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The performance of timber harvesting equipment is important for local operational planning and for making decisions on the way in which the forests should be opened up. However, there are many options used to extract timber, and there is a high variability in their performance. Forwarding is commonly used and became an attractive option for low-access forests. A controlled experiment was set up in this study to see how the configuration of the trails, characterized in terms of slope and surface condition, and the extraction direction (uphill or downhill) may affect the performance of forwarding operations. GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data were collected at a rate of 5 s for five replications of moving empty downhill and uphill, respectively, on a dirt trail, measuring 250 m in length and having a slope of about 11%. The same experiment was run with the machine loaded at full capacity, then four replications with the machine loaded and unloaded moving downhill and uphill, respectively, were performed on a forest road resembling a rocky trail, which measured 390 in length and had a slope of about 4%. GNSS data were used to extract the moving speed for all the tested conditions with the aim to compute the cycle time, and the payload volume estimate was used to estimate efficiency, and productivity, depending on extraction distance in a range of 50 to 1000 m. For the first trail, statistical comparison tests indicated significant differences in the speed of uphill and downhill movement, for both empty and loaded conditions, whereas for the second trail, there were no significant differences in speed. In addition, on the second trail, the sustained speed was almost double. These were reflected sharply in the cycle time, efficiency, and productivity, depending on extraction distance and trail condition. These findings are important for decision making on local operational planning and forest opening up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation has become a topic of interest since public institutions digitalize their processes to improve efficiency, while citizens wish to solve their issues through online platforms. Even if this topic is a priority, the Digital Economy and Society Index reveals that digital public services from UE are under 30% development and implementation. This paper presents the current research made on digital public services and the perspective of Romanian citizens on the adoption of these platforms. The authors conduct bibliometric research to highlight the current progress and concerns. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis is made to determine the perception of Romanian citizens on digital public services and the factors that influence their decision to use them instead of traditional methods. According to the bibliometric analysis, 23 countries showed a raised interest for digital public services after 2020, which was a crucial moment that pushed digitalization among public institutions. Although Romanian citizens are aware of the benefits brought by digital public services, they encounter issues in terms of lack of information and technical support, knowledge, data security, and the complexity of these platforms. Therefore, the government should implement an integrated approach that considers cultural values as well as reliable and accessible digital solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, people spend a lot of time using their mobile devices. With such ubiquity of mobile devices in our daily life, battery capacity and quality are of utmost importance. Running software applications (called apps) are one of the major factors influencing the power consumption in mobile devices. In order to meet user needs, mobile apps are becoming inherently complex and resource greedy. Therefore, fulfilling these requirements at the pace imposed by the market may degrade software construction quality and insert so-called energy code smells: bad patterns in the source code of an app that indicate a deeper problem and adversely affect power consumption. This work proposes a developer-oriented framework for identifying and fixing patterns via analyzing different application code flavors in a user-driven test scenario. A special app was designed in order to validate the Android implementation of the proposed methodology. The study results have shown significant improvement regarding energy efficiency after correcting one or more energy code smells, with a 4 to 30 percent decrease in battery drain. Additionally, the power consumption signature term is defined in the context of mobile applications. This paper presents a developer-oriented framework for assessing power consumption in mobile applications. Our key contributions include identifying significant energy code smells, demonstrating their impact on power consumption, and providing a toolset for developers to improve energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the phytosynthesis of silver-based nanoparticles using tomato flower waste extracts for the first time in the literature. The determination of total polyphenolic and flavonoid contents in the extracts showed high gallic acid equivalents (6436–8802 mg GAE/kg dm) and high quercetin equivalents (378–633 mg QE/kg dm), respectively, dependent on the extraction method. By the Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography technique, 14 polyphenolic compounds were identified and quantified in the tomato flower waste extracts. The abundant phenolic compounds were caffeic acid (36,902–32,217 mg/kg) and chlorogenic acid (1640–1728 mg/kg), and the abundant flavonoid compounds were catechin (292–251 mg/kg) and luteolin (246–108 mg/kg). Transmission electron microscopy of the nanoparticles revealed a particle size range of 14–40 nm. Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the phytosynthesis of the silver/silver oxide nanoparticles. These findings hold significant results for the antibacterial and antitumoral potential applications of the obtained nanoparticles, opening new areas for research and development and inspiring further exploration. The impact of this research on the field of metallic nanoparticle phytosynthesis is substantial, as it introduces a novel approach and could lead to significant advancements in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Early detection and accurate diagnosis of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in head and neck cancer (HNC) are crucial for enhancing patient prognosis and survival rates. Current imaging methods have limitations, necessitating new evaluation of new diagnostic techniques. This study investigates the potential of combining pre-operative CT and intra-operative fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIm) to enhance LNM prediction in HNC using primary tumor signatures. Methods: CT and FLIm data were collected from 46 HNC patients. A total of 42 FLIm features and 924 CT radiomic features were extracted from the primary tumor site and fused. A support vector machine (SVM) model with a radial basis function kernel was trained to predict LNM. Hyperparameter tuning was conducted using 10-fold nested cross-validation. Prediction performance was evaluated using balanced accuracy (bACC) and the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Results: The model, leveraging combined CT and FLIm features, demonstrated improved testing accuracy (bACC: 0.71, AUC: 0.79) over the CT-only (bACC: 0.58, AUC: 0.67) and FLIm-only (bACC: 0.61, AUC: 0.72) models. Feature selection identified that a subset of 10 FLIm and 10 CT features provided optimal predictive capability. Feature contribution analysis identified high-pass and low-pass wavelet-filtered CT images as well as Laguerre coefficients from FLIm as key predictors. Conclusions: Combining CT and FLIm of the primary tumor improves the prediction of HNC LNM compared to either modality alone. Significance: This study underscores the potential of combining pre-operative radiomics with intra-operative FLIm for more accurate LNM prediction in HNC, offering promise to enhance patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of M(x)CoCeMgAlO mixed oxides with different transition metals (M = Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ni) with an M content x = 3 at. %, and another series of Fe(x)CoCeMgAlO mixed oxides with Fe contents x ranging from 1 to 9 at. % with respect to cations, while keeping constant in both cases 40 at. % Co, 10 at. % Ce and Mg/Al atomic ratio of 3 were prepared via thermal decomposition at 750 °C in air of their corresponding layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors obtained by coprecipitation. They were tested in a fixed bed reactor for complete methane oxidation with a gas feed of 1 vol.