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Sorin Ursoniu,1 Costela Lacrimioara Serban,1 Catalina Giurgi-Oncu,2 Ioana-Alexandra Rivis,3 Adina Bucur,1 Ion Papava,2 Ana-Cristina Bredicean2,4 1Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 2Department of Neuroscience, Discipline of Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Research in Neuropsychiatric Pathology (NeuroPsy-Cog), “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 3Department of Neuroscience, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; 4Psychiatry Compartment, “Dr. Victor Popescu” Emergency Military Clinical Hospital, Timisoara, RomaniaCorrespondence: Costela Lacrimioara Serban, Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania, Tel +40256 204 400, Fax +40256/490626, Email costela.serban@umft.roPurpose: Internet addiction is a recently recognized condition that has been linked to decreased academic performance, clinical symptoms of depression or anxiety, alongside decreased empathy levels. This study examined the validity and reliability of “the Social Media Addiction Scale - Student Form (SMAS-SF)”.Patients and Methods: The final Romanian version of the questionnaire was tested in a focus group for the understandability of each question. For confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, a sample of 649 students was recruited. A subsample of 67 undergraduate students was used to measure reliability by Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).Results: A 2-step confirmatory factor analysis was used and 4 factors emerged, similar to the original questionnaire: virtual tolerance, virtual problems, virtual information, and virtual communication, showing acceptable levels of fit. The structural equation modeling measured the structural relationship between measured variables and latent constructs and acknowledged that the 4-factor model had satisfactory levels for comparative fit index (0.916) and Tucker–Lewis index (0.897), root mean square error of approximation (0.062, with 95% CI between 0.055– 0.069), and standardized root mean square residual (0.053). Values of Cronbach’s alpha = 0.817 and ICC = 0.829 for the overall 16 item questionnaire were acceptable.Conclusion: The Romanian version of the SMAS-SF is a reliable and valid tool to measure social media addiction among undergraduate medical students that may be further used in subsequent research.Keywords: Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form, SMAS-SF, medical students, validation, social network, addiction

The mathematical study of epidemics and their management has been performed for many years, however, in the last few years, new models have been published. Public health is considered very important and has to be monitored, as it is permanently under risk due to the appearance of even more types of microorganisms. Compartmental models, such as exponential models, SI, SIS, SIR, SEIRS, SEIAR, MESIR models, other generalized SIR models were and still are remarkable for studying the spread of an epidemic and for their simulations in software such as MATLAB, Maple, GLEAMviz, etc. The paper has two main objectives: a. to present new simulations in Maple and GLEAMviz for the spread of COVID-19; b. to suggest a generalization of the SIR model for analyzing the spread of COVID-19 and a simulation of it in GLEAMviz. The conclusions are that, generally, mathematical models show a value of a reproduction threshold, which can be used to forecast whether the pandemic is the increasing or decreasing phase, and that mathematical models and simulations in various programs facilitate the improvement of methods of analysis of an epidemic situation and the management of the public health system.

The tourism industry was one of the world’s greatest markets, until the world was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, tourism managers have to carefully assess the impact of epidemics on their businesses and develop new risk management methods to cope with the crisis. The current pandemic has created an opportunity for the development of rural tourism. This study aims to present a mathematical modeling of the entropy of rural tourism in the context of COVID-19 and a differential equation verified by this entropy. The model presented in this paper reflects the entropy of the preference for this type of tourism and a differential equation that models its variation. This paper aims to offer a tool to measure uncertainty regarding this topic. The model can be generalized and applied to any epidemic. The model could be used by specialists in quality management and mathematical modeling, managers of rural tourism organizations, local authorities, to estimate the entropy regarding how rural tourism has been and is still impacted by the COVID-19. The results obtained will help policy makers take necessary strategic and operational decisions, along with maximizing the profit of the rural tourism organization as well as the safety of the tourists

Drought is a naturally recurring phenomenon of the climate system that affects virtually all regions of the world. During the past decades extreme droughts with extensive negative effects on ecosystems became evident also in the Danube region. At the moment regional capacity to monitor drought is still very diverse and not synchronised among different countries. In this is paper, we present a recently developed drought monitoring tool – the Drought User Service (DUS) for the Danube region using remote-sensing products which aims at offering a more accurate and in near-real-time monitoring via different drought indices. The DUS was created as the monitoring tool of the risk-based paradigm, which seeks to give information in near real-time about the location and severity of droughts throughout the Danube region. Satellite remote sensing products meet the requirements for operational monitoring because they are able to offer continuous and consistent measurements of variables, which can be used to assess the severity, spatial extent and impacts of drought. In the DUS three different variables – vegetation, soil moisture and precipitation – are monitored with earth observation products. The condition of vegetation and soil moisture is tracked with two simple indicators computed as long-term anomalies of the NDVI and SWI products made available through EU’s Copernicus Global Land Service. The importance of DUS and of the developed methods for faster detection of drought onset as useful foundation for establishing a better pro-active drought management in order to mitigate the negative effects of drought in the region is discussed.

The fixed point theory is essential to various theoretical and applied fields, such as variational and linear inequalities, the approximation theory, nonlinear analysis, integral and differential equations and inclusions, the dynamic systems theory, mathematics of fractals, mathematical economics (game theory, equilibrium problems, and optimisation problems) and mathematical modelling. This paper presents a few benchmarks regarding the applications of the fixed point theory. This paper also debates if the results of the fixed point theory can be applied to the mathematical modelling of quality.

Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy due to challenges in early detection stemming from a lack of reliable biomarkers. Despite this, various laboratory tests are commonly employed in clinical practice, some showing diagnostic and prognostic promise for ovarian cancer. This review aims to synthesize current literature to delineate the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in both the diagnosis—from laboratory tests to imaging—and treatment of ovarian cancers. Thus, the epidemiology, risk factors, pathology, screening methods, as well as the integration of AI in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer (AI based on both blood biomarkers and imaging-based ovarian cancer detection) are presented. AI and biomarkers show considerable potential in improving ovarian cancer management, but ongoing research efforts are necessary to refine these technologies and integrate them effectively into clinical practice. This approach aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy, predict patient outcomes, and ultimately improve treatment strategies for ovarian cancer patients.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe side effect of antiresorptive drugs – Bisphosphonates (BPs) and RANKL inhibitor (denosumab) – prescribed for treatment of bone malignancies and severe osteoporosis. Non-surgical treatment may be a valid option for MRONJ in patients ineligible for surgery. Published observational studies have demonstrated that a common purine derivative – pentoxifylline in combination with tocopherol are potentially useful in the nonsurgical management of MRONJ. The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic impact and possible side effects of treatment with pentoxifylline in combination with tocopherol in patients with MRONJ. Patients were subdivided into two groups: the test group, comprising of 20 patients, underwent treatment with 800 mg pentoxifylline in combination with 1000 IU of tocopherol, whereas the other patients formed the control group. After the 6-month treatment course, the statistically significant results of our study show that treatment with pentoxifylline in association with tocopherol is efficacious for managing MRONJ nonsurgically. However, larger clinical studies are needed to optimize dose and duration. No serious adverse effects occurred.

