Comparative analysis of genetic diversity in Norway spruce (Picea abies ) clonal seed orchards and seed stands

Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karst. is the most important conifer species in Romania and the mostplanted tree species in the Carpathian Mountains. Here we compare the genetic diversity of four Norwayspruce clonal seed orchards and two seed stands located in the Eastern Carpathians. A set of highlypolymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers was used. The analysis of genotypic identity of ramets for eachNorway spruce clone in all seed orchards indicated that nearly all sampled ramets (97%) were geneticallyidentical. The genetic diversity in seed orchards (He=0.700) was slightly smaller compared to the seed stands(He=0.718). Allelic richness was higher in seed stands (10.874), compared to clonal seed orchards (8.941).The Bayesian analysis indicated a genetic structure with two clusters, one corresponding to the clonal seedorchards and a second one consisting of the two seed stands. Our results provide valuable information for themanagement of Norway spruce seed orchards in Romania

Comparative analysis of web-based machine learning models

This paper presents a comparative analysis of web-based machine learning models, specifically examining Google Vertex AI, Google Teachable Machine, Azure Machine Learning and Salesforce Einstein Vision. The objective is to assess their suitability for integration into a medical information system as a classification module for medical images. The comparative evaluation considers factors such as model accuracy, ease of integration and scalability. The findings aim to guide the selection of an optimal machine learning solution for enhancing the capabilities of medical image classification within a healthcare context

Comparison of Ferments in the Process of Functional Beverage Making

The aim of this study was to compare the main ferments selected to be used in the process of mead making: Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and pollen, the latter having been used in ancient times as ferment. It has only been recently that the market has exhibited significant interest in developing foods containing functional ingredients. Honey has been a corollary of hidden nutritional and medicinal value for centuries. Mead is the result of alcoholic fermentation, by mixing different proportions of honey with water and pollen, as a fermentation agent. The fermentation process was monitored by collecting samples periodically and analyzing the alcohol concentration, total extract, the level of fermentation, the pH, as well as the yeast number with the Thoma cell counting chamber. Additionally, physicochemical (acidity and vitamin C) and sensory parameters were determined for the final products. Results and discussion: Pollen-fermented beverages have a higher alcohol concentration than beverages fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is explained by the additional intake of carbohydrates induced by the addition of pollen

Inflammation and Chronic Kidney Disease: Current Approaches and Recent Advances

Despite being a “silent epidemic” disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered one of the major causes of mortality, together with its main complication, the cardiovascular disease, which contributes to the poor prognosis of these patients. Inflammation has been recognized as an essential part of CKD and is closely linked to cardiovascular complications. The identification of novel biomarkers using omics technologies is rapidly advancing and could improve the early detection in renal diseases. Omics approaches, including proteomics, could provide novel insights into disease mechanisms, identifying at the same time accurate inflammatory biomarker panels with an essential role in disease monitoring and follow-up. Recent advances highlight the gut microbiota as an important source of inflammation in kidney diseases. An increasing body of evidence reveals the cross talk between microbiota and host in CKD; in addition, gut dysbiosis may represent an underappreciated cause of inflammation and subsequently could lead to malnutrition, accelerated cardiovascular disease and CKD progression. This chapter discusses the relationship between inflammation and CKD and highlights the novel approaches regarding microbiota involvement in CKD pathology, as well as their potential to facilitate improving the quality of life

A short observational study regarding the lifestyle intervention in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients - cohort 2010

To evaluate the results in metabolic control at newly discovered type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients regarding the lifestyle optimization only. In this short (1 year) observational study we included a number of 1855 newly discovered T2DM patients. We compared body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, triglycerides (TG), high density level cholesterol (HDLc) all these recorded initially at the diagnosis and then 1 year later. At baseline 52.91% males and 52.41% females were recommended only lifestyle and the rest was treated with metformin, sulfonylurea or insulin. After one year the patients who remained on lifestyle only decreased with only 5%, demonstrating that lifestyle optimization remains one of the most important "therapeutic" tools in the metabolic control of T2DM patients studied.Adipobiology 2012; 4: 103-106

Potential therapeutic applications of infusions and hydroalcoholic extracts of Romanian glutinous sage (Salvia glutinosa L.)

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Salvia glutinosa, also known as the glutinous sage, has been used in Romanian folk medicine in the treatment of inflammation, injuries, and mild infections. However, there is no direct scientific evidence to demonstrate these activities. Aim of the Study: The present research was based on evaluating antioxidant, antiproliferative, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of S. glutinosa extracts, as well as the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Materials and Methods: Infusions and 70% (v:v) ethanol solution extracts of S. glutinosa stems and leaves, collected from two different locations in Romania, were prepared. Ten phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using the LC-DAD-ESI/MSn method, and total phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as in vitro antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays), antiproliferative, antiinflammatory and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities were determined. A rat model of induced inflammation with turpentine oil was used for the examination of in vivo effects of the extracts, using diclofenac as an antiinflammatory control. Results: The highest inhibitory α-glucosidase activity was determined to be IC50 = 0.546 mg/ml for the hydroalcoholic extract made with plant material collected on the road to Sighișoara. The highest cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cell line was determined to be GI50 = 131.68 ± 5.03 μg/ml, for the hydroalcoholic extract made with plant material from Sighișoara. In vivo administration of extract (200 mg lyophilized powder/ml) showed a significant reduction of NO production.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that S. glutinosa extracts exhibit antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, as well as a modest cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cell line. By in vivo administration, the extracts show antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity, which correlates with the traditional use of the species. The environmental conditions seemed to induce important changes in the chemical composition and the bioactivity of the herbal preparations derived from S. glutinosa.This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, CNCS–UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019–5360.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio