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Textile based sensors have gained tremendous attention in moisture sensing. Moisture monitoring is crucial in wound healing. To promote the healing process, it is essential to maintain an optimal level of moisture while limiting unnecessary dressing changes. The objective of this research was to test how well a textile moisture sensor can detect moisture from the body and wound fluid when attached to the dressing. To this end, a 3D interdigitated capacitive structure was embroidered with silver conductive threads on the textile substrate, and a bandage was placed in the centre of the multilayer structure. When compared to traditional planar interdigitated structures, the main innovation of the proposed 3D capacitive structure lies in a larger surface area for interaction with the surrounding environment, leading to enhanced sensitivity to changes in capacitance with the respect to the moisture. The 3D structure of the bandage increased the ratio between electrodes and surface area to impact the surface charge sensitivity towards the adsorbed charges of the wound and body fluid. To observe the performance of the sensor, the bandage was exposed to simulated body fluid and wound fluid. Between dry and wet conditions, the sensor can detect capacitance differences of several orders of magnitude. The threshold volume for the 3D bandage was 30 μL to 50 μL, depending on the type of biofluids. The capacitive bandage integration with the inductor was tested at high frequencies (1–400 MHz). The shift in impedance was observed for the tested fluids. Finally, to compare sensing properties of the proposed structure against the previously reported designs, a bandage sensitivity was checked for three different configurations: (a) the proposed 3D bandage, (b) a 2D bandage, composed of textile substrate with both electrodes embroidered on top of bandage, and (c) classical interdigital structure without bandage composed of textile with embroidered electrodes on the top of it. The sensitivity of the 3D bandage for simulated body fluid and wound fluid is >6.6% and 7.4%, respectively, higher than the other two structures. The integration of the proposed textile-based sensor into a bandage could facilitate wound care and have a significant impact on efficacy for patients.

Introduction: Surgical training traditionally adheres to the apprenticeship paradigm, potentially exposing trainees to an increased risk of complications stemming from their limited experience. To mitigate this risk, augmented and virtual reality have been considered, though their effectiveness is difficult to assess. Research question: The PASSION study seeks to investigate the improvement of manual dexterity following intensive training with neurosurgical simulators and to discern how surgeons' psychometric characteristics may influence their learning process and surgical performance. Material and methods: Seventy-two residents were randomized into the simulation group (SG) and control group (CG). The course spanned five days, commencing with assessment of technical skills in basic procedures within a wet-lab setting on day 1. Over the subsequent core days, the SG engaged in simulated procedures, while the CG carried out routine activities in an OR. On day 5, all residents' technical competencies were evaluated. Psychometric measures of all participants were subjected to analysis. Results: The SG demonstrated superior performance (p

Background: Lumbar pain is a condition of discomfort in the lower back caused by numerous factors, lasting for short or longer periods of time. Healthcare professionals, regardless of the type of care they are engaged in, are at risk of lumbar pain. This is the first study that deals with the problem of lumbar syndrome in health workers in Montenegro. Methods: This cross-sectional study included full-time health workers employed in the Clinical Center of Montenegro who were involved in the treatment of COVID-19 patients during 2020 and 2021. The survey consisted of general questions for collecting socio-demographic and COVID-19 engagement data; the Modified Nordic questionnaire was used for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms, and the EQ-5D—questionnaire was used to measure the quality of life associated with health. Results: The one-year prevalence of lumbar pain was 68.1%. Factors associated with lumbar pain were as follows: a higher degree of physical inactivity (each subject with a higher degree of physical inactivity had a 24% higher chance of occurrence of lumbar pain); a higher degree of load and over-engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic (each subject with a higher degree of workload had a nearly 50% higher chance of occurrence of lumbar pain); duration of engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic (subjects engaged up to a month were 4 times more likely to develop lumbar pain, and subjects engaged for 1–3 months were 3.5 times more likely to develop lumbar pain compared to those who were not engaged in COVID-19 treatment). This study also confirms that lumbar syndrome affects the quality of life of health workers. Conclusions: Lumbar syndrome is highly prevalent among healthcare professionals in the Clinical Center of Montenegro, especially in the population of nurses, where evidence-based preventive measures are needed.