The pharmacological protocol using pentoxifylline and tocopherol (PENTO-E) seems to be a promoter according to some authors and is becoming a possible therapeutic proposal in the management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), though studies have shown its benefit in the management of osteoradionecrosis. The purine derivatives as is pentoxifylline aims to overcome the oxidative stress associated with the rebound effect by improving local circulation. In this study, the therapeutic approach based on the pharmacological association pentoxifylline and tocopherol showed a high cure rate, regardless of the stage of the disease. Thus, PENTO-E therapy could be a safe and effective additional strategy in the management of MRONJ.

Abstract Ovarian insufficiency is one of the common reproductive disorders affecting women with limited therapeutic aids. Mesenchymal stem cells have been investigated in such disorders before yet, the exact mechanism of MSCs in ovarian regeneration regarding their epigenetic regulation remains elusive. The current study is to investigate the role of the bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) lncRNA (Neat-1 and Hotair1) and miRNA (mir-21-5p, mir-144-5p, and mir-664-5p) in mitigating ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis as well as searching BM-MSCs in altering the expression of ovarian and hypothalamic IGF-1 – kisspeptin system in connection to HPG axis in a cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian failure rat model. Sixty mature female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 equal groups; control group, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) group, and POI + BM-MSCs. POI female rat model was established with cyclophosphamide. The result revealed that BM-MSCs and their conditioned media displayed a significant expression level of Neat-1, Hotair-1, mir-21-5p, mir-144-5p, and mir-664-5p. Moreover, BM-MSCs transplantation in POI rats improves; the ovarian and hypothalamic IGF-1 – kisspeptin, HPG axis, ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis, steroidogenesis, angiogenesis, energy balance, and oxidative stress. BM-MSCs expressed higher levels of antiapoptotic lncRNAs and microRNAs that mitigate ovarian insufficiency.

It is known that for the scientific substantiation of quality management have been applied models that pertain to mathematical statistics, the probability theory, the information theory, fuzzy systems, graphic methods, time series, and algebraic and numerical methods.

A new simple, rapid, accurate and precise High – Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method for determination of benzylpenicillin potassium and streptomycin sulphate in Ascomicin ointment was developed and validated. The method can be used for the detection and quantification of known and unknown impurities and degradation products in this pharmaceutical product during routine analysis and also for stability studies in view of its capability to separate degradation products. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, specificity, robustness and quantification limits according to ICH Guidelines. The estimation of benzylpenicillin potassium and streptomycin sulphate was done by Waters HPLC 2695. The chromatographic conditions comprised a reverse-phased C18 column (5 µm particle size, 250 mm×4.6 mm i.d.) with a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of solution in water containing 0.025 M of sodium phosphate dibasic and 0.02 of sodium hexansulfonate adjusted to pH 6.0 with 22.5 g/lsolution of phosphoric acid and acetonitrile in gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.8 ml/min. Standard curves were linear over the concentration range of 5.00 µg/ml to 5.00 mg/ml for streptomycin sulphate and 3.26 µg/ml to 3.26 mg/ml for benzylpenicillin potassium. Statistical analyses proved the method was precise, reproducible, selective, specific and accurate for analysis of benzylpenicillin potassium, streptomycin sulphate and related substances.

The objective of the work is the design and simulation of a flexible manufacturing structure with two robots, integrated in a welding application, using the Roboguide software. FANUC ROBOGUIDE is a robot simulator that simulates both the movement of the robots and the commands from the designed application, significantly reducing the time needed to create new motion configurations.The possibility to import the CAD models of the components, of the fixing devices and of the final effectors of the robots integrated into the designed application, allows the creation and evaluation of various structures. Automatic program generation simplifies manual programming operations. ROBOGUIDE allows pre-programming of robots before they are installed in a cell, as well as visualization and confirmation of robot trajectories before downloading the programs to the real robot.

Stefana Bucur,1,2 Elena-Daniela Serban,1 Bogdan Vasile Ileanu,3 Raluca Simona Costache,4,5 Alin Codrut Nicolescu,6 Traian Constantin,7,8 Daniel Octavian Costache,1,9 Maria-Magdalena Constantin1,2 1 2nd Department of Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; 2 2nd Department of Dermatology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania; 3Center for Health Outcomes and Evaluation, Bucharest, Romania; 4Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; 5Department of Gastroenterology, Central Military Emergency University Hospital “Dr. Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania; 6Department of Dermatology, “Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, 011773, Romania; 7Department of Urology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; 8Department of Urology, “Prof. Dr. Theodor Burghele” Hospital, Bucharest, 050659, Romania; 9Department of Dermatology, Central Military Emergency University Hospital “Dr. Carol Davila”, Bucharest, RomaniaCorrespondence: Elena-Daniela Serban, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, Bucharest, 020021, Romania, Email elena-daniela.serban@drd.umfcd.roPurpose: Multiple biological therapies have been developed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Choosing the optimal treatment for psoriasis can depend on several factors and is strongly influenced by a drug’s efficacy and safety profile. Continuous treatment with biological therapies is recommended to achieve effective disease management in patients with psoriasis. However, in real-world, patients often discontinue biologic therapy within the first year of treatment. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness and drug survival of two anti-interleukin 17 agents (ixekizumab and secukinumab) in a group of adult patients with moderate to severe psoriasis from Bucharest, Romania.Patients and Methods: We designed an observational, non-interventional, retrospective study of 255 adult patients with moderate to severe psoriasis receiving ixekizumab and secukinumab. We performed descriptive statistics and inferential methods, such as z-test, median test and Kaplan Meier curve comparison, to characterize the groups with two biological treatments.Results: Patients treated with ixekizumab had a longer drug survival compared to those treated with secukinumab with lower risks of non-persistence, discontinuation and switching therapy. Patients age-groups and psoriasis durations found to be significant factors in drug survival.Conclusion: This study contributes to the understanding of the drug survival profile and the factors that may influence it in ixekizumab and secukinumab treatment in a real-world setting.Keywords: anti-IL-17 effectiveness, anti-IL-17 drug survival, ixekizumab, secukinumab

