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Genetic factors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of mitral valve diseases, including mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and mitral valve regurgitation. Genes like Fibrillin-1 (FBN1), Filamin A (FLNA), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), and SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) are known to influence mitral valve pathology but knowledge of the exact mechanism is far from clear. Data regarding serum parameters, transesophageal echocardiography, and genetic and histopathologic parameters were investigated in 54 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery for mitral valve regurgitation. The possible association between Fibrillin-1, Filamin A, MMP2, and SOX9 gene expressions was checked in relationship with the parameters of systemic inflammatory response. The mRNA expression levels (RQ—relative quantification) were categorized into three distinct groups: low (RQ < 1), medium/normal (RQ = 1–2), and high (RQ > 2). Severe fibrosis of the mitral valve was reflected by high expression of FBN1 and low expression of MMP2 (p < 0.05). The myxoid degeneration level was associated with the mRNA expression level for FBN1 and a low lymphocyte-monocyte ratio was associated with an increased mRNA expression of FBN1 (p < 0.05). A high number of monocytes was associated with high values of FBN1 whereas the increase in the number of lymphocytes was associated with high levels of MMP2. In addition, we observed that the risk of severe hyalinization was enhanced by a low mRNA expression of FLNA and/or SOX9. In conclusion, a lower FLNA mRNA expression can reflect the aging process that is highlighted in mitral valve pathology as a higher risk for hyalinization, especially in males, that might be prevented by upregulation of the SOX9 gene. FBN1 and MMP2 influence the inflammation-related fibrotic degeneration of the mitral valve. Understanding the genetic base of mitral valve pathology can provide insights into disease mechanisms, risk stratification, and potential therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aging process can have notable effects on the mitral valve. During life, the mitral valve undergoes various changes that can impact its structure and function. The purpose of this review is to present a comprehensive overview of the literature published up to February 2024 in the Medline database regarding the impact of aging on the mitral valve. The studies were combined with the personal experience of the authors. Until 2024, out of the 12,189 publications that deal with the mitral valve in elderly individuals, 308 refer to mitral valve aging. After reviewing these data, we selected and analyzed the 73 most informative works regarding the age-related transformation of the mitral valve. Understanding the mechanisms driving the aging of the mitral valve is crucial for enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for reducing age-related valve dysfunction and the subsequent cardiovascular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sub-Brownian 3-isometries in Hilbert spaces are the natural counterparts of the 2-isometries, because all of them have Brownian-type extensions in the sense of J. Agler and M. Stankus. We show that all powers Tn for n ≥ 2 of every expansive 3-isometry T are sub-Brownian, even if T does not have such a property. This fact induces some useful relations between the corresponding covariance operators of T. We analyze two matrix representations of T in order to get some conditions under which T is sub-Brownian, or T admits the Wold-type decomposition in the sense of S. Shimorin. We show that the restriction of T to its range is sub-Brownian of McCullough's type, and that under some conditions on N(T*), T itself is sub-Brownian, and it admits the Wold-type decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces Fazil Say's Sonata for Violin and Piano op. 7, composed in 1997, shortly after his international success. Despite being an early work, it exhibits the architectural complexity characteristic of Say's style, blending his Turkish cultural heritage with innovative compositional techniques. The authors aim to analyze this sonata thoroughly, exploring its mature style and cultural influences in order to provide a series of guiding principles for interpretation. They discuss the architectural and semantic meanings that reside in the incorporation of Turkish musical elements, such as modal approaches, folk traditions, and dance rhythms, throughout the sonata's three movements. Each movement is examined, highlighting technical challenges, interpretive nuances, and thematic connections to Turkish culture. The sonata's structure, culminating in a palindromic arrangement, is investigated, emphasizing its coherence and narrative thread. The first movement introduces melancholic themes, the second movement evokes Turkish instruments and rhythmic patterns, the third movement emulates the Horon dance, and the second to last movement draws from Turkish folk songs. The conclusion praises Say's fusion of tradition and innovation, highlighting the interpretive freedom left to performers and listeners. Overall, the Sonata op. 7 reflects Say's distinctive musical language and showcases his prowess as both a pianist and composer, blending tradition with modernity in a captivating manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the effectiveness of root canal filling removal in lower molars performed by beginner operators using optical microscopy. A total of 55 mandibular first and second molars with mesial roots exhibiting an average curvature of 10-20° were selected based on preoperative radiographs. Instrumentation was done with ProTaper Gold (Dentsply Sirona) up to F2 (25/.08), using 2ml of 2.5% NaOCl irrigation solution after each file. Root canal obturation was performed using gutta-percha points with cold lateral condensation and Sealapex (Kerr Dental). Coronal fillings were made with composite resin and stored in distilled water for two years. Removal of the root canal fillings was performed with AF Retreatment Rotary (AFRR) and AF Blue R3 (AFBR3) (Fanta Dental Materials) under reciprocating motion with 2.5% NaOCl irrigation. Cross-sections of the coronal, middle, and apical thirds were analyzed at 40x magnification using a STEINDORFF POL microscope with a digital camera. Image analysis was conducted using Image J software, version 1.54, to determine the efficiency of root canal filling removal by percentage. Statistical analysis via one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences between distal and mesial roots (P < 0.05). Specifically, for mesial roots, the removal efficiency was 70.65% in the coronal third, 54.66% in the middle third, and 21.32% in the apical third. Significant difficulties were noted due to fractured files, calcifications, and debris accumulation in the isthmuses. The study concluded that the protocol using Fanta files demonstrated significant differences in removal efficiency correlated with root curvature, compounded by the inexperience of beginner operators. The findings highlight the challenges faced by novice practitioners in achieving effective root canal filling removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic spirituality of Arrigo Boito's art in the opera Mefistofele results from the vibrant expressions of the sacred that directly accompany the tumultuous path of the Faustian quests. The present article highlights the way in which the composer penetrates through music and text into the metaphysical mysteries of the fight between good and evil, in the scene of Faust's salvation - the Epilogue. The violent confrontation of the antagonistic forces of the universe takes place when Faust, at the end of his life, manages to free himself from Mefistofele. The musical, literary and scenic means of expression imposed by the composer - being the sole creator of the libretto, music and mise-en-scène - masterfully reproduce this confrontation. The fragment we analyzed emphasizes this by noting at the same time how metaphysical space can be rendered with the help of music. Placed at the end of the opera Mefistofele, through the dramatic unfolding rich in sacred symbols, the scene of salvation crowns the series of defining elements with which Boito contributes to the evolution of the Faustian myth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever since the Republic of India became an independent nation in 1947, the Indian state has strived to keep its territorial integrity, in spite of the numerous territorial claims made by neighboring states. Firstly, the Kashmir region is home to both Muslim and Hindu