Search

Propolis is a sustainable and environmentally friendly agrochemical of natural origin, a resinous mixture produced by honeybees. It is used as a natural remedy in multiple pathologies., but it is also a natural defense enhancer, a phytostimulator that helps to bind, bloom, and pollinate plants. Propolis is used in organic farming as a phytoprotector and phytostimulator. The present study investigates the main physical-chemical parameters of Romanian propolis, its antifungal activity against five fungal strains ( Aspergillus niger , Aspergillus flavus , Penicillium chrysogenum , Fusarium oxysporum , and Rhizopus stolonifer ) and its phyto-inhibitory activity when it is applied on the layer and under the layer for different grain crops (wheat, maize, oats, and barley). Different doses were used-1, 5, and 10 g of propolis powder-and the growth of the plume was monitored for 13 days. The physical-chemical parameters investigated are volatile oils, wax, oxidation index, melting point, dry matter, ash, and resin, and maximum values were obtained for phenols (189.4 mgGAE/g), flavonoids (84.31 mgQE/g), and IC 50 (0.086 µg/mL). Propolis demonstrates high antifungal activity against all fungal strains. The results showed that propolis has the best phyto-inhibition potential among the studied grain crops when it is applied on the layer, with the lowest plume growth for maize (14 mm), followed by oats, barley, and lastly wheat (24 mm). Propolis can find increasing application in sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture and the obtaining of organic food.

New haloaminopyrazole derivatives differing in the number of pyrazole nuclei 4a - f and 5a - e , respectively, were synthesized and characterized by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, IR, UV-Vis, and elemental analysis. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction method was used to describe compounds 4a and 5d . When tested on normal NCTC fibroblasts in vitro, the newly synthesized derivatives were shown to be non-cytotoxic at a dosage of 25 μg/mL. Two compounds 4a and 5d showed a high degree of biocompatibility. From the two series of compounds tested on HEp-2 human cervical carcinoma cells, compound 5d showed a more pronounced antiproliferative effect. Gram-positive strains of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212, Gram-negative strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853, and strains of Escherichia coli ATCC25922 were used to test the newly synthesized compounds antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. Among the studied pyrazole compounds, 2 compounds 4a and 5a with fluorine content on the phenyl ring and 4 compounds 4b , 4e , 4f , and 5b with chlorine content on the phenyl ring were noted, which proved to be the most active compared with the two reference drugs, metronidazole and nitrofurantoin. The six compounds showed a broad spectrum of action against all four tested bacterial strains, the most active being compound 4b , with a chlorine atom in the "4" position of the phenyl nucleus and a MIC of 460 μg/mL. Compounds 4a and 5a showed the best antibiofilm activity against the bacterial strain Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, with an MBIC of 230 μg/mL.

This article reports the obtention of a new gellan-based hydrogel linked with Fe 3+ and loaded with a natural micro/nanostructured carbon designed as a contaminant's removal from wastewater. Hydrogels are known for their water-retaining properties, high binding capacity, and eco-friendly features. The new material is expected to behave as one cost-effective and efficient sorbent, including natural carbon structures with various functional groups. The encapsulation efficiency ranges between 89% and 95%. The obtained hydrogel particles were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The hydrogel particles' water stability was evaluated by measuring the transmittance for 10 days, and the capacity to retain water was assessed by determining the swelling degree (Q%). The results showed that hydrogel particles are stable (the transmittance value is higher than 97.8% after 10 days), and their properties are influenced by the cross-linking degree, the amount of the carbon particles encapsulated, and the concentration of gellan. For example, the Q% values and encapsulation efficiency increased when the cross-linking degree, the carbon microstructure quantity, and the gellan concentration decreased. The new hybrid material can retain Pb(II) ions and diclofenac molecules, and could be used in different adsorption-desorption cycles.

Investigating the quality of bee products obtained across different geographical regions and analyzing their antimicrobial activity is of significant interest to various scientific disciplines. This study focuses on comparing the antimicrobial activity of honey and propolis samples from different areas of Alba County, Romania. The quality parameters of five samples of two types of bee products (honey and propolis) were assessed. Then, the samples were tested to comparatively determine their antimicrobial properties against 12 species of bacteria ( Escherichia coli , Salmonella typhimurium , Salmonella enteritidis , Salmonella anatum , Salmonella choleraesuis , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Pseudomonas fluorescens , Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Bacillus cereus , Bacillus subtilis , and Listeria monocytogenes ) and 7 fungal strains ( Candida albicans , Aspergillus niger , Aspergillus flavus , Penicillium chrysogenum , Rhizopus stolonifer , Fusarium oxysporum , and Alternaria alternata ). Of the bacterial strains, the most sensitive to the action of honey samples were the two strains of Staphylococcus followed by P. fluorescens . The two strains of Pseudomonas and L. monocytogenes were the most sensitive to the activity of propolis. Of the fungal strains, F. oxysporum was the most sensitive to the actions of both honey and propolis, followed by P. chrysogenum in the case of honey samples and the two Aspergillus strains in the case of propolis. These findings indicate that bee products are rich sources of bioactive compounds exhibiting strong antimicrobial properties and significant potential for the development of new phytopharmaceutical products.

Currently, pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the gold standard in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, PVI alone may be insufficient in the management of persistent AF, and complementary methods are being explored. One such method takes an anatomical approach-improving both its success rate and lesion durability may lead to improved treatment outcomes. An additional approach complementary to the anatomical one is also attracting attention, one that focuses on epicardial conduction. This involves ethanol ablation of the vein of Marshall (VOM) and can be very effective in blocking epicardial conduction related to Marshall structure; it is becoming incorporated into standard treatment. However, the pitfall of this "Marshall-PLAN", a method that combines an anatomical approach with ethanol infusion within the VOM (Et-VOM), is that Et-VOM and other line creations are not always successfully completed. This has led to cases of AF and/or atrial tachycardia (AT) recurrence even after completing this lesion set. Investigating effective adjunctive methods will enable us to complete the lesion set with the aim to lower the rates of recurrence of AF and/or AT in the future.

Regenerative hydrogels from natural polymers have come forth as auspicious materials for use in regenerative medicine, with interest attributed to their intrinsic biodegradability, biocompatibility, and ability to reassemble the extracellular matrix. This review covers the latest advances in regenerative hydrogels used for wound healing, focusing on their chemical composition, cross-linking mechanisms, and functional properties. Key carbohydrate polymers, including alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and polysaccharide gums, including agarose, carrageenan, and xanthan gum, are discussed in terms of their sources, chemical structures and specific properties suitable for regenerative applications. The review further explores the categorization of hydrogels based on ionic charge, response to physiological stimuli (i.e., pH, temperature) and particularized roles in wound tissue self-healing. Various methods of cross-linking used to enhance the mechanical and biological performance of these hydrogels are also examined. By highlighting recent innovations and ongoing challenges, this article intends to give a detailed understanding of natural hydrogels and their potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine and improve patient healing outcomes.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study is to connect peri-implantitis to cardiovascular diseases, following the association found between periodontitis and cardiovascular conditions in recent years., Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science online databases were searched up to June 2023, with the exclusion criteria being research written in a language other than English. The MeSH search items were as follows: ["peri-implant health OR peri-implantitis OR peri-implant mucositis OR peri-implant disease"] AND ["cardiovascular diseases"]. Patient/population (P), intervention (I), comparison (C), outcome (O) framework questions were followed to identify the clinical evidence for the systematic review. Only clinical studies that used a control group to compare the relationship between cardiovascular diseases and peri-implantitis were selected., Results: A total of 118 studies were identified through electronic search of the keywords. After removing duplicates, there were 76 records to be screened. Upon exclusion of ineligible titles and abstracts, 27 studies remained for evaluation. Finally, 23 studies were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria, leaving 4 studies to be included in the qualitative analyses., Conclusions: This study found there is a linear association between mucosal/gingival inflammation and carotid intima-media thickness test (c-IMT) values. Peri-implant mucosal inflammation could be a contributor to the vascular disease burden of an individual; further specific clinical studies should be performed in order to demonstrate this connection.

In this work, photoluminescent (PL) carbon nano dots (CNDs) prepared from argan waste were embedded in highly optical transparent poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PSA) and cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC) matrices, which were further processed into thin films. In the first step, the luminescent CNDs were prepared through thermal processing of fine-groundargan waste, followed, in the second step, by direct dispersion in the polymer solutions, obtained by solving PSA and COC in selected solvents. These two polymer matrices were selected due to their high optical transparency, resilience to various environmental factors, and ability to be processed as quality thin films. The structural configuration of the CNDs was investigated through EDX, XPS, and FTIR, while DLS, HR-SEM, and STEM were used for their morphology investigation. The luminescence of the prepared CNDs and resulted polymer nanocomposites was thoroughly investigated through steady-state, absolute PLQY, and lifetime fluorescence. The quality of the resulted CND-polymer nanocomposite thin films was evaluated through AFM. The prepared highly luminescent thin films with a PL conversion efficiency of 30% are intended to be applied as outer photonic conversion layers on solar PV cells for increasing their conversion efficiency through valorization of the UV component of the solar radiation.

Propolis use in medicine, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries is well known. This study aimed to investigate propolis' phyto-inhibitory and antimicrobial potential. Nine propolis samples obtained from distinct Romanian regions and characterized in terms of physical-chemical parameters, phenols and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant properties were prepared as dry propolis and aqueous extracts. The phyto-inhibitory effect was comparatively tested on different cereals: hexaploid bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum ), maize ( Zea mays L.), oats ( Avena sativa L.), and barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), while their in vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated against bacterial and fungal strains specific to cereals: Bacillus subtilis , B. cereus , Proteus mirabilis , Fusarium oxysporum , Penicillium chrysogenum , and Aspergillus niger . All propolis samples showed a phyto-inhibitory effect on the cereals, the most pronounced being corn and oats. Propolis powder samples displayed a lower phyto-inhibitory activity than propolis extracts. Also, all tested products showed inhibitory efficacy against both bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, principal component analysis showed differences between the samples' phyto-inhibitory and antimicrobial properties depending on the geographical origin. Positive correlations were found between the polyphenols, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity, respectively. These data support propolis' phyto-pharmaceutical potential related to its use in plant crop management as an alternative in ecological agriculture.

