Publications by authors named "Elena Rusu"

The human gastrointestinal tract is home to a wide variety of microorganisms. For some decades now, bacteria known as probiotics have been added to various foods because of their beneficial effects for human health. Evidence indicates that probiotics significantly regulate gut microbiota, which is vital for digestion, metabolism, immune function, and mental health.

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Background: Alport syndrome (AS) is one of the most common monogenic kidney disorders. Recent studies have highlighted the modifier effect of variants involving podocyte and non-collagenous extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in AS.

Methods: We report a case series of eight patients with genetically proven AS and simultaneous variants involving podocyte and non-collagenous ECM proteins.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Steatohepatitis (MASH) are common in patients undergoing bariatric surgery, and understanding their effects on weight loss is crucial for better patient care and long-term success post-surgery.
  • - A systematic review analyzed 22 studies out of 1126, finding that while MASLD doesn't significantly impact BMI changes at 12 months, MASH patients, particularly those who had Sleeve Gastrectomy, showed lower weight loss.
  • - The study highlights the need for standardized reporting and complete data availability in future research to improve the reliability of weight loss outcomes in bariatric surgery patients.
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Background: Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) present potential beneficial effects that could offer valuable insights into metabolic and inflammatory diseases. However, few FAHFAs have been studied, and their role is unclear.

Aims: To assess FAHFA levels in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) associated with morbid obesity (MO) to explore the potential significance of FAHFAs under these conditions.

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The tumour microenvironment (TME) significantly influences tumour formation and progression through dynamic interactions. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a highly desmoplastic tumour, lacks early diagnostic biomarkers and has limited effective treatments owing to incomplete understanding of its molecular pathogenesis. Investigating the role of the TME in CCA progression could lead to better therapies.

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In this study, we aimed to evaluate circulating proteomic levels in women with morbid obesity (MO) compared to normal-weight (NW) women. Moreover, we have compared the proteomic profile between women with metabolically healthy (MH) MO and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study included 66 normal-weight (NW) women and 129 women with MO (54 MH and 75 with T2DM).

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Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked rare disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene. Women with FD have been less enrolled in studies and less treated compared with men. The aim of the present study is to describe the complete phenotype of the women cohort with FD diagnosed and evaluated in Romania and compare it to the male population.

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Background: Cardiac involvement in Fabry disease (FD) usually manifests as a concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with rare cases developing left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO), symptoms varying from fatigue and exercise associated dyspnoea to angina or arrhythmias.

Case Summary: We present the case of a 54-year-old man with cardiovascular risk factors and aggravated exertional dyspnoea in the past year, in whom the echocardiography showed hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Cardiac magnetic resonance was used as differential diagnosis tool between sarcomeric HOCM and other phenocopies, suggesting a cardiac involvement of FD.

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Background And Aims: The rise in obesity highlights the need for improved therapeutic strategies, particularly in addressing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We aim to assess the role of tryptophan metabolic pathways in the pathogenesis of obesity and in the different histological stages of MASLD.

Materials And Methods: We used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography to quantify circulating levels of 15 tryptophan-related metabolites from the kynurenine, indole and serotonin pathways.

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Background: Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) with intercalating dyes is one of the main techniques to assess gene expression levels used in basic and applied research as well as in diagnostics. However, primer design for RT-qPCR can be complex due to the high demands on primer quality. Primers are best placed on exon junctions, should avoid polymorphic regions, be specific to the target transcripts and also prevent genomic amplification accurately, among others.

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Background: Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC), characterized by lingering symptoms post-acute COVID-19, poses clinical challenges, highlighting the need to understand its underlying molecular mechanisms. This meta-analysis aims to shed light on the transcriptomic landscapes and sex-specific molecular dynamics intrinsic to PCC.

Methods: A systematic review identified three studies suitable for comprehensive meta-analysis, encompassing 135 samples (57 PCC subjects and 78 recovered subjects).

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Background: There is a lack of noninvasive diagnostic methods for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the severe condition of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Platelet activation, evaluated through certain related parameters, is associated with liver disease and inflammation, but previous results are inconclusive.

Aim: To investigate the potential utility of platelet-related indices as noninvasive diagnostic markers for the detection and prediction of MASLD, focusing on NASH.

