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Although there are numerous ideas on the management of alcohol dependence, ranging from various schemes of pharmacologic treatment to specific psychotherapeutic approaches, the reviews and meta-analyses reveal only modest effects of these approaches. Another approach regarding the problem of alcohol is based on the behavioral biology, specifying that consumption of alcohol is actually a type of behavior, a way of life. The results presented in this report provide evidence to support the idea that the systemic, ethological approach of alcohol-related and complex problems brings additional value when complementing the standard medicinal therapy, both in terms of achieving and maintaining abstinence, as well as in improving the quality of life for the patients.

Through its specific biological, epidemiological, diagnostic and infection management features, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) can be considered a major health concern, especially in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. In this particular infection, many IBD risk factors are triggered due to bowel inflammation, antibiotics use, microbiota changes, immunosuppressive therapy use and surgical intervention. Thus, each IBD and diarrhea patient must be tested for CDI. Clinical features show different initial infectious stages such as mild, fulminate and refractory. It has been shown that CDI presents recurrent episodes. CDI treatment consists of metronidazole, vancomycin or fidaxomicin, as well as prophylactic measures. It was recently shown that antibiotic doses must be gradually reduced in order to avoid CDI relapses. Fecal transplantation, effective in CDI management, remains controversial in CDI patients with concurrent IBD.

Cystic fibrosis is a polymorphic disease characterized by severe genetic dysfunctions. Besides the complex genetic background, most patients with cystic fibrosis also have increased susceptibility to infections and and their nutritional status is affected. Chronic pulmonary infection and gastrointestinal or nutritional abnormalities are characteristics of this disorder. Of our selected 56 subjects, 21.28% presented a pulmonary condition, and 28.57% digestive deregulation. We also observed that the infectious status in cystic fibrosis was dominated by respiratory infections (71.42%), and the main pathogens were Streptococcus. pneumoniae, Haemophilus. influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus. Additionally, it seems that while pulmonary function is strongly linked with adequate nutrition and weight gain, monitoring weight and pulmonary function are fundamental aspects in understanding the mechanisms of cystic fibrosis, and a very important parameter for a better management of this disorder. Early identification of nutrition and infectious risk factors is necessary for the effective and timely interventions that can have a positive impact on disease outcome. Infectious and nutritional aspects and interactions between the two are described. It is expected that management of cystic fibrosis will significantly improve.

Cholestasis is a multifactorial disorder with various biological, infectious, toxic, genetic and metabolic manifestations, its principal feature presented as reduced bile flow or abnormalities in bile formation. It has lately been accepted that some specific biological markers would shorten the period needed to establish a positive diagnosis, as currently it is necessary to navigate through a complex diagnostic protocol for this disorder. The purpose of this study was to establish some biological parameters and biomarkers useful for cholestasis management in children. Two hundred thirty-two children with cholestasis were selected, during a six-year study. The biological indicators followed were serum bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Our data showed that certain biological parameters are more often involved in the various forms of cholestasis, and the conclusions of this study could be useful in the early detection of cholestasis and appropriate disease management.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent autosomal recessive genetic disease in Caucasians. Although epidemiological studies continue to provide data and information that could lead to a better understanding of the clinical manifestations of the disease, there are still many controversies regarding the importance of some risk factors, such as pain, depression or anxiety in the pathogenesis of this disorder and its management. In the present study, we focused on the relevance of these 3 factors in the management of CF and to their related mechanisms in this disorder. Our original data showed that pain, depression and anxiety, determined by using a specific quality of life (KINDL) questionnaire, are important in understanding this disorder, the effectiveness of treatment and could also represent important factors for improving treatment. The screening and treatment of these specific manifestations in CF patients is recommended and holds promise for improving the outcome of patients with CF.

Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders are major health issues with particular implications for both the individual and the medical system. Epidemiological data show a more frequent consumption of drugs in schizophrenic patients when compared to the general population. Studies have shown that the abuse of substances is the most common comorbidity associated with schizophrenia. Among illicit substances, cannabis is the most commonly encountered among patients with schizophrenia. Similar clinical features of schizophrenia and cannabis consumption could be explained by some common neurobiological implications. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor stimulation is associated with psychotic-type phenomena and schizophrenia and NMDA receptors are involved in the clinical effects of cannabis consumption. Thus, the CB1 receptors that are spread mainly at the level of the NMDA secretory neurons are activated by tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of cannabis. Moreover, cannabis abuse in association with other factors may contribute in triggering schizophrenia. Therefore, patients diagnosed with schizophrenia that abuse substances such as cannabis could represent a special category of patients that require a complex therapeutic approach, especially considering the multiple problems implicated, such as reduced compliance with treatment, unfavorable evolution and prognosis with multiple relapses and frequent hospitalizations.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a high incidence predominantly in young individuals, it also affects family planning and pregnancy. In this review we will summarize a number of issues and challenges that arise from this, such as the chances of having a successful pregnancy, how IBD affects pregnancy, what investigations are needed during pregnancy, as well as what is the correct management of IBD (dietary, medical or surgical) in pregnant women with this disorder. IBD in pregnancy requires a multidisciplinary approach involving close collaboration between patient, gynecologist and gastroenterologist in order to increase treatment compliance and facilitate a successful pregnancy.

In this mini-review, we describe some of the latest facts regarding the generation of condensed base phonons by biological entities, initially described by the renowned contemporary physicist, Nobel laureate, Herbert Fröhlich, who proposed a new biophysical interaction mechanism between extremely high frequency electromagnetic waves and the biological environment. As we will show, this extremely low intensity millimeter therapy crystallizes as an important new method, universal and effective in the management of diseases with different etiologies. Moreover, the existence of internal electromagnetic fields generated by biological entities, as well as external electromagnetic fields, are essential for understanding the electromagnetic-biological effect. In fact, it is estimated that at present millimeter-wave therapy is used for the management of more than 120 diseases in cardiology, neurology, oncology, gynecology, urology, gastroenterology, surgery, pharmacology and pediatrics. However, so far there is still no consensus regarding the interaction between extremely high frequency/extremely low intensity electromagnetic waves and the biological environment at its different levels of organization. Thus, the present paper was intended to contribute to the development for the theory of millimeter-wave interaction with living biological entities.

Hepatitis C virus infection has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and there is increased interest in its occurrence in children. While there are certain controversies regarding the mechanisms and management of chronic viral hepatitis C in children, in the present study we were interested in comparing, from a biological perspective, the types of responses to two different management options in chronic viral hepatitis C in children: monotherapy with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and interferon associated with ribavirin, for a period of one year. The obtained results showed that in almost 49% of the patients that received monotherapy treatment a sustained virological response was present. For the patients that received combined IFN-ribavirin therapy for one year, the sustained virological response was present in almost 50% of them. These findings show that the combination of interferon and ribavirin treatment was effective in children with chronic hepatitis C, however, further studies are needed to identify the optimum management of this pediatric population.

