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This study aimed to create a generic profile of patients with NETs and to establish the prioritization criteria for somatostatin receptors scintigraphy (SRS), within the NETs diagnostic algorithm, being the first study of this kind conducted in Romania. Material and methods: A bi-centric, retro-prospective study comprising 103 patients with NETs, evaluated through 99mTc-TOC SRS, in two nuclear medicine departments from “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi, Romania and Center of Nuclear Medicine, University Clinical Center of Kragujevac, Serbia. We analyzed the clinical-paraclinical features of included patients, as a starting point for streamlining the selection of patients for SRS. Results and discussion: The total group of patients included 47.57 % men and 52.43 % women, the age varying between 21-83 years. The most frequent primary NETs were represented by pNETs, and GI-NETs and the symptoms were nonspecific for majority of analyzed patients. Both prospective and retrospective analysis showed that SRS was followed by positive results. For prospectively analyzed patients, due to the used customized sheets, it was extremely easy to identify four SRS prioritization criteria. Conclusions: This study could outline the profile of patients with NETs, as the starting point for streamlining patient selection for SRS. The four prioritization criteria proposed by us could guide the diagnostic algorithm.

The purpose of this paper was to point out the difficulties faced by the transgender community when using psychiatric or psychotherapeutic services and their impact at the social, psychological, and health state level. Our approach favours the increase in the information degree of the medical and psychotherapeutic community concerning the topic, by placing the transgender community in the current psychosocial context. In order to collect the necessary data, we applied two questionnaires to the transgender community and to the professional mental health community, respectively; the first comprised 20 questions and the second comprised 11 questions, and the results were interpreted statistically. From among them, it is worth highlighting the important percentage of transgender who do not live in accordance to the desired identity and the existence of discriminating situations in the interaction with the physician or the psychologist. The conclusions of this paper reflect the difficulties and gaps related to the assistance of sexual minorities. We thus propose examples of practices that may allow an increase in medical and social support for the transgender community.

Gastrin-secreting tumors, hypergastrinemia and severe ulcer disease form the trademarks of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES). We report a case of gastrinoma, in a patient who was misdiagnosed for almost five years. The case emphsizes the the special role of functional imaging in the personalized approach to the patient with suggestive symptomatology for NETs. Taking into account that in 80 to 100% of cases of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NETs are expressing somatostatin receptors, the functional imaging with radiolabeled somatostatin analogues can be used in order to improve its diagnosis, respectively the treatment of GEP NETs. In the approach to the patient with tremendous digestive symptomatology, physicians from different specialties should evaluate NETs specific markers and then insist on structural-functional complementarity, avoiding the waste of time and high cost of repeated structural investigations. The conclusion of our study is that functional imaging is mandatory in the diagnostic algorithm of gastrinoma.

Schizophrenia is one of the most debilitating psychiatric disorders due to its medical, social, professional and relational disability. With the lack of any progress made in the pharmaceutic treatment of this disorder in the last twenty years, developing adjuvant therapies to help patients live a normal professional and social life comes with great importance. Our study was conducted on 88 participants, which were recruited during an acute episode of schizophrenia at the Socola University Hospital, Iasi, Romania. These patients were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: one group received a social intervention consisting of one year of Behavioral Family Management (BFM), and the other group received the Supportive Family Management (SFM) intervention. The results of our study showed that the social intervention, whether it was behavioral or supportive, dramatically decreased the scores on the BPRS (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale). At baseline our patients had mean score of 84.4 (SD=12.3). After 12 months of social intervention the mean scores for BPRS were 38.8 (SD=11.6) for the BFM group and 37.7 (SD=10.5) for the SFM group. The results of our study suggest that a more holistic approach in treating schizophrenia is needed. Working with the families of the patients in various forms of therapy might help not only with the decrease of schizophrenia’s symptoms, but also help patients to interact better with their families, colleagues and friends and therefore increase the quality of life of this at risk population.

