The Family Doctor in the "COVID-19 Era".

The SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, the most severe pandemic in recent human history, found healthcare systems around the world more or less unprepared. Adjusting to this challenge involved changes in the daily routines of healthcare systems, as well as the patients, once again highlighting the importance of primary care (family physician or general practitioner). In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family doctor in Romania played a crucial role in patient management, rapidly adapting to the changes and challenges imposed by the state of emergency.

Impact of Vaccination Status on COVID-19 Severity and Pulmonary Involvement.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global health, with serious outcomes, such as lung damage, being major determinants of patient morbidity and mortality. Immunization has been essential in attenuating these outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on disease severity, particularly focusing on pulmonary involvement, among hospitalized patients.

Predictive Factors for Urinary Tract Infections in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Patients with diabetes (DM) are at an increased risk of infection, with urinary tract infections (UTIs) being common among individuals with type 2 DM (T2D). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for UTIs among hospitalized T2D patients from Timișoara, Romania. The hospital records of 1139 T2D adult inpatients who were ordered to provide urine cultures during hospitalization were reviewed.

The Role of Age and Comorbidity Interactions in COVID-19 Mortality: Insights from Cardiac and Pulmonary Conditions.

: Understanding the interactions between age and comorbidities is crucial for assessing COVID-19 mortality, particularly in patients with cardiac and pulmonary conditions. This study investigates the relationship between comorbidities and mortality outcomes in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, emphasizing the interplay of age, cardiac, and pulmonary conditions. : We analyzed a cohort of 3005 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between 2020 and 2022.

Clinical Outcomes and Characteristics of COVID-19 in Neonates: A Single-Center Study in Romania.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection is generally associated with less severe forms of disease in children, where most cases only require symptomatic treatment. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the impact and clinical course of COVID-19 in neonate patients. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological and clinical aspects of COVID-19 in this particular age group who were patients treated in our department.

Completing the Puzzle: Determinants, Comorbidities and Complications for Different Lung Cancer Subtypes: A Pilot Study.

Background: Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with multiple independent risk factors contributing to its development. The objective of this study was represented by the impact of independent risk factors, such as smoking, anemia, cachexia or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) for lung cancer development.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study, and we analyzed a database of 412 patients hospitalized between 1 February and 31 December 2023 in the Pulmonology Department of the Mureș County Clinical Hospital.

Electric Wire in the Urinary Bladder: Surgical Challenges and Comprehensive Literature Insights.

Background/objectives: An electric wire inserted into the bladder or urethra presents a specific challenge that is frequently encountered in such cases: the potential formation of a tight knot, making extraction nearly impossible. The primary objective of this study was to share our personal experience with patients who had intravesical electric cable insertions and to provide an extensive literature review, offering detailed insights into the various strategies reported for managing such foreign body cases.

Methods: Of the four cases with a foreign body in the lower urinary tract, two involved patients aged 19 and 53, respectively, who had inserted an electric cable.

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.

Biotechnology Revolution Shaping the Future of Diabetes Management.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a millennia-long history, with early references dating back to ancient Egypt and India. However, it was not until the 20th century that the connection between diabetes and insulin was fully understood. The sequencing of insulin in the 1950s initiated the convergence of biotechnology and diabetes management, leading to the development of recombinant human insulin in 1982.

Catalogue of inherited autosomal recessive disorders found amongst the Roma population of Europe.

Background: The Roma population are an endogamous, genetically isolated, minority population who migrated from North-Western India to Europe from the 10th Century throughout the Byzantine period and continues to the present day. Approximately 10-12 million Romani people reside in segregated settlements in Europe, and smaller populations live in North America and China. In addition to the endogamy, they also practice consanguinity.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Renal Function in Patients with Acquired Solitary Kidney-Urological Perspectives Post-Nephrectomy.

: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant global health challenge, affecting approximately 10% of the population. Patients with an acquired solitary kidney (ASK) from nephrectomy face elevated risks for CKD progression because of the increased functional demand on the remaining kidney. This study aims to identify risk factors for CKD progression in patients with a surgical ASK, highlighting the challenges faced by this population.

Transfusion Requirements for Severe Anemia in Acute Cardiovascular Patients-A Single Center Retrospective Study in Constanta County Cardiology Department.

Anemia is common in hospitalized cardiac patients and affects prognosis and cardiovascular mortality in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. to investigate the impact of anemia severity, blood transfusion practices, and the evolution and outcome in patients with acute cardiovascular events. We performed a retrospective analysis of the patients hospitalized in the Cardiology Department of Constanta County Hospital who required blood derivatives transfusions, between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021.

Prostate Dimensions and Their Impact on LUTS and Erectile Function: Is Length the Missing Link?

: The objective of this study is to explore potential correlations between prostate volume, LUTS, and IIEF, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between prostate dimensions-width, height, and length-and both LUTS and IIEF and to assess patients based on risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, smoking, alcohol consumption, and PSA levels. : A retrospective multicenter study was conducted between January 2007 and December 2023, focusing on male patients over the age of 40. The study evaluated hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, smoking, alcohol consumption, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) through the completion of the IPSS and QoL questionnaires, sexual function using the IIEF-15, and PSA levels.

Clinicopathological Parameters and Immunohistochemical Profiles in Correlation with MRI Characteristics in Glioblastomas.