Background: Despite worldwide vaccination efforts, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health burden, particularly in regions where vertical transmission is prevalent. Given Romania's history as an endemic area for hepatitis B from the 1990s until the early 2000s and the previously high infection rates among children, it is crucial to continually evaluate HBV infection in this population to monitor current trends, assess the long-term impact of vaccination programs, and address any remaining gaps in prevention and treatment efforts. This study aims to identify childhood risk factors associated with HBV acquisition, examining the role of maternal HBV status in child HBV infection, focusing on vertical transmission among a cohort of 654 children, with maternal infection as the independent variable and child infection as the dependent variable. Methods: We assessed potential risk factors and vaccination coverage among these children. The cohort included 148 children who tested positive for chronic hepatitis B from those 654 tested for HBsAg. Anamnestic data and vaccination history were analyzed, with particular attention to birth type and surgical interventions. Results: Of the 148 HBV-positive children, 80.4% were delivered naturally. Among these, 130 had received hepatitis B vaccination, and 5 were also given hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth, 4 of whom were born via cesarean section. In the control group, comprising 418 vaccinated children, a lesser proportion were unvaccinated (2.2%). Documented surgical interventions included general and dental surgeries, as well as a single blood transfusion. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive vaccination strategies and illuminates potential correlations between birth type and vaccination status with childhood HBV infection. Crucially, it highlights the necessity of diligent monitoring and treatment of pregnant women with HBV to prevent vertical transmission as effectively as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver cirrhosis presents significant challenges in the pediatric population due to a complex interplay of etiological factors, clinical manifestations, and limited therapeutic options. The leading contributors to cirrhosis among pediatric patients are chronic cholestasis, metabolic disorders present from birth, and long-term hepatitis. Materials and method: Our narrative review aimed to synthesize literature data on the etiology, clinical picture, diagnostic techniques, optimal management of complications, and timely transplantation. Results: The epidemiology of liver cirrhosis in pediatric patients is evolving. The introduction of a universal vaccination and effective long-term viral suppression in viral hepatitis have significantly decreased complications rates. Liver transplantation programs worldwide have also improved the management of cirrhosis complications. Conclusions: Early diagnosis, comprehensive management strategies, and advancements in treatment modalities are critical for improving outcomes. Understanding these differences is crucial in providing age-appropriate care and support for those affected by cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children remains a significant public health challenge. The natural history and treatment outcomes of HBV can vary widely, influencing management strategies. This retrospective study was conducted in Northeast Romania and involved a cohort of 148 pediatric patients diagnosed with chronic viral Hepatitis B. Of these, 59 children underwent antiviral treatment while 89 were not treated. One of the main objectives was the rate of HBeAg (Hepatitis B-e antigen) seroconversion, a marker of disease progression and response to therapy. Among the treated group, 26 children (44%) achieved HBeAg seroconversion following therapy. In contrast, 44 of the untreated children (49%) experienced spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion, indicating a substantial rate of natural resolution within this population subset. The findings highlight a significant proportion of spontaneous seroconversion in untreated pediatric patients, suggesting a potential re-evaluation of treatment criteria and timing for children with chronic HBV infection. The comparable rates of seroconversion between treated and untreated cohorts underscore the need for individualized treatment approaches based on a combination of virological, biochemical, and clinical parameters. Further studies are required to refine management strategies to optimize long-term outcomes in pediatric HBV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the knowledge of and access to funding sources in the context of sustainability. Additionally, it seeks to analyse the perspectives and intentions of entrepreneurs regarding the use of such sources in the future. For this purpose, quantitative research was conducted, and data were collected from a sample of 267 respondents, companies operating in the Central Region of Romania. The evidence indicates that reinvestment of profits is the most commonly used funding source, followed by bank loans and leasing. The least-used and least-known funding source are Business Angels. Among the conclusions of the study, the demonstration of the link between the level of use of the funding sources, which moderates the close relationship between sustainability and the financial performance of a company, is noteworthy. Ultimately, this research opens new ways for collaboration between the academic environment, government, and local authorities. The results can be beneficial for stakeholders at both the micro- and macroeconomic levels interested in the sustainable development of the SME sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalization is a process which accounting firms are also subjected to if they want to remain competitive and meet the needs of realtime communication with customers. The purpose of this paperwork was to know the opinions of the managers of these companies on the adoption and implementation of artificial intelligence. The main objectives of the paper are the impact of digitalization on professional accountants, the challenges to which they are subjected, the advantages/ disadvantages of digitalizing the accounting and communication with clients. The research method used falls into the category of qualitative research, i.e. the semi-directive in-depth interview. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper approaches the application of the Activity-Based Costing (ABC) calculation method within an accounting services company. The method is among the modern methods used in the calculation of the cost which takes into consideration a more cautious distribution of resources based on the activities that lead to the achievement of an objective. The purpose of the study is the distribution of costs to the groups of significant services performed by the accounting company: bookkeeping services, general accounting services and the preparation of financial statements and analysis. The ABC method starts from the organization of the company by processes and activities and from a less subjective allocation of overheads compared to the traditional method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]