Rucsandra Cristina Dascalu

Dr. Rucsandra Cristina Dascalu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

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

Representative Publications

View All Publications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RDRucsandra Cristina Dascalu
Rucsandra Cristina Dascalu
ABAndreea Lili Bǎrbulescu
Andreea Lili Bǎrbulescu
LSLoredana Elena Stoica
Loredana Elena Stoica
Stefan-Cristian DinescuStefan-Cristian Dinescu
Stefan-Cristian Dinescu
CBCristina Elena Bita
Cristina Elena Bita
FVFlorentin Ananu Vreju
Florentin Ananu Vreju
Psoriasis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory autoimmune pathology with a significant genetic component and several interferences of immunological cells and their cytokines. The complex orchestration of psoriasis pathogenesis is related to the synergic effect of immune cells, polygenic alterations, autoantigens, and several other external factors. The major act of the IL-23/IL-17 axis, strongly influencing the inflammatory pattern established during the disease activity, is visible as a continuous perpetuation of the pro-inflammatory response and keratinocyte activation and proliferation, leading to the development of psoriatic lesions. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) offer a better view of psoriasis pathogenic pathways, with approximately one-third of psoriasis’s genetic impact on psoriasis development associated with the MHC region, with genetic loci located on chromosome 6. The most eloquent genetic factor of psoriasis, PSORS1, was identified in the MHC I site. Among the several factors involved in its complex etiology, dysbiosis, due to genetic or external stimulus, induces a burst of pro-inflammatory consequences; both the cutaneous and gut microbiome get involved in the psoriasis pathogenic process. Cutting-edge research studies and comprehensive insights into psoriasis pathogenesis, fostering novel genetic, epigenetic, and immunological factors, have generated a spectacular improvement over the past decades, securing the path toward a specific and targeted immunotherapeutic approach and delayed progression to inflammatory arthritis. This review aimed to offer insight into various domains that underline the pathogenesis of psoriasis and how they influence disease development and evolution. The pathogenesis mechanism of psoriasis is multifaceted and involves an interplay of cellular and humoral immunity, which affects susceptible microbiota and the genetic background. An in-depth understanding of the role of pathogenic factors forms the basis for developing novel and individualized therapeutic targets that can improve disease management.

16 August 2024 in Medical Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RDRucsandra Cristina Dascalu
Rucsandra Cristina Dascalu
ABAndreea Lili Bǎrbulescu
Andreea Lili Bǎrbulescu
Stefan-Cristian DinescuStefan-Cristian Dinescu
Stefan-Cristian Dinescu
CBCristina Elena Bita
Cristina Elena Bita
LSLoredana Elena Stoica
Loredana Elena Stoica
FVFlorentin Ananu Vreju
Florentin Ananu Vreju
The present study is aimed at assessing the presence and prevalence of subclinical entheseal changes in Psoriasis (PsO) patients using musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US), conjoined with the analysis of possible differences in terms of demographic, clinical, or biological features. We carried out an observational study on 54 patients with PsO and 40 controls. Subclinical enthesopathy, according to OMERACT definitions, was identified in 20 of the psoriasis patients (37.03%), a significantly difference compared to the controls (5 patients; 10.20%). A comparison between US examinations for psoriasis patients and controls indicates that all the examined areas manifested changes in a significantly higher percentage of patients than the controls. The most common structural changes were represented by thickened tendon (85%), calcification (65%), erosions (35%), power Doppler (PD) signal (20%), and bursitis (5%). The difference in mean MASEI (Madrid Sonographic Enthesitis Index) score between the psoriasis and control groups was statistically significant (10.56 + 2.96 vs. 2.9 + 2.20; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, ultrasound is an easily accessible and vital follow-up method for psoriasis patients to enable an early, subclinical detection of entheseal involvement, i.e., the first red-flag sign for a future transition to psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

25 March 2024 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
RDRucsandra Cristina Dascalu
Rucsandra Cristina Dascalu
ABAndreea Lili Bǎrbulescu
Andreea Lili Bǎrbulescu
LSLoredana Elena Stoica
Loredana Elena Stoica
Stefan-Cristian DinescuStefan-Cristian Dinescu
Stefan-Cristian Dinescu
CBCristina Elena Bita
Cristina Elena Bita
FVFlorentin Ananu Vreju
Florentin Ananu Vreju
Psoriasis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory autoimmune pathology, with a major genetic component and several interferences of immunological cells and their cytokines. The complex orchestration of psoriasis pathogenesis is related to the synergic effect of immune cells, polygenic alterations, the presence of autoantigens and several external factors. The major act of IL-23/IL-17 axis, strongly influencing the inflammatory pattern established during the disease activity, is visible as a continuous perpetuation of the pro-inflammatory response and keratinocyte activation and proliferation leading to the development of psoriatic lesions. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) along offered a better view of psoriasis pathogenic pathways, with approximately one third of psoriasis genetic impact on psoriasis development is associated to MHC region, with genetic loci located on chromosome 6. The most eloquent genetic factor of psoriasis, PSORS1, was identified in the MHC I site. Between the several factors involved in its complex etiology, dysbiosis, due to genetic or external stimulus, exhibiting less variety and the involvement of pathogenic bacteria, cand induce a burst of proinflammatory consequences, both cutaneous and gut microbiome being involved in psoriasis pathogenic process. A complex understanding of the major pathways that interplay in order to initiate and perpetuate psoriatic diseases and its associated comorbidities can help the current clinical practice by properly evaluating completely and individualized each patient and establish the proper therapeutic management.