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  • Epidemiological, Clinical and Biological Hemogram Features in a Cohort of Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients

    We conducted a retrospective study based on 55 patients diagnosed with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs)-gastric (G-NET), small bowel (SB-NET) and colonic (C-NET), hospitalized and evaluated within the Surgical, Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine Clinics, in The Clinical Emergency County Hospital Craiova, between May 2016 and April 2024. We aimed in this study to analyze the epidemiological aspects and clinical characteristics of patients with GEP-NETs. In our study group, the patients' ages were between 39-82 years, with a mean of 66.40 (±12.46) years. The incidence of GEP-NETs cases in young patients was insignificant low-1 case. 45.46% of all patients lived in urban areas. 16.36% were G-NET, 14,54 were SB-NET and 69.09% were C-NET. The GEP-NETs diagnosis was established by immunohistochemistry features. Also, we observed that the most frequency localization was on the ascending colon, while the rarest on the colon it is located on the transverse colon and the rarest is on the small bowel, in spite of the generally literature data. From the C-NET group, 49.09% have been presented arterial hypertension probable explained by serotonin and dopamine secretion an inflammatory through phenotype expression and just one patient has been presented an erythematous psoriasis, which could be also explained by the same neurotransmitter’s involvement as a possible purposed mechanism. The results obtained in our study demonstrate that could be a common profile of GEP-NETs patients through epidemiological general information and clinical characteristics. Also, we demonstrate that, in the last years, the incidence increased for the GEP-NETs
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  • Hip Osteoarthritis-Clinical-Statistical Study and Surgical Treatment

    Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip, also known as coxarthrosis, is a degenerative disease marked by gradual biomechanics alterations cause by articular cartilage damage in the coxofemural joint. The goal of this study was determining the incidence of patients with hip osteoarthritis who undergo surgery (hip arthroplasty) within the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Emergency County Hospital of Drobeta-Turnu Severin, hospitalized between January 2014 and December 2019. Furthermore, we proposed gathering details about incidence, distribution according to age group, gender, living conditions, and type of arthroplasty used in studied patient group. The study included 485 patients with hip OA mainly diagnosed in elderly patients, 87.83% being over 60 years old. In terms of gender, the disease primarily impacted women, with a female/male ratio of 2/1.
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  • Cracked Teeth and Vertical Root Fractures in Pandemic Crisis - Retrospective Study

    Introduction. Dental fatigue fractures are the result of occlusal overloads occurring because of increased intensity of occlusal forces or decreased resistance of dental hard tissues to habitual occlusal forces. In the COVID-19 pandemic, occlusal stress has increased significantly, and so has the number of dental fractures. The study has the aim to determine if the number of cases of dental fatigue fractures during the pandemic crisis was higher than in the immediately preceding period. Methodology. The retrospective study was carried out in a private dental clinic, selecting from the case series presented during March 2019-March 2021 the cases of dental fatigue fractures presented for diagnosis and treatment. The data collected from the patients included the reason for the presentation, the dental and medical history, and results from dental examination and radiological data. The statistical analysis was carried out with Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. Results. The study included 644 patients, 430 women and 214 men, with ages between 25 and 85 years (61±7.4 years). From a total of 2581 visits, 1534 visits were made to 383 patients between March 2019 and March 2020, and 1047 visits were made to 261 patients between March 2020 and March 2021, the number of visits decreasing by 31.75% during the pandemic. During the pandemic, the number of fractured teeth tripled, increasing from 0.53% to 1.53% (p=0.009). The most affected teeth were the maxillary premolars and the permanent first molar, both mandibular and maxillary. In most cases, the indication for treatment was extraction. Conclusions. The Sars-Cov2 virus pandemic crisis has significantly increased the number of teeth with dental fatigue fractures presented to the dental office for diagnosis and treatment.
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  • The External Carotid Artery and the Styloid Process

