE,
• MeSH
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections * diagnosis   epidemiology   drug therapy   prevention & control   MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Immunization, Passive methods   MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic MeSH
• Respiratory Syncytial Viruses immunology   pathogenicity   MeSH
• Pregnant People MeSH
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines administration & dosage   pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Review MeSH

Neurodegenerativní onemocnění patří mezi nejzávažnější zdravotní problémy, které postihují miliony lidí na celém světě, a jejich výskyt dramaticky roste spolu s prodlužující se délkou života. Tato onemocnění jsou heterogenní skupinou chronických, progresivních poruch charakterizovaných postupnou ztrátou neuronů v centrálním nervovém systému, což vede k deficitu specifických mozkových funkcí. Nejčastějšími neurodegenerativními onemocněními jsou Alzheimerova choroba, Parkinsonova choroba, amyotrofická laterální skleróza, roztroušená skleróza a Huntingtonova choroba. Terapie těchto onemocnění je zatím většinou pouze symptomatická, proto pokračuje intenzivní výzkum a hledání nových terapií a nových léčiv. Řada studií prokázala zdraví prospěšné vlastnosti přírodních produktů jako potenciálních terapeutik proti neurodegeneraci. Takovým přírodním produktem může být také rostlina z čeledi mákovitých, rohatec růžkatý (Glaucium corniculatum), jehož obsahové látky působí neuroprotektivně a inhibují enzymy acetylcholinesterázu a butyrylcholinesterázu.

Neurodegenerative diseases are among the most serious health problems affecting millions of people worldwide, and their incidence is increasing dramatically with increasing life expectancy. These diseases are a heterogeneous group of chronic, progressive disorders characterized by gradual loss of neurons in the central nervous system, leading to deficits in specific brain functions. The most common neurodegenerative diseases are Alzheimer‘s disease, Parkinson‘s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and Huntington‘s disease. The therapy of these diseases is mostly only symptomatic so far, so intensive research and the search for new therapies and new drugs continue. A number of studies have demonstrated the health-promoting properties of natural products as potential therapeutics against neurodegeneration. Such a natural product can be also a plant from the Papaveraceae family, red horned poppy (Glaucium corniculatum) whose ingredients have a neuro- protective effect and inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes.

Stravovací režim je faktorem, který ovlivňuje výsledky léčby každého onkologického pacienta nehledě na charakter onemocnění. Dle odhadů zemře v důsledku malnutrice 10–20 % onkologických pacientů. Významným faktorem nadměrné mortality je také nádorová kachexie, která postihuje až polovinu pacientů s pokročilým nádorovým onemocněním. Systematické hodnocení nutričního stavu a příjmu nutrientů je jedním z nejlevnějších diagnostických nástrojů, které má současná medicína k dispozici, a ze kterého pak vyplývají podpůrné terapeutické postupy v rámci onkologické léčby. Nejpozději od zjištění Oty Warburga o „závislosti“ nádorových buněk na glykolytickém metabolismu byly v nutriční onkologii zkoumány a zkušebně využívány i ketogenní režimy. Ketogenní režimy patří v současné době mezi široce popularizovanou dietní intervenci hlavně ve vztahu k metabolickým chorobám a udržování zdravé délky života. Povědomí veřejnosti o možné prospěšnosti ketogenních režimů se bez ohledu na vědeckou evidenci může projevovat v přístupech ke stravování při nádorovém onemocnění. Článek poskytne čtenáři právě přehled odborných doporučení pro onkologickou péči, definici ketogenních režimů a širších kontextů a limitací nutričního výzkumu.

Diet is a factor that influences the treatment outcome of every cancer patient, regardless of the nature of the disease. According to estimates, 10 to 20 % of cancer patients die as a result of malnutrition. Up to half of patients with advanced cancer meet the criteria for cachexia. Systematic assessment of nutritional status and nutritional status is one of the most cost-effective diagnostic tools that are available to modern medicine, and from which supportive therapeutic procedures can arise in cancer treatment. At least since Oto Warburg's findings on the "dependence" of cancer cells on glycolytic metabolism, the ketogenic regimens have been investigated and trialled. Ketogenic regimens are currently broadly popular especially in relation to metabolic diseases and the maintenance of a healthy life expectancy. Public awareness of the potential benefits and harms related to ketogenic regimens doesn’t reflect the certainty of scientific evidence. Article will provide the reader with an overview of expert recommendations for cancer care, a definition of ketogenic regimens, a broader correlation to the clinic, and an overview of some of the fundamental limitations of nutritional research.

This study aimed to determine the effect of complex training (CT) on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) effect magnitude, 5- and 30-m linear sprint, 5-0-5 change-of-direction (COD), back squat (BS) and hip thrust (HT) one-repetition maximum [1RM], and jumping performance (countermovement jump [CMJ], drop jump [DJ], and broad jump [BJ]). The PAPE effect was elicited before and after each intervention by 3 BS repetitions at 90% 1RM and verified by CMJ performance. Twenty-four soccer players were randomly and equally assigned to 6 weeks of either medium (MED; [65-70%1RM]) or high-intensity (HIGH; [80-85%1RM]) CT performed twice a week. The HIGH group significantly improved their 5-m time (p < 0.001; effect size [ES] = 1.91), 30-m time (p = 0.001; ES = 0.66), BS 1RM (p = 0.019; ES = 0.19) and HT 1RM (p = 0.035; ES = 0.26), BJ length (p = 0.012; ES = 0.62) and DJ height (p = 0.002; ES = 0.57) from pre- to post-intervention. The MED group significantly improved their 5-m time (p = 0.004; ES = 0.52), BS 1RM (p = 0.019; ES = 0.36) and BJ length (p = 0.012; ES = 0.7). Significantly shorter 5-m sprint time (p = 0.001; ES = 1.63) and greater DJ height percentage increase (p < 0.001; ES = 1.81) were found in the HIGH group compared to the MED group. Moreover, a significant main effect of the group, indicating a higher PAPE response in the MED group compared to the HIGH group for CMJ peak power output, was observed at both pre- and post-CT intervention (p = 0.045; η2 = 0.171). Six weeks of either medium or high-intensity CT could be used to enhance jumping performance, linear speed and lower-body maximum strength among soccer players. Superior improvements in acceleration and DJ might be expected after high-intensity CT than medium intensity. Medium-intensity CT can improve PAPE response.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH