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This review examines the possible clinical uses of extracts from mushrooms with medicinal properties, particularly their role as gastroprotective agents. After conducting a thorough examination of the literature, we identified and chose publications that presented six distinct types of mushroom extracts. These extracts have been experimentally demonstrated to have gastroprotective effects in animal models. Animals like rats or mice were used as subjects in experimental models to generate stomach ulcers through various approaches, such as chemical induction or inducing stress. Studies have shown that mushroom extracts are efficacious in facilitating the healing process of stomach ulcers. Several fundamental modes of action include antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects, along with enhanced preservation of stomach mucus. No clinical trials pertaining to this topic have been uncovered. However, the initial positive outcomes gained serve as a basis for additional investigation on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aloe, the largest genus in the Asphodelaceae family, comprises 548 species, with A. vera, A. arborescens and A. ferox being among the most widely studied species. Aloe species originated in arid climates and cover various habitats, from sea level up to 2700 m, and from desert to closed-canopy forests. For human health, Aloe species are the richest natural sources. The biological activity of Aloe sp. constituents covers a wide spectrum. Most of the indications come from traditional, folkloric use and several have been verified by in vitro or in vivo studies. Emodin, the main phenolic component, has showed anti-neoplastic, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic and toxicological potential for use in pharmacology. Polysaccharides, with acemannan being the most important, are present in high abundance in Aloe gels. Acemannan has been reported to have applications in oral, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, oncology, dentistry and wound healing. The effectiveness of Aloe sp. constituents on colon, liver, duodenum, skin, pancreas, intestine, lungs and kidneys cancers was highly studied with remarkable findings. Regarding the metabolic syndrome, Aloe sp. can be used as an antidiabetic and reduces cholesterol and total body fat. Constituents of Aloe sp. are nontoxic in experimental acute oral studies and are widely used in cosmetology and as bitter agents or consistence modifiers in food and beverages. Traditional Aloe remedies cover most human diseases; however, in order to gain legitimacy, the Aloe-derived drugs must have a well-established composition, with thoroughly investigated adverse effects and conventional drug interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The redo antireflux surgery is an advanced surgical procedure which enclosed the following conventional steps: the takedown of the previous fundoplication, the repair of the hiatal defect, followed by the actual antireflux procedure. In reoperations, a great percentage of surgeons favour the short floppy Nissen, although partial fiindoplications or gastrojejunostomies are also practiced. A shortened esophagus is usually one of several causes for the reflux reoccurrence, and requires either an extended periesophageal dissection, or a CoIIis gastroplasty. The surface of the hiatal defect, rather than its diameter, is the most important key for its reconstruction. A large number of repair variants have been introduced and tested, showing that the antireflux surgery is still awaiting an ideal prosthetic material, whereas details regarding tailoring, placement and suturing of current meshes are subjects of debate. The most frequent complication in the redo antireflux surgery is the gastric perforation, but it is also possible that pulmonary or cardiac failure, infections, or acute pancreatitis, may appear. Mortality is around 1% for this procedure with a success rate of 80% and the surgery has a mean duration of 3-4 hours even for experienced teams. Thus, due to its complexity and challenges, the redo antireflux surgery should be performed by an experienced team in a tertiary center to increase the favourable outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benign pancreatic tumour enucleations have been performed since 1996. Endocrine tumours (ET) are rare yet they represent about 2/3 of the laparoscopic enucleations, a topic still in debate. The preoperative imaging routinely comprises a CT scan, but endoscopic ultrasound is mandatory for localizing the tumour and guided biopsy-aspiration. Trocars have to be positioned to avoid "fencing" with the instruments. A Kocher procedure may be necessary for accessing deep or posterior tumours. The bipolar electrocautery and harmonic scalpel ensure better haemostasis than the monopolar cautery hook. The raw surface can be covered with haemostatics or fibrin glue. The mean operating time is about two hours. Forced conversions, due mainly to haemorrhage or insufficient exposure, are uncommon (9%). Pancreatic fistula, the main postoperative complication, .affects up to one third of the patients and does not depend on the choice of dissection instruments, management of the remaining cavity or somatostatin use. The main risk factor is the location of the tumour at less than 2 mm from the main pancreatic duct. The necrotic pancreatitis, the pancreatic [pseudocyst and the duodenal fistula contribute to a surgical morbidity up to 60%. Although safe and technically feasible, enucleation might be considered as a procedure with high morbidity score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is widely spread around the world and it is used in the food and cosmetic industry and traditional medicine due to its high content in bioactive compounds. Thus, this article investigated the phenolic compounds of Romanian Aloe vera gel and its antioxidant capacity. The gel was extracted using 4 different solvents: methanol, ethanol, water, and acetone. Total phenolics were measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, total flavonoids by aluminium chloride reaction, and the antioxidant capacity by DPPH radical-scavenging activity. The profile of the phenolic compound was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection-Electro-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry. The methanolic extract had a significantly higher antioxidant activity, followed by ethanolic, water, and acetone extracts. The methanolic extract had also the highest total polyphenol content, while ethanolic extract had the highest total flavonoid content. The extracts contained 14 compounds identified as 7 chromones (Aloesin, Neoaloesin, Aloinoside A, Aloinoside E, Aloe-emodin-glucoside, Isoaloeresin D, Methoxycoumaroyl-aloresin) 2 flavones (Luteolin-glucoside, Apigenin-glucoside), one hydroxycinnamic acid (Caffeic acid) and 4 to anthrones (Aloin A, Aloin B, Emodin, Aloe-emodin). The LCMS results showed important quantities of Aloesin, Neoaloesin, Aloeresin E, and Aloe-emodin-glucoside while FTIR analysis showed the presence of polysaccharides, pectins, anthraquinones, and saponins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumours and the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The aim of this review is to identify whether phytotherapy has an effect over the treatment of HCC or if it is suitable as a combination with chemotherapy. A systematic review was performed in order to offer current information over the use of phytotherapy in HCC. We conducted an electronic search of articles published in English in peer reviewed journals between 2012-2022. After keywords were associated, 302 articles were found. After the exclusion of articles which did not meet the inclusion criteria, there were 77 articles eligible for abstract evaluation. The following were discarded: two case report, one systematic review, 36 in vitro studies and nine studies which discussed other pathologies or with no regard to phytotherapy. The remaining articles encompassed 27 in vivo studies of phytotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma and two randomized control trials. This selection process is illustrated in the Prisma Flow Diagram. Amongst the evaluated articles, two of them researched the effect of phytotherapy over human subjects in two randomized control trials, while the others illustrated the outcomes of phytotherapy over hepatocellular carcinoma cells and murine specimens. To sum up, phytotherapy has proven its usefulness in hepatocellular carcinoma, especially throughout the following mechanisms: anti-inflammatory effect, suppressing malignant cell proliferation, inhibiting angiogenesis, stimulating apoptosis, and even sensitizing cells to chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bacterium Escherichia coli, one of the most studied bacteria in the world, with the greatest epidemiological impact, includes both commensal and pathogenic strains, with a genome that can be extremely varied both in size and genetic content, and it also can produce numerous diseases with specific symptoms. The vast majority of these strains can cause severe gastrointestinal diseases, hemolytic uremic syndrome, hemorrhagic colitis, renal failure and even death. Hemolytic uremic syndrome can be a consequence of the presence of Escherichia coli infection in gastrointestinal diseases. In this study, uremia in patients with and without the declared renal comorbidity, was negatively correlated with the response to antibiotic treatment. The increase of uremia above 92 mg/dl increases the risk of death. The highest risk categories include people with kidney disease like comorbidities starting with admission in surgical and intensive care wards in IRGH Cluj-Napoca, having as main diagnosis of hospitalization surgical digestive diseases. The occurrence of Coli pathogen infection was associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates in patients included in the study. In these patients, it was noticed the need to introduce therapy with increasingly complex antibiotic formulas, which lead to an increase in the duration and cost of hospitalization. In the studied group, due to E coli infection at admission, uremia had an average value of 23.99mg/dl +/-8.987(SD) in the case of patients without kidney disease, the number of patients with normal uremia values was lower than that of those with increased values of uremia. In the case of patients with confirmed kidney disease, uremia had mean values of 65.76 mg/dl +/-52.41(SD). At discharge, both in the case of patients with renal disease and in the case of those without confirmed renal disease, the number of patients with normal values of uremia was higher than those with pathological values, this proportion being reversed in the case of deceased patients where the number of patients with values pathological urea levels were significantly higher than those with normal values, proving kidney damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent scientific advances in diagnosis and treatment of human infections, bacterial infections continue to affect human health. The rate of morbidity and mortality caused by staphylococcal infections remains high and continues to be a threat to public health worldwide. Staphylococcal infections affect the population at risk regardless the level of country development. The highest risk categories include people with immunodeficiency, those with prolonged antibiotic treatment and repeated hospitalizations, patients with implanted medical devices or undergoing medical invasive procedures. The objective of this study was to analyse the influence of staphylococcal infection diagnosed during hospitalization on the evolution of patients admitted during two consecutive years, in surgical and intensive care wards in IRGH (Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology) Cluj-Napoca, Romania, having as main diagnosis of hospitalization surgical digestive diseases along with other comorbidities. The occurrence of staphylococcal infection was associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates in patients included in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]