    Background. The external carotid artery (ECA) is typically regarded as coursing between the styloid muscles to continue into the parotid space. The anatomical possibility of an ECA with an ascending parapharyngeal trajectory continuing posteriorly to an elongated styloid process (ESP), thus retrostyloid, to the parotid space is overlooked. It was, therefore, aimed to document the prevalence of this retrostyloid variant of the ECA's course. Methods. We investigated a retrospective random cohort of 160 archived CT angiograms of 97 males and 63 females aged between 47 and 76. The presence of an ESP and the retrostyloid course of the ECA were bilaterally documented. Results. An ESP was identified in 99/320 sides (30.94%), regardless of the ECA course. In the overall group, we obtained 35% null cases for the two variables on the right and 34.06% for the left. ESPs were identified in 8.75% on the right side and 10.31% on the left. The ECAs had retrostyloid courses in 6.25% on the right side and 5.63% on the left. Thus, of the 320 ECAs documented on both sides, 221 (69.06%) had no retrostyloid courses, and we did not identify any ESP in those cases. ESPs were detected in 19.06% of the sides but without retrostyloid ECAs, and retrostyloid courses of the ECAs were detected in 11.88%. Conclusions. The possibility of a retrostyloid course of the ECA should not be ignored. An ESP may misinform the surgeon about the main carotid artery located immediately deep to it.
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  • The Effect of Change Position on Cardiac Function Patterns on Patients with COVID-19 Diagnosis: A Clinical Trial Study

    Background: Various methods are used to treat patients with coronavirus, including drug therapy and alternative and non-invasive therapies Research has been done on the effects of body position on cardiac function in patients with COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods: This study was performed on patients admitted with COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with inclusion criteria were selected based on purpose and entered into the study. They were divided into three groups: Group A patients were placed in a semi-sitting position, group B patients were placed in a tripod position, and group C patients were placed in a prone position. After being placed in the relevant positions at 15 and 60 minutes were measured in terms of heart rate and blood pressure at the mentioned times in the relevant checklist. Results: The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in heart rate between the three groups before the intervention (P>0.05). In other words, changes in heart rate over time between the three groups (in several measurements) were statistically significant (P<0.05). Regarding Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood pressure patterns, the results showed that the three position groups was not statistically different before and 15 and 60 minutes after the intervention (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that placing the patient in all three positions of the tripod, prone and semi-sitting can be effective in improving the patient's heart rate pattern and lead to improving the patient's clinical condition.
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  • Metabolic Syndrome in Psoriasis Patients-an Observational Study

    Our observational study included on 54 patients with PsO, evaluated into the Dermatology Department of the Emergency County Hospital Craiova, Romania, between August 2023 and January 2024, and 40 controls. Our research proposed determining the prevalence of MetS in a cohort of PsO patients, and its relationship to subclinical atherosclerosis, evaluated by carotid ultrasound. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was established according to National Cholesterol Education Program (NCP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria for MetS for 35 of the patients (64.81%) vs. 11 of the control group (27.5%), p=0.0003. An overview of each component of MetS depending on the diagnostic criteria for MetS showed that waist and total cholesterol exerted significant differences. Carotid ultrasound evaluation revealed an increased ITM, of over 0.9mm, for 19 (35.18%) or PsO patients, significantly increased compared to controls, as well as the presence of carotid plaques in significantly different percentages (37.03% PsO vs. 17.5% controls, p=0.001). We also noted that for patients with MetS, US examination displayed increased results for IMT compared to those without MetS. The prevalence of carotid atheroma plaque was augmented in patients with MetS and PsO. In our PsO group IMT exerted a positive inter-relation with: age, MetS, blood glucose, disease duration, and PASI. Important to note is that after multiple linear regression analysis, age and MetS were independent indicators of IMT (p=0.02 for age and p=0.001 for MetS). Our findings sustain a firm relationship between MetS and psoriasis and the major consequence of this observation is the inherent risk of cardiovascular events.
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  • Algorithm for Growth Evaluation in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

    Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) includes a range of inflammatory conditions that exhibit chronic arthritis with various clinical presentations. The disease's heterogeneity leads to different impacts on children's health, both short and long-term. Compromised growth, seen as growth retardation and delayed puberty, is a common complication in children with JIA, severely impacting their quality of life. This impairment is linked to disease duration and activity, with severe cases in systemic and polyarticular subtypes. Literature reports growth retardation incidence from 8% to 41%, but data on pubertal impairment is lacking. Growth in children is influenced by systemic and local mechanisms. Chronic inflammation, prolonged glucocorticosteroid (GCS) use, and nutritional issues contribute to growth stunting and pubertal delays. Chronic inflammation in JIA flattens growth curves, while steroid treatment impairs growth and causes weight gain. Disruption of the GH/IGF1 axis is known, but data on systemic hormonal resistance in JIA are insufficient. Optimizing JIA treatment, including biological therapies, is expected to improve growth velocity and reduce long-term impacts by better disease control and reduced GCS doses. Thyroid function also influences growth and puberty, but comprehensive studies on thyroid involvement in JIA are lacking. Given the early onset of chronic inflammatory consequences, preventive auxological screening measures are necessary for children with JIA. Early detection of developmental disorders can enhance therapeutic management. This article summarizes information from a cohort study on growth in children with JIA and proposes a diagnostic algorithm for clinical use.
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  • Impact of Imaging Techniques in the Assessment of Gallstone Pancreatitis

