Chamomillae flowers as a valuable resource in the new trends of neurological disorders

Faculty of Pharmacy, Grigore T. Popa, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania, Faculty of Biology, University Al. I. Cuza, Iasi, Romania, The 6th International Medical Congress for Students and Young Doctors, May 12-14, 2016Introduction: Matricaria chamomilla L. is a well-known and a long used medicinal plant. The rational phytotherapy trends impose strict control of the plant material used to treat ailments. Therefore, the source and the quality of the raw material is highly important for obtaining a herbal medicinal product with certain biologic activity. Our aim was to obtain, standardize (TLC, UPLC) and biologically evaluate a hydro-alcoholic extract from chamomile flowers (ethanol 50 %; 2.5 g/100 mL) of known origin. Materials and Methods: The phytochemical analysis used thin layer chromatography (TLC) and liquid chromatography techniques (UPLC). Since most of the pharmacological properties of chamomile extracts are known, we used several in vitro (Folin –Ciocalteu assays, scavenging capacity against DPPH and ABTS radical) and in vivo (radial plus maze, forced swimming, Y test) tests to assess its potential in neurological disorders such as Parkinson and Alzheimer. The animal model was induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of scopolamine and all surgical procedures were conducted under aseptic conditions with sodium pentobarbital anesthesia, to minimize animal suffering and to reduce the number of animal used (white, Wistar male rats, b.w 200±50g). The animal’s behavioral activities within pharmacological tests were statistically analyzed with two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). All results are expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (S.E.M.). Results: TLC and UPLC confirmed the presence of luteolin and apigenin glycosides, as well as caffeic and chlorogenic acids. Apigenin-7-glucoside amounted up to 0.42%, higher than the European Pharmacopoeial limit (minimum 0.25%). Total polyphenol content of the extract was 68.70 ± 2.55 mg GAE/g. The investigated extract had a good scavenging activity both against DPPH radical (IC50 = 47,8 ± 1,4 μg/mL) and ABTS cation (IC50 = 21,4 ± 0,2 μg/mL), comparable with the IC50 values of the chosen standard (caffeic acid). The scopolamine-treated rats exhibited disorientation, a decreased exploratory activity, a low percentage of the time spent and number of entries in the open arm within elevated plus-maze test and a decreased swimming time and increased immobility time within forced swimming test. Intraperitoneal administration of chamomile extract in doses of 25 mg/kg b.w. or 75 mg/kg b.w. significantly induced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects. Moreover, short memory was improved considerably as compared to the positive control group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the chamomile extract rich in polyphenols, especially apigenin-7-glucoside ameliorates scopolamine-induced anxiety and depression in laboratory rats. Thus, the results of the present study indicate that a standardized chamomile medicinal product may have clinical applications in the management of anxiety, depression and memory impairment related to dementia

Analysis of Global Systems, Support Centers, and Weather Units Aviation

This paper examines the analysis of meteorological observations concerning wind direction and intensity. These observations are typically found in regular weather reports, which play a crucial role in the safe arrival and departure of aircraft, and provide vital information about current conditions along airport runways. To ensure accuracy, the locations of wind sensors along runways must be specified in routine weather reports. Furthermore, reported wind information data should be linked to the specific sections of the runway for which the data are representative. In cases where wind observations are available from multiple tracks, the relevant track information should also be included in routine weather reports, alongside the corresponding wind data. For surface wind conditions, the observations included in the METAR reports should accurately represent the entire runway, and it is important to indicate the specific runway or runway sections to which the observations pertain

Knowledge about nanotechnology and intention to use nanomaterials: a comparative study among dental students in Norway and Romania

Background: The introduction of innovative nanotechnologies in medicine and dentistry may initiate a need for curriculum revision at the universities. The aim of this study was to assess dental students’ knowledge and attitudes related to nanotechnology. Covariates of students' intention to use nanomaterials in their future dental practice were evaluated using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Methods: Dental students at Norwegian and Romanian Universities were invited to participate. A self‐administered structured questionnaire including socio‐demographics and Ajzen's TPB components was used. Findings: A total of 212 out of 732 dental students participated in the survey: 52 Norwegian and 160 Romanian. Most students reported to have little knowledge about nanotechnology (Norwegians = 44.2% vs Romanians = 46.9%, P .05). Romanian students had more positive attitude, stronger subjective norms and stronger perceived behavioural control towards nanotechnology compared to their Norwegian counterparts. Intention to use nanomaterials in the total sample was most strongly influenced by attitude towards the use of dental nanomaterials (beta = 0.42, P < .001). Conclusion: Dental students in Norway and Romania demonstrated limited knowledge about nanotechnology. Intention to use nanomaterials was primarily influenced by attitudes. A clear desire for more information about the application of nanotechnology in dentistry was expressed by the respondents indicating a need for curriculum modification.publishedVersio

