Conferences

CURRENT  MANAGEMENT OF UPPER GASTRO-INTESTINAL MALIGNANCIES

Filip Bogdan MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Surgery University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa” Iasi

During present days we are the witnesses of dramatic changes in the incidence and prevalence of gastro-intestinal malignancies and in the same time of the therapeutic strategies for such patients. The therapeutic approach requires a multidisciplinary approach and also a multimodal treatment protocol, which combines surgery with chemo and radiotherapy. We hereby, will present the recents shifts in the treatment of upper gastro-intestinal malignancies (esophageal, gastric, gastro-esophageal junction tumours and of gastrointestinal stromal tumours), a domain which is submitted to most extensive research.  

NELSON’S SYNDROME – DOES IT STILL EXIST IN THE 21st CENTURY?

Professor Carmen Vulpoi MD, PhD

Department of Endocrinology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa” Iasi

Cushing’s disease (CD) is a rare condition characterized by ACTH secreting pituitary adenoma and hypercortisolism. The ideal treatment is pituitary adenoma resection but the small diameters and technical difficulties make it sometimes impossible. One of the oldest (but efficient) methods is bilateral adrenalectomy. This intervention may trigger to the growth of pituitary adenoma and rise of ACTH value, known, after the first description in 1958, as Nelson’s syndrome (NS).

SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER- NEW TERAPEUTICAL APPROACHES

  Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)  an aggresive lung malignancy, uniformly linked to tabbaco use and has a unique biology. SCLC often demonstrates features of neuroendorine differentiation, which may be identified histopathologically. SCLC has a unique biology driven by mutiple aberrant pathways and mutation, with  distinct clinical features.   SCLC  is exquisitely sensitive to both chemotherapy, altough resistand disease always develps.

The main approach to the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has not changed in the last four decades and incorporate use of chemotherapy based on platinum doublet, and when possible, radiation terapy in limited disease. As the biology of this disease is elucidated, multiple targets are being identified and new trials have been developed. More recent insigh generated from genomic andproteomicstudies may led to the development of effective new therapies.

MACROAUTOPHAGY: HOW DOES IT WORK? FROM PATHOGEN CLEARANCE TO ANTIGEN PRESENTATION

Mariana Pavel MD, PhD

Professor Petru Cianga MD, PhD

Immunology departament, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “GrigoreT. Popa” Iasi

The physiological relevance of autophagy primarily comes from its role in maintaining the normal turnover of cellular components (homeostasis) and clearing intracellular pathogens, toxic damaged organelles, long-lived proteins and aggregates. Autophagy is essential for life, starting with the early steps of embryogenesis, stem cell development to aging and senescence. Changes in the autophagic balance (too much or too little autophagy) have been broadly associated with neurodegenerative diseases, like Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Inhibition of autophagy causes the accumulation of toxic intracellular aggregates of mutant huntingtin or tau. Recently, changes in autophagy have been highly connected to cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, infectious diseases and autoimmunities. Apart from its role in clearing intracellular pathogens (process called xenophagy), autophagy is responsible for the development and homeostasis of both innate and adaptive immune systems.

THE VIRTUES OF ALCOHOL

Professor Adrian Covic MD, PhD

Nephrology department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Grigore T. Popa” Iasi 

   In chemistry, an alcohol is any organic compound in which the hydroxyl functional group (–OH) is bound to a saturated carbon atom. The term alcohol originally referred to the primary alcohol ethanol (ethyl alcohol), the predominant alcohol in alcoholic beverages.

We invite you to this conference to find out everything you didn’t know and maybe you should know about alcohol.

A BITE OF THE MOSQUITO-BORNE TROPICAL DISEASES

Associate Professor Luca Mihaela Cătălina, MD, PhD

Infectious Diseases Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iași

You may have heard about them on TV, but never got the proper explanation… On this

occasion, this meeting has the purpose of enlightening the tropical diseases, a current issue due to its particular incidence and severity in tropical areas.

The recurrence and growing concern of viral epidemics transmitted by mosquito bites have incited public fear over the last years, causing great research efforts to understand the mechanisms of infection-associated health conditions.

The delivery methods? Higher global temperature enhances their transmission rates and geographic ranges, while increased international travel plays another key role in the spread of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) such as Yellow fever, Chikungunya, Malaria and Zika.

During this presentation, participants will learn more about clinical and epidemiological features, whilst considering therapeutic implications in tropical diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.

THE BRAIN BEHIND THE BRAIN

Teaching Assistant Bogdan Iliescu MD, PhD

„DIAGNOSTIC AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY – THERE’S MORE TO RADIOLOGY THAN MEETS THE EYE HIGHLIGHTS FROM HEPATO-BILIARY AND VASCULAR PATHOLOGY”

Assistant Professor of Radiology and Medical Imaging  Vasile Fotea MD, Ph.D.

Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging,  University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Grigore T. Popa” Iasi

At this meeting key aspects of both diagnostic and interventional radiology will be presented. 

While underlining the role of radiology and medical imaging, practical aspects will be presented, pointing out to the Why? / When? / What? And To What End? in everyday practice, with examples from hepato-biliary and vascular pathology. 

All those interested in a carrier in radiology, either diagnostic or interventional, or about integration of radiology in medical practice are welcome to participate to the discussion.

HOW IS OBESITY AFFECTING US TODAY?

Assistant Professor Laura Mihaela Trandafir, MD, PhD,

Mother and Child Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iasi 

Teaching Assistant Otilia Frăsinariu, MD, PhD,

Mother and Child Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iasi 

Professor Ingrith Miron, MD, PhD,

Mother and Child Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iasi

The rise in the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is one of the most alarming public health issues facing the world today. The current obesity epidemic is probably the result of our evolutive inheritance associated to the consumption of highly processed food with an increased calorific value. The causes of obesity are complex and multifactorial. There is increasing interest in the contribution that the nutritional environment during fetal development and the first 2 years of life may make to determining risk of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity can be a harbinger of future health disorders. Childhood obesity tends to track into adulthood: 85% of obese children become obese adults. Childhood obesity is associated with significant health problems and is an early risk factor for much of adult morbidity and mortality. who remain obese as adults have a significant risk for the development of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Concern is growing for the future health of our nation, the economic burden and the effect obesity will have on our health care system. The successful delivery of strategies to prevent obesity is largely dependent upon strong partnerships between parents, nursery care, schools and health professionals.

TIME IS BRAIN

OXYGEN THERAPY – OUR DAILY BREAD

Professor Ioana Grigoraș, MD, PhD

University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Grigore T. Popa” Iași

Oxygen, along with iv electrolytic solutions, is the most used drug around the world. The mechanisms of action, the usefulness and the indications of oxygen therapy are routinely taught during medical studies. But being a drug, it has doses and adverse effects. We know, too much of anything is harmful. Is this true for oxygen too? We will try tougher to define and describe the beneficial and the harmful effects of oxygen therapy.

I invite you to an interactive lecture with the use of an electronic voting system.

Let’s have knowledge, skills and …fun!

MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES/DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Gheorghe Zastavnitchi MD PhD

During this meeting will be presented the recruitment process, requirements for those who think to join MSF, life in the mission, living and working conditions. Some personal experience from different MSF surgical missions in the sub-Saharan Africa will be presented. All those interested in humanitarian aid and MSF in particularity are most welcome to join us for this discussion.