Lubica Argalasova

Environmental noise may adversely affect sleep and well-being among students. This study examined associations between self-reported residential noise exposure, health complaints, and behaviours, and assessed temporal trends. This repeated cross-sectional study included 3,128 fourth-year medical students in Bratislava, Slovakia, surveyed across 11 waves between 2014 and 2026. Participants (69.9% women; mean age 23.2 ± 1.8 years) lived in noisy (n = 1,481) or quiet areas (n = 1,647). A questionnaire assessed noise annoyance, sleep outcomes, health complaints, and listening behaviours. Associations were examined using adjusted logistic regression models accounting for sex, age, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Compared with students in quiet areas, those in noisy areas had higher odds of frequent fatigue (44.1% vs. 33.4%; AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.37–1.85), difficulty falling asleep (61.1% vs. 51.6%; AOR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.29–1.72), waking due to noise (29.8% vs. 12.1%; AOR = 3.13, 95% CI: 2.59–3.78), and tinnitus (35.6% vs. 28.0%; AOR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.13–1.69; all p < 0.01). These associations did not vary significantly over time. Residential noise was associated with poorer sleep and health complaints. Increasing personal listening device use and high-volume listening highlight the need for university health-promotion strategies addressing environmental and recreational sound exposure.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder and is increasingly recognized as a contributor to cognitive decline and a potential risk factor for neurodegeneration. Previous studies have also identified various associated comorbidities such as vascular dysfunction, metabolic alterations, and neuroinflammatory changes. Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy has been associated with cognitive improvement in some studies, but its long-term effects on cognitive function remain uncertain. This study employs a prospective, observational, longitudinal cohort design to examine longitudinal associations between disease severity, PAP therapy and cognition. Additionally, we aim to examine the relationships between cognitive dysfunction, brain structure and associated OSA-related risk factors. A total of 100 eligible participants with mild to severe OSA will be recruited. All participants will undergo comprehensive assessments at baseline and after 12 months, including neurological, pulmonary, and ear, nose and throat clinical examinations, polysomnography, neuropsychological testing, brain magnetic resonance imaging with volumetry, anthropometric measurements, blood and saliva sampling for the assessment of the selected laboratory parameters, gut microbiome analysis, and evaluation of endothelial function and baroreflex sensitivity. This study may improve understanding of how PAP therapy and OSA-related pathophysiological processes influence cognitive outcomes.

Background: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) deficiency is considered a modifiable risk factor for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, its impact on the long-term clinical course and disability progression in early MS remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study at the MS Centre of the University Hospital Ostrava, including patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS). Mean serum 25-OH-D concentrations over a five-year follow-up were analyzed in relation to clinical outcomes, including therapy escalation and a composite progression severity score (PSS) based on EDSS change and treatment escalation. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess independent associations, adjusting for age, sex, and baseline EDSS. Results: A total of 106 patients (73 women, 69%) were included, with a mean age at treatment initiation of 32.8 ± 9.32 years. Higher mean serum 25-OH-D levels were associated with lower odds of therapy escalation (OR = 0.923 per 1 nmol/L; 95% CI 0.886–0.962; p < 0.001) and a more favorable disease course according to the PSS (OR = 0.892 per 1 nmol/L; 95% CI 0.848–0.937; p < 0.001). Patients with a favorable prognosis had significantly higher mean serum 25-OH-D concentrations compared to those with unfavorable outcomes (70.43 ± 13.99 vs. 56.07 ± 11.25 nmol/L; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Higher mean serum 25-OH-D levels were associated with a more favorable disease course and lower likelihood of therapy escalation in early MS. These findings highlight the potential role of serum 25-OH-D as a marker of disease activity; however, given the observational design and the use of a study-specific composite outcome, the results should be interpreted with caution and confirmed in prospective studies.

Purpose This research aimed to determine hearing thresholds in healthy older adults (≥ 60 years of age) using extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA). Methods The study included 334 individuals aged ≥ 60 years with no history of hearing problems before the age of 60 and no occupational noise exposure. Inclusion criteria further required normal findings on otoscopy and tympanometry, as well as an audiometric response at at least three extended high frequencies (EHFs) in at least one ear. Participants were categorized by sex and age (60–69 years; 70–79 years; 80 + years). All underwent conventional pure-tone audiometry with a frequency range of 0.125–8 kHz and EHFA with a range of 9–14 kHz. The results were measured in dB HL and evaluated separately for men and women as well as for each age category. Statistical testing was performed at the 5% significance level. Results Significant differences between older and younger age groups were observed for both men and women. Hearing thresholds of women were higher in some low frequencies (0.125–0.5 kHz), whereas in men, greater hearing loss was observed at frequencies from 3 kHz onwards. The audiometric response exceeded 93% of tested ears in both sexes and across all age categories up to 11.25 kHz; at 12.5 kHz and 14 kHz, the response declined. Conclusion With increasing age and higher frequency, the hearing thresholds also increased and the audiometric response declined. The results contribute to a better understanding of extended high-frequency hearing thresholds in older adults.

