弗罗茨瓦夫医科大学

Introduction: Massage therapy delivers structured mechanosensory input that can influence brain function, yet the central mechanisms and potential for neuroplastic change have not been synthesized across neuroimaging modalities. This mechanistic review integrates evidence from electroencephalography (EEG), functional MRI (fMRI), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to map how massage alters human brain activity acutely and over time and to identify signals of longitudinal adaptation. Materials and Methods: We conducted a scoping, mechanistic review informed by PRISMA/PRISMA-ScR principles. PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate were queried for English-language human trials (January 1990-July 2025) that (1) delivered a practitioner-applied manual massage (e.g., Swedish, Thai, shiatsu, tuina, reflexology, myofascial techniques) and (2) measured brain activity with EEG, fMRI, or fNIRS pre/post or between groups. Non-manual stimulation, structural-only imaging, protocols, and non-English reports were excluded. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted study, intervention, and neuroimaging details; heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis, so results were narratively synthesized by modality and linked to putative mechanisms and longitudinal effects. Results: Forty-seven studies met the criteria: 30 EEG, 12 fMRI, and 5 fNIRS. Results: Regarding EEG, massage commonly increased alpha across single sessions with reductions in beta/gamma, alongside pressure-dependent autonomic shifts; moderate pressure favored a parasympathetic/relaxation profile. Connectivity effects were state- and modality-specific (e.g., reduced inter-occipital alpha coherence after facial massage, preserved or reorganized coupling with hands-on vs. mechanical delivery). Frontal alpha asymmetry frequently shifted leftward (approach/positive affect). Pain cohorts showed decreased cortical entropy and a shift toward slower rhythms, which tracked analgesia. Somatotopy emerged during unilateral treatments (contralateral central beta suppression). Adjuncts (e.g., binaural beats) enhanced anti-fatigue indices. Longitudinally, repeated programs showed attenuation of acute EEG/cortisol responses yet improvements in stress and performance; in one program, BDNF increased across weeks. In preterm infants, twice-daily massage accelerated EEG maturation (higher alpha/beta, lower delta) in a dose-responsive fashion; the EEG background was more continuous. In fMRI studies, in-scanner touch and reflexology engaged the insula, anterior cingulate, striatum, and periaqueductal gray; somatotopic specificity was observed for mapped foot areas. Resting-state studies in chronic pain reported normalization of regional homogeneity and/or connectivity within default-mode and salience/interoceptive networks after multi-session tuina or osteopathic interventions, paralleling symptom improvement; some task-based effects persisted at delayed follow-up. fNIRS studies generally showed increased prefrontal oxygenation during/after massage; in motor-impaired cohorts, acupressure/massage enhanced lateralized sensorimotor activation, consistent with use-dependent plasticity. Some reports paired hemodynamic changes with oxytocin and autonomic markers. Conclusions: Across modalities, massage reliably modulates central activity acutely and shows convergent signals of neuroplastic adaptation with repeated dosing and in developmental windows. Evidence supports (i) rapid induction of relaxed/analgesic states (alpha increases, network rebalancing) and (ii) longer-horizon changes-network normalization in chronic pain, EEG maturation in preterm infants, and neurotrophic up-shifts-consistent with trait-level recalibration of stress, interoception, and pain circuits. These findings justify integrating massage into rehabilitation, pain management, mental health, and neonatal care and motivate larger, standardized, multimodal longitudinal trials to define dose-response relationships, durability, and mechanistic mediators (e.g., connectivity targets, neuropeptides).

Introduction: Resting-state EEG (rsEEG) is a scalable window onto trait-like "executive readiness," but findings have been fragmented by task impurity on the executive-function (EF) side and heterogeneous EEG pipelines. This review synthesizes rsEEG features that reliably track EF in healthy samples across development and aging and evaluates moderators such as cognitive reserve. Materials and methods: Following PRISMA 2020, we defined PECOS-based eligibility (human participants; eyes-closed/eyes-open rsEEG; spectral, aperiodic, connectivity, topology, microstate, and LRTC features; behavioral EF outcomes) and searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore from inception to 30 August 2025. Two reviewers were screened/double-extracted; the risk of bias in non-randomized studies was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Sixty-three studies met criteria (plus citation tracking), spanning from childhood to old age. Results: Across domains, tempo, noise, and wiring jointly explained EF differences. Faster individual/peak alpha frequency (IAF/PAF) related most consistently to manipulation-heavy working may and interference control/vigilance in aging; alpha power was less informative once periodic and aperiodic components were separated. Aperiodic 1/f parameters (slope/offset) indexed domain-general efficiency (processing speed, executive composites) with education-dependent sign flips in later life. Connectivity/topology outperformed local power: efficient, small-world-like alpha networks predicted faster, more consistent decisions and higher WM accuracy, whereas globally heightened alpha/gamma synchrony-and rigid high-beta organization-were behaviorally sluggish. Within-frontal beta/gamma coherence supported span maintenance/sequencing, but excessive fronto-posterior theta coherence selectively undermined WM manipulation/updating. A higher frontal theta/beta ratio forecasts riskier, less adaptive choices and poorer reversal learning for decision policy. Age and reserve consistently moderated effects (e.g., child frontal theta supportive for WM; older-adult slow power often detrimental; stronger EO ↔ EC connectivity modulation and faster alpha with higher reserve). Boundary conditions were common: low-load tasks and homogeneous young samples usually yielded nulls. Conclusions: RsEEG does not diagnose EF independently; single-band metrics or simple ratios lack specificity and can be confounded by age/reserve. Instead, a multi-feature signature-faster alpha pace, steeper 1/f slope with appropriate offset, efficient/flexible alpha-band topology with limited global over-synchrony (especially avoiding long-range theta lock), and supportive within-frontal fast-band coherence-best captures individual differences in executive speed, interference control, stability, and WM manipulation. For reproducible applications, recordings should include ≥5-6 min eyes-closed (plus eyes-open), ≥32 channels, vigilant artifact/drowsiness control, periodic-aperiodic decomposition, lag-insensitive connectivity, and graph metrics; analyses must separate speed from accuracy and distinguish WM maintenance vs. manipulation. Clinical translation should prioritize stratification and monitoring (not diagnosis), interpreted through the lenses of development, aging, and cognitive reserve.

