Statistical Analysis and Forecasts of Performance Indicators in the Romanian Healthcare System.

Background/objectives: Globally, healthcare systems face challenges in optimizing performance, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study focuses on the analysis and forecasting of key performance indicators (KPIs) for the County Emergency Clinical Hospital in Craiova, Romania. The study evaluates indicators such as average length of stay (ALoS), bed occupancy rate (BOR), number of cases (NC), case mix index (CMI), and average cost per hospitalization (ACH), providing insight into their dynamics and future trends.

What Is the Current Status of Research on the Impact of Digitalization in Medicine? A Bibliometric Analysis.

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to map key trends in the digitalization of medicine, a rapidly evolving field that incorporates advancements such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and Big Data. The analysis aims to identify the most prolific authors, highly cited works, leading countries, and contributions from research institutions, while also exploring emerging trends through keyword analysis. A dataset comprising 2606 scientific papers was retrieved from the Web of Science database.

Controversies in the Application of AI in Radiology-Is There Medico-Legal Support? Aspects from Romanian Practice.

: Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining an increasing amount of influence in various fields, including medicine. In radiology, where diagnoses are based on collaboration between diagnostic devices and the professional experience of radiologists, AI intervention seems much easier than in other fields, but this is often not the case. Many times, the patients orient themselves according to the doctor, which is not applicable in the case of AI.

Impact of Extended Membrane Rupture on Neonatal Inflammatory Responses and Composite Neonatal Outcomes in Early-Preterm Neonates-A Prospective Study.

: Prolonged prelabour rupture of membranes (PROMs), and the resulting inflammatory response, can contribute to the occurrence of adverse neonatal outcomes, especially for early-preterm neonates. This prospective study aimed to measure neonates' inflammatory markers in the first 72 h of life based on ROM duration. The second aim was to examine the relationship between PROMs, serum inflammatory markers, and composite adverse neonatal outcomes after controlling for gestational age (GA).

Hydrolethalus Syndrome: A Case of a Rare Congenital Disorder.

This is a fatal case of multiple complicated congenital anomalies displaying several symptoms consistent with hydrolethalus syndrome. The newborn's phenotype is characterized by a combination of serious anatomical abnormalities such as open-book cerebral hemispheres, defective lobulation of the lungs (one lobe on the left, two on the right), a smaller right kidney, a smooth cerebral surface, and a specific keyhole-shaped defect in the skull base, primarily associated with hydrocephalus.

Non-Instrumental and Instrumental Tools Validity in Bruxism Diagnostics.

The study aimed to validate the diagnostic system proposed by the Standardized Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism (STAB) by correlating the results obtained based on questionnaire and non-instrumental and instrumental tools. The study had three stages (questionnaire, clinical examination, and electromyographic study). The subjects completed a questionnaire and clinical exam.

Clinical Outcome Differences in Mucinous Versus Non-Mucinous Colonic Adenocarcinoma: A Comparative Study.

: Colon cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Among its histopathological subtypes, mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is characterized by a more aggressive behavior than non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (non-MAC). This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and postoperative recovery between MAC and non-MAC cases in order to better understand the treatment implications and optimize therapeutic strategies.

Predicting Axillary Metastasis of Breast Cancer Patients with MRI Relaxometry.

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Accurate staging, including the detection of axillary metastases, is vital for treatment planning. This study evaluates the efficacy of MRI relaxometry as a diagnostic tool for axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients.

Defining "Giant" Mediastinal Tumors: Proposal of a New Clinical-Radiological Classification and Case Report.

Mediastinal tumors, regardless of their location, can grow to significant sizes, causing compression-related symptoms. The term "giant" mediastinal tumor is inconsistently defined in the literature. This study presents a new clinical-radiological classification (CRC) for mediastinal tumors and evaluates its applicability through a systematic review and a detailed case analysis of a giant thymolipoma.

Information Geometry and Manifold Learning: A Novel Framework for Analyzing Alzheimer's Disease MRI Data.

: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological condition marked by a decline in cognitive abilities. Early diagnosis is crucial but challenging due to overlapping symptoms among impairment stages, necessitating non-invasive, reliable diagnostic tools. : We applied information geometry and manifold learning to analyze grayscale MRI scans classified into No Impairment, Very Mild, Mild, and Moderate Impairment.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Complicated with Intramural Descending Aorta Hematoma Followed by Aortic Wall Rupture.

: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) represents a rare autoimmune disease with granulomatous inflammation, tissue necrosis, and systemic vasculitis of the small and medium blood vessels. Although the clinical elements vary, aortic involvement is exceptional and it represents a challenge that requires a rapid intervention with the potential of displaying a fulminant evolution. : We report a 64-year-old male with an 18-year history of GPA who presented atypical low back pain.

Advancements in Hyaluronic Acid Effect in Alveolar Ridge Preservation: A Narrative Review.

: Tooth extraction induces significant alveolar ridge dimensional changes and soft tissue modifications, often leading to challenges in implant placement or conventional prosthetic rehabilitation. Alveolar Ridge Preservation (ARP) strategies aim to mitigate post-extraction resorption of the alveolar ridge, enhancing both the quality and quantity of bone and soft tissue during healing. Hyaluronic acid (HYA) has emerged as a promising biological agent for ARP due to its osteoinductive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cephalometric and Photographic Evaluation of the Nasolabial Angle in Orthodontically Treated Patients: An Observational Cohort Study.

