Mihaela Patruica, F. Gadalean, A. Vlad, A. Sturza, D. Jianu, Lavinia Balint, Silvia Ienciu, L. Petrica, D. Muntean, C. Socaciu
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects around 13% of the adult population, has become a considerable concern worldwide, and is characterized by inadequate renal clearance, resulting in the accumulation of various potential toxic compounds. Metabolomics, one of the many important parts of “omics” science, refers to the systematic study of metabolites in a living system and their changes because of pathophysiological and genetic modifications. The use of metabolomics in the nephrology field of research has offered a better understanding of the pathomechanisms of CKD. The most recent technologies used for the evaluation of plasma and urinary metabolites are nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy (MS). A major research direction of modern medicine is to develop new therapies and new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of patients with CKD. Experimental studies of renal metabolism unequivocally demonstrated that kidney function has a huge impact on several circulating metabolites. Moreover, metabolites themselves appear to have an essential role in CKD pathogenesis/complications, being recognized as potential biomarkers with prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic value for the disease. The present paper provides a bird’s eye view on metabolomics and a summary of the most recent studies of metabolomics carried out in patients with CKD.
{"title":"Metabolomics in Chronic Kidney Diseases: Here to Stay","authors":"Mihaela Patruica, F. Gadalean, A. Vlad, A. Sturza, D. Jianu, Lavinia Balint, Silvia Ienciu, L. Petrica, D. Muntean, C. Socaciu","doi":"10.35995/TMJ20200208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35995/TMJ20200208","url":null,"abstract":"Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects around 13% of the adult population, has become a considerable concern worldwide, and is characterized by inadequate renal clearance, resulting in the accumulation of various potential toxic compounds. Metabolomics, one of the many important parts of “omics” science, refers to the systematic study of metabolites in a living system and their changes because of pathophysiological and genetic modifications. The use of metabolomics in the nephrology field of research has offered a better understanding of the pathomechanisms of CKD. The most recent technologies used for the evaluation of plasma and urinary metabolites are nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy (MS). A major research direction of modern medicine is to develop new therapies and new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of patients with CKD. Experimental studies of renal metabolism unequivocally demonstrated that kidney function has a huge impact on several circulating metabolites. Moreover, metabolites themselves appear to have an essential role in CKD pathogenesis/complications, being recognized as potential biomarkers with prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic value for the disease. The present paper provides a bird’s eye view on metabolomics and a summary of the most recent studies of metabolomics carried out in patients with CKD.","PeriodicalId":34611,"journal":{"name":"Timisoara Medical Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76197848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Ulici, A. Milan, Marius Mioc, Roxana M. Ghiulai, Roxana Racoviceanu, Codruţa Şoica
Pentacyclic triterpenes represent an important class of intensively studied substances in the past two decades due to their wide spectrum of pharmacological effects. Even though this class is being thoroughly researched for the development of new drugs, to date, no representative has qualified to become a suitable candidate for various therapies. Although a large part of past and ongoing studies focuses on triterpene chemical derivatization or formulation to increase its bioavailability, other researchers are focused on obtaining semisynthetic derivatives not necessarily with increased hydrophilicity but with a superior biological effect compared to their parent compound. The current review aims to report the biological assessment of several ring-modified pentacyclic triterpene derivative series.
{"title":"Ring-Modified Triterpene Derivatives as Potential Pharmacological Active Compounds","authors":"A. Ulici, A. Milan, Marius Mioc, Roxana M. Ghiulai, Roxana Racoviceanu, Codruţa Şoica","doi":"10.35995/TMJ20200207","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35995/TMJ20200207","url":null,"abstract":"Pentacyclic triterpenes represent an important class of intensively studied substances in the past two decades due to their wide spectrum of pharmacological effects. Even though this class is being thoroughly researched for the development of new drugs, to date, no representative has qualified to become a suitable candidate for various therapies. Although a large part of past and ongoing studies focuses on triterpene chemical derivatization or formulation to increase its bioavailability, other researchers are focused on obtaining semisynthetic derivatives not necessarily with increased hydrophilicity but with a superior biological effect compared to their parent compound. The current review aims to report the biological assessment of several ring-modified pentacyclic triterpene derivative series.","PeriodicalId":34611,"journal":{"name":"Timisoara Medical Journal","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87554886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Navolan, Florin Gorun, C. Oancea, Ioana Ciohat, D. Malița, M. Craina
(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus belong to a group of pathogens entities called TORCH agents. TORCH represents an acronym which derives from the name of a series of certain pathogenic agents (Toxoplasma gondii, Other agents, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes virus). They could cross the placenta barrier and cause serious damage to the fetus if a primary infection occurs in a pregnant woman. Immunized women are relatively protected against a reinfection and the risk of a materno-fetal infection in these categories of pregnant women is considered low. (2) Aim of the study: To analyze changes in the percentage of pregnant women seronegative to Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus along a period of ten years, from 2008 to 2018. (3) Material and Methods: We studied the changes in percentage of seronegative Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus pregnant women along two periods: 2008–2010 and 2015–2018. Only pregnant women with declared medium of provenience and unequivocal results were enrolled in the study. (4) Results: In urban areas, we found an increase in the percentage of pregnant women seronegative to Toxoplasma gondii (RR = 1.488, p < 0.0001), respectively to cytomegalovirus (RR = 1.985, p < 0.0001), from 2008–2010 to 2015–2018. A similar increasing trend was found also in rural areas: Toxoplasma gondii (RR = 1.136, p < 0.0322), respectively cytomegalovirus (RR = 1.088, p < 0.8265) but it did not reach a significant threshold for cytomegalovirus. (5) Conclusion: Our study showed that the percentage of women seronegative to Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus antibodies increases along a period of ten years, from 2008–2010 to 2015–2018, in both urban and rural areas. Probably, the main cause of this trend is represented by the improvement in hygienic condition and food quality control. These results present an argument for continuing the TORCH screening of pregnant women.