Introduction: The importance of diet in shaping the gut microbiota is well established and may help improve an individual’s overall health. Many other factors, such as genetics, age, exercise, antibiotic therapy, or tobacco use, also play a role in influencing gut microbiota. Aim: This narrative review summarizes how three distinct dietary types (plant-based, Mediterranean, and Western) affect the composition of gut microbiota and the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, focusing on the keywords “dietary pattern”, “gut microbiota” and “dysbiosis”. Results: Both plant-based and Mediterranean diets have been shown to promote the production of beneficial bacterial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), while simultaneously lowering concentrations of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a molecule associated with negative health outcomes. Additionally, they have a positive impact on microbial diversity and therefore are generally considered healthy dietary types. On the other hand, the Western diet is a typical example of an unhealthy nutritional approach leading to an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, where TMAO levels rise and SCFA production drops due to gut dysbiosis. Conclusion: The current scientific literature consistently highlights the superiority of plant-based and Mediterranean dietary types over the Western diet in promoting gut health and preventing NCDs. Understanding the influence of diet on gut microbiota modulation may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies.

Introduction: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the functional status and risk factors in patients undergoing lung resection.Methods: Functional status defined by the parameters of spirometry (VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC) and whole-body plethysmography (TLC) examination was assessed before lung resection, at hospital discharge, 3 weeks after surgery, and 3 months after surgery.Results: The sample comprised 24 participants who were observed from 5/2021 to 10/2022. The functional status worsened significantly after the surgery, but the lung function values improved over time.Conclusions: Lung functions dropped sharply after the surgery but improved over time.

The importance of diet shaping the gut microbiota is well known and may help with improving the overall health of an individual. Many other factors also have an influence, such as genetics, age, exercise, antibiotic therapy, or tobacco use. The purpose of this review is to summarize how three distinct dietary types (plant-based diet, Mediterranean diet, and Western diet) affect the composition of gut microbiota and the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were used for searching papers with an emphasis on keywords ‘‘dietary pattern’’, ‘‘gut microbiota’’ and ‘‘dysbiosis’’. Plant-based diet and Mediterranean diet promote the production of beneficial bacterial products, and more microbial diversity and therefore are generally considered healthy dietary types. On the other hand, the Western diet is a typical example of an unhealthy approach to nutrition which leads to an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, understanding the impact of diet on the modulation of gut microbiota may give rise to new therapeutical strategies.

Due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus disease, many lifestyle alterations occurred. Changes in eating habits and contributing factors during the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted among students from the Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, during November–December 2022. The data were statistically analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 25. The study population consisted of 783 students; the mean age was 22.7 ± 2.7 years; 68.1% studied in the Slovak language; 67.0% of respondents were female. Out of these, eating habits did not change for the majority of students in the study sample (53.1%) (Slovaks 52.6% vs. foreigners 54.0%; males 53.0% vs. females 53.1%); consumption of alcoholic beverages did not change compared to pre-pandemic period for 54.3% of students, the rest of students decreased (30.6%) or increased (15.1%) consumption; energy drinks consumption remained unchanged for 69.6% students; coffee intake stayed stable for 48.3%, whereas 43.8% increased their coffee consumption, while 7.8% drank less coffee, without any statistically significant difference between the subgroups. The level of physical activity (frequency, intensity, duration) changed with a significant difference between Slovak and foreign students (p = 0.038), more foreign students decreased their level of physical activity compared to Slovaks (42.3% vs. 33.8%). We also recorded body weight changing during the pandemic, with a statistically significant difference between men and women (p = 0.009); 14.3% of men vs. 22.9% women decreased, while 34.7% of men and 27.3% of women increased their body weight. The results showed some changes in the dietary habits and other lifestyle factors during the pandemic among medical students. Future healthcare providers will play key roles in health promotion and disease prevention, and they should serve as role models for their patients and the general public as well.