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Ventricular assist devices (VAD) have gained popularity in the pediatric population during recent years, as more and more children require a heart transplant due to improved palliation methods, allowing congenital heart defect patients and children with cardiomyopathies to live longer. Eventually, these children may require heart transplantation, and ventricular assist devices provide a bridge to transplantation in these cases. The FDA has so far approved two types of device: pulsatile and continuous flow (non-pulsatile), which can be axial and centrifugal. Potential eligible studies were searched in three databases: Medline, Embase, and ScienceDirect. Our endeavor retrieved 16 eligible studies focusing on five ventricular assist devices in children. We critically reviewed ventricular assist devices approved for pediatric use in terms of implant indication, main adverse effects, and outcomes. The main adverse effects associated with these devices have been noted to be thromboembolism, infection, bleeding, and hemolysis. However, utilizing left VAD early on, before end-organ dysfunction and deterioration of heart function, may give the patient enough time to recuperate before considering a more long-term solution for ventricular support.

Objective: we aimed to highlight the state of the art in terms of pediatric population adherence to insulin pumps. This study intends to underline the significance of identifying and minimizing, to the greatest extent feasible, the factors that adversely affect the juvenile population’s adherence to insulin pump therapy. Materials and methods: articles from PubMed, Embase, and Science Direct databases were evaluated using the following search terms: adherence, pump insulin therapy, children, pediatric population, and type 1 diabetes, in combination with several synonyms such as compliance, treatment adherence, pump adherence, patient dropouts, and treatment refusal. Results: A better glycemic control is connected to a better adherence to diabetes management. We identify, enumerate, and discuss a number of variables which make it difficult to follow an insulin pump therapy regimen. Several key factors might improve adherence to insulin pump therapy: efficient communication between care provider and patients (including home-based video-visits), continuous diabetes education, family support and parental involvement, as well as informational, practical assistance, and emotional support from the society. Conclusions: every cause and obstacle that prevents young patients from adhering to insulin pumps optimally is an opportunity for intervention to improve glycemic control and, as a result, their quality of life.

The aim of the study is to develop a system for converting, accumulating, and delivering solar energy that is based on the development of an innovative solar panel with heat pipes and a heat storage wall, for the construction of passive structures. The novel aspect of this experiment is the utilization of concrete walls that have different recyclable materials added to their structure in various proportions. The solar energy from the sunny façades is transformed by this system into thermal energy, which is then transferred by integrated heat pipes in a massive element with high thermal inertia. Using insulated shutters, thermal energy can be stored during the day and released at night to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. In order to integrate the modules into the solar recovery system, four concrete samples were cast with a blend of standard and waste aggregates. Four heat fluxes of 100 W/m2, 150 W/m2, 200 W/m2, and 250 W/m2 were applied to each global system. Thermal imaging data and numerical simulations both supported the findings of temperature sensors. The most effective mixture, fly ash and chopped PET, delivered temperatures that were, on average, 3.3% higher at the end of the charging cycle than those measured for the control sample. The discharging cycle of the concrete block with fly ash and sawdust was the most effective, with an average temperature loss of 5.0 °C as compared to 5.5 °C for the control sample, on average.

There are multiple concerns associated with methotrexate (MTX), widely recognized for anti-neoplastic and anti-inflammatory effects in life-threatening disease conditions, i.e., acute lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis, due to long-term side effects and associated toxicity, which limits its valuable potential. MTX acts as an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase, leading to suppression of purine and pyrimidine synthesis in high metabolic and turnover cells, targeting cancer and dysregulated immune cells. Due to low discrimination between neoplastic cells and naturally high turnover cells, MTX is prone to inhibiting the division of all fast-dividing cells, causing toxicity in multiple organs. Nutraceutical compounds are plant-based or food-derived compounds, used for their preventive and therapeutic role, ascertained in multiple organ dysfunctions, including cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Gut microbiota and microbiota-derived metabolites take part in multiple physiological processes, their dysregulation being involved in disease pathogenesis. Modulation of gut microbiota by using nutraceutical compounds represents a promising therapeutic direction to restore intestinal dysfunction associated with MTX treatment. In this review, we address the main organ dysfunctions induced by MTX treatment, and modulations of them by using nutraceutical compounds. Moreover, we revealed the protective mechanisms of nutraceuticals in MTX-induced intestinal dysfunctions by modulation of gut microbiota.

