Current health sciences journal最新文献

Introduction: Dental fatigue fractures are the result of occlusal overloads occurring because of increased intensity of occlusal forces or decreased resistance of dental hard tissues to habitual occlusal forces. In the COVID-19 pandemic, occlusal stress has increased significantly, and so has the number of dental fractures. The study has the aim to determine if the number of cases of dental fatigue fractures during the pandemic crisis was higher than in the immediately preceding period.

Methodology: The retrospective study was carried out in a private dental clinic, selecting from the case series presented during March 2019-March 2021 the cases of dental fatigue fractures presented for diagnosis and treatment. The data collected from the patients included the reason for the presentation, the dental and medical history, and results from dental examination and radiological data. The statistical analysis was carried out with Microsoft Excel and SPSS software.

Results: The study included 644 patients, 430 women and 214 men, with ages between 25 and 85 years (61±7.4 years). From a total of 2581 visits, 1534 visits were made to 383 patients between March 2019 and March 2020, and 1047 visits were made to 261 patients between March 2020 and March 2021, the number of visits decreasing by 31.75% during the pandemic. During the pandemic, the number of fractured teeth tripled, increasing from 0.53% to 1.53% (p=0.009). The most affected teeth were the maxillary premolars and the permanent first molar, both mandibular and maxillary. In most cases, the indication for treatment was extraction.

Conclusions: The Sars-Cov2 virus pandemic crisis has significantly increased the number of teeth with dental fatigue fractures presented to the dental office for diagnosis and treatment.

Acute limb ischemia, or ALI, is a rapid decrease in limb perfusion due to an occlusion of an artery or a bypass graft. Most cases result from in situ thrombosis or embolism in patients with antecedent peripheral arterial disease. Potential sources of arterial embolism as a cause of this condition include cardiogenic, aortic, peripheral aneurysms with an associated mural thrombus or, less commonly, a paradoxical embolism through a septal defect. We present a rare case of ALI due to an underlying patent foramen ovale that was successfully treated following revascularization. This article emphasizes one of the more unusual mechanisms of ALI. Despite the rarity, physicians should maintain a high index of clinical suspicion for a paradoxical embolism across a patent foramen ovale in unexplained arterial occlusion. Correct mechanism identification ensures adequate referral and prompt treatment that may reduce complications.

Atopic Dermatitis (AD), recognized as one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorders among children, is characterized by skin barrier dysfunction and immune system abnormalities. Historically viewed as a childhood condition, recent findings underscore a notable prevalence of AD in adults, prompting a critical examination of this demographic. Diagnosis hinges largely on subjective clinical assessments due to the absence of universally accepted biomarkers. Consequently, efforts are underway to identify dependable biomarkers to enhance diagnostic precision. This paper underscores the scarcity of AD diagnoses in adults despite its pediatric prominence, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and tailored diagnostic approaches in adult populations. Severity scores such as SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and dermatological life quality index (DLQI) play pivotal roles in evaluating disease severity and its impact on quality of life, guiding the development of personalized treatment strategies for adult AD patients. In this study, we aim to present four compelling cases of adult-onset atopic dermatitis, each offering unique insights into this increasingly recognized phenomenon. What makes these cases particularly noteworthy is the absence of any prior atopic history in two out of four patients, challenging the conventional understanding of AD as a condition predominantly linked to childhood. Moreover, the clinical presentation in all four cases was markedly atypical, underscoring the elusive nature of adult-onset AD diagnosis. In our investigation, interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 13 (IL-13), and Immunoglobulin E (IgE) were utilized as diagnostic biomarkers for our patient cohort. Given the established pivotal roles of IL-4 and IL-13 in AD pathogenesis, elevated serum levels of these biomarkers, although not universally endorsed, hold potential for diagnostic utility. Furthermore, heightened levels of IgE, indicative of allergic responses and inflammation inherent to the condition, emphasize its significance as a key biomarker and therapeutic target in AD management.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most frequently diagnosed thyroid disorder worldwide, characterized by hypothyroidy and thyroid autoimmunity. The fibrous variant accounts for a small number of cases. A 48 years old woman, with 20-years history of Hashimoto thyroiditis presented for a large recent goiter with compressive symptoms, in hypothyroidic state and with very high thyroid antibodies antithyroglobulin and antithyroperoxidase. Ultrasound and fine needle aspiration biopsy showed an enlargement of the thyroid gland with nonhomogeneous structure and trachea shifting posteriorly, Bethesda III. CT scan showed similar aspect of the thyroid gland with compression on the trachea and the left common jugular vein. Surgery was performed due to suspicion of malignancy and compression symptoms. Thyroidectomy was uneventful, but the patient developed hypoparathyroid symptoms postoperatively that resolved with high dose calcium, magnesium and vitamin D supplementation. The pathology report was consistent of Hashimoto's thyroiditis fibrous variant. This case report presents a rare case of the fibrous variant of Hashimoto's thyroiditis that is rarely taken under consideration in the preoperative setting as diagnosis is hard to establish with the usual algorithm of imaging and FNA biopsy. The multidisciplinary management in pre-and postoperative approach and evaluation are of utmost importance for successful management of such case.

