Surgical Treatment in Silicone Oil-Associated Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a vision threatening, not uncommon complication of eyes that have undergone pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil endotamponade. Although most patients respond well to medical antiglaucoma therapy, there are refractory cases where surgery is required to control the intraocular pressure. This review, following a comprehensive literature search in the Medline database, aims to present the most important surgical techniques currently in use for glaucoma associated with silicone oil endotamponade and their indication depending on the mechanism of glaucoma.

Primary Bone Lesions in Rosai-Dorfman Disease, a Rare Case and Diagnostic Challenge-Case Report and Literature Review.

Rosai-Dorfman Disease (RDD), also known as sinus histiocytosis, is included in the group of rare diseases, characterized by proliferation and accumulation of histiocytes in the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), most often involving the cervical ganglion chains (nodal form). RDD bone involvement is rare, estimated at 10% of cases, but primary bone involvement (extranodal form), is very rare-2-8%. Usually they are solitary lesions, with multifocal primary bone manifestations being extremely rare.

The Interplay Between Gut Microbiota and miRNAs in Cardiovascular Diseases.

The human microbiota contains microorganisms found on the skin, mucosal surfaces and in other tissues. The major component, the gut microbiota, can be influenced by diet, genetics, and environmental factors. Any change in its composition results in pathophysiological changes that can further influence the evolution of different conditions, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Optional Vaccines in Children-Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Romanian Parents.

Vaccination is one of the most useful medical interventions for controlling certain infectious diseases. The aim of current research is to identify some of the drivers of vaccine hesitancy or acceptance in a rather skeptical European population by addressing parental perception on optional vaccination (OV) perception. Novel tools, delivered by social media, were used in our research attempt.

Micropulse vs. continuous wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in neovascular glaucoma.

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a refractory form of glaucoma, associated with important morbidity, for which no consensus exists regarding the optimal choice of therapy. The primary aim of our study was to compare the performances of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) and continuous wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (CW-TSCPC) in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma (NVG). A total of 24 eyes for MP-TSCPC and 22 eyes for CW-TSCPC, all with NVG were included.

Romanian Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of GERD-induced Respiratory Manifestations.

Background And Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition present in daily practice with a wide range of clinical phenotypes. In this line, respiratory conditions may be associated with GERD. The Romanian Societies of Gastroenterology and Neurogastroenterology, in association with the Romanian Society of Pneumology, aimed to create a guideline regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions associated with GERD.

Assessment of Sarcopenia Related Quality of Life Using SarQoL® Questionnaire in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Introduction: Sarcopenia, malnutrition, physical deconditioning, and frailty contribute to a significantly altered quality of life (QoL) in patients with cirrhosis and sarcopenia.

Aim: To investigate the sarcopenia-linked alterations of QoL by SarQoL® questionnaire in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Methods: Consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis, admitted to our department between May and August 2021, completed the SarQoL® questionnaire by themselves.

Pregnancy in Teenage Romanian Mothers.

Background and purpose Teenage pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this research is to determine the profile of the pregnant teenager and the medical complications associated with pregnancy at this young age. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study based on a 29-item questionnaire was conducted in 2019 and 2020 in Ploiești, Romania.

Extruded Nucleoli of Human Dental Pulp Cells.

: The dental pulp stem cells are highly proliferative and can differentiate into various cell types, including endothelial cells. We aimed to evaluate the ultrastructural characteristics of the human dental pulp cells of the permanent frontal teeth. : Human adult bioptic dental pulp was collected from n = 10 healthy frontal teeth of five adult patients, prior to prosthetic treatments for aesthetic purposes.

Patterns of Pneumatization of the Posterior Nasal Roof.

For good surgical performance, sound knowledge of anatomy is required. Although the ethmoid air cells and sphenoid sinuses are subject to a high degree of variation, their possible extensions above the nasal fossa at the posterior end of the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone (CPEB) were seemingly overlooked. We retrospectively studied 162 case files from 55 male and 107 female cases, with ages varying from 42 to 80, which were scanned using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Hydroxychloroquine in systemic lupus erythematosus: overview of current knowledge.

The antimalarial hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has demonstrated several crucial properties for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, we reviewed the main HCQ pharmacologic features, detailed its mechanism of action, and summarized the existing guidelines and recommendations for HCQ use in rheumatology with a systematic literature search for the randomized controlled trials focused on lupus. HCQ has been shown to decrease SLE activity, especially in mild and moderate disease, to prevent disease flare and to lower the long-term glucocorticoid need.

Investigation of Retinal Microcirculation in Diabetic Patients Using Adaptive Optics Ophthalmoscopy and Optical Coherence Angiography.

The current research approaches the retinal microvasculature of healthy volunteers (17 subjects), patients with diabetes mellitus without retinopathy (19 subjects), and of diabetic patients with nonproliferative (17 subjects) and proliferative (21 subjects) diabetic retinopathy, by using adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence ophthalmoscopy angiography. For each imaging technique, several vascular parameters have been calculated in order to achieve a comparative analysis of these imaging biomarkers between the four studied groups. The results suggest that diabetic patients with or without diabetic retinopathy prove signs of retinal arteriole structural alterations, mainly showed by altered values of wall to lumen ratio, calculated for the superior or inferior temporal branch of the central retinal artery, near the optic nerve head, and significant changes of the vascular density in the retinal superficial capillary plexus.

