Background: The association of chronic heart failure (CHF) and iron deficiency (ID) with or without anemia is frequently encountered in current medical practice and has a negative prognostic impact, worsening patients’ exercise capacity and increasing hospitalization costs. Moreover, anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and CHF, an association known as cardio-renal anemia syndrome (CRAS) possessing a significantly increased risk of death. Aim: This review aims to provide an illustrative survey on the impact of ID in CHF patients—based on physiopathological traits, clinical features, and the correlation between functional and absolute ID with CHF—and the benefit of iron supplementation in CHF. Method: We selected the most recent publications with important scientific content covering the association of CHF and ID with or without anemia. Discussions: An intricate physiopathological interplay is described in these patients—decrease in erythropoietin levels, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, systemic inflammation, and increases in hepcidin levels. These mechanisms amplify anemia, CHF, and CKD severity and worsen patients’ outcomes. Conclusions: Anemia is frequently encountered in CHF and represents a negative prognostic factor. Data from randomized controlled trials have underlined the administration of intravenous iron therapy (ferric carboxymaltose) as the only viable treatment option, with beneficial effects on quality of life and exercise capacity in patients with ID and systolic heart failure.

Asthma represents a heterogeneous disorder characterized by a dynamic balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory forces, with allergic sensitization contributing substantially to airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling. Central to its pathogenesis are cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, and IL-33, which drive recruitment of eosinophils, neutrophils, and other effector cells, thereby precipitating episodic exacerbations in response to viral and environmental triggers. Conventional biomarkers, including blood and sputum eosinophil counts, IgE levels, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide, facilitate phenotypic classification and guide the emerging biologic era. Monoclonal antibodies targeting IgE (omalizumab) and IL-5 (mepolizumab, benralizumab, reslizumab, depemokimab) have demonstrated the ability to reduce exacerbation frequency and improve lung function, with newer agents such as depemokimab offering extended dosing intervals. Itepekimab, an anti-IL-33 antibody, effectively engages its target and mitigates tissue eosinophilia, while CM310-stapokibart, tralokinumab, and lebrikizumab inhibit IL-4/IL-13 signaling with variable efficacy depending on patient biomarkers. Comparative analyses of these biologics, encompassing affinity, dosing regimens, and trial outcomes, underscore the imperative of personalized therapy to optimize disease control in severe asthma.

Cyclodextrin (CD)-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome limitations commonly encountered in antidepressant therapy, including low bioavailability, poor solubility, and suboptimal penetration of the blood–brain barrier. This review synthesizes current evidence demonstrating that complexing various classes of antidepressants—such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and atypical antidepressants—with β-CD or its derivatives significantly enhances drug solubility and stability. In addition, encapsulation with CDs can diminish systemic toxicity and improve pharmacokinetics, thereby helping to optimize dosage regimens and reduce adverse effects. Analysis of published in vitro and in vivo studies indicates that CD formulations not only boost therapeutic efficacy but also enable sustained or targeted release, which is critical for drugs requiring precise plasma and tissue concentrations. When compared to other carriers (e.g., liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers), CD-based systems often stand out for their ease of formulation, biocompatibility, and cost-effectiveness, although limited drug-loading capacity can be a drawback. We recommend expanding in vivo trials to substantiate the clinical benefits of CD–antidepressant complexes, particularly for treatment-resistant cases or specific subpopulations (e.g., elderly and pediatric patients). Additional investigations should also explore hybrid systems—combining CDs with advanced nano- or macroparticles—to amplify their advantages and address any limitations. Ultimately, integrating CDs into antidepressant regimens holds substantial potential to refine therapy outcomes, reduce adverse events, and pave the way for more personalized, effective interventions for depression.

