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Background: Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, plays a pivotal role in wound healing, particularly in surgical contexts. Methods and results: However, this process can be significantly impaired in patients with childhood obesity, resulting in delayed healing and additional complications. The biological process of wound healing is complex, involving angiogenesis, cell proliferation, inflammation, and tissue remodeling. This review aims to explore recent advancements in research on angiogenesis in surgical wounds in patients with childhood obesity, with a focus on growth factors, inflammation, microcirculation, and innovative therapeutic strategies. Conclusions: It highlights therapeutic approaches such as the administration of growth factors and the application of biomaterials to enhance angiogenesis.

Hydrogels are a viable option for biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to incorporate various healing agents while maintaining their biological efficacy. This study focused on the preparation and characterization of novel hybrid hydrogels enriched with the natural algae compound Ulvan for potential use in wound dressings. The characterization of the hydrogel membranes involved multiple methods to assess their structural, mechanical, and chemical properties, such as pH measurements, swelling, moisture content and uptake, gel fraction, hydrolytic degradation, protein adsorption and denaturation tests, rheological measurements, SEM, biocompatibility testing, and scratch wound assay. The hydrogel obtained with a higher concentration of Ulvan (1 mg/mL) exhibited superior mechanical properties, a swelling index of 264%, a water content of 55%, and a lower degradation percentage. In terms of rheological properties, the inclusion of ULV in the hydrogel composition enhanced gel strength, and the Alginate + PVA + 1.0ULV sample demonstrated the greatest resistance to deformation. All hydrogels exhibited good biocompatibility, with cell viability above 70% and no obvious morphological modifications. The addition of Ulvan potentiates the regenerative effect of hydrogel membranes. Subsequent studies will focus on encapsulating bioactive compounds, investigating their release behavior, and evaluating their active biological effects.

Postural disorders in children and adolescents have an increasing incidence. The aim of this study was to identify the type of postural defects in school-age and preschool children, as well as the external risk factors determined by an inadequate lifestyle. The research included 134 children aged between 5 and 18 years, in whom postural defects were identified. The project involved an examination of the children’s body posture, a survey of the parents to determine the children’s lifestyle, blood tests, and spinal X-rays. A significant percentage (76%) of the children included in the study were underweight. The examination of postural defects in the students revealed scoliosis in 21% of the patients, kyphosis in 7.5%, and lordosis in 1.5%, while 70% of the patients presented an association between at least two postural defects. As far as risk factors are concerned, we identified the presence of rickets sequelae in 70% of the patients, the presence of pectus excavatum in 43% of the patients, genu varum in 15%, and flat foot in 12%. Additionally, 90% of the children had an incorrect posture at the desk, while 42% incorrectly carried their backpack on one shoulder only. In terms of diet quality, associations between an inadequate diet and postural disorders were found for kyphosis, scoliosis, and other deformities. In conclusion, postural abnormalities in children have an increased incidence from an early age and are a result of the change in lifestyle in recent years, represented by sedentarism, a lack of physical activity, the excessive use of electronic devices, stress, and an inadequate diet.

Zero-valent copper and silver metals (Ms) nanoparticles (NPs) supported on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were synthesized for treating Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli fimbriae 4 (ETEC:F4), a major cause of diarrhea in post-weaned pigs. The antibacterial properties of Cu0/CMC and Ag0/CMC were assessed on infected porcine intestinal enterocyte IPEC-J2, an in vitro model mimicking the small intestine. The lower average particle size (218 nm) and polydispersity index [PDI]: 0.25) for Ag0/CMC, when compared with those of Cu0/CMC (367 nm and PDI 0.96), were explained by stronger Ag0/CMC interactions. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Ag0/CMC were lower in both bacteria and IPEC-J2 cells than those of Cu0/CMC, confirming that silver nanoparticles are more bactericidal than copper counterparts. IPEC-J2, less sensitive in MNP/CMC treatment, was used to further investigate the infective process by ETEC:F4. The IC50 of MNP/CMC increased significantly when infected IPEC-J2 cells and ETEC were co-treated, showing an inhibition of the cytotoxicity effect of ETEC:F4 infection and protection of treated IPEC-J2. Thus, it appears that metal insertion in CMC induces an inhibiting effect on ETEC:F4 growth and that MNP/CMC dispersion governs the enhancement of this effect. These results open promising prospects for metal-loaded biopolymers for preventing and treating swine diarrhea.

