Publications by authors named "Boru C"
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is a sight-threatening condition predominantly affecting immunocompromised individuals, such as those with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). We aimed to present an observational case report on CMV retinitis following Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and to review the literature on the molecular and cellular changes in CMV and SARS-CoV-2 infections and how they may influence each other. A 32-year-old man with a history of AIDS presented with decreased vision and ocular pain exacerbated by movement, beginning a day prior.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The research investigates the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR), measured with the Schwartz equation, and renal scintigraphy in children with congenital kidney and urinary tract abnormalities (CAKUT), aiming to improve understanding of kidney function in this population.
- - A study of 94 pediatric CAKUT patients revealed significant differences in eGFR between the right and left kidneys, particularly in relation to body surface area, indicating a potential bias in standard measurements.
- - The findings suggest that current bedside eGFR methods may not be fully reliable for children with CAKUT, highlighting the need for more accurate diagnostic tools tailored for pediatric patients.
Article Synopsis
- The gut microbiome is really important for our health and can also affect our eyes through something called the gut-eye axis.
- When the gut bacteria are not balanced (called dysbiosis), it can lead to eye diseases like uveitis and glaucoma.
- Researchers are looking at ways to fix the gut microbiome, like using probiotics and other treatments, which might help protect and improve eye health.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major cause of mortality globally, emphasizing the need for early detection and effective risk assessment to improve patient outcomes. Advances in oculomics, which utilize the relationship between retinal microvascular changes and systemic vascular health, offer a promising non-invasive approach to assessing CVD risk. Retinal fundus imaging and optical coherence tomography/angiography (OCT/OCTA) provides critical information for early diagnosis, with retinal vascular parameters such as vessel caliber, tortuosity, and branching patterns identified as key biomarkers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- This study compares two popular weight loss surgeries, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), focusing on how these procedures affect gut microbiota over a two-year period.
- Researchers collected fecal and blood samples from 54 severely obese patients before and after surgery, finding that both procedures led to significant changes in the gut microbiome and overall nutritional parameters.
- The study concludes that while both surgeries resulted in substantial shifts in gut bacteria composition, the specific technique used did not significantly affect these changes, suggesting that gut microbiota could be a potential indicator of post-surgery outcomes.
Background: The prognostic value of baseline inflammatory markers in sepsis remains controversial, with conflicting evidence regarding their association with mortality. The dynamic changes in these markers over time might offer additional insights into disease progression and patient outcomes.
Methods: This retrospective observational study included 138 patients with severe infections.
Among the measures taken by UVVG to modernize the educational process is the pioneering undertaking regarding the introduction of a course on Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (AIM). Such an action has to face several challenges, at three levels, starting from its inclusion in the curricular vision of the university, its positioning in the didactic program as well as the content of the syllabus suitable for medical students. The first part presents the necessity and opportunity of introducing the course in the current context of the rapid growth of AIM applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A 29-year-old male suffered a type III Hawkins fracture of the talus from a high-energy vehicular accident, with a significant risk (over 90%) of developing avascular necrosis (AVN).
- Due to severe swelling and circulatory issues, emergency surgery with nail fixation was performed, but the patient continued to experience pain and impairment for 12 months post-operation.
- An MRI later revealed AVN on the talus, and a histopathological analysis confirmed necrosis, leading to a change in treatment strategy to address the condition effectively.
Food neophobia involves avoiding new foods due to reluctance, aversion, or disgust. The Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) is the most reliable and common adult food neophobia test. It helps compare food neophobia across cultures by being translated into numerous languages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSystemic infection, also known as cat-scratch disease (CSD), presents a diagnostic challenge due to the variability of clinical manifestations and the potential for serological cross-reactivity with other organisms. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics of pediatric patients diagnosed with systemic infection, to improve understanding and facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment. We conducted a 10-year retrospective study at the "Louis Turcanu" Children's Emergency Hospital and private clinics in Timisoara, Romania, reviewing records for confirmed cases of infection from January 2014 to January 2024.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In children's palliative care, the term "respite" refers to a temporary break offered to primary caregivers of a child with a life-limiting illness. The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of parents who have benefited from respite care services in the Lumina Association, Bacău hospice unit and the benefits it can bring in improving their psycho-emotional state.
Methods: The study consisted of quantitative research involving 34 parents/caregivers who responded to a questionnaire with 26 questions, and qualitative research which involved the organization of a focus group with 12 parents who benefited from respite services.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected vulnerable populations like Roma patients in Western Romania due to marginalization and limited healthcare access.
Methods: A retrospective study analyzed COVID-19 cases between March 2020 and August 2022 using data from the Directorate of Public Health in Timis county. Demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data were assessed, along with risk factors and biomarkers for ICU admission and mortality prediction.
Background: Oropharyngeal cancer is a global health concern due to its multifaceted nature. Recent molecular studies have linked p16 overexpression, associated with the human papillomavirus, to oropharyngeal cancer and its prognostic implications.
