The Impact of Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Therapy on Metabolism and Respiratory System in Obese Patients as Part of Comprehensive Medical Rehabilitation.

Introduction Obesity is a complex condition characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat, which can have multiple causes, including genetic factors, inadequate diet, lack of physical exercise, and socioeconomic factors. Obesity can cause significant respiratory changes, so obese patients present pulmonary complications more frequently than individuals with normal weight. Improving respiratory function is an important aspect of obesity management, as it can reduce the risk of pulmonary complications and improve patients' quality of life.

Mechanisms of Resistance to Rituximab Used for the Treatment of Autoimmune Blistering Diseases.

Autoimmune blistering diseases represent a group of chronic severe, disabling, and potentially fatal disorders of the skin and/or mucous membranes, primarily mediated by pathogenic auto-antibodies. Despite their rarity, these diseases are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and profound negative impact on the patient's quality of life and impose a considerable economic burden. Rituximab, an anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibody, represents the first line of therapy for pemphigus, regardless of severity and a valuable off-label therapeutic alternative for subepidermal autoimmune blistering diseases as it ensures high rates of rapid, long-lasting complete remission.

Ultrasound-Guided Botulinum Toxin-A Injections into the Masseter Muscle for Both Medical and Aesthetic Purposes.

With the increasing use of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections in the masseter muscles for both medical and aesthetic purposes, there is a constant need to continually enhance the efficacy of these treatments and reduce the risk of potential adverse events. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the masseter muscle's anatomical structure and essential landmarks and emphasizes the advantages of ultrasound (US) guidance in improving the precision of BoNT-A injections compared to conventional blind methods. The review is supplemented with comprehensive figures, including graphics, clinical images, and ultrasound visuals, to support the discussion.

Improving Functional Capacities and Well-Being in Older Adults: Strategies in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

As life expectancy continues to increase, improving the quality of life (QoL) for older adults becomes an important issue. This study investigated the impact of a two-week intensive rehabilitation program at the Techirghiol Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium on older adults' QoL, focusing on physical and cognitive function. The study employed a comprehensive geriatric assessment to evaluate the progress of 156 patients over 65 from admission to discharge.

Using the ClinFIT COVID-19 Instrument to Assess the Functional Impairments Specific to Post-COVID-19 Patients in Romania.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to approximately 3.5 million cases in Romania, causing systemic inflammation and over 200 symptoms affecting various body systems. This complexity has challenged rehabilitation systems, necessitating personalized plans tailored to each patient's illness stage and impairment level.

Host-Microbiome Crosstalk in Chronic Wound Healing.

The pathogenesis of chronic wounds (CW) involves a multifaceted interplay of biochemical, immunological, hematological, and microbiological interactions. Biofilm development is a significant virulence trait which enhances microbial survival and pathogenicity and has various implications on the development and management of CW. Biofilms induce a prolonged suboptimal inflammation in the wound microenvironment, associated with delayed healing.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum: The Impact of Treatment Non-adherence on Disease Progression.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, ulcerative, rapidly progressing, destructive, inflammatory cutaneous disease that is both diagnostically and therapeutically challenging. Due to the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria or conclusive guidelines for patient management, clinicians often find themselves without reliable tools for the daily management of PG patients. Additionally, the lack of strict therapeutic compliance in patients with this diagnosis might contribute to a catastrophic evolution of the condition.

Personalization of Minimally-Invasive Aesthetic Procedures with the Use of Ultrasound Compared to Alternative Imaging Modalities.

Ultrasonography is a well-tolerated procedure that aids in the targeted esthetic therapies of special cutaneous regions, as well as in the prevention (vascular mapping, identification of previous filler, and others) and management of potential complications (vascular occlusion, external vascular compression, product misplacement or migration, inflammatory reactions, and others). It has lately been promoted as the first-line imaging tool to address injectables. In this article, we aim to review the evolving role of ultrasonography in cosmetic filler procedures, from the fundamental ultrasound characterization of cosmetic fillers to the ultrasound-enhanced detection and management of cosmetic filler complications, including ultrasound's role in hyaluronidase-guided injections for cosmetic filler dissolution.

Antimicrobial Biomaterials for Chronic Wound Care.

Chronic wounds encompass a myriad of lesions, including venous and arterial leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), pressure ulcers, non-healing surgical wounds and others. Despite the etiological differences, chronic wounds share several features at a molecular level. The wound bed is a convenient environment for microbial adherence, colonization and infection, with the initiation of a complex host-microbiome interplay.

Osteoarthritis induces gender-related changes in the knee range of motion.

In time, osteoarthritis (OA) generates the misalignment of the affected joint structures. However, due to the nature of bipedal gait, OA in the lower limb can also cause pathological gait patterns, which can generate instability and falls, with great consequence, especially in the aged population. With goniometry used to evaluate the range of motion (ROM) of joints, we wanted to evaluate how gender impacts gait dynamics in OA patients.

