Background and Objectives: Suspected bacterial infection is one of the leading presentations to the Emergency Department (ED) and is still associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. There is increasing evidence that biological sex may influence host immune responses, disease manifestations, therapeutic requirements, and clinical outcomes in infectious diseases. However, sex-specific differences among patients who present to the ED with suspected infection remain incompletely defined. This study, therefore, aimed to assess demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, and clinical management as well as short-term outcomes related to sex among these patients. Materials and Methods: Our single-center retrospective observational study included consecutive adults patients (n= 213) presented with suspected acute bacterial infection to the Emergency Department between June 2025 and August 2025. Results: Female patients were significantly older than male patients (72.13 ± 15.26 vs. 64.25 ± 13.66 years, p < 0.001). Cardiovascular disease and urinary tract infections were more frequently observed among women, whereas men presented significantly higher diastolic blood pressure values at admission (p = 0.004). Vasopressor therapy was more commonly required in female patients compared to males (26.0% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.019). No significant sex-related differences were identified regarding ICU admission or in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: ED patients with suspected bacterial infection demonstrate sex-related differences in age, comorbidities, infection source, and treatment requirements. Female patients were older and more frequently required vasopressor therapy. On the other hand, male patients had higher diastolic blood pressure and presented more frequently with respiratory infections. Short-term outcomes, including ICU admission and in-hospital mortality, were similar for both sexes. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex-specific characteristics in the early assessment and management of suspected infection in the Emergency Department.

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread upheaval, presenting unique challenges for pregnant and postpartum women, who were already in a particularly vulnerable phase. As the COVID-19 pandemic and its public health response unfolded, it became crucial for clinicians and researchers to explore postpartum depression within the context of a global crisis. (2) Methods: We used data from two cross-sectional surveys of postnatal women conducted in our tertiary academic public hospital during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the post-pandemic period, based on the retrospective assessments of two samples of mothers, each including 860 postpartum women. Our research has been conducted with the scope of evaluating postpartum depression disorder during and after the COVID-19 pandemic by using comparable data across time. (3) Results: The prevalence of postpartum depression was significantly higher among women who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic (major postpartum depressive disorder: 54.19%, minor depressive disorder: 15.58%), compared to pre-pandemic rates (10% in developed countries and 21–26% in developing countries) and post-pandemic rates (major depressive disorder 10.12%, minor depressive disorder 10.93%). The results of our research indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic had a major negative impact on perinatal mental health and, moreover, might have sped up an existing trend of the increasing prevalence of postpartum depression, despite the fact that the risk factors for postpartum depression disease remained consistent before, during, and after the pandemic. (4) Conclusions: Strengthening support systems during periods of heightened risk, such as during a pandemic, is crucial; therefore, policymakers and health planners should prioritize the mental health of this vulnerable group during global health crises or natural disasters, ensuring the implementation of effective mental health screenings, identification, enhanced support, follow-up, and reassurance measures to better address the challenges faced by susceptible postpartum women in future similar situations.

Background and Objectives: Long COVID has been linked with persistent neurological symptoms, but data on its effects on acute stroke presentation, management, and outcomes remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the clinical profile, management, and short-term outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients with and without Long COVID. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 132 patients who presented at admission with code stroke alert in our Emergency Department (ED). Out of those, 26 were identified to have the Long COVID condition and assigned to the Long COVID group, and 106 were without the Long COVID condition and assigned to the No Long COVID group. Baseline demographics, stroke severity by NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale), risk factors, admission symptoms, laboratory findings, Emergency department time targets, reperfusion treatments received, and outcomes between the two groups were compared. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, gender, baseline NIHSS scores, ED time targets, or laboratory values. The proportion of patients with Long COVID significantly increased among non-smokers (Fisher’s Exact Test chi-squared, p = 0.027). Also, patients suffering from Long COVID exhibited higher incidences of headache (19.2% compared to 5.7%, OR = 3.97, p = 0.040) and facial drooping (42.3% compared to 19.8%, OR = 2.97, p = 0.022). The mechanical thrombectomy was more frequent among the group with Long COVID (30.8% vs. 16.0%), but this difference was not statistically significant. More hemorrhagic transformations happened in the Long COVID group (26.9% vs. 14.2%, p = 0.143). Discharge rates and hospital length of stay in days were similar between groups. Conclusions: Long COVID patients did not present notable differences in emergency department time targets, baseline stroke severity, or short-term outcomes when presenting with code stroke alert. Nevertheless, specific clinical characteristics—such as elevated occurrences of headache and facial drooping—were more frequently observed in patients with Long COVID, alongside non-significant trends indicating a greater utilization of mechanical thrombectomy and increased rates of hemorrhagic transformation. These results imply that Long COVID may have a subtle impact on stroke presentation and potentially on underlying cerebrovascular susceptibility. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to investigate Long COVID’s long-term neurological and vascular consequences.

