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The Pharmaceutical Law Act of September 6, 2001 (PLA) initially granted pharmacists the authority to issue pharmaceutical prescriptions upon its enactment. However, the legislation regulating this matter changed significantly in 2015. Article 96, section 4 of the PLA defined that, in the front of a direct health threat to a patient, a pharmacist could dispense a medication classified under the availability categories Rp or Rpz. In April 2020, the imprecise term “sudden” in relation to health threats was clarified and removed. Concurrently, all active pharmacists were granted the authority to issue prescriptions, commonly known as pro auctore and pro familiae. The aim of the study was to illustrate the influence of legislative processes on the number of prescriptions issued by practicing pharmacists. To conduct the study, we employed a legal and comparative analysis of relevant legal provisions, followed by a statistical analysis of data obtained from the E-Health Center about the number of prescriptions issued. The results indicated that since the extension of pharmacists’ rights (after April 2020), the average number of pharmaceutical prescriptions issued per month was 151,082. Between May 2020, when pharmacists were granted the authority to issue pro auctore and pro familiae prescriptions, and October 2023, 1,460,385 such prescriptions were dispensed. As a result, a significant relationship between the form of the legislative norms empowering pharmacists to independently prescribe Rx status medicines and the effectiveness of these amendments as measured by the number of prescriptions issued was demonstrated.

The tendency of a psychostimulant to increase locomotion in rodents is considered to be associated with its addictive properties. Mephedrone, one of the most popular psychoactive substances used recreationally, is known to enhance locomotor activity in mice, but little is known about the potential development of tolerance to its central effects. In the present study, we decided to evaluate the possible involvement of the L-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway in the development of tolerance to mephedrone-induced hyperlocomotion. Experiments were performed on adult male Albino Swiss mice, and the locomotor activity was measured automatically. Our work indicated that a 5-day administration of L-NAME (25 or 50 mg/kg/day), methylene blue (5 or 10 mg/kg/day), and L-arginine hydrochloride (i.e., 250 mg/kg/day) prevented the development of tolerance to mephedrone-induced (5 mg/kg/day) hyperlocomotion, whereas treatment with L-arginine hydrochloride at a dose of 125 mg/kg/day potentiated the development of tolerance to this central effect of mephedrone. Summarizing, our data revealed that the L-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway contributes to the development of tolerance to mephedrone’s central effects since inhibition of this signalling via blocking of NOS or NO-stimulated sGC prevented the development of tolerance to mephedrone-induced hyperlocomotion. As for cGMP-regulated phosphodiesterases, most probably they are not involved in these mechanisms.

Lawia Szkoda,1 Andrzej Szopa,1 Ilona Kwiecień-Czerwieniec,2 Andrzej Siwiec,2 Małgorzata Domagalska-Szopa3 1Department of Physiotherapy, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland; 2John Paul II Pediatric Center in Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland; 3Department of Developmental Age Physiotherapy, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, PolandCorrespondence: Małgorzata Domagalska-Szopa, Department of Developmental Age Physiotherapy, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland, Tel +48 601 516 725, Email mdomagalska@sum.edu.plPurpose: The purpose of this study was to identify quantitative (BMI z-score and BMI percentile) and qualitative (BC) differences between high functioning outpatient children with CP (GMFCS levels I/II) vs TD children, using BIA. We hypothesized that: 1) BMI z-score and BMI percentile will be lower in children with CP compared with their TD peers; and 2) body components (BC) directly associated with muscle mass (including fat free mass (FFM%) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and predicted muscle mass (PMM)) in children with CP will be lower than in their TD peers.Patients and Methods: Ninety children with CP (GMFCS levels I/II) aged 8– 16 years were enrolled in this study. Due to the fact that there is lack of normative values of particular body components in the pediatric population, ninety typically developing (TD) peers were used as references. The examination consisted of two parts: 1) the height measurement and 2) body composition assessments, both using the bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA).Results: Average values for height, weight, BMI z-score, and BMI percentile in children with CP were significantly statistically lower than in the reference group. BC’s directly associated with muscle mass (including FFM%, SMM, and PMM) in children with CP were lower than those in their TD peers.Conclusion: Altered body compositions were evident in children with CP.Keywords: cerebral palsy, body composition, bioelectric impedance analysis

Today, plant sprouts are one of the most important forms of functional foods (FOSHU – Food For Specified Health Use), in nutraceutical diets based on so-called “healthy food”. The health-promoting effects of sprouts are due to their rich chemical composition and high nutritional quality compared to standard crop raw materials. Recently, many scientific studies have pointed to the medicinal and therapeutic effects of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica), but there is still a lack of research on the composition and biological properties of chia sprouts. In addition to chia sprouts, chia microgreens (microleaves) are becoming prominent in the food industry. This paper reviews the literature data on research on chia sprouts and microgreens. In the work, the process of sprouting chia seeds to boost their nutraceutical properties by increasing their content of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and mineral salts, is revealed. The review underlines the fact that sprouting contributes to the enhancement of antioxidant potential by increasing the production of polyphenolic compounds from the phenolic acid group and flavonoids. What is more, single studies noted in the study indicate the antimicrobial properties of chia sprout extracts against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacterial strains. The paper is the first comprehensive review of the latest scientific information on the comparison of chia: dry seeds, sprouted seeds, sprouts and microgreens.

