Functional Connectivity and MRI Radiomics Biomarkers of Cognitive and Brain Reserve in Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment Prediction-A Study Protocol.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is frequently associated with long-term post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and dementia. While the mechanisms behind PSCI are not fully understood, the brain and cognitive reserve concepts are topics of ongoing research exploring the ability of individuals to maintain intact cognitive performance despite ischemic injuries. Brain reserve refers to the brain's structural capacity to compensate for damage, with markers like hippocampal atrophy and white matter lesions indicating reduced reserve.

Clonality and the Phenotype-Genotype Correlation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Isolates: A Multicenter Study of Clinical Isolates from Romania.

Antibiotic resistance is on the WHO's top 10 list of global public health threats due to its rapid emergence and spread but also because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with it. Amongst the main species driving this phenomenon is , a member of the ESKAPE group of medical assistance-associated infections causing species famous for its extensively drug-resistant phenotypes. Our findings note a 91.

The Difference a Year Can Make: How Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms in Have Changed in Northwestern Transylvania.

This study examines the prevalence and the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in isolates collected from healthcare units in Northwestern Transylvania, Romania, between 2022 and 2023. Given the alarming rise in antibiotic resistance, the study screened 34 isolates for resistance to 10 antibiotics, 46 ARGs, and integrase genes using PCR analysis. The results reveal a concerning increase in multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) isolates over the two-year period.

Extract Loaded in Alginate Hydrogel Beads for Chronic Wound Healing.

Chronic wounds are a major health problem, affecting millions of people worldwide. Resistance to treatment is frequently observed, requiring an extension of the wound healing time, and improper care can lead to more problems in patients. Smart wound dressings that provide a controlled drug release can significantly improve the healing process.

Natrium Alginate and Graphene Nanoplatelets-Based Efficient Material for Resveratrol Delivery.

In this study, alginate-based composite beads were developed for the delivery of resveratrol, a compound with therapeutic potential. Two formulations were prepared: one with sodium alginate and resveratrol (AR) and another incorporating graphene nanoplatelets (AGR) to improve drug release control. The beads were formed by exploiting alginate's ability to gel via ionic cross-linking.

A comprehensive review of structure-function correlations in age-related macular degeneration: Contributions of microperimetry.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment and irreversible blindness worldwide. High-resolution imaging techniques have been pivotal in characterizing the morphological alterations in the retina and in identifying structural biomarkers with prognostic significance. In clinical practice, visual function is primarily assessed through visual acuity testing, which, however, does not completely reflect the functional deficits experienced by patients.

Tailgut Cyst-Gynecologist's Pitfall: Literature Review and Case Report.

Retrorectal cystic hamartomas ("Tailgut cysts") are rare developmental cysts that appear in the retrorectal space, arising from aberrant remnants of the post-anal primitive gut in case of an incomplete embryogenetic involution. We present the case of a 30-year-old woman with a history of chronic lower abdominal pain. Other digestive symptoms, like rectal fullness, constipation, pain on defecation, rectal bleeding or genitourinary obstruction symptoms, were not associated.

A Review on Current Aspects of Curcumin-Based Effects in Relation to Neurodegenerative, Neuroinflammatory and Cerebrovascular Diseases.

Curcumin is among the most well-studied natural substances, known for its biological actions within the central nervous system, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and human health benefits. However, challenges persist in effectively utilising curcumin, addressing its metabolism and passage through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in therapies targeting cerebrovascular diseases. Current challenges in curcumin's applications revolve around its effects within neoplastic tissues alongside the development of intelligent formulations to enhance its bioavailability.

Provenance of late Pleistocene loess in central and eastern Europe: isotopic evidence for dominant local sediment sources.

Loess profiles along the Danube River provide a record of long-term Quaternary dust (loess) deposition in central-eastern Europe. Here, Sr-Nd isotopic data from four loess-palaeosol profiles (47 samples) spanning the last two-glacial-interglacial cycles are presented. The isotopic compositions generated by this study are compared with bedrock and sedimentary samples from Europe and North Africa to decipher the sources of sediment.

Understanding the Interaction of Röntgen Radiation Employed in Computed Tomography/Cone Beam Computed Tomography Investigations of the Oral Cavity by Means of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Analysis of Saliva.

The use of Raman spectroscopy, particularly surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), offers a powerful tool for analyzing biochemical changes in biofluids. This study aims to assess the modifications occurring in saliva collected from patients before and after exposure to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. SERS analysis revealed significantly amplified spectra in post-imaging samples compared to pre-imaging samples, with pronounced intensification of thiocyanate and opiorphin bands, which, together with proteins, dominated the spectra.

Condylar Parameters and Mandibular Movement Patterns in Bruxers Using an Optical Jaw Tracking System.

: Eccentric bruxism is a complex parafunctional activity that involves grinding of teeth and occurs more frequently during sleep. This study aimed to assess differences in condylar parameters (sagittal condylar inclination -SCI and Bennett angle -BA) and mandibular and condylar kinematics during functional and parafunctional movements in bruxers and non-bruxers and to assess a digital method for quantifying eccentric bruxism using an optical jaw tracking system (Modjaw). : The study group included subjects diagnosed with eccentric bruxism according to validated clinical diagnostic criteria.

