Lorena Filip

Background: Walnut (Juglans regia L.) processing generates polyphenol-rich by-products, including the septum (WS) and pellicle (WP). This study comparatively characterized the phytochemical composition of WS and WP from Romania and investigated their antioxidant and preliminary immunomodulatory properties using chemical, computational, and cell-based approaches. Methods: Extracts were characterized by targeted LC–QTOF–MS/MS, and antioxidant capacity was evaluated using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Major phenolic compounds were docked against Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), followed by 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations. Cytocompatibility was evaluated in Caco-2, Jurkat, and THP-1 cells, and cellular antioxidant activity was assessed in H₂O₂-stimulated Caco-2 cells using the DCFH-DA assay. Immunomodulatory potential was investigated following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of the same cell lines. Results: WSLE contained 25 quantified compounds, with ellagic acid, catechin, procyanidins, and quercitrin among the major quantified constituents, whereas WP contained 13, with higher ellagic acid, gallic acid, and castalagin levels. WPE showed greater cell-free antioxidant capacity, while both extracts attenuated the H₂O₂-induced increase in intracellular DCF fluorescence in Caco-2 cells. Simulations suggested favorable KEAP1 interactions, with quercitrin and catechin predicted to form the most stable complexes. LPS induced an insufficient cytokine response in Caco-2 and Jurkat cells. In THP-1 cells, IL-8 was the only responsive marker, and both extracts reduced its LPS-induced secretion. Conclusions: The extracts showed distinct polyphenolic profiles and redox-related cellular activity. Their effects on IL-8 secretion in THP-1 cells and predicted KEAP1 binding are preliminary and hypothesis-generating; Nrf2 activation was not measured, and validation in physiologically relevant in vivo and clinical models is required to establish the biological relevance and potential applications of these extracts.

Background: The shift toward oral targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in oncology has introduced pharmacokinetic variability driven by food–drug interactions (FDIs), which can cause therapeutic failure or increased toxicity. Areas of Uncertainty: FDI effects depend on drug composition and food-intake timing. Evidence for traditional antineoplastic drugs is well documented, but data on newer targeted therapies and on diet-mediated or microbiome-mediated modulation of ICI efficacy remain inconsistent—dietary fiber and probiotic supplementation, for example, appear associated with divergent clinical outcomes. The role of high-dose antioxidant supplementation during cytotoxic therapy also requires further study. Data Sources: A structured search of Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase (through July 2026) informed this narrative review of pharmacokinetic mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and management strategies for the concomitant use of food, dietary supplements, and antineoplastic drugs. Results: Food can alter oral antineoplastic drug bioavailability through changes in gastric pH, cytochrome P450 (CYP) modulation, and efflux-transporter inhibition (eg, P-glycoprotein). High-fat meals increase exposure to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as lapatinib and abiraterone, while newer agents (sotorasib and lorlatinib) show different food-interaction profiles. ICI efficacy correlates with gut microbiome composition, modulated by dietary fiber and short-chain fatty acid production. High-dose antioxidant supplementation during cytotoxic therapy may compromise treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Food–drug interactions are an increasingly important clinical concern in modern oncology. Pharmacokinetic interactions mediated by gastric pH, CYP3A4, and P-glycoprotein transport are well supported by clinical data and already inform drug labeling, whereas diet–microbiome–immunotherapy associations remain less mature and should be regarded as hypothesis generating. Structured, multidisciplinary management—periodic regimen review, patient education, decision algorithms, and therapeutic drug monitoring—can mitigate established risks, while prospective studies are still needed before diet-based and microbiome-based interventions can be considered clinically actionable.

Phenylpropenes are a significant category of plant volatile compounds that play a crucial role in enhancing the flavor of a variety of herbs and spices. They are a subclass of phenylpropanoid compounds, being important constituents in several plant species like basil, clove, cinnamon, anise, sassafras, nutmeg, and fennel. The most common molecules from the phenylpropene group are represented by anethole, chavicol, cinnamaldehyde, estragole, eugenol, myristicin (methoxy-safrole), and safrole. Beyond their culinary and cosmetic applications, phenylpropenes have been found to have multiple pharmacological effects, including being antimicrobial, antitumoral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and hypolipemic. This review is focused on the presentation of the latest scientific data resulting mainly from preclinical in vivo and in vitro studies which investigated the pharmacological effects of phenylpropenes, highlighting also the potential health benefits of phenylpropenes in several infectious, inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Mechanistic aspects regarding their biological effects and additional safety data are also reviewed.

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that have continuously attracted research interest, both for their potential negative effects on animal and human health and for the economic losses they entail. Studies assessing exposure to mycotoxins have become increasingly widespread. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of mycotoxins and to evaluate the evolution of research on monitoring mycotoxin exposure using human urine samples, concerning analytical techniques and occurrence. Studies published in English over the last 25 years from four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus) were analyzed. Evaluating 73 original articles, a constant interest in the analysis of ochratoxin A in human urine samples could be observed (maximum level 148 ng/mL), a fact also justified by its demonstrated toxicity. The most commonly used analytical technique to evaluate mycotoxin presence in human urine was liquid chromatography coupled with high-performance detectors. The limitations of the review include the large period covered and the lack of mycotoxin concentrations expressed in ng biomarker/mL urine in some articles. Finally, an overview of how mycotoxin levels in human urine can be applied to mycotoxin exposure risk assessment was included.

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial chronic disease characterized by excessive and/or aberrant adiposity that requires interventions beyond conventional calorie-restriction models. Current clinical guidelines converge on behavioral modification, encompassing nutritional therapy, physical activity, stress reduction, and sleep improvement, as the cornerstone of obesity management, with psychological therapy, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric procedures as adjunctive or escalating options. While traditional “one-size-fits-all” dietary approaches frequently yield suboptimal long-term outcomes, precision nutrition has emerged as a promising strategy for individualized obesity care. This review critically appraises the evidence underlying each pillar of precision nutrition: genetic profiling shows clear utility in monogenic obesity but variable benefit when diet is matched to common polygenic variants; microbiome-targeted studies reveal that the Bacillota to Bacteroidota ratio shows inconsistent associations with obesity across studies, with genus-level and functional alterations offering more reproducible targets; and metabolomic profiling of postprandial glycemic responses has progressed from foundational predictive algorithms to large-scale clinical validation. It also highlights chrono-nutrition, the alignment of food timing with individual chronotype, as an emerging pillar of personalization. Beyond dietary composition, the review addresses how personalized nutrition can mitigate the adverse effects of incretin-based pharmacotherapy and discusses how artificial intelligence can integrate multi-omics and behavioral data into real-time dietary guidance. Future clinical implementation will require overcoming challenges related to data integration, predictive accuracy, and accessibility, paving the way for more effective, evidence-based obesity management.

Background: Vaccinium berries are rich in polyphenolic compounds with recognized health properties; however, studies integrating phytochemical characterization with functional cellular assays remain limited. This study comparatively evaluated wild (Vaccinium myrtillus L., VM) and cultivated blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L., VC) using phytochemical profiling alongside in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity testing. Six samples from Romanian regions were extracted using ultrasound-assisted methods, then analyzed for total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC). Anthocyanins were further characterized by LC–MS/MS. The most bioactive extracts were tested for cytocompatibility, intracellular ROS modulation in Caco-2 cells, and anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. VM extracts showed higher total phenolic, anthocyanin contents, and antioxidant capacity than VC, with LC–MS/MS confirming a richer anthocyanin profile and differences in other phenolic compounds. Both extracts significantly reduced intracellular ROS in H₂O₂-stimulated Caco-2 cells and decreased IL-8 secretion in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells, with a more pronounced dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect for VM. These findings demonstrate that phytochemical differences between wild and cultivated Vaccinium species translate into distinct biological activities at the cellular level. The integrated approach provides a mechanistic link between composition and function, supporting the superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of VM and its relevance for functional food and nutraceutical applications.

The identity of oregano used as a medicinal plant and culinary spice remains controversial due to frequent confusion between Origanum vulgare L., native to the spontaneous flora of Romania (mainly subsp. vulgare), and chemically distinct oregano taxa commercially marketed under the generic name “oregano”, often associated with phenolic-rich chemotypes attributed to O. vulgare subsp. hirtum (Link) A.Terracc. The present study aimed to clarify the morphological and chemotaxonomic differences between wild Romanian populations of O. vulgare and commercially available oregano-type plant material, using authenticated O. vulgare subsp. hirtum as a comparative reference. Comparative botanical analysis was performed on wild and cultivated material, followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) screening and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation. Morphological examination revealed stable differences between wild O. vulgare subsp. vulgare and commercially sourced material in stem habit, leaf morphology, inflorescence structure, corolla coloration, and aroma. TLC screening showed the absence of phenolic derivatives in extracts from wild O. vulgare subsp. vulgare and authenticated O. vulgare subsp. hirtum, while intense thymol-related zones were detected exclusively in plants derived from commercial seeds labeled as O. vulgare. GC–MS analysis confirmed these findings, demonstrating the absence of phenolic monoterpenes in wild populations and their high abundance, particularly thymol and carvacrol, in commercial samples. These results highlight significant discrepancies between authentic wild oregano and commercially marketed plant material, emphasizing the need for rigorous botanical authentication in ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological research.

Background/Objectives: Mycotoxin contamination in grain-derived foods is still a major food safety concern; thus, innovative mitigation approaches need to be continuously developed. This study investigated the influence of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) incorporated into a food matrix on ochratoxin A (OTA)-induced cellular responses using a dietary-relevant in vitro intestinal model. Methods: Four bread types were prepared: control (C), OTA-contaminated (OTA), bilberry-enriched (VM), and OTA + VM (OTA-VM). Simulated intestinal digests of these breads were applied to differentiated Caco-2 cells for 24 h. Apoptotic and necrotic cell populations, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, were quantified by flow cytometry, while RT-qPCR assessed the expression of 10 genes related to mitochondrial function, oxidative stress response, and intestinal barrier integrity. Results: Exposure to OTA resulted in increased cytotoxicity, reflected by a higher proportion of necrotic cells (5.11 ± 0.35%), and elevated ROS levels compared with control cells. Co-exposure to bilberry-enriched digests was associated with attenuation of apoptotic responses, a reduced proportion of necrotic cells (2.16 ± 0.61%) and a 16% decrease in ROS levels. Gene expression profiles in the VM group were comparable to control, whereas OTA exposure led to downregulation of several genes related to oxidative stress response and intestinal barrier integrity (e.g., CLDN2, OCLN, SLC7A11). In the OTA-VM group, a partial recovery of gene expression was observed. Conclusions: These findings suggest that bilberry incorporation into a food matrix may modulate OTA-induced cellular stress responses by attenuating oxidative imbalance and supporting the expression of genes associated with antioxidant defense and epithelial barrier integrity. Bilberries may therefore represent a promising functional ingredient for influencing intestinal cellular responses to dietary mycotoxin exposure.

The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current literature on Adams–Oliver syndrome (AOS), synthesizing information on its clinical features, genetic and molecular underpinnings, nutritional aspects, and key nursing care considerations. AOS is a rare congenital disorder. Its genetic basis is heterogeneous, involving mutations in at least six key genes (ARHGAP31, RBPJ, NOTCH1, DLL4, DOCK6, and EOGT), which primarily affect vascular development through pathways like Notch signaling and Rho GTPase regulation. The management of AOS is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. The clinical presentation of AOS is highly variable, ranging from mild to severe and includes a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, most notably aplasia cutis congenita and terminal transverse limb defects. The underlying molecular mechanisms predominantly point towards vasculopathy, disrupting embryonic development. Emerging evidence also highlights the presence of nutritional issues, such as poor feeding and growth failure, which are often overlooked. Management demands an integrated, multidisciplinary management approach, requiring coordinated effort from specialists in pediatrics, genetics, molecular biology, cardiology, surgery, and nutrition. Specialized nursing care is crucial for managing complex symptoms, particularly wound care for aplasia cutis, and for providing family support.

Tacrolimus is frequently used in immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplant patients and is characterized by high toxicity, a low therapeutic index, and great individual variability. For these reasons, correct dosing is important to ensure patient safety by reducing the incidence of adverse effects while maintaining an optimal blood level that prevents graft loss. New-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) affects 15–30% of patients treated with tacrolimus, with potential differences between immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) formulations. Objective: This study seeks to compare the incidence of NODAT between IR tacrolimus and ER tacrolimus formulations in renal transplant patients and correlate it with in vitro release characteristics. Methods: This is a retrospective pilot study including 66 renal transplant patients (33 IR tacrolimus, 33 ER tacrolimus) followed for 5 years. NODAT was defined according to standard criteria. In vitro dissolution testing was performed at pH values of 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8, with sampling at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 360 min. Results: The obtained results do not indicate differences regarding the incidence of diabetes mellitus in patients treated with the two forms of tacrolimus. The determined NODAT incidence was 42.4% (ER tacrolimus) vs. 39.4% (IR tacrolimus), p = 0.802, and ER tacrolimus showed slower release without significant pH-dependent variations. Conclusions: No significant differences in NODAT incidence were identified between formulations. The release–clinical outcome correlation requires validation in larger multicenter studies. These results contribute to the evidence base for tacrolimus formulation selection in renal transplant patients and other associated pathologies.