The World Health Organization warns about the threat of the COVID-19 sixth wave. Our aim was to propose the first validated Romanian questionnaire to assess people’s level of education and attitudes towards general measures to protect against COVID-19 infection. Our study was conducted on a sample of 194 people. The first version of the questionnaire consisted of 40 items. Items that did not meet psychometric criteria were removed. Latent components/factors were identified through exploratory factorial analysis (EFA). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to assess internal fidelity. The EFA identified three factors. Factor 1 was named “Compliance with protective measures”, factor 2 was “Attitudes toward vaccination” and factor 3 was “Attitudes regarding potential COVID-19 therapies”. The final version of the questionnaire consists of 16 items. The test’s final score predicted the presence of vaccination with an accuracy of 0.773. The questionnaire score, the diagnosis of diabetes, the advice provided by healthcare workers and the medical profession proved to be significant predictors of vaccination. The implementation of our questionnaire within national programs could identify populational areas that need specific interventions to reach vaccination targets and prevent a full-blown sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania.

The present work aims to show how the main properties of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) hydrogels can be engineered by means of several silicon-based fillers (Laponite XLS/XLG, montmorillonite (Mt), pyrogenic silica (PS)) employed at 10 wt% concentration based on MAA. Various techniques (FT-IR, XRD, TGA, SEM, TEM, DLS, rheological measurements, UV-VIS) were used to comparatively study the effect of these fillers, in correlation with their characteristics, upon the structure and swelling, viscoelastic, and water decontamination properties of (nano)composite hydrogels. The experiments demonstrated that the nanocomposite hydrogel morphology was dictated by the way the filler particles dispersed in water. The equilibrium swelling degree (SDe) depended on both the pH of the environment and the filler nature. At pH 1.2, a slight crosslinking effect of the fillers was evidenced, increasing in the order Mt < Laponite < PS. At pH > pKaMAA (pH 5.4; 7.4; 9.5), the Laponite/Mt-containing hydrogels displayed a higher SDe as compared to the neat one, while at pH 7.4/9.5 the PS-filled hydrogels surprisingly displayed the highest SDe. Rheological measurements on as-prepared hydrogels showed that the filler addition improved the mechanical properties. After equilibrium swelling at pH 5.4, G’ and G” depended on the filler, the Laponite-reinforced hydrogels proving to be the strongest. The (nano)composite hydrogels synthesized displayed filler-dependent absorption properties of two cationic dyes used as model water pollutants, Laponite XLS-reinforced hydrogel demonstrating both the highest absorption rate and absorption capacity. Besides wastewater purification, the (nano)composite hydrogels described here may also find applications in the pharmaceutical field as devices for the controlled release of drugs.

Background and Objectives: Alveolar ridge augmentation in the complex bone defect is a popular topic in implantology. Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is one of the most commonly applied methods to reconstruct alveolar bone. The application of a membrane is the fundamental principle of GBR. There are many membrane types used in oral surgery, but the advantage of the titanium mesh is the rigidity which provides space maintenance and prevents contour collapse. The smooth surface also reduces bacterial contamination. Using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) in dentistry allows us to obtain the perfect architecture form of the mesh, which covers and protects the bone reconstruction. Case presentation: We present a surgical case of a 27-year-old female patient with severe aesthetic bone atrophy after a deficient odontectomy. Based on the GBR clinical applications, the technique consists of bone reconstruction and a customized titanium mesh application. Using mesh titanium in this case presentation was a reliable alternative to perform a lateral alveolar bone augmentation and reconstruct ridge deformities before reaching an ideal implant placement. Conclusions: According to our case report, the customized titanium mesh could be a valuable option for guided bone regeneration in aesthetic maxillary defects.

