Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Tumor Necrosis is Associated with an Increased Metastatic and Cardiovascular Risk in Paragangliomas: A Single-Center Series and Meta-Analysis Comparing Necrosis and Cystic Degeneration in Paragangliomas

Abstract Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neural crest–derived tumors with highly variable morphology and clinical behavior. These tumors can present with cystic and necrotic alterations that may influence the clinical presentation of affected patients. However, prevalence and clin...

Selective Neuronal Vulnerability to Alpha-Synuclein Pathology in Parkinson’s Disease: A Critical Review of Mechanistic Rationale and Biomarker Stratification

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) exhibits remarkable clinical heterogeneity, with substantial variability in motor progression, cognitive decline, and the development of non-motor manifestations. Although the propagation of pathological alpha-synuclein is considered a central...

Environmental Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Periurban Vineyard Area (North-Eastern Romania) Within the Context of Residential Area Expansion

This study evaluated potentially toxic element (PTEs) contamination (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soil and grapevine leaves across 36 sites in a historical vineyard near Iași, Romania, transitioning toward residential development. Soil samples were analyzed using energy...

Spiritual Well-Being as a Patient-Reported Assessment Dimension in Advanced Cancer: Clinical Validation and Quality-of-Life Implications

Background: In advanced cancer care, routine clinical assessment often focuses on symptoms, treatment tolerance, and disease status, while spiritual well-being remains insufficiently explored despite its relevance to quality of life (QoL). Standardized patient-reported tools may...

A New Cosmeceutical Approach for Mature Skin: Antioxidant Activity, In Vitro Permeation, and Preliminary Clinical Efficacy of Melatonin–N-Acetylcysteine Creams

Skin ageing is associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, extracellular matrix alterations, and impaired barrier function, supporting interest in antioxidant cosmeceuticals for mature skin. This study investigated the antioxidant activity of melatonin and N-acet...

The Benefits of Non-Pharmaceutic Interventions on Intrinsic Capacity in Insulin-Resistant Adult and Geriatric Populations—A Narrative Review

Insulin resistance (IR) is a well-established metabolic disorder characterized by reduced responsiveness of peripheral tissues to insulin, leading to hyperglycemia and compensatory hyperinsulinemia. Background: In older adults, IR tends to develop gradually and may remain undiagn...

Integrating Kidney Imaging for Risk Prediction, Therapeutic Monitoring, and Prognostication Across the Kidney Disease Spectrum: A Review of Emerging Evidence

Abstract Kidney imaging advances are transforming the field of nephrology by allowing non-invasive examination of renal structure, function, and pathology. Traditional measures such as albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are only partially effective in ide...

Integrated Analysis of Zinc, Copper, and Magnesium Homeostasis in Pediatric Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study with Serial Clinical Evaluation

Background: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) in children is characterized by urinary protein loss and potential disruptions in trace element homeostasis. The dynamic changes in zinc, copper, and magnesium levels in relation to disease activity remain incompletely defined. Objec...

Salivary Dysfunction in Primary and Secondary Sjögren’s Syndrome: Functional Assessment and the Exploratory Role of Salivary Microcrystallization

Background: Salivary gland dysfunction is a central manifestation of Sjögren’s syndrome, but the relationship between quantitative salivary impairment and salivary microcrystallization remains insufficiently defined. This study aimed to assess unstimulated and stimulated whole sa...

Maternal Cardiovascular Phenotype in Fetal Growth Restriction with or Without Pre-Eclampsia: Insights from Echocardiography and Clinical Implications

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) has traditionally been attributed to placental insufficiency. However, accumulating evidence suggests that maternal cardiovascular maladaptation contributes to disease expression, clinical heterogeneity, and long-term maternal cardiovascular risk. T...