In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of rPET/Cu-Alg Nanofibers for Anti-Infective Therapy.

With the growing interest in nanofibers and the urgent need to address environmental concerns associated with plastic waste, there is an increasing focus on using recycled materials to develop advanced healthcare solutions. This study explores the potential of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanofibers, functionalized with copper-enhanced alginate, for applications in wound dressings. Nanofibers with desirable antimicrobial properties were developed using chemical recycling and electrospinning techniques, offering a sustainable and effective option for managing wound infections and promoting healing.

Vitamin D Status in Roma Mothers and Newborns: Socioeconomic Factors and Impact on Neonatal Outcome.

Background: The Roma are a socioeconomically disadvantaged, marginalized community with reduced access to education, social services, and healthcare. Despite the known health risks they are exposed to, we have limited data about a wide range of health outcomes in this population, including vitamin D deficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its impact on the anthropometric outcomes of newborns in a group of Roma mothers and their infants in Romania.

Thermal Actuators Relying on Elastomer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals: From Imines with Supramolecular Chirality and Ferroelectricity to Soft Robots.

The locomotion of various organisms relies on the alternated elongation-contraction of their muscles or bodies. Such biomimicry can offer a promising approach to developing soft robotic devices with improved mobility and efficiency. Most strategies to mimic such motions rely on reversible size modifications of some materials upon exposure to external stimuli.

Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of a new copper(II) complex based on diethyl 2,2'-(4-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-di-yl)di-acetate.

The title compound, bis-[μ-2,2'-(4-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-di-yl)di-acetato]-bis-[di-aqua-copper(II)] dihydrate, [Cu(CHNO)(HO)]·2HO, is a dinuclear octa-hedral Cu triazole-based complex. The central copper atoms are hexa-coordinated by two nitro-gen atoms in the equatorial positions, two equatorial oxygen atoms of two carboxyl-ate substituents in position 3 and 5 of the 1,2,4-triazole ring, and two axial oxygen atoms of two water mol-ecules. Two additional solvent water mol-ecules are linked to the title mol-ecule by O-H⋯N and O⋯H-O hydrogen bonds.

Color Modifications of a Maxillofacial Silicone Elastomer under the Effect of Cigarette Smoke.

Although it is known (from the observations of medical professionals) that cigarette smoke negatively affects maxillofacial prostheses, especially through staining/discoloration, systematic research in this regard is limited. Herein, the color modifications of M511 maxillofacial silicone, unpigmented and pigmented with red or skin tone pigments, covered with mattifiers, or with makeup and mattifiers, and directly exposed to cigarette smoke, were investigated by spectrophotometric measurements in the CIELab and RGB color systems. The changes in color parameters are comparatively discussed, showing that the base silicone material without pigmentation and coating undergoes the most significant modifications.