There is continuing interest in therapeutic applications of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). Unlike human counterparts, mouse MSC are difficult to propagate in vitro due to their contamination with adherent hematopoietic cells that overgrow the cultures. Here we investigated the properties of these contaminating cells, referred to as bone marrow-derived proliferating hematopoietic cells (BM-PHC). The results showed that both BM-PHC and MSC had strong immunomodulatory properties on T cells in vitro, with PGE2 and NO involved in this mechanism. However, BM-PHC were stronger immunomodulators than MSC, with CCL-6 identified as putative molecule responsible for superior effects. In vivo studies showed that, in contrast to BM-PHC, MSC endorsed a more rapid xenograft tumor rejection, thus indicating a particular context in which only MSC therapy would produce positive outcomes. In conclusion, bone marrow contains two cell populations with immunomodulatory properties, which are valuable sources for therapeutic studies in specific disease-relevant contexts.

Littérature, représentations, négociations (Chisinau, ARC, 2018) est un volume collectif qui valorise le projet institutionnel La littérature dans l’espace des représentations : entre Orient et Occident, avec la participation d’une équipe de chercheurs dirigée par Maria Șleahtițchi. Partant de l’axiome de la mimésis aristotélicienne selon lequel la littérature est un corpus de représentations individuelles de la réalité, les nouvelles orientations de la recherche élargissent le champ des investigations pour révéler des représentations appartenant à d’autres domaines, justifiant l’ouverture plus fréquente à l’inter- et à la transdisciplinarité, de même qu’aux approches de la sociologie, de la psychologie ou de l’anthropologie etc., exploitées dans l’analyse du fait littéraire.