The nasolabial angle (NLA) is one of the most critical parameters of the soft tissue profile when orthodontic treatment is required. The primary aim of this prospective cohort study was to compare the differences in the evaluation made on lateral photographs and cephalograms. The secondary aim was to evaluate the modifications of the NLA (nasal and labial components) after orthodontic treatment, including upper first premolar extraction.

Influence of SARS-CoV2 Pandemic on Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis, Presentation, and Surgical Management in a Tertiary Center: A Retrospective Study.

: Oncological surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic was performed only in carefully selected cases, due to variation in the allocation of resources. The purpose of this study was to highlight the impact of the pandemic lockdown on the presentation, diagnosis, and surgical management of colorectal cancers as well as the post-pandemic changes in this area. : This single center, retrospective comparative study contained 1687 patients, divided into three groups with equal time frames of two years, consisting of a pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic period, in which preoperative and perioperative as well as postoperative parameters were compared.

Prediction Models of Severity in Acute Biliary Pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is a common condition with a variable prognosis. While the overall mortality rate of acute pancreatitis is relatively low, ranging between 3 and 5% in most cases, severe forms can result in significantly higher morbidity and mortality. Therefore, early risk assessment is crucial for optimizing management and treatment.

In Vitro and In Ovo Evaluation of L. Oil as an Alternative Preservative for Oil-Based Products.

There is a growing need for safer alternatives to synthetic additives commonly used in lipophilic carriers for products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, personal care items, and cosmetics. Natural antioxidants, which prevent lipid peroxidation while providing additional health benefits, offer a promising solution. Evening primrose oil, a rich source of antioxidant compounds with numerous biological benefits, emerges as a potential natural preservative for oil-based products.

Composite Flours Based on Black Lentil Seeds and Sprouts with Nutritional, Phytochemical and Rheological Impact on Bakery/Pastry Products.

This paper aimed to study the nutritional, phytochemical and rheological properties of some composite flours based on wheat flour (WF) mixed with non-germinated (LF) and sprouted lentil flour (SLF), in order to fortify the wheat flour and to obtain functional bakery/pastry products. The composite flours based on wheat flour and bean lentil flour (BLWF) and sprouted lentil flour (SLWF) were analyzed from the point of view of proximate composition (proteins, lipids, total carbohydrates, and minerals), content of individual and total polyphenols (TPC), as well as the contents of macro and microelements. For use in baking/pastries, the composite flours were tested from the point of view of rheological behavior using the MIXOLAB system, and the profiles obtained were compared with those of bread and biscuit.

A Sustainable Approach: Repurposing Red Beetroot Peels for Innovative Meringue Products.

With the increasing global demand for sustainable and eco-friendly food items, it is imperative to investigate alternate sources of natural pigments. The red beetroot ( L.) is a traditional food in many countries and a rich bioactive compound known for its beneficial properties.

The Fatty Acid Content, Health Lipid Indices, and Instrumental, Histological, and Sensory Quality of Hare Meat ( Pallas).

The aim of this work was to characterize the quality of meat from hares ( Pallas), namely, the fatty acid content, health lipid indices, and instrumental, histological, and sensory profiles by gender and muscle type ( vs. ). The ΣPUFA/Σ SFA was higher for males, with an average value of 1.

Exploring Sensory Attributes in Spinach- and Offals-Filled Chicken Roulades: An Empirical Analysis.

One of the most significant industries in the world is the meat sector, and development into new goods is ongoing due to high customer demand and fierce market competition. Products made from chicken are widely favored. This phenomenon can be attributed to the lack of cultural or religious restrictions on this meat.

Perception, Trust, and Motivation in Consumer Behavior for Organic Food Acquisition: An Exploratory Study.

(1) Background: A sustainable healthy diet assures human well-being in all life stages, protects environmental resources, and preserves biodiversity. This work investigates the sociodemographic factors, knowledge, trust, and motivations involved in organic food acquisition behavior. (2) Methods: An online survey via Google Forms platform, with 316 respondents, was conducted from 1 March to 31 May 2024.

The role of non-respiratory arousals in residual daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with positive airway pressure: An analysis of the European Sleep Apnea Database registry.

Study Objectives: To assess the impact of the non-respiratory arousal burden at baseline polysomnography (PSG) on residual daytime sleepiness in positive airway pressure (PAP)-treated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: We included OSA patients from the European Sleep Apnea Database registry with available arousal data who had at least 2 treatment follow-up visits. The primary outcome was the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score under PAP.

Exploring entrepreneurial intention among European Union youth by education and employment status.

The relatively high vulnerability of young Europeans in the labour market compared to other age groups has led many to seek alternative employment solutions, such as entrepreneurship. While not a comprehensive solution, entrepreneurial initiatives among youth can offer a valuable opportunity for their integration into stable and decent work. This research uses Flash Eurobarometer 513-Social Entrepreneurship and Youth to explore entrepreneurial intentions among European Union youth.

Accumulation of CD38 in Hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal Cells Promotes Immune Remodeling and Metastasis in Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly metastatic subtype of breast cancer. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is a nonbinary process in the metastatic cascade that generates tumor cells with both epithelial and mesenchymal traits known as hybrid EM cells. Recent studies have elucidated the enhanced metastatic potential of cancers featuring the hybrid EM phenotype, highlighting the need to uncover molecular drivers and targetable vulnerabilities of the hybrid EM state.

Assessing Pollution with Heavy Metals and Its Impact on Population Health.

Pollution is one of the most important issues currently affecting the global population and environment. Therefore, determining the zones where stringent measures should be taken is necessary. In this study, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Factor Analysis (FA), and t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) were utilized for dimensionality reduction and clustering of data series containing the concentration of 10 heavy metals collected at 14 locations.