Oral Health and Quality of Life in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Key Findings from a Romanian Study.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with various oral health complications that can negatively impact quality of life. Despite evidence of the relationship between diabetes and oral health issues, limited research exists on the perceptions, behaviors, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of diabetic patients in Romania. This study aims to evaluate self-reported oral health, knowledge, behaviors, and OHRQoL among diabetic patients in western Romania.

Diabetes and Cataracts Development-Characteristics, Subtypes and Predictive Modeling Using Machine Learning in Romanian Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Diabetes has become a global epidemic, contributing to significant health challenges due to its complications. Among these, diabetes can affect sight through various mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of early identification and management of vision-threatening conditions in diabetic patients. Changes in the crystalline lens caused by diabetes may lead to temporary and permanent visual impairment.

Risk Factors for Cataracts in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most impactful health problems worldwide. It affects ocular health in multiple ways and is one of the leading causes of vision loss. Our study aimed to evaluate the most important systemic risk factors related to the occurrence of cataracts in patients with DM.

Pathways to Alzheimer's Disease: The Intersecting Roles of Clusterin and Apolipoprotein E in Amyloid-β Regulation and Neuronal Health.

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) within the extracellular spaces of the brain as plaques and along the blood vessels in the brain, a condition also known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Clusterin (CLU), or apolipoprotein J (APOJ), is a multifunctional glycoprotein that has a role in many physiological and neurological conditions, including AD. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a significant genetic factor in AD, and while the primary physiological role of APOE in the brain and peripheral tissues is to regulate lipid transport, it also participates in various other biological processes, having three basic human forms: APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4.

Predictors of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents one of the most impacting health issues of the modern era, as it is associated with an extensive range of comorbidities. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one the utmost severe diabetes complications as it is one of the major causes of vision loss among these patients. Our present research aims to evaluate the most frequent risk factors related to the occurrence of DR in T2DM patients.

Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Management: A Call for Better Acknowledgment-Part 1 Pharmacological Differences in Women and Men; How Relevant Are They?

Background: Sex differences (SDs) in pharmacology of cardiovascular (CV) drugs have been described previously; however, paradoxically, there are scarce recommendations in therapy based on these differences. It is of utmost importance to identify whether these SDs determine a modified clinical response and the potential practical implications for this, to provide a base for personalized medicine.

Area Of Uncertainty: The aim of this article was to outline the most important pharmacological drivers of cardiovascular drugs that differ between women and men, along with their implications and challenges in clinical practice.

Clinical recommendations for treatment of localized angiosarcoma: A consensus paper by the Italian Sarcoma Group.

Angiosarcoma (AS) represents a rare and aggressive vascular sarcoma, posing distinct challenges in clinical management compared to other sarcomas. While the current European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) clinical practice guidelines for sarcoma treatment are applicable to AS, its unique aggressiveness and diverse tumor presentations necessitate dedicated and detailed clinical recommendations, which are currently lacking. Notably, considerations regarding surgical extent, radiation therapy (RT), and neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy vary significantly in localized disease, depending on each different site of onset.

Heart failure pharmacotherapy and cancer: pathways and pre-clinical/clinical evidence.

Heart failure (HF) patients have a significantly higher risk of new-onset cancer and cancer-associated mortality, compared to subjects free of HF. While both the prevention and treatment of new-onset HF in patients with cancer have been investigated extensively, less is known about the prevention and treatment of new-onset cancer in patients with HF, and whether and how guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HF should be modified when cancer is diagnosed in HF patients. The purpose of this review is to elaborate and discuss the effects of pillar HF pharmacotherapies, as well as digoxin and diuretics on cancer, and to identify areas for further research and novel therapeutic strategies.

Correlation between Inflammatory Systemic Biomarkers and Surgical Trauma in Elderly Patients with Hip Fractures.

The treatment for hip fractures consists of a wide variety of orthopedic implants ranging from prosthesis to intramedullary nails. The purpose of this study is to determine the correlation between blood-count-derived biomarkers such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and the level of aggression sustained by elderly patients during these surgical procedures. A total of 129 patients aged over 70 and diagnosed with acute hip fractures who underwent surgical treatment between November 2021 and February 2023 were included in our observational retrospective cohort study.

The portrait of a stranger: the hypereosinophilic syndrome with cardiac involvement.

Introduction: Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a rare clinical condition, and cardiac involvement confers a poor prognosis. Hypereosinophilic myocarditis is a medical emergency and targeted treatment should be started promptly even before a definitive diagnosis could be made.

Case Presentation: A 27-year-old female patient is hospitalized for exertional dyspnea, chest pain, and fatigue for the past 2 weeks.

Blood Count-Derived Inflammatory Markers Correlate with Lengthier Hospital Stay and Are Predictors of Pneumothorax Risk in Thoracic Trauma Patients.

(1) Background: Trauma is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with the chest being the third most frequent body part injured after abdominal and head trauma. Identifying and predicting injuries related to the trauma mechanism is the initial step in managing significant thoracic trauma. The purpose of this study is to assess the predictive capabilities of blood count-derived inflammatory markers at admission.

Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) vs. Polyester (Dacron) Grafts in Critical Limb Ischemia Salvage.

