Synthesis and Characterization of Photocurable Difunctional Monomers for Medical Applications.

Photocurable materials offer a rapid transition from a liquid to a solid state, and have recently received great interest in the medical field. However, while dental resins are very popular, only a few materials have been developed for soft tissue repair. This study aims to synthesize a difunctional methacrylate monomer using a dibutyltin dilaurate which is suitable for the photocuring of soft materials.

Characterization of Composites from Post-Consumer Polypropylene and Oilseed Pomace Fillers.

This study investigates the properties of composites produced using post-consumer polypropylene (PP) reinforced with lignocellulosic fillers from (black cumin) and rapeseed pomace. Using agri-food by-products like pomace supports waste management efforts and reduces the demand for wood in wood-plastic composites. The composite production method combined extrusion and hot flat pressing.

Antifungal Activity of Newly Formed Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Modification by Zinc Oxide and Zinc Oxide-Silver Hybrid Nanoparticles.

Incorporating nanoparticles into denture materials shows promise for the prevention of denture-associated fungal infections. This study investigates the antifungal properties of acrylic modified with microwave-sintered ZnO-Ag nanoparticles. ZnO-Ag nanoparticles (1% and 2.

Vibration Welding of PLA/PHBV Blend Composites with Nanocrystalline Cellulose.

Thermoplastic composites have garnered significant attention in various industries due to their exceptional properties, such as recyclability and ease of molding. In particular, biocomposites, which combine biopolymers with natural fibers, represent a promising alternative to petroleum-based materials, offering biodegradability and reduced environmental impact. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the efficacy of joining PLA/PHBV-based biocomposites modified with nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) using vibration welding, which restricts their potential applications.

Analysis of the Impact of the Post-Consumer Film Waste Scenario and the Source of Electricity on the Harmfulness of the Mass Packaging Process.

Life cycle analysis (LCA) is a popular tool for determining the environmental impacts of a product in use. The aim of this study is to carry out a life cycle analysis, gate-to-gate, of a mass packaging process using a polyethylene shrinking film with a focus on energy consumption, raw material use and associated emissions, and film post-consumer disposal scenarios. Two different scenarios for the disposal of the shrinking film used in the packaging process were analyzed, namely recycling and landfills.

Multigenerational Consequences of Prenatal Exposure to Benzophenone-3 Demonstrate Sex- and Region-Dependent Neurotoxic and Pro-Apoptotic Effects in Mouse Brain.

Benzophenone-3 (BP-3), commonly used as a UV filter in personal care products and as a stabilizer, is an alleged endocrine disruptor with potential neurodevelopmental impacts. Despite its abundance in the environment, the studies on its effect on brain development are scarce, especially in terms of multigenerational impact. In this work, for the first time, we examined neurotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of BP-3 on mouse brain regions (cerebral cortex and hippocampus) in both the first (F) and second (F) generations after maternal exposure to environmentally relevant BP-3 levels.

Assessing Environmental Risks of Local Contamination of Garden Urban Soils with Heavy Metals Using Ecotoxicological Tests.

Heavy metal soil contamination in urban areas poses a significant environmental hazard, particularly in regions with historical or ongoing industrial activities. These areas are often polluted with metals such as Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn, which can be absorbed by plants and pose risks to both ecosystems and human health. This study investigates soil contamination in urban gardens in Wroclaw, Poland, where elevated levels of trace elements were detected.

Long-Term Follow-Up After Bariatric Surgery: Key to Successful Outcomes in Obesity Management.

: Bariatric surgery (BS) is considered one of the most effective interventions for the treatment of obesity. To achieve optimal long-term results, continuous follow-up (FU) within a multidisciplinary treatment team is essential to ensure patient compliance and maximize the benefits of BS. However, many patients find it difficult to maintain regular FU, which can affect the quality of care and lead to postoperative complications.

Body Weight Changes During Childhood and Predictors of Excessive Body Weight in Adolescence-A Longitudinal Analysis.

Abnormal body weight, including overweight and obesity, is a common health problem affecting children and adolescents. The present study aimed to analyse weight changes in children from preschool age to adolescence and to identify early predictors of excessive weight in adolescence, such as blood pressure and physical fitness observed in preschool children. Data from 3075 children (1524 girls and 1594 boys), collected as part of the Gdańsk Centre for Health Promotion's "Your Child's Healthy Life" programme, were analysed, with each child assessed at ages 6, 10, and 14.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Gomphrenin-Rich Fraction from L. f. Fruits.

L. (Malabar spinach, Basellaceae), widely consumed as a leafy vegetable, produces dark-colored fruits rich in betacyanins, including rare 6-glycosylated derivatives called gomphrenins. Comprehensive studies on the anti-inflammatory potential of its gomphrenin fraction (A) and crude extract (B) employed various analytical and biological methods.

Mapping Consumer Preference for Vegan and Omnivorous Diets for the Sensory Attributes of Flour Products with Iodine-Fortified Plant-Based Ingredients.

Objectives: Flour products with iodine-fortified dried vegetables can be a good source of iodine. However, in addition to iodine stability, the sensory quality of these products is also important. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of adding iodine-fortified dried vegetables to flour products (gnocchi and ciabatta) on their sensory quality and map consumers (vegan/omnivore diets) as potential consumers of fortified flour products with iodine-fortified dried vegetables.

Traditional Uses, Bioactive Compounds, and New Findings on Pharmacological, Nutritional, Cosmetic and Biotechnology Utility of .

(L.) Medik. (shepherd's purse) is a medicinal plant recently introduced to European Pharmacopoeia.

The Protective Role of Vitamin K in Aging and Age-Related Diseases.