Competitive Electrochemical Apta-Assay Based on cDNA-Ferrocene and MXenes for Surface Protein A Detection.

() represents one of the most frequent worldwide causes of morbidity and mortality due to an infectious agent. It is a part of the infamous ESKAPE group, which is highly connected with increased rates of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance. can cause a large variety of diseases.

Epidemiology of kidney biopsy from regional referral center in Romania: 10-year review.

Purpose: To provide epidemiologic data on kidney biopsy from Romania.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of kidney biopsy records for adult patients from a referral center in the north-western part of Romania, reported for 2014-2023.

Results: 556 biopsies were performed, corresponding to an incidence of 12 biopsies/m person-year with over 50% increase over the last reported year.

The Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Antitumor Proprieties of Flavonol-Rich Extracts from (Wild Garlic) Leaves: A Comparison of Conventional Maceration and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Techniques.

Despite the growing interest in using natural compounds for disease prevention and treatment, (wild garlic), known for its therapeutic properties, has not been extensively studied for its chemical composition and biological activities. Therefore, this study aims to explore the in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and antitumor activities of extracts according to their functional phytochemical profile, while assessing whether ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) enhances bioactive properties in comparison to conventional maceration (CM). Both extracts were characterized by spectrophotometric methods and LC-ESI+-MS.

The Influence of L. Extract and Ellagic Acid on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Bone Regeneration Biomarkers.

Bone regeneration is a highly dynamic and complex process that involves hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal cells, collagen fibers, non-collagenous proteins and biomolecules from extracellular matrices, and different cytokines and immune cells, as well as growth factors and hormones. Some phytochemicals due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects can modulate the bone signaling pathways and improve bone healing and thus can be a good candidate for osteoregeneration. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of L.

Somatic Changes of Maternal High-Fat Diet on Offspring-Possible Deleterious Effects of Flavonoids?

: The rapidly increasing rate of obesity has become an extremely important public health problem, particularly in developed countries. Obesity is associated with a range of health problems, often referred to as the metabolic syndrome. Adipose tissue is now regarded as an endocrine organ responsible for the hormonal secretion of adipokines, which are cytokines involved in various physiological processes.

Insights into self-evaluated stress, anxiety, and depression among dental students.

Stress, anxiety, and depression have a negative impact on students' learning and academic performances. In our longitudinal study conducted on dental students from Cluj-Napoca and Oradea, the most representative university centers in north-west of Romania, we evaluated the prevalence and effect of exams on stress, anxiety, and depression, in association with socio-demographic factors. The students self-administered the DASS-21R questionnaire at the beginning of the academic year 2022-2023, before the Christmas holiday, during the winter session, and after the winter session.

Investigating Nanoscale Interactions of Host-Guest Complexes Formed Between CB[7] and Atenolol by Quantum Chemistry and Ultrasensitive Vibrational Spectroscopy.

In addition to the course of over 20 years of cucurbit-7-uril (CB[7]) in the pharmaceutical industry, the present study brings together the most recent observations from the perspective of ultrasensitive Raman spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory (DFT) related to the interaction of this molecule with atenolol (Ate) enantiomers during the formation of these host-guest complexes. Quantum chemistry calculations based on DFT were first used to understand the interaction geometry between CB[7] and Ate. These results were further confirmed by ultrasensitive vibrational spectroscopy.

The Social Determinants of Health in a Cohort of Romanian Patients with Diabetic and Nondiabetic Neuropathy.

: The importance of the social determinants of health (SODHs) in diabetic and nondiabetic neuropathy has recently gained more attention. This retrospective study examined the correlation of incident diabetic neuropathy and neuropathy of other etiologies with SODH in Romania. : All cases with the primary or secondary discharge diagnosis codes of neuropathy reported across Romania in 2019 were analyzed.

Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion: A Scoping Review of Influencing Factors, Side Effects, and Soft Tissue Alterations.

: Miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has gained attention as an effective alternative to traditional rapid palatal expansion, particularly in adult patients. This scoping review synthesizes recent evidence to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of MARPE, addressing a gap in comprehensive, up-to-date analyses in this area. : To present the recent assessments concerning MARPE influencing factors, side effects, soft tissue alterations, and airway changes, focusing on comparisons with conventional devices.

The Effects of Surface Patterning and Photobiomodulation on the Osseointegration of Titanium Implants in Osteoporotic Long Bones: An In Vivo Study in Rats.

This study aimed to assess the impact of titanium surface patterning used in combination with photobiomodulation therapy on enhancing osseointegration in osteoporotic bone fractures. C.p.

A Vision-Guided Robotic System for Safe Dental Implant Surgery.

Recent advancements in dental implantology have significantly improved outcomes, with success rates of 90-95% over a 10-year period. Key improvements include enhanced preplanning processes, such as precise implant positioning, model selection, and optimal insertion depth. However, challenges remain, particularly in achieving correct spatial positioning and alignment of implants for optimal occlusion.