    From the category of biliary disease, gallstones registered an increase during the last years, approximately 6% of men and 9% of women being affected by the pathology in the United States only. In western countries between 10-20% of the adult population is suffering from cholelithiasis. Although increasing age is a major risk factor for their formation, late studies correlate gallstones appearance with an age decrease for the onset of symptoms. We therefore face a younger population manifesting pain and sometimes functional disability. In accordance with statistical analysis, the economic impact of gallstones in highly industrialized countries such as United States produces costs of up to 6.5 billion dollars annually. In this context, the appropriate timing for intervention becomes a factor of major interest. The present review uses 28 articles and specialized literature. Article selection was based on keywords and followed the effectiveness of imaging investigation such as ultrasound, CT and MRI for patients diagnosed with cholelithiasis. Since a direct comparison between the imaging investigation techniques is not concluding we have tried to establish the sensitivity and specificity offered by each imaging assessment. The comparative analysis revealed a p Kruskal-Wallis <0.001 for sensitivity and p Kruskal-Wallis=0.474 for specificity.
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  • Liver Damage During Treatment with Reverse-Transcriptase Inhibitors in HIV Patients

    The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996 has markedly enhanced the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH), largely due to the effectiveness of reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs). These drugs target the reverse transcriptase enzyme, crucial for the HIV virus to convert its RNA into DNA within host cells, effectively disrupting the viral replication process. This action reduces the patient’s viral load, helping preserve immune function and prevent progression to AIDS. Consequently, the predominant causes of mortality among individuals living with HIV have transitioned from opportunistic infections and AIDS-related cancers to liver disease and cardiovascular complications. Liver damage in PLWH could arise from multiple sources including co-infections, chronic substance use, and notably, antiretroviral therapy itself, which can be hepatotoxic. This review highlights the risks of hepatic damage associated with nucleoside and non-nucleoside RTIs and underscores the variability in hepatotoxicity risks among different drugs. It emphasizes the necessity for regular monitoring of liver health in PLWH and adjusting antiretroviral regimens to minimize liver fibrosis risk. This risk is particularly pronounced in patients who associate the infection with hepatitis B or C virus, where the potential for hepatotoxicity significantly increases
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  • Cognitive Decline in Ageing and Disease: Risk factors, Genetics and Treatments

    Aging is the primary risk factor for cognitive decline, impacting multiple cognitive domains and significantly elevating the risk of conditions such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia. In addition to aging, several diseases contribute to cognitive decline. Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, leads to the loss of neurons and synapses in the brain, resulting in a profound decline in cognitive abilities and functional capacity. Several studies provide compelling evidence that modifiable lifestyle factors play a crucial role in influencing cognitive health. Adopting healthier behaviors has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Genetic factors also play a crucial role in cognitive decline, with several genes being identified that influence the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Long-term use of opioids and cocaine is also associated with cognitive decline, affecting functions such as memory and executive processes. Understanding the factors contributing to cognitive decline in aging and disease is essential for developing strategies to mitigate its impact. The drugs available to treat patients with cognitive decline due to advanced aging and drug abuse are also summarized
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  • Knee Osteoarthritis-Current Diagnosis and Treatment Options-A Narrative Review

    Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) represents a progressive and painful disease that in time can lead to loss of function and disability. Early diagnosis and correct treatment are essential in preventing the advancement of the condition to a stage where it can affect the quality of life. The development of new imagistic methods and devices can help detect changes in the structure of the join before the onset of symptoms. At the moment there are no disease-modifying drugs approved, so the current treatment is symptomatic, focusing on pain reduction, improving function and trying to prevent progression towards disability.
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  • Unusual Response of HDL-Chol Level and Body Weight to Atorvastatin: A Case Report