Abstract N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), group 2A carcinogens, were detected in finished drug products, including metformin, ranitidine, sartans and other drugs which caused multiple recalls in the USA and Europe. Important studies also reported the formation of NDMA when ranitidine and nitrite were added to simulated gastric fluid. Our objective was to screen finished drug products from Europe and USA for nitrosamine impurities and investigate the formation of NDMA in metformin finished drug products when added to simulated gastric fluid. One dosage unit of 30 different commercially available drugs, including metformin, sartans, and ranitidine were tested for NDMA, NDEA, and dimethylformamide (DMF) impurities, using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) method. Then, 6 metformin finished drug products were tested in stomach conditions for 2 h at 37 °C in a 100 mL solution with a pH of 2.5 and different nitrite concentrations (40, 10, 1, 0.1 mM) and tested for NDMA, and DMF using LC–MS. We measured NDMA, NDEA, and DMF in 30 finished drug products. NDMA and DMF were quantified for metformin drug products in simulated gastric fluid with different nitrite concentrations. None of the 30 drugs showed concerning levels of NDMA, NDEA, or DMF when tested as single tablets. However, when metformin tablets are added to simulated gastric fluid solutions with high nitrite concentrations (40 mM and 10 mM), NDMA can reach amounts of thousands of nanograms per tablet. At the closest concentration to physiologic conditions we used, 1 mM, NDMA is still present in the hundreds of nanograms in some metformin products. In this in vitro study, nitrite concentration had a very important effect on NDMA quantification in metformin tablets added to simulated gastric fluid. 1 mM nitrite caused an increase above the acceptable daily intake set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for some of the metformin drugs. 10 mM, 40 mM nitrite solutions generated NDMA amounts exceeding by more than a hundred times the acceptable daily intake set by the FDA of 96 nanograms. These findings suggest that metformin can react with nitrite in gastric-like conditions and generate NDMA. Thus, patients taking metformin could be exposed to NDMA when high nitrite levels are present in their stomach, and we recommend including a statement within the Patient Package Inserts/Instructions for use.

Aim of the study: to evaluate a reliable and user-friendly index to predict the surgical difficulty of the extractions of mesioangular impacted mandibular third molars. Material and method: Our retrospective study included 237 patients aged 16 to 40 years, with an average of 27.3. The patients were categorized into three different age groups, under 20 years, between 20 and 30 years, and between 30 and 40 years. Depending on the values of the angle of the long axis of the lower third molar with the axis of the mandibular canal we divided the cases into three groups: the first with an angle of 0°-30°, the second with an angle between 30°-60° and the last with values between 60°-90°. Another studied parameter was the operating time. Results: There were 67 patients under 20 years old (28.3%), 113 between 20 and 30 (47.7%), and (24%) between 30 and 40. 35% of the group were men, while 65% were women. The chi-square test showed a negative correlation between the duration of the surgical intervention and the molar angulation (p=0.049). There was no statistically significant correlation between the duration of the extraction and the age of the patients (p=0.941).Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, we can propose a larger one to confirm the findings of your research.

Zirconia (ZrO2) is a biocompatible ceramic material which is successfully used in medicine to cover the metallic implants by various methods. In order to avoid the inconvenients related to structural changes which may appear because of the temperature treatment while depositing the zirconia layer over the metallic implant, certain oxides are added, the most used being Y2O3, MgO and CaO. This paper presents the experimental results regarding the deposition of yttria (Y2O3) and magnesia (MgO) partially stabilized zirconia layers onto titanium alloy substrate by plasma spraying method. X ray diffraction investigations carried out both on the initial powders and the coatings evidenced the fact that during the thermal spraying process the structure has not been significantly modified, consisting primarily of zirconium oxide with tetragonal structure. Electronic microscopy analyses show that the coatings are dense, uniform and cracks-free. Adherence tests performed on samples whose thickness ranges between 160 and 220 μm showed that the highest value (23.5 MPa) was obtained for the coating of ZrO2 - 8 wt. % Y2O3 with 160 μm thickness. The roughness values present an increasing tendency with increasing the coatings thickness.

Background Dual inhibition using anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) checkpoint inhibitors has proven effective in many cancers. However, its efficacy in rare solid cancers remains unclear. Desmoid tumors are ultrarare soft-tissue tumors, traditionally treated with surgery. This study reviews the first results of using ipilimumab and nivolumab in the desmoid tumor cohort of the SWOG S1609 Dual Anti-CTLA-4 & Anti-PD-1 blockade in Rare Tumors (DART) trial.Methods DART is a prospective/open-label/multicenter (1,016 US sites)/multicohort phase II trial of ipilimumab (1 mg/kg intravenously every 6 weeks) plus nivolumab (240 mg intravenously every 2 weeks) that opened at 1,016 US sites. The primary endpoint included overall response rate (ORR) defined as confirmed complete (CR) and partial responses (PR) based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v.1.1. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), clinical benefit rate (CBR; stable disease (SD) ≥6 months plus CR and PR) and toxicity.Results Sixteen evaluable patients (median age: 37) with desmoid tumors and a median of 1.5 prior therapies (with no prior exposure to immunotherapy) were analyzed. The tumors varied in location (eight abdomen, three lower limb, two upper limb, two pelvis, and one neck). ORR was 18.8% (3/16; 3 confirmed PR): 40% regression (PFS 30+ months), 83% regression (PFS 16 months) and 71% regression (PFS 8.4 months). Seven additional patients (43.8%) had prolonged SD over 6 months (PFS: 16.5, 22.4+, 22.6, 30.1, 38.2+, 48.3+ and 60.7+ months). Overall CBR was 62.5% (10/16). Median PFS was 19.4 months, with 6-month PFS of 73% and 1-year PFS of 67%. All patients were alive at 1 year; median OS was not assessable, as 13 patients were alive at analysis. Common adverse events included fatigue, nausea and hypothyroidism, with 50% experiencing grade 3–4 events. There were no grade 5 events.Conclusion Treatment with ipilimumab and nivolumab in desmoid tumors yielded an ORR of 18.8% and a CBR of 62.5% with durable responses seen. This is the first prospective study exploring the efficacy of this combination in this rare disease. Ongoing studies aim to identify markers for response and resistance. Expanded trials are necessary.Trial registration number NCT02834013.

