EUROPEAN POLICIES FOR THE STIMULATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL AND MIDDLE SIZE ENTREPRISES

Europe's small and medium-sized enterprises are the engine of the European economy and the main drivers for achieving sustainable growth and more and better jobs. At EU level, the European Commission has developed a comprehensive SME policy, which aims to ensure that Community policies and actions are small-business friendly and contribute to making Europe a more attractive place for setting up a company and doing business.SME's, European Commission, financing opportunities, private and governmental policies

THE COMPETITIVE POSITIONIG OF THE SME'S ON THE MARKET

Having in view at the same time the possibilities identified for the development of the competitivity of the Romanian SMEs in order to face the new challengens and the use of the opportunities to operate on the inner market as well as the on the level of the European Union, the strategy has in view a series of measures and actions that are connected to a series of priorities. These priorities and related actions were established on basis of the present-day situation of the SMEs carried out by the ANIMMC. According to the position of the SMEs on the market,. these can choose different types of marketing strategies with the aim of attaining in a certain period of time of the objectives established and at the same time their consolidation on the market.SME's, competitive, integration, marketing strategies

Comparison Between Different Endodontic Irrigating Protocols In Smear Layer Removal From Radicular Dentin

The aim of our study was to measure the cleaning efficiency of irrigating solutions used during endodontic treatment regarding smear layer removal from the root canal dentin walls. Ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA) 17%, citric acid (CA) 10% and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) 2,5 % solutions were tested as final irrigating solutions. The study was conducted on extracted teeth, divided in four groups according to the irrigation protocol used. The specimens were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and the amount of smear layer present at apical, middle and coronal level was recorded, based on a scoring system. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman test and the level of significance was set at p<0.05. In the coronal and middle segments of dental roots we noticed no statistically significant difference between EDTA and CA in smear layer removing capacity. Final irrigation with 17% EDTA proved to be more efficient than 10% CA and 2,5% NaOCl in smear layer removal at apical level of the root canal, with p<0.05 (p=0.042), which is an important area for disinfection in endodontic treatment

Preparation and Comparative Characterization of Alginate-Made Microcapsules and Microspheres Containing Tomato, Seabuckthorn Juices and Pumpkin Oil

Recent studies have shown the benefits of tomatoes, seabuckthorn juices and pumpkin oil, rich in bioactives with antioxidant capacity, in the prevention of prostate diseases. To stabilize their antioxidant activity, microencapsulation represent a good technological alternative, improving the stability and bioavailability of bioactive molecules ( phenolic derivatives, carotenoids, phytosterols, vitamins).   The aim of the study was to prepare and characterize microspheres and microcapsules based on emulsions made of natural polymers like Natrium alginate mixed with tomato and/or seabuckthorn juices, with or without pumpkin oil.  The viscosity of emulsions, the morphology of microcapsules and microspheres were characterized comparatively and the bioactives were monitored by UV-Vis spectrometry.  In the lipophilic extract there were identified, before and after encapsulation, different classes of compounds, from lipids, to phenolic acid derivatives, flavonoids and carotenoids. Carotenoids were the major components having concentrations from 9.16 up to 19.71 mg/100 g sample. The viscosity of  each emulsion including juices, oil and natrium alginate 2%, before encapsulation, showed differences, dependent on the oil addition and speed of homogenization. The macroscopic and microscopic structure of microspheres and microcapsules were comparatively evaluated. Both microspheres and microcapsules had external diameters  ranging from 750 to 900 μm and the microcapsules’ oily core of 150-180 μm. The results obtained from emulsion’s viscosity will be correlated with the rigidity and optimal release rate of bioactive molecules from microcapsules and microspheres.  Further studies are directed towards these aspects

The Manufacturing Process and Quality Control of a Holland Type Cheese

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of storage time on physicochemical shelf-life of Holland type cheese. Cheese samples were stored in ripening room for up to 30 days. Physicochemical parameters of cheese were assessed at 19 and 30 days of storage. Samples were analyzed for titratable acidity, fat in dry matter content, protein and salt content. No significant changes were observed in physicochemical properties during the ripening process

Untargeted LC-QTOF (ESI +) MS Analysis of Small Serum Metabolites Related to Prostate Cancer and Prostate Specific Antigen

