Investigating Physicians' Adoption of Telemedicine in Romania Using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).

This study investigates Romanian physicians' acceptance of telemedicine using the Technology Acceptance Model. We analyzed 1093 responses to an online survey distributed nationwide to physicians via email by the National Authority of Quality Management in Health, employing the partial least squares algorithm to estimate the relationship between the behavioral intention to adopt telemedicine and its potential determinants. Our findings reveal that the model accounts for 84.

Advances in Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy versus Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.

(1) Background: Laser-assisted refractive surgery is a safe and effective surgical correction of refractive error. For most patients, both the newer Trans-PRK and the established LASIK technique can produce the required surgical correction, sparking the question of which technique should be opted for. (2) Methods: The study prospectively evaluated 121 patients (230 eyes) for at least one month postoperatively; 66 patients (126 eyes) and 45 patients (85 eyes) returned for 6 months and 1 year follow-up.

The Spatial-Temporal Dimension of Oncological Prevalence and Mortality in Romania.

The objective of this study was to identify spatial disparities in the distribution of cancer hotspots within Romania. Additionally, the research aimed to track prevailing trends in cancer prevalence and mortality according to a cancer type. The study covered the timeframe between 2008 and 2017, examining all 3,181 territorial administrative units.

Behind the scenes of the healthcare COVID-19 pandemic crisis: potential affecting factors of healthcare work sustainability in Romania during 2020-2022.

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic represented a great disturbance for medical systems around the world, putting medical personnel on the front lines of the fight against the SARS-Cov2 virus. This fight was particularly impactful in countries with medical systems already facing various challenges, including Romania; where the pandemic unfolded in five waves that severely affected the psychological and physical well-being of medical professionals in terms of overload and continuous exposure to health threats. Against this background, our research aims to identify the mediating role of potential affecting factors of healthcare work sustainability during the change-related uncertainty conditions generated by the COVID 19 crisis.

The Effects of Oncological Treatment on Redox Balance in Patients with Uveal Melanoma.

(1) Background: Uveal malignant melanoma is the most common adult eye cancer and presents metabolic reprogramming that affects the tumoral microenvironment by altering the redox balance and producing oncometabolites. (2) Methods: The study prospectively evaluated patients undergoing enucleation surgery or stereotactic radiotherapy for uveal melanoma by following systemic oxidative-stress redox markers serum lipid peroxides, total albumin groups and total antioxidant levels (3) Results: Serum antioxidants and lipid peroxides were elevated from pre-treatment to longer-term follow-up. Antioxidants inversely correlated to lipid peroxides: higher in stereotactic radiosurgery patients pre/6/12/18 months post-treatment ( = 0.

Kolmogorov compression complexity may differentiate different schools of Orthodox iconography.

The complexity in the styles of 1200 Byzantine icons painted between 13th and 16th from Greece, Russia and Romania was investigated through the Kolmogorov algorithmic information theory. The aim was to identify specific quantitative patterns which define the key characteristics of the three different painting schools. Our novel approach using the artificial surface images generated with Inverse FFT and the Midpoint Displacement (MD) algorithms, was validated by comparison of results with eight fractal and non-fractal indices.

Micropulse vs. continuous wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in neovascular glaucoma.

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a refractory form of glaucoma, associated with important morbidity, for which no consensus exists regarding the optimal choice of therapy. The primary aim of our study was to compare the performances of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) and continuous wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (CW-TSCPC) in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma (NVG). A total of 24 eyes for MP-TSCPC and 22 eyes for CW-TSCPC, all with NVG were included.

Teleworking Impact on Wellbeing and Productivity: A Cluster Analysis of the Romanian Graduate Employees.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already had an enormous impact on numerous aspects of human society such as health, education, economy, business, or work and created favorable conditions for the expansion of teleworking. The aim of the paper is to identify and analyze five teleworking impact factors that affect thewellbeing and productivity of employees. The data were gathered by a quantitative research method through a questionnaire applied to 327 Romanian employees who hold a Bachelor or Master degree.

Diagnostic methods for the etiological assessment of infectious corneal pathology (Review).

Infectious keratitis is a leading cause of visual morbidity, including blindness, all across the globe, especially in developing countries. Prompt and adequate treatment is mandatory to maintain corneal integrity and to recover the best possible final visual acuity. Although in most of the cases practitioners chose to employ empirical broad-spectrum antimicrobial medication that is usually effective, in some instances, they face the need to identify the causative agent to establish the appropriate therapy.

A systematic review of euthyroid Graves' disease (Review).

Euthyroid Graves' Disease (EGD) is a challenging pathology, due to its atypical clinical manifestations and the absence of abnormal thyroid function. Typically, thyroid ophthalmopathy is associated with elevated thyroid hormone levels and with the presence of thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb) but a low percentage of patients remain euthyroid without developing hyperthyroidism during long-term follow-up periods. Although it is considered a different pathology, it shares a lot of similarities with Graves' disease, rendering the diagnosis more difficult.

ILs and MMPs Levels in Inflamed Human Dental Pulp: A Systematic Review.