There is a progressive trend in the current literature in understanding the central effects of oxytocin, which besides its classical roles in parturition and lactation, seems to exert some facilitatory effects in most of the neuropsychiatric disorders. Thus, it seems that oxytocin is mainly linked to the neuropsychiatric disorders where the social component is more or less affected and it has also strong correlations with the stress-related mechanisms and hypothalamic�pituitary�adrenal (HPA) axis. In addition, the connections between oxytocin and the digestive system were previously suggested, including by some of our preliminary results, in the context of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pathology. Also, the relations between depression and stress in the context of cortisol implications are quite well described, although various modifications of cortisol (increased, decreased or non-modified) were described in the major depression pathology. Thus, by using two research cohorts: one with major depression disorder (n = 15) and another one having both diagnosis of major depression disorder and irritable bowel syndrome in the same time (n = 15), we are showing in this report significantly increased levels of cortisol in patients with MDD and IBS, when compared with patients with MDD without IBS, while an opposite pattern was obtained by measuring the plasma level of oxytocin, where the patients with MDD and IBS had a significantly decreased concentration of oxytocin, as compared with those with MDD but without IBS.

Although neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are intensively studied, their diagnosis and consequently personalised therapy management is still puzzling due to their tumoral heterogeneity. In their theragnosis algorithm, receptor somatostatin scintigraphy takes the central place, the diagnosis receptor somatostatin analogue (RSA) choice depending on laboratory experience and accessibility. However, in all cases, the results depend decisively on correct radiotracer tumoral uptake quantification, where unfortunately there are still unrevealed clues and lack of standardization. We propose an improved method to quantify the biodistribution of gamma-emitting RSA, using tissular corrected uptake indices. We conducted a bi-centric retrospective study on 101 patients with different types of NETs. Three uptake indices obtained after applying new corrections to areas of interest drawn for the tumour and for three reference organs (liver, spleen and lung) were statistically analysed. For the corrected pathological uptake indices, the results showed a significant decrease in the error of estimating the occurrence of errors and an increase in the diagnostic predictive power for NETs, especially in the case of lung-referring corrected index. In conclusion, these results support the importance of corrected uptake indices use in the analysis of 99mTcRSA biodistribution for a better personalised diagnostic accuracy of NETs patients.

Although the therapeutic potential of virtual reality has been foreseen since over half a century ago, the lack of graphical processing power made it impossible to apply in medical therapeutic sciences until last decade; nowadays, the hardware required for virtual reality is even 100 times more affordable. A head-mounted display induces immersivity engulfing the subject’s eyesight perception in a stereoscopic manner. The same tool that may aid better self understanding and bonding can also trigger psychopathological mechanisms through which the user becomes alienated from the real world. As virtual reality became even more popular during SARS-COV2 pandemic, users worldwide have spent more time into a virtual world. Depersonalization/derealization syndrome can occur if virtual reality is abused. The greater the person’s involvement in virtual reality, the greater the chance of a lack of bodily self (depersonalization). Controllers that mimic hands could prevent the subject from acknowledging the real world as true – derealization. Virtual reality’s dissociative potential is related to individual psychological traits and prolonged exposure. Children are the most prone to develop behavioral changes. Adults may develop behavioral problems related to virtual reality gaming, gambling, pornography and also social networking through created avatars. Blue light wavelength could harm sleep architecture and circadian rhythm by disrupting melatonin, therefore making virtual reality exposure problematic after sunset. State of the art reveals that using virtual reality in a therapeutic manner, actually facilitates the fight against addictions with cue therapy intended to extinguish conditioned response. The exposure to a substance (nicotine, alcohol, or any other psychoactive recreational abuse potential substances) can trigger craving in a controlled environment, that is malleable in the hands of the therapist. Virtual reality can offer an exposure perspective that is both vivid enough to be a challenge, but also safe enough to ensure patient involvement and to amplify the therapeutic alliance.

