Physicochemical Characterization of Ca- and Cu-Decorated TiO2 Microparticles and Investigation of Their Antimicrobial Properties.

Ca- and Cu-decorated TiO2 microparticles are titanium dioxide nanoparticles that have been decorated with calcium and copper ions. TiO2, CaO, and CuO are low-cost, non-toxic, and non-hazardous materials. The aim of the present study was the physicochemical characterization of Ca- and Cu-decorated TiO2 microparticles and the evaluation of their antimicrobial activity. Thus, Ca2+ and Cu2+ species were incorporated onto TiO2 surfaces by a two-step wet method. The obtained TiO2-CaO-CuO composites were characterized by several experimental techniques. The electronic structure and charge properties of the composites were investigated by density functional theory calculations. Furthermore, the composites were successfully tested for inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans standard strains. The zeta potential data indicate that the physiological condition of investigated microbial strains was strongly affected in presence of a dispersion of 10 µg/L of composites in a saline phosphate buffer also, the recorded SEM images show a damaged microbial cell surface in the presence of composites.

Comprehensive Analysis of Novel Synergistic Antioxidant Formulations: Insights into Pharmacotechnical, Physical, Chemical, and Antioxidant Properties.

(1) Background: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, highlighting the pressing need for effective antioxidant interventions. (2) Methods: In this study, we aimed to develop and characterise two novel antioxidant formulations, F3 and F4, as therapeutic interventions for oxidative stress-related conditions. (3) Results: The physicochemical characterisation, preformulation analysis, formulation, preparation of filling powders for capsules, capsule content evaluation, and antioxidant activity assessment of the two novel antioxidant formulations were assessed. These formulations comprise a combination of well-established antioxidants like quercetin, biotin, coenzyme Q10, and resveratrol. Through comprehensive testing, the formulations' antioxidant efficacy, stability, and potential synergistic interactions were evaluated. (4) Conclusions: The findings underscore the promising potential of these formulations as therapeutic interventions for oxidative stress-related disorders and highlight the significance of antioxidant interventions in mitigating their progression.

High-Entropy Lead-Free Perovskite Bi0.2K0.2Ba0.2Sr0.2Ca0.2TiO3 Powders and Related Ceramics: Synthesis, Processing, and Electrical Properties.

A novel high-entropy perovskite powder with the composition Bi0.2K0.2Ba0.2Sr0.2Ca0.2TiO3 was successfully synthesized using a modified Pechini method. The precursor powder underwent characterization through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The resultant Bi0.2K0.2Ba0.2Sr0.2Ca0.2TiO3 powder, obtained post-calcination at 900 °C, was further examined using a variety of techniques including X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Ceramic samples were fabricated by conventional sintering at various temperatures (900, 950, and 1000 °C). The structure, microstructure, and dielectric properties of these ceramics were subsequently analyzed and discussed. The ceramics exhibited a two-phase composition comprising cubic and tetragonal perovskites. The grain size was observed to increase from 35 to 50 nm, contingent on the sintering temperature. All ceramic samples demonstrated relaxor behavior with a dielectric maximum that became more flattened and shifted towards lower temperatures as the grain size decreased.

Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of Minimal Invasive Surgery versus Open Surgery for Colorectal Cancer in Older Patients.

Introduction: Currently, surgeons deal with an older patient cohort, confronting new challenges brought by the raised life expectancy. This population is unrepresented in surgical trials; therefore, the optimal therapy is still a matter of debate. The efficacy of open versus minimal invasive management of colorectal cancer (CRC) in an elderly cohort is not clearly established. The current study assesses the minimal invasive approach in elderly patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Material and Methods: The General Surgery Department database was inquired between 2012 and 2015 using the following filters: age â?¥ 65 and rectal or colon adenocarcinoma. After applying the exclusion criteria, 975 cases were obtained: 842 underwent open surgery (OS) and 133 underwent minimal invasive surgery (MIS). A propensity score matching was performed to reduce patient selection bias. Results: After the propensity score matching, the MIS group had a shorter postoperative hospital stay than the OS group (p = 0.025). From the preoperative variables, the presence of chronic lung disease was significantly higher in the OS group (p = 0.039). The presence of chronic lung disease positively associates with the Clavien-Dindo classification (p 0.001) and with the number of days from surgery to discharge (p = 0.028). Conclusion: The chronological age alone should not be a limit to MIS granting that it showed no inferiority to the OS in terms of postoperative morbidity, correlating with lower postoperative stay in the elderly. Further prospective studies are needed to assess the outcome of MIS in elderly population.