Aging is an inevitable aspect of life, but age-related diseases are not an inseparable part of the aging process, and their risk can be reduced through a healthy lifestyle. Vitamin K has a broader impact than just blood clotting, and yet it remains overshadowed by other vitamins and underestimated by both doctors and consumers. Vitamin K (VK) is a multifunctional micronutrient with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, whose deficiency may cause age-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and osteoporosis.

The Impact of Increased Physical Activity at School on the Nutritional Behavior and BMI of 13-Year-Olds.

: Diet and physical activity (PA) significantly impact health. Unfortunately, a worrying trend of decreasing PA among children and adolescents, accompanied by unhealthy nutritional behavior, is observed worldwide. The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional behavior and body mass index (BMI) of adolescents aged 13 years in groups of extended and standard PA at school.

Dietary Patterns, Serum BDNF and Fatty Acid Profiles in Physically Active Male Young Adults: A Cluster Analysis Study.

Although physical activity and balanced diet may increase peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration, little is known about whether these factors modify BDNF content in physically active individuals and whether the serum fatty acid (FA) profile is related. This study aimed to evaluate quality of diet, identify specific dietary patterns and assess their influence on BDNF and FA levels in serum. It is hypothesized that there is a correlation between diet quality and the concentrations of BDNF and FA in the serum of physically active male individuals.

Nutritional Risks of Heavy Metals in the Human Diet-Multi-Elemental Analysis of Energy Drinks.

In recent years, the consumption of energy drinks (EDs) by adolescents and young adults has increased significantly, so concerns have been raised about the potential health risks associated with excessive ED consumption. Most analyses on EDs focus on the caffeine content. Research on the content of minerals (essential and toxic) in energy drinks can be considered scarce.

Biological Effect of Food for Special Medical Purposes (Nutramil Complex) on Melanoma Cells in In Vitro Study.

Background/objectives: Melanoma malignum is considered the most dangerous form of skin cancer, characterized by the exceptional resistance to many conventional chemotherapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Nutramil Complex (NC)-Food for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP), on two types of melanoma cell lines, primary WM115 and malignant WM266-4.

Methods: At 24 h after seeding, growth medium was replaced with a medium containing encoded treatments of NC or NC-CC (Nutramil Complex without calcium caseinate) at various concentrations.

Examining Associations Between Fasting Behavior, Orthorexia Nervosa, and Eating Disorders.

Background/objectives: Fasting, orthorexia nervosa, and eating disorders are increasingly prevalent and interconnected. Understanding their relationship is essential for identifying potential risks and developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. This study investigated these associations to enhance our knowledge of their interplay and implications for mental health.

Nutritional Adequacy of Flour Product Enrichment with Iodine-Fortified Plant-Based Products.

This study assessed the nutritional value of designed vegan flour products (Gnocchi and Ciabatta) by adding iodine-fortified dried vegetables. The KI and KIO constituted the sources of iodine. The pumpkin, cauliflower, carrot, broccoli and beetroot were used as a matrix for the iodine applied.

The Significance of the Cell-Mediated Host Immune Response in Syphilis.

Syphilis, caused by the highly invasive pathogen , remains one of the oldest and most significant public health challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of new syphilis cases among adults aged 15-49 years in 2022 was estimated at approximately 8 million, with notable increases observed in Europe, the Americas, and Africa. The cellular immune response plays a critical role in combating this infection, and its insufficient activity may contribute to chronic progression of the disease.

Concomitant Potentially Contagious Factors Detected in Poland and Regarding Strains, Etiological Agents of Keratitis in Humans.

Background: Diseases in humans caused by amphizoic amoebae that can result in visual impairment and even blindness, have recently been identified more frequently worldwide. Etiologically complex incidents of keratitis, including those connected with strains detected in Poland, were evaluated in this study.

Methods: Corneal samples from cases resistant to antimicrobial therapy assessed for epidemiological, microbiological and parasitological aspects were investigated by phase-contrast microscope, slit lamp and by confocal microscopy.

Importance of Lactobacilli for Human Health.

As an extraordinarily diverse group of bacteria, lactobacilli are now classified into several genera, many of which still include "Lactobacillus" in their names. Despite their names, this group of lactic acid bacteria comprises microorganisms that are crucial for human health, especially during the early development of the human microbiota and immune system. The interactions between lactobacilli and components of the mucosal immunity lead to its shaping and development, which is possibly considered a prime mover in the advancement of the human immune system.

Natural Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Synthetic Analogues for Effective Oral Microflora Control and Oral Infection Treatment-The Role of Ceragenins in the Development of New Therapeutic Methods.

Oral diseases, both acute and chronic, of infectious or non-infectious etiology, represent some of the most serious medical problems in dentistry. Data from the literature increasingly indicate that changes in the oral microbiome, and therefore, the overgrowing of pathological microflora, lead to a variety of oral-localized medical conditions such as caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis. In recent years, compelling research has been devoted to the use of natural antimicrobial peptides as therapeutic agents in the possible treatment of oral diseases.

Theranostics in Renal Cell Carcinoma-A Step Towards New Opportunities or a Dead End-A Systematic Review.

Renal cell carcinoma is one of the most aggressive urogenital malignancies, with an increasing number of cases worldwide. The majority of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, as this form of growth is typically silent. An accurate evaluation of the extent of the disease is crucial for selecting the most appropriate treatment approach.

Advances in Pharmaceutical Science in Electrochemotherapy: A Tribute to Prof. Jolanta Saczko.

This Special Issue is dedicated to the memory of Professor Jolanta Saczko (1964-2023), a remarkable leader whose guidance and dedication were instrumental in advancing electroporation-based research in Poland [...