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Despite its beneficial pharmacological effects in the brain, partly by modulating inositol phosphate multikinase (IPMK) activity, the therapeutic use of quercetin is limited due to its poor solubility, low oral bioavailability, and low permeability through the blood–brain barrier (BBB). We aimed to identify quercetin analogues with improved BBB permeability and preserved binding affinities towards IPMK and to identify the molecular characteristics required for them to permeate the BBB. Binding affinities of quercetin analogues towards IPMK were determined by molecular docking. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to identify the molecular descriptors contributing to efficient permeation through the BBB. Among 34 quercetin analogues, 19 compounds were found to form more stable complexes with IPMK, and the vast majority were found to be more lipophilic than quercetin. Using two distinct in silico techniques, insufficient BBB permeation was determined for all quercetin analogues. However, using the PCA method, the descriptors related to intrinsic solubility and lipophilicity (logP) were identified as mainly responsible for clustering four quercetin analogues (trihydroxyflavones) with the highest BBB permeability. The application of PCA revealed that quercetin analogues could be classified with respect to their structural characteristics, which may be utilized in further analogue syntheses and lead optimization of BBB-penetrating IPMK modulators as neuroprotective agents.

Dyslipidemia and obesity are recognized as two of the major global health issues and main risk factors for coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. In recent years, carob has shown certain antioxidant and anti-dyslipidemic potential. In this study, Wistar rats were fed with a standard and cholesterol-enriched diet and treated orally with carob extract and simvastatin for four weeks. After sacrifice, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and liver tissue was taken for histological and immunohistochemical assessment. Weight gain was significantly higher in groups fed with cholesterol-fortified granules; total cholesterol was found to be significantly lower in the hypercholesterolemic groups treated with simvastatin and simvastatin/carob combined regimens compared with hypercholesterolemic animals treated with saline (p < 0.05). The same was true for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the LDL/HDL ratio (p < 0.05). Adiponectin was remarkably higher in animals treated with simvastatin compared to all other groups (p < 0.05). Leptin was significantly lower in groups treated with carob and simvastatin compared to the hypercholesterolemic group treated with saline (p < 0.05). Carob/simvastatin co-administration reduced hepatocyte damage and improved liver morphology. A study confirmed the anti-dyslipidemic, anti-obesity, and hepatoprotective potential of carob pulp alone or in combination with simvastatin in the treatment of high-fat diet-fed rats.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of tapentadol immediate release (IR) and morphine hydrochloride in the treatment of acute postoperative pain after total abdominal hysterectomy, as well as to examine the frequency of opioid-related side effects in observed patients. Materials and Methods: The prospective observational study was conducted over five months, and it included a total number of 100 patients. The two cohorts had different types of postoperative analgesia, and the effects were observed for 24 h postoperatively, by following the pain scores on NRS (Numerical Pain Scale), contentment with analgesia, and opioid-related side effects. Results: Statistical significance was found when assessing pain 24 h after surgery while coughing, where patients in the tapentadol IR group had significantly higher mean pain scores (p < 0.01). The subjective feeling of satisfaction with postoperative analgesia was statistically significant in the tapentadol IR group (p = 0.005). Vertigo appeared significantly more in patients from the morphine group (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Tapentadol IR (immediate release) and morphine hydrochloride are both effective analgesics used in the first 24 h after total transabdominal hysterectomy. Overall satisfaction of patients with analgesia was good. The frequency of side effects was higher in the morphine group, with statistical significance regarding the vertigo.

IntroductionThere is limited data on the awareness and use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) in high-risk population in Serbia, despite SCs becoming more and more common at illicit drug market.AimThis pilot study aimed to examine the awareness and prevalence of use of SCs in patients with an opioid-use disorder and to identify patient characteristics and other factors associated with SCs use.Patients and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at the Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Center Vojvodina, Serbia, the largest tertiary health care institution in this region of the country. All patients hospitalized due to the treatment of opioid dependence during November and December 2017 were included (response rate 100%), and filled-out an anonymous questionnaire specifically developed for the purpose of this study. Differences between patients reporting SCs use and those who did not were compared using chi-square test with values of p

Objectives To determine rate of blood pressure (BP) control and to analyse patient-related, medication-related and healthcare system-related factors associated with poor BP control in outpatients with hypertension (HT).Design Cross-sectional study.Setting Two study sites with different levels of healthcare (primary healthcare (PHC) and secondary level of healthcare (SHC)) in Vojvodina, Northern Serbia.Participants A total of 581 patients (response rate 96.8%) visiting their primary care physician between July 2019 and June 2020 filled out a pretested semistructured questionnaire and had a BP reading during their regular appointments.Primary and secondary outcome measures Data on demographics, medication, BP control (target systolic BP≤140 mm Hg and∕ or diastolic BP≤90 mm Hg) and knowledge on HT was collected. Based on the median of knowledge score, patients were classified as having poor, average and adequate knowledge.Results Majority of the respondents (74.9%) had poorly controlled BP and had HT longer than 10 years. Larger number of patients at PHC site was managed with monotherapy while at the SHC majority received three or more antihypertensive drugs. Respondents from SHC showed a significantly lower knowledge score (9, 2–15) compared with the respondents from PHC (11, 4–15, p=0.001). The share of respondents with adequate knowledge on HT was significantly higher in the group with good BP control (26% and 9.2%, respectively). In a multivariate regression analysis, factors associated with poor BP control were knowledge (B=−1.091; p

IntroductionOne of the most common oral diseases affecting children is early childhood caries (ECC). The link between oxidative stress and ECC has been proven in numerous clinical studies. Technical and biological variability were so high in most of the studies that none of the markers have yet been proven suitable for routine clinical use. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant status and the levels of leptin and adiponectin in saliva of children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC).MethodsMorning unstimulated saliva samples were collected from children (n = 40, 0–6 years old) for the evaluation of oxidative stress which were measured by total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, as well as to assess the salivary levels of leptin and adiponectin. FRAP, TAC, leptin and adiponectin concentrations were evaluated in S-ECC group (n = 31) and caries free group CF (n = 9). All results were analyzed based on age and sex.ResultsOverall median salivary leptin and adiponectin levels were 5.59 pg/mL and 24.86 ng/mL, respectively. Significantly lower leptin levels were observed in saliva of caries free children (4.66 pg/mL) than in the S-ECC group (6.64 pg/mL, p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed for adiponectin levels (S-ECC and CF, 25.31 and 23.2 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.961). TAC and FRAP values of saliva had similar values in children with S-ECC and caries free children. TAC and FRAP values also remained stable with the age of the children, without significant differences with respect to sex.ConclusionThe increased concentrations of leptin in saliva of children with S-ECC suggests that leptin may play a role in inflammatory and immune responses in the development of early childhood caries.

The global prevalence of dyslipidemia (elevated plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, triglycerides, and lower plasma levels of HDL-Cholesterol) is constantly on the rise. Lately, carob pulp has been recognized as an effective natural product for the treatment of dyslipidemia. The two main components of the carob pulp, polyphenols, and insoluble fiber are believed to have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism. Studies on humans and animals confirmed its lipid-lowering effects. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, namely by affecting three organ systems: 1) gastrointestinal tract, 2) liver and 3) adipose tissue. Also, carob products have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and vascular-protective activity.

The framework of this study was a comprehensive investigation of Morus nigra L. extracts, with the aim to establish the correlation between chemical composition and antioxidant/hepatoprotective activity of a series of black mulberry extracts obtained from aerial parts of the plant. Black mulberry leaf (MLEE), bark (MBEE), juice (MJ) and fresh fruit (MFEE) extracts were obtained using the conventional Soxhlet extraction, while the supercritical CO2 extraction procedure was employed for preparation of the seed oil (MSO). Analysis of the chemical composition was performed using spectrophotometric, HPLC and GC methods. For the evaluation of antioxidant activity, in vitro FRAP and DPPH assays were applied. In Haan strain NMRI mice with streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress, in vivo antioxidant activity and liver tissue integrity were examined. The content of polyphenolic compounds was the highest in MBEE (68.3 ± 0.7 mgGAE/g) with the most abundant compounds being polyphenolic acids, followed by MLEE (23.4 ± 0.5 mgGAE/g) with the flavonoids isoquercetin and rutin being present in a significant amount. An analysis of MSO revealed a high content of γ-linoleic acid. The highest antioxidant activity in vitro (FRAP and DPPH) was observed for MLEE, MBEE and MSO. Beneficial effects were confirmed in vivo, with lower values of hepatosomatic index, potentiation of the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, a lower rate of lipid peroxidation and reduced positivity for the P450 enzyme in animals treated with MLEE, MBEE and MSO. Black mulberry leaf and bark extracts as well as seed oil exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Apart from the confirmed biological properties of the fruit and leaf extracts, the observed activities of black mulberry seed oil and bark extract imply its importance as a sustainable source of phytochemicals.

