This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of bilateral cochlear implantation in patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss at the Timisoara Municipal Emergency Clinical Hospital ENT Clinic. The study involved 77 participants, divided into four groups based on their hearing loss characteristics and implantation history. Assessments were conducted pre- and post-implantation, focusing on speech perception, speech production, and reading achievement. Standard surgical procedures were performed, and participants were provided with a comprehensive rehabilitation program involving auditory training and communication therapy. The variables considered for analysis included demographic factors, implantation period, and quality of life assessment, with no statistically significant differences pre-implantation between the four study groups. Results revealed significant improvements in speech perception, speech production, and reading achievement after cochlear implantation. In adult patients, speech perception scores increased from 21.3% to 73.4% for WIPI and from 22.7% to 68.4% for HINT after 12 months of rehabilitation. Speech production scores improved from 33.5% to 76.8% and reading achievement scores increased from 76.2 to 106.3. Moreover, there was a significant improvement in patients’ quality of life following cochlear implantation, with mean scores increasing from 2.0 to 4.2. Although it is known that bilateral cochlear implantation significantly improves speech perception, speech production, reading achievement, and quality of life in patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, this is the first study of its kind from Romania. Further research is warranted to optimize patient selection and rehabilitation strategies to maximize outcomes and determine better policies towards funding and access of cochlear implants for a wider range of patients in need.

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer is a major contributor to global cancer morbidity and mortality. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment, but postoperative complications can significantly affect patient outcomes. Identifying factors that influence postoperative morbidity and mortality is crucial for optimizing patient care. This study aims to evaluate the impact of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors on surgical outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 688 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery within a 10-year period. Data collected included demographic information, comorbidities, laboratory values, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests for categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of postoperative complications and mortality. Results: Postoperative complications occurred in 28.5% of patients, and the 30-day mortality rate was 5.2%. Preoperative factors such as elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p < 0.001), low albumin levels (p = 0.003), a high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (p < 0.001), and presence of comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension (p = 0.005) were significantly associated with increased postoperative complications. Intraoperative factors such as blood loss greater than 500 mL (p < 0.001) and longer operative time (p = 0.021) were also significant predictors of adverse outcomes. Multivariate analysis identified elevated CRP (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5–2.9), low albumin (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.5), and blood loss > 500 mL (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.7–3.4) as independent predictors of postoperative complications. Conclusions: Preoperative inflammatory markers, nutritional status, ASA score, comorbidities, and intraoperative factors like blood loss significantly influence postoperative outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery. Recognizing these risk factors allows for better preoperative optimization and surgical planning, potentially reducing postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Background and Objectives: Melanoma remains a leading cause of skin cancer mortality despite advancements in targeted therapies and immunotherapies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers for cancer prognosis and treatment response. This study aims to analyze survival outcomes according to various miRNA subtypes, assess the association between specific miRNAs and treatment response, and include patient staging to evaluate their prognostic significance. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 90 patients from the Pius Brinzeu County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Timisoara, between 2019 and 2022. The cohort included 45 patients with advanced-stage melanoma and 45 with benign nevi. miRNA expression levels were quantified using the miRNeasy Kit and the Human Cancer PathwayFinder miScript miRNA PCR Array. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the impact of miRNA expression on survival. Logistic regression analyzed the association between miRNA markers and treatment response, adjusting for patient staging. Results: Elevated levels of hsa-miR-200a-3p and hsa-miR-335-5p were significantly associated with poorer overall survival (p < 0.01), particularly in stage III and IV patients. Conversely, higher expression of hsa-miR-451a correlated with improved survival rates (p = 0.02). Patients with increased hsa-miR-29b-3p expression showed a better response to immunotherapy (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.15–4.79). Multivariate analysis confirmed that miRNA expression levels and patient staging were independent predictors of survival and treatment response. Conclusions: Specific miRNA subtypes are significant prognostic markers in melanoma, influencing survival outcomes and treatment responses across different patient stages. Incorporating miRNA profiling into clinical practice could enhance personalized treatment strategies and improve patient prognoses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, with pulmonary embolism (PE) emerging as a critical complication due to the hypercoagulable state induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite advancements in prevention and treatment, PE remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. This study analyzes the trends, outcomes, and contributing factors of PE across ten pandemic waves in Romania, highlighting the evolving clinical burden and management approaches. This retrospective observational study was conducted on confirmed COVID-19 patients that also developed PE, who were admitted to “Victor Babeș” Hospital and Municipal Emergency Hospital in Timișoara, Romania. Data on demographics, clinical features, inflammatory markers, comorbidities, and treatment were collected from medical records. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, were conducted to evaluate trends and survival outcomes over time. The study included 166 patients, with a mean age of 67.26 ± 13.57 years. Mortality peaked at 50% in Wave 1, declined to 12% in Wave 7, and increased again to 28% in Wave 10. Intubation rates varied, with a high of 29% in Wave 6 and a low of 12% in Wave 8. Lung involvement was the most severe in Wave 4 (mean 0.54 ± 0.18) but improved in later waves, reaching a mean of 0.24 ± 0.12 in Wave 8. This study highlights the dynamic trends in PE during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania. Improved clinical management, vaccination, and adaptive healthcare strategies contributed to better outcomes in later waves.

Background and Clinical Significance: Tuberculosis infection triggers a chronic inflammatory response that can create a favorable environment for the development of cancer cells. Chronic inflammation can lead to DNA damage, increased cell proliferation, and impaired immune surveillance. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is an aggressive malignant tumor with a very poor prognosis, despite the current oncology therapy. Case Presentation: The case presents following clinical, imaging, and histopathological aspects, as well as the oncological follow-up of the patient over a period of 8 years. This paper presents the case of a 49-year-old patient diagnosed with cervical lymph node tuberculosis while biopsied for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastases. Conclusions: The overlap of this malignancy with an infection of mycobacterial etiology complicates the outcome of the disease even more, making treatment and prognosis difficult.

Background/Objectives: Secondary traumatic stress (STS) affects healthcare professionals indirectly exposed to patients’ trauma, and emergency personnel may be particularly vulnerable. Evidence from Romania is limited. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey (July–August 2025) among emergency medical professionals working across the integrated emergency care system in Timisoara, Romania (prehospital ambulance/SMURD services and hospital Emergency Department). Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) symptoms were measured using the 17-item Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS; item coding 1–5). We summarized STSS total/subscale scores and reliability, classified total scores into severity categories (0–68 metric), compared scores by workplace, sex, and professional role, and examined associations with age and years of experience. Results: The analytic sample included 145 participants (49.0% women), with a median age of 44 years [33–50] and median professional experience of 10 years [5–15]. Mean total STSS was 36.4 (SD 11.9; range 17–66) and internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92). Most participants were classified as little/no STS (77.2%), followed by mild (12.4%), moderate (5.5%), high (4.1%), and severe (0.7%). STSS scores did not differ significantly between ambulance service and ED/UPU staff. Women reported higher total STSS than men (39.0 vs. 33.9; p = 0.010), with significant differences for intrusion (p = 0.035) and arousal (p = 0.004). Role differences were significant for total STSS, intrusion, and arousal (p ≤ 0.031), with nurses scoring higher than ambulance drivers/attendants in post hoc comparisons. Years of experience showed small positive correlations with total STSS (r = 0.18, p = 0.032) and intrusion (r = 0.21, p = 0.010); age was associated with intrusion only (r = 0.22, p = 0.008). Conclusions: In this Romanian emergency care cohort, most participants reported low STS severity, but a clinically relevant minority had moderate-to-severe symptoms. Higher symptom burden among women and nurses suggests groups that may benefit from targeted monitoring and support within the integrated emergency system.