Sofia Mihaela David

Sofia Mihaela David


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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15 December 2021 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
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Madalina DiacMadalina Diac
Madalina Diac
Tatiana IovTatiana Iov
Tatiana Iov
SDSimona Irina Damian
Simona Irina Damian
AKAnton Knieling
Anton Knieling
Nona GirlescuNona Girlescu
Nona Girlescu
DIDiana Bulgaru Iliescu
Diana Bulgaru Iliescu
The estimation of stature from bones plays an important role in identifying unknown bodies, body parts, or skeletal remains, as it is an important component of the biological profile in forensic identification. The objective of this study is to enhance the development of forensic anthropology in Romania by creating a new regression formula for stature estimation. This can be accomplished from the length of the tibia, taking into account sex and age, for the Romanian adult population. A total of 137 cases from a delimited territory of Romania were included in the study. The length of the tibia and the stature of the individuals were measured before autopsy. Statistical analysis was carried using (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) SPSS 23. Tibia length showed a high correlation with stature for males, females, and the total sample. Four regression formulae were created for stature estimation of Romanian males, females, and unknown sex. The results of the analysis are impressive and have a good applicability in a forensic anthropological context. The data used in this paper provide reliable results with a large applicability in the future for estimating stature from the tibia length for the Romanian adult population.

30 April 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ARAlexandra Cristina Rusu
Alexandra Cristina Rusu
RCRaluca Ozana Chistol
Raluca Ozana Chistol
GTGrigore Tinica
Grigore Tinica
CFCristina Ozana Furnica
Cristina Ozana Furnica
SDSimona Irina Damian
Simona Irina Damian
KHKarin Ursula Horvath
Karin Ursula Horvath
Background and Objectives: Screening, primary prevention, and the early identification of high-risk individuals are crucial for minimising the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of retinal microvascular features with myocardial dysfunction and CVD risk factors in a group of patients with significant coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to patients with newly diagnosed isolated arterial hypertension and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: We performed a single-centre cross-sectional study on 214 individuals divided into three groups: a group of 99 cases diagnosed with significant CAD, a group of 61 cases with newly diagnosed isolated arterial hypertension, and a control group of 54 cases with no confirmed cardiovascular pathology. Colour optic disc-centred retinal photographs were taken in all cases, and the following parameters were quantified using MONA REVA 3.0.0 software (VITO Health, Mol, Belgium): central retinal arteriolar equivalent, central retinal venular equivalent, arteriovenous ratio, fractal dimension, tortuosity index, and lacunarity. Univariable and multivariable statistical analyses were performed to assess changes in retinal microvascular features in CVD. Results: Dyslipidaemia (p = 0.009), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008), and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.003) were negatively associated while left ventricular (LV) strain (0.043) was positively associated with the CRAE. In the case of the CRVE, the coronary Agatston score (p = 0.016) proved a positive and HDL cholesterol (p = 0.018) a negative association. A lower fractal dimension was associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.006), dyslipidaemia (p = 0.011), and a history of acute myocardial infarction (p = 0.018), while a higher fractal dimension was associated with increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p = 0.006) and medical treatment (p = 0.005). Lacunarity was higher in patients of female gender (p = 0.005), with decreased HDL (p = 0.014) and LVEF (0.005), and with increased age (p < 0.001) and Agatston score (p = 0.001). The vessel tortuosity index increased with LV strain (p = 0.05), medical treatment (p = 0.043), and male gender (p = 0.006). Conclusions: Retinal microvascular features may serve as additional risk stratification tools in patients with CVD, particularly CAD, pending prospective validation.

2 March 2026 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
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SDSimona Irina Damian
Simona Irina Damian
SDSofia Mihaela David
Sofia Mihaela David
M(Marcela Nour (Cârlig)
Marcela Nour (Cârlig)
LHLiliana Gabriela Halitchi
Liliana Gabriela Halitchi
SCSorina Alexandra Ciurlea
Sorina Alexandra Ciurlea
DSDoina Spaiuc
Doina Spaiuc
Intranasal drug delivery represents a transformative “backdoor” to the brain, bypassing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) that bars 98% of small molecules and nearly all large biopharmaceuticals. By harnessing the unique anatomy of the olfactory and trigeminal nerves, therapeutics can travel directly from the nasal cavity to the central nervous system, achieving therapeutic concentrations without the systemic toxicity of traditional routes. Clinical and preclinical evidence highlight the efficacy of intranasal insulin (INI) in treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and delirium, with studies showing significant improvements in cognitive scores and reduced hospital stays (7.9 vs. 12.9 days; p = 0.014). Additionally, other peptides can be administered intranasally like oxytocin, neuropeptide Y, and novel metabolic modulators for neuroprotection and affective disorders (AD, autism, Down syndrome). Despite these promises, critical translational gaps remain, including anatomical differences between macrosmatic rodents and microsmatic humans, and significant sex-based dosing dimorphism. The ease of intranasal administration introduces profound bioethical dilemmas regarding neuroenhancement, authenticity, and informed consent in vulnerable populations. The current literature concludes that realizing the full potential of nose-to-brain (N2B) therapy requires a commitment to precision medicine, utilizing specialized delivery devices and objective biomarkers to ensure safe and equitable clinical application.

23 April 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ARAlexandra Cristina Rusu
Alexandra Cristina Rusu
KBKlara Brînzaniuc
Klara Brînzaniuc
GTGrigore Tinica
Grigore Tinica
CGClément Germanese
Clément Germanese
SDSimona Irina Damian
Simona Irina Damian
RCRaluca Ozana Chistol
Raluca Ozana Chistol
Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for 32.4% of all deaths across the European Union (EU), and several CVD risk scores have been developed, with variable results. Retinal microvascular changes have been proposed as potential biomarkers for cardiovascular risk, especially in coronary heart diseases (CHDs). This study aims to identify the retinal microvascular features associated with CHDs and evaluate their potential use in a CHD screening algorithm in conjunction with traditional risk factors. Methods: We performed a two-center cross-sectional study on 120 adult participants—36 patients previously diagnosed with severe CHDs and scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CHD group) and 84 healthy controls. A brief medical history and a clinical profile were available for all cases. All patients benefited from optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), the use of which allowed several parameters to be quantified for the foveal avascular zone and superficial and deep capillary plexuses. We evaluated the precision of several classification models in identifying patients with CHDs based on traditional risk factors and OCTA characteristics: a conventional logistic regression model and four machine learning algorithms: k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN), Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machine (SVM) and supervised logistic regression. Results: Conventional multiple logistic regression had a classification accuracy of 78.7% based on traditional risk factors and retinal microvascular features, while machine learning algorithms had higher accuracies: 81% for K-NN and supervised logistic regression, 85.71% for Naive Bayes and 86% for SVM. Conclusions: Novel risk scores developed using machine learning algorithms and based on traditional risk factors and retinal microvascular characteristics could improve the identification of patients with CHDs.

3 September 2026 in Psychiatry International
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CRCamelia Rachieru
Camelia Rachieru
SDSofia Mihaela David
Sofia Mihaela David
AIAndra Irina Bulgaru Iliescu
Andra Irina Bulgaru Iliescu
SDSimona Irina Damian
Simona Irina Damian
Tatiana IovTatiana Iov
Tatiana Iov
(1) Background: Communication barriers may complicate forensic psychiatric assessment of deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals. (2) Methods: This retrospective descriptive case series reviewed 450 unique adults with institutional and forensic psychiatric records at a high-security hospital in Iasi County, Romania (2015–2025). Six individuals (N = 6; 6/450, 1.33%) met the record-based criteria for profound bilateral hearing loss with severe speech or spoken-language impairment. No examination was performed specifically for the study. (3) Results: Four of six individuals had documented congenital or prelingual profound bilateral hearing loss, and two had profound bilateral coexisting conductive and sensorineural hearing-loss components. Four had no formal schooling, and two had partial compulsory schooling; all six lacked documented standardized sign-language competence. Initial records did not document effective communication access or audiological confirmation, and psychiatric formulations were inconclusive or changed over time. Forensic discernment was recorded as absent in 5/6 individuals (83.3%). (4) Conclusions: Communication limitations may have contributed to assessment uncertainty alongside educational, cognitive, psychiatric, and social factors. The series does not confirm misdiagnosis, causation, or population prevalence.