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Nwabudike L, Buzia O, Elisei A, Tatu A. An integrative therapeutic approach to elephantiasis nostras verrucosa: A case report. Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:289. [PMID: 35317434 PMCID: PMC8908468 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Nwabudike
- Outpatient Dermatology Department, ‘Dr. N.C. Paulescu’ National Institute of Metabolic Disease, Nutrition and Diabetes, 020475 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Olimpia Buzia
- Multidisciplinary Integrated Center of Dermatological Interface Research (MIC-DIR), 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Alina Elisei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ‘Dunărea de Jos’ University, 800008 Galati, Romania
| | - Alin Tatu
- Multidisciplinary Integrated Center of Dermatological Interface Research (MIC-DIR), 800010 Galati, Romania
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2
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Anghel L, Baroiu L, Popazu CR, Pătraș D, Fotea S, Nechifor A, Ciubara A, Nechita L, Mușat CL, Stefanopol IA, Tatu AL, Ciubara AB. Benefits and adverse events of melatonin use in the elderly (Review). Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:219. [PMID: 35126722 PMCID: PMC8796282 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in accordance with the circadian rhythm when the light level decreases. Reduction of melatonin secretion with age may be associated with physiological aging in neurodegenerative diseases by affecting the suprachiasmatic nucleus or of the neuronal pathways of transmission to the pineal gland. A significant decrease in melatonin synthesis has been reported in various disorders and diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders (particularly diabetes type 2), cancer and endocrine diseases. In addition to the fact, that melatonin is a sleep inducer, it also exerts cytoprotective properties as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger. The therapeutic role of melatonin has been demonstrated in sleep disorders, eye damage and cardiovascular disease. The association between melatonin and β-blockers has had a positive impact on sleep disorders in clinical trials. Previous studies have reported the anti-inflammatory effect of melatonin by adjusting levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α. Melatonin treatment has been demonstrated to decrease IL-6 and IL-10 expression levels and efficiently attenuate T-cell proliferation. Currently, there is an inconsistency of scientific data regarding the lowest optimal dose and safety of melatonin for long-term use. The aim of the present review was to summarize the evidence on the role of melatonin in various clinical conditions and highlight the future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucreția Anghel
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
| | - Liliana Baroiu
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
| | - Corina Rișcă Popazu
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
| | - Diana Pătraș
- Internal Medicine Department, St. Andrew The Apostle Clinical Emergency County Hospital, 800578 Galați, Romania
| | - Silvia Fotea
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
| | - Alexandru Nechifor
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania.,Multidisciplinary Integrated Center of Dermatological Interface Research, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
| | - Anamaria Ciubara
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
| | - Luiza Nechita
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
| | - Carmina Liana Mușat
- Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
| | - Ioana Anca Stefanopol
- Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
| | - Alin Laurențiu Tatu
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania.,Multidisciplinary Integrated Center of Dermatological Interface Research, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania.,Research Center in The Field of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
| | - Alexandru Bogdan Ciubara
- Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 'Dunărea de Jos' University, 800008 Galați, Romania
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3
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Bobeica C, Niculet E, Halip AI, Gheuca-Solovastru L, Draganescu ML, Popescu IA, Onisor C, Chirobocea S, Lungu M, Craescu M. Predictive value of immunological markers in systemic sclerosis. Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:994. [PMID: 34345276 PMCID: PMC8311248 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a collagenosis characterized by excessive deposition of collagen in the skin and viscera, in a background of immune disorder. The immunological profile of SSc often shows elevated levels of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs). However, many authors have identified cases of SSc having normal ANA levels, framed as paraneoplastic SSc. Among patients with negative ANAs in our group, we did not identify any neoplastic process that could support this hypothesis. The extended detection of autoantibodies is extremely useful in establishing the subset of SSc. Thus, anti-Scl70 antibodies are specific for the diffuse subset of SSc, while anticentromere antibodies (ACAs) have specificity for a limited subset. However, studies have shown the existence of cases of diffuse SSc having high titers of ACAs and cases of limited SSc with high titers of anti-Scl70 antibodies. This indicates an inconsistent association between the disease subset and the autoantibodies specific to each subset. Our study found a more balanced consistency between disease subsets and autoantibodies specific for each subset. Therefore, the percentages of patients having an immunological profile inconsistent with the subset of SSc, are lower than those found by other authors. This observation opens the perspective of larger studies on the immunological profile in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Bobeica
- Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunărea de Jos’ University of Galați, 800216 Galați, Romania
| | - Elena Niculet
- Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunărea de Jos’ University of Galați, 800216 Galați, Romania
| | - Alina Ioana Halip
- Department of Dermato-Venereology, Doctoral School of ‘Gr. T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Laura Gheuca-Solovastru
- Department of Clinical Dermato-Venereology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Gr. T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Miruna Luminita Draganescu
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunărea de Jos’ University of Galați, 800216 Galați, Romania
| | - Ioana Adriana Popescu
- Department of Dermato-Venereology, Doctoral School of ‘Gr. T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Cristian Onisor
- Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunărea de Jos’ University of Galați, 800216 Galați, Romania
| | - Silvia Chirobocea
- Department of Neurology, Municipal Emergency Hospital, 605400 Moinești, Romania
| | - Mihaela Lungu
- Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunărea de Jos’ University of Galați, 800216 Galați, Romania
| | - Mihaela Craescu
- Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunărea de Jos’ University of Galați, 800216 Galați, Romania
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Bobeică C, Tatu AL, Crăescu M, Solovăstru L. Dynamics of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:61-67. [PMID: 32508995 PMCID: PMC7271728 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a collagenosis with insufficiently known etiopathogenesis,
characterized by microvasculopathy and excessive fibrosis in the context of an autoimmune
disorder. The incompletely elucidated pathogenesis and limited therapeutic options,
disabling aspects, skin lesions and pain determine important functional and psychological
deficiencies which affect the quality of life. It is imperative to observe and correlate
individual clinical and paraclinical data to optimize disease management. A group of 22
patients diagnosed with SSc, hospitalized in a university clinic in Bucharest was included
in an observational study. The evolution of digital ulcers was evaluated as an indicator
of vasculopathy and their status and dynamics were correlated with clinical elements
reflecting the fibrotic aspect of the disease. The present study shows that the Raynaud
phenomenon is almost always present during the course of the disease, but its presence is
not always associated with digital ulcers. The existing data in the literature show that
fibrosis is subsequent to vasculopathy, but this study did not reveal causality between
these two aspects of pathogenesis. The presence of microstomia and digital contracture was
identified in the presence of digital ulcers, but also in their absence. The
etiopathogenic mechanisms with multiple unknown involved factors open the opportunity to
investigate many aspects of SSc for optimal aiming of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Bobeică
- Department of Dermato-Venereology, Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy 'Gr. T. Popa' Iaşi, 700115 Iaşi, Romania.,Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, 'Dunărea de Jos' University of Galaţi, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 800216 Galaţi, Romania
| | - Alin Laurențiu Tatu
- Department of Clinical Dermato-Venereology, 'Dunărea de Jos' University of Galaţi, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ReForm UDJ, 800216 Galaţi, Romania.,Department of Clinical Dermato-Venereology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy 'Gr. T. Popa', Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iaşi, Romania
| | - Mihaela Crăescu
- Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, 'Dunărea de Jos' University of Galaţi, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 800216 Galaţi, Romania.,Department of Clinical Radiotherapy, 'Sf. Ap. Andrei' Emergency Clinical Hospital of Galaţi, 800578 Galaţi; , Romania
| | - Laura Solovăstru
- Department of Clinical Dermato-Venereology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy 'Gr. T. Popa', Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iaşi, Romania.,Department of Clinical Dermato-Venereology, 'Sf. Spiridon' Emergency Clinical Hospital of Iaşi, 700111 Iaşi, Romania
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Boda D, Dehelean C. Immuno-dermatological processes involved in chronic skin diseases: Highlights of the Second Conference of the Romanian Society for Immuno-Dermatology, Bucharest, September, 2018. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:873-874. [PMID: 31384316 PMCID: PMC6639975 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Boda
- Dermatology Research Laboratory, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristina Dehelean
- Faculty of Farmacy, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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