Evaluation of the Consumption of Junk Food Products and Lifestyle among Teenagers and Young Population from Romania.

BACKGROUND: The long-term consumption of junk food products can lead to nutritional and metabolic imbalances, especially when it is associated with a lack of physical activity and the consumption of alcohol or other high-calorie products. METHODS: The evaluation of junk food consumption among teenagers and young people in Romania was carried out with the help of a cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total number of 1017 respondents participated in this study, comprising 470 males and 547 females aged between 16 and 25 years. Although the majority of young people fell into the normal-weight category (607 of them, p < 0.0001), some aspects can be noted that in the long term can produce a series of nutritional imbalances: an increased tendency toward sedentarism, with 553 (p = 0.613) of the respondents declaring that they performed sports rarely or not at all, and a tendency toward relatively high consumption of foods high in calories (fast food products and especially fried potatoes, hamburgers, shawarma, pastries, and snacks, along with sweetened drinks and even alcoholic beverages). The respondents participating in this study even indicated a perceived addiction to the consumption of certain products: coffee (50.48%), fried potatoes (38.9%), hamburgers (37.05%), shawarma (31.65%), and snacks (30.08%). Many of these products are rich in calories, saturated fat, and even trans fat. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a series of aspects that can have long-term negative effects related to the excess weight associated with other imbalances: consumption preferences among young people for hypercaloric fast food products, sweetened drinks associated with reduced physical activity, and even the development of some forms of food addictions for a series of hypercaloric foods.

Unraveling the Microbiome-Human Body Axis: A Comprehensive Examination of Therapeutic Strategies, Interactions and Implications.

This review scrutinizes the intricate interplay between the microbiome and the human body, exploring its multifaceted dimensions and far-reaching implications. The human microbiome, comprising diverse microbial communities inhabiting various anatomical niches, is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of human health and disease. Through an extensive examination of current research, this review elucidates the dynamic interactions between the microbiome and host physiology across multiple organ systems. Key topics include the establishment and maintenance of microbiota diversity, the influence of host factors on microbial composition, and the bidirectional communication pathways between microbiota and host cells. Furthermore, we delve into the functional implications of microbiome dysbiosis in disease states, emphasizing its role in shaping immune responses, metabolic processes, and neurological functions. Additionally, this review discusses emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating the microbiome to restore host-microbe homeostasis and promote health. Microbiota fecal transplantation represents a groundbreaking therapeutic approach in the management of dysbiosis-related diseases, offering a promising avenue for restoring microbial balance within the gut ecosystem. This innovative therapy involves the transfer of fecal microbiota from a healthy donor to an individual suffering from dysbiosis, aiming to replenish beneficial microbial populations and mitigate pathological imbalances. By synthesizing findings from diverse fields, this review offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between the microbiome and the human body, highlighting avenues for future research and clinical interventions.

Advancements in Regenerative Hydrogels in Skin Wound Treatment: A Comprehensive Review.

This state-of-the-art review explores the emerging field of regenerative hydrogels and their profound impact on the treatment of skin wounds. Regenerative hydrogels, composed mainly of water-absorbing polymers, have garnered attention in wound healing, particularly for skin wounds. Their unique properties make them well suited for tissue regeneration. Notable benefits include excellent water retention, creating a crucially moist wound environment for optimal healing, and facilitating cell migration, and proliferation. Biocompatibility is a key feature, minimizing adverse reactions and promoting the natural healing process. Acting as a supportive scaffold for cell growth, hydrogels mimic the extracellular matrix, aiding the attachment and proliferation of cells like fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Engineered for controlled drug release, hydrogels enhance wound healing by promoting angiogenesis, reducing inflammation, and preventing infection. The demonstrated acceleration of the wound healing process, particularly beneficial for chronic or impaired healing wounds, adds to their appeal. Easy application and conformity to various wound shapes make hydrogels practical, including in irregular or challenging areas. Scar minimization through tissue regeneration is crucial, especially in cosmetic and functional regions. Hydrogels contribute to pain management by creating a protective barrier, reducing friction, and fostering a soothing environment. Some hydrogels, with inherent antimicrobial properties, aid in infection prevention, which is a crucial aspect of successful wound healing. Their flexibility and ability to conform to wound contours ensure optimal tissue contact, enhancing overall treatment effectiveness. In summary, regenerative hydrogels present a promising approach for improving skin wound healing outcomes across diverse clinical scenarios. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the benefits, mechanisms, and challenges associated with the use of regenerative hydrogels in the treatment of skin wounds. In this review, the authors likely delve into the application of rational design principles to enhance the efficacy and performance of hydrogels in promoting wound healing. Through an exploration of various methodologies and approaches, this paper is poised to highlight how these principles have been instrumental in refining the design of hydrogels, potentially revolutionizing their therapeutic potential in addressing skin wounds. By synthesizing current knowledge and highlighting potential avenues for future research, this review aims to contribute to the advancement of regenerative medicine and ultimately improve clinical outcomes for patients with skin wounds.

