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(1) Background: Carboplatin (CBP) is a chemotherapeutic drug widely used in the treatment of a variety of cancers. Despite its efficiency, CBP is associated with side effects that greatly limit its clinical use. To mitigate these effects, CBP can be encapsulated in targeted delivery systems, such as liposomes. Ensuring the adequate loading and release of CBP from these carriers requires strict control in pharmaceutical formulation development, demanding modern, rapid, and robust analytical methods. The aim of this study was the development of a sensor for the fast and accurate quantification of CBP and its application on proof-of-concept CBP-loaded nanosomes. (2) Methods: Screen-printed electrodes were obtained in-lab and the electrochemical behavior of CBP was tested on the obtained electrodes. (3) Results: The in-lab screen-printed electrodes demonstrated superior properties compared to commercial ones. The novel sensors demonstrated accurate detection of CBP on a dynamic range from 5 to 500 μg/mL (13.5–1350 μM). The method was successfully applied on CBP loaded and released from nanosomes, with strong correlations with a spectrophotometric method used as control. (4) Conclusions: This study demonstrates the viability of electrochemical techniques as alternative options during the initial phases of pharmaceutical formulation development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on addressing the challenges associated with doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline chemotherapeutic widely used in cancer treatment. Despite its efficacy, DOX is linked to severe side effects that limit its clinical applications. Novel pharmaceutical formulations aim to mitigate these issues, providing better safety profiles. The development of these formulations requires analytical methods that can accurately and quickly quantify DOX. A cost-effective and portable electrochemical sensor for DOX detection was developed utilizing in-house printed carbon electrodes decorated with gold nanoparticles. DOX was detected using differential pulse voltammetry. The sensor demonstrated an accurate quantification of DOX from novel pharmaceutical formulations and serum, presenting a dynamic range of 1 to 500 μg/mL and a low detection limit of 0.3 μg/mL. The method, successfully applied to characterize DOX-loaded nanosomes, offers a valuable alternative in the early stages of formulation development, reducing costs and saving time, while maintaining accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is not only the cornerstone of a child's healthy development, but it is also the most economical and planet-friendly way to feed an infant. This study aims to assess the current situation regarding breastfeeding in Romania. (2) Method: The authors searched five databases using the search terms "breastfeeding OR lactation" AND Romania. Studies have been limited to those published in English since 2000. In vitro animal studies, case studies, reviews, meta-analyses, book chapters, and guidelines were excluded. (3) Results: 19 studies were included in the final review. For the purpose of this systematic review, studies were subgrouped into studies on attitudes, practices, and behaviors regarding breastfeeding and the composition of human milk. This review demonstrates a slight tendency to increase interest in breastfeeding in Romania in the last years. Interventional studies conducted so far included mainly urban populations with good socioeconomic levels and a high level of education. Studies about the impact of early intervention in maternal education concluded that the level of education is positively correlated with the interest in education regarding breastfeeding. On the other hand, the Romanian population has similar characteristics to the European population in terms of the factors that influence human milk composition. (4) Conclusions: The review underlines strengths and weaknesses of the Romanian situation regarding breastfeeding and makes recommendations for future directions for research and health education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multielemental content of the Lactuca sativa (lettuce) was monitored during 7 weeks of growth in order to identify the optimal harvest period from the maximum nutritional point of view. Spring and tap water, having a slight difference in terms of element content, were used for plant growth. The most important accumulation of macrominerals, in leaves, is reached during the first stage of growth, which leads to a maximum nutritional contribution, corresponding to immature plants. From the third week, the maximum elemental accumulation was concentrated in roots. This study highlights the variation of the elemental content of Lactuca sativa among growing stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): Liora Colobatiu[sup.1] , Alexandra Tabaran[sup.2] , Mirela Flonta[sup.3] , Ovidiu Oniga[sup.1] , Simona Mirel[sup.1] and Marian Mihaiu[sup.2] Background Gastroenteritis attributable to Salmonella enterica represents a global public health burden [...], Background Gastroenteritis attributable to Salmonella enterica and the continuous increase in antimicrobial resistance of this gut pathogen, which compromises the use of previously effective treatments, is of great concern for public health. This study was conducted in order to investigate the presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants and [beta]-lactamase-encoding genes, in S.enterica, isolated from humans, one companion animal and food. Moreover, the study aimed to identify potential vehicles of transmission of resistant strains to humans, with focus on food products (meat). Methods A total of 20 S. enterica isolates recovered from food (chicken and pork meat), one companion animal and humans (stool samples), were examined for their serotype, antimicrobial susceptibility and the presence of PMQR and [beta]-lactamase-encoding genes. Moreover, the genetic relatedness of nine Salmonella Infantis and ten Salmonella Enteritidis isolates was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results Among all isolates, 15 (75%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and the majority of them proved to be resistant to nalidixic acid and fluoroquinolones (FQs) (ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin). Twelve isolates (60%) harboured at least one PMQR gene [qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac (6')-Ib-cr or qepA] while seven isolates (35%) carried at least one [beta]-lactamase-encoding gene (bla.sub.TEM, bla.sub.PSE-1, bla.sub.SHV or bla.sub.CTX-M). Moreover, two or more PMQR or [beta]-lactamase-encoding genes co-existed in a single S.enterica isolate. A number of nine Salmonella Infantis, as well as the majority of Salmonella Enteritidis isolates analyzed by PFGE proved to be closely related. Conclusions The study demonstrated the co-existence of PMQR and [beta]-lactamase-encoding genes among the Salmonella isolates recovered and confirmed that multiple mechanisms might be involved in the acquisition and spread of resistance determinants. The close genetic relatedness between the clinical and foodborne S. enterica isolates, suggested that chicken meat might be a possible cause of human salmonellosis in our country, during the study period. Results of this study might improve understanding of the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and transmission dynamics of Salmonella spp. Here, we report for the first time the presence of PMQR and [beta]-lactamase-encoding genes in S. enterica isolates, recovered from humans, one companion animal and food, in Romania. Keywords: Salmonella, Antimicrobial resistance, Resistance mechanisms, Humans, Companion animal, Food, Genetic relatedness, Public health

In recent years, the latest approaches in the pharmaceutical field and personalized medicine have begun to use new technologies and nanodevices for diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Nanodevices such as nanorobots and nanomachines are used in heterogeneous domains such as environmental monitoring and remediation, imaging, energy, food security, drug delivery, sensing, detoxification, and even in nanosurgery and lab on chip devices, in order to improve health care and to address issues difficult to solve by conventional methods currently in use. The growing interest toward those nanotechnologies is justified by the performances reported so far. This review will present the latest achievements in nanodevices design targeting pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Silver antimicrobial dressings have been extensively used as therapeutic strategies in wound management. The present study sought to asses and to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of commercially available modern silver-wound dressings. The antimicrobial activity of the silver dressings has been evaluated by the disk diffusion method, including five common wound pathogens. The silver-release profile has been determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated different degrees of efficacy against the tested pathogens. Silver is released at different rates, within a very large range, depending on delivery medium test, but we could not establish a correlation between the silver content/silver-release profile and the antimicrobial activity of the evaluated dressings. Different factors such as the structural properties of support materials or the type of silver species contained may influence the effectiveness of silver dressings. The obtained results suggest that silver-based dressings act by a combination of antimicrobial activity and fluid handling properties and their overall characteristics should be taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in nanotechnologies have led to the development of nanoscale biosensors with exquisite sensitivity and versatility as their ultimate goal is to detect any biochemical and biophysical signals associated with a specific disease at the level of a single molecule or cell. The ability to detect disease-associated biomolecules is essential not only for disease diagnostics in the clinical settings but also for biomedical research involving drug discovery and development. Portable, faster, and low-cost devices are highly preferred for replacing time-consuming centralized laboratory analysis. The reduction in sensor size provides great versatility, but extreme miniaturization while keeping intact the selectivity and sensitivity characteristics to biosensors must be achieved. The sensitivity of biosensors can be increased using different nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes, graphene, and nanoparticles while the selectivity is gained when biomolecules are involved (enzymes, antibodies, aptamers). Several examples of tattoo, microneedle, and smartphone-based sensors as screening, diagnosing, and monitoring tools, representing the latest approaches for minimal invasive devices in this dynamic field of research, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, osteoporosis is considered a widespread metabolic bone disease, vertebral fractures being probably one of the most common clinical manifestations encountered in osteoporotic patients. Non-pharmacologic therapies of osteoporosis include, among others, the use of different types of orthoses, such as spinal orthoses or hip protectors. To date there is a limited number of studies that evaluate the efficacy of spinal orthoses and hip protectors used in osteoporotic patients, therefore providing insufficient information to clinicians regarding these aspects. This article reviewed the use and efficacy of the most commonly prescribed spinal orthoses and hip protectors in osteoporotic patients. According to a significant number of studies, modern spinal orthoses proved to be effective in the management of vertebral fractures in osteoporotic patients. However, the efficacy of hip protectors in reducing the impact of falls onto the hip and preventing hip fractures still seems to be controversial. Osteoporosis is a condition that should be treated using a comprehensive approach that includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options. Orthoses, such as modern spinal orthoses or back braces and hip protectors might represent an efficacious nonpharmacological option in the management of osteoporotic vertebral or hip fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection represents a major complication that can affect wound healing in any type of wound, especially in chronic ones. There are currently certain limitations to the methods that are used for establishing a clinical diagnosis of wound infection. Thus, new, rapid and easy-to-use strategies for wound infection diagnosis need to be developed. To this aim, wearable sensors for infection diagnosis have been recently developed. These sensors are incorporated into the wound dressings that are used to treat and protect the wound, and are able to detect certain biomarkers that can be correlated with the presence of wound infection. Among these biomarkers, the most commonly used ones are pH and uric acid, but a plethora of others (lactic acid, oxygenation, inflammatory mediators, bacteria metabolites or bacteria) have also been detected using wearable sensors. In this work, an overview of the main types of wearable sensors for wound infection detection will be provided. These sensors will be divided into electrochemical, colorimetric and fluorimetric sensors and the examples will be presented and discussed comparatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: We proposed the analyses of polyphenolic coumpounds from the Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) leaves obtained from Medicinal Plant Collection of USAMV Cluj-Napoca., Material and Method: The study was performed by using spectrophotometric (I) and HPLC methods (II)., Results: The vegetal product contains 0.64% flavonoids expressed in rutoside and 8,962% phenyl-propane derivatives expressed in caffeic acid (I). HPLC analyses (II) were made after extraction of studied compounds from leaves with ethyl-ether, ethyl acetate and 1-buthanol. These extracts were analyzed before and after the hydrolysis of compounds. There were identified 6 polyphenolic compounds: caftaric acid, caffeic acid, p-cumaric acid, ferulic acid, luteolin and apigenin., Conclusion: The extracted amount of these compounds in chosen solvents depending of their polarity.