The overweight status or obesity can be confirmed through classical methods such as the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Apart from metabolic issues such as atherosclerosis, liver steatosis, or diabetes mellitus, long-term obesity or overweight status can pose a risk for cardiovascular and neurovascular complications. While some acute adverse events like coronary syndromes of strokes are well-documented to be linked to an increased body mass, there are also chronic processes that, due to their silent onset and evolution, are underdiagnosed and not as thoroughly studied. Through this review, we aimed to collect all relevant data with regard to the long-term impact of obesity on cognitive function in all ages and its correlation with an earlier onset of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The exact mechanisms through which a decline in cognitive functions occurs in overweight or obese persons are still being discussed. A combination of factors has been acknowledged as potential triggers, such as a sedentary lifestyle and stress, as well as a genetic predisposition, for example, the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) alleles in AD. Most research highlights the impact of vascular dysfunction and systemic inflammation on the nervous system in patients with obesity and the subsequent neurological changes. Obesity during the early to mid-ages leads to an earlier onset of cognitive dysfunction in various forms. Also, lifestyle intervention can reverse cognitive dysfunction, especially dieting, to encourage weight loss.

(1) Background: There has been a growing interest in understanding the causes of obesity and developing effective prevention strategies. Lifestyle change programs are often considered the gold standard for weight reduction, and they can help individuals with obesity achieve an annual weight loss of around 8–10%. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effect of food during the winter holidays. This knowledge will serve as a valuable foundation for the development of targeted interventions and prevention programs. (2) Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the literature via one database (PubMed). The search was limited to studies published in English in the last 10 years, with adult participants, but without specifying limits regarding the study design. We excluded articles that addressed intermittent fasting diets or weight loss intervention methods during the holidays through various diets. (3) In separate sections, we analyzed the psychological causes of gaining weight during the winter holidays, behavioral patterns, prevention strategies and the nutritional composition of the different types of food served during the festive period. Results: Using the combination of the terms “holiday and obesity”, “holiday and weight gain”, “festive season and obesity”, and “festive season and weight gain” we obtained 216 results involving the addressed topic. Thus, only ten articles remained after screening, with a total of 4627 participants. Most participants experienced weight fluctuations during the study period, particularly during holidays. One concerning observation was that most of the weight gained during these periods was maintained even after the end of the studies, especially in those with obesity. A supervised exercise program and a controlled diet at work over the Christmas period are effective strategies for avoiding weight gain and its deleterious effects in people with metabolic syndrome or weight problems. (4) In addition, attention must be focused on the psycho-social factors during the holidays because for some people it is a stressful period and can cause a much higher caloric consumption. The simplest method to approach during the holidays is to implement small tips and tricks during this period that will prevent individuals from gaining extra pounds. Conclusions: It is essential to acknowledge that obesity is a multifaceted condition that requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to address its underlying factors and provide ongoing assistance to individuals in their weight-management endeavors. Even the most effective short-term interventions are likely to produce continued positive outcomes with persistent intervention and support.

(1) Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection has been a subject of extensive discussion in the medical field, particularly in relation to the risk factors and effective treatment strategies for reducing the negative health outcomes associated with the virus. However, researchers indicate that individuals in the recovery phase after COVID-19 experience a range of symptoms that significantly impact their overall well-being and quality of life. At present, there is insufficient evidence to substantiate the claim that patients in the post-acute phase of COVID-19 are at an elevated risk of developing new-onset hypertension or even metabolic syndrome. The current study aimed to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases after COVID-19 and the optimal treatment of these conditions. (2) Methods: This research was conducted at the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Clinic of the Iasi Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital (Romania) between the 1st of September and 31st of December 2022. From a total of 551 patients hospitalized in that period, 70 patients with multiple comorbidities were selected. This study included patients over 18 years old who were diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 30 days. (3) Results: The included patients were mostly women (62.9%) from the urban area (61.4%). Comparing the post-COVID-19 period to the pre-COVID-19 one, it was observed that the risk of hypertension increased from 69.57% to 90% among the subjects (p = 0.005). Risk factors for the new onset of hypertension were identified as age, female gender, and an elevated body mass index. Moreover, the number of patients with dyslipidemia doubled, and a higher body mass index was noted. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that patients affected by COVID-19 are at an increased risk of developing hypertension and related disorders.

(1) Background: We aim to develop novel gel formulations for transdermal drug delivery systems in acute and inflammatory pain therapy. (2) Methods: We induced inflammation by the injection of λ-carrageenan on the hind paw of 80 Wistar male rats. The animals were randomized into eight groups of 10 rats each: C (placebo gel), E (EMLA^TM), L (lidocaine 2%), L-CD (lidocaine + cyclodextrin 2.5%), L-LP (lidocaine + liposomes 1.7%), L-CS (lidocaine + chitosan 4%), L-CSh (lidocaine + chitosan hydrochloride), and L-CS-LP (lidocaine + chitosan + liposomes). The behavior response was determined with a hot plate, cold plate, and algesimeter, each being performed at 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min after pain induction. At the end of the experiment, tissue samples were collected for histological assessment. (3) Results: L-LP had the greatest anesthetic effects, which was proven on the cold plate test compared to placebo and EMLA^TM (all p ≤ 0.001). L-CS-LP had a significant effect on cold plate evaluation compared to placebo (p ≤ 0.001) and on hot plate evaluation compared to EMLA^TM (p = 0.018). (4) Conclusions: L-LP is a new substance with a substantial analgesic effect demonstrated by the cold plate in the first 120 min. Further studies with more animals are needed to determine the maximum doses that can be applied for a better analgesia with minimum side effects.

Purpose: Naegleria fowleri is the main etiologic agent implicated in primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). It is also known as the brain-eating amoeba because of the severe brain inflammation following infection, with a survival rate of about 5%. This review aims to identify Naegleria fowleri infections and evaluate patients’ progression. This literature review emphasizes the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment of infected patients because only prompt initiation of appropriate therapy can lead to medical success. Compared to other articles of this kind, this one analyzes a large number of reported cases and all the factors that affected patients’ evolution. Materials and methods: Two independent reviewers used “Naegleria fowleri” and “case report” as keywords in the Clarivate Analytics—Web of Science literature review, obtaining 163 results. The first evaluation step was article title analysis. The two reviewers determined if the title was relevant to the topic. The first stage removed 34 articles, leaving 129 for the second stage. Full-text articles were evaluated after reading the abstract, and 77 were eliminated. This literature review concluded with 52 articles. Key findings: This review included 52 case report articles, 17 from the USA, eight from India, seven from China, four from Pakistan, two from the UK, and one each from Thailand, Korea, Japan, Italy, Iran, Norway, Turkey, Costa Rica, Zambia, Australia, Taiwan, and Venezuela, and Mexico. This study included 98 patients, with 17 women (17.4%) and 81 men (82.6%). The cases presented in this study show that waiting to start treatment until a diagnosis is confirmed can lead to rapid worsening and bad outcomes, especially since there is currently no drug that works very well as a treatment and the death rate is around 98%. Limitations: The lack of case presentation standardization may lead to incomplete case information in the review since the cases did not follow a writing protocol. The small number of global cases may also lead to misleading generalizations, especially about these patients’ treatment. Due to the small number of cases, there is no uniform sample of patients, making it difficult to determine the exact cause of infection.

(1) Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of autoimmune etiology. Increased scientific evidence suggests that immune-mediated inflammatory dis-eases are associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. Studies proved that autonomic imbalance is correlated with RA evolution and may explain augmented cardiovascular pathology and mortality not attributable to classical risk factors. (2) Methods: 75 patients (25 males, 50 females) with RA were submitted to standard ECG recording and 24 h Holter monitoring. Twenty-five healthy patients were used as controls. Both time (SDNN, SDANN, SDANN Index, RRmed, rMSSD, and pNN50) and frequency domain (TP, VLF, HF, LF and LF/HF) heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were obtained. Parameters were compared to controls, and correlations with the QTc-interval and inflammatory status expressed through the C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated. (3) Results: In patients with a CRP > 5 mg/L, HRV parameters were lower compared to controls and to patients with a CRP ≤ 5 mg/L. All HRV parameters generated by Holter monitoring are negatively correlated with CRP levels and QTc values. The number of premature ventricular contractions (PVC) recorded is correlated with SDNN, SDANN, and LF/HF values. (4) Conclusions: Our study supports recent data suggesting that in RA there is an autonomic system dysfunction strongly connected with the inflammatory status of the patient. The autonomic dysfunction can contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular death observed in patients with RA.