populations; therefore, when the Indian and Pakistani states were created, the region was split between the two new states. However, both states hold the belief that the entirety of the Kashmir region should be part of their territory,. This situation sparked numerous local conflicts and four local wars (1947, 1965, 1971, and 1999). Secondly, another disputed area is located on the border with the People's Republic of China, as the Chinese state does not recognize the McMahon Line, which was agreed upon by British India and Tibet. This led to the conflict in 1962 and to a tension-filled relationship between China and India. This paper approaches both the historical evolution of the conflicts and the way in which these two conflict areas are portrayed in literature. While Veera Hiranandani, in The Night Dia77 (2018), and Khushwant Singh, in Train to Pakistan (1956), focus on the conflicts between Muslims and Hindus after the partition of India and Pakistan, Salman Rushdie, in Midnight's Children (1981), analyzes the traumas of the conflict in Kashmir. Furthermore, Jon Cleary, in Pulse of Danger (1966), presents the context of the Sino-Indian war. The most disturbing novel about the Indian conflicts is Humphrey Hawksley's novel, Dragon Fire (2000), because the author presents an apocalyptic war between the Republic of India, on one side, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan allied with the People's Republic of China, on die other side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Lung cancer, one of the most common and deadly forms of cancer worldwide, is influenced by factors such as smoking and environmental pollution, highlighting the need for early diagnosis for effective disease management, as investigated in this study regarding survival perspectives. Materials and method. For this study, 109 patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer were selected, aiming to emphasize the importance of monitoring and early diagnosis in these patients. Results. The survival rates were evaluated in relation to the timing of diagnosis and tumor dissemination, providing a comparative analysis between different diagnostic moments. Discussion. The study highlighted the importance of family physicians’ knowledge of early signs and symptoms, as well as conducting a thorough medical history to observe the risk factors to which patients are exposed. Conclusions. The study emphasizes the essential role of the family physician in improving the survival of patients with lung cancer by early identification of symptoms and coordination of investigations and appropriate treatment. This careful and well-informed approach is crucial for ensuring effective therapeutic intervention and longer life expectancy for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing challenge, both for patients and physicians, in order to control the impact on health and prevent complications. Millions of patients with diabetes require medical attention, which generates problems regarding the limited time for screening but also addressability difficulties for consultation and management. As a result, screening programs for vision-threatening complications due to DM have to be more efficient in the future in order to cope with such a great healthcare burden. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a severe complication of DM that can be prevented if it is timely screened with the help of optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices. Newly developing state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can assist physicians in analyzing large datasets and flag potential risks. By using AI algorithms in order to process OCT images of large populations, the screening capacity and speed can be increased so that patients can be timely treated. This quick response gives the physicians a chance to intervene and prevent disability. (2) Methods: This study evaluated ConvNeXt and EfficientNet architectures in correctly identifying DME patterns on real-life OCT images for screening purposes. (3) Results: Firstly, we obtained models that differentiate between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and healthy scans with an accuracy of 0.98. Secondly, we obtained a model that can indicate the presence of edema, detachment of the subfoveolar neurosensory retina, and hyperreflective foci (HF) without using pixel level annotation. Lastly, we analyzed the extent to which the pretrained weights on natural images "understand" OCT scans. (4) Conclusions: Pretrained networks such as ConvNeXt or EfficientNet correctly identify features relevant to the differentiation between healthy retinas and DR, even though they were pretrained on natural images. Another important aspect of our research is that the differentiation between biomarkers and their localization can be obtained even without pixel-level annotation. The "three biomarkers model" is able to identify obvious subfoveal neurosensory detachments, retinal edema, and hyperreflective foci, as well as very small subfoveal detachments. In conclusion, our study points out the possible usefulness of AI-assisted diagnosis of DME for lowering healthcare costs, increasing the quality of life of patients with diabetes, and reducing the waiting time until an appropriate ophthalmological consultation and treatment can be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease is a renal development anomaly characterized by cystic transformation in renal parenchyma. ARPKD is more common in children. We present the case of a premature newborn, female, 36-37 weeks gestation, small for gestational age (SGA) originating from a completely unmonitored pregnancy, diagnosed upon admission to the clinic with unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. The condition complicated by a urinary tract infection with E. coli. This newborn displayed no clinical symptoms, was carefully monitored during hospitalization, and received antibiotic treatment. Antenatal ultrasound screening can aid in the early diagnosis of congenital anomalies and determining the appropriate course of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal hypoglycemia presents significant challenges in the management of small for gestational age (SGA) infants with early onset sepsis. This literature review and case report examine the clinical implications and therapeutic strategies in such cases. The study underscores the importance of timely recognition and intervention to mitigate the risks associated with hypoglycemia and sepsis in term newborns, emphasizing early glucose management and appropriate antibiotic therapy for optimal outcomes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are some of the most popular vegetables in the world. The productivity of crops is determined by a detailed knowledge of the natural environment, the correct application of the knowledge related to the specific technology, and the interaction between species and the environment. The environment itself influences the crops and they may be beneficial to the normal development of the plant or may induce different sensitivities to the cultivated plants. The main objective of this article was to identify the most resistant tomato varieties to Alternaria alternata attack, in natural and artificial infection conditions. The biological material used was five varieties of tomatoes with large-fruit: 'San Marzano', 'Marmande', 'Romus' and with cherry-type fruit: 'Perun' and 'Bajaja'. The varieties were chosen due to large scale cultivation, resistance to various stress factors (disease and pest), and different organoleptic qualities. In the present events of climate change, it is necessary to continue testing the genetic material on the resistance and tolerance to the action of pathogens. The aim of the research was to test a group of tomato varieties to A. alternata attack. The pathogens can cause plant populations to evolve into an extremely varied set of immune receptors with differing ways of responding. In the Transylvanian Plain area, Romania, 2021 was a favourable year for this pathogen due to suitable infection conditions. Among the varieties of tomatoes, the cherry-type fruit 'Perun' (14.73%), was one of the most resistant to A. alternata. At the same time at the opposite end, the 'Bajaja' variety (25.33%) was the most affected cherry-type tomato in case of natural infection in 2022. The differences between the varieties reinforce the fact that climatic conditions significantly impact the dispersion of the pathogen on the field cultivated in both types of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of endogenous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which unlike linear RNAs, have a covalently