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The VM Project: the parallel texts method promoting deep learning engagement of medical students
No full textThe article draws on the VM project, Digital Transformation of Histology and Histopathology by Virtual Microscopy
(VM) for an Innovative Medical School Curriculum, funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ framework.
The project has as its focus VM, which has come to be regarded as a modern tool boasting increased quality and utility
in microscopy education in European medical schools. We aim therefore at digitally transforming microscopy teaching
and learning in order to achieve a cost-effective implementation and successful use of virtual microscopy technology
towards the improvement of the histology and histopathology curriculum. The paper looks into the project’s objectives
and results, among which standard E.U. curricula for histology and histopathology, a virtual slide library, a training
guide on advanced VM teaching in microscopy, and an open online course on VM. As an add-on, we also introduce the
parallel text reading approach and its beneficial effects on the quality of foreign language learning by medical students.
In view of the transferability potential of its deliverables and its relevant methodology, we are confident that the VM
project contributes to the overall modernization of the educational system
Impact of Red Sludge Dumps, Originating from Industrial Activity, on the Soil and Underground Water
No full textIn the aluminum industry, one of the most sensitive economic and environmental problems is the management of resulting waste such as slag, ash and sludge, which become potential sources of pollution. Red sludge, which results from the aluminum industry, is a mixture made up of different forms of iron and aluminum oxides, sodium and aluminum silicates, various titanium compounds, constituted in the residue left after the alkaline solubilization of alumina. The Purpose of this research is to quantify the environmental aspects involved in the storage of sludge in a landfill that has an area of 381,189 square meters and is located in the hearth of a former ballast tank in the western industrial area of the town of Oradea, Romania. The objective of the research was to determine the impact of red sludge dumps, which originated from industrial activity, on the soil and groundwater. The degree of degradation of the soil cover was highlighted by analyzing a number of 12 soil samples (4 collection points, at 3 depths). A total of 14 samples (7 samples on 2 depths) were investigated to monitor the migration mode of the sludge in the structure of the dam. In order to monitor the quality of groundwater, samples from 3 observation boreholes were analyzed. Soil monitoring results did not indicate values of the analyzed parameters above the values imposed by the national legislation on soil quality. Since the dumps were not waterproofed, the quality parameters of the water from the observation boreholes were exceeded, and gravity caused the water to drain into the underground water network in the area. Based on the samples from the observation boreholes, several measurements exceeded allowable values: pH values of the water sample taken from upstream of the dump exceeded the value limits by about 7%, and both upstream and downstream, water samples indicate an excess of 13.60% in the aluminum indicator, 267% in the sulfate ion, and 417% in the sodium ion. This shows a risk of pollution which requires additional monitoring
Composite Hydrogels with Embedded Silver Nanoparticles and Ibuprofen as Wound Dressing
No full textThe wound healing process is often slowed down as a result of complications from bacterial infections and inflammatory reactions. Therefore, it is necessary to develop dressings with fast antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity that shorten the wound healing period by promoting cell migration and proliferation. Chitosan (CS)-based hydrogels have been widely studied for their antibacterial and wound healing capabilities. Herein, we developed a composite hydrogel based on CS and PVA embedding silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with antibacterial properties and ibuprofen (Ib) as an anti-inflammatory agent. The hydrogel prepared by double physical cross-linking, with oxalic acid and by freeze–thawing, loaded with 0.225 wt.% AgNPs and 0.264 wt.% Ib, displayed good mechanical properties (compressive modulus = 132 kPa), a high swelling degree and sustained drug delivery (in simulated skin conditions). Moreover, the hydrogel showed strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae due to the embedded AgNPs. In vivo, this hydrogel accelerated the wound regeneration process through the enhanced expression of TNF alpha IP8, by activating downstream cascades and supporting the healing process of inflammation; Cox2, which enhances the migration and proliferation of cells involved in re-epithelization and angiogenesis; MHCII, which promotes immune cooperation between local cells, eliminating dead tissue and controlling infection; the intense expression of Col I as a major marker in the tissue granulation process; and αSMA, which marks the presence of myofibroblasts involved in wound closure and indicates ongoing re-epithelization. The results reveal the potential healing effect of CS/PVA/AgNPs/Ib hydrogels and suggest their potential use as wound dressings
Carbohydrate content assessment in different commercial dogs diets
Get PDFThe growing awareness of the needs of pets by pet owners has also led to a diversity of diets on the market. Given that a
proper diet is the best prevention for diseases such as obesity, diabetes, adverse food reactions, gastrointestinal disorders
and even cancer, it is vital to guide owners early on towards an optimal diet for the physiological requirements of each
individual pet. An increasingly debated topic in canine nutrition lately is the percentage of carbohydrates in dog food.
The International Research Council has concluded that there is no need for carbohydrates at all in dog diets (corn, rice,
potatoes, barley, etc.). However, carbohydrates are the dominant ingredient in most dry foods and they are abundantly
present. They are not harmful to dogs when present in reasonable quantities. Carbohydrates provide a high source of
energy, but the problem is the large amount in which they are found in many types of dry food. While protein, fat, fiber
and moisture are always listed on a package label as part of the chemical analysis, pet food manufacturers are not
required to list 'carbohydrates' in the food as they are the main macronutrient determining postprandial glucose levels.
