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Magnetic Nanoemulsions for the Intra-Articular Delivery of Ascorbic Acid and Dexamethasone
Get PDF(1) Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive joint degenerative disease that currently has no cure. Limitations in the development of innovative disease modifying therapies are related to the complexity of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. In addition, there is the unmet need for efficient drug delivery methods. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been proposed as an efficient modality for the delivery of bioactive molecules within OA joints, limiting the side effects associated with systemic delivery. We previously demonstrated MNP’s role in increasing cell proliferation and chondrogenesis. In the design of intra-articular therapies for OA, the combined NE-MNP delivery system could provide increased stability and biological effect. (2) Proprietary Fe3O4 MNPs formulated as oil-in-water (O/W) magneto nanoemulsions (MNEs) containing ascorbic acid and dexamethasone were tested for size, stability, magnetic properties, and in vitro biocompatibility with human primary adipose mesenchymal cells (ADSC), cell mobility, and chondrogenesis. In vivo biocompatibility was tested after systemic administration in mice. (3) We report high MNE colloidal stability, magnetic properties, and excellent in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility. By increasing ADSC migration potential and chondrogenesis, MNE carrying dexamethasone and ascorbic acid could reduce OA symptoms while protecting the cartilage layer
The 3Rs in tumor micro-environement studies: empirical bases of the ethical regulation
Get PDFWith the general goal to provide a rationale for the application of the 3Rs rule (Replace, Reduce, Refine), we aim to
study the effect of the tumor microenvironment (TME) on the tumor response to a chemotherapeutic agent and use this
research as a series of case studies in which to assess the application of the 3Rs rule from an epistemological point of
view. In particular, by comparing reiterated experiments using 2D and 3D tumor cell cultures with murine models of
cancer, we aim to assess to which extent mice can be Replaced or their number Reduced. In addition, we propose to
further characterize a novel, Refined model of cancer that better mimics humans in respect to classical murine models
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in garlic bulbs (Allium sativum L.) in correlation with soil from private gardens in the Copșa Mică area, Romania
No full textHeavy metal contamination of soil and plants is a worldwide concern. Copșa Mică in Romania is one of the areas in the country known to have a high level of pollution. Even if metallurgical activities have been reduced or stopped the soil is still polluted. This study aimed to estimate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu) in soil from garlic bulbs (Allium sativum L.) from individual gardens in the Copșa Mică polluted area, Romania. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals in garlic bulbs was estimated based on a data set collected from 44 individual gardens. The value of the linear correlation coefficient between the total cadmium content in the soil and that in the plant was significantly different from zero, indicating a close correlation between the two variables (r = 0.775***). In addition, for zinc (r = 0.649***) and lead (r = 0.423**), simple power-type regressions were found to be best for estimating the bioaccumulation of these elements in garlic bulbs. Only for copper, the value of the linear correlation coefficient was not significantly different from zero (r = 0.274ns), indicating that the estimation of copper accumulation in garlic cannot be described by simple power-type regressions. The results of this study are important for estimating the accumulation of heavy metals in garlic bulbs (head), which are often consumed by the population
Influence of a local action group on the local community
No full textA Local Action Group (LAG) represents a collaboration of localities and companies from the same perimeter that
merge in an association. The representatives of the Territorial Administrative Units together with the representatives of
the most important companies within the respective perimeter form a partnership in order to implement the LEADER
financing measures available through the National Rural Development Program NRDP and respectively the European
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development EAFRD. Depending on the area features where this partnership is established,
the size of a LAG, from the inhabitants number point of view, can have between 3,000 and 120,000 inhabitants.
