Our purpose is to emphasize the role of botulinum toxin in spasticity therapy and functional reco... more Our purpose is to emphasize the role of botulinum toxin in spasticity therapy and functional recovery in patients following strokes. Our retrospective study compared two groups, namely ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. The study group (BT group) comprised 80 patients who received focal botulinum toxin as therapy for an upper limb with spastic muscle three times every three months. The control group (ES group) comprised 80 patients who received only medical rehabilitation consisting of electrostimulation and radial shockwave therapy for the upper limb, which was applied three times every three months. Both groups received the same stretching program for spastic muscles as a home training program. We evaluated the evolution of the patients using muscle strength, Ashworth, Tardieu, Frenchay, and Barthel scales. The analysis indicated a statistically significant difference between the two groups for all scales, with better results for the BT group (p < 0.0001 for all scales)....
Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, part of the spondylo... more Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, part of the spondyloarthritis (SpA) group, characterized by axial (spine and sacroiliac joints), entheseal, and peripheral joint involvement, which is frequently associated with extra-articular manifestations. Material and Methods: The study included a number of 30 patients diagnosed with AS according to the New York modified criteria, with history of entheseal pain, hospitalized between 2016–2018 in the Department of Rheumatology of the Emergency County Hospital of Craiova. Results: Regarding the Belgrade Ultrasound Enthesitis Score (BUSES) score and the disease activity calculated using the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), they did not show a statistically significant association (p = 0.738). Additionally, BUSES did not have a statistically significant association with the disease activity quantified by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score (p = 0.094)...
Background: We aimed to assess the effects of modulated neuroprotection with intermittent adminis... more Background: We aimed to assess the effects of modulated neuroprotection with intermittent administration in patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Retrospective analysis of 60 patients divided into two groups, with and without neuroprotective treatment with Actovegin, Cerebrolysin, pyritinol, L-phosphothreonine, L-glutamine, hydroxocobalamin, alpha-lipoic acid, carotene, DL-α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, thiamine, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, Q 10 coenzyme, and L-carnitine alongside standard treatment. Main outcome measures: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) after TBI, Extended Glasgow Coma Scale (GOS E), Disability Rankin Scale (DRS), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), all assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after TBI. Results: Patients receiving neuroprotective treatment recovered more rapidly from UWS than controls (p = 0.007) passing through a state of minimal consciousnes...
Corticosteroids still remain the anchor drugs in therapy strategies for patients with inflammator... more Corticosteroids still remain the anchor drugs in therapy strategies for patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases even though new drugs such as biologic or targeted synthetic molecules have emerged in the past years, being the most commonly prescribed medicines in the world due to their powerful immune-modulating properties. In this chapter, we aim to discuss the main characteristics of the glucocorticoids, their mechanism of action and effects on the immune system given the fact that they reduce the activation, proliferation, differentiation and survival of inflammatory cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes. Nevertheless, of great importance are the indications and tapering regimens, but also the adverse effects and various methods of monitoring the corticosteroid therapy.
Romanian journal of morphology and embryology = Revue roumaine de morphologie et embryologie, 2017
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by hypofunction of the salivar... more Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by hypofunction of the salivary and lachrymal glands. Main clinical features of SS are sicca symptoms, due to the altered glandular function. Also, in advanced stages, bilateral swelling of the parotid glands can be noted, indicative of severe glandular involvement. Phenotypic expression of various mononuclear cells present in the affected tissue offers additional insight into cellular proliferation, survival, migration, antibody secretion and also the potential of forming tertiary lymphoid tissue, i.e., germinal centers. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate various autoimmune activity patterns present in salivary glands by means of immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. The study group comprised of 10 primary SS patients, with various degrees of lymphocytic infiltrates confirmed on minor salivary gland (MSG) biopsy. We could identify both morphological changes, i.e., ductal system abnormalities or i...
