The encapsulation effect of UV molecular absorbers into biocompatible lipid nanoparticles

The efficiency of a cosmetic product depends not only on the active ingredients, but also on the carrier system devoted to improve its bioavailability. This article aims to encapsulate two couples of UV molecular absorbers, with a blocking action on both UV-A and UV-B domains, into efficient lipid nanoparticles. The effect of encapsulation on the specific properties such as sun protection factor and photostability behaviour has been demonstrated. The lipid nanoparticles with size range 30-350 nm and a polydispersity index between 0.217 and 0.244 are obtained using a modified high shear homogenisation method. The nanoparticles had spherical shapes with a single crystallisation form of lipid matrices characteristic for the least ordered crystal structure (α-form). The in vitro determination of photoprotection has led to high SPF ratings, with values of about 20, which assure a good photoprotection and filtering about 95% of UV radiation. The photoprotection effect after irradiation stage was observed to be increased more than twice compared to initial samples as a result of isomerisation phenomena. All the results have shown that good photoprotection effect and improved photostability could be obtained using such sunscreen couples, thus demonstrating that UV absorbers-solid lipid nanoparticles are promising carriers for cosmetic formulations

Research on the physico – chemical characterization of improved genotypes for Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. obtained in the ecological system

Currently, world, horticultural producers and processors are concerned to obtain high quality organic products in conditions of economic profitability. The main aim of the research is to highlight the physico – chemical characteristics of some improved genotypes from the species Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. obtained in ecological system in the experimental field within USAMV Iasi in 2019. Thus, the aim was to highlight some qualitative parameters, respectively: titrable acidity, pH value, total dry matter content, soluble dry matter, vitamin c, carotene and lycopene content. The biological material was represented by 37 improved tomato genotypes in order to ensure competitive horticultural techniques. The 37 genotypes of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. showed an average value of the total dry matter content of 7.07 ± 0.5%, showing an oscillating amplitude of the lower delimited values of 4.64% (G223) and 17.9% (G265). The average pH value was 4.4 with limits that fell within the range of variation [4.15 – 4.85]. The content of vitamin C ranged between 14 mg/ 100 g and 29 mg/ 100 g. Other components with antioxidant value that have been shown in important proportions are represented by carotenes (2.36 – 21.22 mg/ 100 g) and lycopene (3.01 – 33.7 mg/ 100 g). This research results strengthens the data in the literature referring to the bioactive compounds of tomatoes emphasizing that the study was conducted for different genotypes grown in organic conditions

Effect of Heavy Metals on the Germination of Wheat Seeds: Enzymatic Assay

Stress caused by heavy metals is a major problem which affects agricultural productivity and, implicitly, human health. Natural flora presents differences of tolerance to heavy metals. Some plants grow well in a soil enriched with heavy metals, while others cannot develop in such conditions. This study investigates the effect of heavy metals on plant viability at molecular level and draws attention to the danger of the widespread use of toxic compounds

Functional quality of improved tomato genotypes grown in open field and in plastic tunnel under organic farming

In response to urgent demand to raise awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of tomato consumption and to advocate for healthy diets through increased sustainable production and consumption of fruits and vegetables, this study is intended to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle, sharing the best practices of production and consumption. The aim of this research was to compare the effects of the growing system (field vs. plastic tunnel) and of genotype characteristics for organic improved tomato genotypes. The research was carried out in the 2019 and 2020 years on eight improved tomato genotypes. The results showed that the ascorbic acid content presented higher values for organic tomatoes cultivated in the field for all genotypes studied, with an upper limit of 18.57 mg 100 g1 FW. In contrast, the content in -carotene and lycopene showed higher values for genotypes grown under plastic tunnel conditions. Significant statistical differences were noticed concerning the mean values of all genotypes according to cultivation conditions (field vs. plastic tunnel) for most parameters excepting total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturity index (MI) and flavor index (FI). This highlights the major importance of the selection of some genotypes of tomatoes that respond positively to the organic cultivation system in terms of the presence of the antioxidants compounds (vitamin C, lycopene, and carotene) in representative quantities. Genotype 3 is highlighted by the highest content in carotene (7.4 mg 100 g1 F.W.) and lycopene (8.4 mg 100 g1 F.W.) and genotype 5 by the highest content in vitamin C (16.8 mg 100 g1 F.W.). The results of the study suggest that by applying appropriate techniques for growing organic tomatoes in the plastic tunnel system, the antioxidant substrate can be optimized compared to the results obtained for the field system

Surface Analysis of 3D (SLM) Co–Cr–W Dental Metallic Materials

The surface condition of the materials involved in dentistry is significant for the subsequent operations that are applied in oral cavity. Samples of Co–Cr–W alloy, obtained through selective laser melting (SLM) 3D printing, with different surface states were analyzed. Surface analysis after the 3D printing process and sandblasting was realized from microstructural, chemical composition, profilometry, droplet adhesion, scratch test, and microhardness perspectives. The results presented a hardening process and a roughness modification following the sandblasting procedure, a better adhesion of the liquid droplets, the appearance of micro-cracks during the scratch test, and the oxidation of the sample after the 3D printing process and surface processing