(1)背景:刚地弓形虫和巨细胞病毒同属一类称为TORCH agent的病原体实体。TORCH是由一系列病原(刚地弓形虫、其他病原、风疹病毒、巨细胞病毒、疱疹病毒)的名称缩写而来。如果孕妇发生原发性感染,它们会穿过胎盘屏障,对胎儿造成严重损害。接种疫苗的妇女相对免受再次感染,这类孕妇发生母胎感染的风险被认为很低。(2)研究目的:分析2008 - 2018年10年间刚地弓形虫和巨细胞病毒血清阴性孕妇比例的变化。(3)材料与方法:研究2008-2010年和2015-2018年两个时期孕妇刚地弓形虫和巨细胞病毒血清阴性百分比的变化。只有宣布有中等生育能力和明确结果的孕妇被纳入研究。(4)结果:2008-2010年至2015-2018年,城市地区孕妇弓形虫血清阴性比例(RR = 1.488, p < 0.0001)和巨细胞病毒血清阴性比例(RR = 1.985, p < 0.0001)均有所增加。农村地区弓形虫(RR = 1.136, p < 0.0322)和巨细胞病毒(RR = 1.088, p < 0.8265)的检出率也有类似的上升趋势,但巨细胞病毒未达到显著阈值。(5)结论:我们的研究表明,从2008-2010年到2015-2018年,城市和农村女性弓形虫和巨细胞病毒抗体血清阴性的比例在10年间呈上升趋势。可能,这一趋势的主要原因是卫生条件和食品质量控制的改善。这些结果为继续对孕妇进行TORCH筛查提供了论据。
{"title":"Increase in Percentage of Seronegative Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus in Pregnant Women: An Improvement in Hygienic Conditions in Certain Areas?","authors":"D. Navolan, Florin Gorun, C. Oancea, Ioana Ciohat, D. Malița, M. Craina","doi":"10.35995/TMJ20200109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35995/TMJ20200109","url":null,"abstract":"(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus belong to a group of pathogens entities called TORCH agents. TORCH represents an acronym which derives from the name of a series of certain pathogenic agents (Toxoplasma gondii, Other agents, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes virus). They could cross the placenta barrier and cause serious damage to the fetus if a primary infection occurs in a pregnant woman. Immunized women are relatively protected against a reinfection and the risk of a materno-fetal infection in these categories of pregnant women is considered low. (2) Aim of the study: To analyze changes in the percentage of pregnant women seronegative to Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus along a period of ten years, from 2008 to 2018. (3) Material and Methods: We studied the changes in percentage of seronegative Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus pregnant women along two periods: 2008–2010 and 2015–2018. Only pregnant women with declared medium of provenience and unequivocal results were enrolled in the study. (4) Results: In urban areas, we found an increase in the percentage of pregnant women seronegative to Toxoplasma gondii (RR = 1.488, p < 0.0001), respectively to cytomegalovirus (RR = 1.985, p < 0.0001), from 2008–2010 to 2015–2018. A similar increasing trend was found also in rural areas: Toxoplasma gondii (RR = 1.136, p < 0.0322), respectively cytomegalovirus (RR = 1.088, p < 0.8265) but it did not reach a significant threshold for cytomegalovirus. (5) Conclusion: Our study showed that the percentage of women seronegative to Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus antibodies increases along a period of ten years, from 2008–2010 to 2015–2018, in both urban and rural areas. Probably, the main cause of this trend is represented by the improvement in hygienic condition and food quality control. These results present an argument for continuing the TORCH screening of pregnant women.","PeriodicalId":34611,"journal":{"name":"Timisoara Medical Journal","volume":"66 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90849341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Denisa Cîrcioban, I. Ledeți, G. Vlase, T. Vlase, Adriana Ledeți
In this paper, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drug tacrine was investigated by two complementary instrumental techniques, namely infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis, as pure drug and in solid binary mixtures with nine excipients frequently used in the pharmaceutical industry, namely starch, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30, fumed silica (Aerosil), talc, anhydrous lactose, magnesium stearate, mannitol and calcium lactate pentahydrate. The corroboration of obtained data by the two complementary methods confirmed the incompatibility of this drug with anhydrous lactose, mannitol, magnesium stearate and calcium lactate under both ambient conditions and thermal stress, and thermally induced interactions between tacrine and silica. In the development of new generic solid formulations, four of the investigated excipients (i.e., starch, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 and talc) can be used, since they are compatible with tacrine under ambient conditions as well as under thermal stress.
