Technological aspects of producing bird's foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) seeds

The species Lotus corniculatus L., commonly named bird’s-foot trefoil, is a very important perennial legume, widely spread in both Romania and abroad, being the basis for meadow and hay-making fields mixtures in the mountain and plain areas. Ensuring high-quality seeds in sufficient amounts from the cultivars with high biological value implies the development of the seed production activity and the maintenance of biological value of existing cultivars. In this paper, the authors aim at pointing out the effect of some insecticides on bird’s-foot trefoil thrips (Odontothrips loti H.) as well as the impact of different cut methods on seed yield in bird’s-foot trefoil. All insecticides used in the control of bird’s-foot trefoil thrips increased mean seed production per ha compared to the control: among them, Sinoratox 1.5 l/ha proved to be the best. As for the bi-factorial trial in which we tested different cutting methods in combination with different insecticides to control bird’s-foot trefoil thrips, the best proved to be the cutting method in which we used the desiccant Reglone 1 l/ha (163.66 kg/ha)

STUDIES AND RESEARCHES ON DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING A MECHANICAL MACHINE FOR MEAT TENDERIZATION WITH PNEUMATIC ACTION AND POSSIBILITIES FOR AUTOMATION

Within meat processing technology the tenderization operation is important in the rapid maturation technique. Among tenderization methods, the least studied, yet with full ecological, biological and economical advantages is the mechanical tenderization. In this paper is presented an experimental model of machine of our own conception for the optimization of the tenderization process of the meat used for preparing traditionally products. Beside this the present paper presents the adequate system of pneumatic action and the automation elements of the working parameters which were made as our own conception for construction a machine for meat tenderization. Within the elaborated pneumatic scheme of driving there are identified the elements that can be electrically driven and the basis established scheme includes the programmable controller of the process. This allows the presenting of the organization schemes for every phase within the working process of machine and, finally, the cyclic scheme of function in order to establish the specific solutions for different meat types

Technological aspects of producing bird's foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) seeds

The species Lotus corniculatus L., commonly named bird’s-foot trefoil, is a very important perennial legume, widely spread in both Romania and abroad, being the basis for meadow and hay-making fields mixtures in the mountain and plain areas. Ensuring high-quality seeds in sufficient amounts from the cultivars with high biological value implies the development of the seed production activity and the maintenance of biological value of existing cultivars. In this paper, the authors aim at pointing out the effect of some insecticides on bird’s-foot trefoil thrips (Odontothrips loti H.) as well as the impact of different cut methods on seed yield in bird’s-foot trefoil. All insecticides used in the control of bird’s-foot trefoil thrips increased mean seed production per ha compared to the control: among them, Sinoratox 1.5 l/ha proved to be the best. As for the bi-factorial trial in which we tested different cutting methods in combination with different insecticides to control bird’s-foot trefoil thrips, the best proved to be the cutting method in which we used the desiccant Reglone 1 l/ha (163.66 kg/ha)

Cognition, Statins, and Cholesterol in Elderly Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Neurologist’s Perspective

Background and Objectives: The efficacy of hydroxy methyl glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events pushed the target LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels lower and lower in successive guidelines despite signals regarding potential cognitive side effects. We evaluated the relationship between cognitive impairment and LDL-C levels in elderly ischemic stroke patients. Materials and Methods: 29 ischemic stroke patients aged 65 and above with LDL-C levels ≤70 mg/dL, classified according to the TOAST criteria, underwent detailed neuropsychological testing comprising the MMSE test, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Evaluation (ACE-III) test. Their performances were compared to those of 29 age-matched ischemic stroke patients with LDL-Cl levels >71 mg/dL. Results: The MMSE test failed to detect significant cognitive differences between the two groups. The MoCA and ACE-III tests detected impairments in visuo-spatial/executive function, attention, and recall/memory in patients with low LDL-C. A stepwise linear regression model of the ACE-III total scores revealed that LDL-cholesterol levels could contribute to 13.8% of the detected cognitive dysfunction, second in importance only to age, which contributed to 38.8% of the detected impairment. Conclusions: Physicians should be cautious when prescribing statins to elderly people. Hydrophilic ones may be preferred in cognitively impaired patients

Neuroinflammation in Cerebral Ischemia and Ischemia/Reperfusion Injuries: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Strategies

Its increasing incidence has led stroke to be the second leading cause of death worldwide. Despite significant advances in recanalization strategies, patients are still at risk for ischemia/reperfusion injuries in this pathophysiology, in which neuroinflammation is significantly involved. Research has shown that in the acute phase, neuroinflammatory cascades lead to apoptosis, disruption of the blood–brain barrier, cerebral edema, and hemorrhagic transformation, while in later stages, these pathways support tissue repair and functional recovery. The present review discusses the various cell types and the mechanisms through which neuroinflammation contributes to parenchymal injury and tissue repair, as well as therapeutic attempts made in vitro, in animal experiments, and in clinical trials which target neuroinflammation, highlighting future therapeutic perspectives

Unsymmetrical banana-shaped liquid crystalline compounds 1 derived from 2,7-dihydroxynaphtalene

The synthesis and characterization of new bent-core asymmetric compounds derived from 2,7-dihydroxynaphtalene with various connecting groups between the aromatic rings and alkyloxy terminal substituents at the end of the long arm are presented. As calamitic promesogenic units some 1,4 - disubstituted phenylene rings with azo or ester linkage between them have been used. The synthetic strategies to obtain the final esteric derivatives involved the esterification of 7-(benzyloxy)naphthalen-2-ol with 4-(4-alkyloxyphenylazo)benzoyl chlorides or with 4-((4- (alkyloxy)benzoyl)oxy)benzoic acids in the presence of DCCI and DMAP. The mesomorphic properties have been assigned by optical polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All the compounds showed mesomorphic properties of enantiotropic or monotropic type, the liquid crystalline behavior depending on the linking group between the phenylene rings. Thermogravimetric studies evidenced that all compounds were stable in the range of the existence of mesophases

Cholesterol Management in Neurology: Time for Revised Strategies?

Statin therapy has been extensively evaluated and shown to reduce the incidence of new or recurrent vascular events, ischemic stroke included. As a consequence, each published guideline pushes for lower low-density cholesterol levels in the population at large, recommending increased statin doses and/or adding new cholesterol-lowering molecules. Neurologists find it sometimes difficult to apply these guidelines, having to confront situations such as (1) ischemic strokes, mainly cardioembolic ones, in patients with already low LDL-cholesterol levels; (2) myasthenic patients, whose lifespan has been extended by available treatment, and whose age and cholesterol levels put them at risk for ischemic stroke; (3) patients with myotonic dystrophy, whose disease often associates diabetes mellitus and heart conduction defects, and in whom blood cholesterol management is also not settled. As such, further trials are needed to address these issues