Green Synthesis of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: A Review of the Principles and Biomedical Applications.

In recent years, interest in nanotechnology has increased exponentially due to enhanced progress and technological innovation. In tissue engineering, the development of metallic nanoparticles has been amplified, especially due to their antibacterial properties. Another important characteristic of metal NPs is that they enable high control over the features of the developed scaffolds (optimizing their mechanical strength and offering the controlled release of bioactive agents). Currently, the main concern related to the method of synthesis of metal oxide NPs is the environmental impact. The physical and chemical synthesis uses toxic agents that could generate hazards or exert carcinogenicity/environmental toxicity. Therefore, a greener, cleaner, and more reliable approach is needed. Green synthetic has come as a solution to counter the aforementioned limitations. Nowadays, green synthesis is preferred because it leads to the prevention/minimization of waste, the reduction of derivatives/pollution, and the use of non-toxic (safer) solvents. This method not only uses biomass sources as reducing agents for metal salts. The biomolecules also cover the synthesized NPs or act as in situ capping and reducing agents. Further, their involvement in the formation process reduces toxicity, prevents nanoparticle agglomeration, and improves the antimicrobial activity of the nanomaterial, leading to a possible synergistic effect. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the green synthesis of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, from the synthesis routes, selected solvents, and parameters to their latest application in the biomedical field.

Comparative Study of MgO Nanopowders Prepared by Different Chemical Methods.

Magnesium oxide (MgO) was synthesized by three different methods: the sol-gel (SG), microwave-assisted sol-gel (MW), and hydrothermal (HT) methods for comparing the influence of the preparation conditions on the properties of the products. The powders were annealed at 450 °C. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), BET specific surface area and porosity, photoluminescence, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The samples consisted mainly of periclase as a crystalline phase, and the MW and HT preparation methods generated particles with higher specific surface areas. The powders had less-defined morphologies and high levels of aggregation. The optical band gaps of the samples were determined from UV DRS, and the photocatalytic activities of the magnesium oxides obtained by the three methods towards the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV light irradiation was evaluated.

Deciphering the role of water and a zinc-doping process in a polyol-based approach for obtaining Zn/Co/Al-based spinels: toward "green" mesoporous inorganic pigments.

Two new families of zinc/cobalt/aluminum-based pigments, with a unique composition, were obtained through the polyol method. The hydrolysis process of a mixture of Co(CH3COO)2, Zn(acac)2 and Al(acac)3 (acac- = acetylacetonate ion) in 1,4-butanediol afforded dark blue gels (wPZnxCo1-xAl), in the presence of a supplementary amount of water, and light green powders (PZnxCo1-xAl), respectively, for the water-free procedure (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4). The calcination of the precursors yielded dark green (wZnxCo1-xAl) and blue (ZnxCo1-xAl) products. XRD measurements and Rietveld refinement indicate the co-existence of three spinel phases, in different proportions: ZnxCo1-xAl2O4, Co3O4 and the defect spinel, γ-Al2.67O4. The Raman scattering and XPS spectra are in agreement with the compositions of the samples. The morphology of wZnxCo1-xAl consists of large and irregular spherical particle aggregates (ca. 5-100 mm). Smaller agglomerates (ca. 1-5 mm) with a unique silkworm cocoon-like hierarchical morphology composed of cobalt aluminate cores covered with flake-like alumina shells are formed for ZnxCo1-xAl. TEM and HR-TEM analyses revealed the formation of crystalline, polyhedral particles of 7-43 nm sizes for wZnxCo1-xAl, while for ZnxCo1-xAl, a duplex-type morphology, with small (7-13 nm) and larger (30-40 nm) particles, was found. BET assessment showed that both series of oxides are mesoporous materials, with different pore structures, with the water-free samples exhibiting the largest surface areas due, most likely, to the high percent of aluminum oxide. A chemical mechanism is proposed to highlight the role of the water amount and the nature of the starting compounds in the hydrolysis reaction products and, further, in the morpho-structural features and composition of the resulting spinel oxides. The CIE L*a*b* and C* colorimetric parameters indicate that the pigments are bright, with a moderate degree of luminosity, presenting an outstanding high blueness.

Pharmacotechnical, Physico-Chemical, and Antioxidant Evaluation of Newly Developed Capsule Formulations.

The excess of free radicals causes numerous imbalances in the body that lead to premature aging, the degradation of internal structures, and the appearance of numerous pathologies responsible for the increased risk of premature death. The present work aims to evaluate the physical, chemical, pharmacotechnical, and antioxidant activity of newly achieved capsule formulations. These two formulations were F1a.i., which contains melatonin:biotin:coenzyme Q10 (weight ratio of 1:2:60), and F2a.i., which contains quercetin:resveratrol:biotin:coenzyme Q10 (weight ratio of 10:10:1:10). The adequate selection of the excipient types and amounts for final capsule formulations (F1c.c., F2c.c.) was based on preformulation studies performed on the powders containing active ingredients. The antioxidant activity assessed using three methods (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP) compared with acid ascorbic as a positive control demonstrated that the F2c.c. formulation possesses the strongest antioxidant capacity. The results confirmed the suitable formulation and the accurate selection of the types and amounts of active ingredients, as well as the auxiliary excipients used in newly developed capsule formulations as supplements with an excellent antioxidant effect on the human body.

Green Synthesis of Hydrogel-Based Adsorbent Material for the Effective Removal of Diclofenac Sodium from Wastewater.

The removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from wastewater has gained considerable attention in recent years, particularly in the advancements of hydrogel-based adsorbents as a green solution for their ease of use, ease of modification, biodegradability, non-toxicity, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. This study focuses on the design of an efficient adsorbent hydrogel based on 1% chitosan, 40% polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG4000), and 4% xanthan gum (referred to as CPX) for the removal of diclofenac sodium (DCF) from water. The interaction between positively charged chitosan and negatively charged xanthan gum and PEG4000 leads to strengthening of the hydrogel structure. The obtained CPX hydrogel, prepared by a green, simple, easy, low-cost, and ecological method, has a higher viscosity due to the three-dimensional polymer network and mechanical stability. The physical, chemical, rheological, and pharmacotechnical parameters of the synthesized hydrogel were determined. Swelling analysis demonstrated that the new synthetized hydrogel is not pH-dependent. The obtained adsorbent hydrogel reached the adsorption capacity (172.41 mg/g) at the highest adsorbent amount (200 mg) after 350 min. In addition, the adsorption kinetics were calculated using a pseudo first-order model and Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm parameters. The results demonstrate that CPX hydrogel can be used as an efficient option to remove DCF as a pharmaceutical contaminant from wastewater.

Copper-/Zinc-Doped TiO2 Nanopowders Synthesized by Microwave-Assisted Sol-Gel Method.

Using the microwave-assisted sol-gel method, Zn- and Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with an anatase crystalline structure were prepared. Titanium (IV) butoxide was used as a TiO2 precursor, with parental alcohol as a solvent and ammonia water as a catalyst. Based on the TG/DTA results, the powders were thermally treated at 500 °C. XRD and XRF revealed the presence of a single-phase anatase and dopants in the thermally treated nanoparticles. The surface of the nanoparticles and the oxidation states of the elements were studied using XPS, which confirmed the presence of Ti, O, Zn, and Cu. The photocatalytic activity of the doped TiO2 nanopowders was tested for the degradation of methyl-orange (MO) dye. The results indicate that Cu doping increases the photoactivity of TiO2 in the visible-light range by narrowing the band-gap energy.