Background/Objectives: This review evaluates the expanding contributions of artificial intelligence (AI) across biomedicine, focusing on cancer therapy and nanomedicine, cardiology and medical imaging, neurodegenerative disorders, and liver disease. Core AI concepts (machine learning, deep learning, artificial neural networks, model training/validation, and explainability) are introduced to frame application domains. Methods: A systematic search of major biomedical databases (2010–2025) identified English-language original studies on AI in these four areas; 203 articles meeting PRISMA 2020 criteria were included in a qualitative synthesis. Results: In oncology and nanomedicine, AI-driven methods expedite nanocarrier design, predict biodistribution and treatment response, and enable nanoparticle-enhanced monitoring. In cardiology, algorithms enhance ECG interpretation, coronary calcium scoring, automated image segmentation, and noninvasive FFR estimation. For neurological disease, multimodal AI models integrate imaging and biomarker data to improve early detection and patient stratification. In hepatology, AI supports digital histopathology, augments intraoperative robotics, and refines transplant wait-list prioritization. Common obstacles are highlighted, including data heterogeneity, lack of standardized acquisition protocols, model transparency, and the scarcity of prospective multicenter validation. Conclusions: AI is emerging as a practical enabler across these biomedical fields, but its safe and equitable use requires harmonized data, rigorous multicentre validation, and more transparent models to ensure clinical benefit while minimizing bias.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that has a significant impact on public health and is becoming more and more common worldwide. Although effective, conventional therapies are often limited by high cost, adverse effects, and issues with patient compliance. As a result, there is growing interest in complementary and alternative therapies. Medicinal plants have played an essential role in diabetes treatment, especially in regions such as Romania, where biodiversity is high and traditional knowledge is well preserved. The pathophysiology, risk factors, and worldwide burden of diabetes are examined in this review, with an emphasis on the traditional use of medicinal plants for glycemic control. A total of 47 plant species were identified based on ethnopharmacological records and recent biomedical research, including both native flora and widely cultivated species. The bioactive compounds identified, such as flavonoids, triterpenic saponins, polyphenols, and alkaloids, have hypoglycemic effects through diverse mechanisms, including β-cell regeneration, insulin-mimetic action, inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, and oxidative stress reduction. A systematic literature search was conducted, including in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies relevant to antidiabetic activity. Among the species reviewed, Urtica dioica, Silybum marianum, and Momordica charantia exhibited the most promising antidiabetic activity based on both preclinical and clinical evidence. Despite promising preclinical results, clinical evidence remains limited, and variability in phytochemical content poses challenges to reproducibility. This review highlights the potential of Romanian medicinal flora as a source of adjunctive therapies in diabetes care and underscores the need for standardization and clinical validation.

Background/Objectives: Acute drug intoxications (ADIs) are a significant concern in pediatric healthcare, contributing to both accidental and intentional morbidity. This study aimed to analyze the demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of pediatric ADI cases to identify trends and inform preventive strategies. Methods: This retrospective study included 120 cases of pediatric ADI admitted to the Second Pediatric Clinic of Craiova County Emergency Clinical Hospital in 2022 and 2023. The inclusion criteria encompassed children aged 0–17 years with confirmed pharmaceutical intoxications. Cases involving mixed poisonings or non-pharmaceutical substances were excluded. Clinical severity was classified using the Poisoning Severity Score (PSS). Data on demographics, substances involved, clinical presentations, interventions, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: The majority of cases occurred in females (73.3%) and urban residents (77.5%). Accidental intoxications were prevalent in children aged 1–5 years (45%), while intentional ingestions were common in adolescents (47.5%). The most frequently implicated substances included antibiotics (46.7%), benzodiazepines (20.8%), and acetaminophen (15.8%). Severity was classified as mild (44.2%), moderate (26.6%), or severe (29.2%), while treatment primarily included supportive care, intravenous fluids (62.5%), and antidotes (35.8%). Severe cases required respiratory support in 29.2% of the instances. Hospitalization duration significantly decreased from 2022 (3.8 ± 1.9 days) to 2023 (2.3 ± 0.9 days) (p < 0.05), and no fatalities were recorded. Conclusions: Pediatric ADIs predominantly involve accidental ingestions in young children and intentional overdoses in adolescents. Targeted public health strategies, such as parental education, adolescent mental health support, and improved rural healthcare access, are essential to reduce incidence and severity. These findings underscore the need for focused prevention and optimized clinical management.