Electrochemical Study and Determination of Homovanillic Acid, the Final Metabolite of Dopamine, Using an Unmodified Disposable Electrode.

This paper summarizes the main findings of a study which aimed to examine the electrochemical oxidation of homovanillic acid (HVA), the final metabolite of dopamine. A pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was used as working electrode and the measurements were performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The type and the composition of the graphite leads used as PGE, the pH of the supporting electrolyte, as well as the scan rates were optimized by CV.

Simulation of an Orthodontic System Using the Lingual Technique Based on the Finite Element Method.

The finite element method (FEM) is an advanced numerical technique that can be applied in orthodontics to study tooth movements, stresses, and deformations that occur during orthodontic treatment. It is also useful for simulating and visualizing the biomechanical behavior of teeth, tissues, and orthodontic appliances in various clinical scenarios. The objective of this research was to analyze the mechanical behavior of teeth, tissues, and orthodontic appliances in various clinical scenarios.

Antimicrobial Effectiveness of L. Leaf Extracts Prepared in Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NaDESs).

Background: Blackcurrant ( L.) leaves are valuable sources of bioactive compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, which contribute to their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Objectives: The overall aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial potential of extracts rich in bioactive compounds from blackcurrant leaves prepared in natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs).

EAES rapid guideline: surgical management of complicated diverticulitis - with ESCP participation.

Background: The surgical management of complicated diverticulitis varies across Europe. EAES members prioritized this topic to be addressed by a clinical practice guideline through an online questionnaire.

Objective: To develop evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations for key stakeholders involved in the treatment of complicated diverticulitis; to improve operative and perioperative outcomes, patient experience and quality of life through a systematic evidence-to-decision approach by a diverse, multidisciplinary panel.

Surgical management of complicated diverticulitis: systematic review and individual patient data network meta-analysis : An EAES/ESCP collaborative project.

Background: We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of individualized patient data (IPD) to inform the development of evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central in October 2023 to identify RCTs comparing Hartmann's resection (HR), primary resection and anastomosis (PRA), or laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (LPL) among patients with class Ib-IV Hinchey diverticulitis. Outcomes of interest were prioritized by an international, multidisciplinary panel including two patient partners.

Primary Iliopsoas Abscess and Drug-Induced Liver Injury in the Emergency Department: A Case Report.

Background And Objective: Iliopsoas abscess (IPA) is a rare condition with varied symptomology and etiology. Less than one-third of patients with IPA present in the emergency department (ED) with the traditional triad of fever, back pain, and restricted hip motion (or limp), leading to delays in diagnosis and management. Acute liver failure is also a rare clinical presentation in the ED, being associated with high morbidity and mortality.

Securing Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Needs for Sustainable Energy Initiatives.

Rare earth permanent magnets are vital in various sectors, including renewable energy conversion, where they are widely used in permanent magnet generators. However, the global supply and availability of these materials present significant risks, and their mining and processing have raised serious environmental concerns. This paper reviews the necessary legislative, economic, and technological measures that must be implemented to address these issues.

Organizational commitment in the private and public sectors: a regression analysis based on personality traits, subjective wellbeing, organizational orientations, and perceived employment uncertainty in Serbia.

This study aims to explain the variability in organizational commitment by examining a range of individual and organizational factors. The predictors include personality traits from the HEXACO model, organizational orientations, subjective wellbeing, perceived employment uncertainty, duration of employment, and income satisfaction. The sample consisted of 1,127 employees, with 49.

Assessment of Thermal Influence on an Orthodontic System by Means of the Finite Element Method.

The development of the finite element method (FEM) combined block polynomial interpolation with the concepts of finite difference formats and the variation principle. Because of this combination, the FEM overcomes the shortcomings of traditional variation methods while maintaining the benefits of current variation methods and the flexibility of the finite difference method. As a result, the FEM is an advancement above the traditional variation methods.

Evaluating Thrombolysis Rates and Emergency Department Time Targets in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Need for Personalized Medicine.

Background And Objectives: In the era of personalized medicine, standard protocols regarding the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) focus on time targets alone without tailoring the protocol to the specific patient and hospital characteristics to increase IV thrombolysis rates and improve outcomes for these patients by considering organizational differences and patient-related factors that influence adherence to target times at the emergency department level. With this in mind, we evaluate the effect of achieving ED time targets from standard protocol and patient-related risk factors on the intravenous (IV) thrombolysis rate in patients with AIS in the therapeutic window.

Materials And Methods: For our research, we enrolled people who arrived at the ED with signs of recent AIS with an onset of less than 4.

Assessment of the Vertical Dimension of Occlusion Using Palm Width and Finger Length.

: The vertical dimension of occlusion's (VDO) assessment is a highly important issue in the everyday dentist's practice. Patients with unstable occlusion, lost occlusal stops, extensive tooth loss in the lateral area, or complete edentulism need a proper assessment of the VDO before the prosthetic restoration is carried out. Subjective and objective methods were used over time for the restoration of VDO.

A Finite Element Method Study of Stress Distribution in Dental Hard Tissues: Impact of Access Cavity Design and Restoration Material.

The design of the access cavity is an important factor in endodontic treatment for the further evolution of the tooth. The objective of this study was to highlight the most favorable access cavity design (TrussAC, UltraAC, TradAC, CariesAC, ConsAC, RestoAC) based on the stress distribution on virtual models of mandibular molars. To achieve the objectives of the study, four series of virtual models of six molars were made.

Impact of Molecular Profiling on Therapy Management in Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) remains the most prevalent cancer among women and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The heterogeneity of BC in terms of histopathological features, genetic polymorphisms, and response to therapies necessitates a personalized approach to treatment. This review focuses on the impact of molecular profiling on therapy management in breast cancer, emphasizing recent advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and liquid biopsies.

Perceived Usefulness of Robotic Technology for Patient Fall Prevention.

Background: Technology has the potential to prevent patient falls in healthcare settings and to reduce work-related injuries among healthcare providers. However, the usefulness and acceptability of each technology requires careful evaluation. Framed by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and using the Adaptive Robotic Nursing Assistant (ARNA) to assist with patient ambulation, the present study examined the perceived usefulness of robots in patients' fall prevention with implications for preventing associated work-related injuries among healthcare providers.

Genes Involved in Susceptibility to Obesity and Emotional Eating Behavior in a Romanian Population.

Obesity, a significant public health concern with high prevalence in both adults and children, is a complex disorder arising from the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. Advances in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and sequencing technologies have identified numerous polygenic causes of obesity, particularly genes involved in hunger, satiety signals, adipocyte differentiation, and energy expenditure. This study investigates the relationship between six obesity-related genes () and their impact on BMI, WC, HC, WHR, and emotional eating behavior in 220 Romanian adults.

Relationship between Gross Motor Coordination and Health-Related Fitness in Serbian Preschool Children.

Background: The relationship between motor coordination and physical fitness in preschool children is of significant interest due to its implications for overall health and development. This study aims to investigate the correlation between gross motor coordination, as assessed by the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK), and health-related physical fitness components.

Methods: A cross-sectional study, involving 139 preschool-aged children, was conducted.

Preliminary Studies on Changes in Static Plantar Pressure and Stabilometry in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis Undergoing an Exercise Program.

: Studies have reported that patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have decreased postural stability in comparison to healthy subjects. Our study aims to compare static plantar pressure and stabilometry parameters in AS patients who performed an 8-week exercise program (spine motion and flexibility exercises; stretching of hamstring, erector spine, and shoulder muscles; control abdominal and diaphragm breathing exercises and chest expansion exercises), in three different testing conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, and head retroflexed). : Plantar pressure (the loading of the first and fifth metatarsal heads (MT1, MT5) and calcaneus) and stabilometry (CoP path length, 90% confidence ellipse area, and maximum CoP speed) were recorded in 28 AS patients (age 56.

Mechanistic Insights into the Biological Effects and Antioxidant Activity of Walnut ( L.) Ellagitannins: A Systematic Review.

Walnuts ( L.) are an important source of ellagitannins. They have been linked to positive effects on many pathologies, including cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative syndromes, and cancer.

Diagnostic Values of Serum Inflammatory Biomarkers after Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

One of the complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Numerous studies have been performed to explore the value of biological parameters in the early identification of infection rates after THA and TKA. This study investigates alterations in inflammatory markers associated with PJI.

COVID-19 Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome versus Classical Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients: Inflammatory Biomarkers as Predictors of Mortality in Pulmonary Septic Shock.

Introduction And Objectives: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-related severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) differs pathophysiological from other pulmonary septic shock-related ARDS. Thus, we assessed whether all-cause in-hospital mortality differs for severe COVID-19-related and classical severe ARDS and which inflammatory biomarkers can predict mortality among these patients.

Material And Methods: This single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study included pulmonary septic shock patients (n = 114) with COVID-19-related and classical severe ARDS admitted in the Intensive Care Unit.

Investigating the Effects and Mechanisms of Combined Vitamin D and K Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women: An Up-to-Date Comprehensive Review of Clinical Studies.

Aging is a complex process and a significant risk factor for chronic diseases. Menopause, a component of aging in women, is associated with several important cardiometabolic conditions including metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Menopausal women could benefit from preventative strategies that may decrease morbidity and mortality and improve their quality of life.

Understanding Gastric GIST: From Pathophysiology to Personalized Treatment.

Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a subset of gastrointestinal tumors predominantly found in the stomach. Despite their rarity, these tumors carry significant implications for patient health and management. GISTs are potentially malignant tumors with unpredictable progression.

Effect of Vitamin D Deficiency on Arterial Stiffness in Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia and Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Implications for Fetal Development.

Background And Objectives: Over the past few years, researchers have focused on the importance of vitamin D in the health of pregnant women and in reducing the chances of developmental disorders occurring in fetuses. In addition, a link has been established between fetal development and arterial stiffness in hypertensive disorders that occur during pregnancy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the relationship between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) as the primary marker of vitamin D status and endothelial dysfunction, as measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) in pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (HTN), as well as its impact on fetal development.

Classic and molecular cytogenetic findings in leukemia patients from the Western part of Romania.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in childhood and rare in adults, while acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is less common in children and more common in older adults. The aim of the study was to present our experience for the diagnostic of leukemia by using the classic and molecular cytogenetic methods. The study was conducted between 2009 and 2019 within the Classic and Molecular Genetic Laboratory of the Oncohematology Department from the Louis Ţurcanu Emergency Hospital for Children, Timişoara, Romania.