Clique para se Alimentar. O Papel das Aplicações Móveis na melhoria do acesso aos alimentos na Roménia

Este artigo explora o papel das ferramentas digitais no aparecimento e no incentivo à ação contra instâncias de injustiça social na Roménia, com ênfase no acesso a alimentos. A partir de uma análise das motivações dos desenvolvedores/proprietários de uma série de aplicativos para telemóvel que combatem o desperdício de comida, esta pesquisa analisa o papel das ferramentas digitais na promoção da redistribuição de excedentes de alimentos que seriam desperdiçados. Embora reconhecendo o âmbito limitado deste esforço, é minha ideia que esta forma de ativismo alimentar baseada na Internet esteja nos seus estágios iniciais na Roménia e que não visa necessariamente ou tenha força para induzir, neste momento, mudança social

Silver Azide Nanoparticles Embedded into Silica as Energetic Nano-materials

Silver azide is a primary high explosive that can be initiated by different means. In this work, silver azide nanoparticles were obtained, embedded into silica, and further derivatized with biotin. TEM, DLS, and IR measurements were used to characterize the hybrid energetic nanoparticles. The hybrid nanoparticles are made from an explosive core (silver azide) and a shell (silica), to which has been attached through an organic linker a biological target vectot (biotin).These hybrid nanoparticles can be used as models to study smart energetic nano-materials.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.21.3.6926</p

Nutrition of the students from university of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures

University of Medicine and Pharmacy Targu Mures, Romania The 6th International Medical Congress for Students and Young DoctorsAppropriate nutrition in humans is one of the most important factors affecting normal development, nutritional status and being in good health. University students can be overburdened with responsibilities arising from their studies which may result in abnormal diet/nutrition and decrease their levels of physical activity

Serological survey on exposure to Bartonella Henselae of domestic cats in Bucharest area: preliminary data

Bartonella henselae, the causative agent of cat scratch disease (CSD) in humans, is a Gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium. Domestic cats are the main reservoir for B. henselae; infected cats are usually asymptomatic, but sometimes they can present non-specific symptoms like: lethargy, fever or anorexia. They may have recurrent periods of bacteraemia, which may last from several months to years. For detection Bartonella spp. infection, direct methods (bacterial isolation, molecular biological methods, Polymerase Chain Reaction) and indirect methods (serological tests: IFA, ELISA and Western immunoblot) are available. In Romania, data about B. henselae infection in cats are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the exposure to infection with B. henselae of domestic cats in the urban area of Bucharest (South-eastern Romania). For this, a total number of 50 cats, including stray and owned cats, of common breed, and different age (from 7 months to 15 years), were included in the survey. Cat blood samples were collected and serological tested for the presence of B. henselae IgG antibodies using an indirect IFA test. Plasma samples were initially tested at 1:50 dilution and then the positive samples were tested at 1:100 dilution. The slides were read using a fluorescence microscope at 400x magnification. For the cats examined in the present study, the seroprevalence of B. henselae was 56% (28/50). Of the seropositive cats, 21 were owned cats. There were no statistically significant differences between young cats (with age under 1 year) and older cats (p=0.118). Further investigations are planned on the both IFA positive and negative samples, using blood cultures and molecular methods, for confirmation and identification of B. henselae. In conclusion, the results of the present study show a high exposure to B. henselae infection of cats on Bucharest area. Also, the findings indicate that pet cats pose great risk for B. henselae infection this being important in the transmission of the infection in humans (zoonotic risk)

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Procalcitonin, and Gut Microbiota: Players in the Same Team

The study aimed to assess the link between procalcitonin (PCT) and gut dysbiosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A total of 125 research participants, 100 patients with NAFLD (59% women and 41% men) age between 43 and 84 years and 25 healthy controls, joined this observational study. Patients were consecutively enrolled into two groups: 50 with gut dysbiosis and 50 without gut dysbiosis, after several conditions have been ruled out. Patients from dysbiotic group displayed significantly lesser use of biguanides and statins and elevation of fatty liver index (FLI), PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Their gut microbiome was characterized by Bacteroides and Prevotella sp. dominant enterotype (74%) and by Ruminococcus sp. in only 26% of cases. The decrease of H index of biodiversity was observed in 64% of patients as well as of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and Akkermansia muciniphila in 60%. The increase of lipopolysaccharide positive bacteria was noted in 62% of patients. PCT strongly correlated with the level of CRP and ALT as well as to stool’s H index of biodiversity and F/B ratio. Dysbiotic patients with NAFLD exhibited significant elevation of PCT that correlated well with the H index of stool’s microbiota biodiversity, F/B ratio, CRP level, and severity of cytolytic syndrome

A rapid method for pesticide residues detection and quantification in maize, wheat and rape