Incidence of Urinary Infections and Behavioral Risk Factors.

This evaluation of the impact of behavioral risk factors on the incidence of urinary infections was based on a questionnaire in which 1103 respondents, predominantly women (883), participated. From the statistical processing of the data, it was observed that 598 of the respondents were of normal weight; the rest, more than half, were underweight or overweight (χ2 = 32.46, p < 0.001), with male respondents being predominantly overweight or obese (169 out of a total of 220). Most of the respondents were young (χ2 = 15.45, p < 0.001), under the age of 45 (840). According to the processed data, it was found that respondents in the age group of 26-35 years showed the greatest vulnerability to recurrent urinary infections, while the age group of 18-25 years recorded the highest number of responses related to the rare presence or even absence of episodes of urinary infections. A body weight-related vulnerability was also noted among the respondents; the majority of obese people declared that they face frequent episodes of urinary infections. Regarding diet quality, 210 respondents reported an adherence to an unhealthy diet, 620 to a moderately healthy diet, and 273 to a healthy diet. Of the respondents who adhered to a healthy diet, 223 were women (χ2 = 2.55, p = 0.279). There was a close connection between diet quality and the frequency of urinary infections: from the statistical processing of the data, it was observed that the highest percentage of respondents who rarely (57.14%) or never got urinary infections (29.30%) were among those who adhered to a healthy diet, and the highest percentage of those who declared that they often got urinary infections were among those with increased adherence to an unhealthy diet (χ2 = 13.46, p = 0.036). The results of this study highlight a strong impact of obesity, reduced consumption of fruit and vegetables, and sedentary lifestyle on the risk of recurring urinary infections.

Evaluation of Non-Alcoholic Beverages and the Risk Related to Consumer Health among the Romanian Population.

The range of non-alcoholic drinks is very varied both from a compositional point of view and from a caloric and nutritional point of view. The excessive consumption of sweetened non-alcoholic beverages represents an important risk factor for health, especially when it is accompanied by an unbalanced diet and a disordered lifestyle. In order to evaluate the consumption of non-alcoholic beverages correlated with the evaluation of the main lifestyle factors that can affect the state of health among Romanians, a cross-sectional observational study was carried out based on a questionnaire. The results of the study indicate that among the most consumed non-alcoholic drinks are coffee and sweetened carbonated and non-carbonated drinks, which are indicated as being responsible for the development of consumption addictions: 44% for coffee, 16.5% for sweetened or tonic carbonated drinks and 12% for sweetened non-carbonated drinks. Considering that the consumption of coffee is usually associated with sweeteners, there is a risk of excessive caffeine and caloric intake in a context where a lack of exercise predominates (59.98%) among respondents declaring that they do sports rarely or not at all, which can lead, in the long term, to the appearance of imbalances either of a psycho-emotional nature or of a metabolic nature. A significant link was found between sports activity and the environment in which they work (χ2 = 51.33, p = 0.05). Respondents with a daily activity that involves movement (working outdoors, working on a construction site) are also those who usually do sports, while 60.67% of the respondents who work a lot in front of the computer declared that they do sports very rarely or not at all. Reducing the excessive consumption of sweetened drinks can be achieved through an appropriate consumption of water and fruits and by intensifying physical activity as a way of counterbalancing the excess caloric intake.