The correlations between depression and stress are quite accepted nowadays, as well as the fact that cortisol levels could also represent fundamental risk factors for major depressive disorder. However, when it comes to the modifications of cortisol levels in depression, the results are controversial. Same goes for the cortisol modifications in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a functional digestive disorder characterized by a strong biopsychological component, being highly influenced or exacerbated by stressful stimuli. Thus, in the present report we were interested in seeing if there are any serum cortisol levels variations in patients with depression and irritable bowel syndrome, by looking at cortisol modifications in two different groups of patients: a control group with major depression disorder and another study group composed by major depression disorder + IBS patients. Thus, our data presented here are suggesting that there is a significant increase in cortisol levels in the morning serum of the patients with major depression disorder + IBS, as compared to the group having only depression. The results presented here could have an important relevance in the context of managing the stress-related factors in the pathological entities described above.

Thyroid cancer (TC) represents a worldwide problem, the consistent growth of the incidence increment issues about management of risk factors and curative treatment. Updated statistical data are not complete in the North East region of Romania and need to be improved. Therefore, through this study, we aim to renew the existing data on thyroid cancer. We conducted a retrospective study covering a period of 10 years. Data were collected from a hospital information system (InfoWorld) between 2009 and 2019. Patients’ age groups were stratified in relation with the age at the moment of the Chernobyl event. A database was obtained (Microsoft Excel) and statistical correlations were applied. In the studied period, 1159 patients were diagnosed: 968 females and 191 males, distributed by region, with the highest addressability in Iasi (529), followed by neighboring counties. Age distribution displayed that most of the thyroid cancers were in the range 4060 years old (50.94%), followed by 60–80 years old (32.41%). Most patients were diagnosed with papillary carcinoma 63.10%, then follicular 14.7%, medullary 6.74% and undifferentiated 1.02%. Romania was in the vicinity of the radioactive cloud at Chernobyl fallout, so we must deliberate whether the increased incidence of thyroid cancer in the age group 40–60 years is associated with radiogenicity (iodine 131) given the fact that over has 35 years and the half-life of other radioisotopes like Caesium-137 and Strontium -90 is completed.

Cancer immunotherapy has shifted the paradigm in cancer treatment in recent years. Immune checkpoint blockage (ICB), the active cancer vaccination and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) for T-cell-based adoptive cell transfer represent the main developments, achieving a surprising increased survival in patients included in clinical trials. In spite of these results, the current state-of-the-art immunotherapy has its limitations in efficacy. The existence of an interdisciplinary interface involving current knowledge in biology, immunology, bioengineering and materials science represents important progress in increasing the effectiveness of immunotherapy in cancer. Cutaneous melanoma remains a difficult cancer to treat, in which immunotherapy is a major therapeutic option. In fact, enhancing immunotherapy is possible using sophisticated biomedical nanotechnology platforms of organic or inorganic materials or engineering various immune cells to enhance the immune system. In addition, biological devices have developed, changing the approach to and treatment results in melanoma. In this review, we present different modalities to modulate the immune system, as well as opportunities and challenges in melanoma treatment.

