Viral respiratory infections (VRI) represent one of the most prevalent types of infectious diseases. The most common viruses include influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronaviruses, and other emerging viruses, like the metapneumovirus. While primarily affecting the respiratory system, they present cardiovascular tropism to some extent and lead to several complications such as thrombotic complications, myocarditis, pericarditis, and arrhythmic events. In the current review, we will present the pathophysiology of each complication, risk stratification, and prevention measures.

Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is a rare myopathy, genetically inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, that affects intramuscular glycogen metabolism, due to a deficit in the acid alpha-glucosidase enzyme. The main clinical manifestations encompass proximal muscle motor deficit, as well as diaphragm weakness, which consequently leads to a restrictive respiratory syndrome. Since the approval of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), the disease prognosis has been markedly improved. Treatment efficiency is usually monitored using generic biomarkers for neuromuscular disease, which lack specificity and are poorly adapted to this particular condition’s evolution. This review aims to provide an overview of the various biomarkers that have been used as outcomes in LOPD research, particularly in studies investigating ERT efficiency. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) generally rely on outcomes such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Other emerging biomarkers such as urinary glucose tetrasaccharide (Glc4) and microRNAs have been taken into consideration for assessing disease evolution. Additionally, whole-body muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diaphragm ultrasound represent emerging tools for disease follow-up. The anti-drug antibodies (anti-rhGAA) developed with the introduction of ERT are of particular interest, given the lack of consensus regarding their impact on treatment efficacy. Despite substantial progress in biomarker research, challenges persist in identifying specific and sensitive outcomes that correlate with clinical outcomes. This review aims to investigate the existing biomarkers and to look into emerging biomarkers in LOPD.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a concise analysis of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the diagnosis of two major neurological disorders: stroke and multiple sclerosis. In the case of stroke, AI plays a pivotal role in enabling rapid diagnosis, which can significantly impact patient outcomes. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are employed to detect large vessel occlusions, calculate the ASPECT score, and assess prognosis. Other AI models contribute by enhancing image quality, reducing both patient exposure time and radiation dose. In multiple sclerosis, one of the main purposes of AI is the analysis of various serum or cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers to help differentiate it from other neurological diseases. Additionally, in the imaging field, AI allows the establishment of correlations between specific lesion patterns and clinical outcomes, including disease progression and response to treatment.

Introduction: Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL), a glycoprotein, is a promising biomarker for the early detection of acute renal failure (ARF) lesions, with particular relevance in transplant follow-up. Aim: This paper reviews clinical analysis’s usefulness, limitations and NGAL prospects in monitoring kidney transplant (KT) patients. The work synthesizes, through an analysis of specialized literature, data regarding the role of NGAL as a biomarker of kidney allograft failure. Discussion: NGAL (from urinary/plasma samples) predicts delayed graft function (DGF) and long-term prognosis in kidney transplant, with donor urinary NGAL being a relevant pre-transplant factor. Conclusions: NGAL is a valuable tool for detecting early ARF in transplantation. The integration of clinical efficiency requires standardization and the establishment of specific background studies that demonstrate the impact of monitoring guided by NGAL on outcomes, thereby maximizing its usefulness in a personalized approach.

Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is a rare myopathy, genetically inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, that affects intramuscular glycogen metabolism, due to a deficit in the acid alpha-glucosidase enzyme. The main clinical manifestations encompass proximal muscle motor deficit, as well as diaphragm weakness, which consequently leads to a restrictive respiratory syndrome. Since the approval of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), the disease prognosis has been markedly improved. Treatment efficiency is usually monitored using generic biomarkers for neuromuscular disease, which lack specificity and are poorly adapted to this particular condition’s evolution. This review aims to provide an overview of the various biomarkers that have been used as outcomes in LOPD research, particularly in studies investigating ERT efficiency. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) generally rely on outcomes such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Other emerging biomarkers such as urinary glucose tetrasaccharide (Glc4) and microRNAs have been taken into consideration for assessing disease evolution. Additionally, whole-body muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diaphragm ultrasound represent emerging tools for disease follow-up. The anti-drug antibodies (anti-rhGAA) developed with the introduction of ERT are of particular interest, given the lack of consensus regarding their impact on treatment efficacy. Despite substantial progress in biomarker research, challenges persist in identifying specific and sensitive outcomes that correlate with clinical outcomes. This review aims to investigate the existing biomarkers and to look into emerging biomarkers in LOPD.

