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Sapropelic muds have been used for centuries to treat various illnesses, but their effects and mechanisms are still under research. In this study the effects of Techirghiol sapropelic mud on tissue oxygenation in elderly patients diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders were investigated using spatial and spectral information provided by hyperspectral imaging technique. A group of 38 elderly patients with neuromuscular disorders for which they received mud therapy was studied. Sapropelic mud was applied to the lumbar region of each patient for 30 min, directly on the skin in a thick layer, while a symmetrical area of ​​15 × 10 cm in the same region was covered with a medical patch to serve as the control area. The mud is typically heated to a temperature of 40-45 °C before application. Hyperspectral images were taken before, after the first day of therapy, and at day seven. Oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations and oxygen saturation values were calculated from the hyperspectral images and compared to control areas. The results revealed that, in the treated area, the mean oxyhemoglobin concentration increased with + 0.2127 ± 0.1096 mol cm∕L, while deoxyhemoglobin concentration decreased by -0.0509 ± 0.0558 mol cm∕L. Local tissue oxygen saturation raised to over 98% in all patients. Lesser improvements were recorded for the control areas: oxyhemoglobin increased with + 0.1673 ± 0.1059 mol cm∕L, and deoxyhemoglobin decreased with - 0.0525 ± 0.0578 mol cm∕L. A good level of agreement was found between values of oxygen saturation measured with hyperspectral imaging method and the classical pulse oximetry method. Thus, improvement in local circulation was demonstrated after mud therapy. In conclusion, therapy with Techirghiol sapropelic mud improved local tissue oxygenation, hyperspectral imaging being a reliable and non-invasive tool for monitoring these changes., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Techirghiol Balneary and Rehabilitation Sanatorium Ethics Committee (Date 20.01.2024/No.5232). Competing interests: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Surgical excision is the most effective treatment of skin carcinomas (basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma). Preoperative assessment of tumoral margins plays a decisive role for a successful result. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possibility that hyperspectral imaging could become a valuable tool in solving this problem. Hyperspectral images of 11 histologically diagnosed carcinomas (six basal cell carcinomas and five squamous cell carcinomas) were acquired prior clinical evaluation and surgical excision. The hyperspectral data were then analyzed using a newly developed method for delineating skin cancer tumor margins. This proposed method is based on a segmentation process of the hyperspectral images into regions with similar spectral and spatial features, followed by a machine learning-based data classification process resulting in the generation of classification maps illustrating tumor margins. The Spectral Angle Mapper classifier was used in the data classification process using approximately 37% of the segments as the training sample, the rest being used for testing. The receiver operating characteristic was used as the method for evaluating the performance of the proposed method and the area under the curve as a metric. The results revealed that the performance of the method was very good, with median AUC values of 0.8014 for SCCs, 0.8924 for BCCs, and 0.8930 for normal skin. With AUC values above 0.89 for all types of tissue, the method was considered to have performed very well. In conclusion, hyperspectral imaging can become an objective aid in the preoperative evaluation of carcinoma margins., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Existing evidence suggests a close link among high levels of serum urate (SU), obesity and carotid atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the interrelations between SU levels and carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with different obesity phenotypes., Methods: In this study, a total of 2076 subjects (mean age 48.1 ± 13.1 years; 1307 women) were recruited: 59 with general obesity, 616 with central obesity, 715 with mixed (general-central) obesity and 686 non-obese. Anthropometric measurements, vascular risk factors, blood biochemistry analysis (including SU levels), and carotid ultrasound were performed. Ultrasound assessment included evaluation of intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque characteristics, including number, total area and type (vulnerable vs. stable) of plaques., Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, the highest levels of SU were observed in subjects with mixed obesity, followed by subjects with central obesity, general obesity and the non-obese (309.4 ± 82.2 vs. 301.2 ± 73.1 vs. 272.9 ± 61.8 vs. 234.2 ± 59.8 μmol/L, respectively; F = 149.2, post hoc p < 0.001). Similarly, subjects with mixed and central obesity presented higher values of IMT compared to subjects with general obesity and the non-obese (0.68 ± 0.16 vs. 0.67 ± 0.16 vs. 0.62 ± 0.14 vs. 0.57 ± 0.13 mm, respectively; F = 54.2, post hoc p < 0.001). No difference in number, total area and type of plaques among obesity groups were attested (all p > 0.05). Significantly higher IMT values were observed in subjects with increased SU levels compared to subjects with normal SU levels (0.70 ± 0.10 vs. 0.62 ± 0.14 mm, p = 0.02) only within the central obesity group. Increasing levels of SU were associated with a higher frequency of increased IMT only in subjects with central obesity (OR 1.033, 95% CI 1.025-1.041). Similarly, SU levels yielded a satisfactory performance in detecting subjects with increased IMT (AUC 0.65, 95% CI 0.50-0.73, subjects with carotid plaques (0.62, 95% CI 0.55-0.68) and subjects with vulnerable plaque types (0.68, 0.59-0.76) only within the central obesity group., Conclusions: Among the studied obesity types, the association between SU levels and markers of carotid atherosclerosis was of particular significance in subjects with central obesity.