IntroductionThis study explores whether high alexithymia values correlate with low levels of empathy, while also trying to identify potential connections with social media addiction.MethodsWe hypothesized that alexithymia mediates the relationship between social media addiction and empathy levels in a sample of undergraduate students. The study population consisted of 649 medical students in the 4th/5th/6th University year, recruited between March and May 2021. For this assessment, we employed three psychometric instruments: the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ), the Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form (SMAS-SF), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). A pathway analysis investigated alexithymia as a mediator between social media addiction and the degree of empathy in medical undergraduates. Sobel’s test and the Baron and Kenny approach were used for testing mediation.ResultsThe TEQ total mean score was 48.76 ± 5.65, while the TAS-20 total mean score was 47.71 ± 11.49. Further analysis of the TAS-20 scale scores showed that 21.42% of students had possible alexithymia, while 14.02% had clear alexithymia. The SMAS-SF total mean score was 73.20 ± 14.59. None of the students reported levels consistent with major social media addiction. The mediated effect of the TAS-20 is about 1.3 times larger than the direct effect of the SMAS-SF on TEQ.DiscussionWe found a significant negative correlation between empathy and alexithymia in medical students. Alexithymia was a mediator between social media addiction and empathy. Therefore, we recommend further efforts to identify potential levels of alexithymia in medical students, in order to successfully develop tailored interventions aimed at increasing their emotional awareness.

In the light of the new Education Act dedicated to preuniversity education that came into force in Romania in 2023, prospective teachers are to be offered two alternative pathways to enter their profession: a twelvemonth or eighteen-month master’s degree. Timewise, those determined to embrace the teaching career will have to comply with these provisions starting with the 2027-2028 school year. Considering these specific regulations belonging to the recent legal framework governing education in Romania, our paper aims at investigating the advantages and disadvantages of the options given to future teachers, so as to tentatively predict whether past obstacles might be overcome. By briefly outlining both the tendencies and realities of initial teacher education at international and European levels and by presenting the evolution of initial teacher education in Romania in the post-communist era, we lay the basis for our small-scale investigation. The responses of our interviewees (school inspectors, school principals, experienced teachers, academics) point not only to the imminent threats and inherent weaknesses, but also to the long-term prospects of this educational reform, as professionalising the teaching industry advances the profession as a whole and goes a long way to create better opportunities for student success.

Abstract We propose a novel model-selection method for dynamic networks. Our approach involves training a classifier on a large body of synthetic network data. The data is generated by simulating nine state-of-the-art random graph models for dynamic networks, with parameter range chosen to ensure exponential growth of the network size in time. We design a conceptually novel type of dynamic features that count new links received by a group of vertices in a particular time interval. The proposed features are easy to compute, analytically tractable, and interpretable. Our approach achieves a near-perfect classification of synthetic networks, exceeding the state-of-the-art by a large margin. Applying our classification method to real-world citation networks gives credibility to the claims in the literature that models with preferential attachment, fitness and aging fit real-world citation networks best, although sometimes, the predicted model does not involve vertex fitness.

The foundation of a healthy Single Market is represented by a strong trade policy. Over the years that shaped the European Union as it is known today, European trade policy had to adjust to new tendencies regarding economic growth, free trade and respecting new regulations set in place by the new wave of green economy. The European Union’s (EU) Green Deal is the main new growth strategy to transition the EU economy to a sustainable economic model. Being green, mindful of the carbon neutrality challenges the trade policy and pushes the law makers and other entities to take serious action. The European Green Deal aims to boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy and stop climate change, revert biodiversity loss and cut pollution. One of the most important challenges faced by the European Union’s trade policy represents its alignment with the imperatives of environmental sustainability and Green Deal. Focusing on trading partners around the world, the study assesses the impact of EU trade policy on the adoption of initiatives to promote environmental protection, decent working conditions, ecolabelling, and sustainable marketing of natural resources. Considering trade agreements as tools to promote sustainable development goals and emphasizing the need for coherence between trade policy and environmental commitments, this article will use explanatory graphs and data collected from the European Commission and others to demonstrate the need for a common framework to contribute to achieving the Paris Agreement's environmental, economic and social sustainability goals.

The fundamental aim of this paper is to investigate and explore the design and simulation methods for a cyber-physical system (CPS) for the monitoring and control of drinking water capture, treatment and distribution processes. This research aims to provide a deep understanding of the theoretical concepts underlying CPS systems, as well as a detailed analysis of the technologies and methodologies used in the design and simulation of these complex systems. Through this investigation, we aim to identify effective solutions for the management of drinking water resources, given the critical importance of water in modern society. By analyzing case studies and current practices, we will assess the advantages and challenges associated with implementing a CPS system in the real-world context of water supply infrastructure. This work not only aims to provide a theoretical perspective on the concept of CPS applied in the field of drinking water supply, but also to contribute to the development and implementation of practical solutions in order to ensure universal access to quality water and to protect the environment. Through academic approach and rigorous research, we hope to make a contribution to the field of mechatronic engineering and environmental technologies.

Currently, the emphasis is placed on sustainability, requiring economies to continuously innovate, demonstrating their competence for eco-innovation. This form of innovation is a key concept in today’s world, providing innovative and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, expecting a high level of education. Thus, this paper aims to explore the relationship between eco-innovation and higher education within the member states of the European Union, concentraiting on the quantitative analysis of the impact of higher education on eco-innovation development in these countries. Applying regression analysis, the eco-innovation index and the level of education in EU countries will be inspected to establish any significant correlation between these two variables. Following the analysis, the collected data involved in the regression method will reveal possible interrelationships and significant influences between the level of education and the degree of eco-innovation development in the member countries of the EU. Conclusively, the research proposes to highlight the influence of higher education in the development of eco-innovation within the European Union. The suggested quantitative analysis could lead to a better understanding of the association between higher education and eco-innovation, revealing the potential that the education sector has in promoting sustainability and a green future for European Union.