With an increasing understanding of the differences between men and women's psychological experiences, this study aimed to probe the sex-based differences in anxiety, depressive symptoms, and coping strategies among orthognathic patients. The study hypothesis was that female patients would show higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than males, and that coping mechanisms would differ between male and female sexes. A cross-sectional design was adopted, examining orthognathic patients from the Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery at the Emergency Clinical Municipal Hospital in Timisoara, Romania, from 2020 to 2023. Eligible participants (18+ years with no prior orthognathic treatment) completed a comprehensive online questionnaire 6 weeks before scheduled surgery. This was composed of validated self-report instruments comprising the SF-36, GAD-7, and the PHQ-9, and the COPE-60, along with additional sociodemographic data. Of the 127 orthognathic patients analyzed (68 men and 59 women, aged 18 to 65 years, mean age 32), men rated their physical health status slightly better on the SF-36 scale. However, the most notable difference was in mental health, with females scoring higher on both the PHQ-9 (indicative of depression) and the GAD-7 (indicative of anxiety) scales. Specifically, female participants exhibited average PHQ-9 scores 1.8 points higher and GAD-7 scores 1.5 points higher than their male counterparts. Coping mechanisms also varied: 42% of male patients primarily employed "Disengagement" strategies, while 58% of females predominantly used "Engagement" and "Emotion Focused" strategies. Emotion-focused coping was associated with a 1.6-fold increased risk of depressive symptoms. Sex differences play a crucial role in the psychological experiences of orthognathic patients, evident in anxiety and depression levels, perceived health status, and coping strategies. This underlines the importance of sex-tailored psychological support in the preoperative phase for orthognathic surgery patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess long-term efficacy and safety of empirical slow pathway (ESP) ablation in pediatric and adult patients with a special interest in patients without dual AV nodal physiology (DAVNP)., Methods: A retrospective single-center review of patients who underwent ESP ablation between December 2014 and September 2022 was performed. Follow-up included telephone communication, letter questionnaire and outpatient presentation. Recurrence was based on typical symptoms., Results: 115 patients aged 6-81 years (median age 36.3 years, 59.1% female; 26 pts < 18 years) were included. A typical history was present in all patients (100%), an ECG documentation of narrow complex tachycardia in 97 patients (84%). Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 without DAVNP ( n = 23), Group 2 with AH jump ( n = 30) and Group 3 with AH jump and at least one AV nodal echo beat ( n = 62). No permanent AV block was observed. During a median follow-up of 23.6 ± 22.7 months, symptom recurrence occurred in 7/115 patients (6.1%) with no significant difference between the groups ( p = 0.73, log-rank test). Symptom recurrence occurred significantly more often in patients without (5/18 patients; 27%) as compared to patients with ECG documentation (2/97 patients; 2.1%; p = 0.025). No correlation between age and success rate was found ( p > 0.1)., Conclusions: ESP ablation is effective and safe in patients with non-inducible AVNRT. Overall, recurrence of symptoms during long-term follow-up is low, even if no DAVNP is present. Tachycardia documentation before the EP study leads to a significantly lower recurrence rate following ESP ablation.

This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) strains isolated from the clinical and aquatic environment. Three types of Ag NPs were investigated for their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antivirulence properties on a total number of 132 AB strains isolated in the same temporal sequence from intra-hospital infections (IHIs), wastewater (WW), and surface water (SW) samples between 2019 and 2022 from different Romanian locations and characterized at the phenotypic and genotypic levels. The comparative analysis of the antimicrobial resistance (AR) profiles according to the isolation source and the geographical location demonstrated a decrease in MDR level in AB recovered from WW samples in 2022 from north-eastern/central/southern regions (N-E/C-W/analyzed strains S): 87.5/60/32.5%. The AB strains were lecithinase, caseinase, amylase, and lipase producers, had variable biofilm formation ability, and belonged to six genotypes associated with the presence of different virulence genes ( ompA , csuE , bap , and bfmS ). The Ag NPs synthesized with the solvothermal method exhibited an inhibitory effect on microbial growth, the adherence capacity to the inert substratum, and on the production of soluble virulence factors. We report here the first description of a powerful antibacterial agent against MDR AB strains circulating between hospitals and anthropically polluted water in Romania.

Chitosan-based hydrogels have gained significant attention for their potential applications in water treatment and purification due to their remarkable properties such as bioavailability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, environmental friendliness, high pollutants adsorption capacity, and water adsorption capacity. This article comprehensively reviews recent advances in chitosan-based hydrogel materials for water purification applications. The synthesis methods, structural properties, and water purification performance of chitosan-based hydrogels are critically analyzed. The incorporation of various nanomaterials into chitosan-based hydrogels, such as nanoparticles, graphene, and metal-organic frameworks, has been explored to enhance their performance. The mechanisms of water purification, including adsorption, filtration, and antimicrobial activity, are also discussed in detail. The potential of chitosan-based hydrogels for the removal of pollutants, such as heavy metals, organic contaminants, and microorganisms, from water sources is highlighted. Moreover, the challenges and future perspectives of chitosan-based hydrogels in water treatment and water purification applications are also illustrated. Overall, this article provides valuable insights into the current state of the art regarding chitosan-based hydrogels for water purification applications and highlights their potential for addressing global water pollution challenges.

Aloe vera -based hydrogels have emerged as promising platforms for the delivery of therapeutic agents in wound dressings due to their biocompatibility and unique wound-healing properties. The present study provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the application of Aloe vera -based hydrogels for wound healing. The synthesis methods, structural characteristics, and properties of Aloe vera -based hydrogels are discussed. Mechanisms of therapeutic agents released from Aloe vera -based hydrogels, including diffusion, swelling, and degradation, are also analyzed. In addition, the therapeutic effects of Aloe vera -based hydrogels on wound healing, as well as the reduction of inflammation, antimicrobial activity, and tissue regeneration, are highlighted. The incorporation of various therapeutic agents, such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory ones, into Aloe vera -based hydrogels is reviewed in detail. Furthermore, challenges and future prospects of Aloe vera -based hydrogels for wound dressing applications are considered. This review provides valuable information on the current status of Aloe vera -based hydrogels for the delivery of therapeutic agents in wound dressings and highlights their potential to improve wound healing outcomes.