In order to ensure food security of cereals from Banat, we developed a rapid method HPLC for pesticide residues detection and quantification in maize, wheat and rape. All samples of maize, wheat and rape were obtained from Timiș County. We followed some pesticides from commercial Nuprid AL 600 FS (insecticide, active compound imidacloprid), Buctril Universal (herbicide, active compound bromoxynil), Sekator Progress OD (herbicide, active compound amidosulfuron) and Decis (Decis 25 WG or Decis Mega 50 EW, insecticide, active compound deltamethrin). Calibration curves for imidacloprid, bromoxynil, amidosulfuron and deltamethrin were performed using Pestanal standards and an HPLC-DAD apparatus, Dionex Ultimate 3000, equipped with quaternary pump LPG 3400A, thermostat of columns TCC3000 and a C-18 Acclaim® 120 Silica-reversed-phase column. Extraction and concentration of pesticide residues were made in methanol, acetonitrile and mixture water-acetonitrile solvents, by ultrasonication in two steps, at 59 kHz, 30±2oC, during 30 and 15 min., respectively. Time of analyses was between 5-10 min. The residual pesticides’concentration were higher than MRLs authorized by UE laws in some of the samples

HPLC-DAD detection of some pesticide residues in agricultural products

A rapid HPLC method for pesticide residues detection and monitoring in some vegetables, fruits and crops has been developed. The residual pesticide concentrations in samples were compared with MRLs authorized by EU laws

A COMPLEX NEURO – LOCOMOTOR REHABILITATION CASE OF A PATIENT WITH POLITRAUMA ASSOCIATED WITH MULTIPLE COMPLICATIONS/SEQUELA– CASE REPORT

This paper, approved by the bioethical commission no. 9181/11.04.2018, features o complex case of post polytrauma case; this is a severe condition entailing multiple anatomic lesioned structures – at least one of them life-threatening2 – that provoke morphofunctional and social disability1 and, we can assert this case as a politrauma. Materials and methods: 68 years-old female patient, admitted in multiple occasions in our Clinic’s Division for a quadriplegic type of motor dysfunction, sphincter disorders, numbness, tingling, and pricking sensations, sensitivity to touch, dysarthria and severe locomotor and self-grooming dysfunction. The functional incapability was caused by the multitrauma – multiple cranial fractures including the viscerocranium, partial focal seizures, C6 vertebra body and from T11 to L1 spine fractures, pelvic ring breach, and calf bones displacement-with multiple surgeries adjoined to a treated rheumatoid arthritis. At first admittance, the patient was bedridden with retention type neurogenic bladder and urinary catheterization and recently operated sacral bedsore. During the repeated hospitalizations, the patient suffered complications typical for her condition: multiple urinary tract infections, sacral bedsore and superficial venous thrombosis, all of them being successfully approached and treated by a multidisciplinary team. The clinical and functional evaluations were objectified through the assessment scales/scores: AIS, FIM, QoL (Quality of life), Asworth, FAC, and WISCI II3 . Results: The patients’ evolution was favorable with improved results in all the assessment scales/scores. She had an increased motor control and muscular strength growth on all levels, now she can perform sitting position without any help, standing and sitting exercises at trellis, achieve the initialization of few steps with support by the kinesio-therapist and perform between the parallel beams around 5 steps. Her dysarthria, mood – initially/organic depression – and related behavior, improved her motivation on continued rehabilitation is now positive. Conclusions: This case represents a suggestive example for the poly-traumatized patients admitted in our Clinics’ Division and the complex approach of each pathology in the wright time for the improvement of the specific neuro-locomotor impairment and the quality of life of our patients

Application of 137Cs for measuring soil erosion/deposition rates in Romania

Two methods of monitoring soil redistribution along agroterraces were explored in Tarina basin of the Moldavian Plateau: the classical method of annual or periodic field measurements and the 137C technique. Results obtained by both methods indicate that the aggradation rate of the agroterrace edge averages 5.0-6.0 cm/yr, but the 137C technique is more efficient because it requires only one field visit. Much of the dow n ward movement of soil in these agroterraces can be related to contour ploughing, although some erosion/deposition undoubtedly occurs. The future of using 137C as a tracer of erosion and sedimentation within discontinuous gullies is promising. Some results obtained in the Moldavian Plateau near Barlad support this assumption. A field study, based on a depth - incremental sampling method, was undertaken in two small basins, Roscani and Timbru. Depth distribution of 137Cs from recent sediments deposited along the floor of dis-continuous gullies allowed the establishment of a mean sedimentation rate of 4.4 cm/yr over the period 1963-1996, and 2.5 cm/yr after 1986 for short gullies. In the case of long gullies, after the Chernobyl nuclear accident this value is to 4.9 cm/year. Furthermore, it was possible to estimate: the age of the gullies (23-48 years), the mean gully head advance (0.9 m/yr), the mean total mass of sediment deposited/ eroded within the gully system (up to 124 t/yr) and the main sediment source (the active gully head and banks). Conservation practices and tillage were first implemented during 1982-1983 in the upper Racatau basin of 3,912 hectares. Significant changes in land management practices resulted from the application of the Landed Property Law no.18/1991. The marked shifting from contour to up and down hill farming created a doubling in the amount of soil erosion and deposition. Depth distribution of 137Cs in recent sediments of the Bibiresti reservoir indicates a mean sedimentation rate of 5.0 cm/yr over the period 1986-1992 and 10.0 cm/yr for the period 1993-1996