    Atorvastatin is an HMG?CoA reductase inhibitor that is prescribed to prevent adverse cardiovascular events by reducing blood total cholesterol (Chol) and LDL?Chol. Here we report a case related to an unusual response of HDL-Chol upon the administration of atorvastatin following an acute myocardial infarction. While atorvastatin substantially reduced LDL and triglycerides (TAG) of the patient as desired, it also lowered the HDL significantly, and in a dose-dependent manner. It is widely known that statins have several major side effects, but a significant suppression on HDL has been rarely reported so far. In addition, atorvastatin is deemed the likely cause for unintentional weight loss of this subject.
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  • Pediatric Floating Elbow: Case Report and Review of the Literature

    Floating elbow is defined as concomitant fracture of ipsilateral humerus and forearm. It is an uncommon injury with high potential to develop elevated forearm compartment pressures with potentially devastating neurological sequel. Several treatments have been reported. Although conservative treatment has been considered in the English literature, percutaneous or minimally invasive fixations is a goal when it is possible, soft tissue and growth plate preservation is crucial for fracture healing, mobility and bone growth.
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  • The Impact of Juvenile Microglia Transcriptomics on the Adult Brain Regeneration after Cerebral Ischemia

    Microglial cells play a pivotal role in the brain's health and operation through all stages of life and in the face of illness. The contributions of microglia during the developmental phase of the brain markedly contrast with their contributions in the brain of adults after injury. Enhancing our understanding of the pathological mechanisms that involve microglial activity in brains as they age and in cerebrovascular conditions is crucial for informing the creation of novel therapeutic approaches. In this work we provide results on microglia transcriptomics in the juvenile vs injured adult brain and its impact on adult brain regeneration after cerebral ischemia. During fetal brain development, microglia cells are involved in gliogenesis, angiogenesis, axonal outgrowth, synaptogenesis, neurogenesis and synaptic reorganization by engulfing neuronal extensions. Within the mature, intact brain, microglial cells exhibit reduced movement of their processes in response to minimal neuronal activity, while they continuously monitor their surroundings and clear away cellular debris. Following a stroke in the adult brain, inflammation, neurodegeneration, or disruptions in neural equilibrium trigger alterations in both the genetic blueprint and the structure and roles of microglia, a state often described as "activated" microglia. Such genetic shifts include a notable increase in the pathways related to phagosomes, lysosomes, and the presentation of antigens, coupled with a rise in the expression of genes linked to cell surface receptors. We conclude that a comparison of microglia transcriptomic activity during brain development and post-stroke adult brain might provide us with new clues about how neurodegeneration occurs in the adult brain. This information could very useful to develop drugs to slow down or limit the post-stroke pathology and improve clinical outcome.
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  • Indication and Timing of Cholecystectomy in Acute Biliary Pancreatitis - Systematic Review

    Acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) poses significant challenges in determining the optimal timing and approach for cholecystectomy, particularly in mild, moderately severe, and severe forms. This article reviews the existing literature on cholecystectomy timing and its impact on outcomes in ABP. A systematic literature search yielded 41 relevant articles from PubMed and Scopus databases. In mild ABP, early cholecystectomy within 72 hours of onset is increasingly favoured due to reduced technical difficulty and lower risk of recurrent pancreatitis. Conversely, delayed cholecystectomy, although traditionally practiced, may lead to higher recurrence rates and prolonged hospital stays. For moderate severe ABP, evidence remains limited, but early cholecystectomy appears to decrease hospital stay without increasing perioperative complications. In severe ABP, consensus suggests delaying cholecystectomy until peripancreatic collections resolve, typically 6 to 10 weeks post-onset, to minimize surgical morbidity. The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) alongside cholecystectomy remains contentious, with guidelines recommending its use in specific scenarios such as cholangitis or biliary obstruction. However, routine ERCP in mild ABP lacks robust evidence and may increase complications. Challenges persist regarding the management of residual choledocholithiasis post-ABP, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic criteria and management protocols. Overall, this review underscores the evolving landscape of cholecystectomy timing in ABP and provides insights into current best practices and areas for future research.
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  • Health-Related Issues of Users of Social Care Services for Elderly and Their Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Day Care Center

