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Heart failure (HF), which has a high morbidity and mortality rate, is nevertheless a common and crippling ailment, especially in older populations. The complicated pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), which includes oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, fibrosis, and inflammation, is frequently not sufficiently treated despite advances in medication. Inhibitors of the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) have become a key treatment for HF in patients with varying left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF). SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown in recent clinical trials to considerably lower hospitalization rates for heart failure, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality. The mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors, such as better ventricular loading, increased heart metabolic efficiency, and decreased inflammation and necrosis, are covered in this review. Additionally, we provide an overview of four important clinical trials—DAPA-HF, EMPEROR-Reduced, EMPEROR-Preserved, and DELIVER—highlighting their effectiveness in lowering unfavourable cardiovascular outcomes for patients with heart failure who have preserved (HFpEF), slightly reduced (HFmrEF), or reduced (HFrEF). The results validate the need for SGLT2 inhibitors in all-inclusive HF treatment plans by highlighting their adaptability and safety in a range of clinical contexts.

Introduction and purpose: Lactose, the primary carbohydrate in milk, requires the enzyme lactase for digestion. Deficiency in lactase activity leads to lactose intolerance, causing gastrointestinal symptoms. Understanding the genetic and environmental factors influencing lactase expression and activity is crucial. Moreover, accurate diagnostic methods and effective treatments are needed to manage lactose intolerance. This review aims to explore the current knowledge on lactase deficiency, lactose intolerance, diagnostic methods, and treatment options. State of knowledge: Lactase deficiency encompasses congenital, primary, and secondary forms, each with distinct etiologies. Although often used interchangeably, lactase deficiency and lactose intolerance differ. However, the association between lactase deficiency and lactose intolerance is complex, influenced by various factors including dietary habits, gut microbiota, and gastrointestinal motility. Diagnostic methods are limited, and treatment strategies primarily involve dietary modifications, lactase supplementation, and probiotics. Conclusion: Lactose intolerance presents significant clinical challenges, often underrecognized and misdiagnosed. Despite diagnostic advancements further research is needed to refine diagnostic accuracy. Treatment focuses on dietary adjustments, enzyme supplementation, and probiotics. Balancing symptom relief with nutritional adequacy is essential. Future studies should explore the role of gut microbiome modulation in lactose intolerance management through clinical trials.

In recent years, vitamin D deficiency and obesity in paediatric population have reached epidemic levels worldwide as crucial health concerns with far-reaching consequences. There has been a substantial growth in studies dedicated to these two public health issues over the last years. Numerous studies have confirmed that excess body weight has negative impact on vitamin D metabolism, leading to a higher risk of low levels of this essential vitamin, among individuals who are overweight or obese. Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the development of obesity-related conditions as insulin resistance, type two diabetes, NAFLD and cardiovascular disease due to anti-inflammatory properties, impact on the endocrine system and metabolic functions of this vital nutrient. Vitamin D supplementation seems to be a beneficial addition to pharmacology and lifestyle changes during obesity treatment.

Introduction and purpose: Many people worldwide suffer from chronic pain. It is a very inconvenient condition on its own, not only an accompanying symptom of other diseases. Conventional drug treatment may be insufficient in some cases or may even cause serious side effects in the long term. In response to this, we aim to demonstrate the diversity of alternative pain management techniques in this review and identify conditions where such techniques may be beneficial to patients. State of knowledge: This paper evaluates some of the most common alternative pain management methods (acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, mind body therapies, herbal medicine, music therapy) and their application in specific cases of chronic pain. We also describe the possible mechanisms of action involved in the effectiveness of these techniques, based on contemporary studies. Summary: In conclusion, there are conditions where alternative medicine may be beneficial for patients suffering from chronic pain. The studies taken into account showed the best effects for chronic musculoskeletal pain treated with methods such as acupuncture and massage. Mind-body therapies may reduce stress levels and symptoms of depression associated with chronic pain, consequently improving the quality of patients' lives. However, alternative methods should not yet be considered as replacements for conventional drug therapy. More studies are needed to evaluate whether alternative therapies will play a significant role in chronic pain management in the future.

