Androgenic alopecia; the risk–benefit ratio of Finasteride

Finasteride is currently approved and largely used as a therapeutic option for androgenetic alopecia. Apparently a safe drug and effective at the onset of its application, several concerns have since appeared over the years regarding the frequency and magnitude of finasteride adverse effects, which in some cases appear irreversible even after drug termination. This paper discusses the use of finasteride for androgenic alopecia from two distinct perspectives. On the one hand, androgenic alopecia is a condition that especially affects a person’s self-image and esteem, aspects that are subjectively-constructed and thus relative and changeable. On the other hand, this condition involves a multifactorial etiology, with androgens being only partly responsible. Because androgens have important and unique physiological roles within the body, any procedure that results in androgenic suppression should be advised with caution. Furthermore, adverse effects induced by finasteride are neither fully documented nor easily treated. Finally, as alternative therapeutic approaches (such as topical finasteride) become available, the oral administration of finasteride for androgenic alopecia should, in our opinion, be reevaluated. Due to such concerns, a detailed and informed discussion should take place with patients considering therapy with finasteride for androgenic alopecia

The risk of bleeding and encephalopathy in surgical patients with liver cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is a disease with an increasing incidence. Surgical procedures in patients with cirrhosis are also increasing, due to a longer life expectancy in these patients and also to the improvement of therapeutic and diagnostic resources. Digestive hemorrhage in the cirrhotic patient requires emergency medical intervention (intensive therapy, endoscopic or even surgical approaches), being at the same time a factor that precipitates episodes of encephalopathy, i.e. the conventional complication of cirrhosis. Hepatic encephalopathy represents one of the most severe clinical events of cirrhosis, being associated with high morbidity and mortality. The causes of hepatic encephalopathy are briefly presented in this paper. Therapeutic approaches currently available consist in the administration of non-absorbable disaccharides such as lactulose and non-absorbable antibiotics such as rifaximin. New therapeutic perspectives are under evaluation, e.g. ammonia scavengers and the modulation of gut microbiota. Clotting disorders in patients with liver cirrhosis are more severe as the disease progresses and involves complex mechanisms, as presented in this review. The correction of possible disorders of hemostasis should be promptly made as a sine qua non condition prior to surgery

The customized therapeutic approach of a giant pancreatic pseudocyst. A case report and literature review

Giant pancreatic pseudocysts are considered those cysts whose dimensions exceed 10 cm and are sporadically reported in the literature. Although there are multiple treatment modalities, there are currently no treatment guidelines or consensus on the best therapeutic approach for giant pancreatic pseudocysts. We report the case of a 32-year-old male patient with a giant pancreatic pseudocyst after an episode of acute pancreatitis, which was treated by internal surgical drainage through cyst-jejunal anastomosis. This surgical procedure was followed by the formation of a retroperitoneal abscess which was resolved by ultrasound-guided drainage. The subsequent evolution of the patient was favorable, without other complications. Given their complex anatomical relations, the treatment of giant pseudocysts requires strategies adapted to the local conditions. The optimal choice of the operative time and of the therapeutic strategy is based on clinical considerations and the effectiveness of the method used can be assessed by a long-term follow-up

Androgenic alopecia; the risk–benefit ratio of Finasteride

Finasteride is currently approved and largely used as a therapeutic option for androgenetic alopecia. Apparently a safe drug and effective at the onset of its application, several concerns have since appeared over the years regarding the frequency and magnitude of finasteride adverse effects, which in some cases appear irreversible even after drug termination. This paper discusses the use of finasteride for androgenic alopecia from two distinct perspectives. On the one hand, androgenic alopecia is a condition that especially affects a person’s self-image and esteem, aspects that are subjectively-constructed and thus relative and changeable. On the other hand, this condition involves a multifactorial etiology, with androgens being only partly responsible. Because androgens have important and unique physiological roles within the body, any procedure that results in androgenic suppression should be advised with caution. Furthermore, adverse effects induced by finasteride are neither fully documented nor easily treated. Finally, as alternative therapeutic approaches (such as topical finasteride) become available, the oral administration of finasteride for androgenic alopecia should, in our opinion, be reevaluated. Due to such concerns, a detailed and informed discussion should take place with patients considering therapy with finasteride for androgenic alopecia

Inflammatory bowel disease: pathogenesis, diagnosis and current therapeutic approach

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of conditions of unknown etiology, represented by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and characterized by the presence of intestinal wall inflammation. From the first cases described to date, several studies have been performed to elucidate the cause of inflammatory bowel disease. Generally, the genetic factors predispose to their occurrence while epigenetic and environmental factors trigger them. Genetic factors are mutations of the genes involved in the response and recognition of immune cells to different pathogens. The most studied epigenetic and environmental factors are smoking (which predisposes to Crohn’s disease and can be protective for ulcerative colitis), lack of vitamin D, a diet rich in sugars and low in flavonoids and fibers. The diagnosis is usually established by endoscopy and biopsy. Recent technologies can perform live biopsies such as endocytoscopy or confocal laser endomicroscopy, with an accuracy of 100% compared to classical methods. Therapy involves several classes of drugs, preferably in association with diet and lifestyle changes. In case of complications or in non-responsive diseases, surgery must be considered, as documented for ulcerative colitis that can be cured by removing the entire colon. The purpose of this review is to present recent findings on pathology, as well as modern diagnosis and treatment methods for IBD

ISO 14000 - the purpose of environmental standard and its implementation

International Organization for Standardization was founded with the aim to develop and introduce international trade using harmonized international standards in the field of manufacturing, trade and communications. The organization has its members in more than 120 countries whose representatives can participate in the creation of standards. ISO standards are voluntary and consensual. Countries often include these standards in their regulation and business sector (industry) often define them in the request of the market, and in both cases the use of standard becomes mandatory

Androgenic alopecia; the risk–benefit ratio of Finasteride

Finasteride is currently approved and largely used as a therapeutic option for androgenetic alopecia. Apparently a safe drug and effective at the onset, several concerns appeared over time regarding the frequency and magnitude of finasteride adverse effects, which in some cases seem to be even irreversible. This paper presents administration of finasteride in androgenic alopecia from two distinct perspectives. On one hand, androgenic alopecia is a condition that affects especially the self-image and esteem, aspects that are subjective, namely changeable and thus relative. On the other hand, this condition presents a multifactorial etiology, androgens being only in part involved. In addition, androgens have their own physiological roles within the body, so that any androgenic suppression should be carefully advised. Yet, adverse effects induced by Finasteride are only in part documented and treatable. Finally, alternative therapeutic approaches (like topical finasteride) become available, so that the oral administration of Finasteride for androgenic alopecia should be in our opinion reevaluated. As a conclusion, a very detailed and informed discussion should take place with such patients accepting to start a therapy with finasteride for androgenic alopecia