The study of the behavior of bituminous mixtures is a very old subject in the specialized literature, many specialists in the field trying to explain the causes of the degradations, considering different factors. The bituminous mixtures were initially used in the construction of road structures for roads, so that a few years ago they also started to be used in the road structures of airport surfaces. The subject of the current research study is a priority worldwide and contributes, through the obtained results, to the enrichment of knowledge regarding the behavior of airport bituminous mixtures. The complexity of this study was based on the multitude of laboratory tests carried out on the designed airport bituminous mixture, BBA 16, using complex modern and high-performance equipment and equipment that lead to the determination of the stiffness modulus at different temperatures and frequencies both on trapezoidal samples and on prismatic samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is a new field of science that produces extremely small structures from organic or inorganic materials. These nanoparticles can be used in many fields: medicine, foods, cosmetics, clothing, constructions, furniture, not only in the making of electronics or in the automotive industry. Because of their special properties nanoparticles, also known as nanomaterials, can revolutionize all fields in which they are used. But the domain in which they can bring the most important benefits for human life is medicine. Nanoparticles can be used in the medicine field in the production of drugs and vaccines, and also in diagnostic and investigative tools, etc. Nanomaterials are used with great success in imaging and in the construction of medical devices. Many European citizens have legitimate concerns about the safe use of nanoparticles in medicines. All these concerns can be put aside only through thoroughly testing all the medicines that contain nanoparticles before they will be put on the market for general use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous navigation in agricultural fields presents a unique challenge due to the unpredictable outdoor environment. Various approaches have been explored to tackle this task, each with its own set of challenges. These include GPS guidance, which faces availability issues and struggles to avoid obstacles, and vision guidance techniques, which are sensitive to changes in light, weeds, and crop growth. This study proposes a novel idea that combining GPS and visual navigation offers an optimal solution for autonomous navigation in agricultural fields. Three solutions for autonomous navigation in cotton fields were developed and evaluated. The first solution utilized a path tracking algorithm, Pure Pursuit, to follow GPS coordinates and guide a mobile robot. It achieved an average lateral deviation of 8.3 cm from the pre-recorded path. The second solution employed a deep learning model, specifically a fully convolutional neural network for semantic segmentation, to detect paths between cotton rows. The mobile rover then navigated using the Dynamic Window Approach (DWA) path planning algorithm, achieving an average lateral deviation of 4.8 cm from the desired path. Finally, the two solutions were integrated for a more practical approach. GPS served as a global planner to map the field, while the deep learning model and DWA acted as a local planner for navigation and real-time decision-making. This integrated solution enabled the robot to navigate between cotton rows with an average lateral distance error of 9.5 cm, offering a more practical method for autonomous navigation in cotton fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary myelofibrosis is a rare blood cancer, causing significant scarring in the blood marrow, with subsequent extramedullary hematopoiesis, splenomegaly, anemia and thrombocytopenia. Current treatment protocols include nonspecific JAK-2 pathway inhibitors as Ruxolitinib and Fedratinib, both being associated with an increased risk of developing secondary non-melanocitary skin cancers, but studies on Fedratinib, approved by the FDA in 2019, the European Comission in 2021 are still lacking. We hereby present the case of a 68-year-old patient, diagnosed with primary myelofibrosis, referred to our clinic by his dermatologist for multiple progressive skin lesions, encompassing multiple histopathologic types cf non-melanocitary skin cancers and premalignant lesions, developed during Febratinib treatment. The patient underwent surgery for tumor removal and subsequent post excisional defect reconstruction according to the NCCN guidelines. The postoperative evolution was marked by delayed wound healing, prolonged bleeding, wound dehiscence, wound infection and incomplete removal cf one cfthe skin tumors. The author undergoes a review of scientific articles regarding the suspected cause-effect relationship between Fedratinib therapy and the oncogenesis of non-melanoma skin cancers as well as similar case reports to identify the pathogenesis of premalignant and malignant skin tumors as well as wound healing complications encountered during the postoperative surveillance, underlining the importance of dermatologic examination during Fedratinib therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is Part II of a study on mixed-integer programming (MIP) relaxation techniques for the solution of non-convex mixed-integer quadratically constrained quadratic programs (MIQCQPs). We set the focus on MIP relaxation methods for non-convex continuous variable products where both variables are bounded and extend the well-known MIP relaxation normalized multiparametric disaggregation technique(NMDT), applying a sophisticated discretization to both variables. We refer to this approach as doubly discretized normalized multiparametric disaggregation technique (D-NMDT). In a comprehensive theoretical analysis, we underline the theoretical advantages of the enhanced method D-NMDT compared to NMDT. Furthermore, we perform a broad computational study to demonstrate its effectiveness in terms of producing tight dual bounds for MIQCQPs. Finally, we compare D-NMDT to the separable MIP relaxations from Part I and a state-of-the-art MIQCQP solver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landiolol is an ultra-short-acting, selective β1-adrenergic receptor blocker that was originally approved in Japan for the treatment of intraoperative tachyarrhythmias. It has gained attention for its use in the management of tachyarrhythmias and perioperative tachycardia, especially atrial fibrillation for both cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries. It can be the ideal agent for heart rate control due to its high β1-selectivity, potent negative chronotropic effect, a limited negative inotropic potential, and an ultrashort elimination half-life (around 4 min); moreover, it may have a potential therapeutic effects for sepsis and pediatric patients. Landiolol seems to be superior to other short-acting and selective beta-blockers such as esmolol. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of landiolol, a new ultra-short-acting β1 selective antagonist, including its pharmacology, clinical applications, efficacy, safety profile, and future directions in research and clinical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation and management of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in neonates are pivotal aspects of pediatric care given the substantial prevalence of this condition. This review emphasizes the urgency of timely recognition and intervention, as a notable proportion of affected neonates face critical illness shortly after birth. The multidisciplinary approach involving neonatologists, pediatricians, and obstetricians is essential to address the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges inherent in neonatal cardiac emergencies. The insights presented herein aim to guide medical practice, enhance early recognition, and ultimately improve outcomes for newborns grappling with critical heart conditions. Key proactive measures advocated include prenatal screening, facilitating early identification of potential cardiac anomalies. Advanced imaging techniques, such as fetal echocardiography, have a crucial role in enabling detailed examinations, contributing to the prenatal diagnosis of major CHDs. The review underscores the importance of preparing medical teams during the prenatal period for potential postnatal complications, emphasizing the necessity of a holistic approach to the care of neonates who survive critical episodes. Continued research and clinical advancements remain imperative to refine strategies and optimize care for this vulnerable patient population. The provided data serve as a valuable guide for healthcare professionals and could improve the outcomes of neonates confronting the challenges of CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of dentalTarget is the property of dentalTarget and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Romania has very extensive legislation dealing with environmental issues. Romania's accession to the European Union on 1 January 2007 played a significant role in the drafting of this legislation. Thus, both before and after the date of accession, Romania has taken steps to transpose EU and European Community legislation on the environment and to implement them at national level. Transitional periods have been obtained for the implementation of the specific environmental provisions established by EU legislation through the Accession Treaty of 2005. This paper represents an overview of the actual status of the public policy for environmental protection is or was developed by the Romanian government in the last 15 years.

Since welding started to be used on a large-scale basis in engineering, distortion has become a stringent problem for the industry, mostly for shipyards. This paper aims at bringing together the result of large amount of research on distortion and mitigation techniques, in order to support further practical research on the topic. Phenomena, such as mostly used treatments for reducing distortion were explained in detail. In addition to this, inherent strain theory was presented for offering a starting point to those who shall perform thermal analysis in welded structures.

Objectives. In this article, Michel Foucault’s (1967) theoretical insights regarding heterotopias are reconsidered, in order to determine whether his ‘heterotopology’ can be mirrored in several virtual worlds that are constantly redefined and reimagined by game producers and gamers alike. The places represented and juxtaposed in MMORPG’s like World of Warcraft epitomize countless virtual worlds full of contradictions, paradoxes and representations of the ‘Other’. Material and methods: Towards a ‘heterotopology’ of virtual worlds. Drawing upon in-game participant observation, the main argument is that the plethora of emplacements and cultural references from virtual worlds like Azeroth and Sanctuary underline their paradoxical character. These worlds appear to simultaneously connect and differentiate between various spaces and times. Furthermore, they connect and contextualize multiple meanings, which can be interpreted from an anthropological standpoint. Results. The juxtapositions between the various meanings entailed by these worlds are relevant only through the ways in which they encompass and exemplify the contradictions that exist in reality, without including solutions for them. Conclusions. Accordingly, the ways in which virtual worlds such as Azeroth are reimagined highlight the need of redefining the conceptual relevance of heterotopia.

Moisture-sensitive or collapsible soils are materials with high porosity that under the loads transmitted by the superstructure or even under its own weight present additional settlements once the soil is saturated. This category includes loess deposits and other high silt content soils with uneven porosity. A method often used for foundation on these soils is the realization of local loessoid material compacted columns. This paper presents, on one hand, the experimental laboratory programs aiming to achieve some optimal mixtures of local material (loess) and different other materials (sand, bentonite, cement) in order to improve the values of the mechanical parameters of the soil and so, to limit the settlements. On the other hand, it presents a lot of settlement calculations for different case scenarios.

International tourism practice has shown over time that regardless of the type of tourism practiced, it ultimately results in a series of effects felt by both society and the natural environment. Table tourism is responsible for the most visible and deeper negative influences on tourist destinations. Sustainable development of tourism is often associated with a tourism industry, but all forms of tourism must bring economic and social benefits to the local community and encourage the protection of the environment. Ecotourism includes the following: tourism product, which must be based on its nature and its elements and ecological management that must contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and to the welfare of communities in tourist areas and to achieve ecological education among both tourists and among the population local.

Abstract Background The adipocyte expansion is a critical process with implications in the pathogenesis of obesity associated metabolic syndrome. Impaired adipogenesis leads to dysfunctional, hypertrophic adipocytes, local inflammation and peripheric insulin resistance. Methods We assessed the relationship between the adipogenic differentiation capacity of the subcutaneous adipose derived stem cells (ASCs), evaluated by total lipid accumulation, and the metabolic and hormonal profile in a group of obese female patients proposed for bariatric surgery (N = 20) versus normal weight female controls (N = 7). Results The lipid accumulation (measured as optical density at 492 nm) of ASCs during their differentiation to adipocytes was significantly lower in ASCs isolated from obese patients as compared to ASCs isolated from normal weight patients (0.49 ± 0.1 vs. 0.71 ± 0.1, p

Prezentul articol încearcă să abordeze infracţiunile care, în contextul actual, au căpătat valenţe internaţionale, respectiv – traficul de persoane, distrugerea de valori internaţionale şi furtul de nave. Abordarea este una istorică şi doctrinară. Astfel, analiza crimelor internaţionale se va realiza din perspectiva temporală a convenţiilor care le-au reglementat. Se ia în vedere modul în care statele au înţeles, pe parcursul timpului, să combată şi să legifereze fenomenele infracţionale la nivel mondial.