Current Status of Evidence for a New Diagnosis: Food Addiction-A Literature Review.

Food addiction is considered an important link for a better understanding of psychiatric and medical problems triggered by dysfunctions of eating behaviors, e. g., obesity, metabolic syndrome, binge eating disorder, or bulimia nervosa.

Analysis of long-term anatomic results of radical mastoidectomy.

A long-term, retrospective, non-controlled study was performed on the drainage results of mastoidectomy (both radical and modified radical) and the relevant statistical factors that could influence the anatomic outcome were defined. The present study took into consideration the same cohort of 200 patients we have communicated with before in our previous studies concerning the long-term functional results of mastoidectomy and long-term results of ossicular replacement with biovitroceramic prosthesis. The patients were clinically followed for the same period of 8.

Diagnostic methods for the etiological assessment of infectious corneal pathology (Review).

Infectious keratitis is a leading cause of visual morbidity, including blindness, all across the globe, especially in developing countries. Prompt and adequate treatment is mandatory to maintain corneal integrity and to recover the best possible final visual acuity. Although in most of the cases practitioners chose to employ empirical broad-spectrum antimicrobial medication that is usually effective, in some instances, they face the need to identify the causative agent to establish the appropriate therapy.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Interferon Beta-1a-Treated Patient Diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report.

Background: Secondary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) due to interferon beta-1a intramuscular (im) treatment is an uncommon adverse effect with only a few cases in multiple sclerosis patients reported worldwide. TTP together with haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) are classic forms of thrombotic microangiopathy, characterized by small-vessel platelet micro-thrombi that manifest clinically in a similar manner. Most common signs and symptoms include bruises and ecchymosis, neurologic symptoms and renal impairment.

PEG-Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles for Modulation of Microbial Biofilms on Voice Prosthesis.

This study reports the fabrication of nanostructured coatings based on magnetite, polyethyleneglycol, and biologically active molecule (polymyxin B-PM) for producing biofilm-resistant surfaces (voice prosthesis). Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) have been synthesized and functionalized using a co-precipitation method and were further deposited into thin coatings using the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The obtained nanoparticles and coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis with differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy with selected area electron diffraction (TEM-SAED), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and infrared microscopy (IRM).

Challenges in HIV-Negative Cytomegalovirus Retinitis - case report.

We present the case of a 20-year-old girl with severe combined seronegative immunodeficiency who developed a bilateral decrease in visual acuity due to retinal necrosis. After further investigations, increased serological viral levels of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) were detected and confirmed the diagnosis of CMV retinitis in both eyes. After three weeks of systemic therapy with oral valganciclovir, her condition improved, with the best corrected visual acuity of the most affected eye changing from finger counting at presentation to 6/ 12.

Physicians' Experience with COVID-19 Vaccination: A Survey Study.

Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy remains high in the general population and is the main determinant of low vaccination rates and of the fourth pandemic wave severity in Romania. Additional information is needed to raise awareness over vaccine efficiency and the safety profile.

Objective: To assess self-reported experience related to COVID-19 vaccination in Romanian physicians.

COVID-19 Impact and Vaccination Willingness among Romanian Patients with Autoimmune/Immune-Mediated Diseases.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with immune diseases are a vulnerable population. We aimed to evaluate their access to medical care, as well as their awareness and willingness to obtain the vaccine after a year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted on a questionnaire basis, handled both online as well as in person.

COVID-19 Vaccine Does Not Increase the Risk of Disease Flare-Ups among Patients with Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases.

Background: Reports describing post-vaccine autoimmune phenomena, in previously healthy individuals, increased the concerns regarding the risk of disease flare-ups in patients with immune diseases. We aimed to assess the potential risk of disease flare-up, after receiving the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine, during a follow-up period of 6 months.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study, enrolling the patients with autoimmune- and immune-mediated diseases who voluntarily completed our questionnaire, both online and during hospital evaluations.

Diagnostic Application of Volatile Organic Compounds as Potential Biomarkers for Detecting Digestive Neoplasia: A Systematic Review.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are part of the exhaled breath that were proposed as non-invasive breath biomarkers via different human discharge products like saliva, breath, urine, blood, or tissues. Particularly, due to the non-invasive approach, VOCs were considered as potential biomarkers for non-invasive early cancer detection. We herein aimed to review the data over VOCs utility in digestive neoplasia as early diagnosis or monitoring biomarkers.

Case Report: Cariprazine Efficacy in Young Patients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia With Predominantly Negative Symptoms.

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are among the most invalidating clinical manifestations of this disorder, and they are correlated with poorer prognosis, lower quality of life, and fewer chances for successful social reintegration and professional rehabilitation. Although atypical antipsychotics have been associated with higher efficacy on negative symptoms than typical agents, not all of them are equally effective. Cariprazine is a new D3 and D2 receptor partial agonist, and its high D3 affinity may be useful for decreasing several adverse events (e.