closed continuous loop structure. circRNAs are found abundantly in human cells and their biology is complex. They feature unique expression to different types of cells, tissues, and developmental stages. To the present, the functional roles of circular RNAs are not fully understood. They reportedly act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, therefore having key regulatory functions in diverse physiological and pathological processes. As for dentistry field, lines of evidence indicate that circRNAs play vital roles in the odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Abnormal expression of circRNAs have been found in other areas of pathology frequently reflected also in the oral environment, such as inflammation or bone and soft tissue loss. Therefore, circRNAs could be of significant importance in various fields in dentistry, especially in bone and soft tissue engineering and regeneration. Understanding the molecular mechanisms occurring during the regulation of oral biological and tissue remodeling processes could augment the discovery of novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies that will improve orthodontic and other oral therapeutic protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the findings of a comprehensive SWOT analysis on the integration of hybrid electric turbochargers (HETs) in mass-produced road vehicles. Through a synthesis of multiple research findings, this study compared the performance of HETs on thermal engines versus traditional turbochargers and HETs on thermal engines versus HETs on hybrid engines. The analysis highlights key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the adoption of HET technology in the automotive industry. The results of the SWOT analysis provide valuable insights for both manufacturers and consumers regarding the feasibility and benefits of adopting HET technology in modern vehicles. By elucidating the fundamental mechanics of turbochargers and demonstrating the potential of hybrid electric turbocharging, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of HETs in shaping the future of automotive engineering. In conclusion, this study underscores the potential of HETs to substantially mitigate the environmental impact of the transportation sector by reducing emissions and conserving energy. The novelty of this study is reflected in its comprehensive synthesis of multiple research findings, offering insights into the feasibility and benefits of adopting HET technology in modern vehicles, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the role of HETs in shaping the future of automotive engineering and highlighting their continued significance, as evidenced by the systematic SWOT analysis presented. Their ability to optimize fuel efficiency and power output, coupled with the feasibility of downsized engines, positions HETs as an attractive option for sustainable mobility solutions. Further research is warranted to comprehensively understand the environmental and economic implications of widespread HET adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) can either enhance or diminish the positive or negative effects of the associated drugs. Multiple drug combinations create difficulties in identifying clinically relevant drug interactions; this is why electronic drug interaction checkers frequently report DDI results inconsistently. Our paper aims to analyze drug interactions in cardiovascular diseases by selecting drugs from pharmacotherapeutic subcategories of interest according to Level 2 of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system. We checked DDIs between 9316 pairs of cardiovascular drugs and 25,893 pairs of cardiovascular and other drugs. We then evaluated the overall agreement on DDI severity results between two electronic drug interaction checkers. Thus, we obtained a fair agreement for the DDIs between drugs in the cardiovascular category, as well as for the DDIs between drugs in the cardiovascular and other (i.e., non-cardiovascular) categories, as reflected by the Fleiss' kappa coefficients of κ = 0.3363 and κ = 0.3572 , respectively. The categorical analysis of agreement between ATC-defined subcategories reveals Fleiss' kappa coefficients that indicate levels of agreement varying from poor agreement ( κ < 0 ) to perfect agreement ( κ = 1 ). The main drawback of the overall agreement assessment is that it includes DDIs between drugs in the same subcategory, a situation of therapeutic duplication seldom encountered in clinical practice. Our main conclusion is that the categorical analysis of the agreement on DDI is more insightful than the overall approach, as it allows a more thorough investigation of the disparities between DDI databases and better exposes the factors that influence the different responses of electronic drug interaction checkers. Using categorical analysis avoids potential inaccuracies caused by particularizing the results of an overall statistical analysis in a heterogeneous dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we took into account the evolution of the production of the main crops grown in the area of Iermata, Seleus commune, Arad county, over a period of four years, between 2020-2023. In order to correlate the production data with certain meteorological indicators, we took into account the meteorological data provided by the Banat Crisana Regional Meteorological Center, for Arad county, Chisineu Cris meteorological station. Seleus commune is located in the eastern part of the Crişului Alb Plain, on the course of the Cigher river. It is located 12 km from Ineu, 6 km from Pâncota and 45 km from the municipality of Arad. It is also crossed by the Cigher river, the Morilor canal, to the north is Crisul Alb and to the west the Matca Canal. The Seleus commune is composed of three localities: Seleus, Moroda and Iermata. The area is characterized by a temperate climate with moderate continental accents, with warm summers and mild winters, characteristic of the Western Plain. It can be appreciated that the influences of the Mediterranean climate are easily felt. The multiannual air temperature average is 10.6°C. The warmest month is July (20.7°C) and the coldest is January (-1.1°C). The absolute maximum and minimum temperatures (+40.4°C and -30.1°C, respectively) demonstrate the possibility of recording a very hot summer or rather cold winter and mark the climatic continentalism. In general, the winters are moderate, without strong frosts due to the western climatic influence and due to the fact that the area has a more sheltered position from the polar-continental air invasions from the east and northeast. In the spring, under the influence of the western circulation and the extension of the ridges of the Azorean anticyclone over the south of Europe, the de-spring is faster than in the eastern part of the country. In the summer months, the air temperature is not too high, due to the western influences. It is between 18.9°C in June and 20.7°C in July. In autumn, the multiannual averages of these months vary between 16.2°C in September and 6.2°C in November. This decrease in temperature is due to the advection of cold air under the action of the ridge of the Euro-Asian anticyclone. The area being frequently subject to warm air invasions from the south-western sector, means that even in this season the temperature is 1°-2° higher than in the eastern part of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the on-site cytopathology advance report (OSCAR) procedure on breast FNA cytologic samples in our breast OSC during the first three years (April 2004 till March 2007) of its implementation. To this goal, we retrospectively analyzed a series of 1820 breast masses (1740 patients) radiologically classified according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) BI-RADS lexicon (67.6% being either BI-RADS 4 or 5), sampled by FNA and immediately diagnosed by cytomorphology. The on-site cytopathology advance report (OSCAR) procedure is a highly reliable diagnostic approach for breast masses, provided that it is performed by interventional cytopathologists in the multidisciplinary setting of a one-stop clinic (OSC). Besides dramatically limiting the rate of unsatisfactory specimens and diagnostic turnaround time, OSCAR is a highly efficient first-line approach. Diagnostic accuracy measures of the OSCAR procedure with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were the following: sensitivity (Se) = 97.4% (96.19–98.31); specificity (Sp) = 94.98% (92.94–96.56); positive predictive value (PPV) = 96.80% (95.48–97.81); negative predictive value (NPV) = 95.91% (94.02–97.33); positive likelihood ratio (LR+) = 19.39 (13.75–27.32); negative predictive ratio (LR−) = 0.03 (0.02–0.04), and; accuracy = 96.45% (95.42–97.31). The respective positive likelihood ratio (LR+) for each of the four categories of cytopathological diagnoses (with their 95% CI) which are malignant, suspicious, benign, and nondiagnostic were 540 (76–3827); 2.69 (1.8–3.96); 0.03 (0.02–0.04); and 0.37 (0.2–0.66), respectively. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology has been widely used for the diagnosis of breast cancer lesions with the objective of differentiating benign from malignant masses. However, the occurrence of unsatisfactory samples and false-negative rates remains a matter of concern. Major improvements have been made thanks to the implementation of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) in multidisciplinary and integrated medical settings such as one-stop clinics (OSCs). In these settings, clinical and radiological examinations are combined with a morphological study performed by interventional pathologists. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the on-site cytopathology advance report (OSCAR) procedure on breast FNA cytologic samples in our breast OSC during the first three years (April 2004 till March 2007) of its implementation. To this goal, we retrospectively analyzed a series of 1820 breast masses (1740 patients) radiologically classified according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) BI-RADS lexicon (67.6% being either BI-RADS 4 or 5), sampled by FNA and immediately diagnosed by cytomorphology. The clinicoradiological, cytomorphological, and histological characteristics of all consecutive patients were retrieved from the hospital computerized medical records prospectively registered in the central information system. Histopathological analysis and ultrasound (US) follow-up (FU) were the reference diagnostic tests of the study design. In brief, we carried out either a histopathological verification or an 18-month US evaluation when a benign cytology was concordant with the components of the triple test. Overall, histology was available for 1138 masses, whereas 491 masses were analyzed at the 18-month US-FU. FNA specimens were morphologically nondiagnostic in 3.1%, false negatives were observed in 1.5%, and there was only one false positive (0.06%). The breast cancer prevalence was 62%. Diagnostic accuracy measures of the OSCAR procedure with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were the following: sensitivity (Se) = 97.4% (96.19–98.31); specificity (Sp) = 94.98% (92.94–96.56); positive predictive value (PPV) = 96.80% (95.48–97.81); negative predictive value (NPV) = 95.91% (94.02–97.33); positive likelihood ratio (LR+) = 19.39 (13.75–27.32); negative predictive ratio (LR−) = 0.03 (0.02–0.04), and; accuracy = 96.45% (95.42–97.31). The respective positive likelihood ratio (LR+) for each of the four categories of cytopathological diagnoses (with their 95% CI) which are malignant, suspicious, benign, and nondiagnostic were 540 (76–3827); 2.69 (1.8–3.96); 0.03 (0.02–0.04); and 0.37 (0.2–0.66), respectively. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the OSCAR procedure is a highly reliable diagnostic approach and a perfect test to select patients requiring core-needle biopsy (CNB) when performed by interventional cytopathologists in a multidisciplinary and integrated OSC setting. Besides drastically limiting the rate of nondiagnostic specimens and diagnostic turn-around time, OSCAR is an efficient and powerful first-line diagnostic approach for patient-centered care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the production results obtained in the area of Langovet were presented, over a period of four years, in the period 2019-2022, a locality located in the immediate vicinity of the border with Serbia. The data used in this work were provided by the Banat Crisana Regional Meteorological Center, data that reported the meteorological aspects of risk reported at two meteorological stations in Caras Severin county, the meteorological station from Oravita and the one from Moldova Noua, for the analyzed period. At the beginning of the work, I presented the geographical location of Campia (Langovet), a village belonging to Socol commune, and then I carried out a climatological description of certain risk factors prevalent in this area of Caras Severin county. The Danube gorge is under the influence of the air masses that circulate towards the northeast, it is distinct and contributes to the increase of the originality of the landscape. We thus emphasize the presence of more abundant precipitation if we consider the temperate continental climate of our country's territory. In addition, precipitation manifests itself with a spasmodic character, recording the highest values during autumn and spring with variables registered by the exposure of the slopes. Regarding the average annual temperature of the area, we mention that it is higher. The average annual isotherm of 110 delimits the Danube corridor. Thanks to these evaluations, we signal the presence of biocenoses specific to the area. For several decades, our family has been working in the field of agriculture in the town of Langovet, being among the first to purchase machinery in our town. In total, we cultivate 95 ha, of which 40 ha are our property, the remaining 55 ha are leased, the surfaces being cultivated with corn, sunflower and wheat. Regarding the share held by the three crops, in the last year, in 2022, we have 20 ha of sunflower, the remaining 75 ha being almost equally divided between the other two crops, corn and wheat. The paper presents the production results obtained during the four analyzed years, 2019-2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the phenomenon of interculturality through the lens of the Liang Zhu Concerto for Violin and Orchestra by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang. Interculturality is no longer merely a means of elevating the axiological value of a given context but has become a necessity for authenticating contemporary discourse. The role of interculturality in shaping the expression of creative intentions is amplified, as it attenuates divergences determined by the incongruity of individuals’ backgrounds by comprehensively observing the uniqueness of foreign elements from a familiarity-based perspective. The Liang Zhu Violin Concerto exemplifies the adaptation of East Asian culture to the context of the Western language and means of expression while preserving its Chinese cultural identity. This concerto has significant value and desirability for consumption due to the proportion of originality and familiarity which it upholds and determines its overall appeal. Ultimately, this article aims to explore how the Liang Zhu Violin Concerto achieves originality at a global level while preserving its Chinese cultural identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To transfer toxicological findings from model systems, e.g. animals, to humans, standardized safety factors are applied to account for intra-species and inter-species variabilities. An alternative approach would be to measure and model the actual compound-specific uncertainties. This biological concept assumes that all observed toxicities depend not only on the exposure situation (environment = E), but also on the genetic (G) background of the model (G × E). As a quantitative discipline, toxicology needs to move beyond merely qualitative G × E concepts. Research programs are required that determine the major biological variabilities affecting toxicity and categorize their relative weights and contributions. In a complementary approach, detailed case studies need to explore the role of genetic backgrounds in the adverse effects of defined chemicals. In addition, current understanding of the selection and propagation of adverse outcome pathways (AOP) in different biological environments is very limited. To improve understanding, a particular focus is required on modulatory and counter-regulatory steps. For quantitative approaches to address uncertainties, the concept of "genetic" influence needs a more precise definition. What is usually meant by this term in the context of G × E are the protein functions encoded by the genes. Besides the gene sequence, the regulation of the gene expression and function should also be accounted for. The widened concept of past and present "gene expression" influences is summarized here as Ge. Also, the concept of "environment" needs some re-consideration in situations where exposure timing (Et) is pivotal: prolonged or repeated exposure to the insult (chemical, physical, life style) affects Ge. This implies that it changes the model system. The interaction of Ge with Et might be denoted as Ge × Et. We