Hybrid Hydrogel Supplemented with Algal Polysaccharide for Potential Use in Biomedical Applications.

Hydrogels are a viable option for biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to incorporate various healing agents while maintaining their biological efficacy. This study focused on the preparation and characterization of novel hybrid hydrogels enriched with the natural algae compound Ulvan for potential use in wound dressings. The characterization of the hydrogel membranes involved multiple methods to assess their structural, mechanical, and chemical properties, such as pH measurements, swelling, moisture content and uptake, gel fraction, hydrolytic degradation, protein adsorption and denaturation tests, rheological measurements, SEM, biocompatibility testing, and scratch wound assay.

A Multicellular In Vitro Model of the Human Intestine with Immunocompetent Features Highlights Host-Pathogen Interactions During Early Salmonella Typhimurium Infection.

Studying the molecular basis of intestinal infections caused by enteric pathogens at the tissue level is challenging, because most human intestinal infection models have limitations, and results obtained from animals may not reflect the human situation. Infections with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) have different outcomes between organisms. 3D tissue modeling of primary human material provides alternatives to animal experimentation, but epithelial co-culture with immune cells remains difficult.

Epidemiology of kidney biopsy from regional referral center in Romania: 10-year review.

Purpose: To provide epidemiologic data on kidney biopsy from Romania.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of kidney biopsy records for adult patients from a referral center in the north-western part of Romania, reported for 2014-2023.

Results: 556 biopsies were performed, corresponding to an incidence of 12 biopsies/m person-year with over 50% increase over the last reported year.

Comparison of cell-free and small extracellular-vesicle-associated DNA by sequencing plasma of lung cancer patients.

Blood contains multiple analytes that can be used as liquid biopsy to analyze cancer. Mutations have been detected in DNA associated with small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). The genome-wide composition and structure of sEV DNA remains poorly characterized, and whether sEVs are enriched in tumor signal compared to cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is unclear.

The Influence of Technological Factors on the Structure and Chemical Composition of Tuberous Roots Determined Using Vibrational Spectroscopy.

This research investigated the structural and chemical modifications of 'Kennemerland' across different technological conditions and throughout the vegetation period. Using FT-IR imaging, this study focused on the changes in the inulin, lignin, and suberin contents of tuberous roots. FT-IR maps were generated to visualize the distribution of these compounds across scanned areas, highlighting variations across cultivation methods and seasonal stages.

Sensitive Detection and Quantification of Oxygenated Compounds in Complex Samples Using GC-Combustion-MS.

This work introduces a new element-selective gas chromatography detector for the accurate quantification of traces of volatile oxygen-containing compounds in complex samples without the need for specific standards. The key to this approach is the use of oxygen highly enriched in O as the oxidizing gas in a combustion unit (800 °C) that allows us to directly and unambiguously detect the natural oxygen present in the GC-separated compounds through its incorporation into the volatile species formed after their combustion and their subsequent degradation to O in the ion source. The unspecific signal due to the low O abundance in the oxidizing gas could be compensated by measuring the / 12 that comes as well from the CO degradation.

Advanced Dentistry Biomaterials Containing Graphene Oxide.

The aim of this study was to obtain three experimental resin-based cements containing GO and HA-Ag for posterior restorations. The samples (S0, S1, and S2) shared the same polymer matrix (BisGMA, TEGDMA) and powder mixture (bioglass (LaO and Sr-Zr), quartz, GO, and HA-Ag), with different percentages of graphene oxide (0%, 0.1%, 0.

Formulation and Characterization of New Experimental Dental Composites with Zirconium Filling in Different Forms.

Short glass fibers are generally used in posterior dental restorations to enhance the mechanical properties and improve the material microstructure. Two resin-based composites (S0 and SF) were formulated and characterized to investigate the influence of zirconium in their characteristics and properties. The organic part of the investigated materials was the same (BisGMA, TEGDMA, and a photochemical polymerization system), and in the inorganic part, besides quart, glassA, and hydroxylapatite with Zn, sample S0 contained strontium glass with zirconium and sample SF contained fiber powder of chopped zirconium.

Comparative Evaluation of Dental Enamel Microhardness Following Various Methods of Interproximal Reduction: A Vickers Hardness Tester Investigation.

Interproximal enamel reduction, also known as stripping, is a common orthodontic procedure that reduces the mesiodistal diameter of teeth, allowing for a balance of available space in dental arches. The aim of this study was to assess the enamel surface microhardness resulting from the application of currently available methods for interproximal reduction. Forty-two extracted human permanent teeth were divided into six different groups, each subjected to a therapeutic stripping procedure using various methods (i.

Cellular Responses Induced by NCT-503 Treatment on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines: A Proteomics Approach.

Breast cancer (BC) remains one of the leading causes of mortality among women, with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) standing out for its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. Metabolic reprogramming, one of cancer's hallmarks, underscores the importance of targeting metabolic vulnerabilities for therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to investigate the impact of de novo serine biosynthetic pathway (SSP) inhibition, specifically targeting phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) with NCT-503, on three TNBC cell lines: MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and Hs 578T.

Molecular analysis for ovarian cancer detection in patient-friendly samples.