Because of this concern, we thought it appropriate to bring to the attention of dog owners the percentage of
carbohydrates in different categories of dry dog food, as well as the types of cereals included in the dry food that have a
different glycemic index, which is a system that measures the effects that carbohydrates in food have on blood sugar
levels
Research on morphology, bioecology and control of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) in some species cultivated under the conditions of A.R.D.S. Secuieni
No full textTomato responses to salinity stress: From morphological traits to genetic changes
No full textTomato is an essential annual crop providing human food worldwide. It is estimated that by the year 2050 more than 50% of the arable land will become saline and, in this respect, in recent years, researchers have focused their attention on studying how tomato plants behave under various saline conditions. Plenty of research papers are available regarding the effects of salinity on tomato plant growth and development, that provide information on the behavior of different cultivars under various salt concentrations, or experimental protocols analyzing various parameters. This review gives a synthetic insight of the recent scientific advances relevant into the effects of salinity on the morphological, physiological, biochemical, yield, fruit quality parameters, and on gene expression of tomato plants. Notably, the works that assessed the salinity effects on tomatoes were firstly identified in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, followed by their sifter according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline and with an emphasis on their results. The assessment of the selected studies pointed out that salinity is one of the factors significantly affecting tomato growth in all stages of plant development. Therefore, more research to find solutions to increase the tolerance of tomato plants to salinity stress is needed. Furthermore, the findings reported in this review are helpful to select, and apply appropriate cropping practices to sustain tomato market demand in a scenario of increasing salinity in arable lands due to soil water deficit, use of low-quality water in farming and intensive agronomic practices
The use of Mathematical models in monitoring the risk of re-emerging malaria in Romania
Get PDFMalaria, considered to be the oldest disease on earth, has a high annual mortality rate and
represents a global threat. Being transmitted by mosquitoes, this disease is expanding its spatial range,
gradually manifesting itself in previously unaffected areas and reappearing in areas where it was
eradicated in the past. With mosquitoes – poikilothermic arthropods – as its definitive host, the
development of the Plasmodium protozoan depends entirely on the environmental temperature. Thus,
predictions of mosquito population development and pathogen evolution within vectors, in contrast to
climate change, are becoming a necessity, especially for European countries, which are currently free
of many of the targeted diseases, especially malaria, with only imported cases remaining. The
climatologic analysis highlighted that in 2023 in the Danube Delta area cumulative temperaturehumidity conditions for malaria infection have been met. From the 13th of May to the 30th of
September infection with Plasmodium vivax was possible and from the 9
th of June to the 30th of
September infection with Plasmodium falciparum was likely. We estimate that the periods in which
mosquitoes can multiply in the Danube Delta will increase by 2 weeks in next 50 years, in the context
of climate change
Comparative analysis of the influence of different biostimulators on the germination and sprouting behaviour of four wheat varieties
No full textWheat is an important cereal
around the world and is a nutrient source in
people’s diets. In this work, we focused on
the potential of some biostimulators on four
wheat varieties - Dropia, Glosa, Gruia, and
Pegasus, with a focus on the effects during
the first developing stages from germination
to the appearance of the second leaf. Our
results indicated that germination and some
biochemical traits can be strongly influenced
by biostimulants, with the effects also
depending on the genetic background of the
variety. Some treatments proved beneficial
for germination, and also growth as found by
the biometric measurements, while others
inhibited both traits. Some of the
biostimulants increased the concentration of
the photosynthetic compounds, thus being
recommended for use during all stages of
wheat development. Dropia, Glosa, and
Gruia reacted positively in most tests, their
germination and plant and root development
were stimulated by Super fifty, Atonik,
Asfac, and Cropmax. Thus, we recommend
the use of these biostimulants in the first
development stages. The concentrations of
photosynthetic pigments increased after
treatment with Asfac, Atonik, and Cropmax.
The treatment showing the most inhibitory
effects was Lebosol
Cellulose acetate/silica composites: Physicochemical and biological characterization
No full textCellulose acetate is of remarkable scientific interest, becoming more useful when is used in obtaining of the composite materials containing nanoparticles, as result of its improved properties. Thus, cellulose acetate/silica composite films obtained by casting the solutions of cellulose acetate (CA)/tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in different mixing ratios were analyzed in this paper. The impact of TEOS addition, and implicitly of the silica nanoparticles on the mechanical strength, water vapor sorption properties and antimicrobial activity of the cellulose acetate/silica films were mainly monitored. The results of the tensile strength tests were discussed in correlation with data obtained from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. It was found that samples with low TEOS content show improved mechanical strength compared to samples with high amounts of TEOS. The microstructural characteristics of the studied films affect their moisture sorption capacity so that the weight of the adsorbed water increases with the addition of TEOS. These features are complemented with the antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacterial species. The obtained data show that the cellulose acetate/silica films, and especially those with low silica content have improved properties that can recommend them for applications in the biomedical field
Diagnostic methods used to detect Toxoplasma gondii infestation in cats - case report
Get PDFThe results regarding the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in humans in the city of Iasi during one year, show a rate of 6,6%
of cases detected with positive IgM, and 32.7% of cases detected with positive IgG, compared to the prevalence of
toxoplasmosis in cats which shows a rate of 0.7% of positive cases detected with positive IgM; which denotes that
toxoplasmosis is underdiagnosed in veterinary medicine. A very important role is played by the diagnostic method used.
The article deals with a case study, a 1,8-year-old cat with cerebellar ataxia, dysmetria and hypermetria, with moderate
opacification of the entire corneal surface, panuveitis, chorioretinitis and corneal edema. Following the paraclinical
investigations, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was made, using the Welltest Toxoplasma IgG/IgM
immunochromatographic test, confirming the acute phase of the disease with positive IgM and negative IgG. Using the
molecular detection techniques through qRT PCR, the result was negative, emphasizing the fact that the protozoan
Toxoplasma gondii uses the blood as a way of spreading in the body, the relatively short phase that can induce a
negative result, despite the presence of severe symptoms. The conclusions emphasize the importance of using a correct
diagnostic method, molecular techniques, despite their high sensitivity, are not always recommended. In toxoplasmosis,
the recommended diagnostic method is the serological one to detect IgG/IgM antibodies