Measuring skin melanin concentration in order to assess skin phototype according to Fitzpatrick's classification is a constant research goal. In this study, a new approach for assessing skin melanin concentration based on hyperspectral imaging combined with an appropriate analytical model that exploits specific spectral bands to generate maps of melanin content distribution on different Fitzpatrick skin phototypes is presented. Hyperspectral images from the proximal inner side of the forearms of 51 young volunteers covering the first four classes of Fitzpatrick's phototypes were acquired using a hyperspectral imaging system. The images were analyzed using a modified Beer-Lambert law that segregates the contribution of melanin from the other constituents to the skin absorption spectrum. The performance of the model was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (r-squared). The results revealed that the approach proposed in this study generated accurate melanin concentration distribution maps that allowed a correct classification of skin phototype. In conclusion, the proposed approach for assessing skin melanin concentration proved to be very reliable for classifying skin phototypes, and, as it provides maps that are easily read, it has the advantage of a possible extension of its applications to other research concerning skin pigmentation., (© 2022 American Society for Photobiology.)

The qualitative trials were conducted by exposing earthworms to diverse contaminants sources using standard earthworms’ avoidance tests (considered useful ab initio indicators). For two years, we observed the Jiu River pollution points. We observed soil traits in 15 sampling points from two neighboring Romanian counties where Jiu River flows, by evaluating the risk of pollution on Eisenia fetida earthworms. The ISO: 11268-2:2015 acute static test was used, following the ethological and bodily features of E. fetida earthworms for 14 days, and then the results obtained for clean soils vs. those presumed polluted were statistically analyzed. Results disclosed statistically significant values (p < 0.05) for the two-way ANOVA and Tukey multiple comparisons tests used for the soil samples thought to be polluted. The mortality percentages by location/replica/year/county find out a high statistical correlation documenting observations related to soil samples gathered from 10 m (p < 0.01) and 30 m (p < 0.001). Compared with the control, the statistical analysis of Relative Growth Rate (RGR) (p < 0.05) and Specific Growth Rate (SGR) (p < 0.01) confirmed that, in the case of soil samples collected from 10 and 30 m from the Jiu River’s axis, the earthworms did not gain weight, qualitatively attesting the pollution suspicion/presence of chemical factors potentially pernicious for earthworms.

Systemic inflammation and the host immune responses associated with certain viral infections may accelerate the rate of neurodegeneration in patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare, transmissible neurodegenerative disease. However, the effects of the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 infection on the pathogenesis of CJD are unknown. In this study, we describe the case of an elderly female patient with sporadic CJD that exhibited clinical deterioration with the emergence of seizures and radiological neurodegenerative progression following an infection with SARS-CoV-2 and severe COVID-19. Despite efforts to control the progression of the disease, a dismal outcome ensued. This report further evidences the age-dependent neurological effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and proposes a vulnerability to CJD and increased CJD progression following COVID-19.

