Publications by authors named "Popa F"

Article Synopsis
  • - Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is a significant autoimmune thyroid disease where patients often present with asthenia (fatigue), presenting challenges in differentiating it from other conditions; this study aimed to analyze the relationship between HT and asthenia in newly diagnosed patients.
  • - Conducted between July 2022 and July 2023 across multiple university hospitals, the study included 120 patients, divided into an asthenia group (49.2%) and a non-asthenia group, discovering that asthenia was linked to a higher incidence of headaches and hypothyroidism but thyroid function tests were similar between both groups.
  • - The findings suggest that asthenia may not be a strong indicator of thyroid dysfunction
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Background: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), the third most frequent histological type of thyroid malignancy, may be found isolated or as part of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). One particular subtype of this autosomal dominant-transmitted syndrome includes an association with cutaneous lichen amyloidosis, although, generally, a tide genotype-phenotype correlation is described in patients who carry proto-oncogene pathogenic variants.

Methods: Our objective was to provide an endocrine perspective of a case series diagnosed with -positive familial MTC associated with cutaneous primary lichen amyloidosis amid the confirmation of MEN2.

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Asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) involves 80-90% of the parathyroid tumor-associated cases of PHPT in the modern medical era, while normocalcemic PHPT (NPHPT) has a prevalence of 0.1-11%. We aimed to analyze the bone status and mineral metabolism in NPHPT amid conservative or surgical management.

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We describe a new species, (Myxomycetes), collected from a microhabitat new for myxomycetes: stem wounds of coniferous trees (Norway spruce) where the resin is overgrown with a community of resinicolous fungi. The 80 known collections come from the Vosges (France), the Black Forest (Germany), Swabian Alp (Germany), and several localities in Denmark and Norway. Observations, but as well as metabarcoding of substrate samples with fungal (ITS [internal transcribed spacer]), bacterial (16S rDNA), and myxomycete (18S nuc rDNA) primers from eight trunks, revealed the new myxomycete to co-occur with resin-degrading ascomycetes ().

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The aim of this work is to obtain Cu-13.5Al-4Ni alloy for use as shape memory alloy by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) of mechanically alloyed powder. The study investigates the structural and microstructural changes in terms of crystal parameters, crystallite sizes, and phases evolution during mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering of Cu-13.

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FeMnSn Heusler alloy, obtained by mechanical alloying, was subjected to larger milling times in the range of 30-50 h to study the phase stability and morphology. X-ray diffraction studies have shown that the milled samples crystallise in a disordered A structure. The A structure was found to be stable in the milling range studied, contrary to the computation studies performed on this composition.

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Soft magnetic composite cores were produced by spark plasma sintering (SPS) from NiFe@ZnFeO and NiFeMo@ZnFeO pseudo-core-shell powders. In the Fe-Ni alloys@ZnFeO pseudo-core-shell composite powders, the core is a large nanocrystalline Permalloy or Supermalloy particle obtained by mechanical alloying, and the shell is a pseudo continuous layer of Zn ferrite particles. The pseudo-core-shell powders have been compacted by SPS at temperatures between 500-700 °C, with a holding time of 0 min.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Magnesium (Mg) is a crucial nutrient that acts as a cofactor in more than 600 enzymatic reactions essential for various physiological functions, such as protein synthesis, DNA repair, and regulating cardiac rhythm.
  • - A review of 30 clinical studies from January 2019 to April 2024 explored the link between daily magnesium intake (DMI) and metabolic traits, especially focusing on type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), revealing that many diabetic patients have lower DMI levels.
  • - Findings indicated that insufficient DMI is correlated with an increased risk of developing DM, and there may be a linear relationship between DMI and DM control at specific levels, highlighting the importance of dietary magnesium management for diabetics.
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A NiMnSn Heusler alloy was obtained as a single B phase after 12 h of mechanical milling. The influence of prolonged milling on the phase stability was analysed for milling times up to 50 h, related to mean crystallite size, lattice strain, and electrical resistivity. The nature of the powders in the milled range was found to be nanocrystalline, with a mean crystallite size of about 33 ± 2 nm.

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Fungi are among the most diverse and ecologically important kingdoms in life. However, the distributional ranges of fungi remain largely unknown as do the ecological mechanisms that shape their distributions. To provide an integrated view of the spatial and seasonal dynamics of fungi, we implemented a globally distributed standardized aerial sampling of fungal spores.

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Novel methods for sampling and characterizing biodiversity hold great promise for re-evaluating patterns of life across the planet. The sampling of airborne spores with a cyclone sampler, and the sequencing of their DNA, have been suggested as an efficient and well-calibrated tool for surveying fungal diversity across various environments. Here we present data originating from the Global Spore Sampling Project, comprising 2,768 samples collected during two years at 47 outdoor locations across the world.

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We aimed to analyze the management of the ectopic mediastinal thyroid (EMT) with respect to EMT-related cancer and non-malignant findings related to the pathological report, clinical presentation, imaging traits, endocrine profile, connective tissue to the cervical (eutopic) thyroid gland, biopsy or fine needle aspiration (FNA) results, surgical techniques and post-operatory outcome. This was a comprehensive review based on revising any type of freely PubMed-accessible English, full-length original papers including the keywords "ectopic thyroid" and "mediastinum" from inception until March 2024. We included 89 original articles that specified EMTs data.

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Primary cardiac tumours are relatively uncommon (75% are benign). Across the other 25%, representing malignant neoplasia, sarcomas account for 75-95%, and primary cardiac intimal sarcoma (PCIS) is one of the rarest findings. We aimed to present a comprehensive review and practical considerations from a multidisciplinary perspective with regard to the most recent published data in the specific domain of PCIS.