Botulinum Toxin Use for Modulating Neuroimmune Cutaneous Activity in Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a complex immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that generates enormous interest within the scientific communities worldwide, with new therapeutic targets being constantly identified and tested. Despite the numerous topical and systemic medications available for the treatment of psoriasis, alternative therapies are still needed for the optimal management of some patients who present with localized, resistant lesions. Novel insights into the contribution of cutaneous neurogenic inflammation in the pathogenesis of psoriasis have yielded exciting new potential roles of nerve-targeting treatments, namely botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A), for the management of this disease.

Common peroneal nerve palsy after primary total hip arthroplasty.

Purpose: The study wants to evaluate the incidence, the clinical evolution, and treatment of common peroneal nerve (CPN) palsy after primary total hip arthroplasty.

Methods: Our clinical prospective study was made between January 2016 and December 2020. The study group comprised 1240 total hip replacements over a period of five years.

Complementary Strategies to Promote Hair Regrowth in Post-COVID-19 Telogen Effluvium.

Post-COVID-19 telogen effluvium has been largely reported as a sequela in the post-acute phase of COVID-19, causing major emotional distress among the affected patients. The affected individuals are further exposed to a vast amount of misinformation from the internet and social media and it is important for physicians to be familiar with the phenomenon and provide appropriate counselling to their patients regarding this condition. This article aims to review the evidence-based complementary strategies that can help enhance hair regrowth after post-COVID-19 hair loss, from psychological support and patient education to the importance of optimal nutrition and potential indications and benefits of oral nutritional supplementation, as well as the role of both topical and injectable hair growth stimulators.

A systematic review on extracorporeal shock wave therapy and botulinum toxin for spasticity treatment: a comparison on efficacy.

Introduction: The complexity of spasticity requires a continuous effort in terms of more adapted treatments for patients, and accurate management. Through this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) on reducing spasticity both in children and adults.

Evidence Acquisition: An electronic search of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Ovid Medline(R), and search engine of Google Scholar was performed.

Tele-Rehabilitation Strategies for a Patient With Post-stroke Spasticity: A Powerful Tool Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability. Since the approach towards patients, treatments, and follow-up regimens has changed, tele-rehabilitation became a pillar for patients with ongoing recovery processes and rehabilitation strategies, especially for post-stroke patients. We describe the case of a 50-year-old male, suffering from right spastic hemiplegia and patellar clonus, for whom rehabilitation services were delivered both in-person (conventional physical therapy and radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy) as well as with the aid of a tele-rehabilitation program.

Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Efficacy in the Field of Regenerative Medicine: Product and Quality Control.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a significant regenerative therapy used alone or combined mainly with stem cells, autologous fat grafts, hyaluronic acid, and biomaterials in a variety of medical fields, especially in hair regrowth, wound healing, and sports and rehabilitation medicine. However, the results obtained with this biologic therapy are heterogeneous and conflicting. The observed disparities in the effectiveness of PRP therapies may be due to a lack of standardization in blood processing and preparation.

Electrochemotherapy and Other Clinical Applications of Electroporation for the Targeted Therapy of Metastatic Melanoma.

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an effective bioelectrochemical procedure that uses controlled electrical pulses to facilitate the increase of intracellular concentration of certain substances (electropermeabilization/ reversible electroporation). ECT using antitumor drugs such as bleomycin and cisplatin is a minimally invasive targeted therapy that can be used as an alternative for oncologic patients not eligible for surgery or other standard therapies. Even though ECT is mainly applied as palliative care for metastases, it may also be used for primary tumors that are unresectable due to size and location.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Long-Term Care Facilities Worldwide: An Overview on International Issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a great negative impact on nursing homes, with massive outbreaks being reported in care facilities all over the world, affecting not only the residents but also the care workers and visitors. Due to their advanced age and numerous underlying diseases, the inhabitants of long-term care facilities represent a vulnerable population that should benefit from additional protective measures against contamination. Recently, multiple countries such as France, Spain, Belgium, Canada, and the United States of America reported that an important fraction from the total number of deaths due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection emerged from nursing homes.

Frequent Hand Washing for COVID-19 Prevention Can Cause Hand Dermatitis: Management Tips.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread globally, outpacing the capacity and resources of health systems worldwide. A therapeutic vaccine is not yet on the rise, and preventive measures are the current approach to restraint the transmission of cases. As the virus is highly contagious via respiratory route (droplets from infected persons, widely spread by coughing or sneezing) and via contact with contaminated surfaces, community transmission and spread can be decreased through the practice of regular and diligent hand hygiene.

Injecting botulinum toxin into the treatment of blepharospasm.

The present paper is an introduction to this category of therapy, the injection of botulinum toxin into blepharospasm and, at the same time, an attempt to familiarize our readers with this concept. Our activity in this field started in 2014; the favorable results we have obtained since then have made us write this article. BEB = Abnormal Benign Essential Blepharospasm, TXB = Botulinum Toxin.