Endoscopic Mitral Surgery in Noonan Syndrome-Case Report and Considerations.

: Totally endoscopic techniques have become increasingly popular in cardiac surgery, with minimally invasive mitral valve repair emerging as an effective alternative to median sternotomy. This approach could be particularly advantageous for patients with Noonan syndrome, who often present with structural thoracic anomalies and other comorbidities like bleeding disorders. Endoscopic mitral valve surgery is rapidly establishing itself as the new standard of care for mitral valve operations, demonstrating both safety and efficacy.

Determinants of Social Activity Among Geriatric Patients in Northern Romania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aging population poses a significant challenge to global public health, impacting the physical, mental, and social health of older adults. Social activity has been widely acknowledged as a protective factor for both mental and physical well-being. Research indicates that consistent engagement in social activities can mitigate the risk of depression, prevent cognitive decline, and support physical functionality.

Stroke and Pulmonary Thromboembolism Complicating a Kissing Aneurysm in the M1 Segment of the Right MCA.

Kissing aneurysms, a rare and intriguing cerebrovascular anomaly, challenge even the most advanced neurosurgical techniques. These lesions, characterized by two intimately apposed aneurysms with shared arterial walls, often masquerade as single, irregular aneurysms. This report documents a case of ruptured kissing aneurysms in the M1 segment of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA), complicated by ischemic stroke and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE)-a convergence of severe complications rarely encountered.

Relationship Between Depression and Decreased Activity Level and Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and/or Atrial Fibrillation.

The interdependence between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2), atrial fibrillation (AF), and cognitive decline (CD)/dementia is a debated topic. In this study, we highlighted the influence of DM-2 and FA individually and in association on the severity of CD/dementia. This study comprises 248 patients with very high cardiovascular risk (VHCVR) according to Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE2), of whom 184 had DM-2 and/or AF, and 64 were age-matched controls (without DM-2/AF), admitted to the Municipal Hospital Timisoara.

Supermicrosurgical Vascular Anastomosis-A Comparative Study of Lumen-Enhancing Visibility Techniques.

: The development of microsurgical techniques has enabled reconstructive versatility in various clinical scenarios. Supermicrosurgery is an advanced microsurgical technique ensuring precise reconstructions by operating on small-caliber vessels and nerves, with applications in reconstructive surgeries. : This study aims to compare the effectiveness of four low-cost training models, thereby improving surgical precision and reducing the learning curve for novice surgeons.

Effectiveness of Ocrelizumab on Disease Progression and Disability Status in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Two-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation and neurodegeneration. Ocrelizumab, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has shown promise in reducing disease activity in MS patients. This prospective study aims to assess the effectiveness of ocrelizumab in reducing confirmed disability progression in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) over a two-year period.

Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience: Transformative Synergies in Brain Research and Clinical Applications.

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and neuroscience is redefining our understanding of the brain, unlocking new possibilities in research, diagnosis, and therapy. This review explores how AI's cutting-edge algorithms-ranging from deep learning to neuromorphic computing-are revolutionizing neuroscience by enabling the analysis of complex neural datasets, from neuroimaging and electrophysiology to genomic profiling. These advancements are transforming the early detection of neurological disorders, enhancing brain-computer interfaces, and driving personalized medicine, paving the way for more precise and adaptive treatments.

Beyond the Physical: Weight Stigma and the Bariatric Patient Journey.

Obesity represents a global epidemic associated with significant health risks, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Management strategies have evolved from focusing solely on weight reduction to emphasizing overall health improvements and mitigating associated risks. This narrative review analyzed the existing peer-reviewed literature across databases such as PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to examine the outcomes of bariatric surgery and its interplay with weight stigma.

Infections: Bridging Clinical Observations and Epidemiological Insights.

Purpose: is the main etiologic agent implicated in primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). It is also known as the brain-eating amoeba because of the severe brain inflammation following infection, with a survival rate of about 5%. This review aims to identify infections and evaluate patients' progression.

Local Control of Advanced Breast Cancer-Debate in Multidisciplinary Tumor Board.

: In Romania, breast cancer is the second most common cancer, the third leading cause of cancer death, and the most prevalent cancer overall. De novo advanced-stage breast cancer often presents in clinical practice, and treatment decisions are best made in a multidisciplinary tumor board (MTD) involving surgeons, radiotherapists, and medical oncologists. Significant advances in systemic therapies, particularly in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), have surpassed traditional palliative mastectomy and radiotherapy for local control.

Burden of Common Mental Disorders in Ulcerative Colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients: An Analysis of Risk Factors.

: Common mental disorders are an underdiagnosed comorbidity, which can significantly worsen the prognosis of the main disease and decrease the quality of life. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety in a cohort of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and to evaluate the risk factors for their occurrence. A total of 112 patients were evaluated.

Elevated Interleukin-6 Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Long-Term Arteriovenous Fistula Failure for Dialysis.

: The autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred choice for vascular access in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. However, in the long term, the primary patency of AVF is suboptimal, with an AVF failure of approximately 30% in one year. The aim of this study is to examine how the pre-operative baseline levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) affect long-term AVF failure.

Clinical Presentation, Treatment Outcomes, and Demographic Trends in Vestibular Schwannomas: A 135-Case Retrospective Study.

: This study presents a comprehensive analysis of 135 cases of vestibular schwannoma (VS) treated between 2006 and 2022 at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases in Bucharest, Romania. The investigation focuses on the clinical presentation, treatment outcomes, and demographic trends of VS patients, highlighting region-specific insights that fill critical gaps in Eastern European data. : Patients were treated with either open surgery (93.

Maternal and Fetal Complications in Pregnant Women with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Literature Review and Two Case Reports.

Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder arising de novo or with an autosomal dominant transmission that typically presents either at birth or in early childhood, manifesting through distinctive clinical features such as multiple café-au-lait spots, benign tumors in the skin, bone enlargement, and deformities. This literature review aims to resume the spectrum of maternal and fetal complications encountered in pregnant women with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Thorough research was conducted on databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Wiley Online Library.

Associations Between Lifestyle Factors, Oral Health Behaviors, and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

T2DM mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health issue associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. While the role of lifestyle factors in glycemic control is well-established, the influence of oral health behaviors remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the interplay between lifestyle habits, oral health behaviors, and glycemic control in patients with T2DM.

A Unique Case of Extramedullary Relapse in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Testicular to Ocular, Cardiac, and Colonic Involvement and the Role of Sperm Phenotyping in Diagnosis-Case Report and Literature Review.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant condition of lymphoid progenitor cells that primarily affects the pediatric population, but also adults. The 5-year survival rate is 90% in children and approximately 40% in adults, with survival increasing through the use of peripheral stem cell allotransplantation (SCT). The relapse rate after stem cell transplantation (SCT) in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients ranges from 35% to 45%, making relapse a major cause of death in this population.

Oral Health and Quality of Life in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Key Findings from a Romanian Study.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with various oral health complications that can negatively impact quality of life. Despite evidence of the relationship between diabetes and oral health issues, limited research exists on the perceptions, behaviors, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of diabetic patients in Romania. This study aims to evaluate self-reported oral health, knowledge, behaviors, and OHRQoL among diabetic patients in western Romania.

Bone Composition Changes and Calcium Metabolism in Obese Adolescents and Young Adults Undergoing Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Systematic Review.

: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is increasingly used to treat severe obesity in adolescents, but its effects on bone health during this critical period of bone accrual are not fully understood. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of SG on the bone mineral density (BMD), bone microarchitecture, marrow adipose tissue (MAT), and bone turnover markers in adolescents. : A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify studies assessing bone health outcomes in adolescents undergoing SG.

Long COVID in Children and Adolescents: Mechanisms, Symptoms, and Long-Term Impact on Health-A Comprehensive Review.

Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is increasingly recognized as a condition affecting not only adults but also children and adolescents. While children often experience milder acute COVID-19 symptoms compared to adults, some develop persistent physical, psychological, and neurological symptoms lasting for weeks or months after initial infection. The most commonly reported symptoms include debilitating fatigue, respiratory issues, headaches, muscle pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, and cognitive difficulties, which significantly impact daily activities, schooling, and social interactions.

Retrospective Study of the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Asthma Control in Children.

Asthmatic children who tested positive for COVID-19 experienced changes in lung function and persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, even for several months after diagnosis, and with the same features as in an acute phase. This study aimed to analyze a pediatric age group (between 0 and 17 years old) diagnosed with asthma, and SARS-CoV-2 infection attending regular monitoring visits in a Pediatric Department of a Regional Tertiary Hospital (Filantropia Clinical Municipal Hospital Craiova, Romania) during the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic time interval (i.e.

The Efficacy and Safety of Anlotinib in the Treatment of Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Anlotinib, a novel multi-kinase inhibitor targeting angiogenesis and tumor proliferation pathways, has shown promising efficacy in various cancers. Its role in treating thyroid cancer, particularly radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC), medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), is of significant clinical interest. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Anlotinib in patients with thyroid cancer, analyzing outcomes such as progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), response rates, and adverse events.

Complex Left Main Trifurcation: A Case Study of Successful Treatment.

True trifurcation disease of the left main coronary artery is a rare situation encountered in clinical practice. To date, there is no evidence for a standardized strategy of percutaneous coronary intervention in this type of lesion. This article describes a novel three-stent strategy using a combination of Triple-Kissing Balloon Crush in both of the side branches.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Biologically Active Compounds from Heterocycles Class.

Heterocyclic compounds represent one of the most important classes of natural and synthetic compounds, playing essential roles in various fields, including medicinal chemistry [...

Electrochemical Study and Determination of Homovanillic Acid, the Final Metabolite of Dopamine, Using an Unmodified Disposable Electrode.

This paper summarizes the main findings of a study which aimed to examine the electrochemical oxidation of homovanillic acid (HVA), the final metabolite of dopamine. A pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was used as working electrode and the measurements were performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The type and the composition of the graphite leads used as PGE, the pH of the supporting electrolyte, as well as the scan rates were optimized by CV.

Cross-Regional Elemental Comparison of Mussels Using Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF).

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence for multi-element analysis in mussels, focusing on sensitivity, precision, and detection limits. Additionally, it offers a cross-regional comparison of elemental composition in mussels from aquaculture farms in Italy, Spain, and Chile. TXRF, using suspensions of mussel samples, proved effective in detecting minor and trace elements, with recovery rates over 80% for Fe, Cu, Zn, As, and Sr.