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) include a diverse range of RNA species, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). MiRNAs, ncRNAs of approximately 19–25 nucleotides in length, are involved in gene expression regulation either via degradation or silencing of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and have roles in multiple biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. LncRNAs, which are longer than 200 nucleotides, comprise one of the largest and most heterogeneous RNA families. LncRNAs can activate or repress gene expression through various mechanisms, acting alone or in combination with miRNAs and other molecules as part of various pathways. Until recently, most research has focused on individual lncRNA and miRNA functions as regulators, and there is limited available data on ncRNA interactions relating to the tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy of cancer, acting either on mRNA alone or as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents approximately 10%–20% of all breast cancers (BCs) and is highly heterogenous and more aggressive than other types of BC, for which current targeted treatment options include hormonotherapy, PARP inhibitors, and immunotherapy; however, no targeted therapies for TNBC are available, partly because of a lack of predictive biomarkers. With advances in proteomics, new evidence has emerged demonstrating the implications of dysregulation of ncRNAs in TNBC etiology. Here, we review the roles of lncRNAs and miRNAs implicated in TNBC, including their interactions and regulatory networks. Our synthesis provides insight into the mechanisms involved in TNBC progression and has potential to aid the discovery of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Background/objective Data regarding the nephrotoxicity of the peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with Yttrium- and Lutetium-radiolabeled somatostatin analogs (RSA) are inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term nephrotoxicity following PRRT usage in patients with all types of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Methods A systematic review of observational studies reporting data about nephrotoxicity after treatment with Yttrium and Lutetium RSA was performed. Data on serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and need for renal replacement therapy were compiled. We included patients with progressive, inoperable symptomatic G1, G2 and G3 different types of NETs. After searching in three electronic databases PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane Library, from 1 January 1978 to November 2018, data were extracted and summarized using a random-effects model. Results The final analysis included 34 studies, comprising 5386 participants, enrolling patients with G1, G2, G3 NETs and a follow-up from 12 up to 191 months. Compared with renal function before treatment, measured/estimated glomerular filtration rate (m/eGFR) values changed after PRRT, with a mean annual decrease following PRRT between 2 and 4 mL/min/1.73 m suggesting different grades of nephrotoxicity after PRRT. When compared, Y-RSA and the Y-RSA-Lu-RSA combination are associated with a higher m/eGFR decline compared to Lu-RSA alone. Conclusions PRRT can be followed by potentially serious long-term nephrotoxicity, despite kidney protection. The use of the quantified renal function combined with a long follow-up period and personalized dosimetry-based PRRT can reduce nephrotoxicity, in order to use the whole PRRT potential in the management of NETs.

Lately there are increased evidences that oxytocin may be an important mediator in several psychiatric disorders including depression and anxiety. Oxytocin system seems to be linked with several neurotransmitters important in psychiatric disorder, but also with the hypothalamic�pituitary�adrenal (HPA) axis and is also a key factor in stress regulation mechanisms. Considering the oxytocin receptor pattern of distribution both central and peripherally and the growing data concerning the disbalance of oxytocin in psychiatric disorders we may speculate that oxytocin system may be at the core of psychosomatic disturbances. Also, recent data brought to attention that oxytocin receptor is distributed throughout gastrointestinal tract. Our hypothesis of the present study was that oxytocin system is disbalanced in irritable bowel syndrome considering also the psychological component of this digestive disorder. We preliminary report here a significant decrease of serum oxytocin levels in patients with major depression disorder and irritable bowel syndrome, as compared with those with major depression disorder alone.

Quality assurance and radiation protection are a very important factor in radiotherapy techniques. If in reference dosimetry (performed in primary and secondary standard laboratories) almost exclusively water phantoms are used, in relative dosimetry (in the non-reference conditions of the medical unit) phantoms of tissue-equivalent materials are used. In this paper we present a comparative simulated study for dosimetric behaviors of different tissue-equivalent materials.

Introduction: Oxidative stress is induced by tobacco smoking and is also associated with anxiety and depression, two common psychiatric disorders, frequently associated with tobacco use. Aim: To correlate tobacco use and mixed anxious and depressive disorder (MADD) with oxidative stress markers useful in clinical practice. Methods: A study of Uric acid, Vitamin C and Malondialdehyde, as oxidative stress markers, was conducted in 31 +- smokers versus nonsmokers with MADD. Other useful parameters assessed were serum cholesterol, triglycerides and creatinine. Smoking profile was quantified by number of packs-years (PA) and Fagerstrom nicotine dependence score (FNDS) with exhaled carbon monoxide validation, while MADD was certified by The Hamilton Anxiety/Depression Scale (HAM-A/D.) Results: Malondialdehyde (MDA) serum concentration was significantly increased in 73% of smokers, while Vitamin C was lower in 90% of both smoking and no smoking MADD patients. Lower concentrations of uric acid were described in smokers, suggesting decreased endogenous production. Discriminant analysis of smokers with MADD, considering variables of PA, FNDS, cholesterol and MDA is shown in Fig.1. Conclusions: Smoking amplifies oxidative stress described in psychiatric disorders. Monitoring biomarkers of both tobacco exposure and oxidative stress can improve disease management.

