University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova

The present Research Topic consists of twenty articles: 3 systematic reviews with meta-analysis, 3 reviews, and 14 original research articles. These articles provide a diverse range of innovative viewpoints on the significance of comprehending the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms associated with gastrointestinal complications and diseases. Such understanding has the potential to guide the advancement of therapies in areas where clinical problems remain unsolved.Regarding cellular and molecular mechanisms, Sui C et al. examined the relationship between various immune cells and postoperative ileus, aiming to provide potential therapeutic solutions for this unresolved clinical issue. Jiang N et al. analyzed the potential antifibrotic effects of salvianolic acid B in autophagy in liver fibrosis. Their findings revealed that inducing TGF-β1 resulted in a significant increase in autophagosome formation and autophagic flux in different molecular cascades. Another original research studied by Jia Q et al. demonstrated the in vivo efficacy of hesperidin in promoting gastric motility in rats with functional dyspepsia, suggesting a potential treatment approach for this condition.Screening and early detection are among the primary priorities of the current European anticancer plan and should be implemented at the national level (Pana et al., 2023)

ABSTRACT Postbiotics are inanimate microbial cells, cell fragments, or metabolites generated during fermentation and have emerged as a compelling alternative to traditional probiotics and prebiotics. Despite the growing interest in probiotics, comparatively limited attention has been given to the clinical significance and formulation advantages of postbiotics, which offer superior shelf stability under 25°C for ≥12 months and an acceptable safety profile in immunocompromised populations, as evidenced by in vitro and Phase I data. This review bridges this critical gap by systematically exploring the sources, mechanisms of action, health benefits, and food formulation strategies associated with postbiotics. The review provides a critical analysis of recent clinical and preclinical evidence, underscoring the role of postbiotics in immune modulation, metabolic regulation, gut–brain axis signaling, and anti‐cancer activity. Additionally, the innovation in formulation technologies was assessed, along with regulatory considerations (European Food Safety Authority/Food and Drug Administration [EFSA/FDA]) and future opportunities involving synthetic biology and personalized nutrition. Drawing on a comprehensive literature review and comparative case analyses, this review presents novel insights that position postbiotics as scientifically validated, in alignment with current regional regulatory frameworks, and technologically feasible agents for next‐generation functional foods. Ultimately, the article argues that postbiotics address key limitations of probiotics, namely, safety, viability, and efficacy, while paving the way for advanced microbiome‐based interventions in food systems.

Background/Objectives: Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (ARPC) is a rare entity usually occurring in adults with systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular diseases, and malignancies, although drug-related and trauma-induced cases have also been reported. Given its rarity and the lack of consensus on optimal management, we conducted a systematic review to summarize updated diagnostic and therapeutic insights into ARPC. Additionally, we report a case of ARPC associated with CKD. Methods: This study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A literature search was performed in the PubMed database between May-September 2025. The search strategy targeted open-access, primary human studies, published within the last 15 years, available in English, and including adult patients with histopathologically confirmed ARPC. Results: Twenty-seven studies, predominantly case reports and case series, were included. The mean patient age was 60.8 ± 14.4 years. Only one case occurred in the absence of comorbidities, while most subjects had underlying systemic diseases. Drug-induced cases were also described. Clinically, ARPC should be suspected in patients presenting with pruritic papules/nodules with central keratotic plugs. Additional diagnostic tools include dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy. However, histopathological evidence of transepidermal elimination of altered collagen fibers is mandatory. The current treatments of ARPC include antihistamines, keratolytics, topical/intralesional/oral corticosteroids, topical/systemic retinoids, phototherapy, dupilumab and allopurinol. Other therapies have been reported across the literature, including emerging ones. Conclusions: Once ARPC is diagnosed, a thorough evaluation for underlying diseases, including malignancies, is essential. Clinical trials are warranted to define optimal therapeutic strategies.

AIMS:Current guidelines lack sex-specific thresholds for assessing secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR) severity and right ventricular (RV) and tricuspid annulus (TA) remodelling. We aimed to determine whether risk-based cut-offs for these parameters differ between men and women with STR. METHODS AND RESULTS:We included 554 patients (74 ± 13 years, 51% women) with moderate or severe STR. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization. Women were older (P < 0.001) and had a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (P = 0.008) and atrial STR (P < 0.001), whereas men more frequently had coronary artery disease (P < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (P = 0.005), and mitral regurgitation (P < 0.001). Women exhibited smaller RV and TA dimensions and higher RV ejection fraction (RVEF) (P < 0.001). Over a median follow-up of 19 (8-27) months, 230 patients reached the composite endpoint. Event-free survival at 2 years was comparable between sexes (P = 0.183), even after inverse propensity weighting (P = 0.342). Sex-specific thresholds for STR severity were lower in women for effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) (0.36 cm² vs. 0.43 cm²) and regurgitant volume (RegVol) (31 mL vs. 35 mL) but higher for regurgitant fraction (46% vs. 39%). Women also exhibited comparable risk at lower RV end-diastolic (81 mL/m² vs. 96 mL/m²) and end-systolic volumes (37 mL/m² vs. 49 mL/m²), higher RVEF (49% vs. 41%), and smaller TA diameter (19 mm/m² vs. 22 mm/m²). CONCLUSION:In STR, women face a similar risk at lower EROAs and RegVols, along with smaller RV volumes, higher RVEF, and reduced TA dimensions. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating sex-specific thresholds into clinical decision-making when assessing STR severity and right heart remodelling.

Postbiotics, including non-viable microbial cells, metabolites and structural components, are gaining recognition as safe and effective alternatives to probiotics. Their stability, reproducibility, and broad functionality position them as promising agents for therapeutic use and food innovation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of postbiotic classifications and mechanisms, highlighting key bioactive substances such as bacteriocins, short-chain fatty acids, exopolysaccharides, peptidoglycans, and teichoic acids. These compounds influence host physiology by reinforcing gut barrier integrity, regulating immune responses, and exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. Particular attention is given to indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from traditional African fermented foods such as ogi, kunu, nunu, ugba, and mambila beverages, whose unique metabolomic profiles offer valuable opportunities for cultural bioprospecting. Applications in the food industry are discussed, including natural biopreservation, extension of product shelf life, and integration into novel categories such as gluten-free and plant-based foods. Advances in encapsulation strategies, delivery systems, and synbiotic formulations are discussed in the context of enhancing efficacy and stability. Regulatory perspectives, safety, and commercialization pathways are reviewed. The paper concludes by identifying critical research gaps, including the need for clinical validation, incorporation of omics approaches, and the advancement of Africa-driven biotechnology to exploit indigenous microbial resources fully. Overall, postbiotics represent a versatile frontier bridging traditional fermentation practices with modern health and food applications. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.