Consequences of Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency on Newborn Health.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Maternal-fetal gestational pathology is one of the biggest challenges in the field of health at this moment. The current study is designed to determine the effects of vitamin D on pregnancy, starting with the idea that impairment of vitamin D status is thought to be correlated with impairment of the newborn's health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we tried to establish the link between vitamin D deficiency and maternal characteristics and also how it impacted the clinical status of the newborn. We analyzed a group of 260 patients: 130 pregnant women and 130 newborns, in whom vitamin D status was detected using the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D). RESULTS: The results showed that vitamin D deficiency has a high incidence among pregnant women, as was presented in many important international studies. Our study also showed a positive, direct correlation between the mother's and newborn's vitamin D status. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into consideration that vitamin D deficiency has been correlated with many complications, both in maternal and newborn health, a serum level determination of 25-(OH)D is necessary in the first trimester of pregnancy, and after that, adequate supplementation is necessary in order to prevent any negative effects.

A Systematic Review of Semaglutide's Influence on Cognitive Function in Preclinical Animal Models and Cell-Line Studies.

Since we aim to test new options to find medication for cognitive disorders, we have begun to assess the effect of semaglutide and to conduct a review gathering studies that have attempted this purpose. This systematic review focuses on the cognitive effects of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), in the context of neurological and cognitive impairment. Semaglutide, a synthetic GLP-1 analog, showcased neuroprotective effects beyond metabolic regulation. It mitigated apoptosis and improved cognitive dysfunction in cerebrovascular disease, suggesting broader implications for neurological well-being. Also, studies highlighted GLP-1 RAs' positive impact on olfactory function in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, on neurodegenerative disorders, multiple sclerosis, and endotoxemia. In order to analyze current studies that assess the impact of semaglutide on cognitive function, a literature search was conducted up to February 2024 on two online databases, MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Web of Science Core Collection, as well as various websites. Fifteen studies on mice populations and two studies on cell lines were included, analyzed, and assessed with bias-specific tools. The neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic properties of GLP-1 and its analogs were emphasized, with animal models and cell line studies demonstrating enhanced cognitive function. While promising, limitations include fewer studies, highlighting the need for extensive research, particularly in the human population. Even though this medication seems promising, there are significant limitations, one of which is the lack of studies on human subjects. Therefore, this review aims to gather current evidence.

Confronting a New Challenge in Plastic Surgery: MDR Infections in Patients with Chronic Wounds.

BACKGROUND: The presence of a wound can be anywhere from non-problematic to life-threatening on a severity spectrum, with bacterial infection and resistance playing a major role in the development of chronicity, delaying wound healing. Wound colonization with multiple organisms and the limited number of effective antibiotics place a heavy burden on the healthcare system, with patients going through multiple surgeries during a prolonged hospitalization time. By analyzing the resistance patterns of pluri-bacterial populations and the approach used in managing complex cases, we aim to improve the protocols applied in caring for chronic wounds in our practice and share our experiences and observations. METHODS: We designed a retrospective study on 212 diabetic and non-diabetic patients, aiming to evaluate the course of chronic wound treatment in our practice. We focused on the impact that MDR bacteria and diabetes have on surgical outcomes and their role in the healing process. RESULTS: Patients who received empiric antibiotic therapy before being admitted eventually presented with multiple MDR bacteria compared to those who did not receive antibiotics (p = 0.014). The presence of at least one MDR bacteria in the wound bed was associated with ulcers reaching bone (p = 0.02) and was positively correlated with the number of surgeries performed (p < 0.001). Diabetes played a significant role in surgery-related complications (p = 0.02) and hospitalization time (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Proper management of chronic wounds requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach and a thorough understanding of antibiotic usage. To address this need, we have developed and implemented a chronic wound treatment protocol in our clinic, with the goal of discharging patients once their ulcers have been treated and closed. A key summary of the protocol presented is to reduce the incidence of MDR bacteria and improve the patient's quality of life.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Particularities of Symptomatic Melanoma Brain Metastases from Case Report to Literature Review.

The recent introduction of immunotherapy and targeted therapy has substantially enriched the therapeutic landscape of metastatic melanoma. However, cerebral metastases remain unrelenting entities with atypical metabolic and genetic profiles compared to extracranial metastases, requiring combined approaches with local ablative treatment to alleviate symptoms, prevent recurrence and restore patients' biological and psychological resources for fighting malignancy. This paper aims to provide the latest scientific evidence about the rationale and timing of treatment, emphasizing the complementary roles of surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy in eradicating brain metastases, with a special focus on the distinct response of intracranial and extracranial disease, which are regarded as separate molecular entities. To illustrate the complexity of designing individualized therapeutic schemes, we report a case of delayed BRAF-mutant diagnosis, an aggressive forearm melanoma, in a presumed psychiatric patient whose symptoms were caused by cerebral melanoma metastases. The decision to administer molecularly targeted therapy was dictated by the urgency of diminishing the tumor burden for symptom control, due to potentially life-threatening complications caused by the flourishing of extracranial disease in locations rarely reported in living patients, further proving the necessity of multidisciplinary management.

Exploring an Innovative Approach: Integrating Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy with Silver Nanoparticle Dressings in Skin Graft Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Skin grafting is a helpful instrument in a plastic surgeon's arsenal. Several types of dressings were designed to facilitate the process of graft integration. Negative-pressure wound therapy is a proven dressing method, enhancing graft survival through several mechanisms: aspiration of secretions, stimulation of neoangiogenesis, and promotion of an anti-inflammatory environment. Silver nanoparticle dressings also bring multiple benefits by bearing an antimicrobial effect and providing a humid medium, which are favorable for epithelialization. The combination of NPWT (negative-pressure wound therapy) with AgNPs (silver nanoparticles) has not been widely studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of silver nanoparticle sheets with the combination of negative-pressure wound therapy and silver nanoparticle dressings. We conducted a comparative prospective study on 80 patients admitted to the Plastic Surgery Department of "Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu" Emergency Clinical Hospital between 1st of January 2020 and 31st of December 2022. The study population was randomized to receive either silver nanoparticle dressings or negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) combined with silver nanoparticle dressings. Various parameters were monitored, including patient comorbidities and graft-related data such as defect etiology, graft integration, and graft size. Dressings were changed, and graft status was evaluated at 7, 10, and 14 days postoperatively. Additionally, baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured before surgery and 7, 10, and 14 days postoperatively. RESULTS: The study demonstrated an enhanced integration of skin grafts at all evaluation stages when employing NPWT combined with AgNPs, particularly evident 10 days post operation. Significant variations in graft integration were also observed based on factors such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, graft size, or the origin of the grafted defect. Moreover, dynamic C-reactive protein monitoring showed a statistically significant decrease in CRP levels 10 days post operation among patients treated with NPWT in conjunction with silver dressing, consistent with the nearly complete integration of skin grafts at this evaluation threshold. CONCLUSION: Several factors influence the postoperative evolution of split-skin grafts. Postoperative dressings target local factors to enhance graft integration further. Our research demonstrated that the innovative combination of NPWT-assisted dressings, complemented by a silver nanoparticle sheet, resulted in improved benefits for graft integration and the alleviation of systemic inflammation.