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Viral hepatitis continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but the burden has significantly diminished thanks to the large-scale use of vaccines and antivirals. However, there are still challenges regarding viral hepatitis management, especially when more than one pathogenic agent is involved. We present the case of a 45-year-old woman who had a simultaneous infection involving three hepatitis viruses: HAV, HBV, and HEV.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder linked to the alpha-galactosidase gene, and while it can be managed with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), understanding FN's molecular roots is essential for identifying biomarkers and drug targets.
  • - The study involved RNA sequencing of biopsies from two cohorts of Fabry nephropathy patients and control individuals, revealing significant differences in gene expression associated with the disease and its response to ERT over time.
  • - Despite some positive responses to early ERT—especially in gene expression patterns—many biological pathways, particularly in glomeruli and arteries, remained altered, leading to the identification of 69 potential drug repurposing candidates as adjunct treatments.
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Myoelectric exoprostheses serve to aid in the everyday activities of patients with forearm or hand amputations. While electrical signals are known key factors controlling exoprosthesis, little is known about how we can improve their transmission strength from the forearm muscles as to obtain better sEMG. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of the forearm fascial layer in transmitting myoelectrical current.

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Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a lifesaving procedure for advanced gonarthrosis. However, patella resurfacing (PR) in TKA remains a controversial procedure, leading to extensive discussions amongst orthopedic surgeons, regarding its indications and results. Based on these premises, we present a clinical case of a 70-year-old Caucasian woman admitted for pain, swelling and limitation of left knee joint mobility.

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Background: Hemorrhoidal disease (HD) is considered a low-severity pathology by both general population and physicians, but the lengthy conservative therapy and postoperative complications suggest otherwise.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of different treatment options, both conservative and surgical, in contrast with some preexisting comorbidities.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, 10-yearlong study between January 2011 and December 2021 in two surgical centers, a private and a state-owned hospital.

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Article Synopsis
  • Porto-mesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT) is a serious but uncommon complication following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), which is a popular surgery for weight loss and managing obesity-related health issues.
  • The study aims to evaluate the necessity of routine thrombophilia testing and whether to lengthen chemoprophylaxis beyond three weeks for all bariatric patients to prevent PMVT.
  • Researchers also seek to identify potential risk factors for PMVT and provide an updated management and prevention protocol for this complication in bariatric surgery patients.
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The number of cancer drugs is increasing as new chemical entities are developed to target molecules, often protein kinases, driving cancer progression. In 2009, Fedorov et al. identified that of the protein kinases in the human kinome, most of the focus has been on a small subset.

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(1) Background: Resorbable Mg-based implants represent a new direction in orthopedic surgery but have some drawbacks, such as their rapid biodegradation and increased rate of corrosion. Some in vitro studies hypothesized that tissue necrosis, incision dehiscence, risk of gas embolization in vital organs, interference with coagulation processes, and trophocyte viability impairment can occur. (2) Methods: We conducted an in vivo study on ten rabbit cases, in two groups; group one, consisting of six cases, received cylindrical implants of Mg-1Ca alloy in tibial intramedullary bone tissue.

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Propofol sedation for advanced endoscopic procedures is a widespread technique at present, which generates controversy worldwide when anaesthetic or non-anaesthetic personnel administer this form of sedation. There is some evidence for safe administered propofol sedation by non-anaesthetic personnel in patients undergoing endoscopy procedures, but there are only few randomised trials addressing the safety and efficacy of propofol in patients undergoing advanced procedures. A serious possible consequence of propofol sedation is the rapid and unpredictable progression from deep sedation to general anaesthesia mostly when elderly and frail patients are involved in the diagnosis or treatment of various neoplasia.

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Magnesium orotate has been cited in the medical literature for the past three years as a possible adjuvant in some pediatric and adult gastroenterological disorders associated with dysbiosis. Studies also focus on the possibility of adding magnesium orotate in psychiatric disorders' treatment, such as major depression and anxiety. The most relevant element in these studies is the efficiency of magnesium orotate therapy in cases with both gastroenterological and psychiatric symptoms.

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The present study was a multicenter, analytical, nonrandomized research on 108 cases of intraoperative vascular and bile duct lesions during laparoscopic cholecystectomies. We selected these cases from 16,559 cholecystectomies performed entirely laparoscopically or debuted laparoscopically and converted to an open approach. The study included two surgical centers labeled as primary, with extensive experience in hepato-biliary reconstructive surgery, and four other centers labeled as secondary that referred cases to the previous two.

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Sepsis is a clinical syndrome defined by the presence of infection and systemic inflammatory response to infection and results from a complex interaction between the host and infectious agents. It is characterized by the activation of multiple inflammatory pathways, with an increased risk of mortality. The incidence of sepsis has been on an ever-increasing pathway in recent years.

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