Romanian Wines Quality and Authenticity Using FT-MIR Spectroscopy Coupled with Multivariate Data Analysis

Fourier Transform Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-MIR) combined with multivariate data analysis have been applied for the discrimination of 15 different Romanian wines (white, rosé and red wines), obtained from different origin-denominated cultivars. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using different regions of FT-MIR spectra for all wines. The general fingerprint of wines was splitted in four characteristic regions, corresponding to phenolic derivatives, carbohydrates, amino acids and organic acids, which confer the wines quality and authenticity. By qualitative and quantitative evaluation of each component category, it was possible to discriminate each wine category, from red, to rosé and white colours, to dry, half-dry and half-sweet flavours. The multivariate data analysis based on absorption peaks from FT-MIR spectra demonstrated a very good, significant clustering of samples, based on the four main components: phenolics, carbohydrates, amino acids and organic acids. Therefore, the ATR-FT-MIR analysis proved to be a very fast, cheap and efficient tool to evaluate the quality and authenticity of wines, and to discriminate each wine category, based on their colour and sweetness, as consequence of their biological (cultivar) specificity

Generation of KCL032 clinical grade human embryonic stem cell line

AbstractThe KCL032 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from a normal healthy blastocyst donated for research. The ICM was isolated using laser microsurgery and plated on γ-irradiated human foreskin fibroblasts. Both the derivation and cell line propagation were performed in an animal product-free environment and under current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards. Pluripotent state and differentiation potential were confirmed by in vitro assays

Generation of KCL037 clinical grade human embryonic stem cell line

AbstractThe KCL037 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from a normal healthy blastocyst donated for research. The ICM was isolated using laser microsurgery and plated on γ-irradiated human foreskin fibroblasts. Both the derivation and cell line propagation were performed in an animal product-free environment and under current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards. Pluripotent state and differentiation potential were confirmed by in vitro assays

Hábitos de consumo de noticias en la población adulta joven de la ciudad de Pilar

This research provides an analysis of the news consumption habits among the young adult population (25-45 years) in the city of Pilar in 2023. The study explored variables related to sociodemographic characteristics, most commonly used media outlets, habits, routine and consumption criteria. An exploratory-descriptive, quantitative, non-experimental, prospective cross-sectional methodology was used. The population comprises 9,586 young adults within the age range of 25-45 years in the city of Pilar. The representative sample consisted of 370 residents. The survey technique was employed. The population's behavior pattern regarding news consumption is primarily based on the internet as the preferred communication medium, followed by radio and lastly television, with the mobile phone becoming the main device for accessing online news. The custom of young adults in Pilar is to consume content about economics, entertainment, and sports, and they have little interest in consuming content about politics and technology. Esta investigación hace un análisis de los hábitos de consumo de noticias en la población adulta joven (25-45 años) de la ciudad de Pilar en el año 2023. Se estudiaron variables referentes a características sociodemográficas, medios de comunicación de mayor consumo, costumbres, rutina y criterios de consumo. Se utilizó una metodología de nivel exploratorio-descriptivo, de alcance cuantitativo y de diseño no experimental, transeccional prospectivo. La población comprende 9.586 adultos jóvenes ubicados en el rango de edad de 25-45 años de la ciudad de Pilar. La muestra representativa fue de 370 pobladores. Se empleó la técnica de la encuesta. El patrón de comportamiento de la población sobre el consumo de noticias, está basado principalmente en internet, como medio de comunicación preferido, dejando en segundo lugar a la radio y en último lugar a la televisión, donde el celular se convierte en el principal dispositivo de acceso a las noticias en internet.  La costumbre de los adultos jóvenes pilarenses es consumir contenidos de economía, entretenimiento, deporte y escasamente les interesa consumir contenido de política y tecnología

Parafoveal OCT Angiography Features in Diabetic Patients without Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

