Placental lesions in birth asphyxia and hypoxic ischemic syndrome.

Birth asphyxia is a severe condition that includes a number of potential pathways of occurrence both and during childbirth. The present study aimed to identify and describe specific macroscopic and microscopic placental injuries in birth asphyxia to serve as an effective tool to stratify the potential further evolution of a newborn, as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy can be responsible for neonatal death or severe neurological sequelae further, compromising the quality of life of the affected individual. For this purpose, an observational prospective study was conducted over a period of 3 years.

Replacement Therapy with Blood Products in People Living with HIV.

Cytopenias or coagulation deficiencies can occur in people living with HIV (PLWH). The severity of these disorders is influenced by the low levels of CD4+ lymphocytes, viral load, and the stage of viral infection. The aim of our retrospective observational study was to determine the frequency of cytopenias and coagulation deficiencies in PLWH as well as the need for replacement therapy with blood products.

Mutational Profile in Romanian Patients with Hemophilia A.

Hemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by mutations in the F8 gene, resulting in deficient or dysfunctional factor VIII (FVIII). This study aimed to characterize the mutational profile of HA in Romanian patients using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). A total of 107 patients were analyzed, revealing pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 96.

Systematic review of self-assembling peptides as topical agents for treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background/aims: Gastrointestinal bleeding is a significant and potentially lethal event. We aimed to review the efficiency and safety of self-assembling peptides for the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal tract bleeding.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search for studies describing the endoscopic use of self-assembling peptides for treatment or prevention of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract in a parallel, independent fashion.

Exploring the Role of Serum Osteonectin and Hsp27 in Pediatric MAFLD Diagnosis and Cardiometabolic Health.

Background: Childhood obesity is one of the major challenges of public health policies. The problem of fatty liver in childhood, known as MAFLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease), is of particular interest as the gold standard diagnosis technique is invasive (liver biopsy). Hence, efforts are made to discover more specific biomarkers for the MAFLD signature.

Markers of cardiac dysfunction associated with inflammation in a cohort of patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Inflammation underpinning acute decompensation (AD) of liver disease is an important driver for the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure or death. We aimed to investigate associations between inflammatory biomarkers and impaired cardiac function in patients admitted for AD of cirrhosis.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a well-characterized prospective cohort of patients with AD of liver disease admitted to a tertiary referral center.

Real-World Endoscopic and Histologic Outcomes in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Histologic activity has emerged as an aspirational therapeutic goal in ulcerative colitis management. It is not yet a formal treatment target in ulcerative colitis. However, it could be used as an adjunct to mucosal healing to represent a deeper level of healing.

A simple clinical score to stratify the risk of procedure-related adverse events in ERCP procedures with trainee involvement.

BACKGROUND : Optimal training strategies in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) remain controversial despite the shift toward competence-based training models, with limited data available on patient safety during training. We aimed to assess whether pre-procedural clinical predictors could identify patients at low risk of developing procedure-related adverse-events (AEs) in a training environment. METHODS : We performed a prospective, multicenter, cohort study in five training centers.

Circulatory cytokeratin 17, marginal zone B1 protein and leucine-rich α2-glycoprotein-1 as biomarkers for disease severity and fibrosis in systemic sclerosis patients.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (Ssc) is a multiorgan debilitating autoimmune disease that associates the triad: vascular involvement, tissue fibrosis and profound immune response alterations. Numerous previous studies focused on identification of candidate proteomic Ssc biomarkers using mass-spectrometry techniques and a large number of candidate Ssc biomarkers emerged. These biomarkers must firstly be confirmed in independent patient groups.

Shared Molecular Targets in Parkinson's Disease and Arterial Hypertension: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Parkinson's disease and arterial hypertension are likely to coexist in the elderly, with possible bidirectional interactions. We aimed to assess the role of antihypertensive agents in PD emergence and/or progression. (2) We performed a systematic search on the PubMed database.

Prognostic Factors in COVID-19 Patients With New Neurological Manifestations: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Romanian Neurology Department.

The emerging Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a serious public health issue due to its rapid spreading, high mortality rate and lack of specific treatment. Given its unpredictable clinical course, risk assessment, and stratification for severity of COVID-19 are required. Apart from serving as admission criteria, prognostic factors might guide future therapeutic strategies.

