On 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, starting a military conflict that soon turned into a full-scale war. The Romanians have been actively involved in helping their neighbors, causing the accumulation of emotional and mental pressure upon the Romanian population exposed to such a close military conflict. This cross-sectional study assessed, through an online survey (1586 adult Romanian residents), the primary coping mechanisms, quality of life and anxiety levels in response to the psychological trauma associated with the Russo—Ukrainian war. Based on the results, focusing on and venting emotions along with behavioral disengagement were the coping strategies that had the strongest negative impact on anxiety and well-being. On the other hand, positive reinterpretation and growth were associated with less anxiety, a higher degree of overall health and better quality of life. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to be performed among the Romanian population so far. Thus, we equip mental health practitioners with the tools (real-life evidence data) that will allow them to establish a more meaningful doctor—patient relationship, maximizing therapy results.

Latest research showed that lower levels of food literacy led to poorer health outcomes and highlighted the importance of nutrition education to improve food literacy for the population. Although evidence at the global level exists, the scientific literature on food literacy in Romania is scarce; therefore, this article aims to explore the perception of subjective food literacy as an outcome of an educational model in a sample of university students from Romania. The present study used a qualitative inductive approach using focus groups to explore the results from an educational “learning-by-doing” model regarding the perception of subjective food literacy. The sample consisted of 64 second-year students who participated in a class taught by one of the authors between October 2019 and February 2020 and later agreed to participate in the focus groups. All focus groups were audiotaped following participants’ permission and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed with the QSR Nvivo 12 Pro software package using an inductive thematic analysis. Several themes and sub-themes emerged from the focus groups discussing prior information of participants regarding nutrition, change in nutrition knowledge (information about plant protein, information about soy and soy products, information about sugar and its effects on health, and additional nutrition information), modified perception of nutrition and food, dietary habits, short-term behavior changes, and aspects that helped them to have more information about nutrition (construction of the health campaign, pre-testing materials, and support offered by the professors). All participants reported acquiring new information about food and nutrition, modified perceptions about nutritional habits, and even reported short-term behavioral change as an outcome of the educational model. Educational models using a learning-by-doing approach and combining formal and non-formal education can potentially affect students' subjective food literacy. Future research should explore university students' food literacy using evidence-based educational models.

This study investigates the correlation between REM sleep patterns, as measured by the Apple Watch, and depressive symptoms in an undiagnosed population. Employing the Apple Watch for data collection, REM sleep duration and frequency were monitored over a specified period. Concurrently, participants’ depressive symptoms were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. The analysis, primarily using Spearman’s correlation, revealed noteworthy findings. A significant correlation was observed between an increased REM sleep proportion and higher depressive symptom scores, with a correlation coefficient of 0.702, suggesting a robust relationship. These results highlight the potential of using wearable technology, such as the Apple Watch, in early detection and intervention for depressive symptoms, suggesting that alterations in REM sleep could serve as preliminary indicators of depressive tendencies. This approach offers a non-invasive and accessible means to monitor and potentially preempt the progression of depressive disorders. This study’s implications extend to the broader context of mental health, emphasizing the importance of sleep assessment in routine health evaluations, particularly for individuals exhibiting early signs of depressive symptoms.

Background and Objectives: The integration of digital jaw tracking systems into prosthodontic workflows has created new opportunities for individualized articulator programming. Sagittal condylar inclination (SCI) and Bennett angle (BA) are the key condylar guidance parameters required for this purpose, yet whether these values differ systematically across Angle dental classes remains debated. This study compared condylar guidance parameters recorded with a digital jaw tracking system between Angle Class I and Class II subjects, and assessed inter-session reliability and right-left symmetry of the recordings. Materials and Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study of a convenience sample, 118 participants were included (109 Angle Class I; 9 Angle Class II; no Angle Class III participants were identified). SCI and BA were recorded with the Modjaw system (Modjaw, Villeurbanne, France) across three separate sessions during protrusion and lateral excursions of the mandible. Inter-session reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC(3,1) and absolute-agreement ICC(A,1)] and the standard error of measurement (SEM); between-group differences with the Mann–Whitney U test; and right–left symmetry with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (α = 0.05). Results: Inter-session relative reliability was high for all articular parameters (ICC(3,1) 0.953–0.991; ICC(A,1) 0.952–0.991; SEM 0.9–2.2°). No statistically significant differences in SCI or BA were identified between Class I and Class II subjects (all p > 0.05), although the Class II estimates were imprecise (e.g., right BA: Hodges–Lehmann estimate +4.67°, 95% CI −0.67° to +10.67°). Mean SCI in Class I ranged from 50.04° ± 9.56° to 54.05° ± 10.15°, and in Class II from 49.74° ± 13.80° to 53.04° ± 15.26°. No significant right–left asymmetry was found in either group (all p > 0.09). Conclusions: No statistically significant differences in SCI or BA were detected between the observed Angle Class I and Class II participants; however, the small and highly imbalanced Class II sample limits the precision of these estimates and does not allow conclusions regarding equivalence; no a priori sample-size calculation was performed, and only large differences (approximately 9–11° for SCI and 7–10° for BA) could have been detected. Modjaw recordings showed high inter-session relative reliability. Given the considerable inter-individual variability, patient-specific recording of condylar guidance appears preferable to estimation based on Angle class for articulator programming.