Widely recognized as the most deathful gynecologic malignancy affecting women worldwide, ovarian cancer has reported a significant decline in terms of prevalence and incidence in the last decades. This fact has been especially explained by to the use of menopausal hormonal therapy and of oral contraceptives in association with genetic, oncologic and gynecologic counseling. The aim of the current review is to discuss about actual ovarian cancer prevention and screening tools. For this reason, we reviewed several data related to ovarian cancer, such as: incidence and risk factors, histopathological types (epithelial with high- and low-grade serous carcinomas, clear cell carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, germ cells ovarian cancer tumors), as well as screening, diagnosis and prevention methods (ovulation disruption, surgical prevention, etc.). Although progress has been reported in the last decades in terms of early diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer, this malignancy still represents a significant health problem affecting women worldwide. However, it seems that the golden key for optimizing the long-term outcomes in such patients is represented by a better understanding of the complex pathogenesis of this disease.

Abstract Ultra‐wideband (UWB) microwave sources driven by specialised pulsed power generators have experienced a considerable development in the last decade due to their wide domain of new applications such as defence or counter‐terrorism activity. The authors present the main findings of a research dedicated to the development of a pulsed power‐driven electromagnetic field source for disabling improvised explosive devices (IED). The pulsed power generator driving the source is a 13‐stage compact Marx producing voltage pulses reaching an amplitude of 0.5 MV, with a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of up to 100 Hz. The generator is coupled to a bipolar pulse forming line, providing bipolar pulses with a dV/dt of around 1.6 MV/ns. This pulsed power system feeds an array composed of 16 Koshelev‐type UWB antennas through an impedance matching transformer. The resulting electromagnetic source is capable to produce pulsed electric fields (PEFs) having a figure‐of‐merit (FOM) of 1 MV. First, practical experiments were carried out to study the effects of the PEFs on targets. The targets used in the present study are M2B type flashbulbs, known to have the same susceptibility as the US army M6 detonator. Different configurations of wires (shielded, twisted, etc) with different lengths were used in connecting items inside these targets. The tests were performed by placing the flashbulbs at different distances to determine the essential parameters (i.e., amplitude, duration, and frequency range) of the PEFs required to trigger them. An overview of the experimental campaign and the main findings are also presented followed by conclusions.

Our survey investigated dentists' perceptions of their activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used a ten-question survey on our conception and sent it to 122 dentists via social media; 70 responded. The Cronbach's Alpha coefficient validated our questionnaire. We applied the Shapiro-Wilk test and the Mann-Whitney test. The chosen p-significance threshold was 0.05. The respondents were 61.50% women and 38.50% men; 44.29% were between 23 -30 years old. 44.29% of the respondents were dentists with 1 to 5 years of practice. Of 70 dentists, 51.43% felt stress, 35.71% felt fear, 7.15% anxiety, and 5.71% physical fatigue during the pandemic. 65% of males and 35% of females used some drugs. 80.80% of respondents had no financial problems, 19.20% reported some troubles. Gloves, masks, and glasses were the principal ways of protection, followed by nebulizers (98%) and UV lamps (52%). 68 declared they had the support of their friends and family, 65 were relaxed by TV programs, 52 by doing sports, and 47 by listening to music. 53% of dentists had COVID-19: 30.58% female and 22.42% male; 96.24% of them managed to treat the infection at home

This paperwork aims to identify the dentition’s changes in genetic diseases and to find solutions to solve them. Method: We studied 31 patients with different genetic diseases (Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Prader-Willy syndrome, Bardet-Biel syndrome, Tourette syndrome , Pfeiffer syndrome,and schizophrenia ). The patients were of school age (7-14 years old) and followed socialization programs within a foundation, the study taking place over 1 year). Conclusion: the most frequent cases were represented by dental malocclusion (98,16%), correlated with mental retardation and facial dysmorphism (74,2%), shape and structure anomalies (76,11%), mandibular hypoplasia (33,3%) and 6% pigmentation on the mucous membranes. Conclusions: We believe that the health education of parents with rare genetic diseases that affect skeletal development should be emphasized in order to ensure better oral health in this group. The health system should develop screening strategies and education and support services. Also, access to dental treatments for patients with rare genetic diseases should be supported through various programs.

Climate change and environmental issues have become increasingly acute in recent decades, raising global concerns about environmental sustainability. In this context, eco-innovation has become an indispensable component of the efforts to undertake these challenges and build a more sustainable future. This research focuses on analysing the relationship between the eco-innovation index, the human development index (HDI), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, CO2 emissions per capita in European Union member states, for the period 2013-2021. Adopting statistical analysis, particularly the Pearson correlation coefficient, the research examines the relation between these variables. The findings shed light on the complex dynamics between eco-innovation, human development, economic indicators, and environmental factors, providing valuable insights for policy makers, researchers who want to deal with sustainability challenges and promote inclusive growth.

This paper presents an in-depth analysis of a Quantum-inspired Multi-objective Optimization Algorithm (QMOA) applied to a unique problem: maximizing trading profits while minimizing energy costs. Previous investigations have explored the profitability of Bitcoin, yet our research delves into its relationship with energy costs. Regarding the trade-offs, the Pareto analysis reveals that trading profit and energy cost do not strongly inversely correlate. The range of outcomes shows a relatively uniform trading profit (from 1.302,85 to 1.310,22$), but a broader variation in energy costs (from 1.141,66 to 5.657,94$). While the trading profit remains stable, there is a wide array of options for minimizing energy cost, which is influenced by various constraints and market conditions. Solutions tend to cluster more in areas of higher energy costs. However, the variability in energy costs offers Bitcoin miners choices, allowing them to tailor strategies, whether that involves prioritizing energy efficiency, profit maximization or striking a balance.

While spatial transcriptomics has undeniably revolutionized our ability to study cellular organization, it has driven the development of a great number of innovative transcriptomics methods, which can be classified into in situ sequencing (ISS) methods, in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques, and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based sequencing with region capture. These technologies not only refine our understanding of cellular processes, but also open up new possibilities for breakthroughs in various research domains. One challenge of spatial transcriptomics experiments is the limitation of RNA detection due to optical crowding of RNA in the cells. Expansion microscopy (ExM), characterized by the controlled enlargement of biological specimens, offers a means to achieve super-resolution imaging, overcoming the diffraction limit inherent in conventional microscopy and enabling precise visualization of RNA in spatial transcriptomics methods. In this review, we elaborate on ISS, ISH and NGS-based spatial transcriptomic protocols and on how performance of these techniques can be extended by the combination of these protocols with ExM. Moving beyond the techniques and procedures, we highlight the broader implications of transcriptomics in biology and medicine. These include valuable insight into the spatial organization of gene expression in cells within tissues, aid in the identification and the distinction of cell types and subpopulations and understanding of molecular mechanisms and intercellular changes driving disease development.