Evaluation of Junk Food Consumption and the Risk Related to Consumer Health among the Romanian Population.

Premature aging and degradative processes are mainly generated by unhealthy habits and an unbalanced diet. Quality of food and lifestyle are important factors in sano-genesis. Many imbalances and ailments have their origin in the adoption of an unbalanced diet and a disordered lifestyle. With the help of a transversal study carried out on the basis of a questionnaire, the consumption of junk food products among the population of Romania was evaluated; at the same time, an evaluation of the characteristics of the associated diet, as well as a series of lifestyle components (quality of rest, physical activity, evaluation of the state of health) was carried out. The data collected and processed indicate an increased tendency to consume junk food products in the 18-23 age group, and especially among obese respondents. Female respondents show a lower tendency toward an increased consumption of junk food products (OR = 0.703, 95% CI)-0.19-0.95, p = 0.011) compared to male respondents. The most consumed junk food products are fried potatoes (46.2%) and pastries (41.4%). Junk food products that show an increased tendency toward consumption addiction are fried potatoes (13.8%), sweets (12.4%), pastry products (11.1%), and sweetened drinks (11.2%). The poor quality of food from a nutritional point of view, and reduced physical activity, are reflected in the varied range of problems faced by the respondents: states of fatigue (62.4%), nervousness (37.5%), depression, anxiety, emotional eating, etc.

Characterization of Some Dermato-Cosmetic Preparations with Marine Lipids from Black Sea Wild Stingray.

The traditional knowledge about the therapeutic and nutritional value of fish has been unanimously recognized among the population since ancient times. So, thanks to the therapeutic virtues of these marine animals, it was possible to develop therapies for certain pathologies as well as the use of bioactive compounds as adjunctive therapies incorporated into the treatment regimen of patients. In the present study, stingray liver oil from wild species collected from the Romanian coast of the Black Sea was isolated and analyzed. Fatty acid analysis was performed by gas chromatography. The analysis of the distribution of fatty acids in the composition of stingray liver oil indicates a ratio of 2.83 of omega 3 fatty acids to omega 6, a ratio of 1.33 of polyunsaturated fatty acids to monounsaturated fatty acids, an iodine index of 111.85, and a total percentage of 68.98% of unsaturated fatty acids. Stingray liver oil was used to evaluate the healing action after preparing a fatty ointment. According to the experimental data, a complete regeneration capacity of the wounds was noted in 12 days without visible signs. Four emulgels with stingray liver oil were formulated and analyzed from a rheological and structural point of view in order to select the optimal composition, after which the anti-inflammatory effect on inflammation caused in laboratory rats was studied and an anti-inflammatory effect was found significant (a maximum inhibitory effect of 66.47% on the edemas induced by the 10% kaolin suspension and 65.64% on the edemas induced by the 6% dextran solution).

Assessing the Efficacy of a Virtual Assistant in the Remote Cardiac Rehabilitation of Heart Failure and Ischemic Heart Disease Patients: Case-Control Study of Romanian Adult Patients.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality in Europe, with potentially more than 60 million deaths per year, with an age-standardized rate of morbidity-mortality higher in men than women, exceeding deaths from cancer. Heart attacks and strokes account for more than four out of every five CVD fatalities globally. After a patient overcomes an acute cardiovascular event, they are referred for rehabilitation to help them to restore most of their normal cardiac functions. One effective way to provide this activity regimen is via virtual models or telerehabilitation, where the patient can avail themselves of the rehabilitation services from the comfort of their homes at designated timings. Under the funding of the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program, grant no 769807, a virtual rehabilitation assistant has been designed for elderly patients (vCare), with the overall objective of supporting recovery and an active life at home, enhancing patients' quality of life, lowering disease-specific risk factors, and ensuring better adherence to a home rehabilitation program. In the vCare project, the Carol Davila University of Bucharest (UMFCD) was in charge of the heart failure (HF) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) groups of patients. By creating a digital environment at patients' homes, the vCare system's effectiveness, use, and feasibility was evaluated. A total of 30 heart failure patients and 20 ischemic heart disease patients were included in the study. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions and a few technical difficulties, HF and IHD patients who performed cardiac rehabilitation using the vCare system had similar results compared to the ambulatory group, and better results compared to the control group.