The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence risk of demyelinating lesions in rheumatoid a... more The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence risk of demyelinating lesions in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-TNF α biological therapy. The study was undertaken on 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis distributed in two groups. The study group consisting of 25 patients received anti-TNF α therapy, while the control group consisting of 20 patients, received only conventional synthetic drugs. All patients were evaluated every two years using cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the beginning of therapy for all 6 years of study. We noticed an increase in the number and dimensions of demyelinating lesions in the study group, but inactive, without gadolinium enhancement and without neurological clinical correspondence. Anti-TNF α biological therapy could be a favouring factor in the development of demyelinating brain lesions, but without any clinical correspondent and imaging inactive.
Objective: The associtation between polyuric polydipsic syndrome/ diabetes insipidus on patients ... more Objective: The associtation between polyuric polydipsic syndrome/ diabetes insipidus on patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) is a rare pathological condition with few references in specific literature (citation for one to five cases, Iob, 2011,Kuzeyl, 2001 Prasad, 1995) Matherial and methods It have been made an observational, prospective study between 2005-2013, including 12 patients: 7 admitted in Teaching Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar-Arseni", Physical Neural-muscular Clinic Division and 7 in NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division of the Neuropsychiatry Teaching Hospital, Craiova. All patients were diagnosed with acute/post-acute traumatic spinal cord injury, 10 with complete lesion and 2 incomplete B, C4-T1 level and associated polyuric (average 6 l) polydipsic (average 6,75 l) syndrome. Exclusion criterion was: traumatic brain injury, tumors, acute or chronic renal failure, and diabetes mellitus. Results All patients had SCI cervical or T2 above, occurred after car acci...
The current case report presents a patient diagnosed with Behcet disease in concurrence with psor... more The current case report presents a patient diagnosed with Behcet disease in concurrence with psoriatic arthritis, leading to a complex treatment, difficult management and challenging approach of both rheumatic disorders. After treatment with synthetic disease-modifying drugs and three different TNF inhibitors, the patient developed pulmonary tuberculosis, followed by tuberculosis spondylodiscitis, even after proper anti-tuberculosis therapy.
Sj�gren�s syndrome (SS) is a multisystemic disease mainly characterized by the hypofunction of th... more Sj�gren�s syndrome (SS) is a multisystemic disease mainly characterized by the hypofunction of the lachrymal and salivary glands and can be either primary or secondary, when related to other autoimmune pathologies. We present the case of a 35-year-old female admitted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for pregnancy monitoring. The patient had a personal history of a spontaneous abortion one year prior to admission at 5 months of gestation and a maternal history of SS. A multidisciplinary approach with solid obstetrical, rheumatological and neonatal monitoring is essential for best outcomes of the mother and fetus. An early detection of maternal and fetal immune-mediated threats and judicious use of medication is essential in women with autoimmune diseases who plan conceiving.
Secondary hemochromatosis is a condition generated by defects in the iron metabolism such as elev... more Secondary hemochromatosis is a condition generated by defects in the iron metabolism such as elevated intestinal iron absorption and increased iron stores in tissues and organs. The current case report presents a 35-year-old female admitted for inflammatory pain of the left ankle, second and third right MCP joints and right sternoclavicular joint associated with Celsian clinical signs, subcutaneous edema and loss of articular function. The patient is known with beta thalassemia major, secondary hemochromatosis and chronic hepatitis C as a consequence of repeated blood transfusions. We pleaded for the existence of a HC-A associated with microcrystalline calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate crystal deposition (CPPD) disease associated with secondary osteoarthritic changes.
2016 International Conference and Exposition on Electrical and Power Engineering (EPE), 2016
This paper presents the research activities and results which have been obtained to develop robot... more This paper presents the research activities and results which have been obtained to develop robotic gloves and its control system to be used for post-stroke hand rehabilitation. The practical results for robotic gloves development are shown from a mechanical, sensorial and control point of view. This work is focused on developing a lightweight and low-cost robotic glove used by patients in order to regain their hand movements. Robotic glove tele-operation was implemented with a tele-operation glove, having attached blending sensors, or a mobile device (phone) with Android.