Background: Overweight and obesity are major health problems of the 21st century. As a significant risk factor for numerous noncommunicable diseases, obesity is also strongly associated with the development of abdominal hernias, which significantly impair patients’ quality of life. The review focuses on the pathophysiological mechanisms linking obesity to hernias and the impact of key prehabilitation components. Available research indicates a complex interrelationship between obesity and the development of ventral hernias, driven by pathophysiological mechanisms such as increased intra-abdominal pressure and chronic inflammation, which weakens the collagen matrix of the abdominal wall. Furthermore, both smoking and alcohol consumption significantly increase the risk of abdominal obesity and surgical complications; in turn, physical activity is crucial for reducing visceral fat. Psychological support may reduce pre-operative stress and contribute to improved outcomes. Nutritional intervention and weight loss are other essential components of preoperative management for ventral hernia repair. This review aims to highlight the role of prehabilitation in ventral hernia surgery in obese patients and to propose a structured, evidence-based algorithm (DEPP) for this high-risk population. The algorithm includes: Dietary intervention (D), Elimination of smoking and alcohol consumption (E), Physical activity (P), and Psychological support (P). The algorithm was developed to systematize the clinical approach and determine the steps to be taken in the treatment of patients with obesity and abdominal hernia. Methodology: A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases for articles published between 2002 and 2026. We included randomized controlled trials, prospective/retrospective cohort studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Conclusions: Prehabilitation is a multifaceted strategy for optimizing the health of patients with obesity prior to abdominal hernia repair. The proposed prehabilitation algorithm, known as DEPP, is a preliminary approach for managing this group of patients.

Objective: The arterial anatomy of the left upper lobe exhibits the greatest variability in branching patterns among all pulmonary lobes. This lobe is commonly described as having four segments: the fused apicoposterior segment (S1+2), the anterior segment (S3), and the lingular segments (S4 and S5). Each segment may contain subsegments with distinct vascular supplies. Although several studies have examined patterns and diversity of branching, a comprehensive assessment of the incidence of these variations has not yet been performed. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with a protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024546839). The search was performed between December 2023 and February 2024. A systematic search of databases was carried out to identify publications describing arterial branching patterns supplying the left upper lobe of the lung in adults. Furthermore, we collected and analyzed data on the relationship between the different origins of the lingular arteries and the corresponding bronchial and venous patterns. The AUQA tool was used to perform bias assessment. Data extraction included study characteristics, participant demographics (listed in AUQA), and anatomical variables based on the Yamashita classification of LUL arterial patterns and the number of branches supplying the left upper lobe. Results: In total, 15 publications were included (3313 cases). Lobar vasculature was firstly categorized more broadly, analyzing the number of branches from the left pulmonary artery, which supplies the left upper lobe, most commonly four branches. Then, analysis based on the Yamashita classification was performed, and Type A (A3, A(1+2) a+b, A(1+2) c) was established as the most common variant. Conclusions: The left upper lobe is most commonly supplied by four different arterial branches, followed by three and five. Differences in arterial branching patterns between Asian and Western populations may represent an important distinguishing factor. According to Yamashita’s classification, Type A (A3, A1+2a+b, A1+2c) is the most frequently observed pattern. Further attention should be directed to the relationship between the presence of a common trunk and the origin of the lingular arteries. Detailed knowledge of this anatomy remains fundamental for segmental thoracic surgery.

The occurrence of cysts and tumors in pediatric patients varies across different age groups. Follicular and dentigerous cysts are among the most common lesions. However, typical odontogenic tumors in juvenile patients are not frequently observed. Early stages of cyst and odontogenic tumor development might exhibit some similar characteristics due to the presence of unerupted teeth or their relationship with various stages of tooth formation and eruption. Many small lesions are discovered accidentally on routine orthopantomography (OPG), while the bigger ones manifest themselves as bone swelling, cortical perforation, or displacement and mobility of teeth. Each odontogenic tumor has characteristic clinical and radiological features. Biopsy of larger lesions, or incisional biopsy of smaller lesions, allows detailed histopathological evaluation to determine tumor type and growth behavior and guide appropriate treatment planning. In some cases, atypical signs on OPGs, like asymmetry in dental follicles, occurrence of round or oval bone lesions near impacted or retained teeth, and visibility of irregular radiolucent, radiopaque, or mixed jawbone lesions, might suggest the occurrence of some possible odontogenic tumor in juvenile patients. Each case should be handled individually. In this case, we demonstrate how atypical appearances of dental follicles on panoramic radiographs may not correspond with cone-beam computed tomography findings and may indicate the early stages of odontogenic myxoma in a juvenile patient.