Salicylic acid (SA) is the simplest example of moleculebelonging to the group of plant secondary metabolites,classified as phenolic acids. These compounds are ofconsiderable importance not only for well being of thehost organisms but also have advantageous influenceon human physiology. Short account of natural andsynthetic SA studies, as well as its structural analogs,is presented. The role of SA in plant local and systemicpathogen resistance phenomena is described, and itssignificance for anti-inflammatory therapies in humansare discussed.

There has been a growing concern about the increasingprevalence of metabolic syndrome among children andadolescents in the recent years. Many studies showedthat metabolic syndrome is difficult to define strictlyin pediatric population. We describe the changing approachto diagnosing metabolic syndrome in childrenthroughout the last twenty years.

The purpose of diet is to cover all the organism’s nutritionalneeds in a form adequate to patient’s medicalcondition. Diet should be adjusted to therapeutic restrictionsin terms of the consistency (liquid, pureeddiet), nutritional value (increase or decrease energyvalue, protein, or others nutrients) or route of deliveryof nutrients (enteral or parenteral nutrition).All hospitals or health care institutions should havestandard diets system, designed for uniformity andconvenience of service. Diet that has no restrictions isreferred as the „regular” diet. It is used when patient’smedical condition does not require any limitations. Althoughthere are no particular food restriction, it isgenerally practiced that regular diet should be low infat, cholesterol, sugar and salt to follow the dietary recommendationsfor the general population. Prescribedtherapeutic diets must be based on the individual’sdisease process and disease management goals, andalso be well accepted and handled.

This paper presents results of the cooperation of differentspecialists from physiology and pathophysiologyof lower urinary tract. This results as the report fromThe Standardization Committee of the InternationalChildren’s Continence Society aiming for updating theterminology in the field of paediatric lower urinary tractfunction. Newest studies and changes in defining andstandardization of the terminology in the adults weretaken into account. Very important task of this report isalso clarification and modification of the terminology oflower urinary tract what would result in better communicationand collaborative studies between specialistfrom different countries.

The article discusses intestinal bacteria enzymes,the so–called faecal enzymes, which take part in thesynthesis of carcinogenic compounds and other toxicsubstances. Special attention was paid to the microfloraof the large intestine dominated by obligatoryanaerobic bacteria since their enzymatic activity maylead to malfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract. Themost important reactions catalyzed by the faecal enzymesand the characteristic species of intestinal bacteriahaving the highest level of these activity werealso discussed.

Primary hypertension (PH) is not an isolated hemodynamicentity, but a syndrome of metabolic and hemodynamicabnormalities with common pathogenesis andits characteristic intermediate phenotype. In 15–20%of cases metabolic and hemodynamic abnormalitiescluster to such an extent that diagnosis of metabolicsyndrome is possible. Therefore, the therapy is basedon life style modifications and use of antihypertensivedrugs with beneficial metabolic profile. There issome evidence both from experimental and clinical studiesthat blockade of renin‑angiotensin system leadsto increase in insulin sensitivity and probably may affectredistribution of fat tissue with decrease of visceralfat. Dihydropiridyne calcium channel blockers are thesecond line drugs with neutral metabolic profile. Alpha-‑adrenolytic agents have similar metabolic profile buttheir use in antihypertensive treatment is limited. Beta-‑adrenolytics and diuretics including thiazydes, havenegative metabolic profile and should not be used ifno additional indications are present.

Protein is a major nutrient stimulating growth andpsychomotor development in infants. According torequirements for exogenous amino acids in infant nutritrionprotein intake and protein content is calculatedfor formula feeding, which is significantly higherwhen compared to human milk. The authors discussmethods to assess protein requirements and describethe hypothesis of increased obesity risk in infants dueto high protein diet. This hypothesis was tested withinthe EU Project-‘CHOP’ – („EU Childhood ObesityProgramme”).

There is an increasing appreciation that multiple sclerosis(MS) can affect children. Up to 10% of MS patientsexperience their first symptoms before the age of 16.The natural history of MS in childhood differs from theone that is observed in adult patients. The differentialdiagnosis of MS in children should also encompasssome pediatric diseases. Recently, the diagnostic criteriafor MS in children were published. Due to highfrequency of relapses and the risk of disability at youngage, early diagnosis and treatment of MS in childrenis very important. This work presents recent data regardingepidemiology, pathogenesis, natural course,diagnosis and treatment of MS in children.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes play a key role in the regulationof the immune response and have a multidirectionaleffect promoting and sustaining allergic inflammatoryprocess. A pharmacodynamic profile of the Cys-LT1receptor antagonists comprises the anti-inflammatoryaction due to inhibition of various cell types and mediators,as well as prevention of airway remodeling.In the paper a review of clinical studies on the efficacyof leukotriene modifiers in allergic diseases in childrenhas been accomplished. Current recommendations forthe administration the leukotriene receptor antagonistsin the pharmacotherapy of asthma, allergic rhinitisand post-infectious hyperreactivity have also beenpresented.