Bilayer and multi-layer tablets are enjoying growing popularity among original drug and generic product manufacturers. Multi-layer tablets have many key benefits compared to classic immediate-release tablets. The use of such solid oral dosage forms simplifies dosing regimens in combination therapy, and thus improves patient compliance. However, the technology of multilayer tablets is demanding and requires precise choice of excipients and production parameters with regard to each technological step. The main benefits of multi-layer tablets, certain aspects of their production and the challenges encountered during the compression process are reviewed in this paper.

Andrzej Szopa,1 Małgorzata Domagalska-Szopa,2 Anetta Lasek-Bal,3 Amadeusz Żak3 1Department of Physiotherapy, 2Department of Medical Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, 3Department of Neurology, Professor Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Centre, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland Introduction: While the asymmetry of body posture and the asymmetrical nature of hemiparetic gait in poststroke (PS) patients are well documented, the role of weight shift asymmetry in gait disorders after stroke remains unclear. Objective: We examined the association of weight-bearing asymmetry (WBA) between paretic and nonparetic lower limbs during quiet standing with the degree of deviation of hemiplegic gait from normal gait evaluated by the Gillette Gait Index (GGI) incorporating 16 distinct clinically important kinematic and temporal parameters in chronic PS patients.Participants and methods: Twenty-two ambulatory patients with chronic stroke aged between 50 and 75 years were included in this study. Fourteen patients had hemiparesis on the nondominant side and 8 on the dominant side. The mean time PS was 2 years and 6 months. The reference group consisted of 22 students from the University of the Third Age presenting no neurological disorders. The examination consisted of posturographic weight-bearing (WB) distribution and 3-dimensional gait analyses.Results: A significant positive relationship between WBA and GGI was revealed. Moreover, we observed a significant negative association between WBA and paretic step length and walking speed. With regard to kinematic data, the range of motion of knee flexion and peak dorsiflexion in the swing phase of the paretic leg were significantly negatively associated with WBA.Conclusion: Although further research is needed to determine a causal link between postural control asymmetry and gait disturbance in hemiplegics, our findings support the inclusion of WB measurements between paretic and nonparetic body sides in early assessment after stroke. Keywords: stroke, weight-bearing, 3DGA, gait disturbances, Gillette Gait Index

Andrzej Szopa,1 Małgorzata Domagalska-Szopa,2 Weronika Gallert-Kopyto,1 Wojciech Kiebzak,3 Ryszard Plinta4 1Department of Physiotherapy, 2Department of Medical Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, 3Faculty of Health Sciences, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, 4Department of Adapted Physical Activity and Sport, School of Health Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland Background: Recent studies have reported many possibilities for the treatment of idiopathic toe walking (ITW); however, none of them have been sufficiently documented. The purpose of this case study was to document the evolution of the gait pattern of a child with severe ITW using the Gillette Gait Index before and after the third and sixth weeks, a nonsurgical treatment program and then every 3 months to 1 year from the start of the treatment. This is significant because the case study shows that a nonsurgical treatment program can be an alternative treatment method for children with severe ITW.Case description: The case study involved a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with severe ITW. An orthopedist recommended a surgical treatment, but his parents refused to provide consent.Intervention: The subject participated in a 12-week nonsurgical treatment program that used tone-inhibiting casts (TICs) combined with physiotherapy based on neurodevelopmental treatment principles. The treatment protocol included the following: 1) precast preparation; 2) TICs with treatment; and 3) post-cast treatment to improve the gait pattern.Outcomes: After treatment with TICs, the range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion during stance had increased, resulting in an almost normalized gait. The patient stopped toe walking for at least 1 year.Discussion: This study demonstrates that nonsurgical treatment should be considered first, with surgical options reserved for resistant cases; however, further research is required given the current lack of knowledge about treatment outcomes using TICs and the wide use of this treatment modality in children with ITW. Keywords: tone-inhibiting casts, NDT, ROM of ankle dorsiflexion, Gillette Gait Index

The objective of this review was to evaluate the botanical and pharmacological description of Petasites species. Petasides (butterbur) as a perennial shrub which was found in Europe and also in a parts of Asia and North America, has been widely used medicinally for centuries. At present, the main phytopharmacology uses for Petasides extracts are for prophylactic treatment of migraines, as well as an antispasmodic agent for bronchial asthma and pertussis. Furthermore, it has been used effectively in preventing gastric ulcers, and in urinary tract spasms and treating patients with irritable bladder. But still, there is a need for more studies on the potential applications of butterbur extract in medicine.

Małgorzata Domagalska-Szopa, Andrzej Szopa School of Health Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland Background: Several different strategies for maintaining upright standing posture in children with cerebral palsy (CP) were observed. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to define two different postural patterns in children with unilateral CP, using moiré topography (MT) parameters. Additionally, another focus of this article was to outline some implications for managing physiotherapy in children with hemiplegia. Patients and methods: The study included 45 outpatients with unilateral CP. MT examinations were performed using a CQ Elektronik System device. In addition, a weight distribution analysis on the base of support between unaffected and affected body sides was performed simultaneously. A force plate pressure distribution measurement system (PDM-S) with Foot Print software was used for these measurements. Results: The cluster analysis revealed four groups: cluster 1 (n=19; 42.22%); cluster 2 (n=7; 15.56%); cluster 3 (n=9; 20.00%); and cluster 4 (n=10; 22.22%). Conclusion: Based on the MT parameters (extracted using a data reduction technique), two postural patterns were described: 1) the pro-gravitational postural pattern; and 2) the anti-gravitational pattern. Keywords: deviation of body posture, strategy of compensation, moiré topography examinations, cluster analysis