Scientific progresses and new regulatory global context about tobacco use and cessation have created attractive opportunities for young researchers seeking for a PhD in the field. As such, three most relevant ongoing PhD research topics at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iasi were selected for presentation: 1. “Air pollution and tobacco smoke interactions in COPD” (to investigate cumulated effect of tobacco smoking and air pollution on clinical course and treatment benefits in COPD, in the actual upsetting increased local environmental pollution frame). 2. “Smoking and oxidative stress in mixed anxious and depressive disorder”( to reveal interactions between oxidative stress and tobacco smoking in mixed anxious an depressive disorders, to ascertain clinical practice benefits of tobacco exposure biomarkers in use and propose new such markers 1 to improve disease management). 3. “Personalized tobacco treatment" algorithms for smokers at high respiratory risk” (to develop and implement clinical practice personalized algorithms to treat tobacco dependence in smokers at high risk for respiratory disease and to test their feasibility in a real life respiratory disease clinical setting).

In this mini-review we were interested in describing the main genetic, biological and mechanistic aspects of the aggressive behaviour in human patients and animal models. It seems that violent behaviour and impulsive traits present a multifactorial substrate, which is determined by genetic and non-genetic factors. Thus, aggressivity is regulated by brain regions such as the amygdala, which controls neural circuits for triggering defensive, aggressive or avoidant behaviour. Moreover, other brain structures such as the anterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex regions could modulate circuits involved in aggression. Regarding the genetic aspects, we could mention the mutations in the monoamine oxidase or the polymorphisms of the genes involved in the metabolism of serotonin, such as tryptophan hydroxylase. Also, besides the low levels of serotonin metabolites, which seem to be associated with impulsive and aggressive traits, there are good evidences that deficiencies in glutamate transmission, as well as testosterone, vasopressin, hypochloesterolemia or oxytocin modifications could be related to the aggressive behaviour. Regarding oxytocin we present here in the last chapter the controversial results from the current literature regarding the various effects exhibited by oxytocin administration on the aggressive behavior, considering the increased interest in understanding the role of oxytocin on the main neuropsychiatric disorders.

Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) is a rare form of non-Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (non-LCH). It is characterized by the excessive production of histiocytes. We present the case of a 63 year-old Caucasian woman with ECD, with a history of breast cancer (diagnosed in 2006) and rectal cancer (diagnosed in 2013). Most probably, the initial ECD manifestation occurred within the next 5 years after mastectomy in the soft tissues adjacent to the scar. Recently it became manifest in a different localization (meta-diaphysis of long bones), while the other possible sites like the lungs, central nervous system and pituitary gland show minimal involvement with no specific clinical manifestation yet. Shortly after the bone manifestations were detected, she developed an invasive rectal adenocarcinoma. The ECD diagnosis was based on bone scintigraphy, radiography and immunohistochemistry examination.

Oxidative stress is increasingly viewed as potentially important in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, although most results regarding this subject are contradictory. We previously demonstrated an increased oxidative stress status in schizophrenic patients, regardless of their treatment. In this paper, we were interested in whether there is a correlation between the specific activities of the most important antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and a lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde) and the scores of PANSS/AIMS scales. A direct significant correlation was observed between oxidative stress markers and the aforementioned scales. Our results provide additional evidence regarding the implications of oxidative stress in patients with schizophrenia.

The Terahertz’s wavelength is located between the microwave and the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because it is non-ionizing and non-invasive, Terahertz (THz)-based detection represents a very attractive tool for repeated assessments, patient monitoring, and follow-up. Cancer acts as the second leading cause of death in many regions, and current predictions estimate a continuous increasing trend. Of all types of tumors, digestive cancers represent an important percentage and their incidence is expected to increase more rapidly than other tumor types due to unhealthy lifestyle habits. Because it can precisely differentiate between different types of molecules, depending on water content, the information obtained through THz-based scanning could have several uses in the management of cancer patients and, more importantly, in the early detection of different solid tumors. The purpose of this manuscript is to offer a comprehensive overview of current data available on THz-based detection for digestive cancers. It summarizes the characteristics of THz waves and their interaction with tissues and subsequently presents available THz-based technologies (THz spectroscopy, THz-tomography, and THZ-endoscope) and their potential for future clinical use. The third part of the review is focused on highlighting current in vitro and in vivo research progress in the field, for identifying specific digestive cancers known as oral, esophageal, gastric, colonic, hepatic, and pancreatic tumors.

Oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) could play an important role in the pathophysiology of major depression (MDD). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the specific activity of the main peripheral antioxidant defences (superoxide dismutase--SOD and glutathione peroxidase--GPX) and the level of malondialdehyde--MDA (a lipid peroxidation maker), in depressed patients, as compared to an age-matched control group. Also, we were interested to see if there are any differences between first episode vs. recurrent depression groups, in terms of oxidative stress markers. Additionally, we want it to investigate the effects of different antidepressant medication (mirtazapine, venlafaxine, tianeptine and escitalopram) on oxidative status of depressed patients. Our results showed an increased oxidative stress status in the serum of patients with MDD, expressed by a significant decrease of both SOD and GPX specific activities and a significant increase of the lipid peroxidation marker MDA, as compared to the control group. When we analyzed the oxidative stress status in depressed patients based on chronicity we observed significant decrease of SOD and GPX specific activities in recurrent depression group, as compared to the first episode group. Moreover, a very significant increase in MDA concentration was observed in recurrent depression patients, as compared to the first episode group. Our work provides additional evidences of increased oxidative stress in MDD, expressed by altered antioxidant enzyme activity and increased levels of lipid peroxidation. Also, it seems that sub-classifying depression into different subtypes, based on chronicity, can predict differences in the levels of some various oxidative stress markers.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a nosological entity proposed as an intermediate state between normal aging and dementia. MCI seems to represent an early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and there is a great interest in the relationship between MCI and the progression to AD. Some studies have demonstrated an accumulation of products of free radical damage in the central nervous system and in the peripheral tissues of subjects with AD or mild cognitive impairment. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the serum levels of some enzymatic antioxidant defences like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), as well as lipid peroxidation markers like MDA (malondialdehyde), in MCI and AD patients, compared with age-matched healthy controls. The subjects of this study (45 patients) consisted of 15 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 15 with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 15 healthy age-matched controls. Biochemical analyses showed a similar decrease of the main enzymatic antioxidant defences (SOD and GPX) and increased production of lipid peroxidation marker (MDA) in the serum of the MCI and AD patients, compared to age-matched control group. This study clearly demonstrates that oxidative stress damage occurs in patients with MCI and AD. Moreover, some enzymatic markers of oxidative stress are similar in MCI and AD patients, suggesting that oxidative damage could be one important aspect for the onset of AD.

In order to decrease the absorbed dose for professionally exposed workers in a Nuclear Medicine Laboratory, clear and precise risk assessments are needed in order for the personnel to fully understand the radioprotection rules and procedures. We propose a retrospective study of the impact of dosimetry on radioprotection in a diagnosis Nuclear Medicine Laboratory. The study had a two months timeframe and implied measuring methods such as area dose debit measurements and contaminated surfaces radioactivity determinations. The eluted activities of Tc-99m generators were correlated with several important factors: patients' circuit, transit and stationary times, measured dose debit, contamination in specific points. A proportional relationship between the above mentioned factors was established. We determined that dosimetry has a crucial role in optimizing the radioprotection of professionally exposed workers, permitting the lowering of absorbed doses by enhancing working procedures and by choosing adequate area and individual shielding.

