Bioactive Materials Based on Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose and Silver Nanoparticles: Structural-Morphological Characterization and Antimicrobial Testing.

The progress achieved in recent years in the biomedical field justifies the objective evaluation of new techniques and materials obtained by using silver in different forms as metallic silver, silver salts, and nanoparticles. Thus, the antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) confers to newly obtained materials characteristics that make them ideal candidates in a wide spectrum of applications. In the present study, the use of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) in the new formulation, by embedding AgNPs with antibacterial activity, using poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as a stabilizing agent was investigated. AgNPs were incorporated in HPMC solutions, by thermal reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles, using PVP as a stabilizer; a technique that ensures the efficiency and selectivity of the obtained materials. The rheological properties, morphology, in vitro antimicrobial activity, and stability/catching of Ag nanoparticles in resulting HPMC/PVP-AgNPs materials were evaluated. The obtained rheological parameters highlight the multifunctional roles of PVP, focusing on the stabilizing effect of new formulations but also the optimization of some properties of the studied materials. The silver amount was quantified using the spectroscopy techniques (energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)), while formation of the AgNPs was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Also, the morphological examination (Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) by means of the texture roughness parameters has evidenced favorable characteristics for targeted applications. Antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and was found to be substantially improved was silver was added in the studied systems.

Electrospun Nanofibers Based on Polymer Blends with Tunable High-Performance Properties for Innovative Fire-Resistant Materials.

The main concern of materials designed for firefighting protective clothing applications is heat protection, which can be experienced from any uncomfortably hot objects or inner spaces, as well as direct contact with flame. While textile fibers are one of the most important components of clothing, there is a constant need for the development of innovative fire-retardant textile fibers with improved thermal characteristics. Lately, inherently fire-resistant fibers have become very popular to provide better protection for firefighters. In the current study, the electrospinning technique was applied as a versatile method to produce micro-/nano-scaled non-woven fibrous membranes based on various ratios of a poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) and a phosphorus-containing polyimide. Rheological measurements have been performed on solutions of certain ratios of these components in order to optimize the electrospinning process. FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the chemical structure and morphology of electrospun nanofiber membranes, while thermogravimetric analysis, heat transfer measurements and differential scanning calorimetry were used to determine their thermal properties. The water vapor sorption behavior and mechanical properties of the optimized electrospun nanofiber membranes were also evaluated.

Phosphorylated Poly(vinyl alcohol) Electrospun Mats for Protective Equipment Applications.

The development of intelligent materials for protective equipment applications is still growing, with enormous potential to improve the safety of personnel functioning in specialized professions, such as firefighters. The design and production of such materials by the chemical modification of biodegradable semisynthetic polymers, accompanied by modern manufacturing techniques such as electrospinning, which may increase specific properties of the targeted material, continue to attract the interest of researchers. Phosphorus-modified poly(vinyl alcohol)s have been, thus, synthesized and utilized to prepare environmentally friendly electrospun mats. Poly(vinyl alcohol)s of three different molecular weights and degrees of hydrolysis were phosphorylated by polycondensation reaction in solution in the presence of phenyl dichlorophosphate in order to enhance their flame resistance and thermal stability. The thermal behavior and the flame resistance of the resulting phosphorus-modified poly(vinyl alcohol) products were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and by cone calorimetry at a micro scale. Based on the as-synthesized phosphorus-modified poly(vinyl alcohol)s, electrospun mats were successfully fabricated by the electrospinning process. Rheology studies were performed to establish the optimal conditions of the electrospinning process, and scanning electron microscopy investigations were undertaken to observe the morphology of the phosphorus-modified poly(vinyl alcohol) electrospun mats.

Materials Based on Quaternized Polysulfones with Potential Applications in Biomedical Field: Structure-Properties Relationship.

Starting from the bactericidal properties of functionalized polysulfone (PSFQ) and due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and performance in various field, cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), as well as their blends (PSFQ/CAP and PSFQ/PVA), have been tested to evaluate their applicative potential in the biomedical field. In this context, because the polymer processing starts from the solution phase, in the first step, the rheological properties were followed in order to assess and control the structural parameters. The surface chemistry analysis, surface properties, and antimicrobial activity of the obtained materials were investigated in order to understand the relationship between the polymers' structure-surface properties and organization form of materials (fibers and/or films), as important indicators for their future applications. Using the appropriate organization form of the polymers, the surface morphology and performance, including wettability and water permeation, were improved and controlled-these being the desired and needed properties for applications in the biomedical field. Additionally, after antimicrobial activity testing against different bacteria strains, the control of the inhibition mechanism for the analyzed microorganisms was highlighted, making it possible to choose the most efficient polymers/blends and, consequently, the efficiency as biomaterials in targeted applications.