Background: Rapid identification and treatment of stroke are essential for the patient. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic utility of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) in the emergency department to identify and differentiate acute stroke within 4.5 h of symptom onset in patients admitted with a stroke code alert. Methods: This study included 85 patients with a “code stroke alert” upon arrival at the emergency department. Individuals were grouped in two categories: patients with stroke (including 69 patients) and patients without stroke (including 16 patients). The research was conducted at the Emergency Municipal Clinical Hospital in Timișoara, Romania, the county’s second-largest hospital, which lacks a neurologist and a dedicated stroke unit. Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups (with stroke and without stroke) regarding most demographic or admission parameters. Significant differences were observed for the biomarkers GFAP (142.91 ± 102.19 pg/mL in patients with acute stroke vs. 37.76 ± 19.92 pg/mL in patients without stroke (p < 0.001)) and UCH-L1 (1307.68 ± 967.54 pg/mL in stroke patients vs. 189.81 ± 92.69 pg/mL in patients without stroke (p < 0.001)). Within the stroke group, 37 patients had acute ischemic stroke, while 32 patients were diagnosed with hemorrhagic stroke based on brain CT imaging. GFAP achieved an accuracy of 94.2% for differentiating hemorrhagic from ischemic stroke, with a cut-off value of 77.15 pg/mL. Conclusions: GFAP excellently differentiated acute stroke from stroke mimics, with high sensitivity, perfect specificity, and strong predictive values. Integrating GFAP and UCH-L1 measurements into emergency protocols may enhance stroke diagnosis, optimize patient triage, and ultimately improve outcomes by facilitating the faster initiation of appropriate therapies.

Background/Objectives: Postpartum depression (PPD), the most common and prevalent psychiatric disorder after birth, is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed psychiatric condition that remains insufficiently understood, particularly in terms of its biological basis. While epidemiological data are extensive, few studies have systematically investigated their underlying biological mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential links between blood biomarker levels and postpartum depressive symptoms, contributing to the development of a unified biological model of PPD. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between 2023 and 2025 at a tertiary academic hospital in Timisoara, Romania, involving 860 postpartum women recruited at hospital discharge (1-2 weeks after childbirth). The participants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and provided peripheral blood samples, which were analyzed using standardized protocols. The blood levels of pregnancy-related hormones (estrogen and progesterone), vitamin D, biochemical markers of inflammatory response (white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and ferritin), anemia indicators (hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hematocrit, and ferritin), thyroid hormones (TSH, FT3, and FT4) and markers of coagulation abnormalities (D-dimer, platelets, fibrinogen, APTT, and INR) were evaluated. The data were analyzed with JASP v0.19.3. The statistical methods included multivariate linear regression, the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, and Spearman correlation, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The analysis revealed that postpartum depression (PPD) is associated with distinct biological profiles, reflecting the unique hormonal and physiological changes in the peripartum period. Significant associations were identified between EPDS scores and the levels of estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones (TSH, FT3, and FT4), inflammatory markers (CRP and ferritin), vitamin D, and coagulation parameters (APTT and INR). These findings support the notion that PPD has a multifactorial biological basis and highlight the potential of these biomarkers as early predictors of risk. Conclusions: Integrating biochemical assessments into postpartum care may enhance early identification and inform targeted preventive interventions, such as hormone monitoring, vitamin D and iron supplementation, or thyroid function correction.

Background and Objectives: The main objectives of our study were to assess sexual dimorphism and to compare the facial height, as well as the anteroposterior width of the upper airway, within adult Caucasians diagnosed with skeletal Class I and skeletal Class III malocclusion, based on a number of angular and linear cephalometric parameters. Materials and Methods: One hundred lateral cephalograms were selected from orthodontic adult Caucasian patients from western Romania. Several angular parameters (SNA, SNB, ANB, FMA, Y–FH, Ba–S–PNS and NL–ML angles) and linear parameters (total, upper and lower anterior facial height—TAFH, UAFH, LAFH; total posterior facial height—TPFH) were analysed for each case. The upper airway width parameters included the width of the nasopharynx, as well as the upper, middle and lower pharyngeal airway width (UPAW, MPAW and LPAW). Results: Distinct sexual dimorphism was observed regarding the vertical cephalometric parameters within both Class I and Class III groups, with males exhibiting significantly larger facial height parameters, while females demonstrated larger nasopharyngeal depth angles (Ba–S–PNS). The Y–FH angle had significantly higher values in Class I than in Class III subjects, regardless of sex. Upper airway dimensions showed sexual dimorphism specifically in Class III subjects, with females exhibiting larger UPAW values than males. The inter-class comparisons showed larger values for LPAW, especially in females. Correlation analyses revealed no statistically significant relationships between the vertical and the upper airway parameters in Class I subjects. UPAW showed a tendency to decrease in Class III subjects as TAFH and LAFH increased. Ba–S–PNS showed consistent negative correlations with the vertical dimensions in both groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that skeletal Class I and Class III malocclusions exhibit not only different sagittal relationships, but also distinctive, sex-related vertical skeletal patterns within each group, and therefore it would be advised that male and female patients should be diagnosed and treated according to separate protocols. In our population, Class III males are more likely to require orthognathic surgery, in addition to orthodontic treatment, with a more reserved prognosis and they might have a higher risk of OSA or other respiratory disorders in comparison with Class III females.

One of the most frequent forms of maternal morbidity following childbirth is postpartum depression. Postpartum depression (PPD), a disabling condition as a major public health concern, has a significant negative impact on the child’s emotional, mental as well as intellectual development if left undiagnosed and untreated, which can later have long-term complications. The oxytocin system is an excellent candidate gene system in the maternal context. Differences in vulnerability of mothers for the onset of postpartum psychiatric disorders could be influenced by individual differences in the genetic profile of each one. In this original research, we aimed to explore if there are any possible contributions of genetic variation on both the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and the oxytocin gene (OXT) to the occurrence of postpartum depression, aiming to provide the latest evidence and determine which genetic polymorphisms significantly create a susceptibility for this condition. A total of 100 mothers were preliminarily genotyped before they completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Questionnaire (EPDS) at 6 weeks postpartum. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the participants (N = 100) and evaluated for the oxytocin gene (OXT_rs2740210; OXT_rs4813627) and oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR_ rs237885) single nucleotide polymorphisms. The results highlighted a significant interaction between the oxytocin OXT_rs2740210 genotype and maternal postpartum depression in mothers with the CC genotype but not in those with AA/AC genotypes. This reveals that an interaction of vulnerable genotypes (CC genotype of OXT_rs2740210, C allele in genotype of OXT_rs2740210, G allele in genotype of OXT_rs4813627) with an environmental burden or other risk factors would predispose the mothers to develop postpartum depression. We found no significant association between the interaction effect of the oxytocin receptor gene OXTR_rs237885 genotype depending on the occurrence of maternal postpartum depression. These findings prove the implication of the oxytocinergic system gene variants in vulnerability for postpartum depression and indicate the need for future studies adopting a multilevel approach in order to increase understanding.

Background/Objectives: Numerous European countries, including Romania, are facing the concern of rapid ageing of their populations. Moreover, Romania’s life expectancy ranks among the lowest in the European Union. In light of this, it is imperative that the assessment of medication-related harm be given national priority in order to secure and enhance pharmacotherapy and the medical act. In this study, we sought to describe and evaluate the under-prescribing practices among the Romanian elderly population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in urban areas of two counties in Western Romania (Timis and Arad) from November 2017 to February 2019. We collected chronic electronic prescriptions issued for elderly patients (>65 years old) with chronic conditions. The medication was prescribed by generalist or specialist physicians for periods ranging between 30 and 90 days. To assess inappropriate prescribing behaviours, a multidisciplinary team of specialists applied the Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (STOPP/START) v.2 criteria to the collected prescriptions. Results: Within the 1498 prescriptions included in the study, 57% were issued to females, the mean age was 74.1 ± 6.95, and the average number of medicines per prescription was 4.7 ± 1.51. The STOPP criteria most commonly identified were the (1) long treatment duration (23.6%) and (2) prescription of neuroleptics (14.6%) or zopiclone (14.0%) as medications that increase the risk of falls. According to START criteria, the following medicines were under-prescribed: (1) statins (47.4%), (2) beta-blockers (24.5%), (3) antiresorptive therapy (10.0%), and (4) β2-agonists and muscarinic antagonists for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (4.5%). Within our study group, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications was 18.58%, whereas the prevalence of potential prescribing omissions was 49.2%. Conclusions: To decrease medication-related harm and morbid-mortality, and to increase the quality of life for elderly people in Romania, immediate actions are needed from national authorities. These actions include reinforcing primary care services, providing periodic training for physicians, implementing medication review services by pharmacists, and utilising electronic health records at their full capacity.

Background: Over the years, troponins have aced the para-clinical tests for confirming the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. However, the rise in their levels is entirely time-dependent, which can cause a delay in the initiation of treatment protocols. Heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) can serve comparatively as a better biological marker for overcoming this flaw of troponins, as it is quickly released into the bloodstream once the myocardial injury occurs due to decreased blood supply. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of this marker as well as establish the specificity and sensitivity of testing the H-FABP, if it adds to early diagnosis and can be relied upon in the future. Material and Methods: We evaluated 83 patients and their H-FABP levels, along with the standard cardiac markers like hsTni and CKMB, in patients presenting with symptoms indicating an ongoing coronary event, who had presented to our hospital between August 2020 and June 2021. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 comprised patients who had first medical contact within 4 hours of the onset of chest pain, and group 2 patients who had first medical contact after 4 hours of the appearance of symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc v20.023, considering statistical significance values of p <0.05. Results for targeted variables are presented using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, range, median, and associated interquartile range) for continuous data, and counts with associated percentages for categorical data. Results: H-FABP was found to have better sensitivity and specificity of 89.67 and 95.65 in group 1 patients and 86.73 and 49.84, respectively, in group 2 patients. The other two cardiac biomarkers evaluated had lower values in response to H-FABP in the first 4 hours of presentation. Results for group 2 showed that specificitivity for hsTni is higher than that of H-FABP, that is, 69.98. Conclusion: Heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) should be included in the protocol for biochemical evaluation of all patients presenting to the emergency services with a suspicion of possible myocardial infarction. Early detection of this protein can help in effective and timely management of myocardial infarction, thus further decreasing mortality rates and the financial burden on healthcare systems worldwide.