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996 has markedly enhanced the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH), largely due to the effectiveness of reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs). These drugs target the reverse transcriptase enzyme, crucial for the HIV virus to convert its RNA into DNA within host cells, effectively disrupting the viral replication process. This action reduces the patient's viral load, helping preserve immune function and prevent progression to AIDS. Consequently, the predominant causes of mortality among individuals living with HIV have transitioned from opportunistic infections and AIDS-related cancers to liver disease and cardiovascular complications. Liver damage in PLWH could arise from multiple sources including co-infections, chronic substance use, and notably, antiretroviral therapy itself, which can be hepatotoxic. This review highlights the risks of hepatic damage associated with nucleoside and non-nucleoside RTIs and underscores the variability in hepatotoxicity risks among different drugs. It emphasizes the necessity for regular monitoring of liver health in PLWH and adjusting antiretroviral regimens to minimize liver fibrosis risk. This risk is particularly pronounced in patients who associate the infection with hepatitis B or C virus, where the potential for hepatotoxicity significantly increases.

Aging is the primary risk factor for cognitive decline, impacting multiple cognitive domains and significantly elevating the risk of conditions such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia. In addition to aging, several diseases contribute to cognitive decline. Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, leads to the loss of neurons and synapses in the brain, resulting in a profound decline in cognitive abilities and functional capacity. Several studies provide compelling evidence that modifiable lifestyle factors play a crucial role in influencing cognitive health. Adopting healthier behaviors has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Genetic factors also play a crucial role in cognitive decline, with several genes being identified that influence the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Long-term use of opioids and cocaine is also associated with cognitive decline, affecting functions such as memory and executive processes. Understanding the factors contributing to cognitive decline in aging and disease is essential for developing strategies to mitigate its impact. The drugs available to treat patients with cognitive decline due to advanced aging and drug abuse are also summarize.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip, also known as coxarthrosis, is a degenerative disease marked by gradual biomechanics alterations cause by articular cartilage damage in the coxofemural joint. The goal of this study was determining the incidence of patients with hip osteoarthritis who undergo surgery (hip arthroplasty) within the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Emergency County Hospital of Drobeta-Turnu Severin, hospitalized between January 2014 and December 2019. Furthermore, we proposed gathering details about incidence, distribution according to age group, gender, living conditions, and type of arthroplasty used in studied patient group. The study included 485 patients with hip OA mainly diagnosed in elderly patients, 87.83% being over 60 years old. In terms of gender, the disease primarily impacted women, with a female/male ratio of 2/1.

The objective of this study is to determine prevalent behaviors and knowledge of oral hygiene on the late adolescents. Only individuals in the late stage of adolescence, specifically between the ages of 18 and 24, that were students from the "Ovidius" University of Constanta were chosen. The involvement was optional. A printed questionnaire was provided for them to complete. A total of 50 participants took part in this study, consisting of 26% (n=13) males and 74% (n=37) females. When asked about their toothbrush preference, 50% (n=25) individuals indicated using just manual toothbrushes. Out of all individuals who have utilized orthodontic appliances, 70.8% (n=17) reported that the dentist recommended for them to receive professional dental hygiene care while undergoing treatment. 78.0% (n=39) individuals reported participating in oral hygiene meetings and would be interested for additional information regarding the topic. It is essential to provide youngsters with early instruction about the importance of oral hygiene in order to develop long-lasting healthy habits.

The purpose of our study was the phenotypic classification of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (KOA) and the dynamic assessment of functional status, monitored both numerically and in conformity with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF-basic set, shortened form). We conducted a prospective study in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Filantropia Hospital, Craiova, from June of 2022 to November of 2023. In total, 100 patients with KOA were enlisted. Using data from the literature, physiotherapeutic examination, and results from paraclinical examinations, we classified studied patients into the five phenotypic categories: chronic pain (F1), local pathology with predominance of inflammatory mechanisms (F2), local pathology with predominance of metabolic mechanisms of bone and cartilage structures (F3), metabolic disorders (F4) and comorbidities (F5)-primarily chronic venous insufficiency in the lower limbs. We analyzed the values of generic qualifiers (at two evaluation time points) for the most significant elements of the core ICF set, abbreviated form, used in OAG, across each of the five phenotypes. Phenotypes F4 and F5 showed significant improvements across all evaluated functions, indicating increased efficacy in patients with comorbidities and metabolic diseases. Reduction in pain sensation, improvement in joint and muscle mobility, as well as enhancements in functions related to walking, dressing, and hand use, reflect an overall improvement in the quality of life for these patients.

Burns in children represent a significant challenge in the global health domain. The research aims to analyze the profile of children in Romania affected by burns, focusing on demographic characteristics, severity of burns, applied treatment, and impact on parents. Through this analysis, we aim to better understand the factors involved in these cases and provide relevant information for improving the management and care of children with burns. This study aims to explore various aspects related to the healing of burn injuries in pediatric patients in Romania, analyzing data collected through a questionnaire administered to 107 parents. The profile of children in Romania affected by burns is primarily composed of relatively young children, with an average age of 8.7 years and an even distribution between genders. Most come from rural areas, and the degree of burns ranges from first to fourth degree, reflecting a wide range of severity of injuries. Treatment is diverse, with a tendency towards conservative approaches and a significant proportion of cases without complications. Parental satisfaction is not significantly influenced by the type of treatment, indicating a similar perception regardless of the mode of medical intervention. Improving the management and care of children with burns is achieved through adopting a multidisciplinary and integrative perspective. This involves the use of non-pharmacological therapies such as hypnosis and regional anesthesia for pain and anxiety control. Additionally, the inclusion of adjunctive therapies, such as the use of mesenchymal stromal cells and tilapia skin xenograft, contributes to improving the healing process.