New Insights on Solvent Implications in the Design of Materials Based on Cellulose Derivatives Using Experimental and Theoretical Approaches.

The current paper presents a strategic way to design and develop materials with properties adapted for various applications from biomedicine to environmental applications. In this context, blends of (hydroxypropyl)methyl cellulose (HPMC) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) were obtained to create new materials that can modulate the membrane properties in various fields. Thus, to explore the possibility of using the HPMC/PVP system in practical applications, the solubility parameters in various solvents were initially evaluated using experimental and theoretical approaches. In this frame, the study is aimed at presenting the background and steps of preliminary studies to validate the blends behavior for targeted application before being designed. Subsequently, the analysis of the behavior in aqueous dilute solution of HPMC/PVP blend offers information about the conformational modifications and interactions manifested in system depending on the structural characteristics of polymers (hydrophilicity, flexibility), polymer mixtures composition, and used solvent. Given this background, based on experimental and theoretical studies, knowledge of hydrodynamic parameters and analysis of the optimal compositions of polymer mixtures are essential for establishing the behavior of obtained materials and validation for most suitable applications. Additionally, to guarantee the quality and functionality of these composite materials in the targeted applications, e.g., biomedical or environmental, the choice of a suitable solvent played an important role.

Government Health Expenditure and Public Health Outcomes: A Comparative Study among EU Developing Countries.

The aim of this paper was to empirically analyze the relationship between public health expenditure and health outcomes among EU developing countries. Using regression analysis and factor analysis, we documented that public health expenditure and health outcomes are in a long-run equilibrium relationship and the status of health expenditure can improve life expectancy and reduce infant mortality. Secondarily, we studied how the status of good governance, health care system performance, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities affect the public health's outcomes in the selected countries. We found that the effectiveness of health and the way to reduce infant mortality or to improve life quality is directed conditioned by good governance status. Moreover, the consolidation of health care system performance directly improves the quality of life among EU developing countries, which indicates that public policymakers should intervene and provide political and financial support through policy mixes.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Budgetary Mechanism Established to Cover Public Health Expenditure. A Case Study of Romania.

The COVID-19 pandemic stressed the importance of understanding the sources of vulnerabilities that can lead to a financial crisis and highlighted the predominant impact on health systems. Firstly, the paper aims to conduct a retrospective analysis of the Romanian health care system, over the period of time 1985-2019, based on our own computed sustainability index for public health. Secondly, using the Gregory-Hansen cointegration method, we provide new evidence on the causal relationship between health expenditure and GDP for Romania over the period of time 1985-2017. Based on the retrospective analysis of the long-run co-movement between health spending and GDP, the study allows one to prospectively examine not only the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care spending, but also to reveal the government's fiscal position and vulnerabilities. Our results highlight the intergenerational costs related to the policy incoherence roadmap and regulatory fragmentation, stressing the importance of economic system resilience through fiscal diligence and the consolidation of the institutional context.

Impacts of the Allocation of Governmental Resources for Improving the Environment. An Empirical Analysis on Developing European Countries.

The last years have brought into attention more than ever concerns regarding the accelerating degradation of the environmental conditions which threaten both the present but mainly the future of human society. Under such circumstances, the society and especially the governments need to acknowledge the seriousness of environment issues and be able to develop and put into practice specific policies to counteract them. In this regard, this paper performs an analysis on a group of 11 European developing countries, over the period between 2000 and 2017, aiming first to evaluate the impact of the changing environment conditions and of the governmental actions regarding environment protection, on citizens life, namely on their life expectancy. In order to evaluate, as accurately as possible, the quality of the environment we propose and elaborate upon an environmental sustainability index based on 17 proxies for environment issues, whose values reveal several similarities between some of the analyzed countries. Secondly, using this index and also several categories of public expenses as proxies for the government actions towards environment protection, we analyze their impact on the life expectancy of the citizens during the sample period and draw some specific conclusions on the actions to be taken forward by governments.

Implementation of a Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program for improvement on quality of diet and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events: A randomized, multicenter trial

Background Complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with higher ischemic risk, which can be mitigated by long-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). However, concomitant high bleeding risk (HBR) may be present, making it unclear whether short- or long-term DAPT should be prioritized. Objectives This study investigated the effects of ischemic (by PCI complexity) and bleeding (by PRECISE-DAPT [PRE dicting bleeding Complications in patients undergoing stent Implantation and Sub sequent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy] score) risks on clinical outcomes and on the impact of DAPT duration after coronary stenting. Methods Complex PCI was defined as ