Category Archives: Number

Oligosymptomatic form of Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome possibly triggered by COVID-19 infection: A case report

Nisada Đuzelić1, Nina Čamdžić2, Dževad Durmišević3, Amir Rekić4, Selma Hodžić4, Asja Prohić5

1. Cantonal Hospital “Dr. Irfan Ljubijankić”, Department of Dermatovenerology, Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Cantonal Hospital “Dr. Irfan Ljubijankić”, Department of Pathology, Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. Cantonal Hospital “Dr. Irfan Ljubijankić”, Department for Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina
5. Department of Dermatovenerology, Sarajevo Medical School, University of Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2024-0004

Introduction: Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a disease of multifactorial origin typically presented with a triad of symptoms including peripheral facial nerve paralysis, plicated tongue and orofacial edema. Diagnosing MRS requires the exclusion of other granulomatous diseases and the correlation of clinical with histopathological finding.
Case presentation: We present the case of a 56-year-old female with a four-month history of lower lip and right mandible angle swelling together with a plicated tongue that appeared during COVID-19 infection. The patient was successfully treated with intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide at a dose of 40 mg.
Conclusion: The presented case is specific by its late onset since the patient experienced their first symptoms in fifties, which differs from the majority of cases where the diagnosis is usually established in young adults. Infectious factors are established as possible etiologic factors of MRS, but few cases are described to be triggered or worsened by COVID-19 infection.

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Biological profiles of Q. cerris, Q. dalechampii, and Q. robur bark extracts: A characterization study

Adrian Nisca1, Sanziana Sisea2, Nastaca Alina Coman1, Mihai Babota3, Oleg Frumuzachi3, Corneliu Tanase2,4

1. Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
2. Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
3. Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
4. Research Center of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania.

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2024-0003

Objective: The main objective of the present study was to characterize the extracts obtained from the bark of three oak species in order to assess their use in potential cosmetic products.
Methods: The extracts were obtained from the oak barks (periderm and rhytidome) using ultrasound-assisted extraction. The total polyphenolic content was assessed afterward, using the Folin–Ciocâlteu method, while the antioxidant capacity was determined using methods based on the neutralization of the 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals. To assess the tyrosinase inhibitory effect, a protocol using L–DOPA as the substrate of the enzyme was employed.
Results: The extracts presented high levels of polyphenolic compounds, with Q. cerris having the highest content. Because of the high concentration of the extracts in polyphenolic compounds, they revealed a great reducing capacity against both DPPH and ABTS radicals, but unfortunately the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the tested extracts was very weak compared to the positive control.
Conclusions: The extracts may have beneficial effects when used in cosmetic products because of the antioxidant effects, but more studies must be conducted for the determination of the main phytochemical compounds comprised in the extracts and their correlation to the biological effects.

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Smart science: How artificial intelligence is revolutionizing pharmaceutical medicine

Swapna B V1, Shibani Shetty2, Manjunath Shetty3, Smitha Sammith Shetty4

1. Department of Prosthodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
2. Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, MR Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital. Bangalore, Karnataka, India
3. Division of Pharmacology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
4. Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2024-0002

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a discipline within the field of computer science that encompasses the development and utilization of machines capable of emulating human behavior, particularly regarding the astute examination and interpretation of data. AI operates through the utilization of specialized algorithms, and it includes techniques such as deep (DL), and machine learning (ML), and natural language processing (NLP). As a result, AI has found its application in the study of pharmaceutical chemistry and healthcare. The AI models employed encompass a spectrum of methodologies, including unsupervised clustering techniques applied to drugs or patients to discern potential drug compounds or appropriate patient cohorts. Additionally, supervised ML methodologies are utilized to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic drug monitoring. Further, AI-aided prediction of the clinical outcomes of clinical trials can improve efficiency by prioritizing therapeutic intervention that are likely to succeed, hence benefiting the patient. AI may also help create personalized treatments by locating potential intervention targets and assessing their efficacy. Hence, this review provides insights into recent advances in the application of AI and different tools used in the field of pharmaceutical medicine.

