Unveiling the Dynamics of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Year-Long Surveillance (2023) at the Largest Infectious Disease Profile Hospital in Western Romania.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health threat, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. This study aimed to identify the most common bacterial pathogens and their resistance profiles from 2179 positive clinical cultures from inpatients at "Victor Babes" Hospital of Infectious Disease and Pneumoftiziology Timisoara in 2023. Samples were collected from sputum, bronchial aspiration, hemoculture, urine, wound secretions, catheter samples, and other clinical specimens.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) Targets Astrocytes via Cell-Free and Cell-Associated Infection.

Background: Infection of astrocytes by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) remains a topic of debate, with conflicting data, yet instances of astrocytes containing viral DNA have been observed . In this study, we aimed to elucidate potential routes through which astrocytes could be infected and their ability to produce infectious particles using primary human astrocytes.

Methods: We infected primary astrocytes derived from either neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that express both C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) coreceptors, using either cell-free HIV-1 virus directly or cell-associated virus indirectly through infected macrophages and microglia.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Populations in a Suburb of the Largest City in Western Romania.

: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major public health issue worldwide, disproportionately affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged populations due to the social determinants of health (SDOHs). In Western Romania, these populations are particularly vulnerable to CVD. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and impact of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) among socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals in Western Romania and identify the primary CVRFs contributing to the high incidence of CVD within this population.

A Pilot Comparative Study between Creatinine- and Cystatin-C-Based Equations to Estimate GFR and Kidney Ultrasound Percentiles in Children with Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract.

Congenital anomalies affecting the kidneys present significant challenges in pediatric nephrology, needing precise methods for assessing renal function and guiding therapeutic intervention. Bedside Schwartz formula with the cystatin-C-based Full Age Spectrum formula and Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) U 25 formula used in estimating glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and also to assess if the eGFR in association with kidney length percentiles can be a monitoring parameter for the progression of chronic kidney disease in children with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). A total of 64 pediatric patients (median age at diagnostic was 12 months with an interquartile range of 2 to 60) were diagnosed with congenital anomalies in the kidney and urinary tract between June 2018 and May 2023 at "Louis Turcanu" Emergency Hospital for Children in Timisoara, Romania.

Differentiating Viral from Bacterial Pneumonia in Children: The Diagnostic Role of Lung Ultrasound-A Prospective Observational Study.

This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the utility of lung ultrasound (LUS) in diagnosing and managing pediatric respiratory infections, specifically focusing on viral, bacterial, and SARS-CoV-2 infections. Conducted over a period of 1 year and 8 months, this research involved 85 pediatric patients (showcasing a median age of 14 months) recruited based on specific criteria, including age, confirmed infection through multiplex PCR tests, and willingness to undergo LUS imaging. This study employed a 12-area scoring system for LUS examinations, utilizing the lung ultrasound score (LUSS) to evaluate lung abnormalities.

Stratifying Disease Severity in Pediatric COVID-19: A Correlative Study of Serum Biomarkers and Lung Ultrasound-A Retrospective Observational Dual-Center Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has manifested distinct impacts on infants and children. This study delves into the intricate connection between lung ultrasound (LUS) findings and serum biomarkers in neonates and infants with COVID-19. Exploring factors contributing to the mild symptoms in this demographic, including immune responses and pre-existing immunity, the study spans 3 years and 9 months, involving 42 patients.

Associations between subjective well-being, number of teeth, and self-rated mastication in Japanese adults: A cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the risk factors for low levels of subjective well-being (SWB) in the general population of Japan, specifically, the impact of the number of teeth and self-rated mastication. The surveyed population consisted of individuals aged between 40 and 79 years from Yamagata prefecture, Japan. A postal self-administered questionnaire survey of respondents lifestyles, medical history, oral health, and dietary intake, was conducted from 2017 to 2021.

Symptomatic carotid artery intraluminal thrombus: risk of medical management failure and distal embolization.

Background: Carotid artery intraluminal thrombus (ILT), or free-floating thrombus, is an uncommon cerebrovascular entity with considerable equipoise regarding its clinical management. Likewise, in patients treated with medical management (MM), distal embolization and/or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) may still occur.

Methods: All patients with symptomatic ILT from 2016 to 2023 were identified from our tertiary care institution.

Comparing Outcomes for Emergent Cranial Neurosurgical Procedures Performed "During Hours" and "After Hours".

Objective: Surgery performed at night and on weekends is thought to be associated with increased complications. However, the impact of time of day on outcomes has not been studied within cranial neurosurgery. We aim to determine if there are differences in outcomes for cranial neurosurgery performed after hours (AH) compared with during hours (DH).

COVID-19 in Infants and Children under 2 Years-Could Lung Ultrasound Score Be Correlated with Biomarkers and Symptoms?