Glioblastoma is considered the most aggressive tumor of the central nervous system. The tumor microenvironment includes several components, such as endothelial cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix components like matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which facilitates the proliferation of endothelial cells with pro-angiogenic roles. The MRI characteristics of glioblastomas can contribute to determining the prognosis.

Quercetin and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Metabolism: A Comparative Analysis of Young and Senescent States.

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid renowned for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antibacterial properties, making it a highly promising candidate for the treatment of various medical conditions. Our current study investigates the influence of quercetin on energy metabolism, fatty acid composition, oxidative stress gene expression, and sirtuin expression in early- and late-stage passages of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs). Mitochondrial respiration was analyzed by measuring oxygen consumption following a 24 h quercetin treatment, while fatty acid profiles were examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation of Essential Oil: Effects on Mitochondrial Function and Cytotoxic Potential Against Cancer Cells.

The current study proposes the in vitro and in silico anticancer evaluation of clove ( L.) essential oil (CEO). The steam hydrodistillation method used yielded 10.

Relationships Among the EmPHasis-10 Questionnaire, the Simplified Four-Strata Risk Assessment Tool, and Echocardiographic Parameters in Patients with Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension.

: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are complex diseases that require precise diagnosis and management. The ESC risk score has been used in both conditions. We assessed the relationship between the EmPHasis-10 questionnaire (patient subjective evaluation) and objective assessment using endorsed tools (simplified four-strata risk assessment and right ventricular imaging by transthoracic echocardiography).

A Comparison of Open Ventral Hernia Repair Risk Stratification Systems: A Call for Consensus.

: Ventral hernia repair (VHR) is a common surgical intervention linked to specific surgical site complications. In such occurrences, the related morbidity is often substantial. Although known risk factors have long been recognized, their systematic inclusion in risk stratification systems lacks universal validation.

Integrated Analysis of Remdesivir and Paxlovid in COVID-19 Patients: A Personalized Approach to High-Risk Individuals for Severe Evolution.

: COVID-19 led to a pandemic that has brought misery to millions of people but more so to those with pre-existing conditions. For this infection, several antiviral drugs were employed, including remdesivir (R) and Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NR)). : The current study compared the effectiveness of remdesivir and Paxlovid treatment for COVID-19 patients with comorbid conditions.

Exploring the Relationship Between Lipoprotein (a) Level and Myocardial Infarction Risk: An Observational Study.

: This observational study investigates the relationship between Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels and the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aims to highlight the association of elevated Lipoprotein (a) levels with an increased atherogenic profile and the potential risk of AMI. : We conducted a case-control study involving 106 individuals, including 64 AMI patients (both STEMI and NSTEMI) and 42 healthy controls.

Characteristics of Urinary Tract Infections in Patients with Diabetes from Timișoara, Romania: Prevalence, Etiology, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Uropathogens.

: Diabetic patients are more likely to develop infections compared to the general population, especially urinary tract infections (UTIs). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of UTIs in a population of patients with diabetes (DM) from Romania, to identify the most common uropathogens and their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns, as well as to determine the correlations between resistance behavior and particularities of patients with UTIs according to DM type. : The hospital records of 1282 type 1 (T1D) and type 2 DM (T2D) adult inpatients who were ordered urine cultures during hospitalization were reviewed, and all 241 patients who presented a positive urine culture were included in the present study analysis.

The Value of Parental Karyotyping in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Lies in Individual Risk Assessments.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a multifactorial condition, encompassing genetic, anatomical, immunological, endocrine, as well as infectious and environmental factors; however, the etiology remains elusive in a substantial number of cases. Genetic factors linked to RPL include parental karyotype abnormalities (e.g.

Impact of Infrabony Defects Treatment on Periodontal Markers and Glycated Hemoglobin Using Platelet-Rich Fibrin, Guided Tissue Regeneration, and Access-Flap Surgery.

: This study evaluated the outcomes of single open-flap debridement, open-flap debridement (OFD) plus resorbable membrane placement, and OFD with resorbable membrane placement plus platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in terms of periodontal clinical parameters and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in 24 adult patients with stage 3 grade C periodontitis and type II diabetes mellitus. : The primary outcome measure for this study was the clinical attachment level (CAL); secondary outcomes included additional periodontal parameters, such as the plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), as well as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels to evaluate the systemic impact of the treatments on glycemic control. The parameters were assessed before and at three and six months post-surgery.

The Quest for Eternal Youth: Hallmarks of Aging and Rejuvenating Therapeutic Strategies.

The impressive achievements made in the last century in extending the lifespan have led to a significant growth rate of elderly individuals in populations across the world and an exponential increase in the incidence of age-related conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, and neurodegenerative diseases. To date, geroscientists have identified 12 hallmarks of aging (genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, impaired macroautophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired nutrient sensing, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, defective intercellular communication, chronic inflammation, and gut dysbiosis), intricately linked among each other, which can be targeted with senolytic or senomorphic drugs, as well as with more aggressive approaches such as cell-based therapies. To date, side effects seriously limit the use of these drugs.

Bladder Adenocarcinoma in a Constellation of Multiple Site Malignancies: An Unusual Case and Systematic Review.

Background And Objectives: Multiple primary malignant tumors represent a small percentage of the total number of oncological cases and can involve either metachronous or synchronous development and represent challenges in diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning. Our purpose is to present a rare case of bladder adenocarcinoma in a female patient with multiple primary malignant tumors and to provide systematic review of the available literature.

Materials And Methods: A 67-year-old female patient was admitted with altered general condition and anuria.