Background/Objectives: Red cell distribution width, platelet distribution width, and mean platelet volume are hematological indices derived from complete blood counts that have been increasingly investigated as potential cardiovascular biomarkers. This study aimed to assess the association between these indices and the extent of coronary artery disease, quantified by the Gensini score. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 240 patients hospitalized with typical angina who underwent elective coronary angiography at the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Timișoara (January 2023–April 2024). Patients with hematological disorders, prior revascularization, or severe comorbidities were excluded. CAD severity was assessed by the Gensini score, with patients stratified into a low-score group (<50) and a high-score group (≥50). Laboratory and echocardiographic data were collected. Correlation analyses, ROC curve analysis, and multivariate regression were performed to evaluate predictors of CAD complexity. Results: Among 240 patients (81% male), 161 (67%) were in the high-score group. Compared with the low-score group, these patients had higher RDW (12.43 ± 0.68 vs. 12.70 ± 1.01, 95%CI: −0.52 to −0.02, p = 0.03), MPV (9.20 ± 0.88 vs. 9.45 ± 0.84, 95%CI: −0.48 to −0.02, p = 0.03), serum creatinine (p = 0.01), and potassium (p = 0.02), and lower ejection fraction (p < 0.001). RDW correlated positively with the Gensini score (rho = 0.28, 95%CI: 0.16–0.39, p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified RDW, MPV, and diastolic dysfunction as independent predictors. RDW showed weak discrimination for high Gensini burden (AUC = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.49–0.65, p > 0.05), consistent with a borderline, non-significant result. Conclusions: Elevated RDW and MPV are independently associated with greater coronary lesion burden. These routinely available indices may serve as novel, cost-effective markers for CAD risk stratification, warranting validation in prospective studies.

Background and Aims: Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with long COVID remains associated with extremely high mortality and significant long-term sequelae. Non-invasive ventilatory strategies such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) are widely used before endotracheal intubation (ETI). Still, their comparative effectiveness in this population is not well established. Understanding survival outcomes and sequelae can help refine treatment strategies for this high-risk group. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes, sequelae, and treatment strategies in long COVID patients with severe ARDS, focusing on non-invasive ventilatory support before ETI. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using a study comparing severe ARDS patients with and without COVID-19. The inclusion criterion was a Horovitz quotient (PaO₂/FiO₂) < 50 mmHg. Results: The study included a total of 59 patients diagnosed with long COVID-19 ARDS, with a mortality rate of 85%. A significant proportion of the patient population was male, accounting for 75%. The highest survival rate was observed among patients who initially received CPAP support, with a survival rate of 23.08%, in contrast to those treated solely with HFNC or those who alternated between HFNC and CPAP. Among patients who required endotracheal intubation and subsequent mechanical ventilation, survival rates were 40% for those who had previously received CPAP, 10% for those treated with alternating HFNC and CPAP, and 0% for those managed exclusively with HFNC before ETI. Survivors often exhibited sequelae, such as impaired pulmonary function, persistent dyspnea, and diminished physical performance. Conclusions: Patients with long COVID who develop severe ARDS (PaO₂/FiO₂ < 50 mmHg) face exceptionally high ICU mortality, with outcomes determined mainly by age, comorbidities, and profound hypoxemia. Although CPAP showed a trend toward improved survival, the data do not establish superiority and should be regarded as hypothesis-generating. Rather, they highlight the complexity of managing this underrepresented subgroup and underscore the need for larger, multicenter studies with broader inclusion criteria to confirm or refute these preliminary observations.

Eucalyptus globulus is a widely cultivated medicinal species of recognized phytochemical richness and broad preclinical relevance across multiple biological and formulation-oriented application domains. This review aimed to integrate the available evidence on the botanical identity, phytochemical profile, preclinical biomedical relevance, and translational considerations within a single structured framework. A bibliometric-assisted narrative review approach was applied, based on targeted literature retrieval from scientific platforms (e.g., PubMed, ScienceDirect, MDPI, Google Scholar), complemented by keyword co-occurrence analysis and qualitative narrative synthesis. The reviewed literature indicates that E. globulus is characterized by a 1,8-cineole-rich essential oil together with non-volatile phenolic, flavonoid, and related secondary metabolites that support a wide range of reported biological activities. The strongest preclinical evidence concerns antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects in oral-health-related models, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, respiratory relevance, wound-healing support, selected cytotoxicity-related effects, and emerging nano-enabled delivery systems. Overall, E. globulus represents a promising multifunctional species with substantial preclinical potential; however, direct clinical evidence remains limited, and future progress will depend on better phytochemical standardization, mechanistic clarification, and well-designed translational studies.

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic prompted rapid changes in medical education, accelerating the adoption of online and distance learning methods as alternatives to traditional teaching. While these approaches offered logistical advantages, students worldwide reported significant limitations, particularly in terms of motivation, clinical exposure, and hands-on skill acquisition. Despite the increased use of digital teaching during the pandemic, core educational objectives and the mission of medical training remained unchanged, emphasizing the continued importance of practical experience. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on current teaching methods in medical education and to explore students’ perceptions of online learning, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and other modern educational alternatives. METHODS This observational, cross-sectional multicentric study surveyed a cohort of Romanian medical students using a self-developed 48-item online questionnaire distributed via social media. Data were collected over 6 weeks (February-March), yielding 451 responses, of which eligible participants included students in clinical years or preclinical students interested in surgical or orthopedic careers, with a heavy representation of the Medicine and Pharmacy University of Timisoara. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and JASP (University of Amsterdam; version 0.95.4). RESULTS A total of 436 responses were analyzed, with students favoring online or hybrid formats for lectures but preferring on-site teaching for practical training. Reduced patient interaction and limited skill acquisition were the main drawbacks of online practical education. Acceptance of hybrid learning correlated with more positive perceptions of teaching methods and a lower perceived desire to cheat. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to the way medicine is being taught in Romania, but it also brought a clearer picture for students and medical staff on how they want medical education to be done. Online cheating remains a significant challenge, but it is being tackled at the moment with different algorithms being tested.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted rapid changes in medical education, accelerating the adoption of online and distance learning methods as alternatives to traditional teaching. While these approaches offered logistical advantages, students worldwide reported significant limitations, particularly in terms of motivation, clinical exposure, and hands-on skill acquisition. Despite the increased use of digital teaching during the pandemic, core educational objectives and the mission of medical training remained unchanged, emphasizing the continued importance of practical experience. Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on current teaching methods in medical education and to explore students’ perceptions of online learning, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and other modern educational alternatives. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional multicentric study surveyed a cohort of Romanian medical students using a self-developed 48-item online questionnaire distributed via social media. Data were collected over 6 weeks (February-March), yielding 451 responses, of which eligible participants included students in clinical years or preclinical students interested in surgical or orthopedic careers, with a heavy representation of the Medicine and Pharmacy University of Timisoara. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and JASP (University of Amsterdam; version 0.95.4). Results: A total of 436 responses were analyzed, with students favoring online or hybrid formats for lectures but preferring on-site teaching for practical training. Reduced patient interaction and limited skill acquisition were the main drawbacks of online practical education. Acceptance of hybrid learning correlated with more positive perceptions of teaching methods and a lower perceived desire to cheat. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to the way medicine is being taught in Romania, but it also brought a clearer picture for students and medical staff on how they want medical education to be done. Online cheating remains a significant challenge, but it is being tackled at the moment with different algorithms being tested.