In this study, we leverage sentiment analysis to investigate public perception towards environmental issues as conveyed through global news articles and its potential implications on the transition to a low-carbon economy. Utilizing an extensive corpus of news articles sourced globally, we deploy Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to quantify sentiment in these articles, capturing public sentiment’s dynamism and complexity towards various environmental issues. Our methodology involves sentiment scoring of key aspects like “climate change”, “climate policy”, “renewable energy”, “solar energy”, “wind energy”, and “environmental impact” which facilitated a detailed sentiment trend analysis over time. We also incorporated a Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model to conduct topic modelling, identifying five major topics recurring in the discourse. Our correlation analysis uncovers interesting relationships such as a positive correlation between sentiment scores of “low carbon” and “electric cars”, and a negative correlation between “greenhouse gas emissions” and “electric cars". The findings indicate that public sentiment towards environmental issues is not only multifaceted but also evolving, with significant implications for policy-making and stakeholder engagement in the low-carbon transition. These results exemplify sentiment analysis as a powerful tool in understanding public perception, providing actionable insights for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in environmental issues and the low-carbon economy transition.

Summary: Background: Despite the increasing efficacy of chemotherapy (C), the 5-year survival rate for patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CLM) remains around 10%. Liver transplantation (LT) might offer a curative approach for patients with liver-only disease, yet its superior efficacy compared to C alone remains to be demonstrated. Methods: The TransMet randomised multicentre clinical trial (NCT02597348) compares the curative potential of C followed by LT versus C alone in patients with unresectable CLM despite stable or responding disease on C. Patient eligibility criteria proposed by local tumour boards had to be validated by an independent committee via monthly videoconferences. Outcomes reported here are from a non-specified interim analysis. These include the eligibility of patients to be transplanted for non resectable colorectal liver metastases, as well as the feasibility and the safety of liver transplantation in this indication. Findings: From February 2016 to July 2021, 94 (60%) of 157 patients from 20 centres in 3 countries submitted to the validation committee, were randomised. Reasons for ineligibility were mainly tumour progression in 50 (32%) or potential resectability in 13 (8%). The median delay to LT after randomisation was 51 (IQR 30–65) days. Nine of 47 patients (19%, 95% CI: 9–33) allocated to the LT arm failed to undergo transplantation because of intercurrent disease progression. Three of the 38 transplanted patients (8%) were re-transplanted, one of whom (3%) died post-operatively from multi-organ failure. Interpretation: The selection process of potential candidates for curative intent LT for unresectable CLM in the TransMet trial highlighted the critical role of an independent multidisciplinary validation committee. After stringent selection, the feasibility of LT was 81%, as 19% had disease progression while on the waiting list. These patients should be given high priority for organ allocation to avoid dropout from the transplant strategy. Funding: No source of support or funding from any author to disclose for this work. The trial was supported by the Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP).

In this article, we will solve optimization problems from the financial and economic field with constants, infinite-horizon iterative techniques and elements from fixed point theory. We will resort to Ćirić contractions in Banach space and the main result consists of the existence of a fixed point to solve an important class of infinite-horizon iterative schemes for optimization problems with state constraints for which the value function is merely lower semi-continuous. The developed tools allowed us to solve the stationary infinite-horizon optimization problems, especially for the maximization of the utility of households. We present some fixed point results that are fundamental for the development of our contributions: Notably, existence, monotonicity, attainability and results in the Ćirić contribution. We show the convergence in norm with probability for an iterative procedure defined for our problem under the stated assumptions. By using the Ćirić operator and the Reich-Rus type $ \psi F $-contraction, we prove the existence of the results of the optional cost function of an infinite horizon problem in a complete metric space. For a particular case, we realize a numerical simulation in C++. The conclusions are that the convergence, the existence and the uniqueness results of an optimal cost function of an infinite horizon problem in a Banach space can be treated by resorting to the Ćirić operator.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the interconnections between diasporic discourse, spatiality, and Jewish literature within an analysis of a certain movement from Interwar Jewish-Romanian literature, the so-called literature of the ghetto, represented by authors such as I. Peltz, Ury Benador and Ion Călugăru. Depicting the lives of Romanian Jews in shtetls or marginal neighbourhoods, this literary discourse features a close relationship between spatiality and identity at its core. Alongside the space of the ghetto, multiple topoi (such as America, Palestine, or Russia) appear in these writings. I call these projective spaces as they are included in the novels through the longing of the narrators, for which different political affinities play a key role, or by means of fragmented stories that, often altered, echo through the ghettos.

Poverty is one of the world’s greatest economic and social problems of all time. Therefore, sustainable solutions to reduce it are essential to increase the well-being of individuals and society. In this paper, the various causes of poverty, such as social and economic inequalities, limited access to education and health, will be analysed. After an introduction, the concept of sustainable development will be presented, underlying the virtues, as well as limits of it. There will be explored sustainable solutions for poverty reduction, which focus on sustainable development and the promotion of social and economic inclusion. Such solutions could be the creation of jobs and investment in the agricultural sector, the development of infrastructure and public services, the promotion of access to education and health services, and support for local communities and the social and solidarity economy. To validate these findings, qualitative methodology based on content analysis of sustainable development literature will allow to identify and evaluate good practices in sustainable development and poverty reduction. Therefore, it will be possible to show that sustainable solutions for poverty reduction are not only feasible but also effective in terms of social and economic impact. The paper will end with conclusions, arguing that sustainable solutions to poverty reduction are the key to increasing the well-being of individuals and society, and showing that interconnectivity, when considered in a sustainable approach, can improve the benefits for economic and social life.

The objective of this paper is to develop the control system for driving a mobile robot using the Arduino board, controlled by an ESP 32 logic processor, named SPIDER4LEGS. In order to be used in the oil and gas industry, for example for the internal inspection of oil product transport pipelines, the four-legged spider type robot version was chosen, especially due to the special mobility it offers. The created control system must ensure the control of the movement of the kinematic couplings in the construction of the legs, the monitoring and maintenance of stability as well as the establishment of the optimal stepping sequences. The control system is simple and it use the Wi-Fi communication, because it is the best way to transfer data between the robot and the operator, offering a lot of advantages.

The purpose of this paper is the design and realization of a prototype system for tracking the position of the sun, with two axes of rotation. The operating principle of the device is based on changing the position of the photovoltaic modules in the direction of the sun's rays, which maximizes the production of electricity. Solar panels with automatic adjustment according to the position of the sun are an innovative solution for optimizing the use of the solar energy. The promotion and use of solar energy is essential in our efforts to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable future.