Introduction: It is sometimes difficult to diagnose an active TB case. The early evolution under treatment is also important. Aim: 1. To analyze the characteristics of 99mTc MIBI pulmonary scintigraphies of TB patients. 2. To integrate the clinical, radiological and bacteriological data. 3. To estimate the evolution of the lesions. 4. To decide the management of the cases. Material and Method: 99mTc MIBI scintigraphy was performed in 49 new cases of active pulmonary TB at 2 stages: initial and after 7 days of treatment. The patients received an i.v. radiotracer dose of 7.4 MBq (0.2 mCi)/kg. The uptake was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed. Results: Initially, all scintigraphic images were positive with different uptake degrees: 47% of cases - low uptake (23 patients), 41% - moderate uptake (20 patients) and 12% - high uptake (6 patients). At 7 days, in 30 cases (61%) the radiotracer uptake decreased, 16 presented no change (33%); 3 patients were not examined (6%). The mean value of lesion/normal index was 1.521. The sensitivity of the method was 96% and the specificity 86%. Conclusions: 1. Initially, the radiotracer uptake was positive in all active TB patients. The uptake level varied independently of the positivity of the smears. 2. At 7 days in 3 MDR cases the uptake was stationary. New sites were visible on scintigraphies in some cases compared to X-rays. 3. Generally, at 7 days the radiotracer uptake decreased, being proof of early treatment efficiency. 4. The scintigraphy has its use as a complementary diagnostic method in active TB. We intend to study the use of this type of scintigraphy for the diagnosis of bone TB and other difficult to study active TB sites.

The scintigraphic investigation of normal and pathological kidneys was carried out using specialized gamma-camera device from nuclear medicine hospital department. Technetium 90m isotope with gamma radiation emission, coupled with vector molecules for kidney tissues was introduced into the subject body, its dynamics being recorded as data source for kidney clearance capacity. Two representative data series were investigated, corresponding to healthy and pathological organs respectively. The semi-quantitative tests applied for the comparison of the two distinct medical situations were: the shape of probability distribution histogram, the power spectrum, the auto-correlation function and the Lyapunov exponent. While power spectrum led to similar results in both cases, significant differences were revealed by means of distribution probability, Lyapunov exponent and correlation time, recommending these numerical tests as possible complementary tools in clinical diagnosis.

While it is now well established that the independent brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has some important central functions besides the vascular ones, the relevance of its main bioactive peptide angiotensin II (Ang II) on the memory processes, as well as on oxidative stress status is not completely understood. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the effects of central Ang II administration, as well as the effects of Ang II inhibition with either AT1 and AT 2 receptor specific blockers (losartan and PD-123177, respectively) or an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (captopril). These effects were studied on the short-term memory (assessed through Y-maze) or long-term memory (as determined in passive avoidance) and on the oxidative stress status of the hippocampus. Our results demonstrate memory deficits induced by the administration of Ang II, as showed by the significant decrease of the spontaneous alternation in Y-maze (p=0.015) and latency-time in passive avoidance task (p=0.001) when compared to saline. On the other side, the administration of all the aforementioned Ang II blockers significantly improved the spontaneous alternation in Y-maze task, while losartan also increased the latency time as compared to saline in step-through passive avoidance (p=0.042). Also, increased oxidative stress status was induced in the hippocampus by the administration of Ang II, as demonstrated by increased levels of lipid peroxidation markers (malondialdehyde-MDA concentration) (p0.0001) and a decrease in both antioxidant enzymes determined: superoxide dismutase-SOD (p0.0001) and glutathione peroxidase-GPX (p=0.01), as compared to saline. Additionally, the administration of captopril resulted in an increase of both antioxidant enzymes and decreased levels of lipid peroxidation (p=0.001), while PD-123177 significantly decreased MDA concentration (p0.0001) vs. saline. Moreover, significant correlations were found between all of the memory related behavioral parameters and the main oxidative stress markers from the hippocampus, which is known for its implication in the processes of memory and also where RAS components are well expressed. This could be relevant for the complex interactions between Ang II, behavioral processes and neuronal oxidative stress, and could generate important therapeutic approaches.

The paper presents some recent advances concerning a non-invasive microwave technique which is investigating living structures. A thermogram is plotted, obtained by microwave radiometry. Rigorous scientific studies have shown that the thermo-effect is accompanying growing tumors and atypical developing tissues. Early breast cancer structures are highlighted by this method, two cases being detected: (1) confirmed, existing breast cancer diagnoses that might be surveyed in their evolution and (2) revealing new cases with breast cancer suspicions, those persons being directed to further classical investigations. In order to better reconstruct the spatial shape of measured breast and tumor, an epipolar method may be employed. An overview on the main investigation methods in breast cancer are presented, as well as their classification.

