The Effect of Dicarboxylic Acid Structure on the Plasticizing Ability of Its Ester.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) belongs to the most widely used group of thermoplastics. Most of the market for PVC products belongs to plasticized compositions. Plasticizers are the most demanded additives in the polymer industry.

Exploring serum trace element shifts: Implications for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Background: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) represents a premalignant state presumably related to perturbations in circulating levels of trace elements.

Materials And Methods: Employing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), we quantified essential and toxic trace elements in the sera of 60 women diagnosed with CIN and 60 age-matched healthy counterparts.

Results: Our investigation revealed a noteworthy higher levels in serum of Mn, Zn, and Pb, as well as lower levels in Ni, Se, Rb, and Mo levels within the CIN cohort.

Changes of Target Essential Trace Elements in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, complex, and demyelinating disease closely associated with altered levels of trace elements. Although the first studies into the role of trace elements in MS were published in the 1970s, for five decades it has remained unknown whether trace elements can be part of this heterogeneous neurological disease. (2) Materials and methods: To drive toward at a potential solution, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate whether there were differences in circulating levels of neurologically important essential trace elements (Zn, Fe, Co, Cu, Mn, and Se) between MS cases and controls.

The cathodically pretreated boron-doped diamond electrode as an environmentally friendly electrochemical tool for the detection and monitoring of mesotrione in food samples.

Excessive pesticide use can harm human health, making it essential to develop new techniques to monitor hazardous pesticides in food. Our study focuses on detecting mesotrione (MST) using an unmodified boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. This was the first application of cathodically pretreated BDD electrode for the detection of MST, based on its oxidation at a high potential value of +1.

Essential trace element levels in multiple sclerosis: Bridging demographic and clinical gaps, assessing the need for supplementation.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disorder intricately linked to perturbations in trace element levels. While previous studies have explored circulating trace elements in a limited sample, understanding the impact of demographic and clinical variables on the elemental profile within a larger cohort remains elusive.

Methods: This study aimed to evaluate essential trace elements (Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, and Se) in the sera of 215 MS patients compared to a meticulously matched control group of 100 individuals with similar gender and age.

Infrared photoinduced electrochemiluminescence microscopy of single cells.

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is evolving rapidly from a purely analytical technique into a powerful microscopy. Herein, we report the imaging of single cells by photoinduced ECL (PECL; = 620 nm) stimulated by an incident near-infrared light ( = 1050 nm). The cells were grown on a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) n-Si/SiO/Ir photoanode that exhibited stable and bright PECL emission.

The effectiveness of aerobic exercise for pain management in patients with fibromyalgia.

The effectiveness of exercise therapy is being increasingly studied in patients with fibromyalgia. The aim of our systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of different types of aerobic exercise programs for pain management in patients with fibromyalgia. The literature search was performed by two independent researchers in the PubMed, CINAHL and PEDro databases using various combinations of the following keywords: fibromyalgia, pain and aerobic exercise.

Activation of Osmium by the Surface Effects of Hydrogenated TiO Nanotube Arrays for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Performance.

Efficient cathodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic water electrolysis rely on the use of expensive platinum group metals (PGMs). However, to achieve economically viable operation, both the content of PGMs must be reduced and their intrinsically strong H adsorption mitigated. Herein, we show that the surface effects of hydrogenated TiO nanotube (TNT) arrays can make osmium, a so far less-explored PGM, a highly active HER electrocatalyst.

EuO@CrO Nanoparticles-Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Efficient Electrochemical Sensing of Neurotransmitters Precursor L-DOPA.

There are ten million people in the world who have Parkinson's disease. The most potent medicine for Parkinson's disease is levodopa (L-DOPA). However, long-term consumption of L-DOPA leads to the appearance of side effects, as a result of which the control and monitoring of its concentrations are of great importance.

Microspherical Titanium-Phosphorus Double Oxide: Hierarchical Structure Development for Sensing Applications.

Stable, water-soluble titanium complexed with mandelic acid was used as a precursor for titanium phosphorus double oxide obtained in hydrothermal conditions in the presence of phosphoric acid. Surprisingly, hydrolysis of organic complexes provided a microstructured sphere with narrow size distribution, low aggregation and a small fraction of morphological irregularities. Obtained microspheres had a complex structure comprised of flakes, whose size could be manipulated with temperature conditions.

Elemental profiling of human semen with confirmed normozoospermia: Baseline levels for 44 elements.

Background: As a consequence of the progressive decline in human semen quality in recent decades, modern epidemiological investigations have identified several trace elements that could be responsible for this phenomenon. However, their levels in semen have not been clearly elucidated, particularly for elements present in ultra-trace levels.

Methods: We aimed to determine the levels of 39 (ultra)trace elements and 5 macroelements in human semen samples with confirmed normozoospermia using ICP-based techniques.

A six-month study of anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination: A comparative analysis of essential trace elements and anti-RBD IgG sera levels.

Background: Although essential trace elements (ETEs) play pivotal roles in life-supporting biochemical processes, their function in innate and adaptive immunity has not been fully elucidated, particularly during immunization. Furthermore, the association between anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies and ETE levels with vaccine responsiveness has not been investigated.

Methods: The present study explored the status of ETEs (Mn, Cu, Zn, and Se) in sera of healthy women before and after vaccination with the anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in a follow-up period of six months.