Fructose‑1,6‑bisphosphatase (FBP‑1,6) is one of the keyenzymes of gluconeogenesis. It is present in differenttissues and organs including liver, kidney, muscles andsmall intestine.FBP‑1,6 deficiency is a rare genetic disorder with anautosomal recessive inheritance. The newborn infantsand small children suffering from FBP‑1,6 deficiencyhave characteristic clinical features of recurrent hypoglycemiaand metabolic acidosis. The early diagnosisof FBP‑1,6 deficiency can be made by FBP‑1,6 assayin liver biopsy or leukocytes. Detection of FBP‑1,6 isimportant both for effective genetic consultation andfor a proper postnatal care.FBP‑1,6 is located in the cytosol of periportal hepatocytes.After their damage FBP‑1,6 diffuses out and maybe measured in the blood serum. High activity of serumfructose‑1,6‑bisphosphatase reflects liver functionimpairment. Fructose‑1,6‑bisphosphatase (FBP‑1,6) isalso localized in the cytosol of epitheliocytes of renalproximal tubules. In children with nephrotic syndrome the cell membranes of epitheliocytes are damagedtherefore FBP‑1,6 is released into the urine.

Oral cavity is exposed to many intra- and extracorporealpathological factors. Internal factors resulting fromsystemic diseases or treatment may disturb odontogenesisand lead to defects of dentition. They are alsoresponsible for caries by taking part in biochemical reactionsthat affect susceptibility of teeth’s tissue, dentalplaque, substrate, time period and local conditions oforal ecosystem dependent on saliva. In this paper animpact of systemic diseases on health status of hardteeth tissues was discussed.

Immunization is one of the best, most beneficial andeconomical ways of disease prevention. Successes ofimmunization include worldwide eradication of smallpox,control of incidence of poliomyelitis and decreasein incidence of measles and rubella in the United Statesand other countries, where vaccinations against infectiousdiseases are performed. Almost 100% reductionof 10 main vaccine-preventable diseases (excluding flu)is the reason of spectacular decrease in mortality dueto these diseases in the USA in the first decade of XXIcentury compared with XX century.New strategy of pertussis vaccination, addition of newserotypes of pneumococcus in vaccines and vaccineagainst the pandemic flu virus A (H1N1) are newmethods of infectious diseases prevention. Effectivenessand immunization period of new-introducedvaccines like the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccineand the vaccine against Rotavirus (RV) infectious arestill analised.

Generally techniques and conditions have importantmeaning for proper effect of the vaccination – a goodimmunological response of the organism and minimalizationof adverse events following immunization. Particularlyimportant is the fact that vaccinations are commonand routine procedures inextricably connectedwith pain and stress in children and parents. Thereforeit is possible to introduce many procedures, which canreduce the unpleasant feelings, e.g. regional anesthesia,sweet drinks before vaccination, breast-feeding duringimmunization or child-directed distraction. It has beenproved that only 1% of children obtain pharmacologicalagents to reduce the pain during vaccination. Accordingto WHO, 12 billion injections are administrated in theworld every year – about 5% are children immunizations.Types of administrated vaccines are connectedwith regional epidemiological situation, economicalsituation of the area and health politics priorities. Forexample children in Canada are vaccinated against 17diseases and get 20 injections before school age. In USAin the same period child gets 14 different vaccines, up to5 shots during one visit and 26 injections in general. InPoland a child can get 27 injections during first 2 yearsof life, containing both compulsory and recommendedvaccines.

Comparison of Polish growth charts (height and weight– for age) with WHO growth charts was made. Populationmeans and values for 3rd, 25th, 50th, 75th, 97thcentile for girls and boys up to the age 18 years forheight and up to 10 years for body mass was analyzedwith non-parametric statistic test. It was concludedthat Polish and WHO growth charts were different andfull assessment of both was required before applicationof one of those. In boys above the age of 12 years, Polishcharts might underestimate prevalence of overweightin comparison to WHO charts.

Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze relationshipsbetween adolescents (15–19 years of age)mortality due to suicide and selected economic variables.Methods. Average mortality rates due to suicide andsimilar causes (death of undetermined intent and poisoning)by voivodeships were calculated. Correlation ofmortality rates due to suicide and grouped causes foradolescents aged 15-19 years with selected economicvariables was examined.Results. High correlation was observed for suicide mortalityrates and unemployment rate, especially in ruralareas.Conclusions. Adolescents suicides prevention program(s) should be addressed to vulnerable social groupsand conducted especially in the regions of high unemploymentrate.

Labeling of food products is determined in the EuropeanUnion law, as well as in relevant national regulations.The general principle is to label foods available inPoland in Polish language, in a manner understandablefor the average consumer. Among the information thatshould be included on the product label there are: productname, information about the ingredients of theproduct, the method of preparation, storage conditionsand shelf-life period. The marketing of adulterated products,which contain false identification, may result incriminal and/or civil liability of the entity introducingthe product, including liability resulting from unfaircompetition and misleading activities of businesspractices.

Exposure to advertisement may cause health problemsin children and adolescents. Legislation is of proveneffectiveness with respect to children and adolescentsprotection from negative influence of commercials. Thearticle reviews current legislation protecting children’sand adolescents health in Poland and selected countriesof Western Civilization.