Improved Biomineralization Using Cellulose Acetate/Magnetic Nanoparticles Composite Membranes.

Following implantation, infections, inflammatory reactions, corrosion, mismatches in the elastic modulus, stress shielding and excessive wear are the most frequent reasons for orthopedic implant failure. Natural polymer-based coatings showed especially good results in achieving better cell attachment, growth and tissue-implant integration, and it was found that the inclusions of nanosized fillers in the coating structure improves biomineralization and consequently implant osseointegration, as the nanoparticles represent calcium phosphate nucleation centers and lead to the deposition of highly organized hydroxyapatite crystallites on the implant surface. In this study, magnetic nanoparticles synthesized by the co-precipitation method were used for the preparation of cellulose acetate composite coatings through the phase-inversion method.

Silicone Composites with Electrically Oriented Boron Nitride Platelets and Carbon Microfibers for Thermal Management of Electronics.

This study investigated silicone composites with distributed boron nitride platelets and carbon microfibers that are oriented electrically. The process involved homogenizing and dispersing nano/microparticles in the liquid polymer, aligning the particles with DC and AC electric fields, and curing the composite with IR radiation to trap particles within chains. This innovative concept utilized two fields to align particles, improving the even distribution of carbon microfibers among BN in the chains.

Enhancing Polylactic Acid (PLA) Performance: A Review of Additives in Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) Filaments.

This review explores the impact of various additives on the mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA) filaments used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing. While PLA is favored for its biodegradability and ease of use, its inherent limitations in strength and heat resistance necessitate enhancements through additives. The impact of natural and synthetic fibers, inorganic particles, and nanomaterials on the mechanical properties, printability, and overall functionality of PLA composites was examined, indicating that fiber reinforcements, such as carbon and glass fibers, significantly enhance tensile strength and stiffness, while natural fibers contribute to sustainability but may compromise mechanical stability.

Acoustic, Mechanical, and Thermal Characterization of Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA)-Based Wood Composites Reinforced with Beech and Oak Wood Fibers.

Considering the growing need for developing ecological materials, this study investigates the acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties of wood composites reinforced with beech or oak wood fibres. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a complex network of interconnected pores within the composite materials, with varying pore sizes contributing to the material's overall properties. Acoustic characterization was conducted using a two-microphone impedance tube.

Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Use in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Reports from a Romanian Center.

The introduction of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) agents, particularly infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA), has significantly expanded the therapeutic arsenal for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While these biologics have demonstrated substantial efficacy, they are associated with a spectrum of potential adverse events (AEs). This study aims to evaluate and document these AEs to facilitate optimal patient selection and monitoring strategies of patients undergoing these therapies.

In Vivo Assessment of Healing Potential of Ointments Containing Bee Products, Vegetal Extracts, and Polymers on Skin Lesions.

The present experiment aimed to formulate four ointments that included mixtures of plant extracts (, , , and ), apitherapy products (honey, propolis, and apilarnil) and natural polymers (collagen, chitosan, and the lyophilisate of egg white) in an ointment base. : In order to investigate the therapeutic properties of the ointments, experimental in vivo injury models (linear incision, circular excision, and thermal burns) were performed on laboratory animals, namely Wistar rats. The treatment was applied topically, once a day, for 21 days.

Synthesis and Characterization of PEGylated Liposomes and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers with Entrapped Bioactive Triterpenoids: Comparative Fingerprints and Quantification by UHPLC-QTOF-ESI-MS, ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy, and HPLC-DAD.

: Pentacyclic triterpenoids, as bioactive phytochemicals, have proven to exhibit significant bioactivity (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and anticancer) and low cytotoxicity. This study developed convenient methods for extracting and characterizing a birch bark extract enriched in pentacyclic triterpenoids (betulin, betulinic acid, and lupeol) and entrapped in two bioavailable nanoformulations. The performance of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy as a cost-effective and non-destructive method was evaluated comparatively with accurate HPLC-based methods.

Hybrid Carbohydrate-Lipid Nanocarriers: In Vitro Efficacy Gene-Rated by Association of UV-Absorbers and Raspberry Polyphenols Rich-Fraction.