During the last two decades, an increased number of molecules with multiple mechanisms of action have been approved for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a substantial increase in the costs related to therapy, which has become a concern for payers, regulators, and healthcare professionals. Biosimilars are biologic medical products that are highly structurally similar to their reference products; have no clinically meaningful differences in terms of immunogenicity, safety, or effectiveness; and are available at a lower price. Materials and Methods: This was an observational prospective study conducted in two IBD centres in Bucharest and included 53 patients, 27 male (M) and 26 female (F), diagnosed with IBD according to standard clinical, endoscopic, radiological, and histological criteria, who were non-medically switched at the indication of the National Insurance House to a biosimilar of Adalimumab. Aims: The aim was to determine the rates of clinical remission, adverse effects, and treatment persistence at one year. Results: No significant differences were found in terms of the faecal calprotectin (FC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels 6 and 12 months after changing from the originator biologic treatment to a biosimilar. Only one patient required a change in their biological treatment following the clinical and biological loss of response. The main adverse effect reported by the patients was pain at the injection site. Of the 53 patients, only 2 reported pain at the injection site, and 1 patient reported experiencing abdominal pain and rectal bleeding immediately after the switch, but no recurrence was observed clinically or endoscopically. Conclusions: This observational study is the first to be carried out in Romania that shows that, after a non-medical switch, biosimilars of Adalimumab are as efficient and safe as the originator Adalimumab in the clinical treatment of patients with IBD.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including organochlorine pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans, pose significant hazards to the environment and living organisms. This concise review aims to consolidate knowledge on the biological processes involved in removing POPs from wastewater, an area less explored compared to conventional physico-chemical methods. The focus is on the potential of various aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, fungi, and bacteria for efficient bioremediation, mitigating or eradicating the deleterious effects of these chemicals. The review scrutinizes individual bacterial strains and mixed cultures engaged in breaking down persistent organic pollutants in water, highlighting promising results from laboratory investigations that could be scaled for practical applications. The review concludes by underscoring the opportunities for exploring and advancing more sophisticated bioremediation techniques and optimized bioreactors. The ultimate goal is to enhance the efficiency of microbial-based strategies, implicitly reducing the environmental impact of persistent chemicals.

Conjugation of carbohydrates to nanomaterials has been extensively studied and recognized as an alternative in the biomedical field. Dendrimers synthesized with mannose at the end group and with entrapped zero-valent copper/silver could be a potential candidate against bacterial proliferation. This study is aimed at investigating the bactericidal activity of metal-glycodendrimers. The Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction was used to synthesize a new mannosylated dendrimer containing 12 mannopyranoside residues in the periphery. The enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli fimbriae 4 (ETEC:F4) viability, measured at 600 nm, showed the half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of metal-free glycodendrimers (D), copper-loaded glycodendrimers (D:Cu) and silver-loaded glycodendrimers (D:Ag) closed to 4.5 × 101, 3.5 × 101 and to 1.0 × 10−2 µg/mL, respectively, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of D, D:Cu and D:Ag of 2.0, 1.5 and 1.0 × 10−4 µg/mL, respectively. The release of bacteria contents onto broth and the inhibition of ETEC:F4 biofilm formation increased with the number of metallo-glycodendrimer materials, with a special interest in silver-containing nanomaterial, which had the highest activity, suggesting that glycodendrimer-based materials interfered with bacteria-bacteria or bacteria–polystyrene interactions, with bacteria metabolism and can disrupt bacteria cell walls. Our findings identify metal–mannose-dendrimers as potent bactericidal agents and emphasize the effect of entrapped zero-valent metal against ETEC:F4.

In the current work, the synergy between natural compounds and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs is comprehensively reviewed in light of current preclinical research findings. The prognosis for lung cancer patients is poor, with a 5-year survival rate of 18.1%. The use of natural compounds in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs has gained significant attention as a potential novel approach in the treatment of lung cancer. The present work highlights the importance of finding more effective therapies to increase survival rates. Chemotherapy is a primary treatment option for lung cancer but it has limitations such as reduced effectiveness because cancer cells become resistant. Natural compounds isolated from medicinal plants have shown promising anticancer or chemopreventive properties and their synergistic effect has been observed when combined with conventional therapies. The combined use of an anti-cancer drug and a natural compound exhibits synergistic effects, enhancing overall therapeutic actions against cancer cells. In conclusion, this work provides an overview of the latest preclinical research on medicinal plants and plant-derived compounds as alternative or complementary treatment options for lung cancer chemotherapy and discusses the potential of natural compounds in treating lung cancer with minimal side effects.

This study presents a systematic review of the literature on individuals’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), utilizing the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) as a primary assessment tool. The review was designed as an exhaustive literature search across three major databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase up to December 2023, using the PRISMA guidelines. The selection process refined 2281 identified articles down to 11 studies meeting our inclusion criteria. These studies encompassed a diverse demographic and clinical profile of 774 participants, with follow-up durations ranging from 3 to 130 months, thereby offering insights into both short-term and long-term HRQoL outcomes. The results highlighted significant alterations in individuals’ HRQoL across various domains post-radical cystectomy. Notably, the Physical Functioning (PF) and Bodily Pain (BP) domains generally scored higher, indicating a moderate to high perceived physical health status. However, the Role Physical (RP) and Role Emotional (RE) domains showed variability, reflecting the challenges in daily role fulfillment and emotional adjustment post-surgery. A marked variability in physical recovery was observed, with studies reporting significant differences in PF and RP scores between patient groups. The General Health (GH) and Vitality (VT) domains sometimes reflected perceived deteriorations, whereas the Mental Health (MH) scores suggested that many patients maintained or achieved high levels of well-being post-operatively. The conclusions drawn from this systematic review underscore the profound and multi-faceted impact of radical cystectomy on HRQoL, varying widely between studies, being influenced by geographic factors, surgical methods, and the time of evaluation. The findings emphasize the necessity for holistic patient care approaches that address both physical and emotional rehabilitation, aiming to improve HRQoL outcomes.

Mesalamine, also called 5-ASA (5-aminosalicylic acid), is a largely used anti-inflammatory agent and is a main choice to treat Ulcerative Colitis. This report is aimed to investigate enzymatic processes involved in the oxidation of mesalamine to better understand some of its side-effects. Oxidation with oxygen (catalyzed by ceruloplasmin) or with hydrogen peroxide (catalyzed by peroxidase or hemoglobin) showed that these oxidases, despite their different mechanisms of oxidation, could recognize mesalamine as a substrate and trigger its oxidation to a corresponding quinone-imine. These enzymes were chosen because they may recognize hydroquinone (a p-diphenol) as substrate and oxidize it to p-benzoquinone and that mesalamine, as a p-aminophenol, presents some similarities with hydroquinone. The UV-Vis kinetics, FTIR and 1H NMR supported the hypothesis of oxidizing mesalamine. Furthermore, mass spectrometry suggested the quinone–imine as reaction product. Without enzymes, the oxidation process was very slow (days and weeks), but it was markedly accelerated with the oxidases, particularly with peroxidase. Cyclic voltammetry supported the hypothesis of the oxidative process and allowed a ranking of susceptibility to oxidizing mesalamine in comparison with other oxidizable drug molecules with related structures. The susceptibility to oxidation was higher for mesalamine, in comparison with Tylenol (acetaminophen) and with aspirin (salicylic acid).

Stem cell transplant proved its efficacy in increasing the survival rate among young patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies. A transplant conditioning regimen is particularly destructive on the genital system, often determining premature ovarian failure, accompanied by vulvovaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunctions. The aims of the present study were, first, to evaluate sexual dysfunctions among transplanted women, using clinical examination and the female sexual function index (FSFI), and second, to determine their impact on a couple’s relationship. A prospective observational comparative study was performed and included 38 patients who underwent allogenic stem cell transplant (SCT) procedures for different hematological malignancies and 38 healthy patients (control group). This study included baseline evaluation, one-year, and three-year follow-up visits. In addition to anamnesis and medically obtained information, FSFI was evaluated to determine the impact of gynecological damage in a subjective manner. In the study group, vulvovaginal atrophy was diagnosed in 76.32%, with subsequent sexual dysfunctions in 92.10% of patients, based on FSFI scoring. Even though the results improved throughout the study, at the last visit, mild vulvovaginal atrophy was diagnosed in 81.58% of patients, and the FSFI score was abnormal for 21.05%. When compared to the control group, both sexual dysfunctions and FSFI results were considerably impaired, with statistical significance. There is a confirmed negative impact of sexual dysfunctions and self-declared FSFI on couple/marital status and couple relationships, with statistical significance, at the last visit. In conclusion, anatomical, functional, and psychological difficulties are a reality of long-term survivors after a stem cell transplant. They should be addressed and assessed equally to other medical conditions, as they may determine serious consequences and impact the sexual quality of life and the couple’s relationship.

Currently, the symptomatic status and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) play a crucial role in aortic stenosis (AS) assessment. However, the symptoms are often subjective, and LVEF is not a sensitive marker of left ventricle (LV) decompensation. Over the past years, the cardiac structure and function research on AS has increased due to advanced imaging modalities and potential therapies. New imaging parameters emerged as predictors of disease progression in AS. LV global longitudinal strain has proved useful for risk stratification in asymptomatic severe AS patients with preserved LVEF. The assessment of myocardial fibrosis by cardiac magnetic resonance is the most studied application and offers prognostic information on AS. Moreover, the usage of biomarkers in AS as objective measures of LV decompensation has recently gained more interest. The present review focuses on the transition from compensatory LV hypertrophy (H) to LV dysfunction and the biomarkers associated with myocardial wall stress, fibrosis, and myocyte death. Moreover, we discuss the potential impact of non-invasive imaging parameters for optimizing the timing of aortic valve replacement and provide insight into novel biomarkers for possible prognostic use in AS. However, data from randomized clinical trials are necessary to define their utility in daily practice.

Complicated wounds often require specialized medical treatments, and hydrogels have emerged as a popular choice for wound dressings in such cases due to their unique properties and the ability to incorporate and release therapeutic agents. Our focus was to develop and characterize a new optimized formula for biohybrid hydrogel membranes, which combine natural and synthetic polymers, bioactive natural compounds, like collagen and hyaluronic acid, and pharmacologically active substances (doxycycline or npAg). Dynamic (oscillatory) rheometry confirmed the strong gel-like properties of the obtained hydrogel membranes. Samples containing low-dose DOXY showed a swelling index of 285.68 ± 6.99%, a degradation rate of 71.6 ± 0.91% at 20 h, and achieved a cumulative drug release of approximately 90% at pH 7.4 and 80% at pH 8.3 within 12 h. The addition of npAg influenced the physical properties of the hydrogel membranes. Furthermore, the samples containing DOXY demonstrated exceptional antimicrobial efficacy against seven selected bacterial strains commonly associated with wound infections and complications. Biocompatibility assessments revealed that the samples exhibited over 80% cell viability. However, the addition of smaller-sized nanoparticles led to decreased cellular viability. The obtained biohybrid hydrogel membranes show favorable properties that render them suitable for application as wound dressings.

