Long-term outcome of hepatitis delta in different regions world-wide: Results of the Hepatitis Delta International Network.

Background And Aims: Chronic hepatitis delta represents a major global health burden. Clinical features of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection vary largely between different regions worldwide. Treatment approaches are dependent on the approval status of distinct drugs and financial resources.

Walnut Shell Biowaste Valorization via HTC Process for the Removal of Some Emerging Pharmaceutical Pollutants from Aqueous Solutions.

This research emphasizes the performance of some eco-friendly carbon materials as hydrochars (HC) obtained by the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process applied to walnut shell (WS) biowaste. These materials display promising properties that can be used for environmental applications such as emerging pharmaceutical pollutant retention from water sources. Thus, three hydrochars coded HCWS1, HCWS2, and HCWS3 were obtained using a dynamic autoclave in specific conditions-temperature of 220 °C, autogenous pressure, 1:10 biomass-water weight ratio-and for three different reaction times, 1 h, 6 h, and 12 h.

Natural Polymers and Their Nanocomposites Used for Environmental Applications.

The aim of this review is to bring together the main natural polymer applications for environmental remediation, as a class of nexus materials with advanced properties that offer the opportunity of integration in single or simultaneous decontamination processes. By identifying the main natural polymers derived from agro-industrial sources or monomers converted by biotechnology into sustainable polymers, the paper offers the main performances identified in the literature for: (i) the treatment of water contaminated with heavy metals and emerging pollutants such as dyes and organics, (ii) the decontamination and remediation of soils, and (iii) the reduction in the number of suspended solids of a particulate matter (PM) type in the atmosphere. Because nanotechnology offers new horizons in materials science, nanocomposite tunable polymers are also studied and presented as promising materials in the context of developing sustainable and integrated products in society to ensure quality of life.

Clinical challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants (Review).

Since the first cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, there have been challenges recognizing the clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 and identifying therapeutic options. This has been compounded by viral mutations that affect clinical response and primary epidemiological indicators. Multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified and classified on the basis of nomenclature implemented by scientific organizations and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Multifunctional Membranes-A Versatile Approach for Emerging Pollutants Removal.

This paper presents a comprehensive literature review surveying the most important polymer materials used for electrospinning processes and applied as membranes for the removal of emerging pollutants. Two types of processes integrate these membrane types: separation processes, where electrospun polymers act as a support for thin film composites (TFC), and adsorption as single or coupled processes (photo-catalysis, advanced oxidation, electrochemical), where a functionalization step is essential for the electrospun polymer to improve its properties. Emerging pollutants (EPs) released in the environment can be efficiently removed from water systems using electrospun membranes.

Adsorption of Copper (II) from Aqueous Solutions with Alginate/Clay Hybrid Materials.

Massive amounts of industrial and agricultural water around the world are polluted by various types of contaminants that harm the environment and affect human health. Alginic acid is a very versatile green polymer used for heavy metal adsorption due to its availability, biocompatibility, low cost, and non-toxic characteristics. The aim of this paper was to prepare new low-cost hybrid composite beads using sodium alginate with treated montmorillonite and kaolin for the adsorption of copper (Cu) cations.

Valorization of Agri-Food Wastes as Sustainable Eco-Materials for Wastewater Treatment: Current State and New Perspectives.

The paper addresses environmental protection by valorizing an important agri-food waste category, namely fruit and vegetables with focusing on the main characteristics regarding consumption, waste quantities, and ways for valorizing these materials. Thus, vast research was undertaken in order to emphasize the main commodities and their potential application as adsorbents for organic and inorganic pollutants. The main methods or treatment techniques applied for the valorization of eco-materials as adsorbents were presented and the principal efficiency results were indicated.

Novel Adsorbent Based on Banana Peel Waste for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Synthetic Solutions.

Due to its valuable compounds, food waste has been gaining attention in different applications, such as life quality and environment. Combined with circular economy requirements, a valorization method for waste, especially banana waste, was to convert them into adsorbents with advanced properties. The banana waste, after thermal treatment, was used with high removal performances (100%) for the removal of heavy metals, such as Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn, but their small particle size makes them very hard to recover and reuse.

Thermal, Rheological, Mechanical, and Electrical Properties of Polypropylene/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites.

In this paper, nanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP) filled with up to 5 wt.% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were investigated for determining the material property data used in numerical simulation of manufacturing processes such as the injection molding and extrusion. PP/MWCNT nanocomposite pellets were characterized for rheological behavior, crystallinity, specific volume and thermal conductivity, while injection-molded samples were characterized for mechanical and electrical properties.

Profile of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Republic of Moldova: first-hand information on the presentation, distribution and etiologies.

Introduction: Moldova is the European country with the highest incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in both sexes. There is, however, no data comprehensively describing the presentation and the risk factors of HCC in the country. We decided to analyze cases of HCC recently received in a tertiary healthcare Institution from Chisinau, the Moldovian capital.

Clinical and virological heterogeneity of hepatitis delta in different regions world-wide: The Hepatitis Delta International Network (HDIN).

Background & Aims: Chronic hepatitis D (delta) is a major global health burden. Clinical and virological characteristics of patients with hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and treatment approaches in different regions world-wide are poorly defined.

Methods: The Hepatitis Delta International Network (HDIN) registry was established in 2011 with centres in Europe, Asia, North- and South America.

Respiratory rehabilitation in healing depression and anxiety in COPD patients.

Unlabelled: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an inflammatory affection of the whole lung, characterized by an accelerated loss of the pulmonary functions, that reduces the patients' independence and stops them from having a normal, active life. The medical rehabilitation is considered "Third class rehabilitation", after preventive medicine and pharmaceutical medicine, and the respiratory rehabilitation recovery represents a complex structure of service addressing to patients with chronic pulmonary illnesses whose aim is to optimize the physical performances, psycho-social and autonomy.

Aim And Objectives: The main objective of this study is to show the importance of respiratory rehabilitation that is correctly and timely made, based on the gravity and stage of the illness, the COPD patient's associated illnesses and their importance in improving the patient's mental and physical quality of life.

Bronchiectasis in cystic fibrosis and pregnancy.

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease with a prognosis determined by the extent of pulmonary lesions. Here we present a rare case of a patient diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in the pediatric service, but who came for the first time to the Pneumology Hospital of Iasi. Respiratory failure, recurrent pulmonary infections and associated metabolic modifications generate a high vital risk during pregnancy.

Chronic venous insufficiency stage v ceap secondary to hereditary thrombophilia at a young man.

Hereditary thrombophilia is a rare disease of general population, which is responsible for debilitating consequences in severe cases. We present the case of a young male patient whose pathology and symptoms occurred since the age of two, which determined a venous insufficiency stage V with important limitation of the locomotors ability and plenty of complications. The aim of this paper is to draw attention to a disease that sometimes is not diagnosed on a first visit to the doctor.

[Non-cystic bronchiectasis: pathogenic correlations between the parameters of body composition, systemic inflammation and respiratory function].

Unlabelled: The causes of bronchiectasis may be idiopathic or secondary to pulmonary diseases. The consequences determined by this pathology are found on different levels.

Aim: To determine the relationships between the parameters of body mass composition, chronic systemic inflammatory syndrome and lung function inpatients with bronchiectasis.

[Pathophysiology and treatment of bronchectasis].

Bronchiectasis is a complex pathology which consists of some important morphopathological changes in the lumen of the bronchi that consecutively determines recurrent pulmonary infections with a diversity of germs. The repeated episodes of infection are associated with chronic colonization of the respiratory system with certain pathogen microorganisms and play an important role in the maintenance of the chronic inflammatory syndrome, as well as the decline of the pulmonary function. This chronic inflammation is represented by a series of fisiopathological changes (the raised number of neutrophiles, macrophages, alteration in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and adhesion molecules).

Robotic radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy: our early experience.

Introduction: Robotic surgery overcomes some limitations of laparoscopic surgery for prostate, rectal and uterine cancer. In this study we analyze the feasibility of robotic radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy in gynecological cancers in a developping program of robotic surgery.

Material And Methods: This prospective study started the 1st of March 2008.

Process balance and product quality in the production of natural indigo from Polygonum tinctorium Ait. applying low-technology methods.

Indigo is the most important blue component in the class of natural dyes for cellulose and protein fibres. In the moderate European climate Polygonum tinctorium Ait. could be an interesting source for natural indigo (Vat blue 1).