Non-Invasive Cardiac and Vascular Monitoring in Systemic Sclerosis: Impact of Therapy on Subclinical Dysfunction.

: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) causes myocardial and microvascular impairment, with subclinical dysfunction and eventually permanent cardio-vascular damage. The long-term influence of SSc therapies on subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction is insufficiently investigated. We aimed to assess 2D and 4D cardiac ultrasound parameters of heart function in patients with different forms of SSc versus controls and to determine the evolution of cardiac function and arterial stiffness parameters under therapy.

The Molecular Bacterial Load Assay predicts treatment responses in patients with pre-XDR/XDR-tuberculosis more accurately than GeneXpert Ultra MTB/Rif.

Objectives: Early detection of treatment failure is essential to improve the management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). We evaluated the molecular bacterial load assay (MBLA) in comparison to standard diagnostic tests for monitoring therapy of patients affected by drug-resistant TB.

Methods: The performance of MBLA in tracking treatment response in a prospective cohort of patients with pulmonary MDR/RR- and pre-XDR/XDR-TB was compared with mycobacterial culture, mycobacterial DNA detection using GeneXpert (Xpert) and microscopy detection of sputum acid-fast-bacilli.

Impact of drug-resistant tuberculosis on socio-economic status, quality of life and psychological well-being of patients in Bucharest, Romania: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge, with 1.3 million deaths in 2022. Ten countries in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) accounted for 88.

Artificial intelligence in tuberculosis: a new ally in disease control.

The challenges to effective tuberculosis (TB) disease control are considerable, and the current global targets for reductions in disease burden seem unattainable. The combination of complex pathophysiology and technical limitations results in difficulties in achieving consistent, reliable diagnoses, and long treatment regimens imply serious physiological and socioeconomic consequences for patients. Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare have significantly improved patient care regarding diagnostics, treatment and basic research.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Under Combined Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia in the First Trimester of Pregnancy-Case Report and Literature Review.

Can combined spinal and epidural anesthesia be the gold standard for laparoscopic surgery for pregnant patients? This case report presents a first trimester pregnant patient who was admitted for obstructive jaundice syndrome (pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, and vomiting). Initially, because of the risk/benefit ratio of pregnancy, the treatment was medical and the patient was immediately discharged because her clinical condition improved, but she was rapidly readmitted to the surgery department because of worsening symptoms. Emergency surgical intervention (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) under combined spinal and epidural anesthesia (CSEA) was performed to reduce the patient's risks.

How Morphology Shapes Survival in Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung.

Background And Objectives: Squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) represents a significant proportion of human malignancies affecting various anatomical sites, including the lung. Understanding the prognostic factors is crucial for establishing effective risk stratification in these patients, as multiple critical aspects significantly impact overall survival.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 99 patients with operable lung SQCC treated at a tertiary center.

Pulmonary Infarction in a Young Man With Situs Inversus Totalis.

We report the case of a 45-year-old male patient, a smoker, with a known condition of situs inversus totalis (SIT), who was diagnosed with an alveolar consolidation process during a chest imaging examination. Thorough medical investigations, including a surgical lung biopsy, resulted in the diagnosis of pulmonary infarction. The patient's clinical picture began suddenly, with chest pain of a stabbing character on the left side, inspiratory dyspnea, one episode of hemoptysis, fever (40°C), chills, and profuse sweating.

Risk Factors and Prognostic Factors in GBC.

: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare entity with a poor prognosis, usually discovered late due to nonspecific symptoms; therefore, over the last years, attention has been focused on identifying the risk factors for developing this malignancy in order to provide an early diagnosis, as well as new prognostic factors in order to modulate the long-term evolution of such cases. The aim of this review is to discuss both major risk factors and prognostic factors in GBC for a better understanding and integration of relevant and currently available information. : A literature search was performed using Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and Web of Science; studies published after the year of 2000, in English, were reviewed.

Mapping the path to excellence: Evaluation of the diagnostic and treatment tools for invasive fungal infections in the balkans.

Background: In the Balkans, rising concerns about invasive fungal infections over the past decade stem from various factors. Primarily, there has been a notable uptick in immunocompromised individuals, including those with chronic illnesses like immunological and hematological diseases. Thus, it is essential to assess the region's laboratory capabilities and the availability of antifungals.