Our purpose is to emphasize the role of botulinum toxin in spasticity therapy and functional reco... more Our purpose is to emphasize the role of botulinum toxin in spasticity therapy and functional recovery in patients following strokes. Our retrospective study compared two groups, namely ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. The study group (BT group) comprised 80 patients who received focal botulinum toxin as therapy for an upper limb with spastic muscle three times every three months. The control group (ES group) comprised 80 patients who received only medical rehabilitation consisting of electrostimulation and radial shockwave therapy for the upper limb, which was applied three times every three months. Both groups received the same stretching program for spastic muscles as a home training program. We evaluated the evolution of the patients using muscle strength, Ashworth, Tardieu, Frenchay, and Barthel scales. The analysis indicated a statistically significant difference between the two groups for all scales, with better results for the BT group (p < 0.0001 for all scales)....
Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, part of the spondylo... more Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, part of the spondyloarthritis (SpA) group, characterized by axial (spine and sacroiliac joints), entheseal, and peripheral joint involvement, which is frequently associated with extra-articular manifestations. Material and Methods: The study included a number of 30 patients diagnosed with AS according to the New York modified criteria, with history of entheseal pain, hospitalized between 2016–2018 in the Department of Rheumatology of the Emergency County Hospital of Craiova. Results: Regarding the Belgrade Ultrasound Enthesitis Score (BUSES) score and the disease activity calculated using the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), they did not show a statistically significant association (p = 0.738). Additionally, BUSES did not have a statistically significant association with the disease activity quantified by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score (p = 0.094)...
Background: We aimed to assess the effects of modulated neuroprotection with intermittent adminis... more Background: We aimed to assess the effects of modulated neuroprotection with intermittent administration in patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Retrospective analysis of 60 patients divided into two groups, with and without neuroprotective treatment with Actovegin, Cerebrolysin, pyritinol, L-phosphothreonine, L-glutamine, hydroxocobalamin, alpha-lipoic acid, carotene, DL-α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, thiamine, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, Q 10 coenzyme, and L-carnitine alongside standard treatment. Main outcome measures: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) after TBI, Extended Glasgow Coma Scale (GOS E), Disability Rankin Scale (DRS), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), all assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after TBI. Results: Patients receiving neuroprotective treatment recovered more rapidly from UWS than controls (p = 0.007) passing through a state of minimal consciousnes...
Corticosteroids still remain the anchor drugs in therapy strategies for patients with inflammator... more Corticosteroids still remain the anchor drugs in therapy strategies for patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases even though new drugs such as biologic or targeted synthetic molecules have emerged in the past years, being the most commonly prescribed medicines in the world due to their powerful immune-modulating properties. In this chapter, we aim to discuss the main characteristics of the glucocorticoids, their mechanism of action and effects on the immune system given the fact that they reduce the activation, proliferation, differentiation and survival of inflammatory cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes. Nevertheless, of great importance are the indications and tapering regimens, but also the adverse effects and various methods of monitoring the corticosteroid therapy.
Romanian journal of morphology and embryology = Revue roumaine de morphologie et embryologie, 2017
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by hypofunction of the salivar... more Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by hypofunction of the salivary and lachrymal glands. Main clinical features of SS are sicca symptoms, due to the altered glandular function. Also, in advanced stages, bilateral swelling of the parotid glands can be noted, indicative of severe glandular involvement. Phenotypic expression of various mononuclear cells present in the affected tissue offers additional insight into cellular proliferation, survival, migration, antibody secretion and also the potential of forming tertiary lymphoid tissue, i.e., germinal centers. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate various autoimmune activity patterns present in salivary glands by means of immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. The study group comprised of 10 primary SS patients, with various degrees of lymphocytic infiltrates confirmed on minor salivary gland (MSG) biopsy. We could identify both morphological changes, i.e., ductal system abnormalities or i...