Interaction of beta-amyloid(1-40) peptide with pairs of metal ions : an electrospray ion trap mass spectrometric model study

The stoichiometries and the affinity toward simple and paired metal ions of synthetic amyloid-β(1-40) peptide (Aβ1-40) were investigated by electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), circular dichroism (CD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results lead to the working hypothesis that pH-dependent metal binding to Aβ1-40 may induce conformational changes, which affect the affinity toward other metals. A significant copper and zinc binding to Aβ1-40 peptide at pH 5.5 was found, whereas nickel ions commonly bind to each molecule of β-amyloid peptide. Some complexes of Aβ1-40 with more than one nickel ion were identified by ESI-MS. In addition, nickel ions proved to enhance Aβ oligomerization. On increasing pH, up to 12 ions of zinc may bind to a single Aβ molecule. Under the same pH and concentration conditions, the binding pattern of the independent copper and silver ions to Aβ1-40 was different from that of the equimolecular mixture of the two metal ions. One might assume that some conformational changes due to water loss altered the capacity of Aβ peptide to bind certain heavy metal ions. As a consequence, copper silver interaction with the binding process to Aβ1-40 became highly complex. A competition between silver and nickel ions for Aβ1-40 binding sites at high pH was also observed. New strategies were proposed to identify the characteristic signals for some important metal ion peptide complexes in the spectra recorded at high pH or high concentrations of metal ions. To explain the formation of such a large number of high metal ion Aβ complexes, we took into consideration the participation of both histidine residues and free amino groups as well as carboxylate ones in the binding process. Finally, CD and AFM studies supported the mass spectrometric data

Meat Fatty Acid Composition of Wild Boars Hunted in Romania in Relationship to Gender and Age-Class

The present study evaluates the influence of gender and age-class on the carcass traits, meat chemical composition, and fatty acid profiles of randomly hunt-harvested wild boars from Romania’s Frasin District hunting area, which is an important part of the stock density management strategy. Only 76 wild boars were chosen to participate in the experimental design from a total of 94 wild boars hunted over seven winter seasons, based on two main criteria: right carcass part intact and animal health status (suitable for human consumption) as determined by the veterinary health notice issued by the Food Safety Authority, with all wild boars being evaluated before slaughtering. After sanitary inspection and within the first 24 h postmortem, meat samples were taken in duplicate from the right side of wild boar carcasses (m. Biceps femoris). The aim of this study was to compare the carcass characteristics, chemical composition, and fatty acid profile of wild boar Biceps femoris muscle obtained from the right side of carcasses, as well as the effects of gender, age-class, and their interaction on these traits, in a context where venison is frequently regarded as organic food by consumers due to the natural habitat in which wild animals live. The age of the animals had an effect on the postmortem undressed warm and cold carcass weights (p ≤ 0.05). Considering the proximal chemical composition, only the intramuscular fat (IMF) content was higher in adult meat samples compared to young animals. C18:1 n-9 was the most abundant fatty acid in wild boar meat, followed by C16:0, C18:2 n-6, and C18:0. For IMF content, gender, age class, and their interaction influenced mainly MUFA fatty acids, in particular C16:1 n-9, C20:1 n-9 and C22:1 n-9, and also PUFA fatty acids C18:3 n-6, C20:3 n-3, C20:4 n-6, C20:5 n-3, C22:4 n-6, and C22:5 n-6. The appropriate amounts of individual fatty acids in the muscles of the wild boars translate into a ratio of P/S acids that promotes health as a bio-alternative resource of meat

ORAL HEALTH OF YOUNG INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AN INDICATOR FOR THE QUALITY OF LIFE

Aim of the study Disability does not annul the right of an individual to receive qualitative health care, which includes oral and dental care; instead, it should actually increase the attentiveness of caregivers and medical providers regarding oral hygiene and treatment measures, considering the high risks of this category of population. Especially in the case of children and adolescents, population with a high prevalence of different types of disabilities, oral and dental care is often disregarded. This study aims to review current information in literature referring to disabled children and adolescents and the management of oral and dental care in the context of their quality of life. Material and methods A literature review was performed, after evaluating recent articles and studies, using the search terms: children, adolescents, disability, dental care. Results Inclusion of disabled individuals and their integration in society is more and more present, leading to concern regarding healthcare needs in general, and oral and dental care needs in particular. Since children and adolescents with disabilities present a greater risk for dental caries and periodontal pathology, efforts are made to prevent and properly manage these conditions. Conclusions Special needs dentistry benefits from the incredible evolution of social perception on disability, as well as technological and medical development available. Nevertheless, in our country, oral healthcare and dental prevention programs aimed at children and adolescents with disability are scarce, underlying an urgent need to develop and implement national strategies and plans to fulfil the worldwide current objective of a caries-free population