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Medicina
Special Issues
Modern Lifestyle, Anthropogens and Chronic Diseases from Myths to Reality
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Modern Lifestyle, Anthropogens and Chronic Diseases from Myths to Reality

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2021) | Viewed by 23784

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anca Oana Docea

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Interests: risk-assessment; pesticides; metabolic disorders; neurotoxicology; mixtures; animal studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Daniela Calina

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Interests: clinical pharmacy; oncology; biomarkers; experimental pharmacology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Miquel Martorell

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile
Interests: phytotherapy; bioactive phytochemicals; functional foods; human nutrition; chronic diseases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the number of last decades, the incidence of chronic diseases or non-communicable diseases increased significantly, being responsible for more than 71% of all death registered globally according to the World Health Organisation. The modern lifestyle that associates unhealthy diet, inactivity, tobacco smoke, and alcohol, as well as increase exposure to environmental pollutants, food additives and occupational toxicants, contributes to different levels of the development and progression of chronic diseases. Anthropogens can influence the development and progression of various chronic diseases according to the particular time of exposure and the level of exposure. Their effects are evident in chronic exposure, even at low doses, and the individual susceptibility can differ according to individual genetic predisposition or epigenetic changes. Deficiencies in vitamin intake are associated with neurological dysfunctions and congenital defects, but also can influence the metabolism of several xenobiotics, increasing their toxic potential.

On these bases, the aim of this Special Issue will be pointing out the main findings regarding the implication of anthropogenic pressure and modern lifestyle in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic diseases and the possible preventive strategies.

The potential topic will include but are not limited to:

  1. Dietary habits and chronic diseases from pathogenesis to preventive strategies
  2. Xenobiotic exposure and metabolic pressure in chronic diseases
  3. Chronic exposure to anthropogens, genetic susceptibility and meta-inflammation
  4. Nutritional status and vitamin deficiency in chronic diseases

Dr. Anca Oana Docea
Prof. Dr. Daniela Calina
Dr. Miquel Martorell
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • chronic diseases
  • real-life risk simulation
  • xenobiotics
  • vitamin deficiency
  • pesticides
  • food additives
  • bioactive phytochemicals

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3017 KiB  
Article
Intelligent Diagnosis of Thyroid Ultrasound Imaging Using an Ensemble of Deep Learning Methods
by Corina Maria Vasile, Anca Loredana Udriștoiu, Alice Elena Ghenea, Mihaela Popescu, Cristian Gheonea, Carmen Elena Niculescu, Anca Marilena Ungureanu, Ștefan Udriștoiu, Andrei Ioan Drocaş, Lucian Gheorghe Gruionu, Gabriel Gruionu, Andreea Valentina Iacob and Dragoş Ovidiu Alexandru
Medicina 2021, 57(4), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57040395 - 19 Apr 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3495
Abstract
Background and Objectives: At present, thyroid disorders have a great incidence in the worldwide population, so the development of alternative methods for improving the diagnosis process is necessary. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, we developed an ensemble method that fused [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: At present, thyroid disorders have a great incidence in the worldwide population, so the development of alternative methods for improving the diagnosis process is necessary. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, we developed an ensemble method that fused two deep learning models, one based on convolutional neural network and the other based on transfer learning. For the first model, called 5-CNN, we developed an efficient end-to-end trained model with five convolutional layers, while for the second model, the pre-trained VGG-19 architecture was repurposed, optimized and trained. We trained and validated our models using a dataset of ultrasound images consisting of four types of thyroidal images: autoimmune, nodular, micro-nodular, and normal. Results: Excellent results were obtained by the ensemble CNN-VGG method, which outperformed the 5-CNN and VGG-19 models: 97.35% for the overall test accuracy with an overall specificity of 98.43%, sensitivity of 95.75%, positive and negative predictive value of 95.41%, and 98.05%. The micro average areas under each receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.96. The results were also validated by two physicians: an endocrinologist and a pediatrician. Conclusions: We proposed a new deep learning study for classifying ultrasound thyroidal images to assist physicians in the diagnosis process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Lifestyle, Anthropogens and Chronic Diseases from Myths to Reality)
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14 pages, 922 KiB  
Article
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Etoricoxib Facilitates the Application of Individualized Exercise Programs in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
by Iulia Rahela Marcu, Dalia Dop, Vlad Padureanu, Stefan Adrian Niculescu, Rodica Padureanu, Carmen Elena Niculescu and Otilia Constantina Rogoveanu
Medicina 2020, 56(6), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina56060270 - 29 May 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3082
Abstract
Background and objectives: The main objective of this study is to highlight the efficiency of different therapeutic means in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, resulting in the improvement of their quality of life. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized, longitudinal, controlled trial on [...] Read more.
Background and objectives: The main objective of this study is to highlight the efficiency of different therapeutic means in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, resulting in the improvement of their quality of life. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized, longitudinal, controlled trial on 92 patients with ankylosing spondylitis over a period of 6 years. Disease activity was assessed using the BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) score. The assessment of functional disabilities was performed using BASFI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index). We assessed the quality of life using the HAQ questionnaire (Health Assessment Questionnaire). Based on the HAQ, we calculated the minimum number of patients to be treated for 52 weeks to prevent a decrease in the quality of life for at least one of them (the number needed to treat (NNT)). Results: For the combination therapy group, the result we obtained was 2, lower than the other therapies compared (the medication group and the group with physical exercise). We point out a correlation between the improvement of the functional status (BASFI) and the increase of the quality of life (HAQ), estimated as moderately high (0.8). The superiority of the effects of the combined treatment, in which we combined a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (etoricoxib) to the exercise program, is reflected by the model of the significant improvements (p < 0.05) obtained for the functional status and quality of life scores (BASFI and HAQ). Conclusions: The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in our case, etoricoxib, facilitate the application of individualized exercise programs in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Lifestyle, Anthropogens and Chronic Diseases from Myths to Reality)
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15 pages, 4218 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors, Lifestyle and Psychiatric Indicators on Adherence to Treatment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Adina Turcu-Stiolica, Mihaela-Simona Subtirelu, Paulina Lucia Ciurea, Dinescu Stefan Cristian, Maria Bogdan, Andreea Lili Barbulescu, Daniela-Gabriela Glavan, Razvan-Aurelian Turcu-Stiolica, Sineta Cristina Firulescu, Beatrice Andreea Chisalau, Cristina Dorina Parvanescu, Bogdan-Petre Stanoiu, Andreea Daniela Meca, Johny Neamtu and Florentin-Ananu Vreju
Medicina 2020, 56(4), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina56040178 - 14 Apr 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3297
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints accompanied by the progressive deformation and destruction of cartilage and joint bones. This study aims to gain insight into the outcomes related to adherence [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints accompanied by the progressive deformation and destruction of cartilage and joint bones. This study aims to gain insight into the outcomes related to adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Predicting the medication adherence in RA patients is a key point to improve the treatment outcome. Materials and Methods: A number of 119 Romanian patients with RA were included and divided into two groups: first group included 79 patients treated with conventional therapy and second group included 40 patients treated with biologic therapy. A CQR-9 (compliance questionnaire rheumatology with nine items) and PDSQ (psychiatric diagnostic screening questionnaire) were performed to assess correlations between medication adherence, patient sociodemographic variables, 11 psychiatric scales (major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, psychosis, agoraphobia, social phobia, drug abuse/dependence, generalized anxiety disorder, somatization disorder, hypochondriasis) and lifestyle (bulimia, alcohol intake). Results: Whilst modelling factors associated with adherence, it was found that women and patients with higher education are more adherent. From the psychiatric indicators, only major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were found to be positively correlated with therapeutic adherence. None of the assessed lifestyle factors influenced the adherence of RA patients. Conclusion: The knowledge of factors that impact on treatment adherence can be useful for clinicians to guide patient-centred care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Lifestyle, Anthropogens and Chronic Diseases from Myths to Reality)
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Review

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30 pages, 1736 KiB  
Review
Probiotics: Versatile Bioactive Components in Promoting Human Health
by Javad Sharifi-Rad, Célia F. Rodrigues, Zorica Stojanović-Radić, Marina Dimitrijević, Ana Aleksić, Katarzyna Neffe-Skocińska, Dorota Zielińska, Danuta Kołożyn-Krajewska, Bahare Salehi, Selvaraj Milton Prabu, Francine Schutz, Anca Oana Docea, Natália Martins and Daniela Calina
Medicina 2020, 56(9), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina56090433 - 27 Aug 2020
Cited by 95 | Viewed by 12737
Abstract
The positive impact of probiotic strains on human health has become more evident than ever before. Often delivered through food, dietary products, supplements, and drugs, different legislations for safety and efficacy issues have been prepared. Furthermore, regulatory agencies have addressed various approaches toward [...] Read more.
The positive impact of probiotic strains on human health has become more evident than ever before. Often delivered through food, dietary products, supplements, and drugs, different legislations for safety and efficacy issues have been prepared. Furthermore, regulatory agencies have addressed various approaches toward these products, whether they authorize claims mentioning a disease’s diagnosis, prevention, or treatment. Due to the diversity of bacteria and yeast strains, strict approaches have been designed to assess for side effects and post-market surveillance. One of the most essential delivery systems of probiotics is within food, due to the great beneficial health effects of this system compared to pharmaceutical products and also due to the increasing importance of food and nutrition. Modern lifestyle or various diseases lead to an imbalance of the intestinal flora. Nonetheless, as the amount of probiotic use needs accurate calculations, different factors should also be taken into consideration. One of the novelties of this review is the presentation of the beneficial effects of the administration of probiotics as a potential adjuvant therapy in COVID-19. Thus, this paper provides an integrative overview of different aspects of probiotics, from human health care applications to safety, quality, and control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Lifestyle, Anthropogens and Chronic Diseases from Myths to Reality)
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