Helicobacter Pylori Prevalence in Communities from Southern Regions of Romania with Limited Access to Health Services: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background And Aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has an unknown prevalence in certain Romanian regions. We aimed to estimate it in communities from Southern regions of Romania with limited access to health services.

Artificial Intelligence in Sports Medicine: Reshaping Electrocardiogram Analysis for Athlete Safety-A Narrative Review.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis in pre-participation examination (PPE) of athletes, enhancing the detection and monitoring of cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular concerns, including sudden cardiac death, pose significant risks during sports activities. Traditional ECG, essential yet limited, often fails to distinguish between benign cardiac adaptations and serious conditions.

Sudoscan's Effectiveness in Identifying Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant public health issue, particularly prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). CKD occurs in approximately 20% to 40% of adults with diabetes mellitus. Sudoscan potentially detects CKD early, providing a non-invasive and convenient alternative to traditional screening methods that rely on serum creatinine and urine albumin levels.

Myasthenia Gravis Triggered by a COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that induces skeletal muscle weakness, affecting different muscle groups. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), became both a diagnostic and a therapeutic challenge during the pandemic. The effects of COVID-19 are not only limited to the acute symptoms but also to the post-infectious sequelae.

Navigating the Maze: Exploring Non-Oncological Complexities in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Pulmonary oncological pathologies are an important public health problem and the association with other pulmonary lesions may pose difficulties in diagnosis and staging or require different treatment options. To address this complexity, we conducted a retrospective observational study at the Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumophthisiology, Bucharest, Romania. Our study focused on patients admitted in 2019 with non-small-cell lung carcinoma and associated pulmonary lesions identified through surgical resection specimens.

Active Case-Finding: An Effective Solution for Tuberculosis Detection in Vulnerable Groups - The Romanian Experience.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge, requiring enhanced active case finding (ACF) through screening strategies. This study assesses the effectiveness of such an approach in locating TB cases among vulnerable groups, such as homeless persons, injecting drug users, those detained in prison, and people living in rural areas.

Methods: The study focuses on socio-economic characteristics and TB detection rates across Romanian counties using modern techniques including computer-aided detection of lesions on chest X-ray and GeneXpert tests.

The Importance of Evaluating Sudomotor Function in the Diagnosis of Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy.

Introduction:  Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a disorder affecting the autonomic nerves that regulate the cardiovascular system, leading to irregular heart rate and blood pressure control. It is commonly associated with diabetes mellitus but can also result from other conditions such as autoimmune disorders, chronic kidney disease, alcohol abuse, and certain medications. Screening for CAN is essential, particularly in individuals with poor glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors, or complications.

Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Tuberculosis Distribution in Romania and Particulate Matter Pollution Associated With Risk of Infection.

The study proposes a dynamic spatio-temporal profile of the distribution of tuberculosis incidence and air pollution in Romania, where this infectious disease induces more than 8,000 new cases annually. The descriptive analysis for the years 2012-2021 assumes an identification of the structuring patterns of mycobacterium tuberculosis risk in the Romanian population, according to gender and age, exploiting spatial modeling techniques of time series data. Through spatial autocorrelation, the degree of similarity between the analyzed territorial systems was highlighted and the relationships that are built between the analysis units in spatial proximity were investigated.

Predictors of anastomotic leak and conduit necrosis after oesophagectomy: Results from the oesophago-gastric anastomosis audit (OGAA).

Background: Both anastomotic leak (AL) and conduit necrosis (CN) after oesophagectomy are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the identification of preoperative, modifiable risk factors is desirable. The aim of this study was to generate a risk scoring model for AL and CN after oesophagectomy.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Atopic Dermatitis and Chronic Urticaria Are Underused in Clinical Practice.

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are validated and standardized tools that complement physician evaluations and guide treatment decisions. They are crucial for monitoring atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic urticaria (CU) in clinical practice, but there are unmet needs and knowledge gaps regarding their use in clinical practice.

Objecctive: We investigated the global real-world use of AD and CU PROMs in allergology and dermatology clinics as well as their associated local and regional networks.

Diagnostic Challenges in Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, a Rare, Potentially Fatal Disease: Two Case Studies.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, and potentially fatal, syndrome, characterized by immune system dysregulation, with excessive activation of the macrophages and cytotoxic T cells. It can be classified into primary (genetic) and secondary (acquired) forms. HLH presents with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, and hyperferritinemia, with involvement of various organs.