High-Content Aloe vera Based Hydrogels: Physicochemical and Pharmaceutical Properties.

The present research focuses on the physicochemical and pharmacotechnical properties of new hydrogels obtained using allantoin, xanthan gum, salicylic acid and different concentrations of Aloe vera (5, 10, 20% w/v in solution; 38, 56, 71 wt% in dry gels). The thermal behavior of Aloe vera composite hydrogels was studied using DSC and TG/DTG analyses. The chemical structure was investigated using different characterization methods (XRD, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies) and the morphology of the hydrogels was studied SEM and AFM microscopy. Pharmacotechnical evaluation on tensile strength and elongation, moisture content, swelling and spreadability was also completed. Physical evaluation confirmed that the appearance of the prepared Aloe vera based hydrogels was homogeneous and the color varied from pale beige to deep opaque beige with increasing Aloe vera concentration. All other evaluation parameters, e.g., pH, viscosity, spreadability and consistency were found to be adequate in all hydrogel formulations. SEM and AFM images show that the structure of the hydrogels condensed into homogeneous polymeric solids with the addition of Aloe vera, in accordance with the decrease in peak intensities observed via XRD analysis. These results suggest interactions between the hydrogel matrix and Aloe vera as observed via FTIR and TG/DTG and DSC analyses. Considering that Aloe vera content higher than 10% (w/v) did not stimulate further interactions, this formulation (FA-10) can be used for further biomedical applications.

Increasing Bioavailability of Trans-Ferulic Acid by Encapsulation in Functionalized Mesoporous Silica.

Two types of mesoporous materials, MCM-41 and MCM-48, were functionalized by the soft-template method using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) as a modifying agent. The obtained mesoporous silica materials were loaded with trans-ferulic acid (FA). In order to establish the morphology and structure of mesoporous materials, a series of specific techniques were used such as: X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). We monitored the in vitro release of the loaded FA at two different pH values, by using simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). Additionally, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of FA loaded mesoporous silica materials. In conclusion such functionalized mesoporous materials can be employed as controlled release systems for polyphenols extracted from natural sources.

Bacterial Cellulose-Carboxymethylcellulose Composite Loaded with Turmeric Extract for Antimicrobial Wound Dressing Applications.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer whose properties have been intensively studied, especially for biomedical applications. Since BC has no antimicrobial activity, it is necessary to use bioactive substances for developing wound healing applications. Another drawback of BC is the loss if its water retention capacity after dehydration. In order to overcome these problems, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and turmeric extract (TE) were selected for the preparation of BC composites. Citric acid (CA) was used as the crosslinking agent. These composites were tested as potential antimicrobial wound dressing materials. TE-loaded BC-CMC composites were characterized in terms of their morphology, crystallinity, and thermal behavior. Swelling tests and curcumin-release kinetic analysis were also performed. All the composites tested had high swelling degrees, which is an advantage for the exudate adsorption from chronic wounds. The antibacterial potential of such composites was tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Candida albicans (C. albicans). The in vitro cytotoxicity toward L929 fibroblast cells was studied as well. The obtained results allow us to recommend these composites as good candidates for wound dressing applications.

New Mesoporous Silica Materials Loaded with Polyphenols: Caffeic Acid, Ferulic Acid and p-Coumaric Acid as Dietary Supplements for Oral Administration.