Craniofacial asymmetry can have significant psychosocial implications, affecting the quality of life in adolescents and young adults. This study aimed to assess the impact of age and complexity of craniofacial asymmetry on quality of life and psychosocial outcomes in patients undergoing orthodontic and orthognathic correction. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 149 patients aged 13-26 years with moderate or severe craniofacial asymmetry that had a gnathion deviation higher than 2 mm, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Participants were divided into three groups: teenagers ( n = 53), adults ( n = 46), and a control group ( n = 50) with relative craniofacial asymmetry. Quality of life and psychosocial impacts were evaluated using validated questionnaires that measure health-related quality of life (SF-36), body image satisfaction and self-acceptance (BIQLI), anxiety and depression levels (HADS), and perceived stress (PSS-10). These tools provided an encompassing appraisal of the psychological and social implications associated with craniofacial asymmetry before and six months after orthodontic and orthognathic correction. Before the intervention, adults had higher mental health scores compared to teenagers ( p = 0.037). At the 6-month follow-up, no significant differences in mental health scores were observed between the two groups ( p = 0.121). BIQLI results showed significant differences in satisfaction with appearance and self-acceptance between teenagers and adults, both before intervention ( p = 0.045 and p = 0.051, respectively) and at six months ( p = 0.062 and p = 0.031, respectively). HADS results showed significant differences in anxiety levels before intervention ( p = 0.039) but not at six months ( p = 0.133). PSS-10 results showed no significant differences in perceived stress between the groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that craniofacial asymmetry significantly impacts the quality of life and psychosocial well-being of adolescents and young adults. Specifically, teenagers, as compared to young adults, reported lower satisfaction with their appearance and lower self-acceptance before intervention, underscoring the profound psychosocial challenges that adolescents with craniofacial asymmetry may experience. These age-related differences underscore the importance of tailored interventions to address unique psychosocial needs at different developmental stages.

The demand for soybeans in Europe motivates breeders, researchers, and growers to find suitable cultivars to adapt and extend the soybean crop to improper climate areas. Weed control is a crucial aspect of crop technology in organic agriculture, but particularly for soybean crops. In laboratory conditions, the cumulative stress index for seedlings was determined to identify the susceptible cultivars. A field experiment with 14 soybean accessions and 2 sowing dates was conducted under organic farming conditions over the course of three years, from 2020 to 2022. Plant population density was found to be significantly ( p < 0.01 and p < 0.1) negatively correlated to the degree of resistance to low temperature as well as infestation degree with weeds (for p < 0.05 and p < 0.1), with the exception of early sowing in 2021. Yield was significantly ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.1) correlated with plant population density, with the exception of optimal sowing in 2022. Early sowing variants emerged with vigor in the first two years, breeding lines and registered varieties showed low input, and organic agriculture systems showed low yields in the drought years of 2020 and 2022. Although early sowing even in the first two years proved to be a practice that increased the cultivars' performance, in 2022, due to the long period of chilling stress in the field, this option had negative effects on yield due to the high weed frequency. Therefore, the early sowing strategy for the soybean crop in this particular case of non-irrigated conditions in a temperate continental area proved to be a risky practice.

The objective of this paper was to study the phyto-inhibitory and antimicrobial activity of brown propolis collected from the counties of four regions in Romania. The main physico-chemical and functional properties of 16 samples of propolis from different landforms of geographical regions were determined. Their antimicrobial activities were established against 5 bacterial strains ( Pseudomonas fluorescens , Bacillus subtilis , Bacillus cereus , Escherichia coli , and Proteus mirabilis ) and 5 fungal strains ( Alternaria alternata , Cladosporium cladosporioides , Fusarium oxysporum , Mucor racemosus , and Aspergillus niger ). Simultaneously, the phyto-inhibitory effect of propolis samples on different cereals was highlighted: hexaploid bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum ), maize ( Zea mays L.), oats ( Avena sativa L.), and barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.). Correlations between the antioxidant activity and total flavonoid and phenol content of the propolis samples were identified, respectively, and the statistical analysis highlighted that the diameter of the inhibition zone was influenced by the strain type (bacterial and fungal) and the geographical regions of propolis. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that out of seven principal components, only two exhibited > 0.5. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a low and moderate positive linear relationship between the diameter of the inhibition zone and the flavonoid and phenol concentration of the propolis samples.

The removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from wastewater has gained considerable attention in recent years, particularly in the advancements of hydrogel-based adsorbents as a green solution for their ease of use, ease of modification, biodegradability, non-toxicity, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. This study focuses on the design of an efficient adsorbent hydrogel based on 1% chitosan, 40% polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG4000), and 4% xanthan gum (referred to as CPX) for the removal of diclofenac sodium (DCF) from water. The interaction between positively charged chitosan and negatively charged xanthan gum and PEG4000 leads to strengthening of the hydrogel structure. The obtained CPX hydrogel, prepared by a green, simple, easy, low-cost, and ecological method, has a higher viscosity due to the three-dimensional polymer network and mechanical stability. The physical, chemical, rheological, and pharmacotechnical parameters of the synthesized hydrogel were determined. Swelling analysis demonstrated that the new synthetized hydrogel is not pH-dependent. The obtained adsorbent hydrogel reached the adsorption capacity (172.41 mg/g) at the highest adsorbent amount (200 mg) after 350 min. In addition, the adsorption kinetics were calculated using a pseudo first-order model and Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm parameters. The results demonstrate that CPX hydrogel can be used as an efficient option to remove DCF as a pharmaceutical contaminant from wastewater.

Several studies have examined how the lockdown restrictions enforced to halt the spread of COVID-19 have affected adults' movement behaviors; however, there is limited information regarding the effects on youth. This study aimed to report on the lifestyle habits of adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic remote learning and explore associations between the participants' bodyweight and lifestyle behaviors. We used a cross-sectional study applied to 285 students studying in the gymnasium. The response rate was 74.21%. They completed an online questionnaire regarding lifestyle, eating habits, and nutritional status (assessed by the Body Mass Index-BMI). The study was conducted in January-February 2021. The percentage of overweight and obese was higher among boys ( p = 0.001). The mean sleep duration was 8.12 (SD:1.284) hours per night, and was higher in boys than in girls. The respondents met the physical activity (PA) recommendation for their age, based mainly on unorganized PA. The screen time was 4-6 h or more for the majority of the respondents. Dietary habits included a high consumption of comfort food, like cereals, sweets, soft drinks, snacks, and fried food, but a lower consumption of vegetables and fast food. The regression analyses showed that the BMI was correlated with the BMI of the parents and the number of hours spent in front of the computers in free time. The study identified behavioral and environmental factors that can be modified with effective strategies to reduce overweight and obesity among school students and to promote a healthy lifestyle.

New N-acyl thiourea derivatives with heterocyclic rings have been synthesized by first obtaining isothiocyanate, which further reacted with a heterocyclic amine, characterized by (FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy and FT-ICR) and tested for their in vitro antimicrobial, anti-biofilm and antioxidant activities to obtain a drug candidate in a lead-optimization process. From the tested compounds, those bearing benzothiazole ( 1b ) and 6-methylpyridine ( 1d ) moieties revealed anti-biofilm activity against E. coli ATCC 25922 at MBIC values of 625 µg/mL. Compound 1d exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity (~43%) in the in vitro assay using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Considering the in vitro results, the highest anti-biofilm and antioxidant activities were obtained for compound 1d . Therefore, a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method has been optimized and validated for the quantitative determination of compound 1d . The detection and quantitation limits were 0.0174 μg/mL and 0.0521 μg/mL, respectively. The R 2 correlation coefficient of the LOQ and linearity curves were greater than 0.99, over the concentration range of 0.05 μg/mL-40 μg/mL. The precision and accuracy of the analytical method were within 98-102%, confirming that the method is suitable for the quantitative determination of compound 1d in routine quality control analyses. Evaluating the results, the promising potential of the new N-acyl thiourea derivatives bearing 6-methylpyridine moiety will be further investigated for developing agents with anti-biofilm and antioxidant activities.

Fe-Mn-Si-based shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been extensively investigated since 1982 for various useful properties that enhance the development of different applications such as anti-seismic dampers for very tall buildings, pipe joints, or rail fasteners. In particular, the Fe-28Mn-6Si-5Cr (mass. %) alloy has been mainly used in vibration mitigation or self-adjustable axial displacement applications. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), performed by strain sweeps (SS), enables the monitoring of the evolution of storage modulus and internal friction variations with increasing strain amplitudes at different constant frequencies and temperatures. Thus, applying dynamic bending with various frequencies and amplitudes that actually represents an isothermal mechanical treatment. In the present paper, an Fe-28Mn-6 Si-5Cr (mass. %) SMA was cast by ingot metallurgy, hot-rolled, and water quenched in order to obtain thermally induced martensite and avoid the occurrence of cooling cracks. The influence of the holding time, between 2 and 10 h, at 1050 °C and the effects of DMA-SS performed at three different frequencies were analyzed by a differential scanning calorimetry, an X-ray diffraction, and a scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. The effects of the holding time and mechanical treatment on the structure and morphology of martensite plates were corroborated with the results of the thermal analysis.

4-Aminodiphenylamino derivatives were investigated for their antioxidant and hydrophobicity character, together with other biological measurements, such as antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. Among these nine compounds used, we obtained novel derivatives via reaction of the starting material with NBD-chloride. Therefore, we performed a full structural analysis for these compounds, i.e., elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, 1 H- and 13 C-NMR, ESI-MS, X-ray diffraction on single crystal, etc. The hydrophobicity of all the compounds was measured either experimentally using the RP-TLC technique, or via calculation using the fragments method. The other structural characteristics were analyzed, and a correlation between the experimental and computed properties was found. Moreover, the results of the biological evaluation showed that some of the synthesized compounds have antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity.