{"title":"Solid State Stability and Preformulation Studies for Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Drug Tacrine","authors":"Denisa Cîrcioban, I. Ledeți, G. Vlase, T. Vlase, Adriana Ledeți","doi":"10.35995/TMJ20200104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35995/TMJ20200104","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drug tacrine was investigated by two complementary instrumental techniques, namely infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis, as pure drug and in solid binary mixtures with nine excipients frequently used in the pharmaceutical industry, namely starch, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30, fumed silica (Aerosil), talc, anhydrous lactose, magnesium stearate, mannitol and calcium lactate pentahydrate. The corroboration of obtained data by the two complementary methods confirmed the incompatibility of this drug with anhydrous lactose, mannitol, magnesium stearate and calcium lactate under both ambient conditions and thermal stress, and thermally induced interactions between tacrine and silica. In the development of new generic solid formulations, four of the investigated excipients (i.e., starch, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 and talc) can be used, since they are compatible with tacrine under ambient conditions as well as under thermal stress.","PeriodicalId":34611,"journal":{"name":"Timisoara Medical Journal","volume":"132 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75038014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marius Ioniţescu, R. Prejbeanu, D. Vermeşan, J. Pătrașcu, R. Onofrei, H. Haragus
(1) Background: To determine the association between patient-reported outcome measures and return to work after knee arthroscopy. (2) Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of data on patients scheduled for knee arthroscopy in 2019 for which symptom severity was available using International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee evaluation form (IKDC), Knee Disability And Osteoarthritis Outcome Score For Joint Replacement (KOOS JR), Tegner Lysholm scale and Euroqol EQ5D5L. Paid sick leave was retrieved from electronic patient records. (3) Results: 61 patients (mean age 46.44 ± 7.61 years, 28 (45.9%) males) met the inclusion criteria. All patients ultimately returned to work. Forty-six (75.41%) received a mean of 28.5 (range 7–68) days of paid medical leave after surgery. Of those, three patients were already on medical leave. There were no differences in demographics and clinical scores between patients who received paid sick leave and those who did not. No significant correlation was found between days of absence and clinical scores. (4) Conclusions: There was no association between absence from work and commonly used clinical scores in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.
{"title":"Association between Clinical Scores and Absence from Work after Knee Arthroscopy","authors":"Marius Ioniţescu, R. Prejbeanu, D. Vermeşan, J. Pătrașcu, R. Onofrei, H. Haragus","doi":"10.35995/TMJ20200102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35995/TMJ20200102","url":null,"abstract":"(1) Background: To determine the association between patient-reported outcome measures and return to work after knee arthroscopy. (2) Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of data on patients scheduled for knee arthroscopy in 2019 for which symptom severity was available using International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee evaluation form (IKDC), Knee Disability And Osteoarthritis Outcome Score For Joint Replacement (KOOS JR), Tegner Lysholm scale and Euroqol EQ5D5L. Paid sick leave was retrieved from electronic patient records. (3) Results: 61 patients (mean age 46.44 ± 7.61 years, 28 (45.9%) males) met the inclusion criteria. All patients ultimately returned to work. Forty-six (75.41%) received a mean of 28.5 (range 7–68) days of paid medical leave after surgery. Of those, three patients were already on medical leave. There were no differences in demographics and clinical scores between patients who received paid sick leave and those who did not. No significant correlation was found between days of absence and clinical scores. (4) Conclusions: There was no association between absence from work and commonly used clinical scores in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.","PeriodicalId":34611,"journal":{"name":"Timisoara Medical Journal","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78702562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}