The corona mortis (CMOR) represents the vascular connection of the obturator and external iliac systems. We aimed to evaluate by dissections the morphological possibilities of the CMOR and their individual combinations. For the study we used 20 human adult cadavers that were bilaterally dissected (40 hemipelvises), with evidences of the vascular elements at the level of the superior pubic branch in 32 (80%) of hemipelvises. The morphological patterns we identified were classified in three types (I-III): I. arterial CMOR (10 hemipelvises): I.1. obturator artery (OA) from the external iliac artery (EIA); I.2. OA from the inferior epigastric artery (IEA); I.3. anastomosis of the OA and IEA; I.4. pubic branches of the OA, in the absence of any anastomosis with the EIA system; II. venous CMOR (6 hemipelvises): II.1. obturator vein (OV) draining into the external iliac vein (EIV); II.2. OV draining into the inferior epigastric vein (IEV); II.3. venous anastomosis of the OV and IEV and III combined, arterial and venous CMOR (16 hemipelvises). We classified the combined coronae mortis in nine different subtypes that mainly (but not exclusively) correspond to various combinations of types I and II. The surgical relevance of the vascular relations of the superior branch of pubis (in trauma, orthopedic approaches, hernia repair, embolizations and intra-arterial infusions) recommends a detailed knowledge of the morphological and topographical possibilities of the crown of death and the individual evaluation of this risky anatomical structure.

Populus nigra L. (Salicaceae family) is one of the most popular trees that can be found in deciduous forests. Some particularities that characterize the Populus genus refer to the fact that it includes more than 40 species, being widespread especially in Europe and Asia. Many residues, parts of this tree can be used as a bioresource for different extracts as active ingredients in pharmaceuticals next to multiple benefits in many areas of medicine. The present review discusses the latest findings regarding the phytochemical composition and the therapeutic properties of Populus nigra L. buds. The vegetal product has been described mainly to contain phenolic compounds (phenols, phenolic acids and phenylpropanoids), terpenoids (mono and sesquiterpenoids), flavones (e.g., apigenol and crysin), flavanones (e.g., pinocembrin and pinostrombin), caffeic/ferulic acids and their derivates, and more than 48 phytocompounds in the essential oils. The resinous exudates present on the buds have been the major plant source used by bees to form propolis. Several studies depicted its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, antitumor, hepatoprotective, hypouricemic properties and its effects on melanin production. All these lead to the conclusion that black poplar buds are a valuable and important source of bioactive compounds responsible for a wide range of therapeutic uses, being a promising candidate as a complementary and/or alternative source for a large number of health problems. The aim of the review is to gather the existing information and to bring an up to date regarding the phytochemical and therapeutic uses of Populus nigra L. buds.

Black chokeberry fruits possess a wide range of biological activities, among which the most important that are frequently mentioned in the literature are their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and antimicrobial properties. The present paper reports, for the first time, the encapsulation of the ethanolic extract of Aronia melanocarpa L. fruits into two mesoporous silica-type matrices (i.e., pristine MCM-41 and MCM-41 silica decorated with zinc oxide nanoparticles). The aim of this work was to evaluate the antiradicalic capacity, the antimicrobial potential, and the effects on the cell viability on a cancer cell line (i.e., A375 human melanoma cell line) versus normal cells (i.e., HaCaT human keratinocytes) of black chokeberry extract loaded on silica-type matrices in comparison to that of the extract alone. The ethanolic polyphenolic extract obtained by conventional extraction was characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector (HPLC–PDA) and spectrophotometric methods. The extract was found to contain high amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids, as well as good radical scavenging activity. The extract-loaded materials were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, thermal analysis, and radical scavenger activity on solid samples. The black chokeberry extract, both free and loaded onto mesoporous silica-type matrices, exhibited a significant antioxidant capacity. Antibacterial activity was recorded only for Gram-positive bacteria, with a more potent antibacterial effect being observed for the extract loaded onto the ZnO-modified MCM-41 silica-type support than for the free extract, probably due to the synergistic effect of the ZnO nanoparticles that decorate the pore walls of silica. The cellular viability test (i.e., MTT assay) showed dose- and time-dependent activity regarding the melanoma cell line. The healthy cells were less affected than the cancer cells, with all tested samples showing good cytocompatibility at doses of up to 100 µg/mL. Improved in vitro antiproliferative and antimigratory (i.e., scratch assay) potential was demonstrated through the loading of black chokeberry extract into mesoporous silica-type matrices, and the screened samples exhibited low selectivity against the tested non-tumor cell line. Based on presented results, one can conclude that mesoporous silica-type matrices are good hosts for black chokeberry extract, increasing its antioxidant, antibacterial (on the screened strains), and in vitro antitumor (on the screened cell line) properties.

The iliolumbar artery (ILA) of Haller is the largest nutrient pedicle of the ilium and its detailed knowledge is important for various surgical procedures that approach the lumbosacral junction, the L4/L5 disk space, the sacroiliac joint, the iliac and psoas muscles, or the lumbar spine. Also the ILA is relevant for various techniques of embolization. We aimed to evaluate the anatomic and topographic features of the ILA, by dissection on 30 human adult pelvic halves and on 50 angiograms. ILA was a constant presence and it emerged at Level A (from the common iliac artery (CIA), 8.75%), Level B (from the CIA bifurcation, 2.5%), Level C (from the internal iliac artery (IIA), 52.5%), Level D (from the IIA bifurcation, 3.75%), and Level E (from the posterior trunk of the IIA, 32.5%). Level B of origin of the ILA corresponds to a trifurcated CIA (morphology previously unreported), while Level D corresponds to a trifurcated IIA. A higher origin of the ILA corresponds to a more transversal course of it. A descending lumbar branch that leaves the iliac arterial system independently to enter the psoas major muscle, as seen in 48% of cases, may be misdiagnosed as ILA. Surgical interventions in the lumbar, sacral, and pelvic regions must take into account the variable origins of the ILA from the iliac system that can modify the expected topographical relations and may lead to undesired hemorrhagic accidents.

Through this research, our main focus was: to investigate the biochemical brain metabolites (NAA-N-acetylaspartate, GABA-Gama-Aminobutyric Acid, Asp-Aspartate, CR-Creatine, Gln-Glutamine, GPC-Glicerophosphocholine, PC-Phosphocholine, PCr-Phosphocreatine, Tau-Taurine, N-MDA-N-Metyl-D-Aspartate, Serine, Glicine, Cho-Choline); the neuroimagistic, the brain biochemical and metabolic abnormalities in children and adolescents with epilepsy before and after treatment; to review the main antiepileptic medication administered to these patients; and to make some correlations with the results obtained through Magnetic Resonance (MR) Spectroscopy, for further proper early detection and intervention in children and adolescents with epilepsy. Our research was performed between 2010-2017, involving 45 children and adolescents with epilepsy. Also, the patients were evaluated through MR Spectroscopy at baseline and after pharmacotherapy. Through the MR Spectroscopy, we investigated key aspects of the brain function and metabolism. The antiepileptic medication was chosen according to the guides and the type of epileptic seizures. The efficacy of the chosen therapy was evaluated through the change of the relevant MR spectroscopy biochemical brain metabolites. Our results, showed statistically significant modified values and concentrations of the biochemical cerebral metabolites. Our research was a proof, which the evaluation of the biochemical brain metabolites through MR Spectroscopy is of high clinical utility in prevention, early detection and intervention in epilepsy in children and adolescents.