Neuropsychiatric Burden of SARS-CoV-2: A Review of Its Physiopathology, Underlying Mechanisms, and Management Strategies.

The COVID-19 outbreak, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was linked to significant neurological and psychiatric manifestations. This review examines the physiopathological mechanisms underlying these neuropsychiatric outcomes and discusses current management strategies. Primarily a respiratory disease, COVID-19 frequently leads to neurological issues, including cephalalgia and migraines, loss of sensory perception, cerebrovascular accidents, and neurological impairment such as encephalopathy.

Local Lidocaine-Prilocaine for Immunisation in Infants.

: Lidocaine-prilocaine cream effectively reduces vaccination pain, improving vaccination adherence and advocating for its routine use in healthcare settings. : This review used PRISMA guidelines and the PICOT format to structure the analysis. The focus was on paediatric patients aged 0-12 months requiring intramuscular vaccinations, comparing the application of lidocaine-prilocaine cream to other interventions or no treatment.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus: A WAidid Consensus Document on New Preventive Options.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory infections, particularly affecting young infants, older adults, and individuals with comorbidities. : This document, developed as a consensus by an international group of experts affiliated with the World Association of Infectious Diseases and Immunological Disorders (WAidid), focuses on recent advancements in RSV prevention, highlighting the introduction of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines. : Historically, RSV treatment options were limited to supportive care and the monoclonal antibody palivizumab, which required multiple doses.

Optimizing Correction Factors on Color Differences for Automotive Painting Services.

Currently, the automotive sector is showing increased demands regarding the color of cars in general, but especially the quality and the time of painting, in particular. Companies working in this industry, especially in specialized painting services, must perform work of impeccable quality in the shortest possible time in order to be efficient. Color differences that appear in different areas of the car result from the use of different formulas for obtaining color.

Understanding the Interaction of Röntgen Radiation Employed in Computed Tomography/Cone Beam Computed Tomography Investigations of the Oral Cavity by Means of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Analysis of Saliva.

The use of Raman spectroscopy, particularly surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), offers a powerful tool for analyzing biochemical changes in biofluids. This study aims to assess the modifications occurring in saliva collected from patients before and after exposure to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. SERS analysis revealed significantly amplified spectra in post-imaging samples compared to pre-imaging samples, with pronounced intensification of thiocyanate and opiorphin bands, which, together with proteins, dominated the spectra.

Real-Time Detection of IoT Anomalies and Intrusion Data in Smart Cities Using Multi-Agent System.

Analyzing IoT data is an important challenge in the smart cities domain due to the complexity of network traffic generated by a large number of interconnected devices: smart cameras, light bulbs, motion sensors, voice assistants, and so on. To overcome this issue, a multi-agent system is proposed to deal with all machine learning steps, from preprocessing and labeling data to discovering the most suitable model for the analyzed dataset. This paper shows that dividing the work into different tasks, managed by specialized agents, and evaluating the discovered models by an Expert System Agent leads to better results in the learning process.

Experimental and Theoretical Design on the Development of Matrix Tablets with Multiple Drug Loadings Aimed at Optimizing Antidiabetic Medication.

Diabetes is a growing global health crisis that requires effective therapeutic strategies to optimize treatment outcomes. This study aims to address this challenge by developing and characterizing extended-release polymeric matrix tablets containing metformin hydrochloride (M-HCl), a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, and honokiol (HNK), a bioactive compound with potential therapeutic benefits. The objective is to enhance glycemic control and overall therapeutic outcomes through an innovative dual-drug delivery system.

Enhanced Stability and In Vitro Biocompatibility of Chitosan-Coated Lipid Vesicles for Indomethacin Delivery.

Background: Lipid vesicles, especially those utilizing biocompatible materials like chitosan (CHIT), hold significant promise for enhancing the stability and release characteristics of drugs such as indomethacin (IND), effectively overcoming the drawbacks associated with conventional drug formulations.

Objectives: This study seeks to develop and characterize novel lipid vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and CHIT that encapsulate indomethacin (IND-ves), as well as to evaluate their in vitro hemocompatibility.