Examination of Trace Metals and Their Potential Transplacental Transfer in Pregnancy.

With the ever-growing concern for human health and wellbeing, the prenatal period of development requires special attention since fetuses can be exposed to various metals through the mother. Therefore, this study explored the status of selected toxic () and essential trace metals () in the umbilical cord (UC) sera, maternal sera, and placental tissue samples of 92 healthy women with normal pregnancies. A further aim focuses on the potential transplacental transfer of these trace metals.

Celery Root Phenols Content, Antioxidant Capacities and Their Correlations after Osmotic Dehydration in Molasses.

The osmotic dehydration (OD) of celery root in sugar beet molasses was studied at three temperatures (20, 35, and 50 °C) and three immersion periods (1, 3, and 5 h) in order to examine the changes in antioxidant potential and phenolic profile of celery root throughout the process. The antioxidant capacity (AOC) of dehydrated samples was evaluated by spectrophotometric and polarographic assays, the total phenolic content by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the individual phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD. As a result of OD in molasses, the AOC and phenols content in samples increased proportionally to the augmentation of temperature and the immersion time.

STAR-VITAL, a Four Year Comprehensive Workplace Health Promotion Program: Study Design.

Premature death, chronic disease, and productivity loss can be reduced with the help of programs that promote a healthy lifestyle. Workplace health promotion programs have been shown to be an efficient way of improving employee health. These can also benefit employers by improving retention, reducing worker turnover, and lowering healthcare costs.

Levels of non-essential trace metals and their impact on placental health: a review.

According to recent research, even low levels of environmental chemicals, particularly heavy metals, can considerably disrupt placental homeostasis. This review aims to explore the profile of non-essential trace metals in placental tissues across the globe and to specify trace metal(s) that can be candidates for impaired placental health. Accordingly, we conducted an extensive survey on relevant databases of peer-reviewed papers published in the last two decades.

The influence of an 8-week therapeutic exercise program on the patient experience of patellofemoral pain: a qualitative descriptive study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore patients' experience of patellofemoral pain (PFP), in order to help improve the mutual understanding between the patient and the physiotherapist and consequently enhance the efficacy of treatment.

Methods: A qualitative study design with focus groups was used to explore patient experience prior to the implementation of the therapeutic exercise program, during its duration, and up to twelve months after its conclusion.

Results: Patients provided a detailed description of their lifestyle prior to the enrollment in the therapeutic exercise program, their experience of the therapeutic exercise program and the behavioral changes that remained after its conclusion.

Microbial fuel cells as an electrical energy source for degradation followed by decolorization of Reactive Black 5 azo dye.

The problem of wastewater has long been ubiquitous and has great consequences for the environment and its inhabitants. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have enormous potential for the treatment of wastewaters polluted with azo dyes. The amount of energy that can be produced from a single-chamber MFC is sufficient to perform decolorization and degradation of such dyes, which are widely used in the textile industry.

Analysis of essential, toxic, rare earth, and noble elements in maternal and umbilical cord blood.

Progressive industrialization in recent decades has contributed to the increase of metal levels in the environment, which has a dangerous impact on human health, primarily pregnant women. In this study, we aimed to compare levels of various elements in maternal and umbilical cord (UC) plasma samples collected from 125 healthy pregnant women, conduct correlation analysis among paired plasma samples, and compare our data with other populations worldwide. The study design included the following elements: essential (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo), non-essential (Be, Al, Ni, As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Sb, Pb, U), rare earth (La, Pr, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er), and noble metals (Ru, Rh, Re, Pt).

Elemental Composition of Pheochromocytoma Resolved on Solid/Adrenal Tissue and Whole Blood Level.

Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is an unusual benign adrenal tumor with an unexamined status of the elements. This study delivers the first insight into the levels of microelements (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Th), toxic elements (Cd, Pb, U), and macroelements (Na, K, Mg, Ca) in both adrenal tissue and whole blood samples collected from PCC patients. The results were strengthened by comparing recorded findings with the patients' healthy adrenal tissue (HAT) and with whole blood samples from the healthy individuals.

Circulatory Imbalance of Essential and Toxic Trace Elements in Pre-dialysis and Hemodialysis Patients.

The status of essential and toxic trace elements in patients with different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still unclear and not well characterized. The present study examined the circulatory levels of a wide panel of trace elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Pb, and U) in hemodialysis patients (HD group) and pre-dialysis patients with stage 3 CKD (PD group). Comparisons were made between groups of patients and healthy individuals from the control group (CG).

Profiling of Circulatory Elements Reveals Alteration of Essential and Toxic Trace Metals in Crohn's Disease.

The status of essential and toxic trace metals in the blood of Crohn's disease (CD) patients is unexplained. This study aimed to provide the first elemental profiling of the most recognized essential elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Se) and selected toxic trace elements (As, Cd, Pb, and U) in sera and cell lysate (CL) samples of CD patients (n = 84). The results were compared with sex- and age-matched samples from the control group (CG).

Differences between antioxidant defense parameters and specific trace element concentrations in healthy, benign, and malignant brain tissues.

There are only a few reports examining the impact of oxidative stress in patients with benign and malignant brain tumors. In this study we investigated whether there are changes in antioxidant system (AOS) parameters and key trace elements between control, benign and malignant brain tissues. The study also aimed to examine correlations between the analyzed parameters.