BARIATRIC SURGERY METABOLIC EFFECTS IN OBESE INDIVIDUALS ASSOCIATING INSULIN RESISTANCE STATUS

Background and aims. Metabolic syndrome or insulin-resistance syndrome is an obesity related condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus over time. In this prospective study, overweight and obese individuals were assessed for insulin-resistance status by the HOMA indexes. Material and methods. 48 bariatric patients associating metabolic syndrome were assessed before and 6 months after the surgery procedure (gastric sleeve, gastric by-pass). The assessment included the following laboratory blood tests: glucose, insulin, HOMA1 index and HOMA2 index before meal. Results. There was a significant improvement of insulin resistance status in obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Conclusions. Insulin resistance status in obese individuals improves significantly after bariatric treatment

Evaluating Weight Loss Efficacy in Obesity Treatment with Allurion’s Ingestible Gastric Balloon: A Retrospective Study Utilizing the Scale App Health Tracker

Obesity represents a growing public health concern, affecting more than 15% of the global adult population and involving a multi-billion market that comprises nutritional, surgical, psychological, and multidisciplinary interventions. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the short-term efficacy and body weight measurements associated with differing levels of physical activity following the use of Allurion’s ingestible gastric balloon that was designed to increase feelings of fullness and decrease food consumption, being naturally eliminated after approximately 16 weeks. This study involved 571 individuals who qualified for the intervention for being older than 20 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or more. Utilizing the Scale App Health Tracker and Allurion’s smartwatch, this study was able to track vital signs and physical activity in real time. The participants had an average initial BMI of 34.1 kg/m2 and a median age of 41 years. Notable outcomes were observed in both study groups, “Less Active” and “More Active”, which were classified by achieving less or more than a median number of 8000 daily steps. Specifically, body fat percentage saw a reduction from 33.1 ± 9.4 to 28.3 ± 10.2 in the less active group and from 32.2 to 27.5 in the more active group, with both groups achieving statistical significance (p p p = 0.045), although no substantial differences in weight loss, BMI reduction, and total body fat decrease were observed between the two groups. This investigation confirms the hypothesis that Allurion’s ingestible gastric balloon significantly reduces weight in the short term and enhances several physical health metrics, demonstrating effectiveness as an autonomous method for challenging weight management, regardless of the level of daily physical activity

Analysis of Patient Outcomes following Curative R0 Multiorgan Resections for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: This systematic review examines the efficacy of multiorgan resection (MOR) in treating locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC), focusing on survival outcomes, postoperative morbidity, and mortality. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of studies in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase up to November 2023, based on the PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria focused on clinical trials, observational studies, case–control studies, and qualitative research, involving patients of any age and gender diagnosed with LAGC undergoing MOR aimed at R0 resection, with secondary outcomes focusing on survival rates, postoperative outcomes, and the effects of adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies. Exclusion criteria ruled out non-human studies, research not specifically focused on LAGC patients undergoing MOR, and studies lacking clear, quantifiable outcomes. The quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The final analysis included twenty studies, involving a total of 2489 patients across a time span from 2001 to 2023. Results highlighted a significant variation in median survival times ranging from 10 to 27 months and R0 resection rates from 32.1% to 94.3%. Survival rates one-year post-R0 resection varied between 46.7% and 84.8%, with an adjusted weighted mean of 66.95%. Key predictors of reduced survival included esophageal invasion and peritoneal dissemination, the presence of more than six lymph nodes, and tumor sizes over 10 cm. Nevertheless, the meta-analysis revealed a significant heterogeneity (I2 = 87%), indicating substantial variability across studies, that might be caused by differences in surgical techniques, patient demographics, and treatment settings which influence survival outcomes. Results: The review underlines the important role of achieving R0 resection status in improving survival outcomes, despite the high risks associated with MOR. Variability across studies suggests that local practice patterns and patient demographics significantly influence results. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the need for aggressive surgical strategies to improve survival in LAGC treatment, highlighting the importance of achieving curative resection despite inherent challenges