Aim of the Study: The study aimed to develop and evaluate two new hot chocolate recipes (P1 - Red Recipe and P2 - Green Recipe) and compare them with a commercial hot chocolate product (P3 - "La Festa"). The focus was on creating recipes that are nutritionally comparable to natural or dietetic products, with reduced sugar and increased dietary fibre content. Materials and Methods: The study employed sensory evaluation methods, specifically the Mann -Whitney and Wilcoxon Sign Rank tests, to assess appearance, consistency, flavour, taste, and smell of the hot chocolate recipes. Additionally, a comprehensive nutritional analysis was conducted to compare the protein, lipid, carbohydrate, fibre, and caloric content of the recipes against the commercial product. Results: The sensory evaluation revealed that Recipe P1 significantly outperformed both Recipe P2 and the commercial product P3 in all tested attributes. Nutritionally, Recipes P1 and P2 were similar, both showing lower sugar and higher fibre content than typical market products. However, no significant sensory differences were noted between Recipe P2 and the commercial hot chocolate P3. Conclusions: The study concludes that Recipe P1 is superior in sensory qualities with a favourable nutritional profile, making it an appealing option for healthconscious consumers. Recipe P2, while nutritionally akin to P1, shares more sensory similarities with traditional hot chocolate, offering a healthier alternative without sacrificing familiar flavours. This research underscores the feasibility of creating healthier versions of popular beverages without compromising taste and sensory appeal.

This study compares the anterior jig method with the classic bimanual technique for recording intermaxillary relations in patients who have lost anterior occlusal stops. A total of 51 patients (36 females, 16 males, mean age 42.6 years) had their anterior teeth prepared from canine to canine, resulting in the loss of anterior occlusal stops. Occlusal and incisal records were obtained using 3Shape (Denmark) digital scanning technology and analyzed with Exocad (Exocad GmbH, Germany) software. The results showed that the anterior jig method significantly reduced discrepancies, with an average difference of 0.837 mm, compared to the classic method. This difference was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney, p<0.001), especially among female patients. The anterior jig method provided better condylar positioning and minimized errors associated with the classic technique. These findings highlight the superior accuracy of the anterior jig method for recording intermaxillary relations when anterior stops are lost, emphasizing its reliability over the classic method.

This study compares the clinical outcomes of two methods for veneer application: the no-prep and prep approaches. A total of 170 patients (108 females, 62 males, mean age 45.2 years) were treated with veneers using either the no-prep or prep method. Clinical evaluations were based on criteria such as esthetic anatomical form, occlusal contour and wear, and periodontal response, measured over a 10-year follow-up period. The results demonstrated that the no-prep method significantly outperformed the prep method in several key areas, including esthetic anatomical form (C3), occlusal contour and wear (C6), and periodontal response (C10), with p-values of 0.038, <0.001, and 0.001, respectively. The no-prep method also showed superior performance in terms of recurrent caries (C8). These findings suggest that the no-prep method provides notable advantages in both functionality and esthetics, leading to better long-term clinical outcomes compared to the prep method, when correctly applied to the patient case.

Background and objectives: In the era of personalized medicine, standard protocols regarding the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) focus on time targets alone without tailoring the protocol to the specific patient and hospital characteristics to increase IV thrombolysis rates and improve outcomes for these patients by considering organizational differences and patient-related factors that influence adherence to target times at the emergency department level. With this in mind, we evaluate the effect of achieving ED time targets from standard protocol and patient-related risk factors on the intravenous (IV) thrombolysis rate in patients with AIS in the therapeutic window. Materials and Methods: For our research, we enrolled people who arrived at the ED with signs of recent AIS with an onset of less than 4.5 h. Initially, 355 patients were included in the study, but through careful screening, only 258 were considered eligible to participate. Of the final group of 258 patients, only 46 received intravenous thrombolysis treatment. Results: In our study, when we are analyzing ED times in patients admitted with stroke symptoms in the therapeutic window, we found statistically significantly decreased ED times for patients that performed IV thrombolysis compared to patients not performing as follows: a median of 100 min in onset-to-ED door time (p < 0.001), a door-to-physician time (ED doctor) of 4 min (p = 0.009), door-to-blood-samples of 5 min (p = 0.026), a door-to-CT time of 15.5 min (p = 0.009), and door-to-CT results of 37 min (p < 0.001). In addition, patients who received intravenous thrombolysis were found to be significantly older (p < 0.001), with lower height and weight (p < 0.001 for both) and lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores (9 ± 4.94 vs. 13.85 ± 2.41, p < 0.001). The logistic regression analysis indicated that the onset-to-ED time (p < 0.001) and the door-to-physician time (p = 0.014) for emergency medicine physicians are significant predictors of the likelihood of administering thrombolysis. By analyzing the impact of comorbidities, we observed that dyslipidemia, chronic arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are significant predictive factors for performing IV thrombolysis (the presence of dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus are predictive factors for performing IV thrombolysis, while the presence of arterial hypertension is not). Conclusions: The ED time targets that significantly influenced IV thrombolysis in our study were the onset-to-ED door time and the time it takes for the ED doctor to assess the AIS patient (door-to-physician time). The IV thrombolysis rate for these patients was 17.83%, lower than expected despite achieving most ED time targets, with the presence of chronic arterial hypertension as a significant predictive patient-related factor for not performing it. Even though our reported hospital’s thrombolysis rate is favorable compared to international reports, there is always room for improvement. Based on our study results, it is necessary that new protocols to customized standard protocols and ED time targets for increasing IV thrombolysis rate in patients with AIS in the therapeutic window, focusing more on patient-related factors and type of hospitals, granting personalized medicine its right. Based on our study results, it is necessary that new protocols customize standard protocols and ED time targets for increasing IV thrombolysis rate in patients with AIS in the therapeutic window, focusing more on patient-related factors and type of hospitals, granting personalized medicine its right.