In this study, two types of mesoporous silica with different pore structures and volumes were synthesized by the soft-templating method. The two types of mesoporous silica, type MCM-41 and MCM-48, were loaded with three polyphenols-caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and trans-ferulic acid-in the same ratio of mesoporous silica:polyphenol (1:0.4 w/w). The materials obtained were characterized from a morphological and structural point of view through different analysis techniques. Through X-ray diffraction (XRD), the crystallization plane and the ordered structure of the mesoporous silica were observed. The difference between the two types of materials containing MCM-41 and MCM-48 was observed through the different morphologies of the silica particles through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and also through the Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) analysis, that the surface areas and volumes of pores was different between the two types of mesoporous silica, and, after loading with polyphenols, the values were reduced. The characteristic bands of silica and of polyphenols were easily observed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and, through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the residual mass was determined and the estimated amount of polyphenol in the materials and the efficient loading of mesoporous silica with polyphenols could be determined. The in vitro study was performed in two types of simulated biological fluids with different pH-simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). The obtained materials could be used in various biomedical applications as systems with controlled release of natural polyphenols and the most suitable application could be as food supplements especially when a mixture of such materials is used or when the polyphenols are co-loaded within the mesoporous silica.

Current Development in Biomaterials-Hydroxyapatite and Bioglass for Applications in Biomedical Field: A Review.

Inorganic biomaterials, including different types of metals and ceramics are widely used in various fields due to their biocompatibility, bioactivity, and bioresorbable capacity. In recent years, biomaterials have been used in biomedical and biological applications. Calcium phosphate (CaPs) compounds are gaining importance in the field of biomaterials used as a standalone material or in more complex structures, especially for bone substitutes and drug delivery systems. The use of multiple dopants into the structure of CaPs compounds can significantly improve their in vivo and in vitro activity. Among the general information included in the Introduction section, in the first section of this review paper, the authors provided a background on the development of hydroxyapatite, methods of synthesis, and its applications. The advantages of using different ions and co-ions for substitution into the hydroxyapatite lattice and their influence on physicochemical, antibacterial, and biological properties of hydroxyapatite are also presented in this section of the review paper. Larry Hench's 45S5 Bioglass®, commercially named 45S5, was the first bioactive glass that revealed a chemical bond with bone, highlighting the potential of this biomaterial to be widely used in biomedicine for bone regeneration. The second section of this article is focused on the development and current products based on 45S5 Bioglass®, covering the historical evolution, importance of the sintering method, hybrid bioglass composites, and applications. To overcome the limitations of the original biomaterials, studies were performed to combine hydroxyapatite and 45S5 Bioglass® into new composites used for their high bioactivity and improved properties. This particular type of combined hydroxyapatite/bioglass biomaterial is discussed in the last section of this review paper.

Processing of Calcium Magnesium Silicates by the Sol-Gel Route.

In this work, calcium magnesium silicate ceramics were processed through the sol-gel method in order to study the crystalline and morphological properties of the resulting materials in correlation with the compositional and thermal parameters. Tetraethyl orthosilicate and calcium/magnesium nitrates were employed as sources of cations, in ratios specific to diopside, akermanite and merwinite; they were further subjected to gelation, calcination (600 °C) and thermal treatments at different temperatures (800, 1000 and 1300 °C). The properties of the intermediate and final materials were investigated by thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement. Such ceramics represent suitable candidates for tissue engineering applications that require porosity and bioactivity.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Vascular Surgery Unit activity in Central Romania.

The COVID-19 outbreak has placed substantial pressure on the medical systems worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the prepandemic vs. pandemic period on the activity of the Vascular Surgery Unit of a large emergency hospital in Eastern Europe. We performed a retrospective review of the vascular surgery cases admitted, comparing the statistics from the two time periods. We examined data of a total of 1,693 patients over the two periods. We report a 34.51% decrease in the surgical procedures performed during the pandemic period, with a disproportionate 80.6% decrease in the number of cases admitted with a diagnosis of venous insufficiency diagnosis and an increase of 67.21% in the number of patients admitted with acute arterial ischemia. Furthermore, individuals not classed as emergencies were delayed or denied surgical care. The number of nonurgent procedures conducted by our Vascular Surgery Unit decreased significantly, whereas the number of emergency surgeries increased. COVID-19's effect is projected to have a long-term impact on how surgical treatments are provided in Romania.