Prostate cancer has an increasing incidence and there is an urgent need for development of new serum biomarkers for early diagnostic as the ones known are ineffective. The aim of the study was to use untargeted metabolomics in order to identify and characterize small metabolite fingerprints in patients with normal vs pathologic values of PSA ( previously determined by electrochemiluminiscence). A cohort of one hundred patients with different Prostate Specific amtigen values were investigated by untargeted metabolomics. The serum small metabolite profile determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, LC-QTOF(ESI+)MS in order to identify specific biomarkers, for normal patient group (PSA = 0-4 ng.ml) and four pathologic groups, having PSA values from 4 to >1000 ng/ml. The major molecules identified in the samples were polar phospholipids, maily lysophosphatidyl choline derivatives, having m/z values from 496 to 524, like LPC(O-16:0/O-1:0), LPC(18:1/2:0) or PS(18:1(9Z)/0:0), LPC(18:2(9Z,12Z)/0:0 and their isomers and  LPC(O-18:1(11Z)/2:0), respectively. Also, small molecules (free fatty acids and prostaglandin derivatives) were identified and are significantly different in pathologic vs normal serum samples. Generally the pathologic samples had increased concentrations of all above mentioned molecules. The Principal Component analysis showed , by plot and loadings scores, significant clustering of normal vs pathological groups

Unhealthy lifestyle and the risk of metabolic syndrome- the Romanian experience

Background. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a clustering of metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Many studies have shown the influence of an unhealthy lifestyle on the risk of MetS, yet some aspects remain controversial. Aim of the study: to investigate the relationship between an unhealthy lifestyle and the risk of MetS. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted using a sample of 181 patients, 54 (29.8%) males and 127 (70.2%) females, aged 59.95±10.8 years. The baseline survey involved the completion of structured questionnaires and clinical examination. Results. Rural environment, lower education level, past smoking, the absence of fruit/vegetables in the diet, carbonated soft drinks, and the consumption of significant amounts of alcohol were risk factors for the MetS. Conclusion. A precise etiology for the MetS remains unclear, but it is known to result from a complex interaction of genetic, metabolic, and socio-economic and environmental factors

Negative Autoregulation by FAS Mediates Robust Fetal Erythropoiesis

Tissue development is regulated by signaling networks that control developmental rate and determine ultimate tissue mass. Here we present a novel computational algorithm used to identify regulatory feedback and feedforward interactions between progenitors in developing erythroid tissue. The algorithm makes use of dynamic measurements of red cell progenitors between embryonic days 12 and 15 in the mouse. It selects for intercellular interactions that reproduce the erythroid developmental process and endow it with robustness to external perturbations. This analysis predicts that negative autoregulatory interactions arise between early erythroblasts of similar maturation stage. By studying embryos mutant for the death receptor FAS, or for its ligand, FASL, and by measuring the rate of FAS-mediated apoptosis in vivo, we show that FAS and FASL are pivotal negative regulators of fetal erythropoiesis, in the manner predicted by the computational model. We suggest that apoptosis in erythroid development mediates robust homeostasis regulating the number of red blood cells reaching maturity

Identification and Prevalence of Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli O157: H7 in Foods

The objective of this study is to investigate the incidence of Escherichia coli in animal and non-animal foods, and mainly the incidence of the serotype O157: H7 producing verotoxin. The presence of common Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli O157: H7 in various foods (of animal and non animal origin) was performed in Transylvania area. We analyzed a total of one hundred forty-one samples of minced meat, one hundred twenty-six samples of meat , twenty six samples of meat products, five samples of alcoholic beverages, three samples of seafood, one hundred samples of cheese from pasteurized milk, seventeen samples of butter, four samples of vegetables and one sample of milk powder, using the standard cultural method and Vidas Eco method for E. coli O157: H7 strains. E. coli was identified in 50 samples of minced meat, 55 samples of meat prepared, 4 samples of meat products, 2 samples of alcoholic beverages, 25 samples of cheese from pasteurized milk, 6 samples of butter and 1 sample of vegetables. In this study were not been identified any foods contaminated with the E. coli O157: H7 serotype. The results of this reasearch have demostrated that E. coli wich represents a hygienic indicator of recent food contamination, can be destroyed with heat treatment and hygienic handling of foods. Our country over the years has been among the few countries where the incidence of the E. coli O157: H7 serotype has been minimal