The dose-response relationship of sildenafil effects on cardiac function is not completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different doses of sildenafil on coronary flow and oxidative stress in isolated rat hearts. Coronary flow and markers of oxidative stress, including nitrite outflow, and superoxide anion production in coronary effluent, were determined for isolated rat hearts. The experiments were performed during control conditions and in the presence of sildenafil (10, 20, 50, 200 nM) alone or with Nω-nitro-L-arginine monomethyl ester (L-NAME) (30 μM). Sildenafil was shown to result in a significant increase in coronary flow at lower coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) values at all administered doses, whereas, with an increase in CPP, a reduction in coronary flow was observed. An increase in nitric oxide (NO) was most pronounced in the group treated with the lowest dose of sildenafil at the highest CPP value. After the inhibition of the NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling (NOS) system by L-NAME, only a dose of 200 nM sildenafil was high enough to overcome the inhibition and to boost release of O2−. That effect was CPP-dependent, with statistical significance reached at 80, 100 and 120 mmHg. Our findings indicate that sildenafil causes changes in heart vasculature in a dose-dependent manner, with a shift from a vasodilatation effect to vasoconstriction with a pressure increase. The highest dose administered is capable of producing superoxide anion radicals in terms of NOS system inhibition.

Objective: Considering that adherence level affects diabetes treatment success and maintenance of glycemic control greatly, the aim of this study was to examine diabetes patients’ adherence to oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) and knowledge about their mechanism of action, dosing regimen, and side effects. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes in order to assess their knowledge of OHAs using anonymous questionnaires. Results: Most patients had used OHAs between 2 and 5 years (61.0%), where 78.0% were treated with metformin, and the remaining 22.0% were prescribed sulfonylurea derivatives. Besides drugs used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, 58.0% of patients took another 1-3 drugs daily for the treatment of other conditions. Although 75.0% achieved a score of 5-6 out of the maximum score of 8, only 2.0% of respondents listed at least 2 side effects of the OHA they used, and none of them could explain its mechanism of action. Most of the information about OHAs was given to patients by endocrinologists (53.0%). Conclusion: More than half of participants considered their knowledge of OHAs insufficient. Results clearly indicate that the respondents were not sufficiently familiar with the mechanism of action and possible side effects of such medications. Information about OHAs given in written form as well as via community pharmacists would contribute to educating type 2 diabetes patients significantly.

Resveratrol was recognized as the major factor responsible for the beneficial properties of red wine. Several resveratrol-based dietary supplements are available, but their efficacy has not been sufficiently tested. This study was designed to examine the effect of resveratrol supplementation, using a commercially available product, on the metabolic status of experimental animals with induced hyperlipidemia or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding the rats a standard pellet diet supplemented with cholesterol. T2DM was induced by adding 10% fructose to drinking water and streptozotocin. Treatment with resveratrol-based supplement improved glycemic control in diabetic animals and significantly decreased serum low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels, concurrently increasing the high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) levels in animals with hyperlipidemia. Resveratrol-treated animals had improved tolerance to glucose loading. Supplementation did not induce alterations in parameters of liver and renal function. Findings indicate that commercial resveratrol supplement improves metabolic control in rats with induced hyperlipidemia and T2DM. Keywords: Resveratrol, Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Metabolic parameters

This research aimed to examine the effects of pre-treatment with basil extract, prepared as an infusion, on acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in rats. In vitro analysis of total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity was performed by spectrophotometric methods. Effects of basil extract on oxidative stress parameters, biochemical markers of liver injury, and liver morphology were determined in an in vivo model of acetaminophen-induced liver injury in Wistar rats. Total phenolic content was 52.61 ± 1.35 mg GAE/g of DE, and flavonoid content was 0.5 ± 0.2 mg QE/g of DE. IC50 values ranged from 0.22 to 45.76 μg/ml for DPPH radical, OH radical, H2O2 and lipid peroxidation. Ascorbic acid was used as a positive control. The extract lowered the intensity of lipid peroxidation and potentiated the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were significantly lower in basil extract-treated animals in comparison to respective controls.

The complex issue of antibacterial resistance (ABR) requires actions taken with the One Health approach, involving both human and veterinarian medicine. It can spread from animals to humans through the food chain or through direct contact. Health profession students, as the future antibiotic providers, can greatly impact antibiotic-related issues in the future. The study was conducted to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practice of future antibiotic prescribers in relation to judicious use of antibiotics. This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was performed on 400 students of health professions who were allowed to prescribe antibiotics of the University of Novi Sad, Serbia. Students of medicine and students of dentistry showed a significantly higher knowledge score compared to students of veterinary medicine (p = 0.001). Multivariate regression identified predictors of adequate antibiotic knowledge: being a female student (B = 0.571; p = 0.020), higher grade average (B = 1.204; p = 0.001), students of medicine (B = 0.802; p = 0.006) and dentistry (B = 0.769; p = 0.026), and students who used a complete package of antibiotics during the last infection (B = 0.974; p = 0.001) or for the period recommended by the doctor (B = 1.964; p = 0.001). Out of the total sample, self-medication was reported among 42.8% of students. The identified predictors of self-medication were: more frequent (B = 0.587; p = 0.001) and irregular (B = 0.719; p = 0.007) antibiotic use, taking antibiotics until symptoms disappeared (B = 2.142; p = 0.001) or until the bottle was finished (B = 1.010; p = 0.001) during the last infection. It seems prudent to reevaluate the educational curricula regarding antibiotic use and ABR of prospective prescribers in Serbia.

This study aimed to determine and describe the prevalence of combination antibiotics dispensed in outpatients with health insurance in Syria. Data on all dispensed medicines between June 2018 and May 2019 for 81,314 adults were obtained, and medicines belonging to the J01 group of the World Health Organization (WHO) anatomical therapeutic classification (ATC) were included in the analysis. Prescriptions were stratified according to the number of antibiotics, age, and sex. Antibiotic utilization was expressed as the number of prescriptions per 1000 persons per year. Out of 59,404 prescriptions for antibiotics, 14.98% contained antibiotic combinations, distributed to 22.49% of the patients. The prevalence of dispensing antibiotic combinations was higher in female patients (23.00%), and the youngest (18–30 years, 26.19%) and oldest age groups (>70 years, 25.19%). The antibiotics most commonly combined were co-amoxiclav, second- and third-generation cephalosporins, and macrolides. Over 60% of the combinations contained ceftriaxone alone or in combination with sulbactam. The present study shows an alarmingly widespread prescription of antibiotic combinations, posing a risk to global health by promoting resistance development.

The aim of this study was to determine and describe trends in antibiotics utilization in Serbia over a ten-year period. Data were retrieved from publicly available annual reports (2010–2019). The results were expressed as Defined Daily Dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). All calculations were performed using the DDD values for the 2020 Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) version for each year of the study, to account for the DDD changes during the study period. Antibiotics were classified using the WHO Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) classification. Total utilization of antibacterials for systemic use increased from 17.25 DID in 2010 to 28.65 DID in 2019. A statistically significant increasing trend in the use of the Watch category antibiotics was observed. A tendency towards use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, apparent by a statistically significant increase in the rate of utilization of broad-spectrum macrolides, quinolones and third-generation cephalosporins vs. narrow-spectrum ones, as well as a significant increasing trend in the use of quinolones was identified. Total antibiotic utilization was found to be well above the European average. Several specific problem areas were identified, which requires further efforts to improve antibiotic prescribing. The present study provides the information needed to facilitate antibiotic stewardship in Serbia further and proposes specific interventions to optimize antibiotic use in Serbia.

In this work the effect of partial or total replacement of fishmeal by plant protein sources and krill and squid meal on growth performance and shelf-life of gilthead sea bream was evaluated. Plant protein dietswith 50 g kg−1 of krill and 100 g kg−1 of squid were supplemented with synthetic amino acidsand at the end of the growing period weight showed no significant differences. The spoilage process of the fish was followed by physicochemical and microbiological measurements together with a colorimetric sensor array (CSA) specially designed for that purpose. The changes in the physicochemical parameters and microbial growth showed that shelf-life of samples were in all cases lower than ninedays. The CSA was not able to show significant differences between both diets, confirming the physicochemical and microbiological results. The fact that the type of feed had no effect on the freshness parameters studied demonstrates that total fishmeal replacement with plant protein blends in the proportions used in this work could be an excellent alternative for feed formulation in aquaculture.

There is little published information about antibiotic utilization in outpatients in Serbia. The objective of this study was to determine the amount and structure of outpatient antibiotic use in South Backa District (SBD) in Serbia, to assess prescibing quality of antibiotics and to compare with results from Scandinavian countries. Data on the antibiotic use were collected from all private and state-owned pharmacies from January through March 2008 in SBD. Results were expressed as the number of defined daily doses/1,000 inhabitants/day. The drug utilization 90% method was also used. Penicillins were the most frequently used antibiotic subgroup in SBD (35.20%), followed by cephalosporins (19.16%) and macrolides (13.18%). Thirteen drugs accounted for 90% of total antibiotics consumption (DU90% segment). The average cost/DDD within the DU90% segment was 0.95 euros, whereas the average cost/DDD beyond the DU90% segment was 1.89 euros, indicating that less expensive antibiotics were more frequently used. High use of ampicillin, third-generation cefalosporins, co-trimoxazole, and gentamicin, will aggravate the alarming problem of resistance in Serbia. Differences in the amount and structure of antibiotic consumption between SBD and Scandinavian countries indicate the need of updated national guidelines for rational antimicrobial drug use in Serbia.

Ciprofloxacin is often used in treatment of complicated urinary tract infections in areas with high rates of resistance to first line agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of ciprofloxacin in standard dosing regimens in treatment of complicated urinary tract infections. Plasma concentration curves were simulated and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and post-antibiotic effect were determined. Ciprofloxacin MIC ranged from 0.0156 for Gram-negative and to 0.125-0.5 µg/mL for Gram-positive bacteria. Both dosing regimens were suitable for eradication of Gram-negative bacteria, with slight supremacy of 750 mg/12 hours over 500 mg/12 hours dosing regimen. Even though all strains were fully susceptible to ciprofloxacin, pharmaco-kinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters did not meet target thresholds for pathogens with MIC over 0.1-0.2 µg/mL regardless of the administered dose. Ciprofloxacin remains an excellent choice for treatment of complicated urinary tract infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, but in infection caused by Gram-positive strains, deeper analysis is necessary in order to achieve optimal results.

La creciente preocupación por la contaminación generada por los plásticos derivados del petróleo representa uno de los desafíos ambientales más apremiantes a nivel global en la actualidad. El uso generalizado de plásticos en una amplia gama de productos, combinado con una gestión inadecuada de los residuos, ha dado lugar a una acumulación masiva de estos materiales en entornos naturales como océanos, ríos, suelos y diversos ecosistemas. Esta problemática no solo afecta la biodiversidad y la calidad de vida de las comunidades, sino que también plantea interrogantes éticos y de sostenibilidad para las generaciones presentes y futuras. En este contexto de urgencia ambiental, es necesario explorar y promover soluciones innovadoras y sostenibles que aborden de manera integral la problemática de los plásticos y fomenten una cultura de reducción, reutilización y reciclaje. Dentro de este marco, el arte emerge como una poderosa herramienta capaz de generar conciencia, transformación social y ambiental, así como de inspirar cambios significativos en las prácticas individuales y colectivas. El artículo se centra en el desarrollo de un modelo de evaluación para el Arte Público Participativo que utiliza desechos plásticos como material artístico. Este enfoque, conocido como Upcycling o Supra-reciclaje, tiene como objetivo principal la reutilización creativa de los plásticos en la creación de obras artísticas. Además de su función estética, estas obras tienen la intención de empatizar y transmitir emociones que aporten concienciación sobre sostenibilidad, consumo responsable y gestión de residuos. Este estudio analiza cómo el arte puede ser un instrumento efectivo para abordar desafíos ambientales globales al transformar desechos en recursos artísticos y educativos. Para fundamentar y enriquecer este estudio, se recurre a diversas corrientes teóricas y disciplinas, que van desde la sociología ambiental hasta la psicología social y la ecología cultural. Entre las teorías y consideraciones relevantes se encuentran la "Teoría del valor, las normas y las creencias hacia el medioambiente" de Stern et al. (2000), que proporciona un marco conceptual para comprender cómo se construyen y transforman las actitudes y comportamientos hacia el entorno natural. Asimismo, se considera la "Psicología social de los objetos" de Mead (1932), que explora la relación entre los individuos, los objetos y la identidad personal en el contexto de la sociedad contemporánea. Además, se aborda la "Teoría de la Basura" de Thompson (1979), que analiza la evolución del valor social de los objetos, incluyendo los desechos, en el contexto de la cultura material y el consumo. La metodología propuesta para la evaluación de estos proyectos artísticos participativos se sustenta en un conjunto de variables fundamentales que abarcan aspectos como el grado de participación comunitaria en la creación de las obras, la selección y uso innovador de materiales plásticos, el impacto ambiental de las instalaciones artísticas, la integración con el entorno urbano o natural, así como el mensaje temático y simbólico que transmiten las obras a la audiencia. Este modelo de evaluación no solo busca valorar la calidad estética y conceptual de las obras, sino también su impacto social, educativo y medioambiental. Desde una perspectiva más amplia, esta focalización de Arte Público Participativo orientado en la reutilización creativa de desechos plásticos representa una oportunidad única para transformar la percepción y las prácticas relacionadas con los residuos y el consumo en nuestra sociedad. En resumen, este artículo aborda el papel crucial que desempeña el arte, especialmente cuando se integra en proyectos participativos que incluyen la reutilización creativa de desechos plásticos. Se examina cómo esta guía puede ser fundamental en la sensibilización, educación y movilización de la sociedad hacia prácticas más sostenibles y conscientes. Además de su impacto en el ámbito artístico, este enfoque contribuye significativamente a la construcción de una cultura de respeto y cuidado hacia el medio ambiente y los recursos naturales

Fishmeal and fish oil substitution in aquafeeds might have adverse effects on fish growth and health, mainly in carnivorous species, such as Mediterranean yellowtail (Seriola dumerili). Mediterranean yellowtail shows great potential as an alternative aquaculture species due to its fast growth and high price on the market, but the need for high-quality protein and fatty acid content in its diets is limiting its production. In order to improve the sustainability of its production, this study was conducted with 360 fish of 35 g to evaluate the effects on fish growth and health. Six diets were used: one control diet without replacement, three with FM replacement (FM66, FM33, and FM0) (33%, 66%, and 100% FM replacement), and two with FO replacement (FO50 and FO0) (50% and 100% FO replacement). The substitution of FM was with vegetable (VM) (corn gluten) and animal (AM) (krill and meat meal) meals. The reductions in FM and FO of up to 33 and 0%, respectively, did not affect the growth and survival of S. dumerili at the intestinal morphology level, except for the anterior intestine regarding the lower villi length and width and the posterior intestine regarding the lower width of the lamina propria. On the other hand, the substitution of fish ingredients in the diet affects liver morphology, indicating alterations in the major diameter of hepatocytes or their nuclei. Finally, diet did not affect the gut microbiota with respect to the control, but significant differences were found in alpha and beta diversity when FO and FM microbiota were compared. A 66% FM replacement and total FO replacement would be possible without causing major alterations in the fish.