The purpose of this work is to design and implement a cascade control system of the level with the flow rate, with remote supervision, in an industrial type installation, located in the Laboratory of Measurement Techniques, Department of Automation, Computers & Electronics, within the Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. The operating parameters of the installation are as follows: suction pressure: 0 – 2 bar; discharge pressure: 0 -10 bar; water flow: 0-30 m3/h; transported liquid: water. The automation system is structured on three hierarchical levels: level 1: the instrumentation mounted on the installation (transducers, signaling devices, etc.); level 2: includes the TGA System; level 3: constitutes the upper hierarchical level and includes the HMI (Human Machine Interface). The TGA system is a computerized system that ensures the monitoring, command and control functions of all the stand's component elements. It contains a programmable logic controller PLC 1214 – Siemens, which communicates via an Ethernet IP network with an operator interface and with the network of the Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, which allows remote control of the installation. It also includes the protection system in case of failure, which involves stopping the rotating equipment, isolating the pipes by closing the control valve and alarming the operators. The HMI (Human Machine Interface) interface presents 3 options on the start page, from where the operator can select which application he wants to test: flow control loop application; level adjustment loop application; cascade adjustment loop application. The HMI equipment integrates SCADA functions, database update, evolution curves of analog quantities, sound and monitor alarm system, keyboard command, periodic records, event records, alarm records and technological schemes at the human-machine interface. The entire software is made in an open architecture, recommended by ISO norms. The PLC communicates in the network by adopting the protocol TCP/IP. An executable program used for the real-time application program was developed.

Medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw is a heterogeneous clinical entity with common pathology features and their diagnosis and management remains a dilemma for many clinicians. During the current SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic, an extensive therapeutic arsenal is being used that includes traditional immunosuppressive and repurposed drugs, so it is important to understand their possible adverse effects. We describe the diagnosis, clinical course, and management of a 65-year-old female patient undergoing previously intravenous bisphosphonates (BPs) therapy and recently was treated with corticosteroid for the prevention of multi-inflammatory syndrome during the course of COVID-19. In this context, possible pathophysiological links between osteonecrosis of the jaw and medication used to treat non-severe COVID-19 infection are discussed. It should be underlined that osteonecrosis of the jaw unrelated to BPs may be a rare complication associated with concomitant corticotherapy. This case highlights the need for rapid dissemination of clinical information related to the multidisciplinary care of patients with COVID-19 who were managed by corticosteroids.

Studying the literature I found few studies on the applications in dentistry of essential geranium oil. Lack of research on the species of Pelargonium roseum, generators of essential geranium oil, forces us to develop our own culture to obtain essential oil for the elaboration of products for dental use previously tested on different bacterial cultures. Based on the antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, analgesic properties, and sedative-hypnotics we aim to obtain nanocapsules based on volatile geranium oil with application in oral pathology both periodontal and tumor. Following the cultivation in the period 2020-2023 and taking into account the good yield in obtaining the essential oil in the soil and climatic conditions of our country we consider that we can develop a culture that supports the subsequent production of essential oil for the production of nanocapsules.

When it comes to guiding orthodontic treatments, our study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of software powered by artificial intelligence (AI) compared to traditional software. The software underwent a thorough evaluation to assess its performance, adaptability, and verbal communication. According to the findings, the software showed a remarkable ability to process and analyze information, resulting in more accurate planning of orthodontic treatments. Its adaptability has been found to be noteworthy, enabling it to identify and address individual patient conditions and problems with greater precision. With the help of this software, orthodontic treatments can be modified and improved in real time, considering the progress and alterations of the case throughout the treatment. Verbal communication through “speech recognize” AI algorithms contributes significantly to their long-term use and user satisfaction. Creating a comfortable and pleasant environment, this software improves the user experience and strengthens their relationship with technology. Comparatively, the classic software presented a lower level of performance and adaptability, and it was impossible to communicate verbally with the software interface. It is based on fixed rule settings and cannot individualize the orthodontic treatment. On the other hand, it uses standardized planning that can lead to unsatisfactory results or further adjustments. According to the comparative study, the artificial intelligence-based software improved the performance and adaptability of orthodontic treatments. Additionally, it enabled direct verbal communication, eliminating the need for a keyboard and a mouse. They can provide more precise guidance by collecting data and machine learning capabilities. However, it is crucial to consider the cost and security aspects of implementing and using this software in the orthodontic practice.

This study aims to present the frequency of pathology at the level of molars of the mind, this pathology can have a multitude of local and general factors, but the most common rate of the inclusion of the molar of the mind following research seems to be characterized by the presence of local factors. One of the most common complications is the impact, ie the inability of the mind molars to erupt on the dental arch. Treatment for the pathology of the mind molars may include observation, extraction, administration of antibiotics, oral surgery, correct orthodontic treatment, or oral hygiene, depending on the nature and severity of the problem. Nanotechnology in the scientific world is a new current, and in dentistry, new branches are already sketched: the nanodiagnotic (cancers diagnosis), the nanoprevention (nanocapsule toothpaste), nanotrataments (odontology, pedodontics, orthodontics, endodontics, surgical treatments, periodontal diseases). Nanomaterials can be simple solutions for solving complex dental problems and can represent the next generation in terms of dental materials development technology.

Abstract The study investigates the effect of the type of varnish and the number of layers on some acoustic properties of the resonance spruce in combination with the changes produced in some physical, morphological, and chemical properties of wood. In addition to color changes and surface chemistry, the surface roughness and morphology are modified by the thickness of the varnish film, 10 layers being optimal from this point of view, as well as the oil‐based finish. The sound absorption coefficient increases with the number of varnish layers and varies with the sound frequency range, varnish type, and wood quality, all contributing to the acoustic tunability. For example, for a sound frequency of 1.5 kHz, it is observed that the oil‐based varnish with 5 and 10 layers contributes to a full sound, while the alcohol varnish, due to a lower absorption coefficient for this frequency, can lead to some nasal sounds. Applying more than 10 layers of varnish does not improve the sound performance as it will soften the sound in an oil‐based finish and make the sound too sharp in the case of alcohol–varnished wood.

