Diabetes mellitus during pregnancy and gestational diabetes are major concerns worldwide. These conditions may lead to the development of severe diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy or worsen pre-existing cases. Gestational diabetes also increases the risk of diabetes for both the mother and the fetus in the future. Understanding the prevalence, evaluating risk factors contributing to pathogenesis, and identifying treatment challenges related to diabetic retinopathy in expectant mothers are all of utmost importance. Pregnancy-related physiological changes, including those in metabolism, blood flow, immunity, and hormones, can contribute to the development or worsening of diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, this condition may eventually result in irreversible vision loss. Treatment options such as laser therapy, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, and intravitreal steroids pose challenges in managing these patients without endangering the developing baby and mother. This narrative review describes the management of diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy, highlights its risk factors, pathophysiology, and diagnostic methods, and offers recommendations based on findings from previous literature.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to identify and analyze imaging and pathological features that differentiate liver metastases from primary liver cancer in patients with histopathological confirmation, and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of imaging modalities. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 137 patients who underwent liver biopsy or resection between 2016 and 2024, comprising 126 patients with liver metastases and 11 patients with primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). Imaging features on contrast-enhanced MRI were evaluated, including lesion number, size, margins, enhancement patterns, presence of capsule, T1/T2 signal characteristics, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) signal, and portal vein thrombosis. Laboratory data such as liver function tests and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were collected. Pathological features recorded included tumor differentiation, vascular invasion, necrosis, and fibrosis. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-squared tests, t-tests, and logistic regression, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The diagnostic accuracy of imaging features was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Liver metastases were more likely to present as multiple lesions (82.5% vs. 27.3%, p < 0.001), had irregular margins (78.6% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.002), rim enhancement (74.6% vs. 18.2%, p < 0.001), and were hypointense on T1-weighted images (85.7% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.004). Primary liver cancers were more likely to be solitary (72.7% vs. 17.5%, p < 0.001), have smooth margins (63.6% vs. 21.4%, p = 0.002), exhibit arterial phase hyperenhancement (81.8% vs. 23.8%, p < 0.001), and portal venous washout (72.7% vs. 19.0%, p < 0.001). Vascular invasion was more common in primary liver cancer (45.5% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.01). AFP levels > 400 ng/mL were significantly associated with primary liver cancer (63.6% vs. 4.8%, p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that a combination of imaging features had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 for differentiating the two entities. Conclusions: Imaging features such as lesion number, margin characteristics, enhancement patterns, T1/T2 signal characteristics, and portal venous washout, along with pathological features like vascular invasion and AFP levels, can effectively differentiate liver metastases from primary liver cancer. The diagnostic accuracy of imaging is high when multiple features are combined.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex mental health condition with a multifaceted and incompletely elucidated pathophysiology. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers due to their role in gene regulation and the observed dysregulation in MDD. The aim of this study is to detect the presence of specific molecular diagnostic biomarkers in major depressive disorder. This cross-sectional study analyzed plasma miRNA expression in ten MDD patients and eight healthy controls using real-time PCR. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified using independent t-tests, and their diagnostic potential was assessed with ROC curve analysis. Fifteen miRNAs exhibited significant dysregulation in MDD patients. Notably, hsa-miR-29c-3p, hsa-miR-376a-3p, hsa-miR-532-5p, and hsa-miR-339-5p showed excellent discriminatory power (AUC > 0.8). This study identifies differentially expressed plasma miRNAs in MDD, suggesting their potential for improved diagnosis and personalized treatment. However, further validation in larger cohorts and investigation into their functional roles are warranted.