Purpose. To evaluate the capacity of OCT angiography (OCTA) for detecting infraclinical lesions in parafoveal capillaries in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods. This prospective observational cross-sectional case-control study analyzed the superficial and deep capillary plexuses (SCP and DCP) on macular OCTA scans (3 × 3 mm) centered on the fovea. We compared 22 diabetic patients (34 eyes included) without DR diagnosis on color fundus photographs, with 22 age- and gender-matched nondiabetic controls (40 eyes included). Qualitative analysis concerned morphological ischemic capillary alterations. Quantitative analysis measured foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size, parafoveal capillary density, and enlargement coefficient of FAZ between SCP and DCP. Results. Neither the qualitative nor quantitative parameters were significantly different between both groups. No microaneurysms or venous tortuosity was observed in any of the analyzed images. On the SCP, the mean FAZ area was 0.322 ± 0.125 mm2 in diabetic patients and 0.285 ± 0.150 mm2 in controls, P=0.31. On the DCP, the mean FAZ area was 0.444 ± 0.153 mm2 in cases and 0.398 ± 0.138 mm2 in controls, P=0.20. Conclusion. OCTA did not detect infraclinical qualitative or quantitative differences in parafoveal capillaries of diabetic patients without DR in comparison with nondiabetic controls

Equine uveitis and leptospirosis

The connection between equine uveitis and leptospirosis can be established using various techniques: isolation of the organism ; detection of agglutinative antibodies (micro-agglutination test or MAT) provided antibody levels are very high or rising very fast ; detection of antibodies directed against leptospiral proteins other than lipopolysaccharides (Dot-Blot) ; and finally by genic amplification (Polymerase Chain Reaction). The results obtained with these various methods are discussed here.La relation entre l'uvéite équine et la leptospirose peut être établie de différentes manières : soit par isolement du germe, soit par la recherche d'anticorps agglutinants (test de micro-agglutination ou MAT) lors de taux très élevés obtenus d'emblée ou d'une cinétique de ces taux très positive, soit par détection des anticorps dirigés contre les protéines de leptospires autres que les lipo-polysaccharides (Dot-Blot), soit par la technique d'amplification génique (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Ce sont les résultats obtenus par ces différentes méthodes qui sont discutés ici

Intake of Plant Based Foods and Colorectal Cancer. A Case-Control Study in Romania

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third most common type of cancer worldwide with high incidence rates in our country as well. Both dietary habits and lifestyle factors have a strong contribution in preventing colorectal cancer. A healthy dietary pattern based on adequate intake of fruit, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains is associated with positive outcomes regarding CRC development. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dietary intake of plant-based food and food groups, along with lifestyle habits of CRC patients. A case-control study was conducted during April 2015 – October 2017. Patients (n=151) recently diagnosed with CRC and undergoing conventional treatment were recruited from Medisprof Oncology Hospital. Controls (n=151) were selected randomly from generally healthy adults. Dietary and lifestyle data were collected during a face to face interview and the applied lifestyle questionnaire included 74 items. The results showed that intake of specific food groups with high content of bioactive components was significantly higher in the control group compared to the CRC group (p<0.05), even though overall vegetable intake was similar between groups (p=0.51). Results also showed significant lower intakes of fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, nuts and legumes in the CRC group

prevalence and phenotypes of age related macular degeneration in eyes with high myopia

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Intake of Probiotic and Prebiotic Foods in Psoriasis Patients: A Case-Control Study in Romania

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease which highly impacts the quality of life of psoriatic patients. Although the pathogenesis of psoriasis is multifactorial, recent evidence suggest that alterations in the intestinal microbiome play an important role suggesting a clear status of dysbiosis associated with the disease. This study aimed to assess the frequency of probiotic and prebiotic food consumption in psoriasis patients in Romania (n = 122), with an emphasis on potential dietary risk or protective factors linked with psoriasis. The results showed that consuming fermented and probiotic foods, such as fermented dairy products, kombucha, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, may have an essential role in limiting or alleviating psoriasis symptoms. Future research should also investigate this relationship, considering other food groups, such as fish, meat, and fats, using a national validated food frequency questionnaire