Anal fistulas often cause significant impairment to patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the HRQOL between patients with anal fistulas with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and those without, hypothesizing significant differences in HRQOL scores between these groups. The secondary objectives were to identify specific aspects of life quality most affected and explore potential variables influencing HRQOL. The study was conducted at the Clinical Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” in Timisoara, Romania, using a convenience sample of 175 adult patients diagnosed with anal fistulas, stratified into IBD and non-IBD groups. Quality of life was evaluated at initial hospital admission and three months post-treatment using four questionnaires: SF-36, GIQLI, HADS, and the WHOQOL-BREF. Initial SF-36 scores were marginally lower in the IBD group, with mean physical and mental scores of 52.0 and 54.5, respectively. Both groups showed an improvement after intervention, but the mean difference was higher in the IBD group, with an increase of 1.1 in physical score. Initial GIQLI scores were significantly lower in the IBD group (110) compared to the non-IBD group (116). Post-intervention, the mean scores increased to 116 and 121, respectively. HADS scores suggested higher anxiety levels in the non-IBD group (7.5 vs. 6.1), although depression scores were similar. Post-intervention, anxiety scores decreased more substantially in the non-IBD group (−0.9 vs. −0.3). The WHOQOL-BREF scores were lower across all domains for the IBD group at the initial test (physical health: 12.4, psychological health: 14.9, social relationships: 14.4, environment: 13.0). Post-intervention, scores increased marginally in the IBD group (physical health: 12.7, psychological health: 15.9, social relationships: 14.1, environment: 13.8) but varied in the non-IBD group. HRQOL, as measured by multiple questionnaires, is impacted differently in anal fistula patients with and without IBD. These findings highlight the importance of a tailored approach to managing this patient population to improve their quality of life post-treatment.

People living with HIV infection are at high risk for cardiovascular events due to inflammation and atherosclerosis. Also, some antiretroviral therapies may contribute to the risk of cardiovascular complications. Immune status is highly dependent on the level of lymphocyte T helper CD4+. There are data suggesting that immune status and CD4+ cell count may be involved in the development of cardiovascular complications in these patients. Our study is longitudinal and retrospective and included a total number of 50 patients with HIV infection associated with acute coronary syndrome, divided into two subgroups based on the nadir of CD4+ cells. This study analyzes the relationship between the immune status of HIV patients, assessed by the nadir of the CD4+ T-cell count, and the outcome of these patients. Also, secondary endpoints were the assessment of the magnitude of coronary lesions and of thrombotic and bleeding risk assessed by specific scores. Clinical and biological parameters and also the extension and complexity of coronary lesions were assessed. Although patients with poor immune status had more complex coronary lesions and increased operative risk and bleeding risk at one year, this was not associated with significant differences in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at the 30-day and 1-year outcomes.

Healthcare professionals face an ongoing challenge in managing both acute and chronic wounds, given the potential impact on patients’ quality of life and the limited availability of expensive treatment options. Hydrogel wound dressings offer a promising solution for effective wound care due to their affordability, ease of use, and ability to incorporate bioactive substances that enhance the wound healing process. Our study aimed to develop and evaluate hybrid hydrogel membranes enriched with bioactive components such as collagen and hyaluronic acid. We utilized both natural and synthetic polymers and employed a scalable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly production process. We conducted extensive testing, including an in vitro assessment of moisture content, moisture uptake, swelling rate, gel fraction, biodegradation, water vapor transmission rate, protein denaturation, and protein adsorption. We evaluated the biocompatibility of the hydrogel membranes through cellular assays and performed instrumental tests using scanning electron microscopy and rheological analysis. Our findings demonstrate that the biohybrid hydrogel membranes exhibit cumulative properties with a favorable swelling ratio, optimal permeation properties, and good biocompatibility, all achieved with minimal concentrations of bioactive agents.

The aim of this review is to summarize some of the most recent work in the field of cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnosis and therapy, focusing mainly on the role of nanobodies in the development of non-invasive imaging methods, diagnostic devices, and advanced biotechnological therapy tools. In the context of the increased number of people suffering from CVDs due to a variety of factors such as sedentariness, poor nutrition, stress, and smoking, there is an urgent need for new and improved diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Nanobodies can be easily produced in prokaryotes, lower eukaryotes, and plant and mammalian cells, and offer great advantages. In the diagnosis domain, they are mainly used as labeled probes that bind to certain surface receptors or other target molecules and give important information on the severity and extent of atherosclerotic lesions, using imaging methods such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound molecular imaging (CEUMI), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography coupled with computed tomography (SPECT/CT), and PET/CT. As therapy tools, nanobodies have been used either for transporting drug-loaded vesicles to specific targets or as inhibitors for certain enzymes and receptors, demonstrated to be involved in various CVDs.

Background: Histologic activity has emerged as an aspirational therapeutic goal in ulcerative colitis management. It is not yet a formal treatment target in ulcerative colitis. However, it could be used as an adjunct to mucosal healing to represent a deeper level of healing. We investigated mucosal and histologic remission rates and potential predictors of these outcomes in a cohort of UC patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data collected from UC patients enrolled in an ongoing prospective cohort study. Mucosal healing was defined as Mayo endoscopic score = 0. Results: A total of 131 patients with ulcerative colitis were enrolled in our study and were prospectively followed for a median length of 2 years (range 0–5 years), totaling 266 study visits. Mucosal healing was recorded for 27 patients at 70 (26%) different study visits. For patients with mucosal healing, histologic remission was achieved in 18/27 (66%) patients. On univariate analysis, sustained clinical remission, SIBDQ scores ≥ 5.5, CRP ≤ 5 mg/dL and absence of corticotherapy were associated with mucosal healing and SIBDQ scores ≥ 5.5 and CRP ≤ 5 mg/dL with histologic healing, respectively. After logistic regression analysis, none of the investigated factors were associated with mucosal and histologic healing. The number of CD8+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) was significantly greater than the number of CD4+ IELs in periods of disease activity, as well as during mucosal healing (p < 0.01 in both cases). Conclusions: Mucosal healing and histologic remission rates are low in real-life settings. The results of univariate analysis indicate that a good quality of life (SIBDQ score) and normal inflammatory markers (CRP) are associated with mucosal and histologic healing. However, frequently used patient- and disease-related factors, including mucosal healing, are not reliable predictors for histologic remission. Greater CD8+ lymphocyte involvement and higher CD8+/CD4+ distribution can have a meaningful impact on understanding the pathogenesis and natural history of ulcerative colitis, as well as future treatment options for lymphocyte-targeting medications.

Many chemical modifications of starch are realized in organic (mostly methanol) phase, allowing high degrees of substitution (DS). Some of these materials are used as disintegrants. To expand the usage of starch derivative biopolymers as drug delivery system, various starch derivatives obtained in aqueous phase were evaluated with the aim to identify materials and procedures which would generate multifunctional excipients providing gastro-protection for controlled drug delivery. Chemical, structural and thermal characteristics of anionic and ampholytic High Amylose Starch (HAS) derivatives under powder (P), tablet (T) and film (F) forms were evaluated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods and correlated with the behavior of tablets and films in simulated gastric and intestinal media. At low DS, the HAS carboxymethylation (CMHAS) in aqueous phase, generated tablets and films that were insoluble at ambient conditions. The CMHAS filmogenic solutions, with a lower viscosity, were easier to cast and gave smooth films without the use of plasticizer. Correlations were found between structural parameters and the properties of starch excipients. Compared to other starch modification procedures, the aqueous modification of HAS generated tunable multifunctional excipients that may be recommended for tablets and functional coatings for colon-targeted formulations.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis remain debilitating disorders, characterized by progressive bowel damage and possible lethal complications. The growing number of applications for artificial intelligence in gastrointestinal endoscopy has already shown great potential, especially in the field of neoplastic and pre-neoplastic lesion detection and characterization, and is currently under evaluation in the field of inflammatory bowel disease management. The application of artificial intelligence in inflammatory bowel diseases can range from genomic dataset analysis and risk prediction model construction to the disease grading severity and assessment of the response to treatment using machine learning. We aimed to assess the current and future role of artificial intelligence in assessing the key outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease patients: endoscopic activity, mucosal healing, response to treatment, and neoplasia surveillance.

Mariculture offers enormous potential for providing sustainable food, playing a key role in achieving nutrition security, employment, and Blue Growth. This is particularly true in geographical areas where the dependence of local economies on fishery products is high and yet access to sustainable landings is hindered by environmental drawbacks. One such area is represented by the Black Sea, which offers different degrees of suitability for aquaculture development. While the southern and eastern shores are sheltered enough to allow for the development of large aquaculture activities, the north-western shoreline is characterized by wide environmental fluctuations and the strong influence of the Danube. This study aimed at investigating the suitability of a selected area of the Romanian coast (Mangalia) for finfish cage farming by adapting an internationally endorsed methodology for determining its Degree of Compatibility (DC). The development and expansion of finfish aquaculture depends on the availability of space, so designating Allocated Zones for Aquaculture (AZAs) is essential. The result obtained (DC = 80) indicates that the Mangalia area is suitable for finfish aquaculture activities: there is no major interference with other uses of the maritime space, no conflicts with nature conservation, and the environmental conditions are appropriate for fish culture in floating cages. The novel information provided by this study can be the building block for authorities to settle the governance gap that has so far impeded the development of marine aquaculture in Romania. At a larger scale, this study can serve as a good practice example at the regional Black Sea level.

Enteric dysfunctions are common for various histamine-related intestinal disorders. Vegetal diamine oxidase (vDAO), an enzyme able to decompose histamine and thus alleviate histamine-related dysfunctions, was formulated in gastro-resistant tablet forms for oral administration as a food supplement and possible therapeutic agent. A major challenge for the use of proteins in the pharmaceutical field is their poor stability. In this study, vDAO was freeze-dried in the absence or in the presence of sucrose or trehalose as cryoprotectants and then formulated as tablets by direct compression. The stability of the obtained preparations was followed during storage at 4 °C and −20 °C for 18 months. In vitro dissolution tests with the vDAO powders formulated as tablets were performed in simulated gastric and in simulated intestinal fluids. The tablets obtained with the powder of the vDAO lyophilized with sucrose or trehalose cryoprotectants offered better protection for enzyme activity. Furthermore, the release of the vDAO lyophilized with the cryoprotectants was around 80% of the total loaded activity (enzyme units) compared to 20% for the control (vDAO powder prepared without cryoprotectants). This report revealed the potential of sucrose and trehalose as cryoprotectants to protect vDAO from freeze-drying stress and during storage, and also to markedly improve the vDAO release performance of tablets obtained with vDAO powders.

As is well known, apples are the most complex fruit in terms of nutritional compounds, with a high content of fiber, vitamins (vitamins C, A, B3), and minerals. Both fruits and vegetables are important sources of nutrients for infants’ nutrition and healthy development. The purpose of this study was to develop and analyze baby food purees obtained from apples and vegetables. Ten types of baby purees were obtained from the most-consumed varieties of apples from Romania, along with purees of carrots, pumpkin and celery. The resulting samples were analyzed in terms of moisture, ash content, titratable acidity, and vitamin C content. The total polyphenol content was assessed by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, while total antioxidant capacity was determined by the DPPH method; moreover, the color parameters and textural properties were also assessed. Following the results obtained, the purees can be introduced into the diet of infants and children, providing them with the necessary vitamins and minerals for optimal development. The analyses performed on both fresh and sterilized products highlighted the effects of heat treatment on the components of the product. The most important changes were observed in the vitamin C content, which was decreased by 50–70% in all ten purees. Total polyphenol content (TPC) increased in sterilized samples up to 70 mg GAE/100 g. Antioxidant capacity (AC) almost doubled its value in some samples after the thermal process application. Regarding the adhesiveness and deformation at hardness, which represented the main parameters for baby’s food, the value increased in the sterilized product, making the product more suitable for infants. This survey provides a detailed description of the development of baby food purees, showing the conveniences of developing purees for children based on fruits and vegetables.

Palbociclib and abemaciclib are two cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 used for breast cancer treatment. Levels of these medicines present a significant interindividual variability, so monitoring those concentrations might be necessary in therapy. Most of the methods presented so far in the literature use simple protein precipitation of plasma proteins as sample preparation method followed by direct injection of the supernatant into the LC instrument, preceded or not by a simple filtration step. Within that approach, the probability of injecting proteins in the chromatographic system is increased. With the purpose of obtaining a cleaner extract of the drugs, we developed and validated a simple and accurate LC-MS method for determining palbociclib and abemaciclib in human plasma. Solid phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis PRiME HLB® cartridges was used for plasma sample preparation. The method provided clean extracts with a recovery extraction higher than 85% for both compounds. Separation was achieved by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), using a C18 (4.6 × 50 mm) column, with a gradient elution of ammonium acetate/acetic acid-acetonitrile as the mobile phase. Detection was performed by mass spectrometry (MS) in single ion recording (SIR) mode. Intra-day and inter-day precision data for both analytes were 3.8–7.2% and 3.6–7.4%, respectively. Calibration curves were both linear between 2 and 400 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient higher than 0.998. The LC-MS method can be used to quantify the drugs in human plasma in routine analysis. The method proved to be useful in determining real plasma levels in patients involved in cancer therapy. Drug concentrations were determined in a 10 min run-time, including re-equilibration of the column.

Anthocyanins obtained from jambolan have been used as active agents in different carboxymethyl starch-based tablet formulations and their release profiles evaluated in simulated gastric fluids (SGF) and simulated intestinal (SIF) fluids. Structural analysis highlighted a strong interaction between anthocyanins and carboxymethyl starch, evidenced by scanning electron microscopy and infrared analysis. Tablet dissolution behavior varied according to the pH of the media, being controlled by the swelling and/or erosion of the polymeric matrix. Various formulations for immediate, fast, and sustained release of anthocyanins for 30 min, 2 h and 12 h of dissolution have been developed. It was found that monolithic carboxymethyl starch tablets loaded with powdered jambolan extract efficiently afforded the complete delivery (100% of anthocyanins) to different sites of the simulated gastrointestinal tract and ensured the stability of these pigments, which maintained their antioxidant activity.

Oral papilloma lesions may appear as a result of HPV infection, or not, and only special molecular methods could differentiate them. Low-risk and high-risk HPV types could induce oral HPV papillomatosis with different natural evolution, clearance and persistence mechanisms. The pathogenic mechanisms are based on the crosstalk between the oral epithelial and immune cells and this very efficient virus. HPV acts as a direct inducer in the process of transforming a benign lesion into a malignant one, the cancerization process being also debated in this paper. According to the degree of malignity, three types of papillomatous lesions can be described in the oral cavity: benign lesions, potential malign disorders and malignant lesions. The precise molecular diagnostic is important to identify the presence of various virus types and also the virus products responsible for its oncogenicity. An accurate diagnostic of oral papilloma can be established through a good knowledge of etiological and epidemiological factors, clinical examination and laboratory tests. This review intends to update the pathogenic mechanisms driving the macroscopic and histological features of oral papillomatosis having HPV infection as the main etiological factor, focusing on its interreference in the local immunity. In the absence of an accurate molecular diagnostic and knowledge of local immunological conditions, the therapeutic strategy could be difficult to decide.

The most peculiar characteristic of a cultural heritage is represented by its uniqueness. To ensure that an object is preserved against environmental deterioration, vandal attacks, and accidents, modern Cultural Heritage documentation involves 3D scanning technologies. In the case of fragmented artefacts, the digitization process represents an essential prerequisite for facilitating an accurate 3D reconstruction. The aim of this research paper is to present a framework that enables an accurate digital reconstruction of fragmented or damaged artefacts using ornament stencils obtained from 3D scan data. The proposed framework has been applied for the richly adorned ornaments of the fragmented Dacian embossed disk from Piatra Roșie. The case study makes use of the 3D dataset acquired, using a structured light scanner to extract vector displacement maps, which are then applied to the 3D computer-aided design (CAD) model. The output of the framework includes a proposed digital reconstruction of the aurochs fragmented Dacian embossed disk, as well as the ornaments’ stencils database. The proposed framework addresses problems that are associated with 3D reconstruction processes, such as self-intersections, non-manifold geometry, 3D model topology, and file format interoperability. Finally, the resulting 3D reconstruction has been integrated within virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) applications, as well as computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) based on additive manufacturing to facilitate the dissemination of the results.

Angiogenesis is the process of developing new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. This review summarizes the main features of physiological and pathological angiogenesis and those of angiogenesis activation and inhibition. In healthy adults, angiogenesis is absent apart from its involvement in female reproductive functions and tissue regeneration. Angiogenesis is a complex process regulated by the action of specific activators and inhibitors. In certain diseases, modulating the angiogenic balance can be a therapeutic route, either by inhibiting angiogenesis (for example in the case of tumor angiogenesis), or by trying to activate the process of new blood vessels formation, which is the goal in case of cardiac or peripheral ischemia.

