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Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is widely used in food-contact applications due to its bio-based origin, compostability, and transparency; however, its limited resistance to thermo-oxidative degradation remains a challenge for applications involving repeated thermal exposure. The moderate but repetitive heating conditions commonly encountered during food use and pre-recycling stages were analyzed for the samples filled with algal biomass and rosemary extract, additives accepted for use in the food industry. In this context, the present study introduces a comparative and application-driven approach by evaluating the effect of food-grade fillers—rosemary extract, spirulina biomass, and kelp biomass—incorporated at low loadings (0.5–3 wt%) on the thermal and oxidative behavior of PLA subjected to repeated heating at 80 °C. The presented results show algal biomasses as multifunctional fillers and benchmark their performance against a well-established natural extract. By combining DSC, FTIR, and chemiluminescence analyses, the study aims to clarify whether such bio-fillers act as stabilizing or destabilizing factors under realistic service-life thermal stress. This strategy provides insight into the suitability of algae-based fillers for food-contact PLA materials from both performance and recyclability perspectives.

Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major source of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden, and were profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through changes in case mix, care organization, and antimicrobial use. This study aimed to compare the epidemiology, etiology, ward distribution, risk factors, and outcomes of HAIs during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods in southeastern Romania, with particular emphasis on Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, and in-hospital mortality. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 3929 patients with confirmed HAIs reported by 10 hospitals in one Romanian county between March 2020 and December 2024, divided into a pandemic period (March 2020–March 2022) and a post-pandemic period (April 2022–December 2024). Sociodemographic, clinical, ward-related, therapeutic, and microbiological variables, together with discharge status and cause of death, were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, Z-tests with Bonferroni correction, the Mann–Whitney U test, and multivariable models, applying national and ECDC-aligned surveillance definitions for HAIs. Results: Patients were predominantly older adults (median age 67 years), with a slight male and urban predominance. Hospital stays were longer during the pandemic. Immunosuppression, previous surgery, antisecretory therapy, and chemotherapy were more frequent post-pandemic. HAIs were mainly reported from medical wards, with a relative shift towards intensive care units during the pandemic; pediatric wards carried a smaller burden. CDI was the leading HAI (about half of all cases) with higher post-pandemic prevalence, whereas SARS-CoV-2 infections predominated in medical and surgical wards; Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae clustered in intensive care units during the pandemic, and were more often associated with mortality. Overall, 59.7% of patients improved and 17.5% died, with higher mortality during the pandemic, while post-pandemic deaths were more frequently unrelated to HAIs. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a substantial and ongoing burden of healthcare-associated infections in southeastern Romania, with elderly patients with prolonged hospital stays and complex medical conditions being most affected and experiencing considerable mortality, particularly in medical and intensive care units. After the pandemic, Clostridioides difficile infections became more prevalent in the context of repeated antibiotic use and immunosuppression. Mortality among patients with HAIs was higher during the pandemic, whereas in the post-pandemic period deaths were more often unrelated to HAIs, underscoring the need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs and infection prevention strategies.

