DAN IILIESCU

Dr. DAN IILIESCU

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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11 May 2025 in Plants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Alex Robert JijieAlex Robert Jijie
Alex Robert Jijie
DIDAN IILIESCU
DAN IILIESCU
Laura SbârceaLaura Sbârcea
Laura Sbârcea
CBCasiana Boru
Casiana Boru
DPDalia Maria Patrascu
Dalia Maria Patrascu
Elena Alina MoacaElena Alina Moaca
Elena Alina Moaca
The genus Taxus comprises a unique group of gymnosperms known for their botanical longevity, cultural significance, and exceptional pharmacological potential. This review explores the multifaceted profile of Taxus species, with a focus on their morphological traits, phytochemical composition, traditional uses, and therapeutic applications. Particular attention is given to taxanes, especially paclitaxel, which have revolutionized cancer treatment through microtubule-stabilizing mechanisms. In addition to well-established uses of the bark and leaves, the review synthesizes emerging research on the aril, a non-toxic and antioxidant-rich plant part, suggesting novel biomedical applications. By integrating ethnobotanical knowledge with contemporary pharmacological insights, this work underscores the enduring relevance of Taxus in traditional medicine while emphasizing its evolving role in modern drug discovery. The findings advocate for intensified interdisciplinary research and sustainable exploitation strategies to fully harness the genus’s therapeutic potential without compromising biodiversity.

23 August 2025 in Plants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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RRRamona Romanu
Ramona Romanu
SLSergio Liga
Sergio Liga
MTMaria Roberta Tripon
Maria Roberta Tripon
FHFlorin Adrian Huiban
Florin Adrian Huiban
DIDAN IILIESCU
DAN IILIESCU
Camelia TulcanCamelia Tulcan
Camelia Tulcan
Phytochemistry serves as a vital bridge between traditional medicinal knowledge and modern scientific research, with important implications for pharmaceutical and industrial applications. This review offers an updated and integrated perspective on Chelidonium majus (greater celandine), focusing on its isoquinoline alkaloids—the principal bioactive constituents—alongside emerging phytochemicals (e.g., lignanamides, polyphenols). Detailed biosynthetic pathways of isoquinoline alkaloids are described, tracing their formation from the shikimate pathway to multiple structural subclasses. Reported biological activities include anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer software (Scopus dataset, 2015–2025), enabling the identification of major research themes and temporal trends. These research tools supported a structured and data-driven overview of the current scientific landscape. However, additional studies are needed to optimize its therapeutic use while ensuring efficacy and safety.

24 May 2025 in Plants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ACAndreea Maria Cristea
Andreea Maria Cristea
ASAndreea Smeu
Andreea Smeu
ICIoan-Alexandru Cîmpeanu
Ioan-Alexandru Cîmpeanu
AIAndrada Oana Iftode
Andrada Oana Iftode
SLSergio Liga
Sergio Liga
DIDAN IILIESCU
DAN IILIESCU
The Rosaceae family, comprising over 3000 species, has been extensively investigated for its therapeutic potential, particularly in dermatological applications. Skin illnesses have become in recent years a serious burden worldwide, with more than 3 billion individuals of all ages affected by a skin condition. This review focuses on approximately 50 species from genera such as Rosa, Rubus, Prunus, Potentilla, and especially Eriobotrya japonica, which have shown promising biological effects due to their diverse bioactive compounds. This review provides a current perspective on the recent scientific literature that highlights the role of Rosaceae members in managing various skin disorders. Key dermatological conditions addressed include dermatitis, acne, skin aging, melanoma, and psoriasis. By summarizing both in vitro and in vivo findings, this review underscores the importance of Rosaceae species in the development of plant-based dermatological therapies and encourages further research into their mechanisms of action and clinical potential.

21 July 2025 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MBMarius-Cătălin Belean
Marius-Cătălin Belean
TMTeodor Andrei Maghiar
Teodor Andrei Maghiar
ACAnca-Maria Căpraru
Anca-Maria Căpraru
ANAndreea-Adriana Neamțu
Andreea-Adriana Neamțu
DIDAN IILIESCU
DAN IILIESCU
CNCarmen Neamtu
Carmen Neamtu
Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with rising incidence in younger adults. Unhealthy diets high in red and processed meat and low in fiber are key modifiable risk factors, highlighting the need for preventive nutritional strategies targeting CRC through dietary interventions. Methods: A one-day sample diet for colorectal cancer prevention, consisting of fiber-rich meals excluding red meat and incorporating whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and lean protein alternatives (such as fish and poultry), was developed. Its acceptability was assessed in a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire among healthy Romanian adults aged 18–50, with a total of 395 included participants. Results: Of the 395 respondents meeting the inclusion criteria (aged 18–50, no cancer or chronic gastrointestinal disorders), 63.5% were females, predominantly urban (90.1%), and highly educated. Mean age was 32.4 years; mean BMI was 25.07 kg/m2. The proposed colorectal cancer-preventive diet was rated as “quite attractive” and “very attractive” by 74.9% of participants. All meals received high ratings, with dinner and the first snack being most favored. Most respondents (77.2%) found the diet satisfying and the satiety level and energy adequate, and 90.4% were willing to adopt it at least a few times per week. Financial accessibility was affirmed by 77.2% of the respondents. However, 61.8% reported difficulty eliminating red meat consumption. Female participants rated the diet significantly more attractive than males did (p = 0.041). Willingness to adopt the diet strongly correlated with higher acceptability (p < 0.0001), while BMI and education level showed no significant effect. Conclusions: The proposed colorectal cancer-preventive diet was well accepted by Romanian adults aged 18–50, with higher receptivity among women and those with higher education; willingness to adopt the diet at least a few days per week was high, especially among those psychologically ready for dietary change, while key barriers included red meat reduction and perceived cost, underscoring the need for gender-sensitive, culturally adapted interventions and further research on long-term adherence and clinical impact.

