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To assess the frequency of multiple thrombophilia-associated mutations and polymorphisms in a selected population of high-risk pregnancies.

Background/Objectives: The present experiment aimed to formulate four ointments that included mixtures of plant extracts (Hippophae rhamnoides, Calendula officinalis, Arctium lappa, and Achillea millefolium), apitherapy products (honey, propolis, and apilarnil) and natural polymers (collagen, chitosan, and the lyophilisate of egg white) in an ointment base. Methods: In order to investigate the therapeutic properties of the ointments, experimental in vivo injury models (linear incision, circular excision, and thermal burns) were performed on laboratory animals, namely Wistar rats. The treatment was applied topically, once a day, for 21 days. Clinical and macroscopic evaluation, determination of lesion shrinkage rate, re-epithelialization period, and histopathological examination were performed. Results: The results demonstrate that the tested ointments have a significant effect in healing skin lesions. On the ninth day of treatment, the wound contraction rate was 98.17 ± 0.15% for the mixed ointment group, compared to the negative control group’s rate of 14.85 ± 2.95%. At day 21, dermal collagenization and restoration of histological structure occurred for all treated groups. Conclusions: The tested ointments exerted in vivo wound healing and re-epithelialization effects on incision, excision, and thermal burn injuries.

In this study, we present a novel approach using amperometric microsensors to detect quercetin in cosmetic formulations and track its metabolic behavior after topical application. This method offers a sensitive, real-time alternative to conventional techniques, enabling the detection of quercetin’s bioavailability, its transformation into active metabolites, and its potential therapeutic effects when applied to the skin. Quercetin (Q) is a bioactive flavonoid known for its potent antioxidant properties, naturally present in numerous plants, particularly those with applications in cosmetic formulations. In response to the growing interest in developing novel plant-based dermo-cosmetic solutions, this study investigates the electrochemical detection of quercetin, a ketone-type flavonoid, extracted from Gingko biloba essential oil. Three newly designed amperometric microsensors were developed to assess their efficacy in detecting quercetin in botanical samples. The sensor configurations utilized two forms of carbon material as a foundation: graphite (G) and carbon nanoparticles (CNs). These base materials were modified with paraffin oil, chitosan (CHIT), and cobalt(II) tetraphenylporphyrin (Co(II)TPP) to enhance sensitivity. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) served as the analytical method for this investigation. Among the sensors, the CHIT/G–CN microsensor exhibited the highest sensitivity, with a detection limit of 1.22 × 10−7 mol L−1, followed by the G–CN (5.64 × 10−8 mol L−1) and Co(II)TPP/G–CN (9.80 × 10−8 mol L−1) microsensors. The minimum detectable concentration was observed with the G–CN and CoP/G–CN microsensors, achieving a threshold as low as 0.0001 μmol L−1. Recovery rates and relative standard deviation (RSD) values averaged 97.4% ± 0.43, underscoring the sensors’ reliability for quercetin detection in botanical matrices.

Background: Lipid vesicles, especially those utilizing biocompatible materials like chitosan (CHIT), hold significant promise for enhancing the stability and release characteristics of drugs such as indomethacin (IND), effectively overcoming the drawbacks associated with conventional drug formulations. Objectives: This study seeks to develop and characterize novel lipid vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and CHIT that encapsulate indomethacin (IND-ves), as well as to evaluate their in vitro hemocompatibility. Methods: The systems encapsulating IND were prepared using a molecular droplet self-assembly technique, involving the dissolution of lipids, cholesterol, and indomethacin in ethanol, followed by sonication and the gradual incorporation of a CHIT solution to form stable vesicular structures. The vesicles were characterized in terms of size, morphology, Zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency and the profile release of drug was assessd. In vitro hemocompatibility was evaluated by measuring erythrocyte lysis and quantifying hemolysis rates. Results: The IND-ves exhibited an entrapment efficiency of 85%, with vesicles averaging 317.6 nm in size, and a Zeta potential of 24 mV, indicating good stability in suspension. In vitro release kinetics demonstrated an extended release profile of IND from the vesicles over 8 h, contrasting with the immediate release observed from plain drug solutions. The hemocompatibility assessment revealed that IND-ves exhibited minimal hemolysis, comparable to control groups, indicating good compatibility with erythrocytes. Conclusions: IND-ves provide a promising approach for modified indomethacin delivery, enhancing stability and hemocompatibility. These findings suggest their potential for effective NSAID delivery, with further in vivo studies required to explore clinical applications.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are vital dietary elements that play a significant role in human nutrition. They are highly regarded for their positive contributions to overall health and well-being. Beyond the fact that they provide a substantial supply of energy to the body (a role that saturated fats can also perform), these unsaturated fatty acids and, especially, the essential ones are involved in cell membrane structure, blood pressure regulation, and coagulation; participate in the proper functioning of the immune system and assimilation of fat-soluble vitamins; influence the synthesis of pro- and anti-inflammatory substances; and protect the cardiovascular system. Modern diets like the Western diet and the American diet are rich in saturated fats found especially in fast food products, sweets, and processed foods, a fact that has led to an increase in the prevalence of metabolic diseases worldwide (obesity, type II diabetes, gout, cardiovascular disease). Nutritionists have drawn attention to the moderate consumption of saturated fats and the need to increase the intake of unsaturated fats to the detriment of saturated ones. This paper examines the biochemical roles of polyunsaturated fats, particularly essential fatty acids, and contrasts their benefits with the detrimental effects of saturated fat overconsumption. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity for dietary shifts towards increased PUFA intake to mitigate the global burden of diet-related health issues. The co-occurrence of PUFAs and polyphenols in plant-based foods highlights the sophistication of nature’s design. These bioactive compounds are not randomly distributed but are present in foods humans have consumed together historically. From traditional diets like the Mediterranean, which pairs olive oil (PUFAs and polyphenols) with vegetables and legumes, to Asian cuisines combining sesame seeds with turmeric, cultural practices have long harnessed this natural synergy.

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and behavioral disturbances, with an increasing incidence as the global population ages. This study investigates the effects of semaglutide (SEM), a glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, on cognitive function and anxiety-like behavior in a transgenic murine model of AD. Methods: 20 mice were randomly distributed into the following groups (n = 5): (WT + VEH) group: C57BL/6J + saline, (WT + SEM) group: C57BL/6J + semaglutide, (AD + VEH) group: AD + saline, (AD + SEM) group: AD + semaglutide. The animals underwent a four-week treatment, during which we monitored blood glucose levels, body weight, and responses in an open field test, novel object recognition test, social chamber test, and 0-maze test. Results: Post-treatment, SEM significantly reduced blood glucose levels in AD mice, aligning them with those of wild-type controls. Cognitive assessments indicated an improvement in the investigation index for SEM-treated mice compared to those receiving a vehicle, suggesting cognitive benefits. Although SEM did not significantly enhance motor and exploratory activities, it displayed a potential anxiolytic effect, particularly evident in the combined anxiety index, with notable differences observed before and after treatment in the AD group. Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study suggest that SEM may play a dual role in managing AD by improving glycemic control and potentially enhancing cognitive function. As the landscape of AD treatment evolves, the comprehensive approach of utilizing SEM could pave the way for innovative interventions targeting the complex interplay of metabolic and cognitive dysfunctions in this challenging neurodegenerative disorder.

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases characterized by the extracellular deposition of abnormally folded, insoluble proteins that lead to organ dysfunction. While it commonly affects the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement is undetermined. Recent research has focused on understanding the pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic approaches to GI amyloidosis, particularly in systemic amyloid light-chain (AL) and amyloid A (AA) forms. GI manifestations can include motility disorders, bleeding, and, in severe cases, bowel obstruction. This review highlights the importance of the early recognition of digestive symptoms and associated imagistic findings in GI amyloidosis by analyzing the research that included clinical, pathological, and endoscopic approaches to amyloidosis. A systematic search of the PubMed and Scopus databases identified 19 relevant studies. Our findings showed that amyloid deposits commonly affect the entire GI tract, with AL amyloidosis being the most predominant form. Endoscopic evaluations and biopsy remain key diagnostic tools, with Congo Red staining and mass spectrometry being used to confirm amyloid type. Although progress has been made in diagnosis, the absence of targeted therapies and the indistinct nature of GI symptoms continue to be challenging.

In recent years, hydrogels have emerged as a highly promising platform for the sustained delivery of therapeutic agents, addressing critical challenges in drug delivery systems, from controlled release to biocompatibility [...]

In our paper we intended to offer to the readers the possibility to be acquainted with the managerial activity of the central executive organisms of the Romanian Orthodox Church, which has not only its own specificity, but also a long history. Indeed, the historical and juridical testimonies attested that the ecclesiastical management activity has two millennium of history, hence the importance of the knowledge of the process of its development, with its own typical particularities. Pursuant to our aim to help our readers to be acquainted both with the specific managerial activity of the central executive organisms of the Romanian Orthodox Church, as well as with its juridical and canonical doctrine about the administration of the goods (res), we offered to them a real scientific contribution by an interdisciplinary approach (juridical, historical and theological).

For the understanding of the management of the ecclesiastical goods, we have to take into consideration both the State laws and Church laws, enacted during the entire period of the two millennium. Hence the necessity to be familiarized both with Roman and Byzantine laws, and with canonical legislation, that serve as a legal-canonical basis also for the management of movable and immovable ecclesiastical assets. Taking into account the most relevant aspects of the subject of our paper, we tried to help its readers to have an outlook not only about the mode in which are administrating the movable and immovable ecclesiastical goods (res), classified by Roman law in res sacrae, res religiosae and res sanctae, but also a good knowledge about the juridical-canonical basis of the management of the ecclesiastical assets.

This study offers insights into the similarities and differences between the zero suffix and overt English suffixes involved in verb-to-noun and noun-to-verb derivation. It is based on morphosemantically related pairs of noun and verb senses released as a Princeton WordNet standoff file, which are annotated with a set of fourteen semantic relations further enriched with information about the affix(es) used in the derivation process. We compare the zero suffix and the overt suffixes with respect to their overall frequency in the dataset and their frequency as per semantic relation. We describe their semantics in terms of the relation between the base and the derived word senses, and of the semantic classes of words involved in affixal and zero derivation. We argue that the zero suffix is highly underspecified, occurring with all semantic relations, even though it manifests some preferences with respect to both the semantic relations expressed and the semantic classes of words it attaches to.

This paper aims to present a possible solution of reducing the quantity of waste cooking oil and exposes the design process of an innovative oil packaging concept that facilitates the collection of it after the container is empty. The innovation resulted as solution to the tedious process of collecting oil and consists in a bottle stopper that functions as a funnel when reversed. The bottle stopper/funnel (designed with a no leakage geometry) contains a detachable strainer which retains the impurities. The packaging is designed for 3 quantities (1, 2 and 5 liters) and is designed to be manufactured from recycled PET and ABS. The approach of the concept focuses on identifying alternative solutions that develop new methods and approaches to change mindsets and behaviours through objects.

Cholangiopathies are defined as focal or extensive damage of the bile ducts. According to the pathogenetic mechanism, it may be immune-mediated or due to genetic, infectious, toxic, vascular, and obstructive causes. Their chronic evolution is characterized by inflammation, obstruction of bile flow, cholangiocyte proliferation, and progression toward fibrosis and cirrhosis. Immune-mediated cholangiopathies comprise primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), autoimmune cholangitis and IgG4-associated cholangitis in adults and biliary atresia (BA), neonatal sclerosing cholangitis (NSC) in children. The main purpose of this narrative review was to highlight the similarities and differences among immune-mediated cholangiopathies, especially those frequent in children in which cholangiocyte senescence plays a key role (BA, NSC, and PSC). These three entities have many similarities in terms of clinical and histopathological manifestations, and the distinction between them can be hard to achieve. In BA, bile duct destruction occurs due to aggression of the biliary cells due to viral infections or toxins during the intrauterine period or immediately after birth. The consequence is the activation of the immune system leading to severe inflammation and fibrosis of the extrahepatic biliary tract, lumen stenosis, and impairment of the biliary flow. PSC is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts, leading to secondary biliary cirrhosis. It is a multifactorial disease that occurs because of genetic predisposition [human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and non-HLA haplotypes], autoimmunity (cellular immune response, autoantibodies, association with inflammatory bowel disease), environmental factors (infections or toxic bile), and host factors (intestinal microbiota). NSC seems to be a distinct subgroup of childhood PSC that appears due to the interaction between genetic predisposition (HLA B8 and DR3) and the disruption of the immune system, validated by elevated IgG levels or specific antibodies [antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-smooth muscle antibody (ASMA)]. Currently, the exact mechanism of immune cholangiopathy is not fully understood, and further data are required to identify individuals at high risk of developing these conditions. A better understanding of the immune mechanisms and pathophysiology of BA, NSC, and PSC will open new perspectives for future treatments and better methods of preventing severe evolution.

Purtscher-like retinopathy (PUR) is a rare condition characterized by sudden vision loss with associated retinal white patches thought to be due to precapillary arteriolar occlusion. We present a case of PUR associated with a cardioembolic stroke in a patient following temporary cessation of anticoagulant therapy for a surgical procedure. Our patient presented with multiple risk factors for PUR and classic signs and symptoms including multiple peripapillary white retinal lesions near arterioles and sudden unilateral decrease in visual acuity. Optical coherence tomography showed inner retinal hyperreflectivity and thinning consistent with inner retinal ischemia, and fluorescein angiography showed delayed retinal filling. Her complement C5 factor was elevated on laboratory testing. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed acute/subacute left occipital lobe ischemia thought to be from a cardioembolic stroke. Shortly prior to visual symptoms, our patient’s apixaban was held due to surgical drainage of a gluteal abscess. This case highlights the rare occurrence of PUR associated with cardioembolic stroke and the importance of cerebral imaging in a patient presenting with PUR of uncertain etiology.

Abstract Evaluation of grazing impacts on land degradation processes is a difficult task due to the heterogeneity and complex interacting factors involved. In this paper, we designed a new methodology based on a predictive index of grazing susceptibility to land degradation index (GSLDI) built on artificial intelligence to assess land degradation susceptibility in areas affected by small ruminants (SRs) of sheep and goats grazing. The data for model training, validation, and testing consisted of sampling points (erosion and no-erosion) taken from aerial imagery. Seventeen environmental factors (e.g., derivatives of the digital elevation model, small ruminants’ stock), and 55 subsequent attributes (e.g., classes/features) were assigned to each sampling point. The impact of SRs stock density on the land degradation process has been evaluated and estimated with two extreme SRs’ density scenarios: absence (no stock), and double density (overstocking). We applied the GSLDI methodology to the Curvature Subcarpathians, a region that experiences the highest erosion rates in Romania, and found that SRs grazing is not the major contributor to land degradation, accounting for only 4.6%. This methodology could be replicated in other steep slope grazing areas as a tool to assess and predict susceptible to land degradation, and to establish common strategies for sustainable land-use practices.

Introduction: Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is a severe cirrhosis complication requiring early diagnosis and appropriate management. This study aimed to assess the impact of HH on the disease severity and mortality of cirrhotic patients and compare their clinical and biological profiles with those of patients without HH. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study involved 155 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis, of whom 31 had HH. The diagnosis of HH was based on imaging techniques such as X-ray, ultrasound, and thoracic CT scans. The severity of cirrhosis was evaluated using the Child-Pugh, MELD, MELD-Na, and MELD 3.0 scoring systems. Results: Of the included patients, 83.87% (n = 26) were men, with a 20% incidence of HH. The main etiology was chronic alcohol use. The pleural fluid localization revealed similar numbers of patients with bilateral and right pleural distribution. Patients with HH were predominantly classified in Child–Pugh–Turcotte class C. The MELD, MELD-Na, and MELD 3.0 scores had higher median values in the group of patients with hepatic hydrothorax. Still, death occurred at lower MELD scores when compared with cirrhotic patients without HH (MELD score > 22.5 for patients with HH vs. MELD > 32.5 for patients without HH). (The cirrhotic patients with HH presented lower serum albumin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and higher bilirubin, INR, and creatinine values. The mortality rate was higher in the group with HH-58,06% versus 20.97% in the control group (cirrhotics without HH). Conclusions: Hepatic hydrothorax is a serious complication of cirrhosis that requires early recognition and proper management, supported by using biomarkers and scoring systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are vital dietary elements that play a significant role in human nutrition. They are highly regarded for their positive contributions to overall health and well-being. Beyond the fact that they provide a substantial supply of energy to the body (a role that saturated fats can also perform), these unsaturated fatty acids and, especially, the essential ones are involved in cell membrane structure, blood pressure regulation, and coagulation; participate in the proper functioning of the immune system and assimilation of fat-soluble vitamins; influence the synthesis of pro- and anti-inflammatory substances; and protect the cardiovascular system. Modern diets like the Western diet and the American diet are rich in saturated fats found especially in fast food products, sweets, and processed foods, a fact that has led to an increase in the prevalence of metabolic diseases worldwide (obesity, type II diabetes, gout, cardiovascular disease). Nutritionists have drawn attention to the moderate consumption of saturated fats and the need to increase the intake of unsaturated fats to the detriment of saturated ones. This paper examines the biochemical roles of polyunsaturated fats, particularly essential fatty acids, and contrasts their benefits with the detrimental effects of saturated fat overconsumption. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity for dietary shifts towards increased PUFA intake to mitigate the global burden of diet-related health issues. The co-occurrence of PUFAs and polyphenols in plant-based foods highlights the sophistication of nature's design. These bioactive compounds are not randomly distributed but are present in foods humans have consumed together historically. From traditional diets like the Mediterranean, which pairs olive oil (PUFAs and polyphenols) with vegetables and legumes, to Asian cuisines combining sesame seeds with turmeric, cultural practices have long harnessed this natural synergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]