TOURISM INDUSTRY EVOLUTION IN CASE OF BULGARIA AND ROMANIA

Tourism is not only a fast expanding global industry, but also a bridge that brings closer cultures and civilizations. The present paper proposes to analyse the tourism sector and environment in the case of Bulgaria and Romania, two countries with high potential in terms of tourism yet unexplored, comparing the two countries from the economic and social perspective. The main objective of the research is to identify the main differences between the two countries and to make recommendations for the development of the tourism sector. The results obtained should show a similarity between the two countries in terms of tourism, as well as the economic and social impact of policies on the evolution of the tourism industry. JEL Classification: J40, J62, L83, R41, Z3

Recurrent vulvar carcinoma: complex surgical treatment via perineal excision and reconstruction with musculocutaneous flap

Vulvar cancer is a malignant disease having a low frequency and with well-established surgical and oncological treatments based on the stage of the disease. The most important therapeutic problem encountered is represented by cases of perineal local regional recurrence, which are common in patients with large primary tumors and can occur even if the margins of the resection had no tumoral invasion. We present a case study of a 64-year-old patient diagnosed one year ago with squamous vulvar carcinoma (G3) for which a vulvectomy was performed after neoadjuvant radiotherapy. The patient later developed local recurrence with invasion of the anal sphincter, creating a delicate problem regarding a surgical approach. The size and the extent of the recurrent tumor required a complex surgical intervention using a mixed surgical team of general surgeons and plastic surgeons. Surgical intervention with a large excision of the recurrent cancer along with amputation of the inferior rectum via perineal route, and creation of a left iliac anus was performed. The perineal defect was covered via a musculocutaneous flap using the gracilis muscle. The immediate post-operative evolution was favorable

Natural assembly of platelet lysate-loaded nanocarriers into enriched 3D hydrogels for cartilage regeneration

The role of Platelet Lysates (PLs) as a source of growth factors (GFs) and as main element of threedimensional (3D) hydrogels has been previously described. However, the resulting hydrogels usually suffer from high degree of contraction, limiting their usefulness. This work describes the development of a stable biomimetic 3D hydrogel structure based on PLs, through the spontaneous assembling of a high concentration of chitosan-chondroitin sulfate nanoparticles (CH/CS NPs) with PLs loaded by adsorption. The interactions between the NPs and the lysates resemble the ones observed in the extracellular matrix (ECM) native environment between glycosaminoglycans and ECM proteins. In vitro release studies were carried out focusing on the quantification of PDGF-BB and TGF-b1 GFs. Human adipose derived stem cells (hASCs) were entrapped in these 3D hydrogels and cultured in vitro under chondrogenic stimulus, in order to assess their potential use for cartilage regeneration. Histological, immunohistological and gene expression analysis demonstrated that the PL-assembled constructs entrapping hASCs exhibited results similar to the positive control (hASCS cultured in pellets), concerning the levels of collagen II expression and immunolocalization of collagen type I and II and aggrecan. Moreover, the deposition of new cartilage ECM was detected by alcian blue and safranin-O positive stainings. This work demonstrates the potential of PLs to act simultaneously as a source/carrier of GFs and as a 3D structure of support, through the application of a â â bottom-upâ â approach involving the assembly of NPs, resulting in an enriched construct for cartilage regeneration applications.The authors thank Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for V.E. Santo and E.G. Popa's PhD grants (SFRH/BD/39486/2007 and SFRH/BD/64070/2009, respectively). This work was carried out under the scope of the European NoE EXPERTISSUES (NMP3-CT-2004-500283) and it was partially supported by the European FP7 Project Find and Bind (NMP4-SL-2009-229292). We thank IPS for providing the human platelet donations and Hospital da Prelada for the human adipose tissue samples

IMECE2008-66948 PROCESS TECHNOLOGY CONCERNING THE COUPLED SOLID-LIQUID INDUSTRIAL WASTE COMBUSTION FOR THE PAPER INDUSTRY

ABSTRACT The paper present the research concerning technical possibilities to tamp the solid industrial waste coming out from an already refurbished paper plant in Adjud, Romania, in order to reduce the overall costs of the necessary landfill deposits and to create a real income by producing energy . An infrared system of a FLIR S65 videocamera (7-14 µm) and double wave length OMEGA OS3750 pyrometer (0.9 -1.5 µm) have been used in order to assess the best thermal regime to ignite and to control the burning process of the industrial refuse