Materials And Methods: This retrospective study in Western Romania examined 60 patients, categorizing them based on p16 biomarker status: 28 were p16 positive, and 32 were p16 negative.
Background: The aim of this study was to analyze short-term outcomes focusing on readmissions after laparoscopic bariatric metabolic surgery (BMS) in an Italian academic Bariatric Center of Excellence IFSO-European Chapter (EC).
Methods: This is a retrospective study based on the analysis of a prospectively maintained institutional database. Patients aged between 18 and 65 years who underwent primary BMS and/or revisional BMS (RBMS) between 2012 and 2021 were included.
Background: Revisional bariatric surgery (RBS) represents a further solution for patients who experience inadequate weight loss (IWL) following primary bariatric surgery (BS) or significant weight regain (WR) following initial satisfactory response. RBS guidelines are lacking; however, an increased trend in further BS offerings has been reported recently.
Objective: Analyze trend, mortality, complication, readmission, and reoperation rates for any reason at 30 days after RBS in Italy.
Purpose: This retrospective multicenter cohort study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes (mortality rate, operative time, complications) of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) when performed by a surgical resident in comparison to experienced consultant in the backdrop of Italian academic centers.
Methods: Retrospective review of all patients undergoing elective LC between January 2016 and January 2022 at six teaching hospitals across Italy was performed. Cases were identified using the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 5123 (LC without cholangiogram).
Introduction: Bariatric/metabolic surgery (BMS) is the most effective treatment of morbid obesity, while Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) after BMS represents a multimodal perioperative protocol designed to achieve early recovery for patients with peculiar characteristics. The aim of the current narrative review is to summarize and discuss the current role, the application, and the future developments of ERAS protocols in the field of BMS.
Methods: A literature search for studies published up to June 30, 2022, with no restrictions on language or publication period, was performed on Medline and Embase, using the keywords "ERAS" OR "enhanced recovery after surgery" AND "bariatric surgery" OR "metabolic surgery".
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is the bariatric procedure most likely subject to revisional surgery. Both laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) represent viable options, but the long-term results are still lacking. In 2014, we published the 2-year follow-up of our multicenter cohort of revisional LSG after failed LAGB.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: gut microbiota (GM) seems to be involved in the pathophysiology and progression of both metabolic syndrome (MS) and obesity. The aim was to investigate GM's composition in patients with severe obesity, candidates for bariatric/metabolic surgery BMS.
Materials And Methods: Multicentre, prospective, cohort study, enrolling 84 patients with BMI 40-55 kg/m, divided bymetabolic status (MS) inhealthy(group A), pre-MS (B), or MS (C).
Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of hiatal surface area (HSA) measurement on dedicated multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) acquisition, in patients, previously subjected to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), and affected by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Intraoperative HSA measurement was considered the reference standard.
Methods: Fifty-two candidates for laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair were prospectively included in the study.
Background: There are data on the safety of cancer surgery and the efficacy of preventive strategies on the prevention of postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 in these patients. But there is little such data for any elective surgery. The main objectives of this study were to examine the safety of bariatric surgery (BS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to determine the efficacy of perioperative COVID-19 protective strategies on postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 rates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The published colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes after bariatric surgery (BS) are conflicting, with some anecdotal studies reporting increased risks. The present nationwide survey CRIC-ABS 2020 (Colo-Rectal Cancer Incidence-After Bariatric Surgery-2020), endorsed by the Italian Society of Obesity Surgery (SICOB), aims to report its incidence in Italy after BS, comparing the two commonest laparoscopic procedures-Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP).
Methods: Two online questionnaires-first having 11 questions on SG/GBP frequency with a follow-up of 5-10 years, and the second containing 15 questions on CRC incidence and management, were administered to 53 referral bariatric, high volume centers.
Background: Sars-Cov-2 epidemic in Italy caused one of the greatest 2020 European outbreaks, with suspension of elective bariatric/metabolic surgery (BMS). From May 2020 a significant decline of the epidemic has been observed (phase 2); National Health Service protocols permitted elective BMS' resumption. A new, more severe COVID-19 surge, the "second wave", started on October 2020 (phase 3).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Only anecdotally reported, intrathoracic migration (ITM) represents an unacknowledged complication after sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) contributing to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) development, both recurrent and de novo. The primary endpoint of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative ITM ≥ 2 cm; the secondary endpoint was to determine the relationships between ITM, GERD, endoscopic findings, and percentage of patients requiring surgical revision.
Materials And Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study on prospective databases was conducted, analyzing LSGs performed between 2013 and 2018.
Article Synopsis
- * The study tested a new approach using telematics for pre-operative psychological and nutritional assessments, involving online sessions followed by an in-person meeting.
- * Results showed that 70% of participants experienced significant weight loss, 90% completed the program, and everyone reported satisfaction, indicating that telehealth could be a viable option for future bariatric assessments during crises.