Serum leptin levels and pancreatic endocrine function in bariatric patients

Background. Leptin is a hormone synthetized and secreted by the adipose tissue, with a regulating role in the neuro-endocrine-metabolic functions in humans during fasting. Obesity associates metabolic syndrome which combines a leptin resistance status with an insulin resistance status, a disorder that increases the risk of occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. After the bariatric treatment, the decrease of leptin levels in obese patients improves the endocrine function of the pancreas and decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus over time. Aim. In the present study, we have monitored the dynamics of the serum values of leptin, insulin and glucose in correlation with the decrease of BMI (body mass index) after the bariatric surgery. Material and methods. Glucose, insulin and leptin serum levels were assessed in 48 obese individuals before and at 6 months after the bariatric surgery. Results. Leptin and insulin serum levels are decreasing significantly along with the decrease of BMI and pancreatic beta cells optimize their endocrine functionality. Conclusion. Pancreatic endocrine function in obese individuals who undergo bariatric treatment improves significantly at 6 months after the surgery procedure

Correlation between Body Mass Index and Homa Index in Bariatric Patients

Background and aims: Overweight and obese individuals are prone to an insulin resistance status assessed in the present study by the HOMA index ("Homeostasis model assessment"). This prospective study assessed the body mass index (BMI) and the insulin resistance status (HOMA index) in obese patients after bariatric surgery (gastric sleeve, gastric by-pass)

Liposomes with Caffeic Acid: Morphological and Structural Characterisation, Their Properties and Stability in Time

Medical and pharmaceutical research has shown that liposomes are very efficient in transporting drugs to targets. In this study, we prepared six liposome formulas, three in which we entrapped caffeic acid (CA), and three with only phospholipids and without CA. Determination of entrapment efficiency (EE) showed that regardless of the phospholipids used, the percentage of CA entrapment was up to 76%. The characterization of the liposomes was performed using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), zeta potential and polydispersity and showed that about 75–99% of the liposomes had dimensions between 40 ± 0.55–500 ± 1.45 nm. The size and zeta potential of liposomes were influenced by the type of phospholipid used to obtain them. CA release from liposomes was performed using a six-cell Franz diffusion system, and it was observed that the release of entrapped CA occurs gradually, the highest amount occurring in the first eight hours (over 80%), after which the release is much reduced. Additionally, the time stability of the obtained liposomes was analysed using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. Therefore, liposomes offer great potential in CA entrapment

Indoor Microclimate and Microbiological Risks in Heritage Buildings: A Case Study of the Neologic Sinagogue, Oradea, Romania

Heritage buildings face risks related to the degradation of exhibited or stored artefacts, up to their destruction over time, as well as the health of workers and visitors. The main causes are microclimatic parameters (temperature, humidity, brightness, particles suspension, pollutants, degree of ventilation or air circulation), biological (bacteria, fungi, molds and insects) and anthropogenic ones (improper maintenance of the building and overcrowding of rooms). In accordance with these, the present study considers a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the air quality and the degree of microbiological contamination of the surfaces and the air inside a synagogue in the municipality of Oradea, Romania. The microbiological study highlighted the presence of some potentially harmful genera of fungi (Alternaria sp., Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Botrytis sp. and Cladosporium sp.) in the indoor air and on the surfaces inside the synagogue; suggesting an average degree of fungal contamination, with possible risk to individual health, especially in children and people with allergic status or allergic respiratory diseases. Statistical analysis concerning the occupational exposure to airborne microbes poses health risks to employees and visitors. Multivariate regression analysis results emphasize that higher symptoms scores were independently associated with experiencing a too low indoor air temperature; these symptoms would disappear within one to two hours after leaving the space. Air pollutants have become part of everyday life; therefore, consistent monitoring of indoor environments offers an effective approach to prevent or minimize the adverse health risk to building occupants in spaces such as heritage buildings

Źródła naturalne w prewencyjnej konserwacji tekstyliów naturalnie starzejących się

Natural antimicrobials can eliminate fungi and prevent the aging of cotton fabrics. While fungi can cause severe infections to the fabric user etc, natural antimicrobials have the advantage of not being toxic to humans. The present study showed that the essential oils of lemon (Citrus limon), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and mint (Mentha piperita) have inhibitory effects on yeast and mould spores on a piece of textile from Romanian cultural heritage, "ie", stored in a space within an ethnographic museum., inhibitory action against Botrytis sp., the inhibitory effect of lemon essential oil on Cladosporium sp. and that of peppermint essential oil on yeast species Rhododtorula mucilaginosa were demonstrated, respectively. Being environmentally friendly, these sources, can be tested on a large scale.Naturalne środki przeciwdrobnoustrojowe mogą eliminować grzyby i zapobiegać starzeniu się tkanin bawełnianych. Chociaż grzyby mogą powodować poważne infekcje u użytkowników wyrobów, naturalne środki przeciwdrobnoustrojowe mają tę zaletę, że nie są toksyczne dla ludzi. Przeprowadzone badanie wykazało, że olejki eteryczne z cytryny (Citrus limon), lawendy (Lavandula angustifolia) i mięty (Mentha piperita) działają hamująco na zarodniki drożdży i pleśni na tkaninie z rumuńskiego dziedzictwa kulturowego, przechowywanej w przestrzeni muzeum etnograficznego. Przyjazne dla środowiska źródła mogą być rekomendowane do stosowania na dużą skalę

Green Biocidal Nanotechnology Use for Urban Stone-Built Heritage—Case Study from Oradea, Romania

Heritage buildings clad with natural rock endure over time destruction caused by weathering mechanisms, pollution from urban areas, biodeterioration due to organisms, microorganisms, and also the anthropic factor. On the surface of the limestone samples taken from the ornamental natural rock with which the outside of Markovits-Mathéser house, Oradea, Romania, is clad, two species of fungi were inoculated in the laboratory: Aspergillus spp. and Cladosporium spp. Wollastonite was then applied, and from the imaging analysis (SEM), the inhibition of fungi by it is clearly observed (48 h after its application), which was also confirmed using the image segmentation method. It was also noted that the hydrophilicity of the aqueous suspension of wollastonite resulted in the absorption of water in the substrate, which in turn resulted in the drying out and surface breakage of the specimens. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the presence of the two phases (calcite and quartz) as in the starting sample, and also an additional phase assigned to wollastonite in the later phase of the experiment. An amorphous component, due to the applied gel composition, was also reported. This research highlights the fact that there are good premises for aqueous suspension of wollastonite to have a biocidal character for Aspegillus spp. and Cladosporium spp., when applied on natural stone used in the construction of heritage buildings located in temperate climates; due to its easy application, green and ecofriendly properties, and also low cost of acquisition and application

Museal Indoor Air Quality and Public Health: An Integrated Approach for Exhibits Preservation and Ensuring Human Health

The quality of the indoor microclimate in museums is a problem of great interest to the contemporary society, given that it is in close connection with the health and comfort of visitors and employees, as well as with the integrity of the exhibits. Taking into account the fact that museums are places that have a special role in the community’s life and therefore attract a very large number of visitors of all ages, a very important issue is to determine the degree of safety that the indoor microclimate presents. Thus, the quality of the indoor microclimate was investigated inside an iconic museum in Romania, dating back to the 19th century, because pollutants from external or internal sources of the building, generated secondary, often anthropogenic, as a tendency to defend/adapt to climate change (CC), contribute to both local and regional pollution, but also lead to challenges in identifying links between air quality (AQ) and and climate change (CC). The methodology used was based on monitoring the main parameters of the microclimate (temperature, relative humidity and CO2) over a period of between October 2020 and March 2021, 21 weeks, as well as on determining the microbiological contamination of the air and some indoor exhibits located in three different areas of the museum. At the same time, the study aims to identify cheap, easy to implement and non-invasive solutions for removing fungi identified on exhibits for long-term preservation and reducing the risk of various pathologies in humans following prolonged exposure. The results obtained show that the indoor microclimate in the old heritage building favours the development of fungi, which have a high degree of contamination of the air (over 800 CFU/m3) and of the exhibits, representing a potential risk for the health of the visitors and museum workers. Thus, six species of yeast and five different fungi genera were identified in the air, while on the exhibits were individualised six fungi genera, a species of yeast and a bacterium. The most viable solution for cleaning materials, prolonging their lifespan and reducing the risk of disease in humans was represented by the use of essential oils (EO). Three essential oils (lavender, mint and lemon) were applied on an exhibit with five different microorganism genera, and it was observed that they have the ability to inhibit the spores from moulds and bacteria, being a very good alternative to the usual chemical treatments that are used in the cultural heritage field