Usually, such an association has about 40-50 members, including representatives of local communities and the private
environment - economic units. The Local Action Group thus formed can apply for non-reimbursable funds and thus
become itself a fund management body for the potential beneficiaries in its territory. The Local Action Group taken for
study was established in 2011, includes localities from Iasi and Botosani counties, respectively ten communes, one
town, and 30 economic units, representing about 7% of the cumulative area of the two counties. During the entire
period of operation, this LAG carried out more than 50 projects with a total value of non-refundable financing of more
than 3,000,000 Euros. The current work aims to interpret the effectiveness and influence of the local action group on the
community
Research on the Process of Convective Drying of Apples and Apricots Using an Original Drying Installation
No full textAfter being harvested, fresh apples and apricots have a high moisture content and are put through a drying process to reduce waste and lengthen shelf life. This study intends to evaluate the physicochemical parameters during moisture removal and product heating in order to conduct an experimental investigation of the convective drying of apples and apricots in a pilot drying installation. The drying agent’s temperature and/or speed can be adjusted using the pilot installation. About the raw materials: the apricots (Neptun variety) were dried and cut into halves, while the apples (Golden Delicious variety) were dried and cut into 4 mm thick slices. The fruits’ drying properties were observed at 50 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C, air speeds of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m/s, and relative air humidity levels of 40–45%. Findings of the ascorbic acid content, color, heating, and dimensional fluctuations are provided and examined. Increased air velocity and temperature had the expected effect of increasing water loss, solid gain, and shrinking. Depending on the drying conditions, different color characteristics were applied
Contributions to the study of the possibilities of combating obesity in pets (dogs and cats) through nutrition
No full textThe economic efficiency of the irrigation development from S.C. Livada de mere Itesti Bacău
No full textThe evaluation of the investment regarding the arrangement of the irrigation system within SC Livada mere de Iteşti SRL is made by calculating the economic efficiency. This is a fairly modern concept, that helps to substantiate decisions within the firm, in order to use resources as favorably as possible. The decision to invest in a complex set of measures, meant to bring production increases, as is the case with the irrigation system, was taken after an analysis of the evolution of the economic situation of the company. Any irrigation method used in a crop or plantation has the role of reducing the risks of the agricultural business. Therefore, especially in times of drought, crop yields and quality increase, creating additional incomes and, implicitly, profit. The economic efficiency assessment was calculated for the 2020 and 2021 crop years, because the plantation is young and has entered fruition in year 2 of planting. Important production increases were obtained, obtaining a 5% higher profit rate in year 4 of planting, compared to an nonirrigated orchard, which is in full fruit
Heavy Metals in Foods and Beverages: Global Situation, Health Risks and Reduction Methods
No full textHeavy metals are chemical elements with a toxic effect on the human body. The expansion of industries has led to significant increasing levels of these constituents in the environment. Intensive agriculture can also lead to an increased concentration of heavy metals as a result of using different fertilizers and pesticides. Heavy metal accumulation in soil and plants represents a serious issue because of the potential risks to consumers. There are several methods available for the removal of these toxic components from different substrates (chemical precipitation, electrodialysis, coagulation and flocculation, photocatalytic removal, and adsorption-based processes), but most procedures are expensive and difficult to perform. Thus, more research is needed on the development of low-cost methods in foods. This work represents a review on the heavy metal presence in different food substrates (such as fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, meat and meat derivatives, oils, and alcoholic beverages) and provides an overview of the current situation worldwide, taking into account the fact that risks for human health are induced by the intensification of industry and the high degree of pollution. Considering that the toxicological quality of food affects its acceptability, this work provides valuable data regarding the actual situation on the proposed topic
Effects of foliar fertilization on essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of two varieties of fennel
No full textVolatile oils extracted from various species of aromatic and medicinal plants establish a certain category of raw materials of high interest both in food industry and in cosmetics or perfumery. The chemical compounds from essential oils composition are much more appreciated, compared to synthetic substances, whereas natural extractions are associated with a much lower number of risk factors for population health. This research is topical at international level, because there is a lack of scientific data that would highlight as clearly as possible the influence of some factors on the quality of the essential oil obtained from aromatic and medicinal plants. The aim of this research was to determine the influence of foliar fertilizers on essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of two varieties of Foeniculum vulgare Mill., var. vulgare and var. dulce. The field research was established in USV Iasi Research Station – Ezăreni Farm, on May 2021, using a randomized block design with three replications. The data obtained in this research showed a significant influence of foliar treatments on the major components of the essential oil of bitter fennel and sweet fennel seeds. The main components of the oil extracted from fennel seeds were: anethole, fenchone, estragole, anisaldehyde and α-pinene. Also, by using complex foliar treatments (macronutrients, micronutrients and various amino acids) the specific synthesis processes of secondary metabolites (phenolic components, flavonoids) can be positively influenced
Characterization of a sausage assortment made from beef and pork liver: a comparative study
No full textThe study aimed to determine the influence of the amount of liver introduced into two varieties of liver sausages, pork and beef, on the quality properties of these products. The sausages were made from raw materials from two species (pork and beef) with additions of 25% liver and 50% liver, respectively, resulting in four experimental batches of products: BL25 (sausages with 25% beef liver), BL50 (sausages with 50% beef liver), PL25 (sausages with 25% pork liver), PL50 (sausages with 50% pork liver). Product quality was assessed in terms of chemical composition, instrumental color, pH, and sensory quality. The results showed higher protein contents for batches made with 50% liver, both for pork (19.18%) and beef (19.34%), compared to batches where only 25% liver was added. The same trend was observed for the moisture content; samples made with 50% liver showed higher moisture content compared to those with 25% liver. Increasing the percentage of liver added in the technological process caused a decrease in the lightness (L*) both in the external appearance and cross-sectional aspects of the beef-based batches. In contrast, the increse in liver content led to a rise in the average values for the a* (red-green) coordinate. These two parameters are directly influenced by the percentage of liver in the sausages, through the presence of myoglobin and hemoglobin, which are proteins that contain heme iron