(1) Background: Hibernation in pens covered with LFC was associated with high mortality of C. aspersum snails in Romanian snail farms. This three-year study aimed to develop a simple, but effective system for protecting breeders in colder climates. (2) Methods: The first phase investigated the (pre)hibernal burrowing behavior and the overwintering habitat choice. Protective structures based on straw, LFC, and/or HDPE were tested at pilot level (no snails). The most suitable system was applied under farm conditions. (3) Results: Wood and ridge-tile micro shelters were significantly preferred to corrugated iron micro shelters. Burrowing specimens acted as shallow-burrowers, and this behaviorwas significantly more common for looser soils. All pilot systems displayed significantly higher thermal protection efficiency compared to the sole use of LFC. The balance between straw moistening and thermal protection favored using structure soil/LFC/straw/10-cm air cushion/HDPE. Its use yielded significantly higher survival compared to the sole use of LFC. Most hibernating snails clustered together in large groups, attached on the lower surface of micro shelters. Predator occurrence appeared to marginally affect overwintering survival. (4) Conclusions: The "sandwich" system could be an effective solution for overwintering mature C. aspersum snails in colder climates.

Neurological complications of the newly appeared severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are increasingly recognized. Here, we report a case of a young male presenting with a clinical and neuroimaging scenario of an acute necrotizing encephalopathy related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This case is notable by its distinct pattern of magnetic resonance imaging findings of an extensive involvement of the cerebellum, and emergence of cognitive and behavioral impairment., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s), 2021.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to test whether fractionated irradiation in photobiomodulation therapy enhances short-term recovery in patients with moderate severity ankle sprain., Design: Nineteen patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group receiving photobiomodulation therapy combined with the standard rest, icing, compression, and elevation treatment, or a group receiving only standard treatment. Group 1 patients were irradiated using a laser system (635 nm, 15 mW) according to a double-fractionated irradiation scheme consisting of two sessions (4.5 and 9 J/cm) separated by a 30-min time interval. Short-term outcomes (reflectance, pain, and clinical outcomes) were assessed at baseline, 10 days, and 6 wks after treatment., Results: Reflectance data analysis showed significant changes in group 1 (P = 0.027). There was also an ankle function score improvement more in group 1 than in group 2, with a significant short-term effect (P = 0.011) but without significant long-term effects (P = 0.178). Compared with group 2, group 1 had an immediate effect on pain reduction, but no long-term effect (P = 0.074)., Conclusions: Combined with standard treatment, fractionated irradiation photobiomodulation therapy has been shown to have favorable short-term effects on the recovery of patients with ankle sprains, but its long-term effects should be improved.

Burn depth objective classification is of paramount importance for decision making and treatment. Despite the wide variety of burn depth assessment methods tested so far, none of them have gained wide clinical application. Here, we introduce a new approach for burn depth assessment based on hyperspectral imaging combined with a spectral index-based technique that exploits specific spectral bands to map skin areas with different burn degrees. The spectral index amplifies the contrast between normal skin and areas with different degrees of burn, taking advantage of the differences in spectral amplitudes that occur as a result of the morphological and physiological changes occurring in burned skin. We demonstrate that by using the new measurable spectral index, it is possible to generate accurate burn classification maps showing spatial distribution of burn types in the affected body areas, facilitating the decision-making process and prognosis evaluation. The results highlight the potential of the new hyperspectral metric in the field of burn depth classification and its applicability in hospital settings seems promising., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest related to this article.

The measurement of tissue oxygenation plays an important role in the diagnosis and therapeutic assessment of a large variety of diseases. Many different methods have been developed and are currently applied in clinical practice for the measurement of tissue oxygenation. Unfortunately, each of these methods has its own limitations. In this paper we proposed the use of hyperspectral imaging as new method for the assessment of the tissue oxygenation level. To extract this information from hyperspectral images a new algorithm for mapping cutaneous tissue oxygen concentration was developed. This algorithm takes into account and solves some problems related to setting and calculation of some parameters derived from hyperspectral images. The algorithm was tested with good results on synthetic images and then validated on the fingers of a hand with different blood irrigation states. The results obtained have proved the ability of hyperspectral imaging together with the developed algorithm to map the oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin distribution on the analyzed fingers. These are only preliminary results and other studies should be done before this approach to be used in the clinical setting for the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases.

Hyperspectral imaging is a technology that is beginning to occupy an important place in medical research with good prospects in future clinical applications. We evaluated the role of hyperspectral imaging in association with a mixture-tuned matched filtering method in the characterization of open wounds. The methodology and the processing steps of the hyperspectral image that have been performed in order to obtain the most useful information about the wound are described in detail. Correlations between the hyperspectral image and clinical examination are described, leading to a pattern that permits relative evaluation of the square area of the wound and its different components in comparison with the surrounding normal skin. Our results showed that the described method can identify different types of tissues that are present in the wounded area and can objectively measure their respective abundance, which proves its value in wound characterization. In conclusion, the method that was described in this preliminary case presentation shows promising results, but needs further evaluation in order to become a reliable and useful tool.

