Vidofludimus Calcium in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2 Trial.

Introduction: Vidofludimus calcium (VidoCa) is a dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor that demonstrated efficacy in immune-related diseases. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of VidoCa in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: This placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial randomized adults with moderate-severe UC to receive once-daily VidoCa (10, 30, or 45 mg) or placebo for 10 weeks (induction); patients with symptomatic remission were re-randomized to VidoCa 10, 30 mg, or placebo once-daily for an additional 40 weeks (maintenance).

Advances in Nanocomposites: Preparation, Characterization, Properties, and Applications.

Nanocomposites are a class of nanomaterials wherein one or more phases, of a nano-sized dimension (zero dimensions, one dimension, and two dimensions), are embedded in ceramic, metal, or polymer materials, etc [...

Tuning the properties of soy protein isolate-based adhesive using various sustainable additives.

This work investigates the adhesive property of Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) polymer solution by studying mechanical properties of composites formed using waste wood granules and SPI solutions. To improve the adhesive strength of SPI solution, Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium (NaCMC) was mixed (in the weight ratios of 9:1 and 8:2) due to its strong gel formation capabilities. The adhesive performance of these composites was further investigated in the presence and absence of non-toxic additives, including sorbitol (SOR) and stearic acid (SA).

Effect of PVA-based films incorporated with postbiotics, flax seed mucilage and guar gum to enhance the postharvest quality of fig fruits.

Eco-friendly antimicrobial bio-composite films (BCF) were produced by using guar gum (GG), flax seed mucilage (FM) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), supplemented with cell-free supernatant (CFS) of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. p) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii (L. d) by the solvent casting technique.

Advanced magnetic resonance imaging in human placenta: insights into fetal growth restriction and congenital heart disease.

Placental function plays a crucial role in fetal development, as it serves as the primary interface for delivery of nutrients and oxygen from the mother to fetus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has significantly improved our ability to visualize and understand the placenta's complex structure and function. This review provides an up-to-date examination of the most common and novel placental MRI techniques.

Advances In Borophene: Synthesis, Tunable Properties, and Energy Storage Applications.

Monolayer boron nanosheet, commonly known as borophene, has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its unique structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermal properties. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in the synthetic strategies, tunable properties, and prospective applications of borophene, specifically focusing on its potential in energy storage devices. The review begins by discussing the various synthesis techniques for borophene, including molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and chemical methods, such as ultrasonic exfoliation and thermal decomposition of boron-containing precursors.

Fabrication of Bio-Nanocomposite Packaging Films with PVA, MMt Clay Nanoparticles, CNCs, and Essential Oils for the Postharvest Preservation of Sapota Fruits.

Sapota is an important climacteric fruit with limited shelf life. A special system must be employed to extend the shelf life of sapota fruits. In the present study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and montmorillonite clay (MMt)-based bio-nanocomposite films (BNFs) were integrated at various concentrations (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) into cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), produced from garlic peels (GPs).

An Overview of the Emerging Technologies and Composite Materials for Supercapacitors in Energy Storage Applications.

Energy storage is one of the challenges currently confronting the energy sector. However, the invention of supercapacitors has transformed the sector. This modern technology's high energy capacity, reliable supply with minimal lag time, and extended lifetime of supercapacitors have piqued the interest of scientists, and several investigations have been conducted to improve their development.

Influence of silylated nano cellulose reinforcement on the mechanical, water resistance, thermal, morphological and antibacterial properties of soy protein isolate (SPI)-based composite films.

The aim of this research work is to improve the mechanical and water-resistance properties of soy protein isolate (SPI) biofilm. In this work, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) coupling-agent modified nanocellulose was introduced into the SPI matrix in the presence of citric acid cross-linker. The presence of amino groups in APTES facilitated the formation of - cross-linked structures with soy protein.

Investigation of the Effects of Chain Extender on Material Properties of PLA/PCL and PLA/PEG Blends: Comparative Study between Polycaprolactone and Polyethylene Glycol.

This study investigated the effect of the Joncryl concentration on the properties of polylactide/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLA/PCL) and PLA/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blends. The addition of Joncryl influenced the properties of both PLA-based blends. In the blend of PLA/PCL blends, the addition of Joncryl reduced the size of PCL droplets, which implies the compatibility of the two phases, while PLA/PEG blends showed a co-continuous type of morphology at 0.

The Outcome of COVID-19 Infection in Patients With Gastrointestinal Diseases: An Experience at a Tertiary Center.

Objective: Observing the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on digestive diseases in hospitalized patients at the Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology in "Mother Teresa" University Hospital Center (UHC),Tirana.

Methods: This retrospective study was carried out from June 2020 to December 2021 involving 41 cases of patients >18 years who were positive for COVID-19 infection detected by RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) assays of nasopharyngeal swab specimens. The severity of COVID-19 infection was evaluated by hematological/biochemical parameters, blood oxygenation/need for oxygen, radiological data on pulmonary CT imaging.

Optimization of Lignin-Cellulose Nanofiber-Filled Thermoplastic Starch Composite Film Production for Potential Application in Food Packaging.

The optimization of the production of thermoplastic starch (TPS) bionanocomposite films for their potential application in food packaging was carried out, according to the Box-Wilson Central Composite Design (CCD) with one center point, using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and fillers based on lignin and nanofiber, which were derived from bamboo plant. The effects of the fillers on the moisture absorption (), tensile strength (), percent elongation (PE) and Young's modulus () of the produced films were statistically examined. The obtained results showed that the nanocomposite films were best fitted by a quadratic regression model with a high coefficient of determination () value.

Need for Sustainable Packaging: An Overview.

Packaging materials are a significant part of our lives due to their daily usage at grocery stores, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmaceuticals, etc. Packaging plays an important role in ensuring that the products are preserved during handling, transporting, and storage. Similarly, it helps to maintain and prolong the shelf life of products.

Application of DFT Calculations in Designing Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems: An Overview.

Drug delivery systems transfer medications to target locations throughout the body. These systems are often made up of biodegradable and bioabsorbable polymers acting as delivery components. The introduction of density functional theory (DFT) has tremendously aided the application of computational material science in the design and development of drug delivery materials.

Wet ball milling of niobium by using ethanol, determination of the crystallite size and microstructures.

This study investigates the effect of using ethanol as the process control agent during the wet ball milling of niobium (Nb). Dried nanocrystal Nb powders, of high purity, with particle sizes, ranging from 8.5 to 14.

Mechanical properties of cellulose nanofibril papers and their bionanocomposites: A review.

Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) paper has various applications due to its unique advantages. Herein, we present the intrinsic mechanical properties of CNF papers, along with the preparation and properties of nanoparticle-reinforced CNF composite papers. The literature on CNF papers reveals a strong correlation between the intrafibrillar network structure and the resulting mechanical properties.

Extraction of cellulose nanocrystals from areca waste and its application in eco-friendly biocomposite film.

Areca nut husk fibers are easily available and they are abundant agricultural waste, whose utilization to high value products needs more attention. The present study aims at the extraction of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from areca nut husk fibers and the evaluation of its reinforcement capacity in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) film. The CNC showed rod-like structures, which were confirmed by TEM and AFM analysis.

Extra-esophageal symptoms in individuals with and without erosive esophagitis: a case-control study in Albania.

Introduction: Erosive reflux esophagitis caused a large clinical spectrum of symptoms. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of extra-esophageal symptoms in individuals with and those without erosive esophagitis in Albania.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted at the Regional Hospital of Durres, the second main district in Albania, a transitional country in South Eastern Europe, including 248 patients with erosive esophagitis (aged 46.

Data on the engineering properties of aluminum dross as a filler in asphalt.

Pavement is the backbone of an effective and efficient transportation system. Data on the use of aluminium dross as filler material in the modification of asphalt for a sustainable pavement was espoused. Aluminium dross which is a solid waste from steel production industry was utilized.

Multiscale analysis and experimental validation of the effective elastic modulus of epoxy-dioctahedral phyllosilicate clay composite.

In this research, developed finite element codes were used to study the effective elastic modulus and stress-strain distribution profiles of epoxy resin filled with 6 wt. % microparticles of kaolinite. The random distribution of the particles was microstructurally regenerated with Digimat MSC software and random sequential algorithm codes in epoxy matrix.

Alginate-based composite materials for wound dressing application:A mini review.

Alginate biopolymer has been used in the design and development of several wound dressing materials in order to improve the efficiency of wound healing. Mainly, alginate improves the hydrophilic nature of wound dressing materials in order to create the required moist wound environment, remove wound exudate and increase the speed of skin recovery of the wound. In addition, alginate can easily cross-link with other organic and inorganic materials and they can promote wound healing in clinical applications.

The Role of Two-Step Blending in the Properties of Starch/Chitin/Polylactic Acid Biodegradable Composites for Biomedical Applications.

The current research trend for excellent miscibility in polymer mixing is the use of plasticizers. The use of most plasticizers usually has some negative effects on the mechanical properties of the resulting composite and can sometimes make it toxic, which makes such polymers unsuitable for biomedical applications. This research focuses on the improvement of the miscibility of polymer composites using two-step mixing with a rheomixer and a mix extruder.