Introduction: It is already well known that infants and children infected with COVID-19 develop mild to moderate forms of the disease, with fever and oropharyngeal congestion being the most common symptoms. However, there are instances when patients claim to be experiencing respiratory symptoms. Because of the repeated lung examinations required in these situations, non-irradiating imaging techniques are preferred.

Association of health behaviors, dietary habits, and oral health with weight gain after 20 years of age in community-dwelling Japanese individuals aged 40 years and older: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study investigated the factors associated with weight gain ≥ 10 kg after 20 years of age in the general Japanese population, with a focus on the number of teeth.

Materials And Methods: We included individuals aged ≥ 40 years from Yamagata prefecture, Japan from 2017-2021. A postal survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire; 5,940 participants were included in the final analysis.

Comparing 30-Day Outcomes After Emergent Spine Procedures Performed "During Hours" vs "After Hours".

Background: Spinal injuries, whether mechanical or neurological, frequently require urgent intervention. Superior outcomes are associated with earlier intervention, which often requires operating overnight and on weekends. However, operating after hours has been associated with increased risks of complications in selected studies.

Bilateral Adrenal Infarction That Developed in Latent Essential Thrombocythemia.

Bilateral adrenal infarction is an extremely rare disease, and it has been reported that some coagulation abnormalities, including essential thrombocythemia (ET), exist in the background. We herein report a 76-year-old patient in whom the platelet count had been in the normal range at the onset of adrenal infarction but subsequently increased to 102×10/μL at 7 months later, leading to the diagnosis of JAK2V617F-positive ET. As the presence of the JAK2V617F mutation increases the risk of thrombosis, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) genetic testing should be considered in some cases of nonspecific unknown thrombosis, even if there are no obvious hematological findings, such as clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP).

Association of the number of teeth and self-rated mastication with self-rated health in community-dwelling Japanese aged 40 years and older: the Yamagata cohort study.

Self-rated health (SRH) is a predictive factor for health-related prognoses such as mortality. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the risk factors for poor SRH in the general population of Japan, focusing on the combination of the number of teeth and self-rated mastication. Individuals aged at least 40 years in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, were surveyed from 2017 to 2021.

Fibrosis-4 Index Is Closely Associated with Arterial Damage and Future Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Type 2 Diabetes.

This study evaluated the association between fibrosis-4 (FIB 4) index and arterial damage or future risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in type 2 diabetes. The study subjects were 253 patients with type 2 diabetes. The FIB4 index, as a marker of hepatic fibrosis based on age, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, and platelet count, was calculated for all subjects.

Approaches to and outcomes of intra-arterial tPA in embolectomy for large vessel occlusion.

Introduction: Intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator (IA tPA) is sometimes used in conjunction with aspiration catheters and stentrievers to achieve recanalization in endovascular thrombectomy (ET) for large vessel occlusion (LVO). Reports of safety and efficacy of this approach are limited by technical heterogeneity and sample size.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a data set of patients undergoing ET for LVO between August 2017 and September 2020 to identify those that received IA tPA.

Cardio-ankle vascular index is more closely associated than brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity with arterial damage and risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes.

Background: This study aimed to compare the usefulness of arterial stiffness parameters, cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), for evaluating arterial damage and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in subjects with diabetes.

Methods: The study subjects were 277 patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. All subjects were evaluated for vascular stiffness using CAVI (n = 154) or baPWV (n = 123).

Endovascular Therapy is Effective for Large Vessel Occlusion Despite Concurrent Cancer.

Objectives: Ischemic stroke and concurrent cancer is increasingly recognized. However, optimal management is uncertain. As mechanical thrombectomy has become the standard of care for large vessel occlusion, more patients with cancer are presenting for embolectomy.

Aortic arch calcification with pericardial fat mass detected on a single chest X-ray image is closely associated with the predictive variables of future cardiovascular disease.

This study evaluated the associations between aortic arch calcification (AAC) with pericardial fat (PF) mass detected on a single chest X-ray image and predictive variables of future cardiovascular disease (CVD). The subjects were 353 patients treated with at least one of the hypertension, dyslipidemia or diabetes. All subjects were evaluated for AAC; divided into 3 groups with AAC grades of 0, 1, or 2; and examined for the presence of PF.

Credentialing, Certification, and Peer Review Essentials for the Neurosurgeon.

Credentialing and certification are essential processes during hiring to ensure that the physician is competent and possesses the qualifications and skill sets claimed. Peer review ensures the continuing evolution of these skills to meet a standard of care. We have provided an overview and discussion of these processes in the United States.

High Parity Is an Independent Risk Factor for Tooth Loss in Women: A Community-Based Takahata Study in Japan.

Risk factors for tooth loss have been widely examined previously. However, no previous study has comprehensively investigated the risk factors, including lifestyle-related specific factors (parity, oral health habits, and socioeconomic status), for fewer than 20 teeth among women in the general population in Japan. This cross-sectional study explored the association of these risk factors, especially parity, with having fewer than 20 teeth among Japanese women.