Volumen 2 (2019): Edición 1 (June 2019)

Recent studies have shown that vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae stimulate plant growth in case of Artemisia annua plants. According to these studies mycorrhization can enhance plant height and biomasses, shoot branching and inter-nodal length, foliar glandular hair density, and nutrient status of shoots and leafs. Contradictory data were obtained in case of leaf chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate. The effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae on roots, shoots and leafs anatomy of A. annua have not been studied yet. The aim of this paper was to compare the microscopic characteristics of the vegetative organs from the Artemisia annua plants treated with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae, with those from the control plants. Rhizophagus irregularis influenced the development of vascular tissues in root and stem of Artemisia plants by increasing their surface in the organs. Mycorrhization also reduced the percentage of lignification in the cortex of the root, increased the percentage of palisade parenchyma in leaf and had a positive effect on foliar glandular hair density. Further investigations are necessary to find out the role of these histo-anatomic alterations in the growth and development of Artemisia plants.

Prunella vulgaris L. belongs to the genus Prunella, Lamiaceae family, Nepetoideae subfamily. In Romania, the genus Prunella includes Prunella vulgaris L., Prunella grandiflora (L.) Jacq and Prunella laciniata L.. Amongst these, Prunella vulgaris is of particular importance, having numerous pharmacological actions. The purpose of this study is to analyze macroscopically and microscopically the main characters by which Prunellae spica can be identified and distinguished from other fruit-spikes from species of the Lamiaceae family.

Catechin and its derivatives are polyphenolic benzopyran compounds. The condensation of catechin units leads to the formation of condensed tannins. It is found in appreciable amount in green tea leaves, cocoa, red wines, beer, chocolate, etc. It possesses important antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antitumor properties. The present review outlines recent updates and perspectives of the effects of catechins and the pharmacodynamic mechanisms involved.

This retrospective study aims to analyze the relationship between biochemical changes occurring in newborns with sepsis proven by positive blood culture (BC) and possible correlations with 1 min Apgar score, 5 min Apgar score, gestational age (GA), and birth weight (BW). We included in the study all infants ≤7 days of life with positive BC that were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Neonatology Department (ND) of the County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Târgu Mureş, a tertiary level hospital, between 2014-2018. The analyzed parameters are: day of life for blood sampling (0-7 days of life), gender, Apgar score (1 and 5 minute), GA, BW, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST/GOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT/GPT), c-reactive protein (CPR), bacteria involved, empiric antibiotics administered before blood sampling, temperature of the newborn on the day of BC. We found there is a statistically significant negative correlation between 1 and 5 min Apgar score and creatinine, between GA and urea and also between BW, GA and Direct Bilirubin. We found a statistically significant positive correlation between BW, GA and GPT.

The aim of this study was to identify the medicinal and aromatic plants from mountain hay meadows (6520 - Natura 2000 habitat) of Gurghiului Mountains and to analyze the correlation of these herbs with their therapeutic compounds as well as the human diseases on which they can be used on therapeutic purpose. The area covered by this study was the Gurghiului Mountains. Regarding the vegetation, this area is characterized by the predominance of forest ecosystems, along with semi-natural mountainous grasslands. The floristic inventory for the studied area included numerous medicinal plants with therapeutic chemical compounds. These medicinal plants were grouped in this study according to the dominant active principles used in phytotherapy. Two plant associations were identified: Festuco rubrae-Agrostietum capillaris Horvat 1951 and Poo-Trisetetum flavescentis Knapp ex Oberdorfer 1957. This survey demonstrates that the medicinal plant area in the Gurghiului Mountains is a promising economic resource for developing this region, but it needs planned exploitation.