Chlorogenic acids are plant secondary metabolites, chemically—polyphenols with similar biological activity, formed through the esterification of quinic acid and hydrocinnamic acid moieties. They are best known for their high concentration in coffee and other dietary sources and the antioxidant properties that they exhibit. Both chlorogenic acids and plant extracts containing significant amounts of the compounds show promising in vitro activity against colorectal cancer. With coffee being the most popular drink in the world, and colorectal cancer at an unfortunate peak in incidence and mortality, the mechanisms through which the anti-tumorigenic effect of chlorogenic acids could be functionalized for CRC prevention seem appealing to study. Therefore, this review aims to enable a better understanding of the modes of action of chlorogenic acids in combating carcinogenesis, with a focus on cell cycle arrest, the induction of apoptosis, and the modulation of Wnt, Pi3K/Akt, and MAPK signal transduction pathways, alongside the reduction in the number of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and the counterintuitive beneficial elevation of oxidative stress.

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.

Although pharmacist-led vaccination is a global standard for expanding immunization coverage, its adoption in Romania remains at an early stage. While previous studies have focused on early adopters, this research evaluates barriers, perceptions, and readiness among community pharmacies that do not yet provide this service, thereby addressing a critical knowledge gap regarding the “non-vaccinating” majority. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 208 pharmacists representing national chains, regional networks, and independent pharmacies. Quantitative data were analyzed using Chi-square tests and Spearman correlations to identify structural disparities, while a thematic analysis was employed to explore qualitative insights related to professional identity and operational barriers. We identified a clear mismatch between pharmacies’ willingness to provide vaccination services and their practical ability to implement them. Independent pharmacies demonstrated a strong intention to adopt vaccination services (71.4%) but were limited by financial constraints, with high implementation costs identified as a significant barrier (p = 0.014). In contrast, national pharmacy chains had sufficient resources yet faced marked staff resistance, with 43.9% reporting extreme reluctance (p = 0.038). These chains were concentrated in the capital region (p = 0.002), thereby positioning other pharmacies as key providers in underserved areas. Furthermore, thematic analysis revealed a deep-seated “professional identity” crisis, in which pharmacists struggle with the transition from medication specialists to clinical practitioners. The expansion of vaccination services cannot rely on a “one-size-fits-all” strategy. Successful national implementation requires a segmented policy approach, including financial subsidies to support independent pharmacies, change management strategies to engage the corporate workforce, and targeted regulatory education for regional networks to prevent vaccination deserts.

Background and Objectives: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is one of the leading ocular diseases leading to irreversible blindness and is often asymptomatic until advanced cases. While intraocular pressure reduction remains the cornerstone of treatment, neuroprotective strategies targeting retinal ganglion cell metabolism are actively investigated. Niacinamide (nicotinamide, vitamin B3), a precursor of NAD+, has shown neuroprotective potential in preclinical models. This exploratory study evaluated the short-term functional, structural, and electrophysiological effects of oral niacinamide supplementation in POAG. Materials and Methods: In this interventional study, patients with POAG received oral niacinamide 500 mg daily for six months. Visual field (VF) global and localized sensitivity (Mean Deviation [MD], Pattern Standard Deviation [PSD]), Optic Coherence Tomography (OCT)-derived peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC), and Visual evoked potentials (VEP) latency parameters (P2 1.4 Hz, P100 1°, and P100 15′) were assessed at baseline and at six months. Because both eyes from some participants were included, primary longitudinal inference was based on clustered analyses using generalized estimating equations and linear mixed-effects models to account for inter-eye correlation. Eye-level paired analyses were used for exploratory comparison. Change–change relationships across modalities were explored using Spearman correlation. Results: After accounting for inter-eye correlation, no statistically significant change in MD was detected (mean ΔMD +0.43 dB; GEE p = 0.099; LME p = 0.101), and PSD remained stable. RNFL thickness showed a small decrease (−1.26 µm; GEE p = 0.046), while GCC did not change significantly. VEP P100 latencies remained stable, whereas P2 latency showed a small increase (+3.9 ms; GEE p = 0.039). Correlation analysis revealed a moderate association between changes in GCC and MD (ρ = 0.44), suggesting concordance between macular structural stability and global visual field performance. Conclusions: When inter-eye correlation is appropriately accounted for, six months of niacinamide supplementation in POAG is associated with overall functional, structural, and electrophysiological stability, without evidence of clinically meaningful improvement or progression. These findings support short-term safety and highlight the importance of clustered analytical approaches and macular-centered biomarkers in future glaucoma neuroprotection trials.

Chronic wounds represent a growing global healthcare burden driven by persistent inflammation, polymicrobial biofilm formation, impaired tissue regeneration, and increased antimicrobial resistance. This review examines the mechanistic interplay between chronic wound pathophysiology, biofilm persistence, and antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-based therapeutics, with particular emphasis on translational barriers and advanced biomaterial-enabled delivery strategies. Current evidence demonstrates that AMPs exert multifactorial activities extending beyond direct antimicrobial effects, including membrane disruption, quorum-sensing inhibition, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) destabilization, immune modulation, angiogenic stimulation, and promotion of re-epithelialization. However, their clinical translation remains limited due to proteolytic degradation, poor stability, cytotoxicity, rapid clearance, and inadequate retention within the hostile chronic wound microenvironment. To address these limitations, emerging biomaterial platforms—including hydrogels, electrospun nanofibers, nanoparticles, self-assembling peptide systems, and stimuli-responsive smart dressings—have been developed to improve AMP stability, controlled release, biofilm penetration, and regenerative efficacy. This review further highlights current preclinical and clinical challenges, including the lack of standardized polymicrobial biofilm models and translationally relevant wound systems, while discussing future perspectives such as artificial intelligence-assisted peptide design and precision wound therapeutics. We argue that peptide discovery is no longer the principal bottleneck: the rate-limiting steps are now peptide stabilization, biofilm-targeted delivery, and dosing, and no current platform yet couples validated eradication of mature polymicrobial biofilms with validated tissue regeneration in a clinically representative model. Collectively, AMP-enabled smart biomaterials may support the transition from passive wound management toward responsive, biofilm-targeted regenerative therapy.

Background/Objectives: Organised colorectal cancer screening is still being introduced in Romania, and the yield of opportunistic colonoscopy outside it is poorly documented. Our primary aim was to describe the histopathological spectrum and the yield of advanced neoplasia in an opportunistic colonoscopy service; a secondary, exploratory aim was to describe self-reported lifestyle items in a questionnaire subgroup. Methods: This study represents a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of consecutive colonoscopies (June 2023–June 2024) at a county hospital outside organised screening, restricted to patients from whom material reached histopathology; the comparison group therefore comprises patients whose sampled lesions were benign, not patients without neoplasia. Advanced neoplasia was defined histologically as adenocarcinoma or adenoma with high-grade dysplasia, without the 10 mm size criterion. A convenience subgroup self-completed a locally developed, unvalidated questionnaire before the procedure; its items were tested against advanced neoplasia and adenocarcinoma with false discovery rate correction. Results: Among 274 patients, 45 (16.4%) had adenocarcinoma, 139 (50.7%) adenoma and 72 (26.3%) advanced neoplasia; per examination (n = 978), detection was 4.6% for adenocarcinoma and 7.4% for advanced neoplasia. Forty-four of 45 carcinomas were graded as moderately differentiated, and no serrated lesion was separately reported. Age was associated with advanced neoplasia (OR 1.34 per decade, 95% CI 1.01–1.79). Questionnaire data were available for only 79 patients (28.8%), among whom adenocarcinoma was more frequent than among non-respondents (26.6% vs. 12.3%). In this subgroup, obesity was inversely (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.02–0.28) and reported weight loss positively (OR 6.77, 2.26–20.30) associated with advanced neoplasia, and two coffee items were inversely associated; processed meat, dairy, aspirin and supplement use were not associated after correction. Conclusions: Opportunistic colonoscopy at this centre recovered a high proportion of carcinoma, consistent with symptom-driven presentation, and the reporting of serrated lesions and tumour grade requires standardisation. The questionnaire findings rest on a small, selected subgroup and are hypothesis-generating only. The inverse obesity association is most plausibly explained by selection of the comparison group and of respondents, and none of the associations identifies a risk factor.