The study aims to investigate an improved version of lipid nanocarriers (NLCs) (formulated with functional coconut butter and marula oil) by designing hyaluronic acid (HA) decorated NLC co-loaded with dual UVA (butyl methoxy dibenzoyl methane, BMDBM), UVB absorbers (ethyl-hexyl-salicylate, EHS) and a Raspberry rich polyphenols fraction (RPRF) for development of more natural NLC-based to-pical formulations. : Quality and quantitative attributes of classic- and HA-NLC have been assigned based on particle size, electrokinetic potential, encapsulation efficiency, spectroscopic characteristics, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. To establish the performance profile of antioxidant activity, release of active substances, sun blocking action, and photostability, in vitro studies were conducted.

Machine Learning-Assisted Drug Repurposing Framework for Discovery of Aurora Kinase B Inhibitors.

Aurora kinase B (AurB) is a pivotal regulator of mitosis, making it a compelling target for cancer therapy. Despite significant advances in protein kinase inhibitor development, there are currently no AurB inhibitors readily available for therapeutic use. This study introduces a machine learning-assisted drug repurposing framework integrating quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, molecular fingerprints-based classification, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Infections in Children and Adolescents: Results of a 7-Year Retrospective Study and Literature Review.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected tropical parasitic disease linked with significant social and economic burdens worldwide. The scientific community has minimal information on echinococcosis in Romanian people, and hospital medical records are the only sources that may be used to investigate its status. A 7-year retrospective clinical study on pediatric patients with CE from Southeast Romania was performed, and 39 children and adolescents were included, aged 2-15 years old.

Systemic Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Complications in HIV Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Role of Type II Diabetes.

(1) Background: This study aimed to assess the association between inflammatory biomarkers and gastrointestinal side effects in HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART), with a specific focus on the impact of type II diabetes. (2) Methods: A total of 320 participants were divided into three groups: 120 HIV-positive without diabetes, 80 HIV-positive with type II diabetes, and 120 controls. Biomarkers such as CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α, along with gastrointestinal symptoms, were measured before and six months after ART.

Cloud/VPN-Based Remote Control of a Modular Production System Assisted by a Mobile Cyber-Physical Robotic System-Digital Twin Approach.

This paper deals with a "digital twin" (DT) approach for processing, reprocessing, and scrapping (P/R/S) technology running on a modular production system (MPS) assisted by a mobile cyber-physical robotic system (MCPRS). The main hardware architecture consists of four line-shaped workstations (WSs), a wheeled mobile robot (WMR) equipped with a robotic manipulator (RM) and a mobile visual servoing system (MVSS) mounted on the end effector. The system architecture integrates a hierarchical control system where each of the four WSs, in the MPS, is controlled by a Programable Logic Controller (PLC), all connected via Profibus DP to a central PLC.

A Review of CNN Applications in Smart Agriculture Using Multimodal Data.

This review explores the applications of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) in smart agriculture, highlighting recent advancements across various applications including weed detection, disease detection, crop classification, water management, and yield prediction. Based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 115 recent studies, coupled with a bibliometric study of the broader literature, this paper contextualizes the use of CNNs within Agriculture 5.0, where technological integration optimizes agricultural efficiency.

Developing a Health Support System to Promote Care for the Elderly.

In light of the demographic shift towards an aging population, there is an increasing prevalence of dementia among the elderly. The negative impact on mental health is preventing individuals from taking proper care of themselves. For individuals requiring hospital care, those receiving home care, or as a precaution for a specific individual, it is advantageous to utilize monitoring equipment to track their biological parameters on an ongoing basis.

Enhancing Low-Light Images with Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks in Transformer Attention.

Low-light image enhancement (LLIE) techniques improve the performance of image sensors by enhancing visibility and details in poorly lit environments and have significantly benefited from recent research into Transformer models. This work presents a novel Transformer attention mechanism inspired by the Kolmogorov-Arnold representation theorem, incorporating learnable non-linearity and multivariate function decomposition. This innovative mechanism is the foundation of KAN-T, our proposed Transformer network.

Imaging Retrospective Study Regarding the Variability of the Osseous Landmarks for IAN Block.

: The aim of this study is to identify the most accurate and consistent landmarks for determining the precise location of the mandibular foramen (MF) and the mandibular ramus, suggesting appropriate adjustments to anesthesia techniques based on these variations in order to improve the success rate of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block. : CT scans of the mandibles from 100 patients were analyzed to measure the distance between the MF and various landmarks, including the sigmoid notch, gonion, posterior and anterior margins of the ramus, temporal crest, and the mandibular ramus height from the condyle to the gonion. The width of the mandibular ramus was also assessed, with correlations made to age and gender.

Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension in Parkinson Disease-A Narrative Review of Diagnosis and Management.

Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) is a significant non-motor manifestation of Parkinson's disease (PD), that substantially affects patient disability and has a powerful impact on the quality of life of PD patients, while also contributing to increased healthcare costs. This narrative review aims to summarize key insights into the diagnosis and management of NOH in individuals with PD. For diagnosing NOH, a recently introduced and valuable metric is the ΔHr/ΔSBP index.

A Real-Life Study in Sequential Therapy for Severe Menopausal Osteoporosis.

Teriparatide (TPT) acts against severe primary (postmenopausal) osteoporosis (MOP), and it requires continuation with another anti-resorptive drug to conserve or enhance the effects on fracture risk reduction. To analyse the sequential pharmacotherapy in MOP who were treated upon a 24-month daily 20 µg TPT protocol (24-mo-TPT) followed by another 12 months of anti-resorptive drugs (12-mo-AR) amid real-life settings. 1.

Challenges in Diagnosing Adolescent Goiter: A Case Report with Brief Literature Insights in Juvenile Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis of the Thyroid Gland.

The prevalence of goiter, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancers in the pediatric population has increased. In some rare cases, local conditions such as juvenile desmoid-type fibromatosis (JDTF) can mimic specific thyroid pathology, complicating the diagnostic process. A 17-year-old obese adolescent girl was admitted to the Endocrinology Department with progressive swelling on the left side of the neck, persisting for approximately one year, recently accompanied by dysphonia and inspiratory dyspnea, and ultimately diagnosed as a unilateral nodular goiter associated with compressive phenomena.

Endoscopic Mitral Surgery in Noonan Syndrome-Case Report and Considerations.

: Totally endoscopic techniques have become increasingly popular in cardiac surgery, with minimally invasive mitral valve repair emerging as an effective alternative to median sternotomy. This approach could be particularly advantageous for patients with Noonan syndrome, who often present with structural thoracic anomalies and other comorbidities like bleeding disorders. Endoscopic mitral valve surgery is rapidly establishing itself as the new standard of care for mitral valve operations, demonstrating both safety and efficacy.

Determinants of Social Activity Among Geriatric Patients in Northern Romania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aging population poses a significant challenge to global public health, impacting the physical, mental, and social health of older adults. Social activity has been widely acknowledged as a protective factor for both mental and physical well-being. Research indicates that consistent engagement in social activities can mitigate the risk of depression, prevent cognitive decline, and support physical functionality.

Stroke and Pulmonary Thromboembolism Complicating a Kissing Aneurysm in the M1 Segment of the Right MCA.

Kissing aneurysms, a rare and intriguing cerebrovascular anomaly, challenge even the most advanced neurosurgical techniques. These lesions, characterized by two intimately apposed aneurysms with shared arterial walls, often masquerade as single, irregular aneurysms. This report documents a case of ruptured kissing aneurysms in the M1 segment of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA), complicated by ischemic stroke and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE)-a convergence of severe complications rarely encountered.

Relationship Between Depression and Decreased Activity Level and Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and/or Atrial Fibrillation.

The interdependence between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2), atrial fibrillation (AF), and cognitive decline (CD)/dementia is a debated topic. In this study, we highlighted the influence of DM-2 and FA individually and in association on the severity of CD/dementia. This study comprises 248 patients with very high cardiovascular risk (VHCVR) according to Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE2), of whom 184 had DM-2 and/or AF, and 64 were age-matched controls (without DM-2/AF), admitted to the Municipal Hospital Timisoara.

Supermicrosurgical Vascular Anastomosis-A Comparative Study of Lumen-Enhancing Visibility Techniques.

: The development of microsurgical techniques has enabled reconstructive versatility in various clinical scenarios. Supermicrosurgery is an advanced microsurgical technique ensuring precise reconstructions by operating on small-caliber vessels and nerves, with applications in reconstructive surgeries. : This study aims to compare the effectiveness of four low-cost training models, thereby improving surgical precision and reducing the learning curve for novice surgeons.

Effectiveness of Ocrelizumab on Disease Progression and Disability Status in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Two-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation and neurodegeneration. Ocrelizumab, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has shown promise in reducing disease activity in MS patients. This prospective study aims to assess the effectiveness of ocrelizumab in reducing confirmed disability progression in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) over a two-year period.