Background:Medical students often lead sedentary lifestyles due to prolonged academic commitments, which may negatively affect balance and overall physical well-being. Incorporating short bouts of physical activity into daily routines may help counteract these effects. Objectives:To investigate the efficacy of integrating short periods of stretching and physical activity into daily routines on balance and physical well-being among medical students. Method:A total of 60 healthy medical students aged 18-21 years, without neuromuscular abnormalities, were randomly assigned into two equal groups, including the study group (n=30) and the control group (n=30), using simple random sampling. Members of the control group continued their routine activities without intervention, while those of the study group performed supervised stretching exercises along with their regular activities. Balance was assessed both before and after the intervention using the single leg balance test (SLBT) and the Berg balance scale (BBS). Results:The study group demonstrated significant improvements in balance following the intervention. Post-test scores showed marked enhancement in eyes-open SLBT (p=0.0025, Z=-3.019, Cohen's d=0.874), eyes-closed SLBT (p=0.0007, Z=-3.372, Cohen's d=1.175) and BBS (p < 0.0001, Z=-6.86, Cohen's d=3.998), indicating moderate to large effect sizes. Conclusion:Incorporating short periods of stretching and physical activity into daily routines significantly improves balance and physical well-being among medical students.
Background:Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a condition with an unclear etiology, which is characterized by recurring hives and/or angioedema. Evidence suggests a potential role of vitamin B12 in modulating immune responses and disease severity. This study explores the relationship between vitamin B12 levels, CSU severity and autoimmunity markers such as autologous serum skin test (ASST) positivity. Methods:A cross-sectional study of 57 CSU patients was conducted. Participants' demographic and clinical characteristics, vitamin B12 levels and ASST positivity were assessed. Symptom severity was measured using urticaria activity scores (UAS), wheal/flare duration and pruritus severity. Associations between vitamin B12 levels, symptom severity and ASST positivity were analysed. Results:Participants had a mean age of 36 years, with a higher share of female subjects. Vitamin B12 deficiency (<200 pg/mL) was observed in 15.7% of patients, while 78.9% had normal levels. A significant negative correlation was found between vitamin B12 levels and wheal/flare duration (p=0.04). Patients with low vitamin B12 levels had longer wheal/flare duration and trends toward higher pruritus severity compared to those with normal levels. Autologous serum skin test positivity was observed in 21% of participants and was associated with more severe symptoms. Conclusion:This study highlights a potential role for vitamin B12 in modulating CSU severity. Assessing vitamin B12 levels in patients with severe or refractory symptoms could aid in personalized management strategies. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the role of supplementation in improving CSU outcomes.
Introduction:Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a major cause of community-acquired respiratory infections, especially in school-aged children and young adults, with cyclical outbreaks occurring every few years. Material and methods:This study analyzed a cohort of pediatric patients treated in a tertiary hospital in Bucharest and compared the findings with data reported in the literature. Results:Elevated anti-MP antibody titers (IgG, IgA and IgM) were associated with increased leukocytosis, neutrophilia, complications and longer hospitalization. Fever, lobar involvement and complications were also linked to prolonged hospital stay. Conclusions:Our findings are consistent with international data and reflect the typical epidemiological profile of MP infection in children. These results contribute to the characterization of MP infection in the post-COVID era and support the need for prospective studies to validate the identified prognostic markers.
Background:The foramen rotundum (FR) is a critical skull base aperture transmitting the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. Its anatomical variations have significant implications for diagnosis and surgical approaches to skull base lesions. However, population-specific morphometric data for the Indian population remain limited. Objectives:This study aims to evaluate the morphometric characteristics and anatomical features of the FR in Indian adults using both dry skulls and computed tomography (CT) scans, with emphasis on establishing surgical landmarks for safe skull base surgery. Methods:Thirty dry adult human skulls and thirty high-resolution CT scans of adult patients (≥18 years) without skull pathology were examined. Morphometric measurements of the FR, including breadth, height and distance from the anterior clinoid process, were recorded using digital Vernier calipers (dry skulls) and specialized CT analysis software. Statistical comparison between left and right sides was performed using paired t-tests (p≤0.05). Results:The FR was bilaterally present in all specimens with predominantly round shape and regular margins. No accessory foramina, septations, or confluence were observed. In dry skulls, mean breadth and height measured 3.82±0.99 mm and 3.59±0.65 mm (left) and 3.82±0.91 mm and 3.54±0.77 mm (right), respectively. Corresponding CT scan measurements were 2.94±0.53 mm and 2.54±0.44 mm (left) and 2.85±0.45 mm and 2.40±0.44 mm (right). No statistically significant asymmetry was observed between sides. The mean distance from the anterior clinoid process to FR was 10.50±1.19 mm (dry skulls) and 14.06±1.86 mm (CT scans), with no significant lateralization. Conclusion:The present study establishes population-specific morphometric data for FR in Indian adults and validates the anterior clinoid process as a reliable surgical landmark. These findings provide essential reference points for endoscopic and lateral skull base approaches, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and surgical safety while highlighting the need for population-tailored anatomical references in clinical practice.
Background:The conventional management modality of refractive amblyopia is patching of the normal eye, which has high recurrence rates. Modern technological advancements have the potential to offer comprehensive visual rehabilitation and improvement in binocular single vision. Aims:To compare the clinical efficacy of three novel interventions - Phakic intraocular lens (IOL), Occlu-tab and Orthoptek Magnocellular Stimulator - in managing refractive amblyopia in adolescents and young adults. Methods:Young adults with refractive amblyopia who did not respond to occlusion therapy were randomized into three groups: Occlu-tab, Orthoptek and Phakic IOL. Pre- and post-treatment best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity and stereoacuity were assessed. Results:All three modalities produced significant within-group improvements in BCVA, contrast sensitivity and stereoacuity (p < 0.001). Best-corrected visual acuity improved comparably across the three groups, including Orthoptek (mean gain 0.44), Occlu-tab (0.34) and Phakic IOL (0.29 logMAR). There was no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.136). Contrast sensitivity gains were higher for Occlu-tab (+0.78) and Orthoptek (+0.78) than for Phakic IOL (+0.59), with a significant between-group difference (p = 0.003). Stereoacuity has markedly improved with Occlu-tab (715.62 sec arc) and Orthoptek (713.54 sec arc) versus less improvement with a Phakic IOL (312.50 sec arc), with the between-group difference being highly significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion:In terms of final binocular functional success rates, Orthoptek and Occlu-tab therapies were superior as compared to Phakic IOLs. A combination of amblyopia therapies should be the approach in the near future.
