(1) Background: In patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia, especially moderate and severe forms, a cytokine storm may occur, characterized by the worsening of symptoms and the alteration of biological parameters on days 8–12 of the disease. The therapeutic options for cytokine storms are still controversial, requiring further clarification; (2) Methods: Our study included 344 patients with moderate and severe pneumonia admitted to the internal medicine department who developed a cytokine storm (diagnosed by clinical and biochemical criteria). In group A, 149 patients were treated with Remdesivir and Tocilizumab (together with other drugs, including corticosteroids, antibiotics and anticoagulants), and in group B, 195 patients received Remdesivir and Anakinra. Patients were monitored clinically and by laboratory tests, with the main biochemical parameters being CRP (C-reactive protein), LDH (lactic dehydrogenase) and ferritin; (3) Results: Patients were followed up from a clinical point of view and also by the measurement of CRP, LDH and ferritin at the beginning of therapy, on days three to four and on the tenth day. In both groups, we registered a clinical improvement and a decrease in the parameters of the cytokine storm. In group A, with the IL-6 antagonist Tocilizumab, the beneficial effect occurred faster; in group B, with the IL-1 antagonist Anakinra, the beneficial effect was slower. (4) Conclusions: The use of the immunomodulators, Tocilizumab and Anakinra, in the cytokine storm showed favorable effects, both clinical and biochemical.

(1) Background: The benefit of using inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase (CA), such as acetazolamide, in the treatment of epilepsy has previously been described. (2) Methods: In this paper, the effect on CA of the most well-known antiepileptic drugs was studied in vitro and in vivo. The effects, after chronic treatment, of carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate, primidone, clonazepam, and ethosuximide were studied in vitro on purified CA, isozyme I (CA I) and CA, and isozyme II (CA II) activity and in vivo on epileptic erythrocyte CA I and CA II activity. (3) Results: In vitro results showed that all antiepileptic drugs reduced purified CA II activity according to dose–response relationships and slightly inhibited CA I activity. In vivo results showed that the chronic administration of antiseizure drugs induced a progressive reduction in erythrocyte CA II activity in all the groups studied. This study shows that CA II inhibition can be induced both in vitro and in vivo by major antiepileptic agents as it might be one of the effective mechanisms of these anticonvulsant drugs. (4) Conclusions: The decrease in CA II activity in epileptic patients after antiseizure treatment suggests the involvement of CA II in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.

(1) Background: The antiviral treatment for COVID-19 disease started to be largely used in 2020 and has been found to be efficient, although it is not specific for SARS-CoV-2 virus. There were some concerns that it may produce liver damage or other side effects. (2) Methods: The aim of this study was to observe if antiviral therapy is affecting liver parameters or producing other side-effects in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 disease. The study included a group of patients hospitalized in the internal medicine department of Oradea Municipal Clinical Hospital, Romania, between August 2020–June 2021, diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 viral infection by RT-PCR method or rapid antigen test. During hospitalization, patients were treated with a Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra) combination, or with Favipiravir or Remdesivir. In addition to monitoring the evolution of the disease (clinical and biochemical), also hepatic parameters were analyzed at admission, during hospitalization, and at discharge. (3) Results: In the group of studied patients, the mean value of aspartat aminotrensferase did not increase above normal at discharge, alanin aminotransferase increased, but below twice the normal values, and cholestasis registered a statistically insignificant slight increase. (4) Conclusions: In our study, we found that all three antivirals were generally well tolerated and their use did not alter liver function in a significant manner.

This study tries to identify the influence of the new coronavirus pandemic on dental education by assessing dental students’ perception and their didactic performance regarding virtual and traditional lectures. The final academic performances of students from different years of study at the Faculty of Dental Medicine who participated in undergraduate courses through two different lecturing modes (traditional and virtual) were compared. The same students were evaluated in terms of their preference between the two lecturing techniques. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean values for final grades of virtual and traditional technique in favor of the latter one. In pandemic conditions, because of safety reasons, virtual lecturing was the most preferred technique. For dental faculty, this process of transitioning from traditional to virtual is a continuous process, which was suddenly imposed, but which at this moment offers multiple opportunities from a didactic point of view. Analyzing the grade, the virtual lecturing techniques demonstrated superior didactic performance. Although students preferred the virtual lecturing technique more than the traditional one, better-designed research is required to verify the long-term effect of the two lecturing techniques on students’ formation and deepening of knowledge.

(1) Background: The management of persistent wounds is a topic of significant concern, particularly when they become chronic. Clinicians are focused on reducing the healing duration of chronic wounds and employing the most efficient treatments. Successful wound management requires an understanding of standard healing processes, the elements that can impede healing progress, and strategies to manage these impediments. (2) Methods: We participated in a study involving a cohort of 115 patients. Data were collected through subjective assessments via questionnaires, examining the comparative effects of laser therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on patients’ conditions and monitored the progression of chronic wounds. For the study, we utilized a branded laser equipped with a 12-watt probe to stimulate chronic wounds in 65 patients, while the PRP procedure was administered to 50 patients. (3) Results: We observed a greater improvement in local symptoms among the patients who received laser therapy compared to those in the PRP group. (4) Conclusions: We consider both therapies to be of significant importance due to their positive and beneficial effects, particularly on the symptomatology and progression of chronic wounds. Nevertheless, superior results were documented in patients who underwent laser therapy.