    Aim: The aim of this study was to examine two hypotheses: 1) Users of Day Care Center for Elderly (DCCE) would have frail health and multiple age-related care needs, and 2) caregivers would have to deal with some levels of anxiety due to the burden of care, and similar levels of quality of life to the users. Materials and Methods: The current cross-sectional study was carried out at a DCCE of the regional unit of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, between March-April 2022. The study sample comprised 29 DCCE social care services users and 51 caregivers. A short questionnaire sheet was created to record sociodemographic characteristics and general health-related issues. Additionally, the Anxiety Symptom Scale (Short Anxiety Screening Test (SAST)) and the Quality of Life (SF-12) were used to measure anxiety and quality of life of the participants. Comparison analysis was performed to detect differences between the two groups. Results: The most common morbidities for users of DCCE were hypertension (58.6%), hypercholesterolemia (55.2%), rheumatoid arthritis (24.1%), diabetes (24.1%) and heart disease (41.4%). Users of social care services have significantly higher vaccination rates (influenza: 100%, COVID-19: 100%, herpes zoster: 44.8%, and pneumococcus: 86.2%) than their caregivers. About 75% (yes: 24% and sometimes: 51.8%) of the users and 45% of their caregivers (yes: 7.8%, and sometimes: 37.3%) felt lonely at least sometimes. All participants were found to have low mean levels of the SAST score (18.4, SD:4.9) and 18.7% were on the verge of severe symptoms. Users of social care services were found to have low average levels of quality of life (SF-12), with significantly lower physical health (28.2, SD: 6.6) compared to the Mental health subscale (39.6, SD: 9.3) (p <0.001). Conclusions: This study highlighted the main health-issues of DCCE users, and that they have low quality of life. Additionally, we found that caregivers faced a few health-issues, and had higher quality of life and lower SAST levels than the users. Therefore, social and health policy providers should consider our findings and assess the users’ and caregivers' needs to provide holistic care, thus improving their quality of life.
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  • Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects in a Cohort of Colorectal Cancer Patients

    We conducted a retrospective, observational study, based on 91 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC), hospitalized and evaluated within the Surgical and the 2nd Internal Medicine Clinic, the Clinical Emergency County Hospital Craiova, between October 2020 and October 2022. We aimed in this study to analyze the epidemiological aspects and clinical characteristics of patients with CRC. In our study group, the patients' ages were between 30-89 years, with mean a of 68.06 (±9.39) years. The incidence of CRC cases in young patients was relatively low. 56.04% of all patients lived in urban areas. In 57.14% of cases, tumors were found on the left colon. The histopathological (HP) examination revealed the net predominance of adenocarcinoma. Depending on the HP grade, the tumor formations were represented predominantly by moderate and poorly differentiated tumors, having G2 and G3 grades. The T3 tumors predominated the total tumors identified. We observed that obstructions have the highest percentages on the left colon, while haemorrhages and perforations have higher percentages on the right side of the colon. The results obtained in our study largely validated the hypothesis proposed at the beginning of the study, according to which, using the clinical, paraclinical, and HP data, we can create a typology of the patient with CRC, from the Craiova Reference Center, to guide us in identifying some measures to decrease the percentage of CRC, as well as to improve the efficiency of the surgical treatment for these cases.
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  • Changes in Rat Mammary Tissue Architecture Following Pregnancy/Lactation Exposure to Glyphosate Alone or with 2,4-D and Dicamba

    The current study aimed to assess the possible endocrine disruptor effects on rat mammary tissue and reproductive organs during pregnancy and lactation when exposed to low doses of glyphosate and its combination with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and dicamba. The study involved the exposure of pregnant Wistar rats to various regulatory-relevant doses of glyphosate, ranging from gestational day 6 until fine of the lactation period. Glyphosate doses corresponded to the European Union’s glyphosate-acceptable daily intake (ADI; 0.5mg/kg bw/day) and no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL; 50mg/kg bw/day). The dose of the mixture of glyphosate, dicamba, and 2,4-D was at the European Union ADI for each herbicide namely 0.5, 0.002, and 0.3mg/kg bw/day, respectively. In the animals exposed to glyphosate NOAEL serum estradiol levels were increased compared to untreated animals, along with an upregulation of TNF-?, MMP-2, and MMP-9 as measured in mammary gland homogenates compared to non-treated animals. Moreover, in this group, a focally acute inflammatory infiltrate was observed in the mammary gland. Our study showed that short-term exposure to glyphosate at doses that are set as safe by regulators and thus without risk corroborated with a particular physiological state as gestation and lactation, can give rise to inflammatory changes in breast tissue in rats. These findings support the need for further evaluation of glyphosate and mixtures of glyphosate with other pesticides for public health protection, especially for those categories vulnerable to the potential endocrine disruptor properties of these pesticides such as pregnant women, newborns, and children.
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  • Quantitative Analysis of Vitamin D2 and Ergosterol in Yeast-Based Supplements Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Ultraviolet Detection