Striated Muscle Evaluation Based on Velocity and Amortization Ratio of Mechanical Impulse Propagation in Simulated Microgravity Environment.

Long-duration space flight missions impose extreme physiological stress and/or changes, such as musculoskeletal function degradation, on the crew due to the microgravity exposure. A great deal of research studies have been conducted in order to understand these physiological stress influences and to provide countermeasures to minimize the observed negative effects of weightlessness exposure on musculoskeletal function. Among others, studies and experiments have been conducted in DI analogue Earth-based facilities in order to reproduce the weightlessness negative effects on the human body. This paper presents a complex muscular analysis of mechanical wave propagation in striated muscle, using MusTone, a device developed in-house at the Institute of Space Science, Romania. The data were collected during a 21-day DI campaign in order to investigate muscle fibers' behavior in longitudinal direction, after applying a mechanical impulse, taking into account two particular parameters, namely propagation velocity and amortization ratio. The parameters were determined based on the wave-propagation data collected from five points (one impact point, two distal direction points, and two proximal direction points) along the muscle fiber. By statistically analyzing propagation velocity and amortization ratio parameters, the study revealed that muscle deconditioning is time dependent, the amortization ratio is more significant in the distal direction, and the lower fibers are affected the most.

Glomangioma Supply from Profunda Femoris Artery in Peripheral Artery Disease.

This is a case report of a 5.6 cm glomangioma supplied by the femoral profunda artery in a 66-year-old male patient with severe peripheral artery disease. The patient complained of discomfort and mild pain at the place of the lesion and an accelerated growth rate in the last two months. A nodular mass located laterally on the left foot, elastic, covered with a thin skin, and mobile, was noted on the clinical exam. Doppler exam demonstrated an active vascular supply. CT angiography showed a femoral profunda artery blood supply and a severe asymptomatic bilateral peripheral artery disease (PAD). The lesion was removed entirely by surgery. A microscopy exam revealed a glomangioma. After surgery, the patient recovered unevenly. However, the patient experienced wound-healing issues that resolved after four weeks of surgery. Although the patient's PAD was severe, the lesion presented with a burst in dimensions weeks before surgery.

The Active Isoforms of MGP Are Expressed in Healthy and Varicose Veins without Calcification.

Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a local inhibitor of tissue mineralization, is associated with vascular calcification. Depending on the carboxylation and phosphorylation status, MGP has active conformations, e.g., carboxylated MGP (cMGP) and phosphorylated MGP (pMGP), but also inactive conformations, e.g., uncarboxylated MGP (ucMGP) and dephosphorylated MGP (dpMGP). Our purpose was to assess the presence of all MGP conformations in healthy veins (HV) and varicose veins (VV), concurrently with the analysis of circulating total MGP (tMGP) before and after the surgical stripping of VV. We collected samples from the great saphenous vein, considered as control group, and tissue from VV, designated as VV group. Plasma levels of tMGP were significantly decreased after the surgical removal of the VV (before 59.5 ± 17.2 vs. after 38.1 ± 11.3, p < 0.001). By using immunohistochemistry staining, we identified local cMGP and pMGP in the control and VV groups, both without calcification, while ucMGP and dpMGP were absent. cMGP was observed in the nucleus and cytoplasm and pMGP in the nucleus of cells belonging to the tunica media, tunica intima and vasa vasorum. Therefore, the active conformations of MGP (cMGP and pMGP) are prevalent in HV and VV without calcification, affirming their anti-calcifying role in veins.