James Joyce, a prominent figure in the modernist literary movement, created the character Stephen Dedalus and revealed an example of how consciousness functions when one searches for direction in life. The chaotic nature of human consciousness is revealed through literary devices and techniques that prove the lifelikeness of the character and the way fiction represents not only the reality of a specific time but the reality of the multitude of meanings present within the content of fictional writing, namely literature. The aim of this paper is to investigate the evolution of the main character in the novel “A Portrait of The Artist as a Young Man” by James Joyce to reveal the way Stephen Dedalus builds his consciousness and finds the tone of his “voice”. The metaphor of the voice is to be considered the conceptual term used to describe the different phases of the character’s evolution and the way he succeeds in creating order among uncertainties, quests, and struggles. The term “voice” is used within the neuro-scientific frame of thought, as defined by Antonio Damasio as being “the representation of the conscious self” (Damasio 2010: 45). Both terms, namely consciousness and voice, lead to psychological content; thus, the nature of the analysis is psychological, literary, and symbolic as well. The mythological dimension is to be interpreted through symbols and their significance. The literary dimension revolves around literary techniques such as interior monologue and stream of consciousness, and the psychological frame includes elements that connect literature and psychology.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is present in a latent state in 70–90% of the immunocompetent population, and its reactivation might be triggered by inflammatory conditions such as post-COVID multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) or by immunosuppression induced by steroids. The aim of this paper was to highlight the unexpected complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection that require a complex clinical approach for accurate diagnosis. Materials and Methods: We present the case of a 4-year-old male patient who, during an initially favorable course of PIMS, experienced symptoms of respiratory failure. Results: The patient initially presented with clinical and paraclinical signs of PIMS with cardiac involvement, for which high-dose corticosteroid therapy was initiated, followed by gradual tapering, along with immunoglobulins, anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and symptomatic treatment. After 10 days of favorable progress, the patient’s general condition deteriorated, showing tachypnea, desaturation, and a ground-glass appearance on thoracic CT. Negative inflammatory markers and favorable cardiac lesion evolution ruled out MIS-C relapse. The presence of anti-CMV IgM antibodies and viral DNA in the blood confirmed acute CMV infection, likely triggered by prior severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and secondary immunosuppression due to steroids. Non-specific immunomodulatory treatment was initiated but led to worsening of pulmonary lesions, prompting the initiation of specific antiviral treatment with ganciclovir, resulting in rapid clinical and imaging improvement. Conclusions: CMV infection can be reactivated by immunosuppression induced by corticosteroid therapy for MIS-C and may require specific etiological treatment.

Objective. This study examined the potential use of computed tomography panoramic mandibular indices on cone beam CT (CBCT) for assessing bone density in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. Study design. The study enrolled 104 postmenopausal women who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) using a DXA scanner and mental foramen region CBCT alongside the NewTom VGi EVO Cone Beam 3D system. We assessed the relationship between the following DXA parameters: lumbar, femoral neck, and total hip T score, bone mineral density (BMD), and lumbar trabecular bone score (TBS). The following panoramic mandibular indices were also considered: the computed tomography mandibular index superior (CTI(S)), computed tomography mandibular index inferior (CTI(I)), and computed tomography mental index (CTMI). Results. The study revealed moderate correlations between CBCT indices and BMD/TBS scores: CTMI showed the highest correlation with the femoral neck T-score (r = 0.551, p < 0.0001). TBS scores were also moderately correlated with CBCT indices: CTMI showed a moderate positive correlation with TBS (r = 0.431, p < 0.0001); CTI(S) had a similar moderate positive correlation with TBS (r = 0.421, p < 0.0001). AUC values ranged from 0.697 to 0.733 for osteoporosis versus the osteopenia/normal group and from 0.734 to 0.744 for low versus normal bone quality groups, p < 0.0001. The comparison of the values of the studied indices between low versus normal bone quality (quantified with TBS) groups showed high sensitivity but low specificity. Conclusions. CBCT-measured indices CTI(S), CTI(I), and CTMI are useful in assessing patients with low bone mass to improve, by specific treatment, the prognosis of dental implants.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) constitute a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally, particularly among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ertugliflozin, a Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, is hypothesized to confer cardiovascular protection; however, long-term follow-up studies are necessary to support the hypothesis. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of ertugliflozin in diabetic versus non-diabetic cohorts, focusing on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), hospitalizations for heart failure, and cardiovascular mortality. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, the review encompassed studies indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to March 2024. Eligibility was restricted to studies involving T2DM patients undergoing ertugliflozin treatment with reported outcomes relevant to cardiovascular health. Out of 767 initially identified articles, 6 met the inclusion criteria. Data concerning hazard ratios (HR) and confidence intervals (CI) were extracted to compare the effects of ertugliflozin with those of a placebo or other standard therapies. The collective sample size across these studies was 8246 participants. Ertugliflozin was associated with a significant reduction in hospitalizations for heart failure relative to a placebo (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.54–0.90, p < 0.05). Furthermore, when combined with metformin, ertugliflozin potentially reduced MACEs (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.79–1.07), although this finding did not reach statistical significance. Importantly, for patients with pre-existing heart failure, ertugliflozin significantly decreased the exacerbations of heart failure (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33–0.84, p < 0.01). Overall, ertugliflozin markedly reduces hospitalizations due to heart failure in T2DM patients and may improve additional cardiovascular outcomes. These results endorse the integration of ertugliflozin into therapeutic protocols for T2DM patients at elevated cardiovascular risk and substantiate its efficacy among SGLT2 inhibitors. Continued investigations are recommended to delineate its long-term cardiovascular benefits in diverse patient populations, including the potential impact on arrhythmias.

The study focused on the hunting practices and potentially pathogenic bacterial species among European fallow deer (Dama dama). Within a five-year period, three hunting grounds from Western Romania were examined. During this period, a total of 1881 deer were hunted, and 240 samples were collected by rectal and nasal swabbing from 120 carcasses. Bacterial strains were identified utilizing bacteriological assays and the Vitek® 2 Compact system. Notably, the Socodor hunting ground exhibited a significant difference in harvesting quotas between the bucks (Group M) and does/yearlings (Group F), favoring the latter. In the Chișineu Criș–Sălișteanca hunting ground, a likely correlation in harvesting quotas between the two groups was observed. The identified potentially pathogenic bacteria were Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus faecium. These results highlight the importance of effectively managing the deer population and recognize the potential for Dama dama to spread zoonotic pathogens, emphasizing the necessity of adopting a One Health approach and maintaining ongoing surveillance of this game species’ population dynamics.