The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence risk of demyelinating lesions in rheumatoid a... more The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence risk of demyelinating lesions in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-TNF α biological therapy. The study was undertaken on 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis distributed in two groups. The study group consisting of 25 patients received anti-TNF α therapy, while the control group consisting of 20 patients, received only conventional synthetic drugs. All patients were evaluated every two years using cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the beginning of therapy for all 6 years of study. We noticed an increase in the number and dimensions of demyelinating lesions in the study group, but inactive, without gadolinium enhancement and without neurological clinical correspondence. Anti-TNF α biological therapy could be a favouring factor in the development of demyelinating brain lesions, but without any clinical correspondent and imaging inactive.
Objective: The associtation between polyuric polydipsic syndrome/ diabetes insipidus on patients ... more Objective: The associtation between polyuric polydipsic syndrome/ diabetes insipidus on patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) is a rare pathological condition with few references in specific literature (citation for one to five cases, Iob, 2011,Kuzeyl, 2001 Prasad, 1995) Matherial and methods It have been made an observational, prospective study between 2005-2013, including 12 patients: 7 admitted in Teaching Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar-Arseni", Physical Neural-muscular Clinic Division and 7 in NeuroRehabilitation Clinic Division of the Neuropsychiatry Teaching Hospital, Craiova. All patients were diagnosed with acute/post-acute traumatic spinal cord injury, 10 with complete lesion and 2 incomplete B, C4-T1 level and associated polyuric (average 6 l) polydipsic (average 6,75 l) syndrome. Exclusion criterion was: traumatic brain injury, tumors, acute or chronic renal failure, and diabetes mellitus. Results All patients had SCI cervical or T2 above, occurred after car acci...
The current case report presents a patient diagnosed with Behcet disease in concurrence with psor... more The current case report presents a patient diagnosed with Behcet disease in concurrence with psoriatic arthritis, leading to a complex treatment, difficult management and challenging approach of both rheumatic disorders. After treatment with synthetic disease-modifying drugs and three different TNF inhibitors, the patient developed pulmonary tuberculosis, followed by tuberculosis spondylodiscitis, even after proper anti-tuberculosis therapy.
Sj�gren�s syndrome (SS) is a multisystemic disease mainly characterized by the hypofunction of th... more Sj�gren�s syndrome (SS) is a multisystemic disease mainly characterized by the hypofunction of the lachrymal and salivary glands and can be either primary or secondary, when related to other autoimmune pathologies. We present the case of a 35-year-old female admitted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for pregnancy monitoring. The patient had a personal history of a spontaneous abortion one year prior to admission at 5 months of gestation and a maternal history of SS. A multidisciplinary approach with solid obstetrical, rheumatological and neonatal monitoring is essential for best outcomes of the mother and fetus. An early detection of maternal and fetal immune-mediated threats and judicious use of medication is essential in women with autoimmune diseases who plan conceiving.
Secondary hemochromatosis is a condition generated by defects in the iron metabolism such as elev... more Secondary hemochromatosis is a condition generated by defects in the iron metabolism such as elevated intestinal iron absorption and increased iron stores in tissues and organs. The current case report presents a 35-year-old female admitted for inflammatory pain of the left ankle, second and third right MCP joints and right sternoclavicular joint associated with Celsian clinical signs, subcutaneous edema and loss of articular function. The patient is known with beta thalassemia major, secondary hemochromatosis and chronic hepatitis C as a consequence of repeated blood transfusions. We pleaded for the existence of a HC-A associated with microcrystalline calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate crystal deposition (CPPD) disease associated with secondary osteoarthritic changes.
2016 International Conference and Exposition on Electrical and Power Engineering (EPE), 2016
This paper presents the research activities and results which have been obtained to develop robot... more This paper presents the research activities and results which have been obtained to develop robotic gloves and its control system to be used for post-stroke hand rehabilitation. The practical results for robotic gloves development are shown from a mechanical, sensorial and control point of view. This work is focused on developing a lightweight and low-cost robotic glove used by patients in order to regain their hand movements. Robotic glove tele-operation was implemented with a tele-operation glove, having attached blending sensors, or a mobile device (phone) with Android.
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