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The purpose of teeth whitening is the removal of intrinsic or extrinsic discoloration via mechanical or chemical techniques that restore the teeth to their natural shade or lighten it, depending on the chosen method. Both the abrasive particles used in mechanical procedures and the oxidant agents applied in chemical bleaching are effective if they are used according to the stain aetiology, however, the risks associated with these products (e.g. potential tooth wear, sensitivity, damage of the enamel or dentin organic matrix) are not negligible. As a response to these issues, current research in the tooth whitening field is directed towards the development of safer whitening products such as dentifrices with lower abrasive index, natural bleaching agents, or laser-assisted whitening procedures that require shorter exposure time for optimal results. This review aims to provide a description of the currently available teeth whitening techniques and their limitations, as well as the novel alternatives that promise similar or superior results with less potential side effects. For a better understanding of the subject, the structure of the tooth, the causes of teeth discoloration as well as the mechanisms of action and chemistry behind the abrasive agents and peroxide-based whitening processes were also discussed.

Labour costs are a fundamental component of production expenses, significantly impacting both the quantity and quality of output. This study explores the determinants of labour costs within EU member states that have implemented minimum wage policies over the past two decades. The research technique includes a comprehensive panel analysis of EU member states to identify significant variables influencing labour costs, as well as cluster analysis to discover underlying patterns across the nations under examination. Our findings reveal that higher minimum wage levels, higher employment rates, increased labour productivity, and greater trade openness are positively correlated with higher labour costs. Specifically, increases in these variables lead to higher wages and a broader tax base, while greater trade openness results in elevated labour costs due to expanded market opportunities. Conversely, gross fixed capital formation negatively affects labour costs, as investments in production assets tend to reduce labour requirements or hours worked. The cluster analysis led to the identification of three distinct groups. The first cluster consists of well-developed economies with modest labour cost increases and average minimum wages. The second cluster includes countries with substantial labour cost increases, low minimum wages, and significant productivity gains. The third cluster features nations with high minimum wages and high employment rates. This paper contributes to the field by highlighting the complex interplay between labour costs and economic factors, offering insights for decision-makers to tailor macroeconomic and company-level strategies to specific local conditions. The findings emphasise the importance of balancing wage policies with sustainable economic development to enhance competitiveness while ensuring fair labour conditions.

Carbonaceous aerosols (CA), composed of black carbon (BC) and organic matter (OM), significantly impact the climate. Light absorption properties of CA, particularly of BC and brown carbon (BrC), are crucial due to their contribution to global and regional warming. We present the absorption properties of BC (bAbs,BC) and BrC (bAbs,BrC) inferred using Aethalometer data from 44 European sites covering different environments (traffic (TR), urban (UB), suburban (SUB), regional background (RB) and mountain (M)). Absorption coefficients showed a clear relationship with station setting decreasing as follows: TR > UB > SUB > RB > M, with exceptions. The contribution of bAbs,BrC to total absorption (bAbs), i.e. %AbsBrC, was lower at traffic sites (11–20 %), exceeding 30 % at some SUB and RB sites. Low AAE values were observed at TR sites, due to the dominance of internal combustion emissions, and at some remote RB/M sites, likely due to the lack of proximity to BrC sources, insufficient secondary processes generating BrC or the effect of photobleaching during transport. Higher bAbs and AAE were observed in Central/Eastern Europe compared to Western/Northern Europe, due to higher coal and biomass burning emissions in the east. Seasonal analysis showed increased bAbs, bAbs,BC, bAbs,BrC in winter, with stronger %AbsBrC, leading to higher AAE. Diel cycles of bAbs,BC peaked during morning and evening rush hours, whereas bAbs,BrC, %AbsBrC, AAE, and AAEBrC peaked at night when emissions from household activities accumulated. Decade-long trends analyses demonstrated a decrease in bAbs, due to reduction of BC emissions, while bAbs,BrC and AAE increased, suggesting a shift in CA composition, with a relative increase in BrC over BC. This study provides a unique dataset to assess the BrC effects on climate and confirms that BrC can contribute significantly to UV–VIS radiation presenting highly variable absorption properties in Europe.