Purpose of the Study: Evaluation and classification of celiac trunk variants and assessment of their impact on visceral surgery. Material and Methods: The study was carried out on 50 anatomical specimens, over a period of 5 years. The macroscopic dissection method was used. The data were statistically and mathematically processed, schematically and percentage grouped. The results obtained were centralized and compared with those existing in the studied bibliography. Results and Discussions: The complete celiac trunk appears in 81% of cases (90% in the literature), and the incomplete one in 19% of cases (10% in the literature). The complete celiac trunk can be trifurcated, bifurcated, or of common origin with the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). In the trifurcated artery, the left gastric artery (LGA), hepatic artery (HA) artery and the splenic artery (SA) have a common origin. The bifurcated celiac trunk first gives rise to AGS, after which it bifurcates into HA and SA. Left HA, doubled by right HA, originating from a hepato-mesenteric trunk (H-M), occurs in 4% of cases. Incomplete celiac trunks: i) hepato-splenic (H-S) and LGA directly from the aorta - 3%; ii) hepato-spleno-mesenteric (H-S-M) and LGA from a gastro-phrenic trunk – 1%; iii) gastro-splenic (G-S) and HA directly from the aorta – 5%; iv) G-S and HA from a H-M trunk – 3%; v) H-M for HA and LGA, and SA directly from the aorta - 2%; vi) gastro-hepatic (G-H) and SA from a common H-M trunk - 5%. Conclusions: The celiac trunk originates directly from the abdominal aorta -99% of cases and in 1% through a celiac-mesenteric trunk. The complete celiac trunk appears in 81% of cases, and the incomplete one in 19% of cases. The complete celiac trunk can be systematized into 4 distinct morphological categories, while the incomplete celiac trunk can be systematized into 3. The knowledge of the variants of origin of the celiac trunk is of both theoretical, anatomical and surgical importance, due to the vascularization of a vast territory, with complex medical-surgical pathology.

Background/Objectives: Ventricular enlargement is a common finding on non-contrast computed tomography (CT) in acute neurological presentations, occurring in hydrocephalus, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. This study evaluated whether routinely available CT-based ventricular morphometric parameters can distinguish hydrocephalus from stroke and traumatic brain injury using initial imaging examinations. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 186 adults (68 with hydrocephalus, 64 with stroke, and 54 with TBI) who underwent index non-contrast cranial CT. Quantitative ventricular parameters included Evans index and third ventricle width, alongside temporal horn dilation and periventricular edema. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to assess diagnostic performance. A primary morphometric model and a distortion-controlled model incorporating midline shift, mass lesions, and hemorrhage burden were analyzed. Discrimination was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Patients with hydrocephalus showed significantly greater ventricular enlargement, with higher Evans index and third ventricle width compared with stroke and traumatic brain injury groups. The primary model demonstrated moderate discrimination (AUC 0.71). After adjustment for intracranial distortion variables, model performance improved substantially (AUC 0.91), with balanced sensitivity and specificity at optimized thresholds. Evans index and third ventricle width were the strongest independent predictors. Conclusions: CT-derived ventricular morphometrics provide a practical and reproducible approach for differentiating hydrocephalus from stroke and traumatic brain injury on first-presentation CT, supporting objective interpretation in routine neuroimaging practice.

The purpose. Establishing through a morpho-functional study, which is the most frequent location of metabolically active liver metastases, highlighted by PET-CT correlated with the histological type, in patients with relapses. Materials and methods. The study material was represented by the iconography of 127 patients investigated by PET-CT (Affidea Timișoara), who had presumptive diagnoses of secondary liver determinations. PET-CT investigation reveals the three-dimensional distribution of radioactivity based on annihilation photons emitted by radiotracers labeled with a positron emitter (F18-FDG). The imaging analysis was complemented by the measurement of SUVlbm, the maximum uptake intensity of the radiotracer. Results. The PET-CT examination revealed metabolically active liver lesions in 108 cases. In 95 cases (87.96%), metabolically active multiple nodular lesions were revealed, in different degrees of uptake. Multiple metastases were highlighted at the following levels: RHL - 43 cases; LHL - 21 cases; disseminated - 31 cases. In 13 cases (12.04%), the metastases were solitary, starting point: breast (4xBC), bronchopulmonary (3xBPC), cutaneous malignant melanoma (2xMM), colorectal (3xCRC), pancreatic (1xPC). In the case of solitary liver metastases, the segmental location was as follows: • S-I: 1 case (1 x PC) • S-II: 1 case (1 x BC) • S-III: 2 cases (1 x BC + 1 x BPC) • S-IV: 1 case (1 x BC) • S-VI: 5 cases (2 x BPC + 2 x CRC + 1 x MM) • S-VII: 3 cases (1 x BC + 1 x CRC + 1 x MM). Conclusions. • Most frequently, multiple liver metastases were highlighted at the RHL level - 43 cases (45.26 %). • In 13 cases (12.04%) the lesions were solitary, having the starting point, most frequently, at the breast level - 4 cases (30.77%) • The maximum value SUVlbm=13.7 was highlighted in the case of the single metastasis of MM, located at the S-VI level.