23 January 2026 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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SVSabina-Oana Vasii
Sabina-Oana Vasii
DCDaiana Colibasanu
Daiana Colibasanu
FGFlorina-Diana Goldis
Florina-Diana Goldis
SASebastian Mihai Ardelean
Sebastian Mihai Ardelean
Mihai UdrescuMihai Udrescu
Mihai Udrescu
Lucretia UdrescuLucretia Udrescu
Lucretia Udrescu
We introduce the Onco-Hem Connectome (OHC), a patient similarity network (PSN) designed to organize real-world hemato-oncology inpatients by exploratory phenotypes with potential clinical utility. Background: Polypharmacy and drug–drug interactions (DDIs) are pervasive in hemato-oncology and vary with comorbidity and treatment intensity. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a 2023 single-center cohort of 298 patients (1158 hospital episodes). Standardized feature vectors combined demographics, comorbidity (Charlson, Elixhauser), comorbidity polypharmacy score (CPS), aggregate DDI severity score (ADSS), diagnoses, and drug exposures. Cosine similarity defined edges (threshold ≥ 0.6) to build an undirected PSN; communities were detected with modularity-based clustering and profiled by drugs, diagnosis codes, and canonical chemotherapy regimens. Results: The OHC comprised 295 nodes and 4179 edges (density 0.096, modularity Q = 0.433), yielding five communities. Communities differed in comorbidity burden (Kruskal–Wallis ε2: Charlson 0.428, Elixhauser 0.650, age 0.125, all FDR-adjusted p < 0.001) but not in utilization (LOS, episodes) after FDR (ε2 ≈ 0.006–0.010). Drug enrichment (e.g., enoxaparin Δ = +0.13 in Community 2; vinblastine Δ = +0.09 in Community 3) and principal diagnoses (e.g., C90.0 23%, C91.1 15%, C83.3 15% in Community 1) supported distinct clinical phenotypes. Robustness analyses showed block-equalized features preserved communities (ARI 0.946; NMI 0.941). Community drug signatures and regimen signals aligned with diagnosis patterns, reflecting the integration of resource-use variables in the feature design. Conclusions: The Onco-Hem Connectome yields interpretable, phenotype-level insights that can inform supportive care bundles, DDI-aware prescribing, and stewardship, and it provides a foundation for phenotype-specific risk models (e.g., prolonged stay, infection, high-DDI episodes) in hemato-oncology.

27 March 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MBMarciana Ionela Boca
Marciana Ionela Boca
ACAlina-Ramona Cozlac
Alina-Ramona Cozlac
CSCaius Glad Streian
Caius Glad Streian
SCSimina Crisan
Simina Crisan
MLMihai-Andrei Lazăr
Mihai-Andrei Lazăr
CLConstantin Tudor Luca
Constantin Tudor Luca
Background/Objectives: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of cardiovascular mortality, particularly in high-risk cases complicated by hemodynamic instability. Systemic thrombolysis is the recommended treatment in such settings; however, the coexistence of thrombocytopenia represents a major therapeutic challenge due to concerns regarding bleeding risk. Evidence guiding thrombolytic therapy in thrombocytopenic patients with PE is limited. This study aimed to present a representative case and review the available literature addressing thrombolysis in PE complicated by thrombocytopenia. Methods: A qualitative review of published case reports was conducted using the PubMed and Scopus databases, and articles describing adult patients with objectively confirmed PE, documented thrombocytopenia, and treatment with thrombolytic therapy were included. Eight case reports met the inclusion criteria, and the clinical characteristics, severity markers, platelet dynamics, treatment strategies and outcomes were analyzed and compared with the reported case. Results: Most of the reported patients presented with high-risk pulmonary embolism, defined by hemodynamic instability, including shock or cardiac arrest. Thrombolysis was frequently administered despite platelet counts below conventional thresholds. Platelet levels at the time of thrombolysis varied widely, including cases of severe thrombocytopenia. Clinical and hemodynamic improvement was observed in most of the cases, while major bleeding complications were infrequent. The reported case demonstrated successful systemic thrombolysis with rt-PA in a postpartum patient with suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and high-risk PE, without hemorrhagic events. Conclusions: Available evidence suggests that thrombolytic therapy may be a viable life-saving option in carefully selected thrombocytopenic patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism. Therapeutic decisions should prioritize clinical severity and hemodynamic status over platelet count alone, emphasizing individualized, multidisciplinary risk–benefit assessment.