Studies performed in schizophrenia patients have generally suggested the presence of a compromised antioxidant system, but this is not always consistent with specific observed parameters, which on the whole, show evidences of dysregulation. There are also controversies regarding the oxidative stress status in patients treated with typical vs. atypical antipsychotics. In this context, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the specific activity of some peripheral antioxidant defences like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and the level of a lipid peroxidation maker (malondialdehyde-MDA), in schizophrenic patients treated with typical (haloperidol) or atypical (olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone) antipsychotics, compared with age-matched healthy subjects. We found a significant decrease in GPX specific activity and also a significant increase of MDA levels in schizophrenic patients, compared to age-matched control group, regardless of their type of treatment. Additionally, an increase in SOD specific activity was observed, mainly in the patients treated with haloperidol and quetiapine. Further research is necessary in order to elucidate the effects of different antipsychotic agents on antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation or possible interventions at the oxidative stress level in schizophrenic patients.

Early detection of non-uniformities and abnormalities in human body behavior could save lives and might diminish health care assurance expenses. The range of monitored parameters is wide, from respiratory and cardio parameters survey to early cancer detection. Due to invasive methods important drawbacks, researchers are looking for new non-invasive methods. The is presenting new approaches, combining different physical methods, compared to the existent monitoring techniques, usually used in medical care. Our approach concerns studies of using microwave Doppler effect for the contactless detection of the cardiac and respiratory activity, for the continuous respiratory and cardiac monitoring. We are also describing a microwave body emission radiometry method in abnormal tissue increased activity detection.

Early breast cancer diagnosis becomes a must in nowadays society, related to the fact that this osteophyl neoplasia is the most frequent cancer in the world. The environment, solar radiations, weather changes, the increasing number of endocrine modifications, iatrogen agression, stress, or even fashion, have undoubtful effects on women's breasts health, too. Long term negative influence may appear due to invasive or even minim invasive cancer investigation techniques, so, alternative methods are continuously researched. As a stage in the implementation of a non-invasive microwaves technique for breast cancer diagnosis under research, meant to early uncover the developing malignant processes, we designed a 3D reconstruction process that we are extensively presenting in this paper. This reconstruction is a compulsory step previous to the tumor volumetric shape reconstruction, in order to be well positioned for further breast surgery, where our results could find a field of application. I.

Breast cancer continues to be the most common of nonpreventable cancer diagnosed among women. We propose a non-invasive method of abnormal area detection based on microwaves emission detection, in order to uncover the incipient malignant processes. Underlying the actual situation, statistics and methods, our paper comments the necessary stages implemented in order to distinguish and compare the body normal and abnormal microwave radiations. In the same time, we highlight some problems, punctually submitting a fuzzy solution. This paper presents the starting point and some important, necessary steps in our research, which we are further continuing.

This article discusses how a treatment protocol should emphasis the primary psychiatric condition if related to a subsequent impulse control problem such as pathological Internet use.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate issues related to clinical analysis of patients with IAD (internet addiction disorder), we focusing on clinical, demographic features, and comorbidities.MethodThe survey included a representative sample of 543 school students of ages 11 to 18. All of the students answered to a questionnaire comprising 36 questions related to computer activities. Ten girls and 22 boys constituted the sample of Internet addicts. All participants were diagnosed based on psychiatric diagnostic interview and psychiatric scales.ResultsClinical diagnoses included depression 25%, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder 18,75%, social fobia 15,62%, generalized anxiety disorder 12,5%, obsessive compulsive disorder 6,25%, comportamental disorder 15,62%, 6,25% met criteria for eating disorder. Severity measures of IAD were associated with higher perception of family disability (P ≤ .001)ConclusionWith these results, it seems reasonable to suggest that effective evaluation of, and treatment for comorbidities disorders is required for students with Internet addiction. Effective management of psychiatric symptoms may indirectly correct pathological Internet use.