Introduction and purpose: Acne vulgaris is a disease that mainly affects young people and is associated with overactive sebaceous glands. The disease mainly affects the face but can also occur on the back. Depending on the clinical picture, we can distinguish different types of acne and make our treatment dependent on it. The aim of the study will be to compare the effects of topical retinoids on acne vulgaris. State of knowledge: Topical retinoids have a direct anti-inflammatory effect and prevent the formation of blackheads and microcomedones. Five retinoids are currently available for topical treatment of acne vulgaris. We distinguish three generations. The mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it is known that they react with the RAR and RXR receptors. In the review paper, we will compare the effects of adapalene with tretinoin. Conclusion: According to the indicated study results, there is no significant difference in the effect of treatment with adapalene or tretinoin. Adapalene showed less irritation during treatment than tretinoin. The most important thing during acne treatment is choosing the right concentration and formulation by the dermatologist so that the patient does not stop treatment.

The application of the latest management methods becomes today, during the ongoing European integration processes, a requisite for the success of the business within the environment of international markets. In this paper, the authors pay attention to the expansion of the organizational knowledge base with an application of a new management method. They are dealing with assessment of the organization performance, the issue of its effectiveness and the increasing economic efficiency, on an example of a selected mining company as a case study. In order to detect weaknesses in the company reviewed and to offer suggestions for improvement, which may move the company towards prosperity, the authors carried out the performance assessment by using the EFQM Excellence Model 2010. The aim of this paper is to introduce the business performance assessment model in terms of the European standards that will allow the use of latest management methods in the environment of both the Slovak and European companies.

European Union has a leading role in the world due to its strong commitment to increase renewable energy sources as forthe energy system change. Success of such long term project requires first of all a stable political framework, well-tailored supportsystem of finances, technical background and administrative, and by this way it can overcome the obstacles existing in distorted energymarkets. Regardless their high potential, renewable energy resources are insufficiently exploited in Europe. The aim of the contributionis to bring characteristic of particular sources of energy and technologies of exploitation in the geographic area Hnilec valley.We obtained detailed summary of positive and negative aspects and the reason of further survey in this field. Overall result of the thesisis the complex of knowledge of possibility of exploitation of sustainable sources of the energy in the region Hnilec valleyand determination of the best possible variant of it.

Goal of the contribution is to explain evaluation of economical environment that firms must respect during their business activity.External environment of mining firm includes except others technological development, economical situation, legislative by the wayof regulation, but in last time also stimulations from the government, competition behavior and other. Contribution is dealing also withenergetical effectiveness in the frame of economical evaluation applied in conditions of Slovak republic.The renewable energy sources are domestic sources of energy that help to enhance the safety of energy suppliesand the diversification of energy sources. The renewable energy is proved to be commercially viable for a growing list of consumersand uses. The renewable energy technologies provide many benefits that go well beyond the energy alone. More and more,the renewable energies contribute to the three pillars of the sustainable development in the economy, environment and the society.

Member states of EU put bigger stress to the using of RES. Ambitious goal of EU till 2010 was to achieve 12 % rate of RESon the whole energy consumption. Therefore there were created many institutional and financial tools and schemes for support of RESusing and they will be important part of the energy sources structure. One of the basic prirorites of energetic policy in Slovakiais increasing of the RES rate on the production of heat and electricity with goal to create adequate additional sources necessary forcovering of domestic demand. Presented contribution is orientated to the various mechanisms that are using for support of renewableenergy sources. That means state regulation in this area generally and basic types of state donation policy in the frame of EuropeanUnion and their consequences on the market with renewable energy sources.

Effective usage of people’s knowledge, abilities and creativity of people is becoming the key for successful performancein competitive environment of the global economy. Creation of a new discipline – the knowledge management is a reaction to this trend.It includes all progress trends of the recent years and furthermore, it tries to develop a systematic method how to identify, obtain,maintain, and use the intellectual capital. Nowadays, nobody doubts that success of every company on the global market in great extent,depends on how fast it can adjust to quick changes of the business environment. This is also one of the reasons why human capitalis becoming a crucial and more valuable factor. Currently, during the era of globalization, the changes are extremely fast thereforeit is necessary that companies to reassess instruments and procedures that have been used so far. A proper way is to activate the wholesystem, think about organizational development and through that change acquire such a system that will be suitable for rapid changein business.