Surgical burn treatment depends on accurate estimation of burn depth. Many methods have been used to asses burns, but none has gained wide acceptance. Hyperspectral imaging technique has recently entered the medical research field with encouraging results. In this paper we present a preliminary study (case presentation) that aims to point out the value of this optical method in burn wound characterization and to set up future lines of investigation. A hyperspectral image of a leg and foot with partial thickness burns was obtained in the fifth postburn day. The image was analyzed using linear spectral unmixing model as a tool for mapping the investigated areas. The article gives details on the mathematical bases of the interpretation model and correlations with clinical examination pointing out the advantages of hyperspectral imaging technique. While the results were encouraging, further more extended and better founded studies are being prepared before recognizing hyperspectral imaging technique as an applicable method of burn wound assessment., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.)

Wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.) from Poaceae family is affected by many diseases that cause yield losses. The present paper addresses a topic of economic, agrotechnics and social importance of wheat crop (occupying the first place among the Romanian cultivated crop, feeding 35 to 40% of world population). The study had as main objective product testing like Yunta 246 FS (imidacloprid 233 g/l + tebuconazol 13 g/l), Team Micorriza Plus (Glomus intraradices 150 spore/g + Glomus mosseae 150 spore/g + organic matter 56% and Rhizosphere Bacteria 107 UFC/g) and Condor (Trichoderma spp. 1 x 109 spore/g + Glomus sp. 10 spore/g + Rhizosphere Bacteria 1 x 107 UFC/g and organic matter 7%) applied in the pathosystem wheat/pathogens. The research was conducted in the western part of Romania, in 2010-2012, experience was placed after Latin rectangle method with 10 variants (they are different by product and dose applied) and the data were statistically interpreted. Results showed the presence of pathogens Septoria tritici, Drechslera tritici repentis and Drechslera teres in experimental variants. Statistical analysis showed that the most effective chemical mixture was imidacloprid + tebuconazol at the highest dose tested (3 l/t). Regarding the non-chemical product testing, the product Condor gave positive results. The highest values of quality parameters (protein and gluten) were obtained in the variants treated with Yunta 246 FS.

The researches were conducted in order to observe the behaviour of conventional and glyphosate resistant transgenic maize to different weed control methods. In this paper, the obtained results are presented. The study was conducted in experimental years 2008-2009 in the frame of Didactical Station USAMVB Timisoara. In order to conduct this study, 4 variants cultivated with conventional maize DKC 5143 and 8 variants cultivated with transgenic maize DKC-MON88017 with resistance against Diabrotica virgifera virgifera and to glyphosate. The efficacy of weed control methods was assessed, as well as the herbicide selectivity to cultivated maize hybrid. The weed coverage degree in control plot (V2) was 304 weeds/sqm in the first year and 465 weeds/sqm in the second year. In the variants cultivated with transgenic maize the control was up to 90% much more than control percent achieved in conventional variants. Although, in order to achieve an efficient control (higher than 95%), even to transgenic maize, two glyphosate sequential treatments has to be done. The yield results were positive correlated to the different control methods. However those were affected by climatic conditions recorded in experimental years.

The results of several studies which have been published since 1992 evidence a significant correlation between DD genotype of angiotensin 1-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and development of coronary artery disease (CAD) in some populations. The authors of this article studied distribution of ACE gene I/D genotypes (II, ID, DD) in 102 patients with CAD and 50 controls without cardiovascular pathology or diabetes mellitus. The CAD diagnosis was confirmed by coronaroangiography. The study established a significant correlation between the presence of DD-ACE genotype and development of CAD. After exclusion of patients with classic risk factors (body mass index greater than 26 kg/m2; arterial hypertension; dislipidemia), this correlation remained. The results of the study demonstrate a significant positive correlation between the presence of DD genotype and high risk of CAD in this population, including people without such classic risk factors as obesity, arterial hypertension, or dislipidemia.