Designing silk fibroin-based matrices with ionic liquids for tissue engineering strategies using human adipose stem cells

Silk (SF) is an attractive biomaterial to be used in tissue engineering applications because of its excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility [1, 2]. In this work, the cellular response of silk hydrogels produced through dissolution of this protein in ionic liquids (ILs) was investigated. For that, degummed fibers obtained from the cocoons of mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori) were dissolved in an IL and the solution was gelified in ethanol, followed by IL removal from gels using soxhlet extraction. The fabricated hydrogels were characterized biochemically and biophysically by detecting amino acid composition, FTIR, SEM and mechanical testing (DMA). For in vitro assessment, human adipose stem cells (hASCs) were seeded in the hydrogels and cultured for different time periods. The resulting hydrogels have a rubbery consistency, homogeneous surface and viscoelastic behavior. Additionally, no differences on amino acid composition were found, indicating that the silk composition was kept. Confocal images confirmed cell attachment and alignment of actin filaments within the hydrogel matrix with well-develop nuclei. The MTS assay demonstrated the metabolic activity of hASCs in contact with hydrogels up to 28 days. Furthermore, the results of DNA quantification showed that hASCs are able to proliferate during studied period. These results indicated that (i) the efficiency of IL removal resulted in hydrogels with minimal cytotoxicity; and (ii) positive cellular response of the materials surface for the adhesion and proliferation of hASCs. SEM observations corroborated with the results obtained from MTS and DNA suggested that cells are able to migrate at different levels within the structure. These findings indicated that silk hydrogels produced using ILs may be potential candidates for tissue engineering strategies, namely cartilage regeneration

Cryopreservation of cell laden natural origin hydrogels for cartilage regeneration strategies

Statement of Purpose: An increase of scientific published literature and clinical experience supports the requirement of providing products like cultured cells and tissues to the market. One of the main prospects of cartilage tissue engineering is the possibility of developing custom-made regenerative medicine solutions on an individual patient basis. The efficient preservation and storage procedure will provide products available as needed which could be adapted to an autologous immediate solution. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of the cryopreservation on the chondrogenic differentiation characteristics of human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from adipose tissue (hASCs). Furthermore, we also propose to determine hASCs-hydrogel stability and confirm the potential of these bioengineered constructs to be applied in cartilage regeneration. The results obtained show that the hydrogels withstand the cryopreservation process maintaining their structural integrity, with good cell content after cryopreservation. Thus, cell encapsulation systems of natural based hydrogels may be an interesting approach for the long term preservation of cartilage tissue engineered products. Methods: The κ-carrageenan (κCR) hydrogels were produced using an ionotropic gelation method. Then, stem cells, namely human adipose derived stem cells (hASCs), were encapsulated in κCR discs (5 mm dia. x 3 mm height) at a density of 5x106 cell/cm3 and cultured for 21 days in standard basal (BM) or chondrogenic media (ChM). The cell hydrogels were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for up to 30 days. The overall morphology of κCR discs with encapsulated hASCs was observed under light microscope. hASCs viability and proliferation rate was determined by double stand DNA quantification. Additionally, chondrogenic differentiation of hASCs encapsulated in the hydrogels is being characterized by histological staining for selective cartilage staining and real time PCR analysis (Sox9, aggrecan, and collagen: type I, type II and type X). DMA analysis allowed determining the mechanical properties of κ-carrageenan hydrogels, namely storage (elastic) and loss (viscous) while immersed in wet state at 24 °C and throughout a physiological relevant range of frequencies. The described characterization assays were performed both before (BC) and after cryopreservation/freezing (AC) time points. Results: The cell morphology, distribution and appearance of the hydrogels are clearly observed from the microscopic light images (Figure 1A). It is possible to observe the smooth and homogeneous surface, the well defined and stable shape before and after the freezing process. Encapsulated hASCs were able to maintain cellular content, despite an expected decrease observed upon cryopreservation (Figure 1B), which is associated to a recovery time after thawing. The microscopic images and biological evaluation of κCR hydrogel revealed that the cryopreservation process did not change the cellular morphology; the surface and integrity of the hydrogel disc and enables maintenance of hASCs after exposure to low temperatures environments. Figure 1. (A) Representative optical micrographs of hASCs encapsulated in κCR hydrogels and cultured in ChM and BM before and after cryopreservation and (B) cell proliferation results, based on the quantification of dsDNA content. Scale bar represent 100 μm. Conclusions: The results obtained so far indicated the feasibility of hASCs-κCR system in cartilage tissue engineering regeneration strategies due to its ability to support hASCs viability before and after cryopreservation. Ongoing studies on the assessment of chondrogenic features of these cryopreserved systems will provide information on the effect of cryopreservation indicative of a stable chondrocyte phenotype. In summary, this study provided information on the potential of ASCs-hydrogel constructs for a long term storage and ready to use bioengineered tissue substitutes for cartilage regeneration strategies. References: (Popa EG. Biomacromolecules 2011;12:3952-3961