Methods: The systems encapsulating IND were prepared using a molecular droplet self-assembly technique, involving the dissolution of lipids, cholesterol, and indomethacin in ethanol, followed by sonication and the gradual incorporation of a CHIT solution to form stable vesicular structures.

Nanotechnology-Based Approaches for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: An Innovative Solution to Long-Lasting Challenges in Antidiabetic Drug Delivery.

Diabetes is a widespread metabolic illness. Mismanagement of diabetes can lead to severe complications that tremendously impact patients' quality of life. The assimilation of nanotechnology in diabetes care holds the potential to revolutionize treatment paradigms, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the economic burden associated with this pervasive disease.

Host-Guest Complexation of Olmesartan Medoxomil by Heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin: Compatibility Study with Excipients.

Olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) is the prodrug of olmesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker that has antihypertensive and antioxidant activities and renal protective properties. It exhibits low water solubility, which leads to poor bioavailability and limits its clinical potential. To improve the solubility of OLM, a host-guest inclusion complex (IC) between heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DMβCD) and the drug substance was obtained.

Innovative Approaches to Enhancing the Biomedical Properties of Liposomes.

Liposomes represent a promising class of drug delivery systems that enhance the therapeutic efficacy and safety of various pharmaceutical agents. Also, they offer numerous advantages compared to traditional drug delivery methods, including targeted delivery to specific sites, controlled release, and fewer side effects. This review meticulously examines the methodologies employed in the preparation and characterization of liposomal formulations.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Modified with Thermoplastic Polyurethane and Microfibrillated Cellulose: Hydrolytic Degradation and Thermal and Mechanical Properties.

Blending poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) with other polymers could be a rapid and accessible solution to overcome some of its drawbacks. In this work, PHB was modified with microfibrillated cellulose (MC) and a thermoplastic polyurethane containing biodegradable segments (PU) by two routes, using a masterbatch and by direct mixing. The PU and MC modifiers improved the thermal stability of PHB by up to 13 °C and slightly decreased its melt viscosity and crystallinity, thus improving the melt processability.

Participation of Polymer Materials in the Structure of Piezoelectric Composites.

This review explores the integration of polymer materials into piezoelectric composite structures, focusing on their application in sensor technologies, and wearable electronics. Piezoelectric composites combining ceramic phases like BaTiO, KNN, or PZT with polymers such as PVDF exhibit significant potential due to their enhanced flexibility, processability, and electrical performance. The synergy between the high piezoelectric sensitivity of ceramics and the mechanical flexibility of polymers enables the development of advanced materials for biomedical devices, energy conversion, and smart infrastructure applications.

Highlighting Free-Recovery and Work-Generating Shape Memory Effects at 80r-PET Thermoformed Cups.

The paper starts by describing the manufacturing process of cups thermoformed from extruded foils of 80% recycled PET (80r-PET), which comprises heating, hot deep drawing and cooling. The 80r-PET foils were heated up to 120 °C, at heating rates of the order of hundreds °C/min, and deep drawn with multiple punchers, having a depth-to-width ratio exceeding 1:1. After puncher-assisted deformation, the cups were air blown away from the punchers, thus being "frozen" in the deformed state.

Optimisation of Clutch Disc Friction Material Using a Multi-Layer Perceptron Artificial Neural Network.

This paper presents an analysis of four clutch disc friction materials (from different manufacturers) used in manual transmissions. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were employed for the microstructural and chemical characterisation of the friction materials. To reveal the tribological properties of the selected clutch discs, three measurements of the friction coefficient between the material and the cast iron disc were conducted.

Polymeric Materials Used in 3DP in Dentistry-Biocompatibility Testing Challenges.

In the latter part of the 20th century, remarkable developments in new dental materials and technologies were achieved. However, regarding the impact of dental resin-based materials 3D-printed on cellular responses, there have been a limited number of published studies recently. The biocompatibility of dental restorative materials is a controversial topic, especially when discussing modern manufacturing technologies.