A STUDY REGARDING CORRELATION BETWEEN CONTENTS IN SOIL AND CONTENTS IN PARSLEY ROOTS OF CADMIUM, LEAD, ZINC AND COPPER IN SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM PRIVATE GARDENS IN COPSA MICA

Food security is a high-priority issue for sustainable global development both quantitatively and qualitatively. The increasing contamination of heavy metals in vegetables is attributed to multiple pathways, such as industrial emissions, sewage sludge discharge, agrochemicals and fertilizers abuse, and it has become a serious issue worldwide, especially in developing countries. CopşaMicăhad the reputation of being the most polluted city in Europe until the Chernobyl nuclear accident. This was due to emissions from two factories Carbosin, which produced carbon black and Sometra, the other source of pollution, less visible, but much more serious from the point of view of the impact on the human health.For this study, were collected soil and parsley (Petroselinum crispum) samples from 36 households located in CopşaMică area. The obtained data were used to estimate the accumulation of cadmium, lead, zinc and copper in parsley roots. by correlation factor between contents in soil and contents in parsley roots. For cadmium and lead, the value of linear correlation coefficient is r = 0.571 for cadmium and r = 0.381 for lead and it is indicating a good correlation between the cadmium and lead content in parsley roots and the cadmium and lead content in soil. For zinc and copper, the value of the linear correlation coefficient is r = 0.139 for zinc and r = 0.035 for copper is not significantly different from zero, indicating that the estimation of zinc and copper accumulation in parsley roots cannot be described by simple power-type regressions

Automatic approach procedure of a flying vehicle on a mobile platform using backstepping controller

This paper presents the automatic approach procedure of a flying vehicle, attached to an ABB 7600 robot, and a mobile platform, attached to a Stewart platform. Due to a nonlinear dynamic behavior, it is necessary to implement complex control, stabilization and guidance schemes. The proposed solution for this system includes the development of an algorithm based on a backstepping control method, the controller design methodology being based on Lyapunov's stability theory. The proposed command law requires that the states are known, but it is also necessary to introduce a series of state estimators. Tracking a mobile platform is critical in surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking missions, with the control methodology defining a clear distinction between translational and rotational dynamics. The proposed algorithm is developed by separating two types of states involving an inverse kinematics, known as algebraic kinematics, in which the dynamic movements of the two pieces of equipment are used. The dynamics of the ABB 7600 robot involves a movement with seven degrees of freedom, while the Stewart platform can be used with a movement of six degrees of freedom. The proposed algorithm is implemented in both Matlab software and experimental testing. This paper provides results in terms of generating dynamics for both devices that can be used for simulating different scenarios of aerospace missions

Prognostic factors in atypical meningiom

Atypical meningioma represent an intermediary group between the benign meningioma (grade I) and anaplastic meningioma (grade III), and are known for high recurrence rate and short life expectancy. After modification of the classification World Health Organization in 2007, subsequent studies have tried to find prognostic factors for recurrence and survival, which are inconstant from author to author. This paper aims to present a short review of the most important prognostic factors in atypical meningioma

A Sustainable Approach to a Cleaner Production of Antimicrobial and Biocompatible Protein Fibers

This study presents the production, characterization, and application of celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) extracts (aqueous, acidic, alcoholic, and ultrasound) on wool fibers and their characterization. The study aims to obtain an ecologically dyed wool support that possesses biocompatible and antimicrobial activities. The plant extracts were characterized based on pH, total polyphenol content, and berberine content. Ecologically dyed wool supports were characterized based on scanning electron microscopy, levelness index, color measurements, contact angle indirect biocompatibility, and antibacterial analysis. According to the obtained results, celandine extract can be considered a potential candidate for the sustainable dyeing and functionalization of wool fibers