This paper explores the impact of sensorineural hearing loss on cognitive function and emotional well-being, highlighting the complex connections between hearing loss, cognitive decline, and depressive disorders. Hearing loss, particularly in older age, is often a symptom of progressive neurodegenerative dysfunction and not just an isolated condition, with significant consequences for mental and cognitive health. Recent research indicates that hearing loss is related to a heightened risk of dementia and depression. Interventions – especially through the early use of hearing aids – appear to mitigate cognitive decline. The relationship is multifaceted, comprising age-related factors and structural brain alterations. Additionally, hearing loss in older adults is closely connected with depressive symptoms, and auditory aids have been proven to enhance cognitive performance and emotional health. Ultimately, the paper emphasizes the relevance of early diagnosis and intervention strategies for managing the disruptive effects of hearing loss on cognition and emotional health.

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) need constant care and attention, requiring interdisciplinary medical teams and periodic overview of the literature in the matter of treatment. Thus, the recent recommendations regarding prevention, management and treatment of AF according to the 30th of August 2024 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines offer us a new and improved perspective of the medical act. In this review we aim to emphasize the newest data and also to draw attention to the differences between the 2020 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of AF developed in collaboration with the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the 2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of AF.

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is an increasingly recognized but historically underdiagnosed cause of heart failure, particularly in elderly populations. ATTR-CM results from extracellular deposition of misfolded transthyretin protein, which exists in either a hereditary (ATTRv) or wild-type (ATTRwt) form. Alongside light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, it constitutes an important cause of heart failure. The disease often presents as restrictive cardiomyopathy with preserved ejection fraction, left ventricular hypertrophy, arrhythmias, and conduction disturbances, frequently accompanied by systemic features such as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome or autonomic dysfunction. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are the main diagnostic tools. However, medical advances—particularly in cardiac imaging and bone scintigraphy—have facilitated earlier, non-invasive detection and differentiation between ATTR and AL amyloidosis, which is critical given their divergent therapeutic strategies. Tafamidis, a transthyretin stabilizer, is the first disease-modifying treatment shown to reduce mortality and hospitalizations in early-stage ATTR-CM. Other emerging therapies, including TTR gene silencers and stabilizers like acoramidis, are under investigation. Standard heart failure therapies are often poorly tolerated, and careful symptom management remains essential. Early diagnosis, accurate subtype identification, and timely intervention are vital for improving outcomes in patients with ATTR-CM.

Syphilis, a chronic systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum, reemerges as a major global health concern due to its rising incidence and wide-ranging clinical presentations. While often regarded as a sexually transmitted infection confined to the genital tract, syphilis frequently involves multiple organ systems, particularly in its secondary and tertiary stages. This review highlights the key organ-specific manifestations of syphilis, focusing on cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, and neurological complications. Cardiovascular involvement may include aortitis, aortic regurgitation, and coronary ostial stenosis. Pulmonary syphilis, though rare, can mimic malignancies or granulomatous diseases. Hepatic syphilis often presents as cholestatic hepatitis and, in severe cases, may progress to fulminant liver failure. Renal complications range from mild proteinuria to nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis. Neurosyphilis, previously considered a late-stage and uncommon outcome, is now increasingly recognized earlier in the disease course, with a wide rage of clinical symptoms. Effective diagnosis relies on a combination of serologic testing, imaging, histopathological evaluation and, in special cases, advanced molecular techniques such as metagenomic sequencing. Timely recognition and treatment with penicillin remain critical in preventing long-term organ damage. Given syphilis’s ability to imitate various conditions and affect diverse populations, increased clinical vigilance and a multidisciplinary approach are essential for effective management.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory condition affecting elderly patients, often presenting with non-specific symptoms that complicate diagnosis. We report the case of a 75-year-old female with a history of PMR and multiple comorbidities, admitted for dysphagia and vesiculobullous skin and mucosal lesions. Despite inconclusive histopathological findings and limited access to specific autoantibody testing, the clinical presentation raised suspicion of a bullous autoimmune dermatosis, possibly drug-induced. The patient responded favorably to immunosuppressive and antimicrobial therapy. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges in overlapping autoimmune syndromes and underscores the importance of interdisciplinary management in complex immunomodulated patients.