Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Nonfatal Burden of Disease and Risk-Attributable Burden in Romania, 1990 to 2023: A Secondary Analysis of Global Burden of Disease 2023 Estimates

Background/Objectives: We assessed changes in nonfatal disease burden and risk attribution in Romania between 1990 and 2023. Methods: We analysed Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 estimates of years lived with disability (YLDs), related nonfatal measures and risk attribution fo...

Modulation of Caffeine-Induced Behavioral Alterations by N-Acetylcysteine in a Pharmacological Challenge Model

Background: Caffeine is a widely consumed psychostimulant that may affect anxiety-like, aggression-like, and social behaviors, potentially in association with oxidative imbalance. Objectives: This study evaluated the behavioral and biochemical effects of acute caffeine exposure i...

Revisiting gallbladder stones structure through integrated multiscale physicochemical characterization

Gallstones are complex biominerals formed through physicochemical, metabolic, and microbial processes. In this study, gallstones were comprehensively characterized, revealing a complex elemental profile comprising C, N, O, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Ca, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, and Cd. The cha...

Bioactive Multilayer Poly(ε-caprolactone)–Chitosan Coatings for Spinal Screws

Spinal surgery involves highly complex procedures where the risk of severe complications, including postoperative infections, may compromise both surgical success and patient survival. In this study, functional coatings for spinal screws were developed to promote bone integration...

Mood Disorder Symptoms Among Medical Doctors in Romania: Prevalence and Associations with Suicide Risk and Quality of Life

Mood disorder symptoms represent an important but understudied mental health concern among physicians in Romania, with potential implications for quality of life and suicide risk. This cross-sectional study included 104 medical doctors. Validated self-report instruments were used...

Comparative Analysis of Phenolic Acid Profiles, Antioxidant Capacity, and Antimicrobial Activity of Honeys from Different Botanical and Geographical Origins

The composition of honey is complex and can vary depending on its botanical and geographical origin. This study evaluated the phenolic acid profile (PAP), antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties of honey samples from different geographical origins, such as Romania (nin...

The Bile Acid–Diet–Microbiome Axis in Clostridioides difficile Infection

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains a major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, with recurrence largely driven by disruption of the gut microbiota and impaired colonization resistance. Bile acids have emerged as key mediators in this process, as primary conjugat...

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Clinical Outcomes and Biomechanical Considerations of Graft Selection—A Narrative Review

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction represents the current gold standard for restoring knee stability following ligament rupture, particularly in young and physically active individuals. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an updated overview of the biomech...

Soft Skills in the Training of Future Dentists: Perceptions and Perspectives of Final-Year Students

The practice of contemporary dentistry requires not only technical skills but also the development of soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and ethical and professional values. Although the importance of these skills is increasingly recognized, the perceptions of dental st...

Vitamin D Supplementation in Infertile Men: Beyond Pooled Effects—A Critical Meta-Analysis of Heterogeneous Clinical Responses

Introduction: Male infertility is a complex global health challenge, with emerging evidence suggesting that vitamin D plays a pivotal role in testicular function and spermatogenesis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementatio...

What Is Stressful About Medical Liability? A Retrospective Jurisprudential Analysis of Moral Damages and Discussions on Its Impact on Healthcare Professionals’ Well-Being

Background/Objectives: Medical liability litigation in Romania has risen steadily over the past decade, yet the quantification of moral (non-pecuniary) damages remains entirely at the discretion of each judge, with no standardized reference. This raises concerns about consistency...

Cancer in systemic sclerosis: clinical associations and prognostic impact from the EUSTAR registry

BACKGROUND: Cancer represents a major cause of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Established risk factors are limited to specific subsets, particularly early diffuse anti-RNA polymerase III (POLR3)-positive disease, needing further exploration. METHODS: We performed a nested...

Triglyceride–glucose index as a cardiovascular risk marker: updated evidence, limitations, and future perspectives

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the foremost cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for a substantial burden on healthcare systems, economies, and society. Traditional risk factors do not fully explain residual cardiovascular risk, highlighting the role of i...

Tumor Necrosis is Associated with an Increased Metastatic and Cardiovascular Risk in Paragangliomas: A Single-Center Series and Meta-Analysis Comparing Necrosis and Cystic Degeneration in Paragangliomas

Abstract Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neural crest–derived tumors with highly variable morphology and clinical behavior. These tumors can present with cystic and necrotic alterations that may influence the clinical presentation of affected patients. However, prevalence and clin...

Selective Neuronal Vulnerability to Alpha-Synuclein Pathology in Parkinson’s Disease: A Critical Review of Mechanistic Rationale and Biomarker Stratification

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) exhibits remarkable clinical heterogeneity, with substantial variability in motor progression, cognitive decline, and the development of non-motor manifestations. Although the propagation of pathological alpha-synuclein is considered a central...

Environmental Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Periurban Vineyard Area (North-Eastern Romania) Within the Context of Residential Area Expansion

This study evaluated potentially toxic element (PTEs) contamination (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soil and grapevine leaves across 36 sites in a historical vineyard near Iași, Romania, transitioning toward residential development. Soil samples were analyzed using energy...

Spiritual Well-Being as a Patient-Reported Assessment Dimension in Advanced Cancer: Clinical Validation and Quality-of-Life Implications

Background: In advanced cancer care, routine clinical assessment often focuses on symptoms, treatment tolerance, and disease status, while spiritual well-being remains insufficiently explored despite its relevance to quality of life (QoL). Standardized patient-reported tools may...

A New Cosmeceutical Approach for Mature Skin: Antioxidant Activity, In Vitro Permeation, and Preliminary Clinical Efficacy of Melatonin–N-Acetylcysteine Creams

Skin ageing is associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, extracellular matrix alterations, and impaired barrier function, supporting interest in antioxidant cosmeceuticals for mature skin. This study investigated the antioxidant activity of melatonin and N-acet...

The Benefits of Non-Pharmaceutic Interventions on Intrinsic Capacity in Insulin-Resistant Adult and Geriatric Populations—A Narrative Review

Insulin resistance (IR) is a well-established metabolic disorder characterized by reduced responsiveness of peripheral tissues to insulin, leading to hyperglycemia and compensatory hyperinsulinemia. Background: In older adults, IR tends to develop gradually and may remain undiagn...

Integrated Analysis of Zinc, Copper, and Magnesium Homeostasis in Pediatric Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study with Serial Clinical Evaluation

Background: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) in children is characterized by urinary protein loss and potential disruptions in trace element homeostasis. The dynamic changes in zinc, copper, and magnesium levels in relation to disease activity remain incompletely defined. Objec...