This study investigates the survival rates and failure modes of layered lithium disilicate restorations with feldspathic ceramic layering, observing a total of 546 restorations across 62 patients, evenly distributed by gender (31 males and 31 females), over an average follow-up period of 52.1 months. The findings reveal an impressive overall survival rate of 97.6%, with 13 failures identified, predominantly fractures (8 cases), followed by debonding (2 cases) and dyschromia (2 cases). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated no statistically significant differences in survival rates between male and female patients (Log Rank Test, p=0.877), although males exhibited a marginally longer mean survival time. These results correspond with existing literature that emphasizes the prevalence of fractures in layered restorations, particularly in high-stress areas. The study suggests that careful consideration of clinical factors is essential for optimizing the performance of these restorations. Future research should focus on exploring various restoration designs and conducting prospective studies in standardized settings to validate these findings and improve clinical protocols.

Study design: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) via the transbrachial approach (TBA) is a very rare option used in cases of patients with aortic pathologies and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to the insufficient evidence in the literature, the difficulty from a technical point of view and the result of this technique influenced by the complications that frequently accompany it. Background: Only a few cases of patients with aortic pathologies and acute ischemic stroke where MT via TBA were reported in the literature, and its application in the emergency management of AIS has still not been dealt with in detail. Objectives: Out of a need to clarify and clearly emphasize the effectiveness of this approach in emergency MT via TBA in patients with AIS and aortic pathologies, this literature review and case report has the following objectives: the first one is the presentation of an emergency MT via transbrachial approach performed in a 44-year-old patient with AIS and diagnosed aortic coarctation during transfemural approach (TFA), with successful reperfusion in our department and the second one is to review the cases reports of patients with different aortic pathologies and AIS reperfusion therapy performed by MT via TBA from the literature. Methods: A total of nine cases (one personal case and eight published cases) were revised in terms of aortic pathologies type, reperfusion therapy type, and the complication of both mechanical thrombectomy and local transbrachial approach. Results: Mechanical thrombectomy through the transbrachial approach was the first choice in more than half of these cases (55.55%, n = 5 cases) in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in the presence of previously diagnosed aortic pathologies. In one-third of all cases (33.33%, n = 3, our case and 2 case reports from the literature), the transbrachial approach was chosen after attempting to advance the guiding catheter through the transfemoral approach and intraprocedural diagnosis of aortic pathology. In only one case, after an ultrasound evaluation of the radial artery that showed a monophasic flow, MT was performed via TBA. Local transbrachial complication was reported in one case, and in two other cases, it was not stated if there were such complications. Hemorrhagic transformation of AIS was reported in two cases that underwent MT-only cerebral reperfusion via TBA, one with acute aortic dissection type A and our case of previously undiagnosed aortic coarctation. In the cases in whom short and long-term follow-up was reported, the outcome of treatment, which was not exclusively endovascular (77.77% cases with only MT and 33.33% with association of first thrombolysis and after MT), was good (six from nine patients). In two case reports, the outcomes were not stated, and one patient died after a long hospitalization in the intensive care unit from respiratory complications (our patient). Conclusions: Being a clinical emergency, acute ischemic stroke requires urgent medical intervention. In patients with aortic pathologies, where acute ischemic stroke emergency care is a challenge, mechanical thrombectomy via the transbrachial approach is a safe alternative method for cerebral reperfusion.

