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Background and Objectives: Obesity-associated chronic low-grade inflammation supports various systemic alterations. In this descriptive study, 122 apparently healthy adults aged 20 to 35 years were voluntarily included and classified based on body mass index (BMI) as normal-weight (NW), overweight (OW), and obese (OB). This study aims to characterize peripheral blood (PB) lymphocyte (Ly) phenotypes and investigate their correlations with body composition indices (BCIs) in healthy young adults. Materials and Methods: The following BCIs were measured: waist circumference, hip circumference, height, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, total body fat mass, visceral fat level, weight, and BMI. White blood cell count (WBC), Ly absolute count, serum TNF-α, and IFN-γ were quantified. Ly subpopulations were analyzed as follows: total TLy (TTLy—CD45+CD3+), early activated TLy (EATLy—CD45+3+69+), total NKLy (TNKLy—CD45+CD3−CD56+CD16+), NKdim (low expression of CD56+), NKbright (high expression of CD56+), BLy (CD45+CD3−CD19+), T helper Ly (ThLy—CD45+CD3+CD4+), and T cytotoxic Ly (TcLy—CD45+CD3+CD8+). Results: Higher BMI has significantly higher WBC and BLy (p < 0.0001; p = 0.0085). EATLy significantly decreased from NW to OB (3.10—NW, 1.10—OW, 0.85—OB, p < 0.0001). Only EATLy exhibited significant negative correlations with all the BCIs. A significantly higher TNF-α was observed in the OW and OB groups compared to the NW group. IFN-γ increased linearly but nonsignificantly with BMI. TTLy showed a nonsignificant positive correlation with both IFN-γ and TNF-α, while EATLy showed a negative correlation, significant only for IFN-γ. NKLy subpopulations exhibited a consistent negative correlation with TNF-α, significant only for NKdim (p = 0.0423), and a nonsignificant consistent positive correlation with IFN-γ. A nonsignificant negative correlation between age and both TNKLy (r = −0.0927) and NKdim (r = −0.0893) cells was found, while a positive correlation was found with NKbright (r = 0.0583). Conclusions: In conclusion, the baseline immunological profile of PB is influenced by excessive adipose tissue in healthy young adults.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition defined by a cluster of symptoms, including excessive adipose tissue, impaired glucose homeostasis, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure (BP). We aimed to evaluate the correlation between the MetS criteria (IDF) and fasting glucose-insulin-C-peptide-derived indices in a cohort of 128 healthy young adults who were 20–35 years old at the time of this study. We measured fasting serum glucose, insulin, C-peptide (CP), HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and hsCRP; HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-IR CP1, HOMA-IR CP2, HOMA-BETA, HOMA-BETA CP, QUICKI, disposition index (DI), CP index (CPI), and 20/C-peptide*glucose. Significant correlations were found between BMI and all HOMA indices, QUICKI, and CPI; waist circumferences and HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-BETA, and QUICKI (for both sexes); glucose and HOMA-IR INS/CP1/CP2, HOMA-BETA CP, DI, and QUICKI; HDL-cholesterol and HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-BETA, and QUICKI for males and females only with QUICKI; triglycerides and HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-BETA, and QUICKI; systolic BP and HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-BETA; diastolic BP and DI. The cut-off values for HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-BETA, and QUICKI in the combined group (females + males) were 1.855, 82.250, 0.355; 2.115, 106.370, 0.345 for males; 1.805, 71.305, 0.355 for females. A stronger correlation was found between males’ indices and hsCRP. In conclusion, CP-derived indices do not add significant information, and the male sex is more predisposed to MetS.

Obesity and aging are associated with an inflammatory state, which represents the common background for a wide range of diseases. This study aims to explore the correlation between hsCRP, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and white blood cell count (WBC) and adipometrics (arm, waist, and hip circumferences: AC, WC, HC; total body fat mass: TBFM, visceral fat level: VFL, body mass index: BMI; waist/hip ratio: WHR; waist/height ratio: WHtR) in young and healthy adults aged 20–35 years old. The subjects were divided by BMI into the overweight/obesity (OW/OB) group and normal weight (NW) group, and by hsCRP level into Group 1 (

Aortic dissection (AD) is a critical cardiovascular condition with the potential for devastating consequences. This study evaluated the histological changes in the aorta wall in patients with AD and aortic aneurysm (AA) who received surgical aortic replacement. Histopathological data showed that modifications of the media layer (p = 0.0197), myxomatous aspect (p = 0.0001), and subendothelial layer degeneration (p = 0.0107) were more frequently seen in AA versus AD samples. Patients with AA were approximately twice as likely to develop histological changes than those with AD (p = 0.0037). Patients with moderate or severe medial degeneration had a higher chance of developing AD (p = 0.0001). Because the histopathological score proved to be a predictor of both in-hospital and overall mortality, its evaluation should become the standard of care in any patients who undergo aortic replacement. Individualized postoperative management might be influenced by the histopathological aspect of the aortic layer.

Background: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe form of stroke. The efficacy of surgery as ICH treatment is controversial. We sought to compare the 30-day postoperative mortality rate between patients with surgically and medically treated ICH; Methods: This prospective study enrolled patients consecutively diagnosed with ICH and treated between 2017 and 2019. Patients meeting the study surgical indications were assigned to either surgical or medical treatment. The relationship between Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, age, ICH location, ICH volume, and 30-day mortality was analyzed. Results: A total of 174 ICH patients were enrolled in this study. Of these, 136 met the surgery criteria; 65 of these underwent surgery (Group A), and 71 received medical treatment (Group B). Age and ICH location did not modify mortality. Although surgery did not overall improve mortality some better postsurgical outcomes were observed among patients surgically treated with GCS scores of at least 10 points and ICH volumes between 30 to 50 mL; Conclusions: Despite achieving an immediate reduction in intracranial pressure, surgery seems to be advantageous only for patients with ICH volumes between 30 to 50 mL and GCS scores of 10 points or higher;

Choosing dental color for missing teeth or tooth reconstruction is an important step and it usually raises difficulties for dentists due to a significant amount of subjective factors that can influence the color selection. Dental reconstruction presumes the combination between dentistry and chromatics, thus implying important challenges. Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and implement a software application for detecting dental color to come to the aid of dentists and largely to remove the inherent subjectiveness of the human vision. Basic Methods: The implemented application was named Color Detection and the application’s source code is written using the C++ language. During application development, for creating the GUI (graphical user interface) the wxWidgets 2.8 library it was used. Results: The application displays the average color of the selected area of interest, the reference color from the key collection existent in the program and also the degree of similarity between the original (the selected area of interest) and the nearest reference key. This degree of similarity is expressed as a percentage. Conclusions: The Color Detection Program, by eliminating the subjectivity inherent to human sight, can help the dentist to select an appropriate dental color with precision.

This paper focuses on the evaluation of a web-based application used in grant application evaluations, software developed in our university, and underlines the need for simple solutions, based on recent technology, specifically tailored to one’s needs. We asked the reviewers to answer a short questionnaire, in order to assess their satisfaction with such a web-based grant application evaluation solution. All 20 reviewers accepted to answer the questionnaire, which contained 8 closed items (YES/NO answers) related to reviewer’s previous experience in evaluating grant applications, previous use of such software solutions and his familiarity in using computer systems. The presented web-based application, evaluated by the users, shown a high level of acceptance and those respondents stated that they are willing to use such a solution in the future.

As a continuous effort to improve and increase the use of computers in students’ education, we implemented an online assessment server. Its purpose is to ease the students’ examination process and to provide a transparent and objective evaluation. The solution we developed is a web application, written using PHP and Javascript. It uses MySQL as a database management system and Apache for the web server, hosted on a Linux system. The site can be accessed through a web browser capable of handling AJAX queries (Asynchronous Javascript and XML). Using the administration module, one can add or remove questions, question categories, can create tests and set its parameters (number of questions, time per question, IP addresses allowed to access the test). The administrator can also monitor the students during the test. The types of questions allowed are multiple choices with a single or multiple correct answers. After a student finishes a test, the grade is automatically displayed and there also is the possibility to review the questions and the correct answers. The system has proven itself to be quite stable; it has been in used for two years. In the nearby future, we intend to develop a second version of the server, one with more capabilities and improved functions.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the level of acceptance by the dental practitioners to implement a software application that allows a presumptive diagnosis of the systemic diseases based on the oral manifestations. Methods: First we developed a questionnaire to assess the degree of acceptance for the implementation of a dental patient's management information system. The initial questionnaire was applied to a number of 54 dentists from several cities. The questionnaire contains 6 questions evolving from simple to complex. The final evaluation was made after the presentation of the dental patients management software application, and respondents were asked to complete an evaluation questionnaire regarding the application submitted and its applicability in the dental office. Results: We compared the scores average from the final questionnaire, for the groups formed after evaluating the first questionnaire results. Conclusions: Most of the respondents found this computer based decision support system to be easy to use, scientifically well documented and enables accurate and quality documentation of patient data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A great interest regarding 2% chlorhexidine solution is over its efficiency on gram-negative bacteria, but chlorhexidine sensitive microorganisms include gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The aim of the study was to analyze the antimicrobial and antifungal action of 2% chlorhexidine solution against the microorganisms isolated from infected root canals before and after irrigation. Material and method: Clinical material. We took samples from 20 incisors of 20 patients. Sampling procedure. We followed all the rules necessary for sampling under sterile conditions. Three microorganisms: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were identified from infected root canals, based on culture, and biochemical characteristics and pathogenicity tests. The statistical analysis was performed using a statistical analysis program (SPSS Statistics 16.0). A log10 transformation of the CFU (colony forming units) values was performed to normalize the data. Results: The frequency of the isolated microorganisms before irrigation with 2% chlorhexidine solution were: Enterococcus faecalis - 3.18±1.84 CFU, Staphylococcus aureus - 1.92±0.79 CFU, Candida albicans - 2.12±1.10 CFU and after irrigation were: Enterococcus faecalis - 0.67±0.20 CFU, Staphylococcus aureus - 0.95±0.26 CFU, Candida albicans - 1.02±0.35 CFU. The difference between the means of isolated germs' CFU before and after irrigation with 2% chlorhexidine solution is statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The use of 2% chlorhexidine solution as endodontic irrigant reduces the number of the studied microorganisms' colony forming units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Multiple trauma represents the main cause of death in 40-50 years old patients. It requires a rigorous management of the critical patient to ensure a correct order in the performed maneuvers and a maximum efficiency. Case report: We report a case of a 27 year-old patient with multiple trauma, victim of a train accident. The patient arrives with the presumptive diagnosis of multiple trauma due to train accident, open acute craniocerebral trauma, suspicion of acute subdural hematoma. After the evaluation in the emergency service, the patient was transferred to the Tîrgu Mureş Surgery Clinic, where an emergency intervention was performed. Any of the lesions presented (abdomen, thorax, extremities and head lesions) were able to produce the patient's death by themselves. Conclusions: The survival chances of multiple trauma patients increase due to a rigorous management and the application of a standardized evaluation protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aim to develop and implement a personalized software to accomplish data quality management in real time, reducing the chance of error in data collection and a "real time biostatistics" software linked to a collector datasheet. Material and methods: We used C++ for programming, R for statistics and JavaScript (AJAX) for the interface. This application was developed for phase 3 GANfort study. This is a multicentric study. The results presented are simulated. Results: The application presented below has a datasheet collection view with three tabs and a general presentation of the study and patient. The first tab collects data from the first visit (study inclusion and initiating the treatment), the second tab is for surveillance visit and the third tab generates real time statistic parameters. Discussions: Using this type of software many methodological problems concerning data management can be avoided. "Missing data" and "outliers" or writing and typing errors become non-existent; typing constraints issued by datasheets and real time biostatistics eliminate them. The data can be introduced in the same time in different places and the matching data is performed simultaneously. Conclusions: The time consuming data quality management is automatically solved using the software we proposed. Statistical parameters are calculated in real time. The end of data collection coincides with a final report of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We compared in our experience the radial artery harvested in the skeletonized versus pedicled manner as an additional arterial graft for coronary surgery. Material and methods: In this study we evaluated the results obtained of 47 patients to whom we harvested the radial artery using skeletonized technique (14 cases) and pedicled technique (33 cases). In all the cases, preoperatively the radial artery was evaluated by using the modified Allen test, echo Duplex and angio CT, intraoperative the grafts were used for grafting the circumflex and right coronary system grafting and postoperative the patients were evaluated clinically and angiographically. Results: The age was situated in between 36-77 years. The harvest time was comparable for both methods (mean 42 minutes vs 34 minutes), the length of the conduit was also comparable (mean 14.4 cm vs 13.9 cm) and without having local complication in both techniques, but the diameter of the graft and its uniformity was greater with the "pedicled" method (mean 3 mm vs 2.2 mm). The function of the grafts was good in both circumflex and right coronary systems, with corresponding values measured at the end of the operation: flow 21-67 ml/min (mean) and pulsatility index 1.3-3.9 (mean). There were no complications at the harvest site and the patients were free from angina after the operation, the angiographic control demonstrating a good function of the grafts in both groups. Conclusions: The "pedicled" surgical harvest of the radial artery offers an arterial graft with a superior and uniform diameter associated with a corresponding length for the patients with total arterial myocardial revascularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]