A wide range of mediators are released from the pulp tissue because of bacterial invasion which causes inflammation. Interleukins (ILs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have a leading role in initiating and spreading of inflammation because of their synergic action. Biomarkers such as ILs and MMPs can be identified via several methods, establishing the inflammatory response of the dental pulp.

High-resolution images in macular disorders.

This study analyzed and compared the results of adaptive optics (AO) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in various maculopathies. The study included four different types of maculopathy: central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Stargardt disease (STGD) and phototoxic retinopathy. In all four cases, cone mosaic and cone density were obtained using AO fundus camera.

Accelerated vs. conventional collagen cross-linking for infectious keratitis.

Infectious keratitis represents a serious concern for ophthalmologists, with a progressively growing incidence in the last few years. In this prospective comparative study, we evaluated two groups of patients with infectious keratitis or corneal ulcer resistant to antimicrobial and antifungal therapy, treated respectively with conventional and accelerated photoactivated chromophore collagen cross-linking. Eight patients were assigned to each group and they were monitored for 12 months.

Subretinal alteplase injections in massive subretinal hemorrhage due to age-related macular degeneration: A case report series.

This report describes a series of cases with massive subretinal hemorrhage (SRH) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated by subretinal alteplase injections. In all cases, the surgical technique consisted in 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and alteplase injection under the retina using a 38-gauge cannula. After the fluid-gas exchange, bevacizumab injection was performed in all patients.

Testing the Strength of Hospital Accreditation as a Signal of the Quality of Care in Romania: Do Patients' and Health Professionals' Perceptions Align?

Hospital accreditation, as a quality signal, is gaining its popularity among low- and middle-income countries, such as Romania, despite its costly nature. Nevertheless, its effectiveness as a quality signal in driving patients' choice of hospital services remains unclear. In this study, we intend to empirically explore the perceptions of both healthcare professionals and patients toward Romanian hospital accreditation and identify perception gaps between the two parties.

Photoreceptor assessment in focal laser-treated central serous chorioretinopathy using adaptive optics and fundus autofluorescence.

This study analyzed cone density, cone mosaic, and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images in patients with focal laser-treated central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).Observational case series.Forty-two eyes of 21 patients with unilateral treated CSC and bilateral best-corrected visual acuity of 1.

Combining Direct and Indirect Measurements to Assess Patients' Satisfaction with the Quality of Public Health Services in Romania: Uncovering Structural Mechanisms and Their Implications.

Patients' satisfaction was extensively researched over the last decades, given its role in building loyalty, compliance to treatment, prevention, and eventually higher levels of wellbeing and improved health status. Patients' feedback on the perceived quality of health services can be incorporated into practice; therefore, understanding factors and mechanisms responsible for patients' satisfaction allows providers to tailor targeted interventions. A questionnaire assessing patients' perception of the quality of health services was administered to a country-representative sample of 1500 Romanian patients.

Update on Myopia Risk Factors and Microenvironmental Changes.

The focus of this update is to emphasize the recent advances in the pathogenesis and various molecular key approaches associated with myopia in order to reveal new potential therapeutic targets. We review the current evidence for its complex genetics and evaluate the known or candidate genes and loci. In addition, we discuss recent investigations regarding the role of environmental factors.

New clinical application of amniotic membrane transplant for ocular surface disease.

Unlabelled: The new defined anatomical and functional complex conjunctiva-limbus-cornea is a new concept, which helps clinicians better understand and treat ocular surface pathologies. The management of the ocular surface disease has changed dramatically over the years, with spectacular improvements of techniques, and of course, results. The amniotic membrane, used as a graft or as a substrate for the cultivation of limbal corneal cells has showed encouraging results.

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis with corneal ulcer. Case report.

To report the case of a 14-year-old male patient, with bilateral atopic keratoconjunctivitis with corneal ulcer. The patient complained of bilateral red, itchy eyes, decreased vision, photophobia, difficulty opening the eyelids upon awakening, palpebral edema, excessive tearing, along with yellowish mucous discharge. He had a two-year history of chronic blepharitis and recurrent episodes of conjunctivitis that were treated with Tobramycin and corticosteroid eye drops over the years.

Unilateral pigmentary retinopathy--a review of literature and case presentation.

Objectives: To report a rare case of unilateral pigmentary retinopathy and describe the clinical and visual field characteristics of this particular case.

Methods: We present the case of a 30-year-old male patient with a gradual loss of the visual field on his left eye (LE) for the past 10 years, with further gradual painless loss of his central visual field in the last year, and no similar symptoms in his right eye. His past medical and ocular history were unremarkable.

A RARER FORM OF ANGLE-CLOSURE GLAUCOMA--DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.

Purpose: to show how we diagnosed and treated a rarer form of angle-closure glaucoma; the pathogenic mechanism was angle crowding through thick peripheral iris roll.

Methods: we show the investigations: biomicroscopy of the fundus, tonometry, pachymetry, gonioscopy, perimetry, ultrasound biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment--that helped us to diagnose the angle-closure glaucoma and its pathogenic mechanism; we also show our choice for surgery--lens extraction--and our arguments for this choice.

Results: first postoperative day--intraocular pressure was 14 mmHg; a week postoperatively--intraocular pressure was 13 mmHg; three months postoperatively--intraocular pressure was 13 mmHg.