provide here general explanations and specific examples for this concept and show how it could be applied in the context of New Approach Methodologies (NAM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Violin Concerto by K. Roustom stands out as a distinctive fusion of compositional styles, positioning itself uniquely within contemporary violin compositions. Rather than eliminating precedents, the concerto embraces a convergence of structurally and ideatically diverse directions, resulting in a harmonious and unified end product. The creative process, starting from seemingly unrelated hypotheses and concluding in a cohesive manner, finds precedent in various musical examples across different eras. The concerto's complex profile, revealed through analysis, reflects a mixture of elements that resist facile extraction or definition. The diversity of languages interwoven into the works' architecture lends them significant value, offering interpretive richness from initial reception to deep analytical exploration. Simultaneously, the imperative of originality underscores the nature and implementation of the directions within the concerto. Complemented by the composers' mastery, educational backgrounds, and intellectual capacities, the concerto exemplifies authenticity and value, contributing to the evolving landscape of contemporary creative expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Violin Concerto by K. Roustom stands out as a distinctive fusion of compositional styles, positioning itself uniquely within contemporary violin compositions. Rather than eliminating precedents, the concerto embraces a convergence of structurally and ideatically diverse directions, resulting in a harmonious and unified end product. The creative process, starting from seemingly unrelated hypotheses and concluding in a cohesive manner, finds precedent in various musical examples across different eras. The concerto's complex profile, revealed through analysis, reflects a mixture of elements that resist facile extraction or definition. The diversity of languages interwoven into the works' architecture lends them significant value, offering interpretive richness from initial reception to deep analytical exploration. Simultaneously, the imperative of originality underscores the nature and implementation of the directions within the concerto. Complemented by the composers' mastery, educational backgrounds, and intellectual capacities, the concerto exemplifies authenticity and value, contributing to the evolving landscape of contemporary creative expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a simple procedure to obtain multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with TiO2–Ag nanoparticles (MWCNT–TiO2–Ag). The MWCNTs were decorated with TiO2–Ag via combined functionalization with –OH and –COOH groups and a polymer-wrapping technique using poly(allylamine)hydrochloride (PAH). TiO2-modified Ag nanoparticles were synthesized via the Pechini method using a mixture of acetylacetonate-modified titanium (IV) isopropoxide with silver nitrate (with Ag+/Ti4+ atomic ratios of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5%) and L(+)-ascorbic acid as reducing agents. XRD analysis revealed the formation of nanocomposites containing CNT, anatase TiO2, and Ag. The presence of nanoparticles on the MWCNT surfaces was determined using TEM. The morphology of the TiO2–Ag nanoparticles on the MWCNT surfaces was also determined using TEM. UV–Vis investigations revealed that an increase in the ratio between Ag+ and Ti4+ decreased the band gap energy of the samples. The characteristic vibrations of the TiO2, Ag, and C atoms of the graphite were identified using Raman spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the MWCNT–TiO2–Ag nanocomposite was assessed by examining the degradation of Allura Red (E129) aqueous solution under UV irradiation. The dye photodegradation process followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic with respect to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood reaction mechanism. The spin-trapping technique evidenced that •O2− was the main species generated responsible for the Allura Red degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The global burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been estimated to reach 600 million patients worldwide by 2040. Approximately 200 million people will develop diabetic retinopathy within this time frame. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a severe, vision-threatening complication that can develop at any stage of diabetic retinopathy, and it represents the main cause of vision loss in patients with DM. Its harmful consequences on visual function could be prevented with timely recognition and treatment. (2) Methods: This study assessed the clinical (demographic characteristics, diabetic evolution, and systemic vascular complications); laboratory (glycated hemoglobin, metabolic parameters, capillary oxygen saturation, and renal function); ophthalmologic exam; and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD–OCT) (macular volume, central macular thickness, maximal central thickness, minimal central thickness, foveal thickness, superior inner, inferior inner, nasal inner, temporal inner, inferior outer, superior outer, nasal outer, and temporal outer thicknesses, disruption of the ellipsoid zone, and disruption of the inner retinal layers (DRIL) parameters in three groups of individuals: healthy controls (HC), patients with DME and type 1 DM (T1DM—group A), and patients with DME and type 2 DM (T2DM—group B) to identify novel correlations between them that would open a path to new pathogenetic hypotheses and, implicitly, to the identification of new therapeutic methods, as part of a tailored treatment within the concept of precision medicine. (3) Results: The duration of DM was significantly longer in group A as compared with group B, as were the prevalence of smoking and systemic vascular complications. Capillary oxygen saturation and estimated glomerular filtration rates were significantly lower, and serum creatinine levels were significantly higher in group A as compared to group B. Regarding the OCT findings, DME had a predominantly eccentric pattern, and the right eye was more severely affected in both groups of patients. Significantly higher values were obtained in group B as compared to group A for the following OCT biomarkers: macular volume, central macular thickness, maximal central thickness, minimal central thickness, foveal thickness, superior inner, inferior inner, nasal inner, inferior outer and nasal outer thickness. The disruption of the ellipsoid zone was significantly more prevalent within group A, whereas the overall disruption of the retinal inner layers (DRIL) was identified significantly more frequently in group B. (4) Conclusions: Whereas systemic and laboratory biomarkers were more severely affected in patients with DME and T1DM, the OCT quantitative biomarkers revealed significantly higher values in patients with DME and T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a male infant born at 38 weeks gestational age detected with subclinical myocarditis. The diagnosis was suggested by the raised cardiac enzymes, small voltages on electrocardiogram and biventricular hypertrophy on echocardiography. The newborn was managed with supportive, immunomodulatory therapy, diuretics and anti-platelet agents (Aspirin). Early intravenous immunoglobulin administration may have helped to reduce morbidity and mortality, even if administration of intravenous immunoglobulin is not yet clearly established in the neonatal population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duplication cysts are congenital anomalies that typically have some connection to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but in rare cases the cysts can be completed isolated from the GI tract. We present the case of an appropriate for gestational age male infant born at 40 weeks gestational age with neonatal intestinal duplication cyst isolated from the GI tract. Postnatal diagnostic methods included ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on abnormal antenatal findings. The positive diagnosis was based on the imaging results. Duplication cysts may remain asymptomatic and that is the reason why antenatal and postnatal US screening plays an important key role in the diagnosis. Series of imaging may confirm the diagnosis, prevent future complication and help the clinician to determine the optimal operative moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an original approach for mandible bone calculus by the Transfer Matrix Method (TMM). The role of the mandible bone is very important