High-grade versus low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary – current differential diagnosis and perspectives

Introduction. Serous carcinoma is responsible for 47% of all ovarian cancers, and from these cases, only 5% are represented by low-grade serous carcinoma, the rest of them accounting for high-grade serous carcinoma. Objective. The aim of this study is an observational approach of the differences and similarities of the two types of serous carcinoma of the ovary, that must be seen as different forms of cancer and rendered with care. Methods. We performed a retrospective study using three cases of ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma and three cases of ovarian low-grade serous carcinoma, diagnosed at the University Emergency Hospital Bucharest. We analyzed patients’ age, clinical symptoms, macroscopic and microscopic features together with immunohistochemistry tests. Results. Mean age for HG carcinoma was 71.3 years old and for LG carcinoma 47.6 years old. Average tumor diameter was with 5.67 cm higher for LG carcinoma. The most encountered stage for HG tumors was pT2a and for LG tumors was pT1a. Mean value for Ki67 was with 36.33% higher for HG carcinoma. AR expressed diffuse positivity in two cases of LG and only focal positivity in two cases of HG. CD44 expressed focal positivity in all cases of LG and had different patterns in HG. Conclusions. We found considerable differences between patients’ mean age, macroscopic and microscopic features, together with immunohistochemistry expression for Ki67, AR, CD44

The Relationship Between Phenolic Compounds from Diet and Microbiota

All multicellular organisms live in a strong bond with the microorganisms from around the world, and the humans are not the exceptions. Human microbiota (a complex bacterial community) contains about 1014 microbial cells, 10 times more than the content of the cells from our body and the microbial genome named microbiome, 1000 more that the human genome. It colonises any surface of the human body, above our skin, in the genitourinary tract, gut and airways. From all this, the gut is the most colonised organ, with an amount of almost 70% of the human microbes. Considering the large size of the gut, compared with a tennis terrain, filled with substances that plays a key, nutritive role for the microbes, polyphenols are micronutrients from our diet, with an emerging role in the modulation of the colonic microbial population composition and activity. Therefore, many studies underline that long-term consumption of diets rich in plants polyphenols offers protection against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases. This chapter reviews the biological effects of plant polyphenols in the context of relevance to human health, especially considering the food functionality area, together with the complexity of the human microbiota and the bioavailability highly dependent on their intestinal absorption

Marine algae sulfated polysaccharides for tissue engineering and drug delivery approaches

Biomedical field is constantly requesting for new biomaterials, with innovative properties. Natural polymers appear as materials of election for this goal due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. In particular, materials found in marine environment are of great interest since the chemical and biological diversity found in this environment is almost uncountable and continuously growing with the research in deeper waters. Moreover, there is also a slower risk of these materials to pose illnesses to humans. In particular, sulfated polysaccharides can be found in marine environment, in different algae species. These polysaccharides don’t have equivalent in the terrestrial plants and resembles the chemical and biological properties of mammalian glycosaminoglycans. In this perspective, are receiving growing interest for application on health-related fields. On this review, we will focus on the biomedical applications of marine algae sulfated polymers, in particular on the development of innovative systems for tissue engineering and drug delivery approaches.European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT