Eating behavior encompasses the psychological, physiological, and environmental factors influencing food intake. Dysregulation in eating behavior, such as emotional eating, binge eating, or loss of satiety signals, contributes to excessive caloric intake and weight gain. These behaviors are often linked to hormonal imbalances, stress, or genetic predisposition. Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² often used for diagnosis. It is associated with significant morbidity, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying obesity include insulin resistance, leptin dysregulation, and altered gut microbiota, which perpetuate metabolic derangements. Lifestyle interventions remain first-line treatment, but sustained weight loss is challenging for many patients. Bariatric surgery is a therapeutic option for individuals with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² or ≥35 kg/m² with comorbidities) who have failed conservative management. Procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy alter gastrointestinal anatomy, promoting weight loss through restriction, malabsorption, and hormonal modulation (e.g., increased GLP-1 secretion). Bariatric surgery improves obesity-related comorbidities and enhances quality of life. However, it requires lifelong medical follow-up to address potential nutritional deficiencies and ensure sustainable outcomes.

Autoimmune dermatological diseases (AIDD) encompass a diverse group of disorders characterized by aberrant immune responses targeting the skin and its associated structures. In recent years, emerging evidence suggests a potential involvement of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in the pathogenesis and progression of these conditions. RAS is a multicomponent cascade, primarily known for its role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. All of the RAS components play an important role in controlling inflammation and other immune responses. Angiotensin II, the main effector, acts on two essential receptors: Angiotensin Receptor 1 and 2 (AT1R and AT2R). A disturbance in the axis can lead to many pathological processes, including autoimmune (AI) diseases. AT1R activation triggers diverse signaling cascades involved in inflammation, fibrosis and tissue remodeling. Experimental studies have demonstrated the presence of AT1R in various cutaneous cells and immune cells, further emphasizing its potential contribution to the AI processes in the skin. Furthermore, recent investigations have highlighted the role of other RAS components, beyond angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and Ang II, that may contribute to the pathophysiology of AIDD. Alternative pathways involving ACE2, Ang receptors and Ang-(1-7) have been implicated in regulating immune responses and tissue homeostasis within the skin microenvironment. Understanding the intricate involvement of the RAS in AIDD may provide novel therapeutic opportunities. Targeting specific components of the RAS, such as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) or alternative RAS pathway modulators, could potentially ameliorate inflammatory responses, reduce tissue damage and lessen disease manifestations. Further research is warranted to outline the exact mechanisms underlying RAS-mediated immune dysregulation in AIDD. This abstract aims to provide a concise overview of the intricate interplay between the RAS and AIDD. Therefore, we elaborate a systematic review of the potential challenge of RAS in the AIDD, including psoriasis, systemic sclerosis, vitiligo, lupus erythematosus and many more.

Obesity is a major public health problem that puts pressure on healthcare systems globally. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize and analyse recent research on the bidirectional link between obesity and mental health, focusing on the biological, behavioural, dietary, emotional, and metabolic mechanisms arising from gut microbiota interactions. Epidemiological association between obesity and mental health disorders, especially depression and anxiety, often occurs bidirectionally, reinforcing each other. Low-grade systemic inflammation is a condition typically found in obesity, being a fundamental element of neuropsychiatric disorders. Considered the main energy substrate for colon cells, SCFAs are synthesized in the intestine and exert important local effects by reducing both local and systemic inflammation. The intestinal microbiota maintains this homeostasis through the SCFAs it produces. The combined impact of the increased intestinal permeability, immune activation, and disrupted metabolism of SCFAs and tryptophan contributes to the onset and progression of depression and anxiety, as well as to significant cognitive dysfunction, especially in obese individuals. Understanding the mechanisms by which microbiota metabolites influence brain development, neuroplasticity, and behaviour could pave the way for new and innovative therapeutic strategies for the treatment of obesity and depression. Conclusions: The association of these pathologies is not coincidental, as they coexist through overlapping biological pathways that they partially or completely share. The main pathway involved is formed by the brain–gut axis and its mediators (SCFAs).

Liposarcomas are a prevalent subtype of soft tissue sarcomas, constituting less than 1% of all malignancies. Originating in the adipose tissue, they can manifest in various locations and are categorized by the World Health Organization into several subtypes: well-differentiated liposarcomas, dedifferentiated liposarcomas, myxoid liposarcomas, pleomorphic liposarcomas and mixed-type liposarcomas . These tumors typically affect middle-aged and older individuals, and their incidence has been progressively increasing over the years. As liposarcomas advance they tend to encase blood vessels and major organs, particularly in the retroperitoneal area. Often asymptomatic initially, symptoms arise as the tumor reaches a considerable size, exerting pressure on adjacent tissues and organs. This report features a 54-year-old patient incidentally diagnosed with a substantial retroperitoneal tumor extending to the antero-lateral abdominal wall and inner thigh via the right inguinal ligament. The patient, with a previous three-year history of a right inguinal mass, sought acute care for a perianal abscess The histological examination revealed morphological aspects consistent with a low-grade myxoid liposarcoma. While surgery remains the primary treatment for retroperitoneal liposarcomas, controversies exist regarding the role of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in improving survival rates. This case highlights the challenges in managing retroperitoneal tumors and underscores the importance of a personalized, multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Obesity imposes a significant and growing burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Bariatric surgery remains the most effective long-term treatment for morbid obesity, but its success depends heavily on the quality of perioperative management and institutional expertise. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of 14 years of bariatric surgical activity in a university-based Center of Excellence, emphasizing complication rates and safety outcomes. Methods: A cohort analysis was performed on a prospectively collected database including all bariatric procedures conducted between June 2012 and June 2025 in an Obesity Center, located in ‘Saint Spiridon’ Hospital’ in Iasi, Romania. Eligibility was determined according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) guidelines. All patients underwent standardized preoperative evaluation by a multidisciplinary team. Results: Over a 14-year period, 1010 patients underwent surgery and had a mean age of 39 years and 72% of them were females. A total of 68 patients (6.73%) experienced complications, including 28 (2.77%) within 30 days and 40 (3.96%) after first month. No postoperative fistulas or deaths were recorded during the entire study period. Conclusions: The long-term data from over one thousand consecutive bariatric cases confirm the high safety and effectiveness of a multidisciplinary, protocol-driven approach. The absence of postoperative fistulas and mortality underscores the value of institutional experience and standardized perioperative care.

Background/Objectives: Gastrointestinal bleeding after metabolic bariatric surgery is a relatively rare adverse event, but it has significant morbidity potential. The clinical course can be rapidly unfavorable, requiring early recognition and prompt intervention. The management of this complication often involves different approaches, surgical or endoscopic, the use of which is influenced by the particularities of the postoperative anatomy and the timing of the bleeding. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with postoperative bleeding following bariatric surgery. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2012 and 2025 at a single tertiary center. During this period, 1010 bariatric procedures were performed. Of these, 68 patients developed postoperative complications and 24 experienced postoperative bleeding. Postoperative bleeding was defined as a hemoglobin drop > 2 g/dL and/or clinically evident bleeding requiring intervention. As bleeding represents a specific subtype of postoperative complication, all statistical analyses were restricted to patients with documented complications. Results: Among the 68 patients with postoperative complications, 24 (35.3%) developed postoperative bleeding. In this exploratory analysis, male sex showed a signal suggestive of association with postoperative bleeding (OR: 9.69, p = 0.005); however, this finding should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating given the study design and the analysis’s being restricted to patients with complications. Given the limited number of bleeding events, effect estimates should be interpreted cautiously. In an exploratory multivariate model, dyslipidemia was associated with increased odds of bleeding (OR: 19.90, p = 0.047), while hepatomegaly and male sex showed positive but non-significant associations. Conclusions: Among patients who developed postoperative complications after bariatric surgery, male sex emerged as a potential signal associated with postoperative bleeding in this exploratory analysis. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating rather than definitive predictors and require validation in larger cohorts. Dyslipidemia and hepatomegaly emerged as potential associated factors in exploratory analyses, but these findings require confirmation in prospective and multicentric studies.