The Role of Antioxidant Plant Extracts' Composition and Encapsulation in Dietary Supplements and Gemmo-Derivatives, as Safe Adjuvants in Metabolic and Age-Related Conditions: A Review.

Given the current global circumstances, marked by severe environmental pollution-including the contamination of food-along with daily stress and a sedentary lifestyle, many consumers choose to improve their quality of life by using, among others, minimally processed food, food supplements, and gemmo-derivatives. Recent lab and clinical studies have shown the positive impact of specific nutrients with antioxidant capacities in the treatment of several conditions generated by oxidative stress. This paper reviews antioxidant plant extracts utilized as components in various dietary supplements and gemmoderivatives, highlighting their chemical composition and biological properties in preventing diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Alterations in Biomarkers Associated with Cardiovascular Health and Obesity with Short-Term Lifestyle Changes in Overweight Women: The Role of Exercise and Diet.

: In this study, the effects of an eight-week exercise and nutrition program on blood lipids, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), leptin, ghrelin, irisin, malondialdehyde (MDA), and Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) in overweight women were investigated. : A total of 48 women volunteers participated in this study. The participants were randomly divided into four groups: control (C), exercise (E), nutrition (N), exercise + nutrition (E + N).

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Brief Interventions for Smoking Cessation Performed by Family Doctors.

: Tobacco smoking is the most important cause of chronic diseases and premature death worldwide. Very brief advice (VBA) and brief advice (BA) represent evidence-based interventions designed to increase quit attempts. These are appropriate for all smokers, regardless of their motivation to quit, and involve several steps regarding the assessment, advice, and action.

Exploring the Connections Between Grip Strength, Nutritional Status, Frailty, Depression, and Cognition as Initial Assessment Tools in Geriatric Rehabilitation-A Pilot Study.

In the context of the rapidly aging global population, the older adult vulnerability poses a significant challenge for public health systems. Frailty, cognitive and nutritional status, depression, and grip strength are essential parameters for staging the vulnerability of older adults. The objective of this study is to identify a rapid but multidimensional geriatric assessment tool that can enhance the rehabilitation process for older adults, tailored to their specific needs.

Cerebral iron accumulation in multiple sclerosis: Pathophysiology and therapeutic implications.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Recent studies highlight the role of cerebral iron (Fe) accumulation in exacerbating MS pathophysiology. Fe, essential for neural function, contributes to oxidative stress and inflammation when dysregulated, particularly in the brain's gray matter and demyelinated lesions.

Trigeminal artery anatomical aspects.

Purpose And Background: The trigeminal artery is a rare anatomical variant, representing an embryonic vestige of the anastomosis between the internal carotid artery and the posterior circulator system, that can be asymptomatic or could have vast clinical manifestations produced by insufficient flow or by vascular nervous conflicts. This study is an anatomical presentation of 3 trigeminal artery cases observed at Medimar Imagistic Services Constanta.

Methods: The 3 trigeminal artery cases were discovered on a 860 magnetic resonance angiographies (0.

Regulations of activities and protection levels in marine protected areas of the European Union: A dataset compiled from multiple data sources.

The dataset gathers available regulations of human activities and protection levels of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of the European Union (EU). The MPA list and polygons were extracted from the MPA database of the European Environment Agency (EEA) and completed with available zoning systems (all were filtered for their marine area reported under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive). Fully-overlapping MPAs were merged.

Effectiveness of 8-week Treatment with Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir in Treatment-naïve or -experienced HCV Patients: Results from an Observational Retrospective Study in Real-life Settings (ODYSSEY).

Background And Aims: Pan-genotypic ribavirin-free oral direct-acting antivirals, including the glecaprevir/pibrentasvir combination, are recommended for the treatment of most patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In Romania, the HCV-infected patient population receiving glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is not well characterized and data on treatment effectiveness is lacking. The ODYSSEY study aimed to provide insights into the characteristics and treatment outcomes of HCV-infected Romanian patients receiving 8-week therapy with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir.

Novel method to investigate thermal exchange rates in small, terrestrial ectotherms: A proof-of-concept on the gecko Tarentola mauritanica.

Thermoregulating ectotherms may resort to different external heat sources to modulate their body temperature through an array of behavioural and physiological adaptations which modulate heat exchange with the environment and its distribution across the animal's body. Even small-bodied animals are capable of fine control over such rates and the subsequent re-allocation of heat across the body. Such thermal exchanges with the environment usually happen through two non-mutually exclusive modes: heliothermy (radiant heat gain from the sun) or thigmothermy (heat gained or lost via conduction).

Gut microbiota profile and atopic dermatitis in the first year of life.

The connection between the immune response and the composition of gut microbiota has been associated with an increased prevalence of atopic dermatitis in the first year of life. The study aimed to investigate gut microbiota characteristics in infants with atopic dermatitis compared to healthy infants to better understand the link between early-life microbiota composition and the development of atopic dermatitis. The study analyzed the intestinal microbiota of 121 infants with clinical signs of atopic dermatitis, divided into Group I (infants with atopic dermatitis) and Group II (healthy controls).

Treatment decision-making process among postmenopausal women with pelvic organ prolapse before gynecological surgery: A qualitative study from Romania.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects quality of life of many women. This paper aims to identify the experience of postmenopausal women in treatment decision-making process about POP before gynecological surgery. The characteristics of twelve postmenopausal women with stage II, III and IV POP, such as age, body mass index (BMI), physical exercise, education, parity, abortions, comorbidities, previous surgical interventions, and smoker/nonsmoker were evaluated.

Actionable NSCLC Mutation Identification by Comprehensive Genomic Profiling for Clinical Trial Enrollment: The European Program for the Routine Testing of Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer (EPROPA).

Introduction: The advocacy Women Against Lung Cancer in Europe (WALCE) promoted the European Program for the Routine Testing of Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer (EPROPA) and provided a free-of-charge molecular profiling platform for NSCLC sample characterization with the aim of increasing the detection of targetable drivers and improving patients' access to clinical trials in Europe.

Methods: From January 2021 to December 2023, 20 centers located at five different European countries (Greece, Slovenia, Romania, Albania, and Italy) joined EPROPA, with 555 patients with advanced NSCLC registered to the program. Anonymized patients' clinical-pathological data were shared through the EPROPA web platform and tissue samples were collected at the Molecular Pathology Unit of the Reference Center (University of Turin) for molecular analyses.

Transfusion Requirements for Severe Anemia in Acute Cardiovascular Patients-A Single Center Retrospective Study in Constanta County Cardiology Department.

Anemia is common in hospitalized cardiac patients and affects prognosis and cardiovascular mortality in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. to investigate the impact of anemia severity, blood transfusion practices, and the evolution and outcome in patients with acute cardiovascular events. We performed a retrospective analysis of the patients hospitalized in the Cardiology Department of Constanta County Hospital who required blood derivatives transfusions, between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021.

Optimizing Suitable Mechanical Properties for a Biocompatible Beta-Titanium Alloy by Combining Plastic Deformation with Solution Treatment.

The microstructural and mechanical features were investigated for the alloy Ti-36.5Nb-4.5Zr-3Ta-0.

The Cost of Looking Up: Social Comparison as a Partial Mediator Between Social Anxiety and Vindictive Behavior in a Non-anonymous Ultimatum Game.

Self-appraisals in relation to internalized standards are fundamental constructs in clinical and evolutionary models of Social Anxiety (SA). Empirical evidence has consistently shown that socially anxious individuals tend to engage in upward social comparisons and aim to adjust their social standing accordingly. However, the consequences of perceiving oneself as inferior to others within social contexts remain under-explored.

The Mental Burden of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Post-pandemic View From a Romanian Sample.

Background: The enduring psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to affect individuals long after the immediate health concerns have subsided. This research aims to identify specific groups within the Romanian population who are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health challenges that can interfere with everyday life and may lead to more serious mental health disorders.

Methods: Conducted as a cross-sectional survey, this study assessed the severity of psychological distress using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire in relation to COVID-19-related information and socio-demographic data to investigate the factors associated with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania.

Intestinal Insights: The Gut Microbiome's Role in Atherosclerotic Disease: A Narrative Review.

Recent advances have highlighted the gut microbiota as a significant contributor to the development and progression of atherosclerosis, which is an inflammatory cardiovascular disease (CVD) characterized by plaque buildup within arterial walls. The gut microbiota, consisting of a diverse collection of microorganisms, impacts the host's metabolism, immune responses, and lipid processing, all of which contribute to atherosclerosis. This review explores the complex mechanisms through which gut dysbiosis promotes atherogenesis.

Oral Mycobiome Alterations in Postmenopausal Women: Links to Inflammation, Xerostomia, and Systemic Health.

The oral mycobiome plays a critical role in maintaining oral and systemic health, with its composition and function influenced by various physiological and environmental factors. This descriptive review explores the changes in the oral mycobiome among postmenopausal women, examining how aging and associated inflammatory processes contribute to these alterations. These changes are linked to an increased prevalence of xerostomia, oral dysbiosis, and inflammation, which can negatively impact both oral and systemic health.

Decoding Motor Skills: Video Analysis Unveils Age-Specific Patterns in Childhood and Adolescent Movement.

Motor skill development is crucial in human growth, evolving with the maturation of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Quantifying these skills, especially coordinative abilities, remains challenging. This study aimed to assess the performance of five motor tasks in children and adolescents using high-speed video analysis, providing data for movement and health professionals.

Prognostic Implications of Initial Radiological Findings of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Patients with Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Prospective Multicentric Study.

Pulmonary fibrosis detected during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection may significantly influence patient prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of initial high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of pulmonary fibrosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and to examine how these findings relate to disease severity and clinical outcomes, with a particular focus on the development and validation of predictive scoring systems. In this multicentric prospective cohort study from January 2023 to January 2024, 120 adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring hospitalization were enrolled from two Romanian university hospitals.

Consumer Safety and Pesticide Residues: Evaluating Mitigation Protocols for Greengrocery.

The application of pesticides remains a necessary measure for pest management in agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. After harvest, the presence of pesticide residues in greengrocery (fruits and vegetables) is significantly influenced by various factors, including storage conditions, handling practices, and subsequent processing methods. The mitigation of these residues to levels compliant with regulated maximum thresholds ensures the safety of raw and processed fruits and vegetables for consumption.

The Relationship between Sleep Bruxism Index and Quality of Life.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this study was represented by the identification of the type of relation between the bruxism sleep index and the global quality of life.

Materials And Methods: The study group was composed of a number of 40 patients, both women and men, who did not report health problems and who were identified with a positive self-report regarding the existence of sleep bruxism. For the identification of the bruxism index, the Bruxoff device, Bioelettronica, Turin, Italy, was used.

The Impact of Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Therapy on Metabolism and Respiratory System in Obese Patients as Part of Comprehensive Medical Rehabilitation.

Introduction Obesity is a complex condition characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat, which can have multiple causes, including genetic factors, inadequate diet, lack of physical exercise, and socioeconomic factors. Obesity can cause significant respiratory changes, so obese patients present pulmonary complications more frequently than individuals with normal weight. Improving respiratory function is an important aspect of obesity management, as it can reduce the risk of pulmonary complications and improve patients' quality of life.