Background: Depression is a significant global mental health concern, especially among medical students. This study combines two components: (1) a cross-sectional assessment of depression and related psychological and demographic factors among students at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, and (2) a systematic review and meta-analysis of published Romanian studies on depression in medical students. Methods: For the cross-sectional component, 495 students (Years I–III) completed online questionnaires assessing depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), personality traits, procrastination, and sociodemographic factors. In the systematic review, studies from PubMed and Web of Science were synthesized following PRISMA guidelines, with prevalence data being pooled via random-effects meta-analysis. Results: In the Galați sample, 34.0% of students had clinically significant depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10). Depression was associated with female gender, being in the third year of study, low social support, high neuroticism, and procrastination. The meta-analysis (six studies, N = 1546) yielded a pooled national prevalence of 19.99% (95% CI: 18.24–21.73%). Conclusions: Depression is highly prevalent among Romanian medical students, particularly in Galați. The findings support the need for targeted mental health interventions in Romanian universities. Registration: This systematic review has been registered in the Prospero database (registration number CRD420251056873).

Background: This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of burnout among medical students at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy. Methods: Burnout was measured using the School Burnout Inventory-U 9 (SBI-U 9), and potential predictors, including social media addiction (Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale—BSMAS), procrastination, age, gender, year of study, admission grade, last annual grade, hobbies, achievements, close friends, and relationship status, were assessed using appropriate instruments. Correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses identified predictors of burnout. Mediation analysis tested procrastination as a mediator between BSMAS and burnout, while moderation analysis examined whether procrastination moderated this relationship. Results: Social media addiction was an independent predictor of burnout. While younger age was correlated with higher burnout, it was not a significant predictor in the multivariate model. Procrastination did not significantly mediate the link between social media addiction and burnout but significantly moderated it. The effect of social media addiction on burnout was stronger for students with lower levels of procrastination. Conclusions: The study shows increased susceptibility to burnout among younger students and identifies social media addiction as a key risk factor. Procrastination moderates this relationship, indicating the need for interventions targeting both digital habits and time management in medical education.

This study examines the relationship between digital media consumption, gaming time, and academic performance among medical and nursing students at the University of Galați during the academic year 2024-2025. Data from 209 students were collected using PsyToolkit and analysed using SPSS v27, Excel, and Python for statistical analysis. The research explores correlations between the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), time spent on social media and gaming, and students' academic grades. The results indicate significant differences in digital media usage between medical and nursing students, with the latter group spending more time on social applications. Gaming behaviour was similar across groups, suggesting it serves as a recreational activity rather than an academic detriment. However, no significant correlation was found between gaming time and academic performance in the same group. Regression analysis found no significant predictors for academic performance, highlighting the need for further research and supplementary data. Regression analysis found no significant predictors for academic performance, highlighting the need for further research and supplementary data. Additionally, the most commonly used social media applications and their differentiated usage based on age categories were revealed. Findings emphasise the importance of balanced digital consumption and structured academic support to optimize student success.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, but data on 90-day mortality after hospitalization from Romania remain limited. This study characterized hospitalized patients with CDI at a regional infectious diseases hospital in south-eastern Romania and evaluated factors associated with 90-day all-cause mortality. We conducted a retrospective observational study of adults with laboratory-confirmed CDI admitted to Infectious Diseases Clinical Department I between 1 January and 31 December 2024. The date of hospital admission for the index CDI episode was defined as time zero for the 90-day follow-up. Clinical, epidemiological, laboratory, and treatment variables were analyzed; ATLAS components were assessed at CDI diagnosis, while urinary-catheter (UC) exposure was analyzed separately because the source records did not reliably establish whether catheter placement preceded or followed CDI diagnosis in every patient. Associations with 90-day all-cause mortality were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Among 170 patients (median age, 70 years), 55 died within 90 days (32.4%; 95% CI, 25.4–39.9%). Overall, 99/170 patients (58.2%; 95% CI, 50.4–65.7%) had an age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index >5. In the final multivariable model, ATLAS score >4 (adjusted OR [aOR], 3.52; 95% CI, 1.56–7.95; p = 0.002) and indwelling UC exposure (aOR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.12–7.37; p = 0.028) were associated with 90-day all-cause mortality. The model showed good discrimination (AUC, 0.746; 95% CI, 0.664–0.828). Ninety-day all-cause mortality was substantial in this single-center Romanian cohort. Higher ATLAS score and UC exposure were associated with mortality, but the UC association is exploratory because catheter timing relative to CDI diagnosis was not reliably available. Prospective multicenter external validation is required before these findings are used for clinical risk stratification.

Our study aims to investigate the acid etching treatment effects applied on dental structures, considering their surface properties. We have used a liquid PA in a concentration of 36.1% wt. (36.1% PA) and a gel PA with 35% wt. (35% PA) active compound as etching agents. These substances were applied to the human teeth for a maximum of 15 seconds. As investigation methods, the surface roughness was determined based on atomic force microscopy (AFM), and we analyzed the surface morphology in detail using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then, we analyzed the hydrophile character of the dental structure by experimentally measuring the contact angle (CA) and computed the surface energy (SFE). Following this study, we can say that both investigated etching treatments produce the demineralization of both enamel and dentine structures, with a higher degree in the case of liquid PA (36.1%). Increasing the values for the surface free energy will favor better infiltration and polymerization of the bonding systems.

This focused pilot study aimed to explore specific associations between key digital media habits, namely, time spent on social media applications and video gaming, and the severity of depressive symptoms among undergraduate medical and nursing students at the University of Galați during the 2024–2025 academic year. A total of 115 students completed standardised measures assessing time spent on social media and gaming, alongside the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and data were analysed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics characterised the sample's digital media engagement and varying levels of depressive symptoms (mean PHQ-9 = 9.72 for medical students; mean PHQ-9 = 8.05 for nursing students). Correlational analyses revealed no statistically significant associations between self-reported time spent on social media applications and PHQ-9 scores, nor between time spent on video games and PHQ-9 scores. Regression analyses further indicated that specific screen time metrics were not significant predictors of depressive symptom severity. These findings suggest that screen time, in isolation, may not adequately capture the complexities of mental health outcomes in this population, highlighting the need for larger, more nuanced studies that investigate additional dimensions of digital engagement and contextual factors pertinent to student mental health in Romania.