Risk factors for and prevention of chronic pain and sensory disorders following inguinal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures in man. Immediate postoperative pain is an important issue that can delay hospital discharge. Besides, the presence of chronic pain after herniorrhaphy, which can affect up to 50% of patients, is a growing concern. However information regarding the precise etiological factors of this chronic postoperative pain is lacking. One factor thought to contribute to post herniorrhaphy chronic pain is the surgical procedure for inguinal hernia repair used by the surgeon. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study was conducted over a period of 5 years and included 1000 consecutive patients operated with inguinal hernia. Each patients completed a questionnaire about the presence or absence of pain or sensory disorders. After completed only 365 of patients remains in the study. From this patients, a total of 38 had different intensity of pain. From those, 13% were operated through an tissular procedure, whereas the laparoscopic procedure was responsible only for 7% of the patients with chronic postoperative pain. Most of the patients had mild or moderate pain and only one patient experienced severe pain. According to the type of procedure performed, in 25 patients were used the tissular procedure and only 12 patients with laparoscopic hernia repair had chronic pain. CONCLUSION: The etiology of chronic groin pain post hernia repair is related in part to nerve injury. This is supported by the high frequency of sensory symptoms and numbness in these patients. However other factors including the role of tissue injury and inflammatory postoperative changes need to be considered. KEY WORDS: Chronic postoperative pain, Inguinal hernia repair, Open surgery, Laparoscopic surgery.

Complex treatment of vascular prostheses infections.

Infections after vascular reconstructions are very rare; however, when they occur, they are associated with a high risk of morbidity. In order to obtain the best results possible, the treatment needs to be initiated as early as possible, from the very first signs of infection, and it needs to be carried out in centers specializing in vascular surgery. The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence of infections in a single university center.This retrospective analysis over a 2-year period is based on the medical reports of hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with infection following revascularization.From 2013 to 2014, a number of 151 open reconstructive surgical procedures were performed. 15 patients suffered from infection (10%) of the vascular reconstruction. Of these patients, 40% have had an aorto-bifemoral bypass, 53%-a femoro-popliteal bypass, and 7% (n = 1)-an axillo-femoral bypass. According to the Samson classification, the patients were categorized as follows: group 2: 6 cases, group 3: 2 cases, group 4: 4 cases, and group 5: 3 cases. The most frequent bacteria found were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (n = 6, 40%), followed by S aureus (n = 5, 33%). The treatment options were: application of antibiotics alone without any invasive treatment in 3 patients, local irrigation and debridement in 6 patients, complete explantation of the prosthesis with a new extra-anatomic bypass in 6 cases, and partial excision of the prosthesis, which was replaced and covered with muscle flap, in 3 cases. The amputation rate in our study was 18%, which corresponds to the rates published in the literature.The treatment of infections in vascular surgery needs to be complex and adapted to each individual patient, because infections being in a permanent dynamic state. The treatment needs to be performed in specialized centers that have large experience in vascular surgery, in order for the patient to have the best chances of survival and protection from amputation.

Risk factors for acute cholecystitis and for intraoperative complications.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis is still frequent in emergency surgical departments. As surgical technique, nowadays laparoscopy is widely used and with low complications and with low postoperative morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We perform an analytical study about the safety of laparoscopic surgery in patients with acute cholecystitis in a single Surgical Department with an experience of over 20 years in laparoscopic surgery. We included 193 patient admitted in our department during 2014 and 2015. RESULTS: Of the 193 patients, 43% were diagnosed with acute lithiasic cholecystitis (ALC) whereas 56% had chronic lithiasic cholecystitis (CLC). We assessed the comorbidities of the patient via Pearson's Chi-Square test and we found out that there is a significant relationship between acute cholecystitis and high blood tension, obesity and diabetes. Surgical techniques performed were in 95% of cases laparoscopic cholecystectomy and only in 5% we performed open surgery. DISCUSSIONS: Experienced surgeons have a lower conversion rate as compared to less experienced surgeons. For this reason, postoperative assessment criteria have been proposed, with a view to identify the risk of conversion CONCLUSION: In our study laparoscopic surgery for acute cholecystitis is a safe procedure with low intraoperative complication rate and with a reduced hospital stay. KEY WORDS: Acute cholecystitis, Intraoperative adhesion, Intraoperative bleeding, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy.