Alexandra Bolocan

Dr. Alexandra Bolocan


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

15Years (2012-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 April 2022 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Stefan Sebastian BusnatuStefan Sebastian Busnatu
Stefan Sebastian Busnatu
Adelina-Gabriela NiculescuAdelina-Gabriela Niculescu
Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu
ABAlexandra Bolocan
Alexandra Bolocan
GPGeorge Petrescu
George Petrescu
DPDan Nicolae Păduraru
Dan Nicolae Păduraru
HMHenrique Martins
Henrique Martins
Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize modern society in all its aspects. Encouraged by the variety and vast amount of data that can be gathered from patients (e.g., medical images, text, and electronic health records), researchers have recently increased their interest in developing AI solutions for clinical care. Moreover, a diverse repertoire of methods can be chosen towards creating performant models for use in medical applications, ranging from disease prediction, diagnosis, and prognosis to opting for the most appropriate treatment for an individual patient. In this respect, the present paper aims to review the advancements reported at the convergence of AI and clinical care. Thus, this work presents AI clinical applications in a comprehensive manner, discussing the recent literature studies classified according to medical specialties. In addition, the challenges and limitations hindering AI integration in the clinical setting are further pointed out.

17 February 2022 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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DPDan Nicolae Păduraru
Dan Nicolae Păduraru
DIDaniel Ion
Daniel Ion
Adelina-Gabriela NiculescuAdelina-Gabriela Niculescu
Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu
FMFlorentina Mușat
Florentina Mușat
OAOctavian Andronic
Octavian Andronic
ABAlexandra Bolocan
Alexandra Bolocan
Cancer continues to represent a global health concern, imposing an ongoing need to research for better treatment alternatives. In this context, nanomedicine seems to be the solution to existing problems, bringing unprecedented results in various biomedical applications, including cancer therapy, diagnosing, and imaging. As numerous studies have uncovered the advantageous properties of various nanoscale metals, this review aims to present metal-based nanoparticles that are most frequently employed for cancer applications. This paper follows the description of relevant nanoparticles made of metals, metal derivatives, hybrids, and alloys, further discussing in more detail their potential applications in cancer management, ranging from the delivery of chemotherapeutics, vaccines, and genes to ablative hyperthermia therapies and theranostic platforms.

22 August 2022 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DPDan Nicolae Păduraru
Dan Nicolae Păduraru
Adelina-Gabriela NiculescuAdelina-Gabriela Niculescu
Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu
ABAlexandra Bolocan
Alexandra Bolocan
OAOctavian Andronic
Octavian Andronic
Alexandru Mihai GrumezescuAlexandru Mihai Grumezescu
Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu
rodica birlarodica birla
rodica birla
Encompassing a group of complex and heterogeneous diseases, cancer continues to be a challenge for patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Thus, it is of vital importance to develop advanced treatment strategies that could reduce the trends of cancer-associated morbidity and mortality rates. Scientists have focused on creating performant delivery vehicles for anti-cancer agents. Among the possible materials, cyclodextrins (CDs) attracted increasing interest over the past few years, leading to the emergence of promising anti-tumor nanomedicines. Tackling their advantageous chemical structure, ease of modification, natural origin, biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and commercial availability, researchers investigated CD-based therapeutical formulations against many types of cancer. In this respect, in this paper, we briefly present the properties of interest of CDs for designing performant nanocarriers, further reviewing some of the most recent potential applications of CD-based delivery systems in cancer management.

22 December 2021 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DIDaniel Ion
Daniel Ion
Adelina-Gabriela NiculescuAdelina-Gabriela Niculescu
Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu
DPDan Nicolae Păduraru
Dan Nicolae Păduraru
OAOctavian Andronic
Octavian Andronic
FMFlorentina Mușat
Florentina Mușat
ABAlexandra Bolocan
Alexandra Bolocan
Cancer represents one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, imposing an urgent need to develop more efficient treatment alternatives. In this respect, much attention has been drawn from conventional cancer treatments to more modern approaches, such as the use of nanotechnology. Extensive research has been done for designing innovative nanoparticles able to specifically target tumor cells and ensure the controlled release of anticancer agents. To avoid the potential toxicity of synthetic materials, natural nanoparticles started to attract increasing scientific interest. In this context, this paper aims to review the most important natural nanoparticles used as active ingredients (e.g., polyphenols, polysaccharides, proteins, and sterol-like compounds) or as carriers (e.g., proteins, polysaccharides, viral nanoparticles, and exosomes) of various anticancer moieties, focusing on their recent applications in treating diverse malignancies.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Stefan Sebastian BusnatuStefan Sebastian Busnatu
Stefan Sebastian Busnatu
Adelina-Gabriela NiculescuAdelina-Gabriela Niculescu
Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu
ABAlexandra Bolocan
Alexandra Bolocan
OAOctavian Andronic
Octavian Andronic
Anca StoianAnca Stoian
Anca Stoian
Viorel JingaViorel Jinga
Viorel Jinga
With the prevalence of digitalization in all aspects of modern society, health assessment is becoming digital too. Taking advantage of the most recent technological advances and approaching medicine from an interdisciplinary perspective has allowed for important progress in healthcare services. Digital health technologies and biotelemetry devices have been more extensively employed for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, monitoring, and predicting the evolution of various diseases, without requiring wires, invasive procedures, or face-to-face interaction with medical personnel. This paper aims to review the concepts correlated to digital health, classify and describe biotelemetry devices, and present the potential of digitalization for remote health assessment, the transition to personalized medicine, and the streamlining of clinical trials.

29 July 2023 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MCMarian Constantin
Marian Constantin
Livia PetrescuLivia Petrescu
Livia Petrescu
AMAlina-Cristina Matanie
Alina-Cristina Matanie
Corneliu Ovidiu VrancianuCorneliu Ovidiu Vrancianu
Corneliu Ovidiu Vrancianu
Adelina-Gabriela NiculescuAdelina-Gabriela Niculescu
Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu
ABAlexandra Bolocan
Alexandra Bolocan
The vermiform appendix is a muscular cylindrical structure originating near the junction of the cecum and ileum, averaging 9 cm (5–35 cm) in size. As the most mobile viscera, it can adopt several positions, the most common being the retrocecal position. Perceived as an atavistic organ lacking physiological relevance, the vermiform appendix appears to be involved in immune function, serving in the maturation of B lymphocytes and the production of immunoglobulin A, in endocrine function, excreting amines and hormones in the 2–3 mL of mucus secreted daily, and in digestive function, by storing beneficial bacteria from where they can recolonize the colon. With a lumen of about 6 mm, the vermiform appendix has a reduced storage capacity, so any blockage of the appendix with fecoliths (fecaliths), seeds derailed from the colon, or enlarged lymph nodes prevents drainage and intraluminal accumulation of secreted mucus. Unable to relax, the appendix wall severely limits its intraluminal volume, so mucus accumulation leads to inflammation of the appendix, known generically as appendicitis. In addition, the vermiform appendix may be the site of the development of neoplastic processes, which may or may not involve mucus production, some of which can significantly affect the standard of living and ultimately lead to death. In general, mucinous tumors may have a better prognosis than non-mucinous tumors. This review takes a comprehensive path, starting by describing the anatomy and embryology of the vermiform appendix and further detailing its inflammatory pathologies, pathologies related to congenital anomalies, and appendix tumors, thus creating an up-to-date framework for better understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of these health problems.