    Owing to ergosterol content, after UV irradiation yeast become a well-known source of ergocalciferol (vitamin D2). Additionally, pharmaceutical yeast-based supplements may represent a suitable option for treating hypovitaminosis, especially in patients adhering to a vegan diet. Using the high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) methodology our study sought to analyse three commercially available yeast-based vitamin D2 supplements while comparing the effect of UV-C irradiation (254 nm) on yeast biomass derived from the brewing process and pure ergosterol. The two compounds were precisely separated under the described conditions in an efficient and quick manner with a retention time (Rt) of 4.152 ± 0.018 minutes for vitamin D2 and 5.097 ± 0.013 minutes for ergosterol. However, when approaching the quantitative analysis, based on our findings, it appears that the pharmaceutical supplements deviate from the declared amount of substance indicated on the label. 15 minutes of UV-C irradiation generates vitamin D2 in yeast biomass with a conversion rate of 1.78%. Also, high content of ergosterol, beside vitamin D2 formation after irradiation, may trigger the appearance of secondary products such as tachysterol.
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  • In vitro Assessment of Free Radical Scavenging Effect and Thermal Protein Denaturation Inhibition of Bee Venom for an Anti-Inflammatory Use

    Inflammation and the injuries produced by free radicals are interconnected and influence each other. The underlying mechanisms of inflammation are partially attributed to the release of free radicals by immune cells, prooxidants that can also cause protein alteration. This study was performed in order to assess the potential anti-inflammatory effect of two bee venom samples harvested from Apis mellifera. Free radical scavenging capacity was investigated using DPPH and ABTS.+ tests and protective effect on proteins through the inhibitory activity on thermal denaturation of albumin.
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  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging in COVID-19 Associated Rhino-Sinusal Mucormycosis

    Rhino-sinusal mucormycosis is an acute invasive fungal infection rarely encountered in the clinical setting, occurring in severe immunosuppressed patients. However, in patients suffering from COVID-19 disease a dramatic increase in the incidence of mucormycosis has been recorded. The aim of the study is to discuss the MRI findings of patients with COVID-19 associated mucormycosis. This is a retrospective review of 10 hospitalized and operated patients in three Otolaryngologic Departments between the 1st of February 2021 and the 30th of October 2021. All patients presented nasal mucormycosis, histologically verified along with documented SARS-CoV-2 positive RT-PCR test. The sinus involvement, extra sinus spread and peri-sinus invasion were documented in all patients. The correlation between MRI and intra-operative findings was also assessed. The black turbinate sign and peri-antral soft tissue infiltration are early MRI signs characteristic of mucormycosis. Moreoever, MRI has a significantly high positive predictive value for intra-operative findings in COVID-19 associated mucormycosis.
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  • Statistical Study Concerning Extraction and Non-Extraction Methods in Orthodontic Treatments

    Introduction: The need to extract permanent teeth for the correction of dento-maxillary anomalies remains even today a controversy in orthodontic therapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the orthodontist’s point of view on the extraction and non-extraction methods used in orthodontic treatments, regarding clinical experience. Material and methods: A de novo conceived questionnaire was elaborated by means of Google Forms and it comprised 22 questions regarding gender, age, different proprieties and aspects of both extraction and non-extraction methods and the percentage of treated patients who developed an increase in dental sensitivity and caries activity following the therapeutic stripping procedure. Results: 204 orthodontists answered the questionnaire. The respondents chose dental stripping (IPR-interproximal reduction) as the most used non-extraction method in their orthodontic practice with 34,3%, followed by over-expansion and dental stripping 24%. The probability that females will try to avoid dental extractions is 1.888 times higher compared to males. The association is statistically significant (p-value 0.0336). 70,1% of clinicians state that they use dental stripping as a non-extraction method to gain space even when there is NO Bolton discrepancy. In Class III cases, for reducing crowding and correcting the dental relations, 65.2% of doctors opt for dental stripping, while 34.8% do not avoid the extraction of a lower incisor. Conclusions: Among the non-extraction methods for creating space, the most used by the surveyed orthodontists was dental stripping IPR. Tooth extraction remains a solution used by orthodontists for treating dentomaxillary disharmonies with crowding.
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  • The Significance of Inflammation in Atrial Fibrillation

    Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the inflammatory status in individuals diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (Afi) and establish an association between this status and the clinicopathological features. Material and Methods. Our study was conducted retrospectively and initially involved 278 patients. However, after excluding 27 patients, we ultimately ended up with 167 patients who had an inflammatory status and 84 patients who did not have an inflammatory status. These patients were then analyzed. Results. Patients who had inflammation showed higher values for the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores (P= 0.0132 for CHA2DS2-VASc and P= 0.0024 for HAS-BLED). Also, it was observed that patients with associated inflammation exhibited an increase in both the volume and the area of the left atrium. Patients with hypertension had a higher prevalence of inflammation, with heart failure and with ischemic heart disease. It is worth noting that patients with atrial fibrillation and increased inflammatory status exhibited higher rates of stroke (22.75% vs 10.71% in patients without inflammation, odds ratio = 2.455, 95% confidence interval 1.161 to 5.425, p = 0.0253). Conclusions. Our research has demonstrated that patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and exhibiting a heightened inflammatory status also present association with other comorbidities, including hypertension, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and stroke.
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  • Patients Satisfaction Level on Tele Consultation Services during COVID-19 in Tertiary Referral Hospital South India

    Background: COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for people to seek medical attention in order to maintain social distancing and reduce the risk of infection. People can now easily access health-care services without getting any exposure to COVID-19 by teleconsultation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of satisfaction on teleconsultation during COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: The purposive sampling method was used to select patients who received teleconsultation services in Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research from July 2020 to June 2021 during COVID-19 pandemic. The cross-sectional study was done in outpatient department of JIPMER hospital among 77 patients using the semi structured questionnaire which includes basic information of the clients and 10 item Telehealth Satisfaction Scale (TeSS). Result: According to this study, majority of participants (59.7%) were satisfied with teleconsultation services at a tertiary care hospital during COVID-19 pandemic. Among the 77 participants, 31.2% experienced language barriers, 49.4% experienced virtual physical examination as a barrier, 58.4% experienced connectivity issues, 51.9% were not satisfied in telling their complaints, 61% expressed lack in health talk, and 57.1% experienced a lack of a physical examination and 57.1% reported comfort issues as a barrier to teleconsultation services Conclusion: Telehealth has successfully lessened the geographical and temporal barriers to receiving care in traditional modalities. This study concluded that majority of participants were satisfied with teleconsultation with significant association between participants' degree of satisfaction with their profession.
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  • Breast MRI-the Importance of Type II and III Dynamic Curves Evaluation and Framing in BI-RADS 4C and 5 Score

    Background: Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers the highest sensitivity in detecting breast cancer among existing clinical and imaging techniques, making it a crucial component of breast imaging protocols. This study aims to investigate MRI importance in correlation with previous imaging discordant procedures performed as echography and/or mammography to evaluate characteristics and framing in high-risk BI-RADS 4C or 5 categories based on morphological features and kinetic curves of masses found in the breasts of patients from our database. Methods: A retrospective study with related statistical analysis was performed on a group of 33 cases, selected from a total of 488 patients who underwent breast MRI examinations at SPAD Imaging International S.R.L. Craiova, between 01.01.2021 and 31.12.2023, aged between 33 and 75 years. In all patients, MRI images parameters were analysed. Results: In 33 patients, 23 had a single lesion and 10 had multiple lesions, 9 of them in the ipsilateral breast and, as a particularity, one of them, located in the contralateral breast. In 21 of the total patients with multiple or single lesions they had type III curves, which were classified in the BI-RADS 5 category, considering both criteria-morphology and type of curve, where the other previous techniques had not mentioned an increased risk, hence revealing that the situation in a percentage of 63.63 in the case of MRI investigation proved to be clearly superior. Conclusion: Combining both kinetic and morphologic criteria can enhance the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in breast lesion evaluation.
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