The Associations of Dental and Periodontal Lesions with the Microvascular Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is closely related to periodontal disease and dental lesions, disorders which through dental infection and metabolic imbalance become negatively potentiated and cause a vicious circle that is almost impossible to break. The aim of this research was to study if the severity of dental and periodontal lesions is related to the presence of microvascular complications and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: In total, 112 subjects with T2DM that underwent a dental evaluation were enrolled in this case-control study.

The Interactions Between Diet and Gut Microbiota in Preventing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review.

Recent studies have revealed that dysbiosis, defined as alterations in gut microbiota, plays an important role in the development and the progression of many non-communicable diseases, including metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The high frequency of GDM makes this disorder an important public health issue, which needs to be addressed in order to reduce both the maternal and fetal complications that are frequently associated with this disease. The studies regarding the connections between gut dysbiosis and GDM are still in their early days, with new research continuously emerging.

Back to Roots: Dysbiosis, Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Is There an Objective Connection? A Narrative Review.

In recent decades, it has become clear that the gut is more than just a digestive organ; it also functions as an immune organ with regulatory capabilities and acts as a "second brain" that influences brain function due to the presence and regulatory roles of the gut microbiota (GM). The GM is a crucial component of its host and significantly impacts human health. Dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance, has been closely linked to various diseases, including gastrointestinal, neurological, psychiatric, and metabolic disorders.

Connecting the Dots: FGF21 as a Potential Link between Obesity and Cardiovascular Health in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hormone involved in regulating the metabolism, energy balance, and glucose homeostasis, with new studies demonstrating its beneficial effects on the heart. This study investigated the relationship between FGF21 levels and clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic parameters in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). This study included 80 patients diagnosed with ACS between May and July 2023, categorized into four groups based on body mass index (BMI): Group 1 (BMI 18.

FibroScan versus Biochemical Scores: A Study of Liver Fibrosis in HIV with HBV Co-Infection.

The study aimed to determine liver fibrosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals using transient elastography (FibroScan), Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) in the HIV Department from Infectious Diseases Hospital "Victor Babeș" Craiova, Romania. Of the analyzed HIV-positive subjects ( = 161), 93 (57.76%) had HIV mono-infection, and 68 (42.

Bacterial and Fungal Keratitis in a Tertiary Care Hospital from Romania.

Infectious keratitis is a significant global problem that can lead to corneal blindness and visual impairments. This study aimed to investigate the etiology of infectious bacterial and fungal keratitis, identify the causative pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns, and analyze the risk factors associated with the development of infectious keratitis. The study was observational and retrospective, involving 226 eyes from 223 patients presented at the Ophthalmology Clinic of the County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Craiova, Romania.

Vasculitis and infectious risk in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case report.

The connection between vasculitis and infection is complex. The present study described a typical situation for a patient with unbalanced type 2 diabetes and chronic complications, in which a lack of adherence to the protection and care measures ultimately led to the appearance of some of the worst consequences of the condition, namely, ulceration, gangrene and amputation. In the context of an unstable condition with significant metabolic imbalance there was an impaired response to infections in the present patient, and the amputation resulted in wound persistence and ulcer development, followed by superinfection with methicillin-resistant according to the antibiogram performed.

Beyond the Cold: Activating Brown Adipose Tissue as an Approach to Combat Obesity.

With a dramatic increase in the number of obese and overweight people, there is a great need for new anti-obesity therapies. With the discovery of the functionality of brown adipose tissue in adults and the observation of beige fat cells among white fat cells, scientists are looking for substances and methods to increase the activity of these cells. We aimed to describe how scientists have concluded that brown adipose tissue is also present and active in adults, to describe where in the human body these deposits of brown adipose tissue are, to summarize the origin of both brown fat cells and beige fat cells, and, last but not least, to list some of the substances and methods classified as BAT promotion agents with their benefits and side effects.

Seroprevalence of Anti-Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Pregnant Women from South-West Romania.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), in addition to other agents, is part of the TORCH complex (Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex viruses, and other agents). CMV infection is the most frequent cause of congenital malformations. This study aimed to establish the variation of prevalence of anti-CMV antibodies in pregnant women from the South-West region of Romania, according to demographic factors, such as age and area of residence, in two separate time periods (2013-2016 and 2019-2022).

Anastomotic Leakage after Colorectal Surgery: Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Options.

Unlabelled: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most severe and devastating complication of colorectal surgery. The objectives of this study were to identify the risk factors involved in the development of AL, evaluate diagnostic methods and explore therapeutic options in case of colorectal cancer surgery.

Material And Methods: we conducted a retrospective study on 28 AL recorded after 315 elective colorectal cancer surgeries performed in 1st Surgery Clinic of Craiova over an 8-year period (2014-2022).

Treatment approaches in autoimmune pancreatitis (Review).

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare disease. There are two distinct types of AIP: AIP type 1 (AIP-1), a pancreatic manifestation of a multi-organ disease linked to immunoglobulin (Ig)G4, and AIP type 2 (AIP-2), a pancreas-specific disease unrelated to IgG4. The usual course of treatment for AIP is oral corticosteroid medication.

Prothrombotic status in COVID‑19 with diabetes mellitus (Review).

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has caused an important social and health impact worldwide and the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has elicited devastating economy problems. The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is a complex mechanism and is considered to be the result of a challenging interaction, in which host and virus immune responses are the key elements. In this process, several inflammatory pathways are involved, and their initiation can have multiple consequences with a considerable impact on evolution, such as hyperinflammation and cytokine storm, thereby promoting activation of the coagulation system and fibrinolytic activity suppression.