Impact Resistance of Layered Aramid Fabric: A Numerical Study on Projectile-Induced Damage.

The aim of this work is to comparatively analyze, using numerical simulation, the impact behavior of aramid fabric. A layered panel was impacted by two projectiles specific to the NIJ protection level HG1. The protection level in this study is based on NIJ Standard 0123.

Thermoplastic Composite Hot-Melt Adhesives with Metallic Nano-Particles for Reversible Bonding Techniques Utilizing Microwave Energy.

This study investigated the creation of nano-composites using recycled LDPE and added 7.5 wt% nanofillers of Al and Fe in two varying particle sizes to be used as hot-melt adhesives for reversible bonding processes with the use of microwave technology. Reversible bonding relates to circular economy enhancement practices, like repair, refurbishment, replacement, or renovation.

Fiber and Polymer Composites: Processing, Simulation, Properties and Applications II.

Compliance with EU legislation on the efficient use of fossil fuels and the reduction in emissions and environmental impact has led many sectors of industry to become interested in obtaining and using more sustainable polymer composites with improved lifetime, in the recovery and recycling of materials at the end of their life cycle, and in the use of renewable natural resources [...

Wind Turbine Blade Material Behavior in Abrasive Wear Conditions.

The wind turbine blades are exposed, during functioning, to the abrasive wear generated by the impact with air-borne sand particles. In this work, samples of a commercial wind turbine blade, made of a multi-layered composite material, are subjected to abrasive wear tests, using an air streamed wearing particles test rig. Following the analysis of the tests' results was found that the only protection against failure of the blade by abrasive damage is the surface layer.

Novel Nanocomposites and Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposites for Hexavalent Chromium Removal from Aqueous Media.

Designing new engineered materials derived from waste is essential for effective environmental remediation and reducing anthropogenic pollution in our economy. This study introduces an innovative method for remediating metal-contaminated water, using two distinct waste types: one biowaste (eggshell) and one industrial waste (fly ash). We synthesized three novel, cost-effective nanoadsorbent types, including two new tertiary composites and two biopolymer-based composites (specifically k-carrageenan and chitosan), which targeted chromium removal from aqueous solutions.

Ecodesign Enhancement of Polymeric Resins: Reinforcing with Synthetic and Natural Fibers Using Theory of Inventive Problem Solving-Algorithm of Inventive Problem Solving for Sustainable Composite Design.

This study examines the enhancement of the mechanical strength of polymer resins through reinforcement with synthetic (glass) and natural (hemp, jute) fibers, using the TRIZ-ARIZ methodology to optimize composite design for improved mechanical properties, sustainability, and economic efficiency. Mechanical testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were conducted to evaluate the properties of the composite materials. Regarding tensile strength testing, the results showed the following: jute fiber achieved the best results, with a maximum tensile values of 43.

An Overview on Nettle Studies, Compounds, Processing and the Relation with Circular Bioeconomy.

This paper provides an interdisciplinary overview of nettle bioactive compounds and processing, and ir also explores its role in the circular bioeconomy. L. is sometimes referred to as a multipurpose herbaceous species that has been used historically in food, textiles, and medicine owing its rich profile of biological compounds.

Importance of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and Molecular Regulation as Therapeutic Strategies in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Noncoding RNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), have emerged as key players in the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). MiRNAs, small endogenous RNA molecules that silence target mRNAs to regulate gene expression, are closely linked to immune responses and inflammatory pathways in IBD. Notably, miR-21, miR-146a, and miR-155 are consistently upregulated in IBD, influencing immune cell modulation, cytokine production, and the intestinal epithelial barrier.

Micronutrient Status in Patients with Severe Obesity Before and After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) are commonly reported after bariatric and metabolic surgery, including laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Nevertheless, the micronutrient status changes over time and the influence of sex or initial body mass index (BMI) on these changes are less explored. This study aims to investigate the changes in micronutrient levels at 6 and 12 months after LSG and the potential influence of sex or baseline BMI (≥40 kg/m) on these changes in patients submitted to LSG.