Background/Objectives: Cutaneous melanoma arises de novo in the majority of cases; 20–30% develop from pre-existing nevi. Differentiating nevus-associated melanoma (NAM) from de novo melanoma (DNM) is important for understanding melanomagenesis, risk stratification, and prognostic assessment. The objective of this study was to compare the demographic, clinical, and histopathological characteristics of NAM and DNM in a large single-institution retrospective cohort. Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal, observational study was conducted at the Department of Pathological Anatomy, Cluj-Napoca County Emergency Clinical Hospital (2015–2025). Of the 729 initially identified cases, 580 patients with histopathologically confirmed cutaneous melanoma and complete clinical records were included. Analyses comprised Mann–Whitney U and chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression (p < 0.05). Results: DNM constituted 78.6% (n = 456) and NAM 21.4% (n = 124) of cases. DNM patients were significantly older (median 66 vs. 56 years; p < 0.001). NAM was predominantly located on the trunk (63.7% vs. 45.2%; p = 0.0006), whereas DNM showed greater involvement of the head/neck and upper extremities. Superficial spreading melanoma was more frequent in NAM (79.8% vs. 62.5%; p = 0.004); nodular melanoma was more common in DNM (22.6% vs. 10.5%), and lentigo maligna was exclusive to DNM. DNM demonstrated greater Breslow thickness (median 2.0 vs. 1.25 mm; p = 0.021), more advanced Clark level (p = 0.040), and higher mitotic rate (median 3 vs. 2/mm²; p = 0.049). On multivariate logistic regression, older age (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02–1.05; p < 0.001) and head/neck localisation (OR = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.39–5.39; p = 0.004) were independent predictors of DNM; histopathological aggressiveness markers did not retain independent significance after adjustment. Conclusions: Although DNM presents with more aggressive histopathological features, these characteristics are driven primarily by patient age and anatomical location rather than an inherent de novo aggressive phenotype, suggesting that observed differences largely reflect cumulative sun-damage pathways and patient demographics.

Background: Cervical cancer screening uptake in Romania remains below 20%, with invasive sampling cited as a major participation barrier. Urinary HPV testing is a non-invasive alternative, but data from Eastern European populations are scarce and reporting stratified by histological grade is inconsistent. Objectives: To evaluate the agreement between paired urinary and clinician-collected cervico-vaginal HPV testing, and to assess the diagnostic performance of urinary HPV testing for biopsy-confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+). Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study in three outpatient obstetrics and gynecology clinics (May 2025–May 2026). A total of 230 women aged 25–70 years provided paired cervico-vaginal (PreservCyt^®) and first-void urine (Colli-Pee^®) specimens. To capture the full spectrum of disease probability, participants were recruited across three clinical scenarios: primary screening, cytology triage and HPV-positive triage. A multiplex RT-PCR assay targeted a total of 14 high-risk HPV genotypes, providing separate identification for HPV16 and HPV18, alongside a pooled detection for the remaining 12 high-risk strains. Colposcopy-guided cervical biopsy served as the reference standard. Results: Paired hrHPV testing achieved substantial agreement (κ = 0.696, 95% CI 0.604–0.788), with higher genotype-specific concordance for HPV16 (κ = 0.755) and HPV18 (κ = 0.789). Discordance was directionally asymmetric (30 cervical-positive/urine-negative versus 4 urine-positive/cervical-negative; McNemar p < 0.001). For biopsy-confirmed CIN2+ (59 of 230; 25.7%), urinary hrHPV showed a sensitivity of 86.4% (95% CI 75.5–93.0), specificity 56.7%, positive predictive value 40.8% and negative predictive value 92.4%, compared with 91.5%, 43.3%, 35.8% and 93.7% for cervico-vaginal testing. Urinary HPV positivity increased monotonically with histological severity (25.0% no-lesion, 69.0% CIN1, 86.4% CIN2+; linear-by-linear p < 0.001). Conclusions: Urinary HPV testing demonstrates substantial agreement with clinician-collected sampling, near-equivalent negative predictive value, and a robust dose–response with histological severity. It is a clinically credible non-invasive entry point for a triage cascade in settings such as Romania, where low participation rather than analytical performance is the principal screening barrier.