Fine tuning enzyme activity assays for monitoring the enzymatic hydrolysis of PET.

Efficient monitoring of the enzymatic PET-hydrolysis is crucial for developing novel plastic-degrading biocatalysts. Herein, we aimed to upgrade in terms of accuracy the analytical methods useful for monitoring enzymatic PET-degradation. For the HPLC-based assessment, the incorporation of an internal standard within the analytic procedure enabled a more accurate quantification of the overall TPA content and the assessment of molar distributions and relative content of each aromatic degradation product.

Feeding sources of mosquitoes in Galapagos Islands: a potential threat to wildlife conservation.

Vector-borne diseases pose significant threats to both human and animal health, including wildlife, particularly in vulnerable island ecosystems like the Galapagos Islands. This study examines the mosquito community composition around domestic dogs and Galapagos sea lion rookeries across four islands: San Cristobal, Isabela, Santa Cruz, and Floreana. Using BG-Sentinel traps, a total of 292 mosquitoes were collected, identifying three species: Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, and A.

Essential and Nonessential Elements, Lipids and Volatile Compounds in Coffee and Transfer to Coffee Brews: Assessment of the Benefits and Potential Risks for Human Health.

Coffee is a popular beverage with significant commercial and social importance. The study aimed to determine the fatty acids profile, volatile compounds, and concentration of major and trace elements (Na, Mg, K, Ca, P, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb) in the two most important varieties of coffee, namely arabica and robusta. The leaching percentages of mineral elements and the effect of boiling time on the transfer of elements to aqueous extracts were also determined.

Deep learning segmentation architectures for automatic detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy samples based on whole-slide imaging.

Background: EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy is the procedure of choice for the diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Nevertheless, the samples obtained are small and require expertise in pathology, whereas the diagnosis is difficult in view of the scarcity of malignant cells and the important desmoplastic reaction of these tumors. With the help of artificial intelligence, the deep learning architectures produce a fast, accurate, and automated approach for PDAC image segmentation based on whole-slide imaging.

Protocol for the development of a global core outcome set for the surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer: a literature review and international Delphi survey.

Introduction: There is a lack of consensus on the optimal surgical strategy for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), partly due to inconsistent reporting of outcomes. This limits the ability to compare study results, hindering the ability to draw conclusions regarding novel treatment strategies. The development of a core outcome set (COS) reduces heterogeneity in the selection and reporting of clinical trial outcomes.

Dietary Disruptors in Romania: Seasonality, Traditions, and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The global rise in obesity has been significantly influenced by shifts in dietary habits that have been exacerbated by external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the trends in Romanian dietary habits from 2015 to 2023, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of socio-economic factors, seasonality, and cultural practices.

Methods: For dietary habits, we used nationally representative data from the Romanian Household Budget Survey provided by the Romanian National Institute of Statistics.

Sarcopenia in MASLD-Eat to Beat Steatosis, Move to Prove Strength.

The connections between sarcopenia and various chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and liver disease have been highlighted recently. There is also a high occurrence of sarcopenia in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients, who are often disregarded. Both experimental and clinical findings suggest a complex, bidirectional relationship between MASLD and sarcopenia.

Effects of a L. Extract and Rosmarinic Acid in Improving Streptozotocin-Induced Aortic Tissue Damages in Rats.

Background/aim: L. () is an aromatic medicinal species with important nutraceutical potential, having rosmarinic acid (RA) as one of its main metabolites. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of an extract obtained from the leaves of this species and of its main metabolite in improving the streptozotocin-induced damage of hearts and aorta of diabetic rats.

The Impact of Hypomagnesemia on the Long-Term Evolution After Kidney Transplantation.

Background/objectives: Magnesium plays a crucial role in immune function, influencing immunoglobulin synthesis, antibody-dependent cytolysis, and other immune processes. In renal transplant patients, magnesium deficiency is primarily induced by calcineurin inhibitor treatment, through the reduction of magnesium transporter proteins in the renal tubules, leading to magnesium loss.

Methods: To assess the correlation between serum magnesium levels and the long-term outcomes of renal graft and transplant recipients, we conducted a retrospective study on 87 patients who have had a transplant for more than 5 years, a period considered immunologically stable.

The Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Blossoms and Rhizome Ethanol Extracts.

Background: Inflammation-induced oxidative stress is a pathophysiological mechanism of inflammatory diseases. Treatments targeting oxidative stress can reduce inflammatory tissue damage.

Objectives: This study aimed to conduct phytochemical analysis and evaluate the antioxidant effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of blossoms () and rhizomes ().

Utilisation of Rosehip Waste Powder as a Functional Ingredient to Enrich Waffle Cones with Fibres, Polyphenols, and Carotenoids.

The solid waste generated from processing rosehip fruits into jam is valuable due to its rich content in fibres, polyphenols, and carotenoids; it could be valorised as a functional ingredient in a powder form to enrich food products. This study aimed to test its potential as a value-added ingredient, especially to enrich waffle cones with fibres, polyphenols, and carotenoids. In this regard, four formulations of waffle cones were prepared by partially substituting wheat flour with rosehip waste powder at 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, reaching concentrations of 0%, 3.

Mustard Meal Extract as an Alternative to Zinc Oxide for Protecting the Intestinal Barrier Against -Lipopolysaccharide Damage.

The present study aimed to investigate the ability of an aqueous extract derived from mustard seed meal to counteract the effects of endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the intestinal epithelium. Caco-2 cells were cultured together with HT29-MTX and used as a cellular model to analyze critical intestinal parameters, such as renewal, integrity, innate immunity, and signaling pathway. Byproducts of mustard seed oil extraction are rich in soluble polysaccharides, proteins, allyl isothiocyanates, and phenolic acids, which are known as powerful antioxidants with antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

Dyspareunia and Biomarkers: A Case Study of Sexual Dysfunction in Moderate Endometriosis.

Endometriosis, a chronic hormone-dependent condition affecting 10% of women globally, impacts pelvic organs and occasionally distant sites, causing pain, infertility, and sexual dysfunction. Biomarkers such as IL-8, IL-10, and BDNF influence inflammation, nerve sensitization, and pain. This study investigates their relationship with sexual quality of life, focusing on dyspareunia and related dysfunctions, as assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Tailgut Cyst-Gynecologist's Pitfall: Literature Review and Case Report.

Retrorectal cystic hamartomas ("Tailgut cysts") are rare developmental cysts that appear in the retrorectal space, arising from aberrant remnants of the post-anal primitive gut in case of an incomplete embryogenetic involution. We present the case of a 30-year-old woman with a history of chronic lower abdominal pain. Other digestive symptoms, like rectal fullness, constipation, pain on defecation, rectal bleeding or genitourinary obstruction symptoms, were not associated.

Automatic Characterization of Prostate Suspect Lesions on T2-Weighted Image Acquisitions Using Texture Features and Machine-Learning Methods: A Pilot Study.

: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequent neoplasia in the male population. According to the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP), PCa can be divided into two major groups, based on their prognosis and treatment options. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) holds a central role in PCa assessment; however, it does not have a one-to-one correspondence with the histopathological grading of tumors.

Enhanced Tribological and Mechanical Properties of Copper-Modified Basalt-Reinforced Epoxy Composites.

The increasing demand for high-performance materials in industrial applications highlights the need for composites with enhanced mechanical and tribological properties. Basalt fiber-reinforced polymers (BFRP) are promising materials due to their superior strength-to-weight ratio and environmental benefits, yet their wear resistance and tensile performance often require further optimization. This study examines how adding copper (Cu) powder to epoxy resin influences the mechanical and tribological properties of BFRP composites.

Multi-Parametric Optimization of 3D-Printed Components.

This study explores the experimental and theoretical optimization of process parameters to improve the quality of 3D-printed parts produced using the Fused Deposition Modeling technique. To ensure the cost-effective production of high-quality components, advancements in printing strategies are essential. This research identifies optimal 3D printing strategies to enhance the quality of finished products.

Evaluating Maize Hybrids for Yield, Stress Tolerance, and Carotenoid Content: Insights into Breeding for Climate Resilience.

To ensure food and feed security, modern maize hybrids must not only perform well under changing climate conditions but also consistently achieve higher and stable yields, exhibit maximum tolerance to stress factors, and produce high quality grains. In a study conducted in 2022 and 2023, 50 maize hybrids were developed from crosses of five elite (highly productive) inbred lines and ten lines possessing favorable genes for carotenoid content. These hybrids were tested under particularly unfavorable conditions for maize cultivation.

Synthesis of Novel Benzothiazole-Profen Hybrid Amides as Potential NSAID Candidates.

Herein, we report the synthesis of a series of new compounds by combining 2-aminobenzothiazole with various profens. The compounds were characterized using techniques such as H- and C-NMR, FT-IR spectrometry, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), with detailed HRMS analysis conducted for each molecule. Their biological activities were tested in vitro, revealing significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, comparable to those of standard reference compounds.

A Review on Current Aspects of Curcumin-Based Effects in Relation to Neurodegenerative, Neuroinflammatory and Cerebrovascular Diseases.

Curcumin is among the most well-studied natural substances, known for its biological actions within the central nervous system, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and human health benefits. However, challenges persist in effectively utilising curcumin, addressing its metabolism and passage through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in therapies targeting cerebrovascular diseases. Current challenges in curcumin's applications revolve around its effects within neoplastic tissues alongside the development of intelligent formulations to enhance its bioavailability.

Effects of Metamizole, 4-Methylaminoantipyrine, and 4-Aminoantipyrine on LX-2 Liver Cell Line Viability and Apoptosis.

Metamizole (dipyrone) is a non-opioid analgesic widely used in human and veterinary medicine, despite ongoing concerns about its safety due to risks such as agranulocytosis and potential hepatotoxicity. This study investigates the cytotoxic (MTT assay) and pro-apoptotic effects of metamizole and its primary metabolites, 4-methylaminoantipyrine (4-MAA) and 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AA), on the LX-2 liver cell line. These metabolites are implicated in both the therapeutic and adverse effects of the drug.

Heavy Metal Accumulation (Cd, As, Zn, Cu, Cr) in Hair and Bones of Small Mammal Prey of the Sentinel Species Common Genet () in an Anthropogenic Environment of Edough Mountain Forest, Northeastern Algeria.

Heavy metal pollution has complex impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, affecting biodiversity, trophic relationships, species health, and the quality of natural resources. This study aims to validate a non-invasive method for detecting heavy metals (Cd, As, Zn, Cu, Cr) in micromammalian prey, which constitute the primary diet of the common genet (), a mesocarnivore sensitive to habitat degradation. By focusing on prey remains (hair and bones) rather than entire fecal samples, this approach leverages the genet's selective feeding habits to assess the bioaccumulation of contaminants in its preferred prey.

Provenance of late Pleistocene loess in central and eastern Europe: isotopic evidence for dominant local sediment sources.

Loess profiles along the Danube River provide a record of long-term Quaternary dust (loess) deposition in central-eastern Europe. Here, Sr-Nd isotopic data from four loess-palaeosol profiles (47 samples) spanning the last two-glacial-interglacial cycles are presented. The isotopic compositions generated by this study are compared with bedrock and sedimentary samples from Europe and North Africa to decipher the sources of sediment.