Background: High ovarian cancer mortality rates motivate the development of effective and patient-friendly diagnostics. Here, we explored the potential of molecular testing in patient-friendly samples for ovarian cancer detection.

Methods: Home-collected urine, cervicovaginal self-samples, and clinician-taken cervical scrapes were prospectively collected from 54 patients diagnosed with a highly suspicious ovarian mass (benign n = 25, malignant n = 29).

The Precursors Used for Developing Geopolymer Composites for Circular Economy-A Review.

Considering recent climate changes, special importance is given to any attempt to depollute and protect the environment. A circular economy seems to be the ideal solution for the valorization of mineral waste, resulting from various industrial branches, by reintroducing them in the process of obtaining alternative building materials, more friendly to the environment. Geopolymers can be considered as a promising option compared to Portland cement.

A New Intervention for Implementation of Pharmacogenetics in Psychiatry: A Description of the PSY-PGx Clinical Study.

Pharmacological treatment for psychiatric disorders has shown to only be effective in about one-third of patients, as it is associated with frequent treatment failure, often because of side effects, and a long process of trial-and-error pharmacotherapy until an effective and tolerable treatment is found. This notion emphasizes the urgency for a personalized medicine approach in psychiatry. This prospective patient- and rater-blinded, randomized, controlled study will investigate the effect of dose-adjustment of antidepressants and or antipsychotics and according to the latest state-of-the-art international dosing recommendations for and metabolizer status in patients with mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders.

Discovery of A Novel Series of Quinazoline-Thiazole Hybrids as Potential Antiproliferative and Anti-Angiogenic Agents.

Considering the pivotal role of angiogenesis in solid tumor progression, we developed a novel series of quinazoline-thiazole hybrids () as antiproliferative and anti-angiogenic agents. Four out of the seven compounds displayed superior antiproliferative activity (IC =1.83-4.

Mechanical Properties of MiniBars™ Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Composites.

Fly ash-based geopolymers represent a new material, which can be considered an alternative to ordinary Portland cement. MiniBars™ are basalt fiber composites, and they were used to reinforce the geopolymer matrix for the creation of unidirectional MiniBars™ reinforced geopolymer composites (MiniBars™ FRBCs). New materials were obtained by incorporating variable amount of MiniBars™ (0, 12.

Effects of sulfatide on peripheral nerves in metachromatic leukodystrophy.

Objective: To evaluate the longitudinal correlations between sulfatide/lysosulfatide levels and central and peripheral nervous system function in children with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) and to explore the impact of intravenous recombinant human arylsulfatase A (rhASA) treatment on myelin turnover.

Methods: A Phase 1/2 study of intravenous rhASA investigated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sural nerve sulfatide levels, 88-item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) total score, sensory and motor nerve conduction, brain N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels, and sural nerve histology in 13 children with MLD. Myelinated and unmyelinated nerves from an untreated MLD mouse model were also analyzed.

Multi-modal cell-free DNA genomic and fragmentomic patterns enhance cancer survival and recurrence analysis.

The structure of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is altered in the blood of patients with cancer. From whole-genome sequencing, we retrieve the cfDNA fragment-end composition using a new software (FrEIA [fragment end integrated analysis]), as well as the cfDNA size and tumor fraction in three independent cohorts (n = 925 cancer from >10 types and 321 control samples). At 95% specificity, we detect 72% cancer samples using at least one cfDNA measure, including 64% early-stage cancer (n = 220).

Advanced Geopolymer-Based Composites for Antimicrobial Application.

In most studies about geopolymeric materials used in construction, the antibacterial properties of the building materials are treated as secondary features. Today, antimicrobial properties are a key feature in many building applications. The main objective of this article is to summarize the state-of-the-art in the area of design, development, and applications of nanoparticles as additives to geopolymer composites used in construction to improve their physical mechanical properties and induce a potential antibacterial effect, protecting them against alkali-resistant bacteria.

Surgical Strategy for Sternal Closure in Patients with Surgical Myocardial Revascularization Using Mammary Arteries.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting has evolved from all venous grafts to bilateral mammary artery (BIMA) grafting. This was possible due to the long-term patency of the left and right internal mammary demonstrated in angiography studies compared to venous grafts. However, despite higher survival rates when using bilateral mammary arteries, multiple studies report a higher rate of surgical site infections, most notably deep sternal wound infections, a so-called "never event".

Enhancing dentin bonding through new adhesives formulations with natural polyphenols, tricalcium phosphate and chitosan.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to develop new adhesive formulations that include natural polyphenols extracted from green tea (GTE), tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and chitosan to improve dentin bonding characteristics and cytotoxicity.

Methods: Four experimental adhesives were formulated under laboratory conditions. The groups differed in the integration of either GTE and/or TCP + chitosan.

Radiosynthesis and biological evaluation of [F]AG-120 for PET imaging of the mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 in glioma.

Glioma are clinically challenging tumors due to their location and invasiveness nature, which often hinder complete surgical resection. The evaluation of the isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation status has become crucial for effective patient stratification. Through a transdisciplinary approach, we have developed an F-labeled ligand for non-invasive assessment of the IDH1R132H variant by using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.