Liver cirrhosis is the common final pathway of many diseases and is the third leading cause of mortality. Biochemical and cytological data, together with imaging data interpreted in the context of clinical data, have an important weight in formulating the diagnosis, establishing the prognosis and controlling the therapy.We have carried out a comparative biochemical and cytological study of the blood serum and ascites fl uid from 30 patients with liver cirrhosis aged between 35–70 years admitted to the medical and surgical wards 1 of Constanța County Clinical Hospital, the study was carried out over a period of one year, the analyzes were performed in the Biomedical laboratory.We correlated the following biochemical parameters in these patients: albumin, LDH, TGO, TGP, total bilirubin, from the blood serum, the INR from the plasma and those that can be dosed in the ascites fl uid, as well as the cytological aspects, in order to detect the malignant transformation of liver cirrhosis in view of the early establishment of an appropriate treatment.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant public health problem, having a decisive impact on the prognosis of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. In Romania, the absence of a uniform reporting system and the lack of epidemiological data comparable to European standards limit the real assessment of their incidence and consequences. Methods: In this context, the present study aimed to conduct an integrated analysis of the clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological factors involved in the mortality of patients with COVID-19 and HAIs in a county located in southeastern Romania. This research was based on a retrospective observational study that included 295 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and at least one documented HAI between January 2020 and December 2022. Data were extracted from standardized reporting forms, and statistical analyses included tests (Fisher’s exact test, Mann–Whitney U), ROC curves, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazard regression. Results: The analysis revealed a mortality rate of 32.5%, significantly associated with advanced age, gastrointestinal surgery, and respiratory infections. Clostridioides difficile was the predominant pathogen (84.1%), and the threshold of ≥63.5 years demonstrated predictive value for mortality. In multivariate models, age greater than 63 years and gastrointestinal surgery were confirmed as independent predictors of death. Conclusions: The findings highlight the substantial impact of HAIs on the clinical progression of COVID-19 patients, underscoring the need for comprehensive systemic interventions, including enhanced prevention and control strategies, prudent antimicrobial therapy, and standardized epidemiological monitoring. Implementing these measures is crucial to mitigating HAIs’ effects and improving patient outcomes in similar situations.

This study explores patient acceptance of influenza vaccination administered by pharmacists in Romania during the 2023 season, considering it a novel strategy to address gaps in knowledge. Pharmacy-based vaccination deviates from traditional methods, providing high-risk patients with full reimbursement and others with 50% reimbursement, allowing a choice between family doctors and pharmacies for vaccine administration. The survey includes 15 questions covering socio-demographic data, health information, vaccination preferences, and perceptions of pharmacy-based vaccinations. Respondents showed a positive inclination toward pharmacy-based vaccination, with 68% expressing favorable sentiments, but an awareness gap exists, as only 36% were aware of pharmacy-based vaccination availability. Challenges include a lack of patient awareness and understanding of benefits, emphasizing the need for structured pharmacist-patient dialogues. Legal changes, a defined funding mechanism, and collaboration are crucial for successful implementation. The study provides valuable insights into patient perceptions, contributing to discussions on optimizing influenza vaccination coverage in Romania and beyond and recognizing pharmacies' potential in achieving broader vaccination goals.

In the context of chronic diseases, drug treatment is often long-term, perhaps even lifelong. Although in therapeutic terms the hygienic-dietary regime is very important, the importance of diet is still neglected by the patient. Diet and lifestyle have a special role in maintaining health, longevity and treating various ailments. It is known that a large part of adults between the ages of 20-70 suffer from obesity and that according to the data provided by the WHO, the main causes of mortality in the world are related to unhealthy eating, 14 million deaths are caused annually by an unbalanced diet globally. In this context, the population of Romania mainly has an unhealthy diet based on an increased intake of saturated fats, carbohydrates and protein and an insufficient intake of vitamins, minerals and enzymes from fruits, vegetables and seeds.The 62-year-old CV patient from Constanţa presented herself at the nutrition clinic for being overweight, having several chronic conditions. Through an appropriate and customized diet low in sodium, hypoprotein and hypocaloric, he managed to return to normal weight and significantly alleviates all the chronic conditions initially presented, together with the return of biochemical analysis results to normal levels, values maintained over time.

Due to the increased incidence of cervical cancer in Romania, early detection of its causes and the taking of preventive measures are imperative.In this sense, the aim of our study was to evaluate the infectious and non-infectious risk factors associated with the occurrence of dysplasia and cervical cancer.We conducted a study that included 250 patients who presented themselves at the gynecological office of Policlinica 2 Constanta for specialist consultation (control or treatment) during 1 year. During their visits, Pap smear, tests for identify bacterial and fungic infections were collected together with responses to a questionnaire that evaluated the presence of socio-economical and other medical risks factor associated with dysplasia and cervical cancer..The most important identified risk factors associated with the occurrence of cervical cancer are beginning sexual activity before the age of 16, pregnancy or abortion before the age of 18, use of empirical contraceptive methods, sexual relations with more than 3 partners during life.Higher proportion of patients with displasya of cervical cancer presented infection with different types of non-viral microorganisms compared to women with normal results.