Seroprevalence of Infections with TORCH Agents in Romania: A Systematic Review.

Maternal-fetal infectious pathology-notably the TORCH panel (, rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex viruses)-critically impacts maternal and neonatal health. This review collates data on the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against TORCH agents in Romanian women, aiming to discern regional and population differences and identify risk factors. Twenty studies were included in the review, revealing variable seroprevalence rates across the country.

Seroprevalence and Trends in Women Presenting for Screening in South-West Romania.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (), is a globally prevalent zoonotic disease with potentially severe implications for immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and their fetuses/children. This study examined the prevalence of anti- IgM and IgG antibodies in two groups of childbearing age women, including 653 participants in Group 1 (2013-2016) and 3221 participants in Group 2 (2019-2022). Our results revealed a decrease in the overall positivity rate of anti- IgM antibodies from 2.

Schwannoma: A Rare Case of Submucosal Gastric Tumor.

Schwannoma is a tumor that originates from the Schwann cells that surround a neuron's axon. This tumor is very rare in the gastrointestinal tract and develops submucosally from intestinal nerve plexuses. The most common location for gastrointestinal schwannomas is the stomach, where they account for only 0.

How Dexamethasone Used in Anti-COVID-19 Therapy Influenced Antihypertensive Treatment in Patients with SARS-CoV-2.

Background: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic period, in the treatment approved by the WHO, along with antivirals, antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anticoagulants, dexamethasone was always used. This study started from the professional concern related to the vasopressor effect of cortisone on blood pressure (BP).

Methods: The study group was achieved by selecting, from a total of 356 patients hospitalized in the clinic, the patients with known hypertensive status at admission for SARS-CoV-2.

Management of acute mesenteric ischaemia: Results of a worldwide survey.

Background: Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is a condition with high mortality. This survey assesses current attitudes and practices to manage AMI worldwide.

Methods: A questionnaire survey about the practices of diagnosing and managing AMI, endorsed by several specialist societies, was sent to different medical specialists and hospitals worldwide.

Spontaneous Left External Iliac Vein Rupture.

Spontaneous rupture of the Iliac Vein is very rare in practice. In over 90% of cases, the venous lesion is located on the left side. The exact etiology of this condition is unknown.

Profile of Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases during the Pandemic in a Cardiology Clinic of a COVID-19 Support Hospital.

Background: During the pandemic, our hospital became a COVID support hospital and consequently the cardiology clinic had restricted activity; thus, it received only suspect and/or patients confirmed positive with the various COVID-19 strains that were associated with a chronic/flaring cardiovascular pathology.

Methods: Two batches of patients admitted during a one-year period were compared in the cardiology clinic over two different periods of time: BATCH I (1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020), in a non-COVID context (BATCH I N-COV) and BATCH II (1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021) comprising patients that presented with respiratory infection of SARS-CoV-2 (BATCH II COV-2), associated with chronic and/or acute cardiovascular condition. To determine the profile of the patients admitted in our clinic, we observed the following parameters: age, type of cardiac condition, and admission mode (for the N-COV group).

A Study of Biomarkers Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a new term that no longer excludes patients that consume alcohol or present other liver diseases, unlike nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of different biomarkers as predictors of MAFLD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this regard, a cross-sectional, non-interventional study was conducted over a period of 8 months in patients with T2DM.

STOP-BANG QUESTIONNAIRE - AN EASY TOOL FOR IDENTIFYING OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS.

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared to the general population. Our study aims to analyze the usefulness of the STOP-BANG score, tool which was not yet validated in patients with diabetets, as a tool that estimates the severity of OSA, in patients with T2DM.

Methods: 120 patients, who answered the STOP-BANG questionnaire and underwent polysomnography, were included in the study.

Associations of Chronic Diabetes Complications and Cardiovascular Risk with the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity, including cardiovascular diseases and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this study was to assess the associations between cardiovascular risk, chronic diabetes complications and the risk of OSA in adult patients with T2DM. Methods: The study included 529 patients with T2DM in whom moderate-to-severe OSA risk was assessed using the STOP-Bang questionnaire, dividing the subjects into two groups: group 1: STOP-Bang score <5, and group 2: STOP-Bang score ≥5, respectively.

Therapeutic Options in Postoperative Enterocutaneous Fistula-A Retrospective Case Series.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to present the results obtained in our experiment regarding the management of postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas (PECF).

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 64 PECF registered after 2030 abdominal surgeries (1525 digestive tract surgeries and 505 extra-digestive ones) over a period of 7 years (1st of January 2014-31th of December 2020) in the 1st and 2nd Surgery Clinics, Clinical County Emergency Hospital of Craiova, Romania. The group included 41 men (64.

New Strategies to Improve the Quality of Life for Normal Aging versus Pathological Aging.

In the context of the manifestation of the phenomenon of normal aging and functional decline at older adults with neurodegenerative pathology, the development of physical activities and healthy lifestyle has become a priority that involves many decisions and responsibilities. Therefore, the study of the quality of life of the elderly in terms of delaying early aging and improving the lifestyle of patients with neurodegenerative diseases is a scientific challenge representing research of great interest and relevance. By promoting physical activity based on telerehabilitation programs or performed according to coordinated training either in the community or at home for both study groups, significant improvements have been obtained.