due to the three functions that it has: mastication, phonation and aesthetics. Due to these functions, there are many studies in this regard. The mandible bone is an unpaired bone and the only movable bone in the skull. For our studies, we separated a part of the mandible bone assimilated with a spring, and due to the symmetry we can only study a quarter of the circle, embedded at the two ends, charged perpendicular to its plane by a concentrated vertical load corresponding to a tooth which is on the studied side. This mandible side under study has eight teeth: two incisors, one canine, two premolars and three molars. The approach by the TMM is very easy to program, especially for extreme cases, when a quick calculus is needed to optimize the shape of the mandible. In the future we hope to be able to publish the calculation and shape optimization program and a related case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patent ductus venosus is an extremely rare form of congenital portosystemic shunt that results in the diversion of portal blood into the systemic circulation, decreasing hepatic blood flow and increasing blood volume and toxic substances in the systemic circulation. We present a clinical case of a male infant born at 37 5/7 weeks gestational age with patent ductus venosus. Because very few cases of patent ductus venosus have been reported, the prudent approach it would be to perform serial Doppler studies and laboratory tests to follow the course of the ductus venosus until closure and to intervene if the infant becomes unstable and symptomatic. The medical team decided that the conservative management in this case was a better choice, since the infant remained stable with good growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper aims to contribute to the methodology of 3D printing in-process colouring and study its implications and impact on the tensile strength and surface quality of the obtained parts. The proposed study was based on a Taguchi L27 DOE plan using standardised EN ISO 527-2 type 1B-shaped specimens, in which four factors on three levels were considered. The obtained results highlight the possibility of using the presented in-process colouring method. Different materials (PLA, PLA+, and PETG) with varying infill densities (15%, 30%, and 50%), colour distribution (33%, 66%, and 99%), and colour pigments (blue, green, and red) were studied and the results highlighted that the most influential parameter on the tensile strength of the parts was infill density, followed by the tested material, colour pigment, and colouring percentage; regarding surface roughness, the most influential parameter was infill density, followed by colouring percentage, colour pigment, and material. Moreover, the values resulting from the Taguchi DOE were compared to uncoloured parts, from which it could be concluded that the colouring of the parts had direct implications (negative for tensile strength and positive for surface roughness). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this review is to present a comprehensive overview of the literature published up to February 2024 on the PubMed database regarding the development of mitral valve disease, with detailed reference to mitral valve prolapse, from embryology to a genetic profile. Out of the 3291 publications that deal with mitral valve embryology, 215 refer to mitral valve genetics and 83 were selected for further analysis. After reviewing these data, we advocate for the importance of a gene-based therapy that should be available soon, to prevent or treat non-invasively the valvular degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-HPV vaccine is the second vaccine for the prevention of some types of cancer, made on the basis of VLP (virus-like particle) technology. Since its appearance, it has proven effectiveness in conditions of excellent safety. This review aims at clarifying some important aspects, based on the evidence accumulated in recent years, such as the vaccines available, the number of doses, and the vaccination of particular categories - immunocompromised patients, vaccination after LEEP excisions, or vaccination in old patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections are rare, normally acquired through vertical transmission in the peripartum period, usually manifesting before 14 days of life and being identified on the basis of history, clinical and laboratory evaluation. We present the case of a small for gestational age male infant born at 38 weeks gestational age with neonatal herpes simplex virus infection. The diagnosis was delayed because the attention was focused on an unidentified bacterial infection. In cases where a clinical picture suggestive of infection is described, with laboratory tests that support the diagnosis of infection, but with cultures that do not highlight bacterial or mycological agents, we must not forget about viral agents, specifically among those newborns from intrauterine growth restricted pregnancies. Neonatal HSV infections can be present even in the absence of herpetic vesicles in the newborn and even if the mother is asymptomatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal trauma is a common diagnosis for patients admitted to the emergency room. Evaluation of the severity of such patients can sometimes be difficult due to rapid hemodynamic changes caused by the activation of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory regulatory mechanisms. To evaluate the prognosis of trauma patients, it is crucial to identify these changes and adapt various treatment strategies. Using the records of the Mures County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 126 patients were included in the present study with traumatic splenic injury admitted over 6 years. Blood parameters such as the neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were determined, and the association between these and the severity of the traumatic injury [quantified as the injury severity score (ISS)] was calculated. We used linear and multiple regression analyses to identify and quantify the relationships. We found statistically significant associations between the ISS and the NLR (P=0.002), with an AUC of 0.816 and a cut-off value of NLR=6.075 (sensitivity=76.7%, specificity= 74.3%), and between the ISS and hemoglobin (P<0.0001), hematocrit (P<0.0001), neutrophil count (P<0.0001), lymphocyte count (P=0.0224), and platelet count (P=0.0163). No association was found between the PLR and the severity of trauma. An elevated NLR at admission in trauma patients had significant predictive power for the severity of trauma. Patients with an NLR greater than the cut-off value of 6.075 were more likely to have suffered serious injuries and undergone deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the operators T on a Hilbert space H which have 2-isometric liftings S with the property S ∗ S H ⊂ H . We show that such liftings are closely related to some extensions of T, which have 2 × 2 upper triangular block matrices having contractive entries. We describe these extensions by the corresponding 2-isometric liftings, and respectively as regular A-contractions for some positive operators A. Also, we show that some extensions have Brownian isometric (or unitary) liftings and, in particular, we refer to expansive operators with such liftings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study aimed to explore, for a better understanding, the relationship between dysfunctional coping mechanisms, functionality, and quality of life in patients with major depression, during an acute episode and euthymic phase. 65 patients diagnosed with recurrent major depressive disorder were included in a longitudinal study, during which they were evaluated twice, clinically, for coping mechanisms, and also for different life quality areas. For the first time, all patients were assessed during an acute depressive episode and for the second time after 6 months of euthymia. Coping mechanisms were assessed with the Brief COPE scale, the severity of depression was evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 items, the quality of life with the WHOQOL-Bref, and the functionality with GAF. Results: The coping mechanisms, represented by self-distraction and self-blame, were identified as being significantly correlated with the areas of life quality, mental health, and general environment, for patients having an acute depressive episode. In the euthymic phase of major depression, all dysfunctional coping strategies showed statistically significant associations with the quality-of-life domains and the coping mechanism represented by disengagement was significantly correlated with the global functionality. Conclusions: Regardless of the current mood state, acute depression or euthymic phase, the dysfunctional coping mechanisms influence the level of life quality domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IoT devices present an ever-growing domain with multiple applicability. This technology has favored and still favors many areas by creating critical infrastructures that are as profitable as possible. This paper presents a hierarchical architecture composed of different licensing entities that manage access to different resources within a network infrastructure. They are conducted on the basis of well-drawn policy rules. At the same time, the security side of these resources is also placed through a context awareness module. Together with this technology, IoT is used and Blockchain is enabled (for network consolidation, as well as the transparency with which to monitor the platform). The ultimate goal is to implement a secure and scalable security platform for the Smart Grid. The paper presents the work undertaken in the SealedGRID project and the steps taken for implementing security policies specifically tailored to the Smart Grid, based on advanced concepts such as Opinion Dynamics and Smart Grid-related Attribute-based Access Control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression is considered one of the main determinants of economic deficits by limiting the functionality of the patients. Our study aimed to longitudinally assess the implications of cognitive deficits on functionality and quality of life for patients with major depressive disorder, during an acute depressive episode and also during euthymia. Materials and methods: Our study included 65 patients diagnosed with recurrent major depressive disorder. The quality of life domains were tested during an acute episode and after 6 months of euthymia. For both phases, the results were correlated with 35 healthy controls. Results: Patients during an acute depressive episode who performed better at the evaluation of psychomotor speed reported higher levels of quality of life. For verbal memory and psychomotor speed, statistically significant correlations were identified with the level of functionality and the general living environment. During the euthymic phase, significant associations were identified between psychomotor speed and the global level of functionality. Also, memory and psychomotor coordination presented significant correlations with quality of life. Conclusions: Results from our study confirmed the relationship between cognitive functions and functionality of patients with depressive disorder and the predictive value of psychomotor speed for the quality of life domains during both phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain bounded linear operators T on a complex Hilbert space H which have 2-isometric liftings S on another space K ⊃ H are being investigated. We refer also to a more special type of liftings, as well as to those which additionally meet the condition S ∗SH ⊂ H. Furthermore we describe other types of dilations for T, which are close to 2-isometries. Among these we refer to expansive (concave) operators and also to Brownian unitary dilations. Different matrix representations for such operators are obtained, where matrix entries involve contractive operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) and fibromyalgia are prevalent conditions defined by the occurence of chronic pain, which is associated with multiple challenges at both the individual and societal level. The biopsychosocial model integrates psychological variables among factors contributing to the transition from acute to chronic pain. The aim of the present review is to provide a description of the most efficient psychotherapeutic approaches for increasing the quality of life for these patients. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an effective treatment for chronic pain that aims to decrease psychological inflexibility, which is a core mechanism in psychopathology. First, an overview of studies examining the comorbidity between chronic pain and symptoms of anxiety and depression will be exposed. Second, common pharmacological strategies used in pain management will be presented. Third, the empirical status of psychological interventions implemented in treating chronic pain patients will be revised. Finally, a brief, naturalistic intervention based on ACT for patients with CPSP and fibromyalgia will be outlined, including implications for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is not news to anyone in the EU that we are traversing an energy crisis. We are not using terms such as ‘unprecedented’, or other similar terms, mainly because energy crises have occurred before, such as the energy crises in the 1970s, and, aside from the negative economic and social effects, they were also an opportunity to design safer policy, regulatory, economic and social systems, to make them more resilient to similar (or different) occurrences. The current energy crisis is also providing such an opportunity for the most reluctant (or non-compliant) EU Member States to finally put in place the energy policy tools the EU was designing even before the energy crisis occurred or could be anticipated. Some of these tools lie in the reformed Renewable Energy Directive, or RED II, (Directive (EU) 2018/2001) and the Electricity Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/944), and their effectiveness is dependent on the timely and adequate transposition into national law, thus ensuring the uptake of decentralized renewable energy production, as the Directives intended. Romania’s transposition of these two Directives was neither timely, nor adequate, but during late 2021 and 2022 significant regulatory steps were made to align the national legislation with the EU Directives in terms of providing the adequate regulatory framework for decentralized energy production, especially for renewable sources of energy. This is the main focus of this article: a systematic review and expert analysis of the recently adopted legislation, compared to the result obligations instituted for the Member States and the opportunities and rights created for individual or collective self-consumers by the two Directives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic situation led to public health measures that forced patients to remain isolated and take steps to prevent the dissemination of the virus. Many of these patients were unable to attend to the dental services or delayed seeking dental care due to a lack of private services and concerns about the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, which in many cases complicated their situation. This case report describes the long-term clinical outcome of an endo-periodontal periapical lesion with associated bone defect of a maxillary central incisor in an esthetically demanding, systemically healthy patient, who neglected dental treatment during the pandemic outbreak. Treatment procedures included primary endodontic treatment of the periapical lesion and cause-related therapy aimed to control the infection in the rest of the mouth. Clinical examination at the 1-year recall revealed clinical attachment gain with shallow residual probing pocket depths and a slight increase in gingival recession. The esthetic appearance of the treated tooth was improved via a zirconia-ceramic crown. The present case report suggests that successful periodontal and esthetic results can be accomplished and maintained for at least 2 years after treatment of an apparently hopeless tooth with extremely compromised endoperiodontal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our work explores the differences between GRU-based and transformer-based approaches in the context of sentiment analysis on text dialog. In addition to the overall performance on the downstream task, we assess the knowledge transfer capabilities of the models by applying a thorough zero-shot analysis at task level, and on the cross-lingual performance between five European languages. The ability to generalize over different tasks and languages is of high importance, as the data needed for a particular application may be scarce or non existent. We perform evaluations on both known benchmark datasets and a novel synthetic dataset for dialog data, containing Romanian call-center conversations. We study the most appropriate combination of synthetic and real data for fine-tuning on the downstream task, enabling our models to perform in low-resource environments. We leverage the informative power of the conversational context, showing that appending the previous four utterances of the same speaker to the input sequence has the greatest