This study evaluates the oxidation states of formulations comprising styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS), and styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS). The implementation of two chemiluminescence methods, isothermal and nonisothermal, allows depiction of the evolution of oxidation states as a function of the inorganic filler, BaTiO3, added at three concentrations: 1, 3, and 5 wt%. The conversion of hydroperoxides into stable oxygenated products reveals the filler's protective activity. This feature, the improvement of durability, recommends the studied formulation as an appropriate product for medical engineering.

Fractures of the proximal extremity of the femur are some of the most common injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons, often associated with life-threatening polytrauma. Trochanteric fractures have an increased incidence, which is becoming more common due to the aging population. Femoral neck fractures are a particular type of intracapsular hip fracture, and the location of the junction makes the femoral neck prone to fracture. Fractures of the femoral shaft are found in approximately 6-9% of cases of femoral neck fractures. The management of these fractures is interdisciplinary, but in most cases, it requires surgical treatment to allow rapid elevation and recovery of autonomy.The present study is retrospective in which 140 cases of fracture of the upper femur extremity collected at the trauma department of Naousa and Kilkis Hospital over 4 years from December 2018 to December 2022 were analyzed, processed, and reviewed with a minimum follow-up of 6 months.The purpose of this article is to analyze the frequency of various types of fractures of the proximal extremity of the femur and to identify the etiological factors that contribute to these injuries, thus providing a comprehensive understanding of these traumatic events to treat them.The study showed that there is a preponderance of trochanteric fractures, with an increased frequency in the 75-89 age group and a predominance of femoral neck fractures in women, mainly caused by falls. External surgical approaches, standard gamma nail, and bipolar treatment had \"excellent/good\" functional results reflecting the success of the surgical interventions. The high frequency of anatomical reductions underlines the attention paid to the quality of the procedures.

Scalable and sustainable synthesis methods for high‐performance optoelectronic materials are essential to the advancement of next‐generation optoelectronic and photonic technologies. Metal halide perovskites have rapidly gained prominence as versatile semiconductors across applications ranging from photovoltaics to lighting and sensing. However, their commercial deployment is hindered by the pervasive use of toxic lead‐based compositions and the lack of environmentally friendly, industry‐compatible fabrication processes. While lead‐free alternatives based on group IVA elements such as tin have shown encouraging optoelectronic properties, their widespread adoption is limited by their chemical instability under ambient conditions. Antimony‐based perovskite analogues are an emerging robust alternative, offering enhanced environmental stability, yet their synthesis has thus far depended on low‐throughput single‐crystal growth or solution processing routes that involve hazardous solvents and offer limited control over film structure and uniformity. Here, we demonstrate the first wafer‐scale, room‐temperature synthesis of high‐quality lead‐free Cs3Sb2Br9 and Cs3Sb2I9 thin films using radio frequency magnetron sputtering, a scalable, solvent‐free deposition technique extensively employed in semiconductor and display manufacturing for the large‐area deposition of metals, transparent conductive oxides and dielectric layers. The resulting films exhibit single‐phase crystallinity, tuneable optical bandgap ranging from 2.17 to 2.71 eV, and are well suited for UV–visible optoelectronics. Integrated into planar photodetectors, these materials achieve a photoresponsivity of 3.3 A/W, a bandwidth of 11 kHz, a linear dynamic range of 165 dB, and a detectivity of 1.7 × 1015 Jones, surpassing many state‐of‐the‐art devices. These findings establish magnetron sputtering as a powerful platform for the scalable fabrication of lead‐free perovskite optoelectronics and lay the foundation for their application beyond photovoltaics. We present the first wafer‐scale, room‐temperature synthesis of lead‐free Cs3Sb2X9 (X = Br, I) perovskite films via solvent‐free magnetron sputtering. The resulting high‐performance photodetectors achieve benchmark responsivity, bandwidth, and detectivity, enabling scalable manufacturing for next‐generation optoelectronics.