In recent years, genetic studies have brought new insights into psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disease with multiple determining and favoring factors. Recent advances in the technology of genetic analysis have enabled the discovery of many loci with causal or susceptibility roles and the finding of correlations related to different types of treatment responses. In this study, genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from 2 mL peripheral blood for the evaluation of rs10204525 for Programmed Cell Death 1 (PDCD1) gene and rs550675 for Collagen Type IX Alpha 1 Chain (COL9A1) gene in 45 psoriasis patients and 43 healthy subjects without a personal pathological history of dermatological diseases. All patients were diagnosed by clinical and histopathological examination, and the severity of disease and its impact on quality of life were evaluated by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores. Comparisons were made between controls and patients, but also between different clinical types of psoriasis according to disease severity. The rank of C/T alleles for rs550675 (COL9A1 gene) was higher in the patients versus the control group (p = 0.026), while the G/A alleles for rs10204525 (PDCD1 gene) had no differences between the two groups (p = 0.450). Case and control comparisons also showed statistical significance between homozygous CC/TT genotypes (p = 0.039). After subdividing the three types of psoriasis (plaque psoriasis, arthropathic psoriasis and palmoplantar psoriasis) according to disease severity, there were differences between CC/CT genotype (p = 0.0246) and CC/TT (p = 0.007) genotype in patients with plaque psoriasis in favor of severe disease. At the same time, the GA/GG versus AA pattern was significantly higher in patients with plaque psoriasis.

The impression materials utilized today in dental medicine offer a good reproducibility and are easily accepted by patients. However, because they are polymer-based, they have issues regarding their dimensional stability. In this respect, the present work proposes a new type of dental impression, which is reinforced with rigid mouthguards. The aim of the study is to test the performances of such new impressions by comparing them to conventional ones—from this critical point of view, of the dimensional stability. Three types of polymeric materials were considered for both types of impressions: alginate, condensation silicone, and addition silicone. In order to obtain the new type of impressions, a manufacturing technique was developed, comprising the following phases: (i) conventional impressions were made; (ii) a plaster model was duplicated, and 15 rigid mouthguards were obtained; (iii) they were inserted in the impression technique, with each mouthguard positioned on the cast before the high-consistency material was inserted in the tray and the practitioner took the impression; (iv) the mouthguard remained in the tray and the low-viscosity material was inserted over the mouthguard; (v) the impression was positioned on the model, and after the material hardened, the mouthguard-reinforced impression was analyzed. In the evaluation of the dimensional stability, rigorous statistical analysis was essential to discern the performance differences between conventional and mouthguard-reinforced dental impressions. Statistical analyses employed non-parametric Mann–Whitney U tests because of the non-normal distribution of the data. They indicated a statistically significant improvement in the dimensional stability of addition silicone impressions when reinforced with mouthguards (p < 0.05), showcasing superior performance over conventional methods. Conversely, alginate and condensation silicone reinforced impressions did not exhibit the same level of stability improvement, suggesting the need for further optimization of these materials. In conclusion, from the three considered elastomers, addition silicone was found to be the prime candidate for high-precision dental impressions, with the potential to improve their quality from conventional impressions by utilizing the proposed reinforcing technique.