% methane in air to evaluate their catalytic performance. The physico-structural properties of the mixed oxide samples were investigated with several techniques, such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), elemental mappings, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature-programmed reduction under hydrogen (H2-TPR) and nitrogen adsorption–desorption at −196 °C. XRD analysis revealed in all the samples the presence of Co3O4 crystallites together with periclase-like and CeO2 phases, with no separate M-based oxide phase. All the cations were distributed homogeneously, as suggested by EDX measurements and elemental mappings of the samples. The metal contents, determined by EDX and ICP-OES, were in accordance with the theoretical values set for the catalysts' preparation. The redox properties studied by H2-TPR, along with the surface composition determined by XPS, provided information to elucidate the catalytic combustion properties of the studied mixed oxide materials. The methane combustion tests showed that all the M-promoted CoCeMgAlO mixed oxides were more active than the M-free counterpart, the highest promoting effect being observed for Fe as the doping transition metal. The Fe(x)CoCeMgAlO mixed oxide sample, with x = 3 at. % Fe displayed the highest catalytic activity for methane combustion with a temperature corresponding to 50% methane conversion, T50, of 489 °C, which is ca. 40 °C lower than that of the unpromoted catalyst. This was attributed to its superior redox properties and lowest activation energy among the studied catalysts, likely due to a Fe–Co–Ce synergistic interaction. In addition, long-term tests of Fe(3)CoCeMgAlO mixed oxide were performed, showing good stability over 60 h on-stream. On the other hand, the addition of water vapors in the feed led to textural and structural changes in the Fe(3)CoCeMgAlO system, affecting its catalytic performance in methane complete oxidation. At the same time, the catalyst showed relatively good recovery of its catalytic activity as soon as the water vapors were removed from the feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities play a critical role in anthropogenic CO2 emissions, which exacerbate climate change and impact urban populations. Urban green infrastructure, such as urban trees, provides essential ecosystem services, including reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. However, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the impact of urban trees on climate change in semiarid, polluted cities like Tehran, the capital and largest metropolis of the Middle East. This study assesses the carbon sequestration and storage potential of Tehran's urban infrastructure using the i-Tree Eco model. A randomized cluster sampling method was employed, collecting data on species composition, diameter at breast height (DBH), and total tree height. The results indicate that Tehran's urban trees sequester approximately 60,102 tons of carbon per year, equivalent to 220,393 tons of CO2. The net carbon storage in urban trees is about 254,579 tons, equivalent to 933,455 tons of CO2. Parks and urban green spaces demonstrate the highest rate of carbon sequestration per hectare, followed by urban services land use. Prioritizing the planting of species with high sequestration rates like Cupressus arizonica (Arizona cypress) and Cupressus sempervirens L. var. horizontalis (Mediterranean cypress) could enhance carbon sequestration efforts in Tehran. These data provide valuable insights into the carbon sequestration potential and environmental impact of different land use types, and may aid in the development of effective environmental policies and land management strategies in semiarid urban areas and other cities in similar settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farm tractors represent a possible option for forwarding operations in continuous cover forestry, given the generally lower removal intensities, relatively high dispersion of timber, and heightened concerns regarding the environmental impact of operations. This study evaluated the performance of a farm tractor fitted with an externally operated crane and a bunk for forwarding operations, using field-documented data on operational speed, production, and fuel use, as well as data from high-resolution video recordings for a detailed time-and-motion study. Using this knowledge, performance simulations were run based on extraction distance and log size, to describe the variability in fuel use, cycle time, and productivity, and to estimate the operational cost. The results of the simulation showed important differences in operational speed across different work elements, involving machine movement. Although the extraction distance had effects, log size was found as the important factor driving the variability in cycle time, productivity, fuel use, and cost. The differences in performance based on the variability in extraction distance and log size may serve as a guideline for operational planning, costing, and environmental assessment regarding emissions under various operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxy resins were reinforced with different ZnO nanofillers (commercial ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), recycled ZnO and functionalized ZnO NPs) in order to obtain ZnO–epoxy composites with suitable mechanical properties, high adhesion strength, and good resistance to corrosion. The final properties of ZnO–epoxy composites depend on several factors, such as the type and contents of nanofillers, the epoxy resin type, curing agent, and preparation methods. This paper aims to review the preparation methods, mechanical and anti-corrosion performance, and applications of ZnO–epoxy composites. The epoxy–ZnO composites are demonstrated to be valuable materials for a wide range of applications, including the development of anti-corrosion and UV-protective coatings, for adhesives and the chemical industry, or for use in building materials or electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontal disease and diabetes often co-occur; both are characterized by chronic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of carvacrol and magnolol when incorporated into a periodontal hydrogel and topically applied to Wistar rats with diabetes-associated periodontal disease. Forty male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups: PD (induced diabetes and periodontitis), PDC (induced diabetes and periodontitis treated with carvacrol), PDM (induced diabetes and periodontitis treated with magnolol), and PDCM (induced diabetes and periodontitis treated with both carvacrol and magnolol). Post treatment, gingival tissue samples were collected to measure levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. The PDCM group exhibited significantly lower levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) compared to the PD group. The combined application of a periodontal hydrogel containing carvacrol and magnolol may significantly reduce gingival inflammation in rats with diabetes-associated periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumour hypoxia is a known microenvironmental culprit for treatment resistance, tumour recurrence and promotion of metastatic spread. Despite the long-known existence of this factor within the tumour milieu, hypoxia is still one of the greatest challenges in cancer management. The transition from invasive and less reliable detection methods to more accurate and non-invasive ways to identify and quantify hypoxia was a long process that eventually led to the promising results showed by functional imaging techniques. Hybrid imaging, such as PET-CT, has the great advantage of combining the structural or anatomical image (offered by CT) with the functional or metabolic one (offered by PET). However, in the context of hypoxia, it is only the PET image taken after appropriate radiotracer administration that would supply hypoxia-specific information. To overcome this limitation, the development of the latest hybrid imaging systems, such as PET-MRI, enables a synergistic approach towards hypoxia imaging, with both methods having the potential to provide functional information on the tumour microenvironment. This study is designed as a systematic review of the literature on the newest developments of PET-MRI for the imaging of hypoxic cells in breast cancer. The analysis includes the affinity of various PET-MRI tracers for hypoxia in this patient group as well as the correlations between PET-specific and MRI-specific parameters, to offer a broader view on the potential for the widespread clinical implementation of this hybrid imaging technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored whether, given the association of temporal alpha with fear circuitry (learning and conditioning), exposure to complex childhood trauma (CCT) is reflected in the temporal–posterior alpha power in resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) in complex trauma-exposed adolescents in a sample of 25 adolescents and similar controls aged 12–17 years. Both trauma and psychopathology were screened or assessed, and resting-state EEG was recorded following a preregistered protocol for data collection. Temporal–posterior alpha power, corresponding to the T5 and T6 electrode locations (international 10–20 system), was extracted from resting-state EEG in both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. We found that in the eyes-open condition, temporal–posterior alpha was significantly lower in adolescents exposed to CCT relative to healthy controls, suggesting that childhood trauma exposure may have a measurable impact on alpha oscillatory patterns. Our study highlights the importance of considering potential neural markers, such as temporal–posterior alpha power, to understanding the long-term consequences of CCT exposure in developmental samples, with possible important clinical implications in guiding neuroregulation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of connectivity, the Internet of Things introduces smart solutions for smart and sustainable agriculture, bringing alternatives to overcome the food crisis. Among these solutions, smart greenhouses support crop and vegetable agriculture regardless of season and cultivated area by carefully controlling and managing parameters like temperature, air and soil humidity, and light. Smart technologies have proven to be successful tools for increasing agricultural production at both the macro and micro levels, which is an important step in streamlining small-scale agriculture. This paper presents an experimental Internet of Things-based small-scale greenhouse prototype as a proof of concept for the benefits of merging smart sensing, connectivity, IoT, and mobile-based applications, for growing cultures. Our proposed solution is cost-friendly and includes a photovoltaic panel and a buffer battery for reducing energy consumption costs, while also assuring functionality during night and cloudy weather and a mobile application for easy data visualization and monitoring of the greenhouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Lichen planus of the lip (LPL) is a chronic inflammatory condition that resembles actinic cheilitis, discoid lupus erythematosus, graft-versus-host disease, and lichenoid reaction to dental materials or drugs. The purpose of this study was to conduct a literature review on lichen planus lip involvement and to report a retrospective observational study that characterises and explores the clinical, histopathological, and evolution of the lesions in a group of patients with unique involvement of LPL. Materials and Methods: Clinical data of patients diagnosed with LPL was retrieved from the medical charts of the patients referred to the Oral Pathology Department of the "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy. A concurrent electronic literature research was carried out using PubMed and Web of Science from 2003 to 2023. Results: Eleven patients diagnosed with unique LPL were analysed (male/female ratio was 1.75, mean age 63.64 years ± 12.52). All patients presented lesions of the lower lip; the clinical forms were atrophic (six cases) and erosive (five cases), and the histopathological exam confirmed the diagnosis. After topical treatment with corticosteroids, most of the patients had complete remission. The literature review revealed 24 studies (sixteen case reports and eight case series) which comprised 84 patients. Isolated lip involvement was reported in 17 studies, and five articles with concomitant oral lichen planus, while two articles did not mention this criterion. Conclusions: Our study brings new data on isolated lichen planus of the lip that primarily affects the lower lip with predominance in male patients. It was reported worldwide in patients between 22 and 75 years old. Topical corticosteroids were the main treatment prescribed and they usually brought remission of the lesions. Lichen planus of the lip is a challenging diagnosis for oral health practitioner providers as well as for dermatologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shift work, particularly in the auto industry, presents significant health challenges, notably in how it impacts cardiovascular health due to irregular work schedules and associated sleep disruptions. This prospective study evaluated 4683 workers from a single Romanian automotive enterprise to investigate the relationship between fixed shift work schedules and cardiovascular health outcomes. Our analysis focused on fixed-shift workers, excluding those on rotating shifts to reduce variability and enhance the clarity of the findings. The findings reveal that night shift workers are at a heightened risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) compared to their day shift counterparts. Night shift workers demonstrated a higher CVD incidence (4.3%) compared to day shift workers (2.6%), with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.68 (95% CI: 1.08 to 2.62, p = 0.021). This association remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders, with an adjusted OR of 1.74 (95% CI: 1.09 to 2.75, p = 0.019). Male night shift workers exhibited a significantly higher CVD incidence (4.5%) compared to male day shift workers (3.0%), with an OR of 1.75 (95% CI: 1.07 to 2.89, p = 0.026). Female night shift workers also showed a higher CVD incidence (3.4%) compared to female day shift workers (1.3%), although this was not statistically significant. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and effective strategies to mitigate these risks and promote the cardiovascular health and overall well-being of shift workers in the auto industry. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how non-traditional work schedules affect health and provides a basis for implementing protective measures in occupational settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The article's aim is to test if rotary or reciprocating glide path influences the overall performance of WaveOne Gold in S-shaped canals. Methods: Sixty endo training blocks with an S-shape curvature were divided into three groups based on the glide path method used: no glide path; glide path preparation with ProGlider; glide path preparation with WaveOne Gold Glider. All blocks were then shaped with WaveOne Gold Primary. The time for shaping, the incidence in reaching working length and the number of pecking motions were recorded. ANOVA with Turkey's test was used, and the p-value was set to 0.05. Results: WaveOne Gold Primary reached working length faster in the control group when comparing total working times. No significant differences in the ability of the WaveOne Gold Primary to reach working length in all groups (p > 0.05). The mean number of pecking motions was higher in the control group compared to other groups. Conclusions: No significant differences in the time needed to achieve a glide path between Proglider and WaveOne Gold Glider. WaveOne Gold Primary can shape a double curved canal faster if a glide path is present but takes less time to reach length if it is the only file used. No difference in the ability to reach working length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association of periodontal disease and diabetes is a subject of intense research in terms of etiopathology and treatment options. This research aimed to evaluate the modulation of the local inflammatory status by two natural extracts, curcumin (Cu) and rutin (R), in an experimentally induced diabetes and periodontal disease in Wistar rats. Methods: Fifty Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to five groups: Control (C), Diabetes-associated Periodontal Disease (DP), Diabetes-associated Periodontal Disease treated with Curcumin (DPCu), Diabetes-associated Periodontal Disease treated with Rutin (DPR), and Diabetes-associated Periodontal Disease treated with both Curcumin and Rutin (DPCuR). Gingival samples were collected from all rats, and immunohistochemical markers CD3, CD20, and CD34 were evaluated to assess the local inflammatory infiltrate. Descriptive statistics were applied (SPSS24 Software, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Rutin, alone or combined with Curcumin, reduced CD3-positive cell levels. Curcumin demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing CD20-positive cells. The combination of Curcumin and Rutin had the most important impact on both markers. Curcumin notably increased immature CD34-positive cell levels. Conclusions: Curcumin and Rutin, either alone or together, hold potential for reducing local inflammation in diabetes-induced periodontal disease in Wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the last 30 years, Piscirickettsia salmonis has caused major economic losses to the aquaculture industry as the aetiological agent for the piscirickettsiosis disease. Replacing the current interventions, based on antibiotics, with natural alternatives (e.g., organic acids) represents a priority. With this study, we aimed to better understand their biological mechanism of action in an in vitro model of infection with salmon epithelial cells (CHSE-214). Our first observation revealed that at the sub-inhibitory concentration of 0.5%, the organic acid blend (Aq) protected epithelial cell integrity and significantly reduced P. salmonis invasion. The MIC was established at 1% Aq and the MBC at 2% against P. salmonis. The sub-inhibitory concentration significantly increased the expression of the antimicrobial peptides Cath2 and Hepcidin1, and stimulated the activity of the innate immune effector iNOS. The increase in iNOS activity also led to higher levels of nitric oxide (NO) being released in the extracellular space. The exposure of P. salmonis to the endogenous NO caused an increase in bacterial lipid peroxidation levels, a damaging effect which can ultimately reduce the pathogen's ability to attach or multiply intracellularly. We also demonstrate that the increased NO release by the host CHSE-214 cells is a consequence of direct exposure to Aq and is not dependent on P. salmonis infection. Additionally, the presence of Aq during P. salmonis infection of CHSE-214 cells significantly mitigated the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12, and IFNγ. Taken together, these results indicate that, unlike antibiotics, natural antimicrobials can weaponize the iNOS pathway and secreted nitric oxide to reduce infection and inflammation in a Piscirickettsia salmonis in vitro model of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The entrance in the Sulina channel in the Black Sea is the target area of this study. This represents the southern gate of the seventh Pan-European transport corridor, and it is usually subjected to high navigation traffic. The main objective of the work is to provide a more comprehensive picture concerning the past and future expected dynamics of the environmental matrix in this coastal area, including especially the extreme wind and wave conditions in connection with the possible navigation risks. The methodology considered assumes analyses performed at three different levels. First, an analysis of some in situ measurements at the zero-kilometer point of the Danube is carried out for the 15-year period of 2009–2023. Together with the maximum wind speed and the maximum value of the wind gusts, the water level variation was analyzed at this point. As a second step, the analysis is based on wind speed data provided by regional climate models. Two periods, each spanning 30 years, are considered. These are the recent past (1976–2005), when comparisons with ERA5 reanalysis data were also performed, and the near future (2041–2070), when two different models and three climate scenarios were considered. The focus was on the extreme wind speed values, performing comparisons between the past and future expected extreme winds. Finally, the third analysis is related to the wave conditions. Thus, using as a forcing factor each of the wind fields that was previously analyzed, simulations employing a spectral wave model were carried out. The wave modeling system was focused using three different computational domains with increasing resolution towards the target area, and the nearshore wave conditions were evaluated. The results show that both the extreme wind and wave conditions are expected to slightly increase in the future. Especially in the wintertime, strong wind fields are often expected in this area, with wind gusts exceeding more than 70% of the hourly average wind velocity. With regard to the waves, due to the complex nearshore phenomena, considerable enhancements in terms of significant wave heights are induced, and there is also an elevated risk of the occurrence of rogue waves. This work is still ongoing, and taking into account the high navigation risks highlighted, the next step would be to elaborate the risk assessment of severe shipping conditions, particularly related to the likelihood or probability of adverse conditions with the potential of generating hazardous situations in this coastal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, I will expose the perspective of the ecumenical dialogue in the theology of Fr. Ion Bria, one of the well-known Romanians involved in the ecumenical movement. In the first part, after a short introduction, I will present the most important biographical milestones of the Romanian theologian, as well as some details about his activity in the World Council of Churches. Then, in the second part, I will critically present the most important aspects of Bria's ecumenical theology, as well as the reception of these ideas in contemporary Orthodox theology, in discussion with common witness and eucharistic communion within ecumenical dialogue. In the last part, I will present the critical remarks on ecumenism in Bria's theology. Through this analysis, I will emphasize important directions that the ecumenical dialogue can exploit today to overcome some historical, cultural or theological preconceptions and misunderstandings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific advancements in understanding the impact of bioactive components in foods on the gut microbiota and wider physiology create opportunities for designing targeted functional foods. The selection of bioactive ingredients with potential local or systemic effects holds promise for influencing overall well-being. An abundance of studies demonstrate that gut microbiota show compositional changes that correlate age and disease. However, navigating this field, especially for non-experts, remains challenging, given the abundance of bioactive ingredients with varying levels of scientific substantiation. This narrative review addresses the current knowledge on the potential impact of the gut microbiota on host health, emphasizing gut microbiota resilience. It explores evidence related to the extensive gut health benefits of popular dietary components and bioactive ingredients, such as phytochemicals, fermented greens, fibres, prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. Importantly, this review distinguishes between the potential local and systemic effects of both popular and emerging ingredients. Additionally, it highlights how dietary hormesis promotes gut microbiota resilience, fostering better adaptation to stress—a hallmark of health. By integrating examples of bioactives, this review provides insights to guide the design of evidence-based functional foods aimed at priming the gut for resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococci are a type of bacteria that can cause severe illnesses in humans and animals. Some typical species like S. suis, or atypical species like S. porcinus and, S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae, can cause infections like septicemia, meningitis, endocarditis, arthritis, and septic shock. S. suis is considered a newly emerging zoonotic pathogen. Although human streptococcal infection outbreaks are rare, it is appropriate to review the main streptococcal species isolated in pig farms in western Romania, due to the high degree of antibiotic resistance among most isolates commonly used in human treatment. This study examines the resistance patterns of these isolates over 5 years (2018–2023). The research investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility of 267 strains of Streptococcus spp. isolated from pigs, primarily from lung and brain tissues. This report is the first to describe the distribution of atypical Streptococcus species (SDSE, S. porcinus, S. hyovaginalis, S. pluranimalium, S. canis) in Romania, as well as the antibiotic resistance profile of these potentially zoonotic species. It is important to re-evaluate and consider the high rates of resistance of S. suis to tetracyclines, lincosamides, macrolides, and aminoglycosides, as well as the high recovery rates of S. suis from the lungs and brain when treating swine diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background and Objectives: The forward head posture (FHP) is characterized by increased extensions of upper cervical vertebrae and flexion of the lower cervical vertebrae and upper thoracic regions, associated with muscle shortening. The compressive loading on the tissues in the cervical spine negatively impacts suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles and generates increased tension of the masticatory muscles. The tongue has relations with the suprahyoid and the infrahyoid muscles. The pattern of swallowing evolves gradually from birth to the age of four. If this developmental transition does not occur, the result is persistent infantile or atypical swallowing—an orofacial myofunctional disorder with the tongue in improper position during swallowing, causing strain and stress on the jaw, face, head and neck. In FHP, muscles crucial to swallowing are biomechanically misaligned. The lengthening of the suprahyoid muscles necessitates stronger contractions to achieve proper hyolaryngeal movement during swallowing. This study assesses the added benefits of physiotherapy to the traditional myofunctional swallowing rehabilitation for patients with FHP. The underlying hypothesis is that without addressing FHP, swallowing rehabilitation remains challenged and potentially incomplete. (2) Materials and Methods: A total of 61 participants (12–26 years) meeting the inclusion criteria (FHP and atypical swallowing) were divided into two similar groups. Group A attended one orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) and one physiotherapy session per week, group B only one OMT session per week, for 20 weeks. Exclusion criteria were as follows: ankyloglossia, neurological impairment affecting tongue and swallowing, cervical osteoarticular pathology, other previous or ongoing treatments for FHP and atypical swallowing. (3) Results: There is a significant improvement in terms of movement and use of the orofacial structures (tongue, lips, cheeks), as well as in breathing and swallowing in both groups. Group A achieved better outcomes as the CVA angle was directly addressed by manual therapy and GPR techniques. (4) Conclusions: The combined therapy proved to be more effective than single OMT therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to estimate the areas under willow cultivation by farmers, as well as their growth and health status. Due to the extremely small patch size of land cover types in the study area, Sentinel-2 data were used to conduct supervised classification based on the random forest machine learning technique, and a large training dataset was produced from PlanetScope satellite imagery. The results of image classification using Google Earth Engine indicated that the Sentinel data were suitable for identifying willow-cultivated areas. It was found that these areas declined from 875.32 ha in 2017 to 288.41 ha in 2022. The analysis of the growth and health conditions of willow-cultivated plots also revealed that the temporal variations in the NDVI in these plots decreased significantly in 2022 as compared to previous years (p < 0.05). An in-depth analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between NDVI, precipitation, and temperature. It was found that the most efficient components explaining the process of browning the vegetation in the planted willow plots were the increasing temperature and decreasing precipitation. This research may be used to document the national and global monitoring efforts for climate change adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increasingly, SGLT2 inhibitors save patients with heart failure and comorbidities such as type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD); the inhibition of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) was first studied in patients with diabetes as a solution to lower glucose levels by preventing glucose reabsorption and facilitating its elimination; in the process, researchers took notice of how SGLT2 inhibitors also seemed to have beneficial cardiovascular effects in patients with both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Aim: Our single-center prospective study assesses outcomes of post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) rehabilitation and SLGT2 inhibition in CABG patients with/without T2DM and with/without CKD. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty consecutive patients undergoing CABG were included in the analysis. Patients were divided into four subgroups: diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease (T2DM + CKD), diabetes patients without chronic kidney disease (T2DM−CKD), prediabetes patients with chronic kidney disease (PreD+CKD), and prediabetes patients without chronic kidney disease (PreD−CKD). Echocardiographic and laboratory investigations post-surgery (phase I) and 6 months later (phase II) included markers for cardiac ischemia, glycemic status, and renal function, and metabolic equivalents were investigated. Results: One hundred twenty patients participated, mostly men, overweight/obese, hypertensive, smokers; 65 had T2DM (18 with CKD), and 55 were prediabetic (17 with CKD). The mean ejection fraction increased by 8.43% overall but significantly more in the prediabetes group compared to the T2DM group (10.14% vs. 6.98%, p < 0.05). Overall, mean heart-type fatty-acid-binding protein (H-FABP) levels returned to normal levels, dropping from 68.40 ng/mL to 4.82 ng/mL (p = 0.000), and troponin data were more nuanced relative to an overall, strongly significant decrease of 44,458 ng/L (p = 0.000). Troponin levels in patients with CKD dropped more, both in the presence of T2DM (by 82,500 ng/L, p = 0.000) and in patients without T2DM (by 73,294 ng/L, p = 0.047). As expected, the overall glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels improved significantly in those with prediabetes (from 6.54% to 5.55%, p = 0.000); on the other hand, the mean HbA1c changed from 7.06% to 6.06% (p = 0.000) in T2DM, and the presence or absence of CKD did not seem to make any difference: T2DM+CKD 7.01–6.08% (p = 0.000), T2DM−CKD 7.08–6.04% (p = 0.000), PreD+CKD 5.66–4.98% (p = 0.014), and PreD−CKD 6.03–4.94% (p = 0.00). Compared to an overall gain of 11.51, the GFRs of patients with CKD improved by 18.93 (68.15–87.07%, p = 0.000) in the presence of established diabetes and 14.89 (64.75–79.64%, p = 0.000) in the prediabetes group. Conclusions: Regarding the patients' cardiac statuses, the results from our single-center analysis revealed a significant decrease in ischemic risk (H-FABP and hs-cTnI levels) with improvements in mean ejection fraction, glycemic status, and renal function in patients post-CABG with/without T2DM, with/without CKD, and with SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin treatment while undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple access techniques for 5G systems are based on principles related to security, efficiency, and performance increase. Multi-user shared access (MUSA) is included in code-domain non-orthogonal multiple access (CD-NOMA) techniques with multiple benefits including multiple-access interference minimization and system capacity increase. The additional benefits of MUSA include its grant-free nature, which makes it applicable to scenarios involving random access channels, minimal latency communications, etc. Depending on the high-frequency diversity of the fading-affected channels, this technique is also used to lessen their effects. This paper illustrates the concept of code correlation used in MUSA by proposing a method to allocate MUSA codes to active users in an uplink data transmission system based on clusters. This clustering approach (grouping of 3GPP TR 38.812 spreading codewords) enables performance improvement in different system configurations by implementing various scenarios and providing reliable results. It is demonstrated that four-length spreading code selection from 3GPP family codes is a satisfactory solution, and this cluster grouping can be designed in a less overloaded multi-user system. The challenges, advantages, and limitations of the proposed method are outlined throughout the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism activity represents one of the most dynamic and defining activities for today's society. In this context, knowing the perception and motivation of potential tourists visiting a museum attraction represents an essential approach with implications for the sustainable development of tourist destinations. The research methodology used in the present study involved the complementary use of survey methods for data acquisition and multicriteria analysis to identify and establish relationships between perception and motivation. The results obtained from the present study show a synthetic picture regarding the perception and motivation of the tourists who visited the Crișului Land Museum from Oradea, Romania, on the one hand, and the relationships that were established between perception and motivation, on the other hand, thus confirming the research hypothesis that perception influences motivation. The perception of tourists after visiting the Crișului Land Museum in Oradea is determined by personal and interpersonal reasons, as well as by the way they perceive the visited site. The study originality consists in the use of mixed-method approaches to collect and analyze data, as a means to complement different data sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumour repopulation during treatment is a well acknowledged yet still challenging aspect of cancer management. The latest research results show clear evidence towards the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are responsible for tumour repopulation, dissemination, and distant metastases in most solid cancers. Cancer stem cell quiescence and the loss of asymmetrical division are two powerful mechanisms behind repopulation. Another important aspect in the context of cancer stem cells is cell plasticity, which was shown to be triggered during fractionated radiotherapy, leading to cell dedifferentiation and thus reactivation of stem-like properties. Repopulation during treatment is not limited to radiotherapy, as there is clinical proof for repopulation mechanisms to be activated through other conventional treatment techniques, such as chemotherapy. The dynamic nature of stem-like cancer cells often elicits resistance to treatment by escaping drug-induced cell death. The aims of this scoping review are (1) to describe the main mechanisms used by cancer stem cells to initiate tumour repopulation during therapy; (2) to present clinical evidence for tumour repopulation during radio- and chemotherapy; (3) to illustrate current trends in the identification of CSCs using specific imaging techniques; and (4) to highlight novel technologies that show potential in the eradication of CSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital high airway obstructive syndrome (CHAOS) is a rare congenital anomaly, frequently caused by laryngeal or tracheal atresia, tracheal stenosis, and obstructing laryngeal cysts. This is a congenital malformation, often fatal, with an unknown prevalence. Laryngeal atresia is the most frequent cause. We report a case of an intrauterine diagnosis of CHAOS and ascites in a 17-week fetus delivered at 38 weeks of gestation without other associated malformations. A fetoscopic procedure was performed at 22 weeks of gestation. An attempt was made to perforate the affected area to ensure pulmonary fluid circulation and the ascites' resolution. After birth, a tracheostomy was performed. The patient was mechanically ventilated until 11 months of age, when she was discharged with no cerebral or other complications of immediate postnatal anoxia or episodes of respiratory arrest. A laryngotracheoplasty was performed at 2 years old, but decannulation was not possible due to certain complications. At 5 years old, a new surgical intervention was performed, which allowed decannulation 6 months later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal Information Management Systems (PIMS) are acquiring a prominent role in the data economy by promoting services that help individuals to have more control over the processing of their personal data, in line with the European data protection laws. One of the highlighted solutions in this area is Solid, a new protocol that is decentralizing the storage of data, through the usage of interoperable web standards and semantic vocabularies, to empower its users to have more control over the processing of data by agents and applications. However, to fulfill this vision and gather widespread adoption, Solid needs to be aligned with the law governing the processing of personal data in Europe, the main piece of legislation being the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). To assist with this process, we analyze the current efforts to introduce a policy layer in the Solid ecosystem, in particular, related to the challenge of obtaining consent for processing personal data, focusing on the GDPR. Furthermore, we investigate if, in the context of using personal data for biomedical research, consent can be expressed in advance, and discuss the conditions for valid consent and how it can be obtained in this decentralized setting, namely through the matching of privacy preferences, set by the user, with requests for data and whether this can signify informed consent. Finally, we discuss the technical challenges of an implementation that caters to the previously identified legal requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the present study were to evaluate for the first time the chemical composition and antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and antiproliferative potentials of the Romanian George 90 lavender species, as well as parental species, L. angustifolia and L. latifolia. The L. angustifolia, L. latifolia and George 90 essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS/MS and the L. angustifolia, L. latifolia and George 90 hydroalcoholic extracts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and antiproliferative assays revealed that all the investigated species showed significant activities. The results highlighted the chemical composition and the promising biological potentials of the L. angustifolia, L. latifolia and George 90 lavender species, validating their ethnomedicinal value, which offers potential applications as natural drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well recognized that oxidative stress contributes to chronic stress-induced cytotoxicity, which is a major factor in the progression of many diseases, including periodontitis and diabetes. Formulas based on natural extracts with antioxidant properties are alternative treatment perspectives in the management of such diseases. The aim of our study was to assess how carvacrol and magnolol influence periodontitis associated with diabetes in Wistar rats. Ninety Wistar rats were distributed in nine groups: I—control group; II—diabetes group (D); III—periodontitis group (P); IV—periodontitis and diabetes group (PD); V—periodontitis and diabetes with vehicle alone (PDV); VI—periodontitis and diabetes treated with carvacrol (PDC); VII—periodontitis and diabetes treated with magnolol (PDM); VIII—periodontitis and diabetes treated with carvacrol and magnolol (PDCM); IX—healthy group with vehicle alone (CV). Blood malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase activity levels (CAT) were measured as indicators of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity, respectively. Where diabetes and periodontitis were induced, MDA was augmented and CAT was depleted significantly. Whether given alone (PDM) or in combination with carvacrol (PDCM), magnolol significantly decreased MDA. Between the PDM group and the PDCM group, there were no notable differences. In Wistar rats with periodontitis related to diabetes, topical use of hydrogels containing magnolol, either alone or in combination with carvacrol, may reduce oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In December 2019 the World Health Organization announced that the widespread severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection had become a global pandemic. The most affected organ by the novel virus is the lung, and imaging exploration of the thorax using computer tomography (CT) scanning and X-ray has had an important impact. Materials and Methods: We assessed the prevalence of lung lesions in vaccinated versus unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2 patients using an artificial intelligence (AI) platform provided by Medicai. The software analyzes the CT scans, performing the lung and lesion segmentation using a variant of the U-net convolutional network. Results: We conducted a cohort study at a tertiary lung hospital in which we included 186 patients: 107 (57.52%) male and 59 (42.47%) females, of which 157 (84.40%) were not vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2. Over five times more unvaccinated patients than vaccinated ones are admitted to the hospital and require imaging investigations. More than twice as many unvaccinated patients have more than 75% of the lungs affected. Patients in the age group 30–39 have had the most lung lesions at almost 69% of both lungs affected. Compared to vaccinated patients with comorbidities, unvaccinated patients with comorbidities had developed increased lung lesions by 5%. Conclusion: The study revealed a higher percentage of lung lesions among unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2-positive patients admitted to The National Institute of Pulmonology "Marius Nasta" in Bucharest, Romania, underlining the importance of vaccination and also the usefulness of artificial intelligence in CT interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, infection diseases are one of the most significant threats to humans all around the world. An encouraging strategy for solving this issue and fighting resistant microorganisms is to develop drug carriers for a prolonged release of the antibiotic to the target site. The purpose of this work was to obtain metronidazole-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles using an ion gelation route and to evaluate their properties. Due to the advantages of the ionic gelation method, the synthesized polymeric nanoparticles can be applied in various fields, especially pharmaceutical and medical. Loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency varFied depending on the amount of antibiotic in each formulation. Physicochemical characterization using scanning electron microscopy revealed a narrow particle size distribution where 90% of chitosan particles were 163.7 nm in size and chitosan-loaded metronidazole nanoparticles were 201.3 nm in size, with a zeta potential value of 36.5 mV. IR spectra revealed characteristic peaks of the drug and polymer nanoparticles. Cell viability assessment revealed that samples have no significant impact on tested cells. Release analysis showed that metronidazole was released from the chitosan matrix for 24 h in a prolonged course, implying that antibiotic-encapsulated polymer nanostructures are a promising drug delivery system to prevent or to treat various diseases. It is desirable to obtain new formulations based on drugs encapsulated in nanoparticles through different preparation methods, with reduced cytotoxic potential, in order to improve the therapeutic effect through sustained and prolonged release mechanisms of the drug correlated with the reduction of adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most aggressive forms of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), marked by an ongoing, chronic fibrotic process within the lung tissue. IPF leads to an irreversible deterioration of lung function, ultimately resulting in an increased mortality rate. Therefore, the focus has shifted towards the biomarkers that might contribute to the early diagnosis, risk assessment, prognosis, and tracking of the treatment progress, including those associated with epithelial injury. Methods: We conducted this review through a systematic search of the relevant literature using established databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Selected articles were assessed, with data extracted and synthesized to provide an overview of the current understanding of the existing biomarkers for IPF. Results: Signs of epithelial cell damage hold promise as relevant biomarkers for IPF, consequently offering valuable support in its clinical care. Their global and standardized utilization remains limited due to a lack of comprehensive information of their implications in IPF. Conclusions: Recognizing the aggressive nature of IPF among interstitial lung diseases and its profound impact on lung function and mortality, the exploration of biomarkers becomes pivotal for early diagnosis, risk assessment, prognostic evaluation, and therapy monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interstitial lung diseases are respiratory diseases, which affect the normal lung parenchyma and can lead to significant pulmonary fibrosis, chronic respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, and ultimately death. Reuniting more than 200 entities, interstitial lung diseases pose a significant challenge to the clinician, as they represent rare diseases with vague and