S100A6, Calumenin and Cytohesin 2 as Biomarkers for Cutaneous Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Case Control Study.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (Ssc) is an autoimmune disease with incomplete known physiopathology. There is a high number of candidate proteomic biomarkers for Ssc that have not yet been confirmed on independent Ssc cohorts. The aim of the study was to confirm circulating S100A6, calumenin, and cytohesin 2 as biomarkers for Ssc.

Surrogate markers of mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review.

Background: Mucosal healing (MH) has emerged as a key therapeutic target in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and achievement of this goal is documented by endoscopy with biopsy. However, colonoscopy is burdensome and invasive, and substitution with an accurate noninvasive biomarker is desirable.

Aim: To summarize published data regarding the performance of noninvasive biomarkers in assessing MH in IBD patients.

Blood Pressure Patterns in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction is a non-motor feature in Parkinson's disease with negative impact on functionality and life expectancy, prompting early detection and proper management. We aimed to describe the blood pressure patterns reported in patients with Parkinson's disease, as measured by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. (2) Methods: We conducted a systematic search on the PubMed database.

Candidate proteomic biomarkers in systemic sclerosis discovered using mass-spectrometry: an update of a systematic review (2014-2020).

Systemic sclerosis (Ssc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by graduate cutaneous and tissue fibrosis development and irreversible fibroproliferative vascular changes.The aim of the current systematic review was to update the list of proteomic candidate biomarkers identified from Ssc samples with mass spectrometry techniques. Medline and Scopus databases were searched on 1 September 2020.

Motion training on a validated mechanical ERCP simulator improves novice endoscopist performance of selective cannulation: a multicenter trial.

 Current data show that traditional training methods in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) fall short of producing competent trainees. We aimed to evaluate whether a novel approach to simulator-based training might improve the learning curve for novice endoscopists training in ERCP.  We conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial using a validated mechanical simulator (the Boškoski-Costamagna trainer).

Technical and clinical outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures performed in patients with COVID-19.

Background: The unprecedented situation caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly affected endoscopic practice in regard to access, volume, and workflow. We aimed to assess the potential changes in the technical outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures carried out in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: We conducted an international, multicenter, retrospective, matched case-control study of ERCP procedures carried out in patients with confirmed COVID-19.

Endocan and Lumican in Relation to Cardiometabolic Risk in a Pediatric Overweight and Obese Cohort: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate serum Endocan and Lumican levels as biomarkers for pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and to explore their associations with pediatric cardiometabolic risk factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 68 pediatric obese and overweight (O&O) patients. Ten healthy controls were recruited.

Immunosuppressive therapy of systemic lupus erythematosus associated peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review.

Introduction: Peripheral neurologic manifestations may be associated with most of the collagen vascular diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), yet most of the times it is not clear what therapy should be prescribed. EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus with neuropsychiatric manifestations suggest the use of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents for the treatment of SLE associated peripheral neuropathy (PN) (strength of statement A, category of evidence 1), however these recommendations are based on studies that did not focus specifically on PN but rather on neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE out of which only one was a randomized controlled clinical trial that included 7 patients with peripheral neuropathy. The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether the pathogenic treatments (corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, intravenous immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis) are effective for SLE associated PN.

Circulating Hsp90 Isoform Levels in Overweight and Obese Children and the Relation to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Obesity prevalence is increasing in children. It is associated with various comorbidities including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hsp90 isoforms were identified in previous proteomic studies as potential biomarkers for NAFLD.

Immunosuppressive treatment for peripheral neuropathies in Sjogren's syndrome - a systematic review.

Background: Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is among the most frequent autoimmune diseases and one of its most severe extraglandular manifestations is peripheral neuropathy. There is no consensus about peripheral neuropathy treatment in SS. Our aim is to identify studies proving the efficiency of immunosuppressive treatment on peripheral neuropathies in SS.

Characteristics of shared decision making in Romania from the patient perspective: A cross-sectional multicentric study.

Background: Shared decision making (SDM) is very important from patients' perspective. This process has not yet been evaluated in Romania. The study aims to evaluate SDM from the patients' perspective and to evaluate patients' characteristics that associate with SDM.

Measuring trainee competence in performing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: A systematic review of the literature.

Background: Current recommendations on training in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography are predicated on a performance-centred approach designed to ensure that trainees achieve appropriate skills. We aimed to analyse how competence in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is defined in the literature and what proportion of trainees actually reach this threshold.

Methods: We conducted a systematic MEDLINE search for studies reporting on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography training programmes in a clinical setting.