Background: Critical ischemia of the lower limbs refers to the last stages of peripheral arterial disease. It is characterized by resting discomfort or trophic disorders such as ulceration, skin necrosis, or gangrene in the lower limbs. Critical ischemia corresponds to Leriche-Fontaine (LF) stages III-IV and Rutherford stages 4-6.

Increased Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT), Left Coronary Artery Plaque Morphology, and Valvular Atherosclerosis as Risks Factors for Sudden Cardiac Death from a Forensic Perspective.

Background: In sudden cardiac deaths (SCD), visceral adipose tissue has begun to manifest interest as a standalone cardiovascular risk factor. Studies have shown that epicardial adipose tissue can be seen as a viable marker of coronary atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate, from a forensic perspective, the correlation between body mass index (BMI), heart weight, coronary and valvular atherosclerosis, left ventricular morphology, and the thickness of the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in sudden cardiac deaths, establishing an increased thickness of EAT as a novel risk factor.

The Predictive Role of Systemic Inflammatory Markers in the Development of Acute Kidney Failure and Mortality in Patients with Abdominal Trauma.

Background: Abdominal trauma is defined as a variety of injuries to the abdominal wall, solid or hollow intra-abdominal organs, and various intra-abdominal vessels. Recently, there has been a significant amount of interest in the establishment of a reliable biomarker that can predict the outcome in patients with an abdominal injury. The purpose of this study is to confirm the predictive role of inflammatory biomarkers and underlying risk factors and the risk of acute kidney insufficiency (AKI) developing and mortality in abdominal trauma patients; Materials and methods: The current study was intended as an observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study and included all patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of abdominal trauma confirmed through a CT scan admitted to the County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu-Mureș, Romania between January 2017, and December 2021; Results: Non-survivor patients had a greater age (p = 0.

Computed Tomography Angiography Markers and Intraluminal Thrombus Morphology as Predictors of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex vascular disease characterized by progressive and irreversible local dilatation of the aortic wall. Currently, the indication for repair is linked to the transverse diameter of the abdominal aorta, using computed tomography angiography imagery, which is one of the most used markers for aneurysmal growth. This study aims to verify the predictive role of imaging markers and underlying risk factors in AAA rupture.

Acute rate control in atrial fibrillation: an urgent need for the clinician.

Rate and rhythm control are still considered equivalent strategies for symptom control using the Atrial Fibrillation Better Care algorithm recommended by the recent atrial fibrillation guideline. In acute situations or critically ill patients, a personalized approach should be used for rapid rhythm or rate control. Even though electrical cardioversion is generally indicated in haemodynamically unstable patients or for rapid effective rhythm control in critically ill patients, this is not always possible due to the high percentage of failure or relapses in such patients.

Stroke risk scores for prediction of mortality and hemorrhages in atrial fibrillation patients.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an emerging epidemic worldwide, responsible for a twofold increase in mortality, independent of other risk factors. Stroke prevention is the cornerstone of AF management. However, oral anticoagulation imposes an increased risk of bleeding.

Methadone Destabilizes Cardiac Repolarization During Sleep.

Methadone, a widely prescribed medication for chronic pain and opioid addiction, is associated with respiratory depression and increased predisposition for torsades de pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia. Most methadone-related deaths occur during sleep. The objective of this study was to determine whether methadone's arrhythmogenic effects increase during sleep, with a focus on cardiac repolarization instability using QT variability index (QTVI), a measure shown to predict arrhythmias and mortality.

Stroke Risk Scores as Predictors of Severe Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation: A Comprehensive Review.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia. It increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, death, hospitalizations, and costs.

Area Of Uncertainty: Several scores were introduced to stratify the stroke risk and need for anticoagulation in patients (pts) with AF .

Stroke risk scores to predict hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure in atrial fibrillation patients.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent hospitalized arrhythmia. It associates increased risk of death, stroke and heart failure (HF). Stroke risk scores, especially CHADS-VASc, have been applied also for populations with different diseases.

Progression of Eales' disease post-partum and long-term follow-up: a case report.

Background: Eales' disease is a difficult to treat idiopathic form of retinal vasculitis. We present such a case with peculiar epidemiology in which the only efficient therapeutic approach in order to maintain functional vision was repeated intravitreal dexamethasone implants (Ozurdex®). To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of this kind in the literature.

A practical guide to big data.

Big Data is increasingly prevalent in science and data analysis. We provide a short tutorial for adapting to these changes and making the necessary adjustments to the academic culture to keep Biostatistics truly impactful in scientific research.

The Effects of the Yes You Can! Curriculum on the Sexual Knowledge and Intent of Middle School Students.

Background: The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of the "Yes You Can!" (YYC) curriculum on sexual knowledge and behavioral intent of program participants.

Methods: Participants included students ages 10-14 from schools in a northeast US urban area. Yes You Can! program lessons were designed to support healthy relationships.

Modelling subject-specific childhood growth using linear mixed-effect models with cubic regression splines.

Background: Childhood growth is a cornerstone of pediatric research. Statistical models need to consider individual trajectories to adequately describe growth outcomes. Specifically, well-defined longitudinal models are essential to characterize both population and subject-specific growth.