benefit on the inference performance. The cross-lingual and cross-task evaluations have shown that the transformer-based models possess superior transfer abilities to the GRU model, especially in the zero-shot setting. Considering its prior intensive fine-tuning on multiple labeled datasets for various tasks, FLAN-T5 excels in the zero-shot task experiments, obtaining a zero-shot accuracy of 51.27% on the IEMOCAP dataset, alongside the classical BERT that obtained the highest zero-shot accuracy on the MELD dataset with 55.08%. • Context modeling for sentiment analysis in dialog systems. • Assess task transfer capabilities. • Assess language transfer capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Romania has a high prevalence of hypertension (45.1% in 2016). Whether this is attributable to a low rate of treatment adherence—which can aggravate the pathology and reduce patients' quality of life (QoL)—is unknown. To address this point, the present study investigated the factors that influence short- and long-term adherence and QoL in patients with arterial hypertension using a specially designed questionnaire. Patients and Methods: The study enrolled 289 patients at different stages of hypertension with or without comorbidities. The diagnosis of hypertension was established by the cardiologist, and treatment regimens were communicated by patients to the clinical pharmacist who administered the questionnaire, which comprised 7 domains with variable numbers of items. Results: The majority of surveyed patients (57.43%) considered that their capacity for effort was decreased because of their hypertension, with 65.05% reporting that they were affected by symptoms associated with high blood pressure (eg, headache and dizziness). Most patients (71.28%) understood the consequences of discontinuing their medication and the severe complications of hypertension, and 69.55% indicated that they would not stop treatment if they experienced side effects. For 53.28% of patients, social activity was significantly affected by their condition. Only 47.05% of patients underwent regular mandatory medical examinations and 55.36% periodically monitored their blood pressure at home. A regression analysis revealed correlations between specific questionnaire items and patient characteristics. Conclusion: Nonpharmacologic factors that were shown to influence patients' adherence to treatment and QoL included the level of health education and knowledge of disease complications, self-monitoring of hypertension, and consultation with medical and pharmaceutical healthcare providers regarding hypertension and its treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retinopathy is one of the most severe diabetes-related complications, and macular edema is the major cause of central vision loss in patients with diabetes mellitus. Significant progress has been made in recent years in optical coherence tomography and angiography technology. At the same time, various parameters have been attributed the role of biomarkers creating the frame for new monitoring and treatment strategies and offering new insights into the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. In this review, we gathered the results of studies that investigated various specific OCT (angiography) parameters in diabetic macular edema, such as central subfoveal thickness (CST), cube average thickness (CAT), cube volume (CV), choroidal thickness (CT), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), retinal thickness at the fovea (RTF), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), central macular thickness (CMT), choroidal vascularity index (CVI), total macular volume (TMV), central choroid thickness (CCT), photoreceptor outer segment (PROS), perfused capillary density (PCD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), subfoveal neuroretinal detachment (SND), hyperreflective foci (HF), disorganization of the inner retinal layers (DRIL), ellipsoid zone (EZ), inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junctions, vascular density (VD), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and superficial capillary plexus (SCP), in order to provide a synthesis of biomarkers that are currently used for the early diagnosis, assessment, monitoring, and outlining of prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human peripheral neuropathies are poorly understood, and the availability of experimental models limits further research. The PeriTox test uses immature dorsal root ganglia (DRG)-like neurons, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), to assess cell death and neurite damage. Here, we explored the suitability of matured peripheral neuron cultures for the detection of sub-cytotoxic endpoints, such as altered responses of pain-related P2X receptors. A two-step differentiation protocol, involving the transient expression of ectopic neurogenin-1 (NGN1) allowed for the generation of homogeneous cultures of sensory neurons. After >38 days of differentiation, they showed a robust response (Ca2+-signaling) to the P2X3 ligand α,β-methylene ATP. The clinical proteasome inhibitor bortezomib abolished the P2X3 signal at ≥5 nM, while 50–200 nM was required in the PeriTox test to identify neurite damage and cell death. A 24 h treatment with low nM concentrations of bortezomib led to moderate increases in resting cell intracellular Ca2+ concentration but signaling through transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) receptors or depolarization-triggered Ca2+ influx remained unaffected. We interpreted the specific attenuation of purinergic signaling as a functional cell stress response. A reorganization of tubulin to form dense structures around the cell somata confirmed a mild, non-cytotoxic stress triggered by low concentrations of bortezomib. The proteasome inhibitors carfilzomib, delanzomib, epoxomicin, and MG-132 showed similar stress responses. Thus, the model presented here may be used for the profiling of new proteasome inhibitors in regard to their side effect (neuropathy) potential, or for pharmacological studies on the attenuation of their neurotoxicity. P2X3 signaling proved useful as endpoint to assess potential neurotoxicants in peripheral neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we discuss the importance of telemedicine in two parts – first, regarding two of the common and disabling nervous system disorders: Parkinson’s disease and stroke; and the second part, regarding the screening for diabetic retinopathy. We also debate on possible links between these medical conditions. More and more connections between pathologies are discovered every day; sometimes unimagined. In order to prevail over the diseases causing today’s burden, we must work together, collaborate and understand that there could be no boundaries in the complexity of diseases. With the recent progress in medicine, but also in telecommunication, the remote diagnosis, screening and monitoring of illnesses, is now up-to-date more than ever. It is our task to embrace the future perspectives and to adapt in order to benefit from these concepts. We believe that through telemedicine, more patients will have access to quality healthcare services and ultimately improve their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1.3 billion people worldwide suffer from a kind of visual impairment. Color blindness (dyschromatopsia) is a visual impairment affecting the quality of life for these patients and is estimated to be the highest in the male population of the European countries. This condition is determined by genetic mutations and secondary acquired etiologies. Many causes have no effective treatment, so new strategies in order to increase the quality of daily living for these people is mandatory. For any human, being independent is an important aspect in the society. Public awareness of this condition is also important. We believe that a simple tweak of the classic traffic lights is one solution to this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but life-threatening condition that develops in the third trimester of pregnancy. AFLP shares similar clinical features with other more common pregnancy-associated conditions. However, early correct diagnosis is important for maternal and fetal survival. Once the diagnosis has been established, immediate delivery and maternal intensive support should be undertaken. Both parents and the infant should be tested for deficiencies of the mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, especially for long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency, as many cases of AFLP are related to disruption of this physiological enzymatic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]