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Celiac disease, a chronic autoimmune disorder caused by genetic factors and exposure to gluten, is increasingly being recognized and diagnosed in both children and adults. Scientists have been searching for a cure for this disease for many years, but despite the impressive development of knowledge in this field, a gluten-free diet remains the only recommended therapy for all patients. At the same time, the increasing diagnosis of celiac disease in adults, which was considered a childhood disease in the 20th century, has opened a discussion on the etiopathology of the disease, which is proven to be very complex and involves genetic, immunological, nutritional, environmental and gut microbiotarelated factors. In this review, we extensively discuss these factors and summarize the knowledge of the proposed state-of-the-art treatments for celiac disease to address the question of whether a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of celiac disease has opened new directions for therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) is a common problem among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We hypothesised that an insufficient intake of folate might affect BMD. Methods: The study subjects included 26 with Crohn's disease—CD, 30 with ulcerative colitis—UC, and 31 healthy adults (control group—CG) aged 18–50 years. Participants were asked to follow their usual diet, and dietary intake was assessed by a 4-day, 24 h dietary recall. All the participants filled in a questionnaire referring to folic acid supplementation. The BMD, T-score, and Z-score of the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and femoral neck (FN) were assessed. Results: We found significant differences in the body mass, BMI (body mass index), CRP (C-reactive protein), BMD, Z-score, and T-score of the L1–L4 and FN between groups. There were no differences in energy and folate intake or the percentage coverage of recommended dietary allowances (RDA) of folate in all groups. Moreover, 70% of patients with UC, 92% of patients with CD, and 77% of CG patients showed insufficient folate intake. Folic acid was supplemented with a similar frequency in patients covering and not covering the RDA of folate. The intake of folate per 1000 kcal correlated positively with the CD group's BMD and T-score of L1–L4. Conclusions: Insufficient folate intake is common in patients with IBD and healthy individuals. The impact of folate on BMD in IBD is not clear. We need more studies on the association between folate intake, folic acid concentration, and BMD in IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study, micropropagation of three varieties of Lavandula angustifolia was developed, and the appearance of trichomes, antioxidant activity of extracts and antimicrobial activity of essential oils isolated from plants growing in field conditions and in vitro cultures were compared. The study evaluated the number of shoots, and the height and weight of the plants grown on media with additions of BAP, KIN and 2iP. The greatest height was attained by the lavenders growing on MS medium with the addition of 1 mg dm-3 2iP - ‘Ellagance Purple’. The greatest number of shoots was developed by the ‘Ellagance Purple’ and ‘Munstead’ plants growing on the medium with 2 mg dm-3 BAP. The highest weight was attained by the plants growing on the medium with the highest concentration of BAP - 3 and 5 mg dm-3. Moreover, the present study determined the influence of media with the addition of different concentrations of IBA and media with a variable mineral composition (½, ¼, and complete composition of MS medium) and with the addition of IBA or NAA for rooting. The majority of the media used had a positive influence on the development of the root system. The longest root system was observed in ‘Ellagance Purple’ growing on the medium composed of ¼ MS with 0.2 mg dm-3 NAA. All the examined oils exhibited activity towards S. aureus, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and C. albicans. The majority of the essential oils isolated from the plants propagated in vitro exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than the field-grown plants. The plants propagated under in vitro conditions demonstrated considerably higher antioxidant activity as compared with the field-grown plants, which was determined using the DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assay.

Introduction: The data on the relationship between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and the course of COVID-19 from East-Central Europe are scarce. Aim: To assess the frequency of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in IBD patients and the impact of IBD on the COVID-19 course from the perspective of a Polish tertiary centre. Material and methods: Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection were retrospectively collected among IBD patients hospitalized in a Polish tertiary centre from March 2020 to May 2021. A questionnaire was used assessing the IBD characteristics, other comorbidities, and the course of COVID-19. Results: Among 350 patients, SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed in 32 (9%). Severe COVID-19, defined as the need for hospitalization, was reported in 6 (19%) and mild in 26 (81%) cases. Compared to the mild COVID-19 course, patients with a severe course more often showed a higher IBD activity (3 points [IQR 2.25-3] vs. 1 point [IQR 0-2] in a semi-quantitative scale, p = 0.002), more often received steroids (67% vs. 11%, p = 0.02), and were not treated with biologics (0% vs. 46%, p = 0.07). There was a correlation between the duration of symptomatic infection and the number of comorbidities (r = 0.4, p = 0.04). No death or short-term COVID-19 complications were reported. In 25% of cases, SARS-CoV-2 infection caused new gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusions: IBD is not a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Steroids and higher IBD clinical activity may increase the risk of severe COVID-19. The prognosis for COVID-19 in our cohort was good. SARS-CoV-2 infection was a common cause of gastrointestinal symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to find an association between moderate, vigorous and total physical activity (PA); diet quality; and bone mineral density (BMD) among patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: We enrolled 54 IBD patients, including those with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), and 24 healthy adults. All subjects completed the Questionnaire of Eating Behaviour based on which prohealthy and nonhealthy diet indexes were calculated, and the questionnaire included questions from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Prohealthy and nonhealthy diet indexes were divided into low‐, medium‐ and high scores. BMD and T‐ and Z‐scores of the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and femoral neck (FN) were assessed using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry method. Results: BMD, T‐ and Z‐scores of the FN and the Z‐score of L1–L4 were significantly lower among patients with CD and UC than healthy controls. We did not find any differences in the time of PA among CD, UC and control groups (CG). The prohealthy diet index was higher among healthy subjects than the CD and UC groups. The nonhealthy diet index was lower among UC patients compared with the CG or CD patients. Prohealthy diet index positively correlated with BMD and T‐ and Z‐scores of L1–L4 and FN in IBD. The prohealthy diet index correlated negatively with C‐reactive protein and positively with body mass index. The prohealthy diet index correlated only with total PA in the CD group. Conclusion: A well‐balanced diet and proper PA may decrease the risk of osteoporosis in IBD, so education of patients referring to nutrition and PA is needed. Key points: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients present lower bone mineral density (BMD) than healthy adults.Physical activity and quality of diet affect BMD in IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The main aim of this study project is an assessment of the impact of home palliative care on the quality of life (QOL), anxiety, and depression as well as performance status in cancer patients. Material and methods: We used the following questionnaires: European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire – Core 30 (EORTC QLQ C-30), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). Results: We enrolled 21 cancer patients (adults) under home palliative care. In this study project we mainly compared the results of EORTC QLQ C-30, HADS, and KPS over time. Interestingly we found statistically significant differences between day 1 and day 21 of palliative care in the score of the EORTC QLQ C-30 and HADS scale. We noticed that the mean EORTC QLQ C-30 and HADS scores decreased at each time point at which we re-assessed QOL and anxiety as well as depression. We observed no statistically significant differences between the first and 21st day in terms of performance status. Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate that the home palliative care can improve QOL and may also reduce the severity of anxiety and depression in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]