Effects of LP-MOCVD prepared TiO2 thin films on the in vitro behavior of gingival fibroblasts

We report on the in vitro response of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1 cell line) to various thin films of titanium dioxide (TiO2) deposited on titanium (Ti) substrates by low pressure metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (LP-MOCVD). The aim was to study the influence of film structural parameters on the cell behavior comparatively with a native-oxide covered titanium specimen, this objective being topical and interesting for materials applications in implantology. HGF-1 cells were cultured on three LP-MOCVD prepared thin films of TiO2 differentiated by their thickness, roughness, transversal morphology, allotropic composition and wettability, and on a native-oxide covered Ti substrate. Besides traditional tests of cell viability and morphology, the biocompatibility of these materials was evaluated by fibronectin immunostaining, assessment of cell proliferation status and the zymographic evaluation of gelatinolytic activities specific to matrix metalloproteinases secreted by cells grown in contact with studied specimens. The analyzed surfaces proved to influence fibronectin fibril assembly, cell proliferation and capacity to degrade extracellular matrix without considerably affecting cell viability and morphology. The MOCVD of TiO2 proved effective in positively modifying titanium surface for medical applications. Surface properties playing a crucial role for cell behavior were the wettability and, secondarily, the roughness, HGF-1 cells preferring a moderately rough and wettable TiO2 coating

Analiza comparativa a miscarilor sociale din Republica Bulgaria si Romania, perioada 2012–2017

In order to differentiate between “social movement” and “collective conduct” it is necessary to clarify the two concepts in the first place. According to Robert Benford, Timothy Gongaware and Danny Valdez, social movements are “collective efforts aiming at promoting some social changes or, on the contrary, resisting to change, efforts that take place within a certain group, a given society or at the global level”.1 Even if collective conducts are one of the forms of expression of social movements, they represent, according to Ralph Turner, those particular situations in which “rules or general standards cease to guide individuals’ actions so that individuals are collectively transgressing, breaking or undermining the existing interaction structures”.2 According to Cãtãlin Augustin Stoica, social movements, contrary to collective conducts, obey a series of clearly defined rules, among which: the explicit pursuit of a common goal and the presence offormal leaders and organizations aiming at reaching that common goal. The collective conducts category is much more flexible, including a diversity of actions starting from rallies in support of a certain party or a particular party leader and protest actions up to rallies carried out by supporters of one football team and violent clashes between various groupings.3 According to Septimiu Chelcea, some of the features of collective conduct include: spontaneity, the existence of some divergent standards in relation to those generally accepted by a certain group or society and the emergence of new standards guiding individuals’conducts. 4 In the light of the above conceptual clarifications, this paper aims to analyze exclusively the social movements that took place in the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania, between 2012-2017 and not other smaller protest actions that can be framed as collective conducts. As information sources we will useboth national and international news websites, in both Romanian and English, as well as articles in the field and works belonging to authorized sociologists and political analysts who are analyzing from different perspectives thesocial movements that have experienced an increase in the latest years. Firstly, I will analyze the social movements phenomenon within its historic, political and economic context defining each of the two countries, following that at the end of the study to determine whether there are certain convergent points of view which might lead us to the conclusionthat these large protest rallies directed against the national political elites could be considered as a regional phenomenon of contesting the representative democracy model and the monetary capitalist system

Pancreatic Resections for Metastatic Disease

Although the incidence of metastases to the pancreas from various primaries is very low, these lesions are usually being described as part of the systemic recurrence of different malignancies, in certain cases isolated pancreatic metastases might be encountered. When it comes to the malignancies, which might lead to the apparition of pancreatic metastases, the most common origins have been reported to be renal cell carcinoma, colon cancer, ovarian cancer and melanomas. In certain cases, patients with pancreatic metastases might be submitted to surgery with curative intent. However, it should not be omitted that pancreatic resections can be associated with higher rates of perioperative morbidity; therefore, a precise selection of the cases that are considered suitable for such procedures is mandatory. It seems that the best results in regard with long-term survival are expected in cases with isolated pancreatic metastases as well as in cases with limited extrapancreatic lesions, amenable to complete cytoreductive surgery. This chapter reviews the most important studies conducted on the theme of pancreatic resections for metastatic disease from various primaries

The Neonate with Minor Dysmorphisms

Congenital anomalies are present in at least 10% of all neonatal intensive care unit admissions, of whom many have an underlying genetic condition. About 50–60% of human congenital anomalies are of unknown etiology, and approximately one- third are caused by genetic factors. A smaller percentage of birth defects are the result of chromosomal aberrations and gene mutations. Around 1 in 40 or 2.5% of all newborns have a malformation at birth. This may be an isolated malformation or may occur together with other malformations and/or dysmorphic features as part of a malformation syndrome. Around 4000 malformation syndromes have now been delineated. Many are associated with medical problems and making a specific syndrome diagnosis can influence immediate medical management. However, the infant with dysmorphism often does not have a major malformation, and may simply have an appearance that is unusual compared with the general population and of unaffected close relatives. The chapter intends to provide semnificative data concerning the approach and management of a dysmorphic neonate, mainly when there are minor anomalies and will offer all those relevant data and try to establish a protocol guide for the approach of the dimorphic neonate

Grafting of Romanian Melons and Watermelons for Culture from South Area of Romania

The vegetable grafting is useful in Romania; it is more difficult in watermelons and melons and it is continuously developing. The research was aimed the establishing of the technological stages for seedling producing of scions (Romanian melons and watermelons) and rootstocks (F1 hybrids of Lagenaria siceraria and Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata) for obtaining of grafted plant seedlings. The experience was realized out on a collection consisting from two Romanian scions, melon (‘Fondant’ variety) and watermelon (‘Dochiţa’ variety) obtained at Research and Development Station for Vegetable Growing Buzău and two rootstocks, bottle gourd - L. siceraria (‘Emphasis’ F1) and interspecific hybrid squash - C. maxima x C. moschata (‘Cobalt’ F1). The obtaining of scion and rootstock plants was made according to the ecological requirements of the species. The grafting was made by annexation (splice grafting). The plants had optimal diameters for splice grafting. Between scions (‘Fondant’ and ‘Dochiţa’) are no diference, statistical analysis could not be performed. Technological stages for producing grafted seedlings of Romanian melon and watermelon were established. The grafting was performed successfully for cucurbit symbiotes (scions and rootstocks). These technological stages for grafting by annexation of Romanian melons and watermelons are recommended for cultures in the south area of Romania

Surgical Advances in the Treatment of Gallbladder Carcinoma at Different Stages

Gallbladder carcinoma remains the most common cancer originating from the biliary tract, which is associated with poor prognosis and poor survival rates. It is estimated that only one-third of patients with histopathological diagnostic of gallbladder cancer had been correctly diagnosed preoperatively, in the remaining cases the diagnostic being established intraoperatively or postoperatively, based on the histopathological examination. Moreover, although surgery remains the most appropriate therapeutic approach in order to improve survival, it is estimated that only 25% of cases with gallbladder carcinomas present resectable lesions. The current chapter reviews the most appropriate surgical options in patients diagnosed with both early stage and advanced stage gallbladder cancer, by minimally invasive as well as by open approach. In the meantime, the therapeutic strategies in incidentally diagnosed gallbladder cancer will be discussed