Carbon black - materials rich in carbon nanostructures - have been successfully applied as modifiers of electrochemical transducers, rivalling other carbon nanomaterials for cost and ease-of-use. Despite the remarkable promise of this nanomaterial, no study has yet comparatively characterised a wide range of different grades of carbon black for their utility in electrochemical sensors. Here, we explore several commonly-studied carbon black grades (N220, N234, N326, N330, N339, N375, N550, N660 and Lamp Black-101), alongside relatively newer grades (Printex®-200, Printex® G, Printex® XE-2B, and Printex® Zeta) for their application in electrochemical sensors. The effects of coating glassy carbon electrodes with carbon black on electrode performance were studied by cyclic voltammetry using three redox probes: ferri-/ferrocyanide (anionic probe molecules), ferrocenemethanol (neutral) and hexaammineruthenium (cationic). Raman Spectroscopy characterisation of the different grades associated a lower degree of graphitisation with superior electrode modifiers. Generally, modification increased the anodic peak current for ferri-/ferrocyanide probes; and lowered anodic potential for ferri-/ferrocyanide and hexaammineruthenium probes. Increases in peak current and potential observed at ferrocenemethanol are consistent with the increased tendency for this probe to adsorb to the surface of modified electrodes. N330 and Printex® XE-2B displayed the best electrocatalytic properties in terms of enhanced peak currents and lowered anodic overpotentials for the redox probes. CB grades were used to modify screen-printed carbon electrodes and the obtained sensors examined for anodic detection of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) cofactor by cyclic voltammetry. Printex® XE-2B significantly improved the detection of NADH and was further used for chronoamperometric detection of NADH at low overpotentials. Grades N220, N375, N550 and P-G showed their suitability as enzyme scaffolds for sensor fabrication, as determined by their preservation of the activity of a NAD-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Aristophanes2 (446–386 BC), Thucydides (460–c. 400 BC),3 and Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466–1536)4 were concerned with the importance of maintaining peace among peoples and wrote about this concept. The latter author even speaks about the ‘Arts of Peace’ in his third book dedicated to the education of a prince. But recent literature, especially that within the field of Byzantine and European Medieval culture, does not containsubstantial works dedicated to the notion of peace. My main research question is why this is the case since this notion connects many others and should be central to academic research. Within the paper I elaborate on several types of peace agreements: those confirming a ‘complete’ victory of one of the opponent parties involved in a war, those reached mainly by exchange of territories, those having the exchange of prisoners as central, and those referring to the payment of tribute for various purposes.

Poverty is a challenge for all countries and its eradication is a common goal in the European Union. Our paper analyses the statistical and theoretical relationship between social inequalities and the at-risk-of-poverty rate. For a holistic understanding of the poverty phenomenon in the EU, other variables such as economic growth, social protection expenditure, and the old-age dependency ratio were also included in the analysis. The methodology is based on panel data models. A regression model was built with data for the period 2011-2022, for the 27 EU countries. The econometric model of the at-risk-of-poverty rate highlighted a series of factors, among which the Gini coefficient is one of the most influential. Other important factors were research and development expenditure, social protection expenditure, GDP per capita, the unemployment rate, and the old-age dependency ratio. The cluster analysis grouped the EU countries into three clusters. Understanding the phenomenon of poverty is a prerequisite for alleviating it, generating social solidarity, and rebuilding a fairer society. Our research contributes to the evaluation of the interaction between inequalities and poverty in Romania and the EU.

A new non-sparking metallic material, Cu-Ti, with applications in potentially explosive environments is proposed as an alternative to CuBe, to reduce the processing and toxic effects of Be. Using high-purity Cu and Ti materials, a Cu (~3–4 wt%) Ti alloy with good chemical and structural homogeneity was fabricated in an induction furnace under an Ar atmosphere. The hot-rolled material was tested in an explosive gas mixture (10% H2 or 6.5% CH4) under extremely severe wear tests for 15,000 cycles, and no hot sparks were produced to ignite the medium. The material was investigated as hot-rolled plates (600 s at 950 °C and 10% reduction). The microstructures and surface of the wear test samples were investigated by light optical microscopy (LOM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical compositions were determined by energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The corrosion behavior was studied using electrochemical techniques: open-circuit, linear, and cyclic potentiometry in saline electrolyte solutions. The mechanical properties, such as microhardness and friction coefficient, were determined using UMT equipment. The results showed that the alloy is suitable for applications requiring non-ignition properties, with good hot rolling deformability and chemical composition homogeneity. Regarding the corrosion analysis and mechanical properties of the experimental CuTi alloy, minor differences were observed between the cast- and hot-rolled material.

Background/Objectives: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. Recent evidence indicates that the inflammation may extend beyond the thyroid. The study aims to explore the potential of complete blood count (CBC)-derived indices as markers of systemic inflammation in HT. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study from 1 January 2015, to 31 December 2023 included 147 pediatric HT patients and 144 apparently healthy controls. Thyroid profiles, antibodies, CBC, and protein electrophoresis data were collected from patient records. CBC-derived indices were calculated and compared between the HT and control groups, as well as among HT subgroups. Results: The median age of HT patients was 13.6 years (range: 11.2–15.5 years), with 66% being girls. The control group had a similar age and gender distribution, with a median age of 13.7 years (range: 11–15.8 years) and 70.8% girls. Of the HT patients, 50% had subclinical HT, 15% were euthyroid, and 34% had overt thyroid dysfunction. HT patients showed significantly higher neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, as well as all evaluated CBC-derived indices than controls (p < 0.001)). These differences were not significant among HT subgroups. Logistic regression indicated a strong association between an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and HT diagnosis (p < 0.001), while ROC analysis confirmed NLR as the most accurate CBC-derived marker for distinguishing HT from controls. Conclusions: Elevated NLR levels in pediatric HT patients provide additional evidence that inflammation may extend beyond the thyroid gland. These results support the potential of NLR as a reliable and accessible biomarker for evaluating inflammation in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

In recent years, EU member states have faced two significant crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and high inflation, exacerbated by geopolitical instability. These events have led to a decline in household purchasing power. Our study aims to quantify the impact of these crises on household income dynamics in Romania, using data from the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions and the EUROMOD tax-benefit microsimulation model. We analyze income changes across demographic segments from 2019 to 2021 (COVID-19 period) and 2021 to 2023 (inflation crisis), focusing on household characteristics such as the presence and number of children, the gender of the household head, and the presence of elderly members. Our findings reveal that while disposable income increased from 2019 to 2021, the poorest 10% experienced the smallest gains. In 2022–2023, inflation eroded these increases, and the lower half of the income distribution struggled with reduced earnings and pensions. Despite this, the Gini coefficient for disposable income decreased from 2019 to 2023, indicating a reduced inequality. Our study highlighted that targeted public policy interventions are essential to support vulnerable households and mitigate the effects of economic shocks.

Background and Objectives: The role of surgery in pancreatic metastases of renal cell carcinoma (PM_RCC) is highly controversial, particularly in the context of modern systemic therapies and the conflicting results of studies published so far. This study aims to explore a single surgical center experience (including mainly pancreatic resections) regarding the indications, the type of pancreatectomies, and early and long-term outcomes for PM_RCC. Materials and Methods: The data of all patients with surgery for PM_RCC (from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2023) were retrospectively assessed, and potential predictors of survival were explored. Results: 20 patients underwent surgery for PM_RCC (pancreatectomies—95%). Metachronous PM_RCC was 90%, with a median interval between the initial nephrectomy and PM_RCC occurrence of 104 months. For elective pancreatectomies, the overall and severe morbidity and mortality rates were 24%, 12%, and 0%, respectively; 32% of patients underwent non-standardized pancreatic resections. The median survival of patients with negative resection margins was 128 months after pancreatectomies, with an 82% 5-year survival rate. Left kidney RCC and the body/tail PM_RCC were favorable prognostic factors for the overall survival after pancreatectomies for PM_RCC. Body/tail, asymptomatic PM_RCC, and an interval after initial nephrectomy > 2 were favorable prognostic factors for the overall survival after initial nephrectomy for RCC. Conclusions: Pancreatectomies for PM_RCC can achieve long-term survival whenever complete resection is feasible, with acceptable complication rates. Patients with left kidney RCC, body/tail, and asymptomatic PM_RCC and an interval of more than 2 years after nephrectomy exhibit the best survival rates.

It is documented that maternal diseases or treatments influence a newborn’s clinical status at birth. If a prenatal medical history is not available, or if signs or symptoms of a mother’s disease are revealed for the first time during pregnancy or postpartum, their effects on the newborn may be misattributed. Objective: The objective of this study is to emphasize the paramount importance of prenatal care, for both mothers and newborns, as a lack of maternal signs and symptoms during pregnancy does not exclude a potential severe neonatal condition. Materials and methods: We present a series of three cases of pregnant women who gave birth to very sick preterm newborns that required admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The mothers were asymptomatic during pregnancy and unaware of their subclinical disease. The newborns’ complications, considered initially as consequences of prematurity or infection, subsequently revealed transient autoimmune disease in two of the cases (myasthenia gravis and hyperthyroidism) and a severe form of thrombophilia in the third case. Results: The newborns’ diagnosis preceded maternal diagnosis and contributed to the identification of the maternal pathology; adequate treatment was prescribed, with favorable short- and long-term outcomes. Conclusions: Prenatal exams and investigations throughout pregnancy are a good opportunity to detect subclinical diseases or predispositions. As newborns usually develop non-specific signs, one should have experience and pay attention to differentiating among etiologies. Our paper takes a reversed approach to the usual medical diagnosis pathway: from infant to mother instead of from mother to infant, proving that inter-specialty collaboration can work bi-directionally.

IntroductionIt is unknown how intestinal B cell populations and B cell receptor (BCR) repertoires are established and maintained over time in humans. Following intestinal transplantation (ITx), surveillance ileal mucosal biopsies provide a unique opportunity to map the dynamic establishment of recipient gut lymphocyte populations in immunosuppressed conditions.MethodsUsing polychromatic flow cytometry that includes HLA allele group-specific antibodies distinguishing donor from recipient cells along with high throughput BCR sequencing, we tracked the establishment of recipient B cell populations and BCR repertoire in the allograft mucosa of ITx recipients.ResultsWe confirm the early presence of naïve donor B cells in the circulation (donor age range: 1-14 years, median: 3 years) and, for the first time, document the establishment of recipient B cell populations, including B resident memory cells, in the intestinal allograft mucosa (recipient age range at the time of transplant: 1-44 years, median: 3 years). Recipient B cell repopulation of the allograft was most rapid in infant (