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Nucleostemin and p-STAT3 as early diagnostic potential markers in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Selvaraj Jayaraman, Vishnu Priya Veeraraghavan

Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai-600077, India

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2023-0050

Oral cancer is considered the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide, out of which India contributes to about one-third of the total cases [1]. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most dominant of all oral cancer cases and may develop from a potentially malignant disorder with a detectable pre-clinical phase. The primary causes of OSCC include tobacco consumption that involves smokeless tobacco, chewing of betel-quid and excessive consumption of alcohol, unhygienic oral practices, periodontal diseases, and sustained viral infections caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) [2]. Instead of these traditional risk factors (alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking), oncogenic HPV is found to be the main causative factor for the increasing incidence of OSCC. Furthermore, HPV etiology is linked to increased survival following conventional treatments. [More]

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Maternal sepsis – challenges in diagnosis and management: A mini-summary of the literature

Mihaela Alexandra Budianu1, Andrada Ioana Crişan1, Septimiu Voidăzan2

1. Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania
2. Department of Epidemiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2024-0001

Sepsis is still one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, being the third most common cause of maternal death, after hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Maternal sepsis may appear due to obstetric causes such as: chorioamnionitis, endometritis, abortion-related uterine infections, and wound infections. For non-obstetric causes of maternal sepsis, the most common are urinary tract infections and respiratory tract infections. This mini summary presents the challenges in early diagnosis and prompt management, caused by pregnancy physiological changes. Physiological alterations during pregnancy, like an increase in white cell count, heart rate, and respiratory rate, associated with a decrease in blood pressure are also known signs of infection, making the diagnosis of sepsis during pregnancy more difficult. The three pillars of sepsis treatment are early antibiotics, vital organ support and fluid therapy, the last one being controversial. A more restrictive approach for fluid resuscitation could be more suitable for pregnant women, considering the risk of fluid overload and pulmonary edema. Criteria for early recognition and appropriate management customized for maternal sepsis are mandatory.

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Non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) in Mureș County, Romania: Incidence and impact of reclassification over a six-year period (2016-2021)

Adela Nechifor-Boilă, Ancuța Cota, Emoke-Andrea Szasz, Ramona Cătană, Angela Borda

Department of Histology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2023-0048

Objective: In 2016 a group of expert endocrine pathologists proposed a new terminology, NIFTP (Non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features) for a histological subtype of thyroid carcinoma (encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, non-invasive type). In this study, we aimed to assess on a retrospective basis the epidemiological trend and overall incidence of NIFTP in Mureș county, Romania, over a six-year period (2016-2021).
Methods: All NIFTPs registered between 2016-2021 in Târgu-Mureş Pathology Departments were reevaluated. NIFTP’s incidence was calculated by dividing the number of NIFTPs with the number of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). Further on, we compared NIFTP’s incidence between 2016-2018 with NIFTP’s incidence between 2019-2021, as the diagnostic criteria of NIFTP were revised in 2018.
Results: Forty-six cases of NIFTP were registered in our departments between 2016-2021, resulting in an overall NIFTP incidence of 17.9 % [CI (95%): 7.6-32.5] among the 257 PTCs. When we compared the NIFTP’ incidence between the two study periods (2016-2018 versus 2019-2021), our data revealed that the NIFTP’s overall incidence has dropped from 21.4 % [CI (95%): -14.5-60.1] to 15% [CI (95%): -8.2-43] in the second evaluated period (p=0.034).
Conclusion: The overall NIFTP incidence was low in our departments between 2016-2021. Moreover, NIFTP’s incidence decreased after 2018, following revision of the diagnostic criteria. Our results highlight that very stringent morphologic criteria need to be apply when making a diagnosis of NIFTP, in order to avoid a misdiagnosis and/or an overtreatment of a tumor with indolent behavior.

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Determination of isohydrafural and methyluracil in ear drops by high performance liquid chromatography

Livia Uncu

Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry; Scientific Center of Medicines “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2023-0049

Objective: The aim of current study was the development and validation of a reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the quantitative determination of two active ingredients, isohydrafural (IHF) and methyluracil (MU) in fixed dose combination ear drops.
Methods: An efficient separation of the two compounds was achieved on a Teknokroma C1 5μm (150*4,6mm) column, with a methanol: water 60:40 (V: V) mobile phase, at 300C temperature and 0.6 mL/min flow-rate. The total analysis time was 5.5 min.
Result: The verified validation parameters were: linearity, selectivity, specificity, precision (repeatability and reproducibility), robustness, limit of detection and quantification.
Conclusions: Good separation and lack of interference from other chromatographic peaks, rapidanalysis times were obtained. The newly developed chromatographic method can be applied for the analysis of fixed dose combination ear drops with isohydrafural and methyluracil.

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Packed cell volume and its relation to obesity, gender and smoking status

Bushra Khairuddin Abdulqader

Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2023-0047

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the packed cell volume (PCV) correlation with body mass index, body fat percentage, also differences between genders and smokers & non-smokers, among Iraqi students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 112 healthy individuals (from which 52.7% were males), aged between 18-23 years old, in December 2022. A short informative history was taken through a questionnaire, anthropometric measures were taken to calculate body mass index and body fat percentage, and the determination of packed cell volume was done by the Microhematocrit method.
Results: Packed cell volume among males was higher 47.45±3.409% than for females 39.90±3.169%, with a difference statistically significant (p=0.000), also the correlation of PCV revealed direct significance with body mass index (p=0.011) and indirect statistically significant with body fat percentage (p=0.000). The prevalence rate of smoking was 13.4% and the level of PCV among smokers was 46.80±6.085%, significantly higher (p=0.015) than among non-smokers 43.43±4.702%.
Conclusion: Packed cell volume showed a direct correlation with body mass index, an inverse one with the body fat percentage, and was significantly higher among young smokers, emphasising the idea that this parameter can help to evaluate the health risk and to be included in preventive programs and assessment protocols.

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The outcome in critically ill patients admitted for thoracic trauma – A single center analysis over one year

Oana Elena Branea1, Konrád Ottó Kiss2, Mihai Pui2, Vlad Dimitrie Cehan2, Oana Frandes2, Anca Gabriela Vlad2, Ioan Alexandru Branea3, Andrei Cristian Fulop4, Monica Chis5, Alexandra Elena Lazar1

1. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
2. Clinic of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Targu Mures, Romania
3. Emergency Medicine Department, Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Targu Mures, Romania
4. Clinic of Radiology, Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Targu Mures, Romania
5. Rheumatology Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2023-0046

Objective: The main objective of the current study was to examine the outcome of critically ill patients in relation to clinical and thoracic injuries. The secondary objectives were to assess the role of CT in the evaluation of the diaphragm and to provide an analysis of prognostic abilities with respect to diaphragm changes.
Methods: This single-center retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in the ICU of Târgu Mureș County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Romania. This study identified 52 critically ill blunted or penetrating chest trauma patients admitted to the ICU from 01 January 2021 to 31 December 2021. CT scan was used to identify thorax injuries and diaphragm thickness. The outcome of all patients was analyzed.
Results: Most of the patients experienced traffic accidents (44.23%) or falls (26.93%). The predominant characteristics associated with chest trauma were rib fractures (92.30%), lung contusions (63.50%), and pneumothorax (53.80%). The most common injury seen in the study was rib fractures, accounting for 92.30% of cases. This was followed by lung contusions, which were present in 63.50% of patients, and pneumothorax, which occurred in 53.80% of cases. It was examined ROC AUC for thickness of the right and the left diaphragm and severity scores. When assessing the thickness of the diaphragm in deceased and survivors, no statistically significant differences were found.
Conclusion: Although no significant differences were found regarding the prognosis between the survivors and the deceased, diaphragm thickness might potentially serve as a predictor for the severity of the injury.

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