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are a heterogenous group of lesions ranging from benign to malignant. There has been an increase in PCLs prevalence in recent years, mostly due to advances in imaging techniques, increased awareness of their existence and population aging. Reliable discrimination between neoplastic and non-neoplastic cystic lesions is paramount to ensuring adequate treatment and follow-up. Although conventional diagnostic techniques such as ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT) can easily identify these lesions, assessing the risk of malignancy is limited. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is superior to cross-sectional imaging in identifying potentially malignant lesions due to its high resolution and better imaging characteristics, and the advantage of allowing for cyst fluid sampling via fine-needle aspiration (FNA). More complex testing, such as cytological and histopathological analysis and biochemical and molecular testing of the aspirated fluid, can ensure an accurate diagnosis.

This article assesses the occurrence of Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDKs) in common wheat (Triticum aestivum) under the influence of environmental factors and extreme weather events in Romania (exceptionally high air temperatures and extreme pedological drought produced by a dipole block in summer 2015, and extreme precipitation and floods produced by an omega block in spring 2016). Wheat samples (N = 272) were analyzed for FDKs via visual estimation and manual weighing according to ISO 7970 and are statistically evaluated using SPSS. The dipole block in 2015 reduced the effects of environmental factors to non-significant correlations with FDKs, while the omega block in 2016 was non-significantly to very significantly correlated with FDKs in the northwestern and western regions. The occurrence of FDKs was favored for wheat cultivation in acidic soils and inhibited in alkaline soils. Wheat samples with FDKs ≥ 1% were sampled from crops grown in river meadows with high and very high risks of flooding. Knowing the contaminants’ geographical and spatial distributions under the influence of regular and extreme weather events is important for establishing measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and to ensure human and animal health.

Carboxymethyl starch (CMS) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) loaded by highly dispersed metal subnanoparticles (MSNPs) showed antibacterial activity against E. coli and B. subtilis strains. Copper and silver were found to act in both cationic and zero-valence forms. The antibacterial activity depends on the metal species content but only up to a certain level. Silver cation (Ag+) showed higher antibacterial activity as compared to Ag0, which was, however, more effective than Cu0, due to weaker retention. The number of carboxyl groups of the biopolymers was found to govern the material dispersion in aqueous media, the metal retention strength and dispersion in the host-matrices. Cation and metal retention in both biopolymers was found to involve interactions with the oxygen atoms of both hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. There exists a ternary interdependence between the Zeta potential (ZP), pH induced by the biocidal agent and its particle size (PS). This interdependence is a key factor in the exchange processes with the surrounding species, including bacteria. Clay mineral incorporation was found to mitigate material dispersion, due to detrimental competitive clay:polymer interaction. This knowledge advancement opens promising prospects for manufacturing metal-loaded materials for biomedical applications.

Cat-scratch disease is an illness caused by Bartonella henselae that occurs as a result of contact with an infected kitten or dog, such as a bite or scratch. It is more prevalent in children and young adults, as well as immunocompromised individuals. There are limited publications examining the features of CSD in patients. As such, the purpose of this research was to assess the clinical neuro-ophthalmological consequences of CSD reported in the literature. Among the ophthalmologic disorders caused by cat-scratch disease in humans, Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome, uveitis, vitritis, retinitis, retinochoroiditis and optic neuritis are the most prevalent. The neurological disorders caused by cat-scratch disease in humans include encephalopathy, transverse myelitis, radiculitis, and cerebellar ataxia. The current review addresses the neuro-ophthalmological clinical manifestations of cat-scratch disease, as described in papers published over the last four decades (1980–2022). All the data gathered were obtained from PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar. The current descriptive review summarizes the most-often-encountered clinical symptomatology in instances of cat-scratch disease with neurological and ocular invasion. Thus, the purpose of this review is to increase knowledge of cat-scratch disease’s neuro-ophthalmological manifestations.

Background: Bone impairment of multifactorial etiology is a common feature in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Body composition parameters, which might be selectively modified in these patients, are important determinants of bone strength. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between components of body composition and bone parameters in IBD patients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study including 80 IBD patients (43 women, 37 men). Lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) and whole body DXA scans were performed to analyze regional bone mineral density (BMD), as well as body composition, including appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), total and visceral fat mass (VAT). Trabecular bone score (TBS) was assessed using iNsight Software. Results: Twenty (25%) IBD patients had inadequate LS-BMD z scores (p < 0.01), while fat mass% remained associated with FN-BMD (p < 0.01). TBS correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.24, p < 0.05), LS-BMD (r = 0.56, p < 0.001), ASMI (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) and negatively with VAT/total fat% (r = −0.27, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that ASMI, LS-BMD (positively) and VAT/total fat% (negatively) were independently associated with TBS. Conclusions: In IBD patients, skeletal muscle mass and fat percentage and distribution are important factors associated with bone health.

The large number of cultivars belonging to the cultivated apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) reflects an extremely wide range of variability, including for fruit quality traits. To evaluate some characteristics of fruit quality, 22 apple genotypes were selected from a collection of germplasms containing more than 600 accessions, based on different considerations, including the use of fruits (dessert, cooking, processing, juice, cider, multipurpose). The mean water content of the studied apple genotypes was 85.05%, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 2.74%; the mean ash content was 2.32% with a CV of 22.1%, and the mean total soluble solids was 16.22% with a CV of 17.78%, indicating a relatively small difference between genotypes for these indices. On the contrary, relatively large differences were registered between genotypes for fruit weight, volume, and titratable acidity with means of 119.52 g, 155 mL, and 0.55% malic acid, and CVs of 35.17%, 34.58%, and 54.3%, respectively. The results showed that peel hardness varied between 3.80 and 13.69 N, the toughness between 0.2 and 1.07 mm, the flesh hardness between 0.97 and 4.76 N, and the hardness work between 6.88 and 27.84 mJ. The current study can emphasize the possibility of choosing the appropriate apple cultivars to cross in the breeding process and how future strategies can help apple breeders select breeding parents, which are essential key steps when breeding new apple cultivars. In addition, multivariate analysis has proven to be a useful tool in assessing the relationships between Malus genetic resources.

Anal canal duplication (ACD) is a very rare condition, diagnosed and treated mostly in childhood. Less than 90 cases have been reported in the literature so far. We are presenting a case of a young woman who underwent surgical excision of the duplication when she was 27 years old. The patient was unaware of her condition and was referred from a gynaecological office to the surgical department with a history of perianal discomfort and mucus discharge. Local examination showed an external orifice posterior to the anal opening, on the median line, which had the macroscopic appearance of a secondary anal orifice. The opening was about 0.5 cm in diameter. Exploration of the tract revealed a length of about 4 cm. MRI described the aforementioned tract, parallel to the anal canal, with no other anomalies mentioned. Under spinal anesthesia, with the patient in jackknife position, the accessory anal canal was surgically excised. The pathology report showed the presence of smooth muscle fibers and typical anal glands in the specimen. After a five-year follow-up, the patient showed no recurrence or any other related local symptoms. Absence of perianal abscess from the patient history, along with the macroscopic aspect of the opening similar to a secondary anal orifice on the midline, should raise the suspicion of ACD. Due to the lack of bothersome symptomatology, the patient did not seek any special investigations for her condition until she was in her late twenties. ACD is a very rare condition in adults that might pass unnoticed, but a midline opening posterior to the anus should always raise the suspicion of a secondary anal canal. Surgery is the only cure for this condition with good results after a proper pre-operative workout to reveal others simultaneous malformations.

This article aims to evaluate deoxynivalenol occurrence in triticale crops in Romania in years with extreme weather events (2012: Siberian anticyclone with cold waves and heavy snowfall; 2013 and 2014: “Vb” cyclones with heavy precipitation and floods in spring). The deoxynivalenol level in triticale samples (N = 236) was quantified by ELISA. In Romania, the extreme weather events favoured deoxynivalenol occurrence in triticale in Transylvania and the Southern Hilly Area (44–47° N, 22–25° E) with a humid/balanced-humid temperate continental climate, luvisols and high/very high risk of floods. Maximum deoxynivalenol contamination was lower in the other regions, although heavy precipitation in May–July 2014 was higher, with chernozems having higher aridity. Multivariate analysis of the factors influencing deoxynivalenol occurrence in triticale showed at least a significant correlation for all components of variation source (agricultural year, agricultural region, average of deoxynivalenol, average air temperature, cumulative precipitation, soil moisture reserve, aridity indices) (p-value < 0.05). The spatial and geographic distribution of deoxynivalenol in cereals in the countries affected by the 2012–2014 extreme weather events revealed a higher contamination in Central Europe compared to southeastern and eastern Europe. Deoxynivalenol occurrence in cereals was favoured by local and regional agroclimatic factors and was amplified by extreme weather events.

Several studies confirmed a correlation between elevated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels in patients with intestinal bowel diseases (IBD) and the negative effects caused by its presence. The objective of this study was to explore the potential use of catalase (CAT) to diminish the level of H2O2 and its deleterious action on intestinal mucosa. Oral dosage forms of a CAT bioactive agent targeted to the intestines were designed and tested in various simulated gastric and intestinal media. Monolithic tablets (30% loading) were prepared using commercial CarboxyMethylCellulose (CMC) or synthesized CarboxyMethylStarch (CMS) and TriMethylAmineCarboxyMethylStarch (TMACMS) as matrix-forming excipients. For starch derivatives, the presence of the ionic groups (carboxymethyl and trimethylamine) was validated by spectral analysis. In vitro studies have shown that tablets formulated with TMACMS and 30% CAT resisted the acidity of the simulated gastric fluid and gradually released the enzyme into the simulated intestinal fluid. The investigation of the CAT release mechanism revealed the role of anionic and cationic groups of polymeric excipients and their involvement in the modulation of the CAT dissolution profile. The proposed drug delivery system can be considered an efficient solution to target CAT release in the intestine and contribute to the reduction of H2O2 associated with intestinal inflammation.

Due to rapidly spreading infectious diseases and the high incidence of other diseases such as cancer or metabolic syndrome, there is a continuous need for the development of rapid and accurate diagnosis methods. Screen-printed electrodes-based biosensors have been reported to offer reliable results, with high sensitivity and selectivity and, in some cases, low detection limits. There are a series of materials (carbon, gold, platinum, etc.) used for the manufacturing of working electrodes. Each version comes with advantages, as well as challenges for their functionalization. Thus, the aim is to review the most promising biosensors developed using screen-printed electrodes for the detection/quantification of proteins, biomarkers, or pathogenic microorganisms.