This study evaluates the use of full-contour lithium disilicate retainers and layered lithium disilicate restorations for the stabilization of mandibular anterior teeth following orthodontic treatment. Lithium disilicate ceramics were selected for their superior strength, biocompatibility, and aesthetic qualities, providing a solution that minimizes discomfort and sensitivity for patients. The clinical performance of these retainers was monitored across 18 cases. Out of the 18 retainers, 10 experienced fractures. Despite the fractures, patients expressed satisfaction with the aesthetic and functional benefits of the lithium disilicate retainers, especially in comparison to traditional metal alternatives. These findings underscore the need for careful material selection and patient education, as lithium disilicate retainers offer a reliable and aesthetically appealing option for post-orthodontic stabilization, though they may require regular follow-up and monitoring due to their susceptibility to fractures.

Background and objectives: To minimize stroke-related deaths and maximize the likelihood of cerebral reperfusion, medical professionals developed the “code stroke” emergency protocol, which allows for the prompt evaluation of patients with acute ischemic stroke symptoms in pre-hospital care and the emergency department (ED). This research will outline our experience in implementing the stroke code protocol for acute ischemic stroke patients and its impact on door-to-needle time (DTN) in the ED. Methods: Our study included patients with a “code stroke alert” upon arrival at the emergency department. The final sample of this study consisted of 258 patients eligible for intravenous (IV) thrombolysis with an onset-to-door time < 4.5 h. ED admissions were categorized into two distinct groups: “day shift” (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) (n = 178) and “night shift” (from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) (n = 80) groups. Results: An analysis of ED time targets showed an increased median during the day shift for onset-to-ED door time of 310 min (IQR, 190–340 min), for door-to-physician (emergency medicine doctor) time of 5 min (IQR, 3–9 min), for door-to-physician (emergency medicine doctor) time of 5 min (IQR, 3–9 min), and for door-to-physician (neurologist) time of 7 min (IQR, 5–10 min), also during the day shift. During the night shift, an increased median was found for door-to-CT time of 21 min (IQR, 16.75–23 min), for door-to-CT results of 40 min (IQR, 38–43 min), and for door-to-needle time of 57.5 min (IQR, 46.25–60 min). Astonishingly, only 17.83% (n = 46) of these patients received intravenous thrombolysis, and the proportion of patients with thrombolysis was significantly higher during the night shift (p = 0.044). A logistic regression analysis considering the door-to-needle time (minutes) as the dependent variable demonstrated that onset-to-ED time (p < 0.001) and door-to-physician (emergency medicine physicians) time (p = 0.021) are predictors for performing thrombolysis in our study. Conclusions: This study identified higher door-to-CT and door-to-emergency medicine physician times associated with an increased DTN, highlighting further opportunities to improve acute stroke care in the emergency department. Further, door-to-CT and door-to-CT results showed statistically significant increases during the night shift.

Background: COVID-19 has led to a global health crisis that is defining for our times and one of the greatest challenges to emerge since World War II. The potential impact of the pandemic on mental health should not be overlooked, especially among vulnerable populations such as women who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey conducted from 1 March 2020 to 1 March 2023, during the period of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, based on a retrospective evaluation of 860 postpartum women. The screening tool used to assess symptoms of postpartum depression was the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Rating Scale (EPDS) questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed both in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinical Sections I and II of the “Pius Brînzeu” County Emergency Hospital in Timisoara, Romania, and online using Google Forms. Results: The highest severity of postpartum depression symptoms was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the study conducted during the period of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (COVID-19) showed that the prevalence of major postpartum depressive disorder (EPDS ≥ 13) was 54.2% (466 patients), while 15.6% (134) had minor depressive disorder (10 < EPDS ≤ 12) in the first year after delivery. Comparing these results with those obtained in research conducted before the onset of the pandemic period showed an alarming increase in the prevalence of postpartum depression. The risk factors associated with postpartum depression included the type of delivery, level of education, socio-economic conditions, health status, age, background, and personal obstetric history (number of abortions on demand, parity). Conclusions: The effects of the pandemic on mental health are of particular concern for women in the first year after childbirth. Observing these challenges and developing effective measures to prepare our health system early can be of great help for similar situations in the future. This will help and facilitate effective mental health screening for postpartum women, promoting maternal and child health.