insidious respiratory symptoms. As such, there are many diagnostic errors that can appear along the journey of the patient with ILD, which leads to significant delays with implications for the prognosis and the quality of life of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion resistance of two cast CoCr-based alloys with different amounts of chromium and with different alloying elements in the bulk composition of the alloy was assessed. In this study, we investigated the corrosion behavior of Co21Cr8Mo7W and Co29Cr7W by open-circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization (PP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at 37 °C with long immersion times. After 1000 h of immersion, the corrosion current density (icor), estimated from anodic polarization tests, was lower for the Co21Cr8Mo7W (i.e., 49 nA cm−2) alloy compared to the Co29Cr7W alloy (180 nA cm−2). As regards the corrosion potential (Ecor), a greater value was observed for Co21Cr8Mo7W (i.e., −59 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) compared to Co29Cr7W (i.e., −114 mV vs. Ag/AgCl). Microstructure analysis before and after immersion revealed the formation of a more compact passive film on the Co21Cr8Mo7W alloy, suggesting superior corrosion resistance compared to Co29Cr7W. These findings suggest better corrosion resistance for the film formed on the alloy containing lower amounts of Cr and two alloying elements, Mo and W. These results are promising in terms of medical applications because they open the door to new strategies for obtaining alloys with lower chromium content and with more protective anti-corrosion properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects both genders, but the knowledge of clinical and therapeutic aspects particular to each gender has a prognostic value, modulating the risk of amputation and helping to reduce the risk of death or the occurrence of an acute vascular event secondary to optimal management. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study that included 652 patients with PAD who were evaluated at "St. Spiridon" Hospital's Cardiology Department and divided into two groups according to gender: women (100 cases) and men (552 cases). We evaluated demographics, anthropometric data, as well as clinical and paraclinical parameters in the two groups. Results: Men had a lower mean age (p < 0.001), higher mean BMI (p = 0.049) and were more frequent smokers. (p = 0.008). Hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.026), obesity (p = 0.009), concomitant cerebrovascular (p = 0.005) and chronic kidney disease (p = 0.046) were more common in women, while coronary artery disease (p = 0.033) was more common in men. The number of angiographic stenotic lesions (p = 0.037) is a statistically significant parameter in our study, with both genders predominantly associated with stenotic lesions. In addition, directly proportional relationships were found between smoking, uric acid, inflammatory markers, and the number of stenotic lesions and thromboses or the ankle–brachial index (ABI). In the subgroup of men, the number of stenotic and thrombosed lesions positively correlated with the ABI value (p < 0.001). The presence of more than three cardiovascular risk factors (p = 0.001) and serum triglyceride levels (p = 0.019) significantly correlated with the number of angiographically detected lesions. We applied several risk scores (PREVENT III, Finnvasc Score, or GermanVasc risk score) in our study group for prognostic purposes, without showing statistically significant differences between genders. Men, rest pain, gangrene, smoking status, the presence of more than three cardiovascular risk factors, or a serum HDL-cholesterol level below 40 mg/dL (p < 0.001 for all parameters) are independent predictors associated with amputation in our study group. Conclusions: In our study, we demonstrated that several clinical–paraclinical particularities guide the diagnosis, providing the clinician with prognostic and therapeutic tools to choose the optimal management with maximum benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abfraction lesions are manifested as damage to hard tissues in the cervical area of dental crowns. The study aimed to assess the direct restoration of abfraction lesions according to the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria for 24 months. The restorations were accomplished with Fuji Bulk–GC, Omnichroma Flow-Tokuyama, and Beautifil® II–Shofu dental materials, and the therapy was or was not associated with wearing thermoformed mouthguards. Methods: From the 53 selected and analyzed patients (n = 53), 28 patients (with restorations of abfraction lesions) belonged to the 1st group and 25 patients (with 105 restorations, who also wore mouthguards) belonged to the 2nd group. Blind determination assessments were effectuated at baseline and after 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results showed that, regardless of the rating score, there are no significant statistical differences in the evaluation criteria between the two groups of patients Conclusions: For each material, the scores of USPHS criterion presented good clinical performances after 24 months, with no significant statistical differences between the fillings and the applied therapy in the two groups of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial process in which inflammatory markers have both therapeutic and prognostic roles. Recent studies bring into question the importance of assessing new inflammatory markers in relation to the severity of peripheral artery disease (PAD), such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein ratio (LCR). Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study including 652 patients with PAD, who were divided into two groups according to the severity of the ankle–brachial index value: mild and moderate obstruction (257 patients) and severe obstruction (395 patients). We evaluated demographics, anthropometric data and clinical and paraclinical parameters in relation to the novel inflammatory biomarkers mentioned above. Results: Weight (p = 0.048), smoking (p = 0.033), the number of cardiovascular risk factors (p = 0.041), NLR (p = 0.037), LCR (p = 0.041) and PLR (p = 0.019), the presence of gangrene (p = 0.001) and the number of lesions detected via peripheral angiography (p < 0.001) were statistically significant parameters in our study. For the group of patients with severe obstruction, all three inflammatory biomarkers were statistically significantly correlated with a serum low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol level, the number of cardiovascular risk factors, rest pain, gangrene and a risk of amputation. In addition, directly proportional relationships were found between NLR, PLR and the number of stenotic lesions (p = 0.018, p = 0.016). Also, NLR (area under the curve = 0.682, p = 0.010) and PLR (AUC = 0.692, p = 0.006) were predictors associated with a high risk of amputation in patients with an ABI < 0.5. Conclusions: in our study, we demonstrated the importance of assessing inflammatory markers in relation to the presence of cardiovascular risk factors through the therapeutic and prognostic value demonstrated in PAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest developments in the management of head and neck cancer show an increasing trend in the implementation of novel approaches using artificial intelligence for better patient stratification and treatment-related risk evaluation. Radiomics, or the extraction of data from various imaging modalities, is a tool often used to evaluate specific features related to the tumour or normal tissue that are not identifiable by the naked eye and which can add value to existing clinical data. Furthermore, the assessment of feature variations from one time point to another based on subsequent images, known as delta radiomics, was shown to have even higher value for treatment-outcome prediction or patient stratification into risk categories. The information gathered from delta radiomics can, further, be used for decision making regarding treatment adaptation or other interventions found to be beneficial to the patient. The aim of this work is to collate the existing studies on delta radiomics in head and neck cancer and evaluate its role in tumour response and normal-tissue toxicity predictions alike. Moreover, this work also highlights the role of holomics, which brings under the same umbrella clinical and radiomic features, for a more complex patient characterization and treatment optimisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MTHFR polymorphism has been inconsistently linked to thrombotic events—some studies have shown its contribution to venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis, and ischemic stroke, whereas others have found no statistically significant correlation between them. Methods: A descriptive case series study was performed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of "Marie Sklodowska Curie" Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children in Bucharest, Romania. Results: All patients had positive results for MTHFR variants; 14 patients were positive for compound heterozygosity, 13 patients for MTHFR C677T (seven of which were homozygous), and 13 patients for MTHFR A1298C (three of which were homozygous). Eighteen patients received anticoagulants (heparin, enoxaparin, or bivalirudin), and thrombolytics (alteplase) were administered in six cases. In one case, a thrombectomy was performed; in another, vascular plasty was undertaken. Only in six cases was complete revascularization possible. Incomplete revascularization occurred for one patient with a negative outcome. Conclusion: The particularity of this case series is that every patient in our unit who developed thrombi had a positive genetic result for MTHFR mutations. MTHFR mutations should be regarded as a thrombotic risk factor for critically ill patients, and screening for MTHFR mutations should be performed in every admitted patient to intensive care units, thus achieving the prevention of thrombi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected areas are prime areas for ecotourism development, attracting large numbers of visitors to an abundance of ecologically significant and often sensitive flora and fauna. The current study identified adverse impacts of ecotourism in four prominent tourist hotspots in Iran, namely Lar National Park, Jajrud Protected Area with Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, Tangeh Vashi National Natural Monument, and Kavdeh Wildlife Refuge. Impacts were compared against the IUCN guidelines according to the degree of ecological sensitivity and multiple managerial objectives. In addition, an analytic network process (ANP) was applied within a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to identify optimal strategies for reducing threats and weaknesses and improving opportunities and strengths for sustainable ecotourism management. We found the greatest negative impacts of ecotourism in a Jajrud that was exposed to rapidly expanding urbanisation and the corresponding development of economic and physical activities. Conversely, the least negative impact occurred in a national park (Lar) that was managed based on conservation approaches, accounting for high ecological sensitivities, and adapting legal prohibitions. The SWOT-ANP analysis demonstrates that certain strategies can minimise impacts and should be adopted as conservation tools by protected area managers and land planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forestry sector has used technology to improve productivity and increase service quality, reducing labor in many processes. In this sense, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are having broad impacts on the forestry sector, from forestry to the marketing of forest products and the recreational use of forests. There is a wide range of technologies that can be implemented in forestry depending on the needs of each user. The objective of this study was to conduct a literature review in order to analyze the opportunities for improving ICT and communication flows in the forestry sector and to evaluate their applicability. This literature review was analyzed using the Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases. An overview of the importance of ICT and communication flows in the forestry sector, ICT tools, and their applications is provided. One-way and two-way communication flows coexist in forestry, integrating different communication channels, time, target audience, and message. It is clear that technologies have produced significant changes in all sectors of the forestry industry. We conclude that ICTs and communication flows contribute to forest conservation and management in the establishment of standards or policies that ensure conservation through monitoring and analysis of landscapes at different temporal and spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic progressive neurological disorder which affects the central nervous system (CNS), can result in disorders of all the functions controlled by the CNS: motor, sensory, cognitive and emotional. Physical therapy (PT), conducted through proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques, can be customized to the individual patient's needs and has the potential to improve the patient's evolution. This study aims to establish if PT based on PNF techniques has a beneficial role in MS treatment. (2) Methods: We performed a prospective study on 40 patients who were diagnosed with MS and previously treated only with MS drug treatment (DT). These patients have participated in a PT program throughout one year. At the beginning and at the end of our study, after one year, we have assessed the following parameters: timed walk for 25 feet (Timed 25-Foot Walk test- T25FW test), dexterity of the upper limbs (9-Hole Peg Test—9HPT), disability level (Expanded Disability Status Scale—EDSS) and cognitive function (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test—PASAT. (3) Results: In subjects in the early stages of MS, lower limb mobility improved significantly, T25FW decreasing from 6.46 to 5.80 (p < 0.001) and upper limb ability increased significantly in the dominant hand, 9HPT decreasing from 17.73 to 16.97 (p = 0.006) and not significantly in the non-dominant hand, 9HPT decreasing from 17.73 to 17.50 (p = 0.255). Furthermore, among these subjects, cognitive performance improved; their PASAT increased from 52.14 to 54.14 (p = 0.036), while the level of disability of these subjects improved only slightly, the EDSS scale evolving from 3.08 to 2.91 (p = 0.650). (4) Conclusions: In patients with early forms of MS, combining DT with a PT program based on PNF techniques results in: regaining muscle strength in the lower limbs, improving coordination while walking, correcting dexterity in the upper limbs and increasing the ability to concentrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, I will analyse the position of the Orthodox Church(es) towards the ecumenical dialogue in accordance with the documents approved by the Synod of Crete (2016), but also with the social document For the Life of the World of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (2020). After a brief presentation of the important moments of the historical journey for the meeting of the Synod, I will present the most important internal and reception issues of it. In the following, I will present the reason for the publication of the social document and the relation with the Synod of Crete. In the last part of the study, I will deal critically with a theological synthesis on the following topics: ecclesiological self-identity, Trinitarian baptism, the quality of being a Christian, the Orthodox Church and the Churches, ecumenism for dialogue, for witnessing, and cooperation. Of course, in the end, I will present the most important conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the influence of different contents of tantalum alloying elements on the mechanical and electrochemical properties of TixTa9Nb8Zr2Ag alloys and their corrosion resistance in a 3% NaCl solution. These alloys exhibit a structure with more than 80% of the beta phase, a Young's modulus between 82 and 55 GPa close to human bone, and good corrosion resistance, with a corrosion rate between 5 and 47 μm y−1. Furthermore, the excellent corrosion behavior of the TixTa9Nb8Zr2Ag alloy with 10 and 15% tantalum content is highlighted, revealed by a nobler corrosion potential, low corrosion rate, and a high passivation tendency in a 3% NaCl solution. The results reported in this work allow us to consider that titanium alloys TixTa9Nb8Zr2Ag with 10–20% Ta could be a valid alternative for use in orthopedic surgery, and the level of tantalum can be customized depending on the nature of the treated bone and the complexity and difficulty of the implant machining, i.e., of the required optimum hardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While chronic kidney disease-associated mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD) prevail in the endocrinological assessment of CKD patients, other endocrine abnormalities are usually overlooked. CKD is associated with significant thyroid, adrenal and gonadal dysfunction, while persistent and de novo endocrinological abnormalities are frequent among kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Low T3 levels prior to transplantation may help identify those at risk for delayed graft function and are often found in KTR. Thyroid surveillance after kidney transplantation should be considered due to structural anomalies that may occur. Despite the rapid recovery of gonadal hormonal secretion after renal transplantation, fertility is not completely restored. Testosterone may improve anemia and general symptoms in KTR with persistent hypogonadism. Female KTR may still experience abnormal uterine bleeding, for which estroprogestative administration may be beneficial. Glucocorticoid administration suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary–adrenal axis in KTR, leading to metabolic syndrome. Patients should be informed about signs and symptoms of hypoadrenalism that may occur after glucocorticoid withdrawal, prompting adrenal function assessment. Clinicians should be more aware of the endocrine abnormalities experienced by their KTR patients, as these may significantly impact the quality of life. In clinical practice, awareness of the specific endocrine dysfunctions experienced by KTR patients ensures the correct management of these complications in a multidisciplinary team, while avoiding unnecessary treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]