Mg is a material of choice for biodegradable implants. The main challenge for using Mg in temporary implants is to provide protective surfaces that mitigate its rapid degradation in biological fluids and also confer sufficient cytocompatibility and bacterial resistance to Mg-coated surfaces. Even though carbonate mineralization is the most important source of biominerals, such as the skeletons and shells of many marine organisms, there has been little success in the controlled growth of carbonate layers by synthetic processes. We present here the formation mechanism, antibacterial activity, and cell viability of magnesian calcite biomimetic coatings grown on biodegradable Mg via a green, one-step route. Cell compatibility assessment showed cell viability higher than 80% after 72 h using fibroblast cells (NCTC, clone L929) and higher than 60% after 72 h using human osteoblast-like cells (SaOS-2); the cells displayed a normal appearance and a density similar to the control sample. Antimicrobial potential evaluation against both Gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923)) and Gram-negative ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853)) strains demonstrated that the coated samples significantly inhibited bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation compared to the untreated control. Calcite coatings grown on biodegradable Mg by a single coating process showed the necessary properties of cell compatibility and bacterial resistance for application in surface-modified Mg biomaterials for temporary implants.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a bacterial infection with high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly among the elderly. This systematic review was conducted to determine the clinical characteristics of IE in older adults and the risk factors that could lead to adverse outcomes. The research employed three databases (PubMed, Wiley, and Web of Science), with a primary search for studies that have described cases of IE in patients older than 65 years. From a total of 555 articles, 10 were selected for inclusion in the current study, comprising a total of 2222 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IE. The primary findings were an increased incidence of staphylococcal and streptococcal infections (33.4% and32.0%, respectively), an increased prevalence of comorbidities, namely, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, and a significantly greater mortality risk than the younger group. Regarding mortality risks, the pooled odds ratio for cardiac disorders was OR = 3.81, septic shock OR = 8.22, renal complications OR = 3.75, and advancing age OR = 3.54 were most frequently mentioned. Taking into consideration the fact that the majority of the elderly population suffers from significant complications and is unable to undergo surgery due to an increased risk of complications after the procedure, it is imperative that effective treatment methods should be investigated.

In this work, Carbon Dots with intense blue photo-luminescent emission were prepared through a pyrolytic processing of forestry ligno-cellulosic waste. The preparation path is simple and straightforward, mainly consisting of drying and fine grinding of the ligno-cellulosic waste followed by thermal exposure and dispersion in water. The prepared Carbon Dots presented characteristic excitation wavelength dependent emission peaks ranging within 438-473 nm and a remarkable 28% quantum yield achieved at 350 nm excitation wavelength. Morpho-structural investigations of the prepared Carbon Dots were performed through EDX, FT-IR, Raman, DLS, XRD, and HR-SEM while absolute PLQY, steady state, and lifetime fluorescence were used to highlight their luminescence properties. Due to the wide availability of this type of ligno-cellulosic waste, an easy processing procedure achieved photo-luminescent properties, and the prepared Carbon Dots could be an interesting approach for various applications ranging from sensors, contrast agents for biology investigations, to photonic conversion mediums in various optoelectronic devices. Additionally, their biocompatibility and waste valorization in new materials might be equally good arguments in their favor, bringing a truly "green" approach.

Background: Femoral vascular access using the standard anatomic landmark-guided method is often limited by peripheral artery disease and obesity. We investigated the effect of ultrasound-guided vascular puncture (UGVP) on the rate of vascular complications in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial or ventricular arrhythmias. Methods: The data of 479 patients (59% male, mean age 68 years ± 11 years) undergoing catheter ablation for left atrial (n = 426; 89%), right atrial (n = 28; 6%) or ventricular arrhythmias (n = 28; 6%) were analyzed. All patients were on uninterrupted oral anticoagulants and heparin was administered intravenously during the procedure. Femoral access complications were compared between patients undergoing UGVP (n = 320; 67%) and patients undergoing a conventional approach (n = 159; 33%). Complication rates were also compared between patients with a BMI of >30 kg/m2 (n = 136) and patients with a BMI < 30 kg/m2 (n = 343). Results: Total vascular access complications including mild hematomas were n = 37 (7.7%). In the conventional group n = 17 (10.7%) and in the ultrasound (US) group n = 20 (6.3%) total vascular access complications occurred (OR 0.557, 95% CI 0.283−1.096). UGVP significantly reduced the risk of hematoma > 5 cm (OR 0.382, 95% CI 0.148, 0.988) or pseudoaneurysm (OR 0.160, 95% CI 0.032, 0.804). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding retroperitoneal hematomas or AV fistulas (p > 0.05). In patients with BMI > 30 kg/m2, UGVP led to a highly relevant reduction in the risk of total vascular access complications (OR 0.138, 95% CI 0.027, 0.659), hematomas > 5 cm (OR 0.051, 95% CI 0.000, 0.466) and pseudoaneurysms (OR 0.051, 95% CI 0.000, 0.466). Conclusion: UGVP significantly reduces vascular access complications. Patients with a BMI > 30 kg/m2 seem to particularly profit from a UGVP approach.

The purpose of this study was to review the physicochemical characterization of Romanian honey and propolis and their antifungal effect on different strains. As an indicator of environmental pollution, lead exceeded the allowed limits in two study areas. The relationship between the acidity and electrical conductivity of polyfloral honey and the antioxidant activity with the total content of phenolics and flavonoids was investigated. The antifungal activity of 13 polyfloral honey and propolis samples from North-West and Central Romania and 12 samples from Alba County was investigated against six fungal strains: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus stolonifer , Fusarium oxysporum . All honey and propolis samples exhibited an antifungal effect. The most sensitive strains were P. chrysogenum and R. stolonifer for honey and P. chrysogenum and F. oxisporumn for propolis. A two-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the correlations between the diameter of the inhibition zones for the strains and the propolis extracts. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the diameter of the inhibition zone was influenced by the strain type and the geographical origin of honey and propolis. Pearson's correlation coefficient shows a significant positive linear relationship between the diameter of the inhibition zone and the flavonoid and phenol concentration of honey and propolis, respectively.

A new series of pyrazolo-benzimidazole hybrid Mannich bases were synthesized, characterized by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, IR, UV-Vis, MS, and elemental analysis. In vitro cytotoxicity of the new compounds studied on fibroblast cells showed that the newly synthesized pyrazolo-benzimidazole hybrid derivatives were noncytotoxic until the concentration of 1 μM and two compounds presented a high degree of biocompatibility. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of the newly synthesized compounds was assayed on Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212, and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853, Escherichia coli ATCC25922 strains. All synthesized compounds 5a-g are more active against all three tested bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212, and Escherichia coli ATCC25922 than reference drugs (Metronidazole, Nitrofurantoin), with the exception of compounds 5d and 5g , which are less active compared to Nitrofurantoin, and all synthesized compounds 5a-g are more active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 compared to reference drugs (Metronidazole, Nitrofurantoin). Compound 5f showed the best activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, with a MIC of 150 μg/mL and has also inhibited the biofilm formed by all the bacterial strains, having an MBIC of 310 µg/mL compared to the reference drugs (Metronidazole, Nitrofurantoin).

Chitosan (CS) crosslinking has been thoroughly investigated, but the chemical reactions leading to submicronic hydrogel formulations pose problems due to various physical/chemical interactions that limit chitosan processability. The current study employs the chemical modification of chitosan by Michael addition of poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGA) to the amine groups to further prepare chitosan particulate hydrogels (CPH). Thus, modified CS is subjected to a double crosslinking, ionic and covalent, in water/oil emulsion. The studied process parameters are polymer concentration, stirring speed, and quantity of ionic crosslinker. The CPH were structurally and morphologically characterized through infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, light scattering granulometry, and zeta potential, showing that modified CS allows better control of dimensional properties and morphology as compared with neat CS. Swelling properties were studied in acidic and neutral pH conditions, showing that pH-dependent behavior was maintained after grafting and double crosslinking. The applicability of the prepared materials was further tested for drug loading and in vitro delivery of levofloxacin (LEV), showing excellent capacity. CPH were found to be cyto- and hemocompatible demonstrating their potential for effective use as a controlled release system for different biomedical applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Active elements made of Ti 50 Ni 45 Cu 5 shape memory alloy (SMA) were martensitic at room temperature (RT) after hot rolling with instant water quenching. These pristine specimens were subjected to two thermomechanical training procedures consisting of (i) free recovery shape memory effect ( FR-SME ) and (ii) work generating shape memory effect ( WG-SME ) under constant stress as well as dynamic bending and RT static tensile testing ( TENS ). The structural-functional changes, caused by the two training procedures as well as TENS were investigated by various experimental techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry ( DSC ), dynamic mechanical analysis ( DMA ), X-ray diffraction ( XRD ), and atomic force microscopy ( AFM ). Fragments cut from the active regions of trained specimens or from the elongated gauges of TENS specimens were analyzed by DSC , XRD , and AFM . The DSC thermograms revealed the shift in critical transformation temperatures and a diminution in specific absorbed enthalpy as an effect of training cycles. The DMA thermograms of pristine specimens emphasized a change of storage modulus variation during heating after the application of isothermal dynamical bending at RT. The XRD patterns and AMF micrographs disclosed the different evolution of martensite plate variants as an effect of FR-SME cycling and of being elongated upon convex surfaces or compressed upon concave surfaces of bent specimens. For illustrative reasons, the evolution of unit cell parameters of B19' martensite, as a function of the number of cycles of FR-SME training, upon concave regions was discussed. AFM micrographs emphasized wider and shallower martensite plates on the convex region as compared to the concave one. With increasing the number of FR-SME training cycles, plates' heights decreased by 84-87%. The results suggest that FR-SME training caused marked decreases in martensite plate dimensions, which engendered a decrease in specific absorbed enthalpy during martensite reversion.

Teething is considered a significant event in the growth and development of the child by parents and especially by paediatric dentists and forensic scientists. They constantly need an “up-to-date mirror” of its variability for different geographic regions. The aims of the current study were to determine the timing and sequence of primary tooth emergence, and to establish a correlation between tooth eruption and general growth and external parameters in a sample of Romanian children. This study included 70 healthy children (53% girls and 47% boys), and the analysed data resulted from the questionnaires completed by parents during the whole process. General and specific data on primary teeth eruption were obtained. The differences between sexes were insignificant, except for the maxillary and mandibular canines (p = 0.047 and p = 0.018) and lower temporary second molars (p < 0.001), which were significantly increased in boys. The differences found between the two hemiarches were insignificant (p = 0.197). The mean age of eruption of the first tooth erupted was 7.07 ± 1.990 months. The unpaired t-test was used for comparison of the timings of eruption of the first primary teeth, according to the number of previous births and type of diet, and it was insignificant (p = 0.665 and p = 0.983 respectively).

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 (<=-2DS). Lean mass (LM) was a significant determinant of LS-BMD, after adjusting for age, gender, BMI and fat mass ( 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.

Antibiotic resistance has become a serious global health threat. Wastewater treatment plants may become unintentional collection points for bacteria resistant to antimicrobials. Little is known about the transmission of antibiotic resistance from wastewater treatment plants to humans, most importantly to wastewater treatment plant workers and residents living in the vicinity. We aim to deliver precise information about the methods used in the AWARE (Antibiotic Resistance in Wastewater: Transmission Risks for Employees and Residents around Wastewater Treatment Plants) study. Within the AWARE study, we gathered data on the prevalence of two antibiotic resistance phenotypes, ESBL-producing E. coli and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae , as well as on their corresponding antibiotic resistance genes isolated from air, water, and sewage samples taken from inside and outside of different wastewater treatment plants in Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania. Additionally, we analysed stool samples of wastewater treatment plant workers, nearby residents, and members of a comparison group living ≥1000 m away from the closest WWTP. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the potential spread of ESBL-producing E. coli , carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae , and antibiotic resistance genes from WWTPs to workers, the environment, and nearby residents. Quantifying the contribution of different wastewater treatment processes to the removal efficiency of ESBL-producing E. coli , carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae , and antibiotic resistance genes will provide us with evidence-based support for possible mitigation strategies.

Anaerobic bacteria are predominant residents of the normal microbiota of the skin and mucous membranes but are also known to be associated with a number of human infections including peritonitis, appendicitis, abscesses, ulcers and wound infections. Herein, we investigate the antibiotic resistance profiles as well as the genetic support of antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants of anaerobic bacteria isolated from intra-abdominal infections. The study was performed on 198 Romanian patients from which different clinical samples were taken intra-operatory and sent for microbiological analyses. From the total number of isolated strains, a subset of 75 Bacteroides spp. were selected and further investigated for antibiotic resistance and virulence features, at phenotypic and genetic level. Our results obtained through the analysis of a significant number of Bacteroides strains could shed light on the virulence potential and mechanisms by which anaerobic bacteria can cause endogenous infections.

Due to their antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and regenerative activities, culinary herbs have multiple medicinal uses, among which to prevent and treat oral diseases. The whole essential oils (EOs) have multiple advantages over purified components, such as a low probability to select for antimicrobial resistance, synergic effects of different components, and multi-pharmacological activities. In this study, we aimed to evaluate essential oils from Salvia officinalis (sage), Satureja hortensis (summer savory), and Anethum graveolens (dill) using an in vitro analysis of their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains isolated from the oral cavity of patients with periodontitis; the assays addressed both the planktonic and biofilm growth states and used culture-based approaches. Some of the tested EOs exhibited excellent bactericidal and antibiofilm activity, being active at concentrations as low as 0.08-1.36 mg/mL. Flow cytometry was used to investigate the potential mechanisms of their antibacterial activity and confirmed that the tested EOs act by permeabilizing the bacterial membrane and by inhibiting the activity of the efflux pumps. The immunomodulatory effect of the three EOs was determined by analyzing the gene expression profiles for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines of the THP-1 cells. The summer savory EO induced a clear proinflammatory effect, while the others did not significantly influence the cytokines profile of the tested cells. Taken together, our results indicate that summer savory EO and, to a lesser extent, sage and dill EOs could be used to inhibit bacteria involved in oral plaque formation and to reduce the expression of genes known to contribute to the inflammatory response using cell culture assessment.

Graphene is widely used in nanotechnologies to amplify the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂, but the development of TiO₂/graphene composites imposes the assessment of their risk to human and environmental health. Therefore, reduced graphene oxide was decorated with two types of TiO₂ particles co-doped with 1% iron and nitrogen, one of them being obtained by a simultaneous precipitation of Ti 3+ and Fe 3+ ions to achieve their uniform distribution, and the other one after a sequential precipitation of these two cations for a higher concentration of iron on the surface. Physico-chemical characterization, photocatalytic efficiency evaluation, antimicrobial analysis and biocompatibility assessment were performed for these TiO₂-based composites. The best photocatalytic efficiency was found for the sample with iron atoms localized at the sample surface. A very good anti-inhibitory activity was obtained for both samples against biofilms of Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Exposure of human skin and lung fibroblasts to photocatalysts did not significantly affect cell viability, but analysis of oxidative stress showed increased levels of carbonyl groups and advanced oxidation protein products for both cell lines after 48 h of incubation. Our findings are of major importance by providing useful knowledge for future photocatalytic self-cleaning and biomedical applications of graphene-based materials., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Water soluble gold nanoparticles protected by lipoic acid were obtained and further functionalized by standard coupling reaction with 1-naphtylamine, 4-aminoantipyrine, and 4'-aminobenzo-15-crown-5 ether. Derivatives of lipoic acid with 1-naphtylamine, 4-aminoantipyrine, and 4'-aminobenzo-15-crown-5 ether were also obtained and characterized. All these were tested for their antimicrobial activity, as well as for their influence on mammalian cell viability and cellular cycle. In all cases a decreased antimicrobial activity of the obtained bioactive nanoparticles was observed as compared with the organic compounds, proving that a possible inactivation of the bioactive groups could occur during functionalization. However, both the gold nanoparticles as well as the functionalized bioactive nanosystems proved to be biocompatible at concentrations lower than 50 µg/mL, as revealed by the cellular viability and cell cycle assay, demonstrating their potential for the development of novel antimicrobial agents.

The development of innovative technologies to modify natural textiles holds an important impact for medical applications, including the prevention of contamination with microorganisms, particularly in the hospital environment. In our study, Fe and N co-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles have been obtained via the hydrothermal route, at moderate temperature, followed by short thermal annealing at 400 °C. These particles were used to impregnate polyester (PES) materials which have been evaluated for their morphology, photocatalytic performance, antimicrobial activity against bacterial reference strains, and in vitro biocompatibility on human skin fibroblasts. Microscopic examination and quantitative assays have been used to evaluate the cellular morphology and viability, cell membrane integrity, and inflammatory response. All treated PES materials specifically inhibited the growth of Gram-negative bacilli strains after 15 min of contact, being particularly active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa . PES fabrics treated with photocatalysts did not affect cell membrane integrity nor induce inflammatory processes, proving good biocompatibility. These results demonstrate that the treatment of PES materials with TiO₂-1% Fe-N particles could provide novel biocompatible fabrics with short term protection against microbial colonization, demonstrating their potential for the development of innovative textiles that could be used in biomedical applications for preventing patients' accidental contamination with microorganisms from the hospital environment.