Alkali Niobate Powder Synthesis Using an Emerging Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Method.

For more than five decades, alkali niobate-based materials (KxNa1-xNbO3) have been one of the most promising lead-free piezoelectric materials researched to be used in electronics, photocatalysis, energy storage/conversion and medical applications, due to their important health and environmentally friendly nature. In this paper, our strategy was to synthetize the nearest reproductible composition to KxNa1-xNbO3 (KNN) with x = 0.5, placed at the limit of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) with the presence of both polymorphic phases, orthorhombic and tetragonal. The wet synthesis route was chosen to make the mix crystal powders, starting with the suspension preparation of Nb2O5 powder and KOH and NaOH alkaline solutions. Hydrothermal microwave-assisted maturation (HTMW), following the parameter variation T = 200-250 °C, p = 47-60 bar and dwelling time of 30-90 min, was performed. All powders therefore synthesized were entirely KxN1-xNbO3 solid solutions with x = 0.06-0.69, and the compositional, elemental, structural and morphological characterization highlighted polycrystalline particle assemblage with cubic and prismatic morphology, with sizes between 0.28 nm and 2.95 µm and polymorphic O-T phase coexistence, and a d33 piezoelectric constant under 1 pC/N of the compacted unsintered and unpoled discs were found.

Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan/TiO2 Composite Membranes as Adsorbent Materials for Water Purification.

As it is used in all aspects of human life, water has become more and more polluted. For the past few decades, researchers and scientists have focused on developing innovative composite adsorbent membranes for water purification. The purpose of this research was to synthesize a novel composite adsorbent membrane for the removal of toxic pollutants (namely heavy metals, antibiotics and microorganisms). The as-synthesized chitosan/TiO2 composite membranes were successfully prepared through a simple casting method. The TiO2 nanoparticle concentration from the composite membranes was kept low, at 1% and 5%, in order not to block the functional groups of chitosan, which are responsible for the adsorption of metal ions. Nevertheless, the concentration of TiO2 must be high enough to bestow good photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities. The synthesized composite membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and swelling capacity. The antibacterial activity was determined against four strains, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter spp., Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. For the Gram-negative strains, a reduction of more than 5 units log CFU/mL was obtained. The adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions was maximum for the chitosan/TiO2 1% composite membrane, the retention values being 297 mg/g for Pb2+ and 315 mg/g for Cd2+ ions. These values were higher for the chitosan/TiO2 1% than for chitosan/TiO2 5%, indicating that a high content of TiO2 can be one of the reasons for modest results reported previously in the literature. The photocatalytic degradation of a five-antibiotic mixture led to removal efficiencies of over 98% for tetracycline and meropenem, while for vancomycin and erythromycin the efficiencies were 86% and 88%, respectively. These values indicate that the chitosan/TiO2 composite membranes exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The obtained composite membranes can be used for complex water purification processes (removal of heavy metal ions, antibiotics and microorganisms).

Fly-Ash Evaluation as Potential EOL Material Replacement of Cement in Pastes: Morpho-Structural and Physico-Chemical Properties Assessment.

The main objective of the study was to produce alternative binder materials, obtained with low cost, low energy consumption, and low CO2 production, by regenerating end-of-life (EOL) materials from mineral deposits, to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The materials analyzed were ash and slag from the Turceni thermal power plant deposit, Romania. These were initially examined for morphology, mineralogical composition, elemental composition, degree of crystallinity, and heating behavior, to determine their ability to be used as a potential source of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) and to establish the activation and transformation temperature in the SCM. The in-situ pozzolanic behavior of commercial cement, as well as cement mixtures with different percentages of ash addition, were further observed. The mechanical resistance, water absorption, sorptivity capacity, resistance to alkali reactions (ASR), corrosion resistance, and resistance to reaction with sulfates were evaluated in this study using low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy.