Prenatal detection of mild fetal ventriculomegaly - a systematic review of the modern literature.

Introduction: While mild fetal ventriculomegaly is frequently observed as an incidental and benign finding, it is also known to be linked with structural, genetic, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature in order to evaluate the association between apparently isolated fetal mild ventriculomegaly with the presence of additional structural defects detected by fetal brain MRI, chromosomal or other genetic anomalies, and neurodevelopmental delay.

Methods: This systematic review was designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Graphene oxide and oxidized carbon nanodiscs as biomedical scaffolds for the targeted delivery of quercetin to cancer cells.

Targeting cancer cells without affecting normal cells poses a particular challenge. Nevertheless, the utilization of innovative nanomaterials in targeted cancer therapy has witnessed significant growth in recent years. In this study, we examined two layered carbon nanomaterials, graphene and carbon nanodiscs (CNDs), both of which possess extraordinary physicochemical and structural properties alongside their nano-scale dimensions, and explored their potential as nanocarriers for quercetin, a bioactive flavonoid known for its potent anticancer properties.

Oxidized-Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as Non-Toxic Nanocarriers for Hydroxytyrosol Delivery in Cells.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess excellent physicochemical and structural properties alongside their nano dimensions, constituting a medical platform for the delivery of different therapeutic molecules and drug systems. Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a molecule with potent antioxidant properties that, however, is rapidly metabolized in the organism. HT immobilized on functionalized CNTs could improve its oral absorption and protect it against rapid degradation and elimination.

The Increase of Soft Cheese Shelf-Life Packaged with Edible Films Based on Novel Hybrid Nanostructures.

This study presents, the development of a green method to produce rich in thymol natural zeolite (TO@NZ) nanostructures. This material was used to prepare sodium-alginate/glycerol/xTO@NZ (ALG/G/TO@NZ) nanocomposite active films for the packaging of soft cheese to extend its shelf-life. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) instruments were used for the characterization of such nanostructures and films, to identify the thymol adsorbed amount, to investigate the thermal behaviour, and to confirm the dispersion of nanostructure powder into the polymer matrix.

Methods of Preparation and Performance Evaluation of ABS/Mineral Microsphere Composites Produced through FDM and Compression Molding.

The use of amorphous microspheres as filler in composites is promising due to their light weight, low cost, incombustibility, and the ability to alter relevant properties of the final composite. Contrary to glass spheres, perlite microspheres are much cheaper and can be tailor-made to facilitate purpose-oriented alteration of the final composite. We report the use of perlite microspheres for the preparation of: (1) composites, through a compression molding (hot pressing) technique; and (2) composite filaments, in a single screw extruder, as well as their use for sample printing through Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).

Synthesis of a Novel Chitosan/Basil Oil Blend and Development of Novel Low Density Poly Ethylene/Chitosan/Basil Oil Active Packaging Films Following a Melt-Extrusion Process for Enhancing Chicken Breast Fillets Shelf-Life.

An innovative process for the adsorption of the hydrophobic Basil-Oil (BO) into the hydrophilic food byproduct chitosan (CS) and the development of an advanced low-density polyethylene/chitosan/basil-oil (LDPE/CS_BO) active packaging film was investigated in this work. The idea of this study was the use of the BO as both a bioactive agent and a compatibilizer. The CS was modified to a CS_BO hydrophobic blend via a green evaporation/adsorption process.

Advanced Cr(VI) sorption properties of activated carbon produced via pyrolysis of the "Posidonia oceanica" seagrass.

This research deals with the removal of Cr(VI), one of the most toxic heavy metal in biological systems, from wastewater by using activated carbon produced via pyrolysis and chemical activation of "Posidonia oceanica". That is the most important and well-studied seagrass species of the Mediterranean Sea. The as produced activated carbon exhibited high specific surface area up to 1563 m/g and a cumulative pore volume of 0.

Functional Carbon Materials Derived through Hypergolic Reactions at Ambient Conditions.

Carbon formation from organic precursors is an energy-consuming process that often requires the heating of a precursor in an oven at elevated temperature. In this paper, we present a conceptually different synthesis pathway for functional carbon materials based on hypergolic mixtures, i.e.

Acute abdomen due to Brucella melitensis.

A case of acute abdomen caused by a Brucella melitensis is reported. The patient presented with biliary involvement in the form of acute acalculous cholecystitis and developed acute appendicitis that resulted in his surgical treatment.