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Background: Aromatase inhibitor therapy is currently the preferred choice in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. This article reviews the ocular side effects of treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science and Google scholar. Results: After duplication removal, 14 clinical studies and 5 case reports, published between 2008 and 2021, were identified. Most frequently, AI treatment resulted in minor to moderate dry eye symptoms. “De novo” onset of Sjogren syndrome during AI therapy was also reported. Retinal and optic nerve side effects varied from mild, subclinical anatomic and functional impairment to severe decreased vision, secondary to hemi-central retinal artery occlusion, bilateral optic neuritis or uveitis with bilateral macular edema. Conclusion: Visual disturbances encountered during AI treatment may be underestimated. Ophthalmic screening is important for early detection and appropriate treatment.

Introduction. With more than 1,000,000 infections around the world, SARS-Cov 2 is responsible for the most severe healthcare crisis in the last 100 years. Aim. The paper analyzes the impact of COVID 19 pandemic upon the current ophthalmological clinical activity. Materials and Method. A comparative analyses was carried regarding the clinical activity in March 2019 and March 2020: the number of one day hospitalizations, of continuous hospitalizations, the percentage of emergencies, the number of surgeries, bed turn over, mean hospital stay. The protocols for the health care personnel protection and decontamination were analyzed. Results. During March 2019, 381 patients were treated in the day hospitalization and 297 patients in the continuous hospitalization regime, with an average length of hospitalization of 3.2 days, and a bed turnover of 6.05. Of these, 76.43% underwent ophthalmic surgery and 14.1% represented ophthalmological emergencies. The comparative analysis shows that in March 2020, the number of one day hospitalizations decreased by 87.4%, and that of the hospitalizations continued with 89.2%. Of the patients admitted, 46.8% were in emergency. Clinical ophthalmological practice has been deeply changed in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic in order to prevent contamination both for patients and medical personnel. Conclusions. The ocular manifestations associated to SARS-Cov 2 infection are self-limited, but the possibility of infection due to the presence of the virus at the level of the tear secretion is an aspect that we must consider in the ophthalmological clinical practice.

Degenerative neurological diseases (senile dementia, Alzheimer`s disease, glaucoma), post-stroke sequelae are increasing as prevalence nowadays, in context of aging in general population, and there are strong evidences that astrocytes may play a significant role in neuroprotection. The study evaluates the effects of low intensity low frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) �in vitro� stimulation (195 mA, 7-8 Hz) on the glial cells, in different conditions, in order to identify the neuroprotective potential. Three cell lines were used for the study: the Clonetics (Lonza) line of normal human astrocytes, U87 glioblastoma tumor cells (ATCC) and L929 murine fibroblasts. The cell cultures were exposed to EMF stimulation for 2 hours/day, for 5 and 10 day, in absence and in the presence of oxidative stress stimuli. Cell viability, apoptotic potential, changes in cell phenotype, stimulation of cell proliferation for normal and malignant transformed cell lines, resilience to oxidative stress were investigated. The viability of the cells was investigated by MTS assay, and the Griess test was used to detect nitrite production as a marker of oxidation and inflammation. Inverted microscopy examination revealed that following exposure to the tested EMF, no morphological changes of the cells were recorded. In none of the cell lines tested, no cytotoxic or cytopathic effects were observed in the cultures exposed under low density conditions. In case of exposure of cell cultures for 10 days to the action of EMF, a viability of 98.2% of glial cells and 97% of exposed fibroblasts is observed, compared to unexposed cells. The viability of the cells exposed to both EMF and oxidative and inflammatory stimuli is increased by 0.96% in the case of H2O2 stimulation and in 3.76% in the case of LPS stimulation, suggesting a possible neuroprotective effect of EMF exposure. Low intensity low frequency EMF �in vitro� stimulation increased viability of the glial cells exposed to oxidative and inflammatory stimuli. No cytotoxic or cytopathic effects were observed in the exposed cultures under conditions of low density. Further tests are needed in order to elucidate the mechanisms of action of EMF on astrocytes, especially on astrocyte-neuron co-cultures to highlight the interactions between these cell types. Confirmation of the neuroprotective effect of low intensity and low frequency EMF opens the way for the development of an innovative, non-invasive therapy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular disorder occurring due to the long-term effects of diabetes, leading to vision-threatening damage to the retina. The human body has an elaborate system for managing and regulating the number of key trace metals circulating in the blood and stored cells. Inadequate zinc (Zn) and concurrent excess of copper (Cu) levels are associated with an increased level of oxidative stress, which may aggravate the microvascular lesions in diabetes mellitus. Several studies have revealed a significantly lower serum Zn concentration and increased Cu levels in DR when compared with diabetic patients without retinopathy and normal controls. These abnormalities are correlated with the duration of diabetes and higher levels of HbA1C. Multiple pathological mechanisms are proposed to explain these changes including hyperzincuria associated with polyuria, glycosuria, and proteinuria in diabetic patients, as well as impaired absorption of Zn at the gastrointestinal level. Increased levels of free Cu ions may be attributed to glycation and the release of Cu ions from the Cu-binding sites of proteins. Zn supplements and selective Cu chelators may be useful to alleviate oxidative stress and prevent DR progression.

Multimodal treatment of breast cancer has made steady progress in recent years. The involvement of modern oncology, diagnostic imaging techniques and surgical treatment, have brought a definite benefit to patients, defining the multidisciplinary treatment of breast cancer. The introduction of immunohistochemical testing and genetic screening has led to the prioritization of therapy according to their results and a correct approach to initiating treatment. The main aim of the present study was to conduct a comparative analysis through a retrospective study of the therapeutic means used in breast cancer with the statistical evaluation of the obtained results. To carry out the study, a group of 125 patients hospitalized during the period January 2015 to December 2020, were included, and the parameters were selected from the observation sheets. The results of the study demonstrated the superiority of multimodal treatment of breast cancer over surgical treatment as the only therapeutic management. The introduction of ultrasound-guided biopsies and conservative surgical options has led to increased diagnostic accuracy and a significant improvement in aesthetic outcome. The multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer allows an individualized treatment by performing immunohistochemical testing and through the use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment combined with conservative surgical techniques with a more favorable cosmetic and oncological result, with reduced postoperative complications.

Bariatric surgery is an emerging therapeutic approach for obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, with proven benefits for achieving target glucose control and even remission of diabetes. However, the effect of bariatric surgery upon diabetic retinopathy is still a subject of debate as some studies show a positive effect while others raise concerns about potential early worsening effects. We performed a systematic review, on PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases regarding the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy in obese T2DM patients who underwent weight-loss surgical procedures. A total of 6375 T2DM patients were analyzed. Most cases remained stable after bariatric surgery (89.6%). New onset of diabetic retinopathy (DR) was documented in 290 out of 5972 patients (4.8%). In cases with DR at baseline, progression was documented in 50 out of 403 (12.4%) and regression in 90 (22.3%). Preoperative careful preparation of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure, and lipidemia should be provided to minimize the expectation of DR worsening. Ophthalmologic follow-up should be continued regularly in the postoperative period even in the case of diabetic remission. Further randomized trials are needed to better understand the organ-specific risk factors for progression and provide personalized counseling for T2DM patients planned for bariatric surgery.

Suspicion of lead poisoning is confirmed by its concentration in blood and protoporphyrin red blood cells. At low concentrations, lead influences the synthesis of the heme in the sense of lowering it. Acute and chronic lead intoxication is extremely polymorphic in regards to its clinical manifestations, with digestive, hematological, cardiovascular, renal hepatic and neurological features. The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of lead in human whole blood and urine harvested before and during chelation treatment in the case of lead poisoning. An atomic absorption spectroscopic method for the analysis of lead was developed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GF-AAS), Varian Spectra AA-880 with a hollow cathode lead lamp and a deuterium lamp for background correction, coupled to a GTA-100 atomizer and a programmable sample dispenser. Standard calibration solutions were used for the range 10-100 µg/l. The linearity range was 10.0 to 100.0 µg/l with the correlation coefficient of 0.999. We established that the method can be applied for the determination of lead in whole blood and urine, and the results obtained are useful for monitoring chelation therapy in cases of acute lead poisoning, a neglected cause of abdominal colic pain in an emergency situation.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a well-known complication of diabetes and a significant burden on the national health systems. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio are inexpensive and easily accessible biomarkers that have proved to be useful in several inflammatory, infectious and cardiovascular diseases. We carried out a comprehensive review examining the association of NLR and PLR with the onset and progression of DFU. PLR and NLR were significantly increased in patients with DFU, compared with a control group of T2DM patients without DFU, and correlate well with DFU severity, evaluated by Wagner and IWGDF grading scales. In patients with diabetic foot infections (DFI), elevated NLR and PLR were correlated with osteomyelitis, increased risk of amputation, and septic complications. The significance of the elevated value of these biomarkers in DFU is related to chronic hyperglycemia and low-grade systemic inflammation, atherosclerotic and vascular complications, and also the associated septic factor. Serial, dynamic follow-up can provide useful information in planning and monitoring DFU treatment, as well as in risk stratification of these vulnerable patients. Further randomized studies are needed to set the cut-off values with clinical significance.

Amphetamines are a class of substances with a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. These were first synthesided in 1887 by Lazar Edeleanu, a romanian chemist, in Germany, originally named phenylisopropylamine, but the stimulant effect of these was unknown until 1927, than it was resynthesized by Gordon Allens, who reported the sympathomimetic properties of amphetamines [1]. Urine amphetamine measurements were performed on the Viva-ProE analyzer (SIEMENS, Germany). The light source is a 12V-20W iodine quartz lamp. The range of scannable wavelengths with its own selection of 8 filters is as follows (340, 415, 505, 546, 570, 600, 660, 700 nm). The bandwidth is 8 - 12 nm. Photometric domain - Absorbance - 0.1 to 3.0. The authors present the results obtained by analyzing the urine samples from patients admitted in ICU II Toxicology with abuse substances overdose and working parameters of the Viva Pro-E System. Some of the results are presented. This analysis uses a threshold level of 300 ng / mL to distinguish positive and negative samples. The analysis provides only a preliminary analytical test result. A sample giving a change in the absorbance value (ΔA) equal to or even higher than the ΔA value of the Level 1 calibrator is interpreted as positive and the sample contains amphetamines or similar structural compounds or both.

During one year (september 2013 � september 2014), 50 children from the residential institution for children SOS Satele Copiilor Bucharest, where included in our research. The children were distributed in two groups: Group A which consisted of 25 children (12 girls, 13 boys) who were not diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Group B which consisted of 25 children (14 boys, 11 girls) who were diagnosed with ADHD. Initially, the two groups were subjected at a psycho-diagnostic battery of tests, one of them being the Evaluating the Health State of children with ADHD questionnaire elaborated by us, particularly for this research, with the purpose of highlighting the direct link between the children health state and their ADHD symptoms. This study sought to determine the concentration of copper in urine samples from a group of children with ADHD and a group of normal children, to highlight the role of copper in the development of ADHD symptoms. Levels of copper concentration in urine samples from the two groups were processed by Student�s t-Test. Statistical analysis showed that the arithmetic averages of copper concentration in urine samples, of the two groups do not differ significantly, so copper may be causing ADHD symptoms occur. The copper content in urine samples has been determined using atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace.

According to DSM-IV-there are 3 types of ADHD: predominantly with attention disorders, predominantly with hyperactivity-impulsivity or combined [1]. Cobalt can create behavioral disturbances especially due to its lack of body. It is included in vitamin B12 (cyancobalamin). Cobalamin supplements improve cognitive and cerebral functions. In particular, they improve the functions of the frontal lobe and language in those with cognitive dysfunctions. Low plasma concentrations of cyancobalamin produce a cognitive change-specific symptom. The study aims to compare the concentration of cobalt in the urine collected from a group of children diagnosed with ADHD compared to those in the “Children's House SOS Children's Villages” and to analyze the influence of the sex of the children on the urinary concentrations of cobalt. To determine the concentration of cobalt in urine specimens, was used a Varian graphite tube atomizer (GF) coupled with atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) system. The cobalt urine concentrations of the two batches do not differ statistically (p> 0.7), the difference between the two media is 0.08 μg/L. Cobalt urine concentrations in boys in the two groups do not differ statistically (p> 0.6), the difference between the two media is 0.19 μg/L. Umbilical concentrations of cobalt in girls in the two groups do not differ significantly (p > 0.8), the difference between the two media is 0.05 μg/L. There is no significant difference between the mean values of the cobalt urine concentrations between the two batches. It can be argued that the occurrence of ADHD symptoms can not be due to a change in cobalt concentration in children with ADHD. Analysis of urinary concentrations of cobalt in children with ADHD relative to the urinary concentration of these elements in children without ADHD did not reveal any statistically significant difference. These results show that cobalt can not be responsible for the presence of ADHD symptoms. The developed optoelectronic GF-AAS method is relatively simple, reproducible and has a sensitivity that allows analysis of cobalt concentration in urine samples.