Codruta Lencu

Dr. Codruta Lencu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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28 October 2016 in Medicine and Pharmacy Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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CLCodruta Lencu
Codruta Lencu
Teodora AlexescuTeodora Alexescu
Teodora Alexescu
MPMirela Petrulea
Mirela Petrulea
MLMonica Lencu
Monica Lencu
The control mechanisms of respiration as a vital function are complex: voluntary – cortical, and involuntary – metabolic, neural, emotional and endocrine. Hormones and hypothalamic neuropeptides (that act as neurotrasmitters and neuromodulators in the central nervous system) play a role in the regulation of respiration and in bronchopulmonary morphology. This article presents respiratory manifestations in adult endocrine diseases that evolve with hormone deficit or hypersecretion. In hyperthyroidism, patients develop ventilation disorders, obstructive and central sleep apnea, and pleural collection. The respiratory abnormalities in hyperthyroidism as a result of the hypermetabolic action of thyroid hormones are hyperventilation, myopathy and cardiovascular involvement; recent studies have reported pulmonary arterial hypertension in Graves’ disease, as a result of the association of several mechanisms. Thyroid hypertrophy can induce through compression of the upper airways dyspnea, stridor, wheezing and cough. The respiratory disorders in acromegaly are ventilatory dysfunction and sleep apnea, which contribute to an unfavorable evolution of the disease. Respiratory changes in parathyroid, adrenal and reproductive system diseases have been described. Respiratory disorders should be recognized, investigated and monitored by medical practitioners of various specialties (family physicians, internists, endocrinologists, pneumologists, cardiologists). They are frequently severe, causing an unfavorable evolution of the associated endocrine and respiratory disease.

1 April 2021 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Lucia Maria LotreanLucia Maria Lotrean
Lucia Maria Lotrean
IPIoana Popa
Ioana Popa
MFMira Florea
Mira Florea
CLCecilia Lazea
Cecilia Lazea
Stanescu Ana Maria AlexandraStanescu Ana Maria Alexandra
Stanescu Ana Maria Alexandra
CLCodruta Lencu
Codruta Lencu
Background and Objectives: The perception of the body weight by children and parents influences the consequent actions undertaken for children’s body weight management. This study investigated the correspondence between objective evaluations of Romanian school children (actual weight) and perceptions about weight (perceived weight), preoccupation with body weight management (desired weight) and parents’ perceptions on children’s weight. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was performed among 344 children aged 11 to 14 and 147 parents from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. We made anthropometric measurements of children, and short questionnaires were completed by the children and the parents. Results: The results show that 3.8% of children were underweight, 68.3% had a normal weight and 27.9% were overweight. Of this sample, 61.5% of underweight children, 20% of normal weight children and 43.7% of overweight children had misperceptions about their weight. The percentage of parents who did not estimate their children’s weight correctly was 50%, 11.9% and 41.5%, respectively, for each of the three weight groups. The results of the logistic regression analyses showed that several factors were associated with the misclassification of their own body weight by the children, such as body mass index, gender, weight management practices, misclassification by the parents as well as parent–child discussions on these issues. Conclusions: Education for both Romanian parents and children is needed with regard to correctly identifying and managing children’ body weight.

12 June 2026 in Toxics
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Journal Article
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CLCodruta Lencu
Codruta Lencu
Teodora AlexescuTeodora Alexescu
Teodora Alexescu
Cristian MuresanuCristian Muresanu
Cristian Muresanu
AGAndreea-Cezara Gerdanovics
Andreea-Cezara Gerdanovics
MMMircea Vasile Milaciu
Mircea Vasile Milaciu
Dana IancuDana Iancu
Dana Iancu
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a heterogeneous group of exogenous compounds capable of interfering with hormonal homeostasis and endocrine-regulated physiological processes. Their widespread occurrence in food, water, air, consumer products and industrial materials has raised increasing concern regarding their contribution to chronic disease burden. This review synthesizes current evidence on the exposure characteristics, molecular mechanisms, health effects, and prevention strategies related to major EDC classes, including bisphenol A and phthalates, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, pesticides, and brominated flame retardants. Evidence indicates that EDCs may act through receptor-mediated signaling, altered hormone synthesis and metabolism, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, immune modulation, and epigenetic mechanisms, with effects that may vary according to dose, timing, sex, age, and developmental susceptibility. Reported health outcomes include metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, reproductive dysfunction, hormone-dependent cancers, thyroid disruption, immune dysregulation, and adverse developmental effects. Although complete avoidance is unrealistic, exposure reduction and risk mitigation can be achieved through coordinated individual, clinical, environmental, and regulatory interventions. A life-course approach is essential to limit the health burden associated with endocrine disruption.

10 February 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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PȘPaul Andrei Ștefan
Paul Andrei Ștefan
RȘRoxana Adelina Ștefan
Roxana Adelina Ștefan
CCCosmin Caraiani
Cosmin Caraiani
LMLucian Mărginean
Lucian Mărginean
TBThea Diana Brad
Thea Diana Brad
Dana IancuDana Iancu
Dana Iancu
Background/Objectives: Preoperative discrimination between tumor deposits (TDs) and lymph node metastases (LNMs) in rectal cancer on MRI is clinically critical but remains challenging. Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted, including studies using MRI to differentiate TDs from LNMs with histopathology as reference. Performance metrics such as AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were extracted. Results: Four retrospective studies (n = 344 patients) were included. Morphology-based MRI showed moderate diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.72–0.76), whereas DCE-MRI and radiomics models demonstrated improved performance (AUC up to 0.86). Combined multiparametric approaches integrating DWI, DCE, and radiomics yielded the highest discriminative values. Conclusions: MRI-based multiparametric models improve discrimination between TDs and LNMs in rectal cancer. Integration of functional and morphologic features may enhance staging precision and guide therapy planning.

27 June 2026 in Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
CLCodruta Lencu
Codruta Lencu
GBGeanina Marina Bud
Geanina Marina Bud
MPMirela-Georgiana Perné
Mirela-Georgiana Perné
MGMadalina Daiana Gavris
Madalina Daiana Gavris
LDLiliana-Elisabeta David
Liliana-Elisabeta David
Teodora AlexescuTeodora Alexescu
Teodora Alexescu
Hepatocrinology is an emerging interdisciplinary field that examines the bidirectional interactions between the liver and the endocrine system, emphasizing how hepatic dysfunction influences hormonal regulation and how endocrine disorders, in turn, shape liver metabolism, inflammation, and disease progression. This review summarizes current theoretical frameworks, including hepato-endocrine axes, hepatokine signaling, and multi-organ communication models, highlighting the liver’s role as a central endocrine hub. Key hepatic hormones, transport proteins, and hepatokines such as fetuin-A, fibroblast growth factor 21, and selenoprotein P are discussed in relation to metabolic disorders including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, and advanced chronic liver disease. The review further explores hormonal axes involving the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands, parathyroids, and gonads, illustrating their complex interplay with hepatic physiology. Current challenges, such as limited long-term studies and therapeutic controversies, are examined alongside emerging directions involving hepatokine-targeted therapies, precision medicine, and microbiome-driven modulation. Understanding these interconnected pathways is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, risk stratification, and therapeutic strategies in hepato-endocrine disorders.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CLCodruta Lencu
Codruta Lencu
AGAndreea-Cezara Gerdanovics
Andreea-Cezara Gerdanovics
OOOlga Hilda Orasan
Olga Hilda Orasan
Dana IancuDana Iancu
Dana Iancu
AGAlexandru Gerdanovics
Alexandru Gerdanovics
Teodora AlexescuTeodora Alexescu
Teodora Alexescu
Bisphenols and phthalates are ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting chemicals with potential effects on reproductive neuroendocrine regulation, particularly during sensitive developmental windows. This review summarizes current evidence on their exposure profile, mechanisms of reproductive disruption, and female- and male-specific reproductive adversities. A structured narrative review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, including experimental, epidemiological, biomonitoring, systematic review, and meta-analytic studies addressing bisphenols, phthalates, fertility, hormonal regulation, gametogenesis, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive toxicity mechanisms. Bisphenols and phthalates interfere with estrogenic and androgenic signaling, hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis regulation, steroidogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial function, and epigenetic regulation. Reported outcomes include impaired ovarian function, altered oocyte development, hormonal imbalance, reduced semen quality, defective spermatogenesis, sperm DNA damage, infertility, and adverse developmental or pregnancy-related effects. However, human evidence remains heterogeneous and limited by observational designs, exposure misclassification, residual confounding, and insufficient mixture assessment. Current evidence supports biological plausibility for bisphenol- and phthalate-related reproductive toxicity, but causal inference remains limited. Prospective studies with repeated biomonitoring, standardized reproductive endpoints, sex- and age-specific analyses, and improved mixture modeling are needed. A precautionary reduction in avoidable exposure appears reasonable, particularly during sensitive reproductive and developmental periods.