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Despite incessant research, colorectal cancer (CRC) is still one of the most common causes of fatality in both men and women worldwide. Over time, advancements in medical treatments have notably enhanced the survival rates of patients with colorectal cancer. Managing metastatic CRC involves a complex tradeoff between the potential benefits and adverse effects of treatment, considering factors like disease progression, treatment toxicity, drug resistance, and the overall impact on the patient's quality of life.

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In light of the urgent need to develop environmentally friendly materials that, at some point, will allow the reduction of concrete and, consequently, cement consumption-while at the same time allowing the reuse of waste and industrial by-products-alkali-activated fly ash (AAFA) geopolymer composite emerges as a material of great interest. The aim of this study was to investigate the physico-mechanical performance of composites based on AAFA binders and the effect of different types of aggregates on these properties. The experimental results indicate variations in flexural and compressive strength, which are influenced both by the nature and particle size distribution of aggregates and the binder-to-aggregate ratio.

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Diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) is based on blood assessments in terms of synchronous high calcium and PTH (parathormone), but further management, particularly parathyroid surgery that provides the disease cure in 95-99% of cases, requires an adequate localisation of the parathyroid tumour/tumours as the originating source, with ultrasound and 99m-Technetium (99m-Tc) sestamibi scintigraphy being the most widely used. We aimed to introduce an adult female case diagnosed with PHP displaying unexpected intra-operatory findings (ectopic thyroid tissue) in relation to concordant pre-operatory imaging modalities (ultrasound + dual-phase 99m-Tc pertechnetate and sestamibi scintigraphy + computed tomography) that indicated bilateral inferior parathyroid tumours. A sudden drop in PTH following the removal of the first tumour was the clue for performing an extemporaneous exam for the second mass that turned out to be non-malignant ectopic thyroid tissue.

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Our study is focused on optimizing the synthesis conditions for the in situ oxidation of Fe particles to produce Fe@FeO core-shell powder and preparation via co-precipitation of ZnFeO nanoparticles to produce Fe@FeO/ZnFeO soft magnetic composites (SMC) through a hybrid cold-sintering/spark plasma-sintering technique. XRD and FTIR measurements confirmed the formation of a nanocrystalline oxide layer on the surface of Fe powder and the nanosized nature of ZnFeO nanoparticles. SEM-EDX investigations revealed that the oxidic phase of our composite was distributed on the surface of the Fe particles, forming a quasi-continuous matrix.

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Incisional hernias, occurring in 10-20% of patients post-abdominal surgery, significantly affect patient quality of life and healthcare systems. This study analyses two hernia repair methods: laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) and open on-lay hernioplasty. Key analysis factors include operative time, postoperative pain, complications, length of hospital stay, recovery speed, and recurrence rates, with the goal of identifying the most effective and beneficial approach for patients.

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Introduction: Increasingly, SGLT2 inhibitors save patients with heart failure and comorbidities such as type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD); the inhibition of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) was first studied in patients with diabetes as a solution to lower glucose levels by preventing glucose reabsorption and facilitating its elimination; in the process, researchers took notice of how SGLT2 inhibitors also seemed to have beneficial cardiovascular effects in patients with both diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Aim: Our single-center prospective study assesses outcomes of post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) rehabilitation and SLGT2 inhibition in CABG patients with/without T2DM and with/without CKD.

Materials And Methods: One hundred twenty consecutive patients undergoing CABG were included in the analysis.

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The damage due to embrittlement of the sintering furnace belt and its replacement after a certain time of use represents a problem for the manufacturers of sintered parts. Finding out the reason for the damage could help to increase the duration of its operation. This research aimed to investigate the causes of embrittlement, considering both the temperatures and atmosphere of the sintering furnace to which the furnace belt is exposed during its operation.

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Sufficient mineral supply is vital not only for the innate immune system but also for the components of the adaptive immune defense, which encompass defense mechanisms against pathogens and the delicate balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory regulation in the long term. Generally, a well-balanced diet is capable of providing the necessary minerals to support the immune system. Nevertheless, specific vulnerable populations should be cautious about obtaining adequate amounts of minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, and selenium.

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Our objective was to overview the most recent data on primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) in children and teenagers from a multidisciplinary perspective. Methods: narrative review based on full-length, English-language papers (from PubMed, between January 2020 and July 2023). Results: 48 papers (14 studies of ≥10 subjects/study, and 34 case reports/series of <10 patients/study).

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The Baker cyst (BC), also known as the popliteal cyst or parameniscal cyst, is a fluid-filled sac that normally develops in the back of the knee, between the semimembranosus and medial head of the gastrocnemius. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy (10 days of treatment) that associates intermittent vacuum therapy (IVT) on the lower limbs in the treatment of the BC, respectively, in its size reduction. Sixty-five patients with knee osteoarthritis using Kellgren-Lawrence criteria and the presence of BC (ultrasonography evaluation), were divided into the Control and Vacuum groups.

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Tumors of the parathyroid glands, when associated with PTH (parathyroid hormone) excess, display a large area of complications; in addition to the classical clinical picture of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP), a complex panel of other symptoms/signs can be identified, including memory and cognitive impairment, chronic asthenia/fatigue, reduced muscle functionality, depressive mood, non-specific bone pain, and loss of sleep quality. The perception of quality of life (QoL) can be supplementarily enhanced by their progressive onset, which makes many patients not be fully aware of them. Their improvement was reported very early after parathyroidectomy (PTx), yet the level of statistical evidence does not qualify these non-classical elements as standalone indications for PTx.

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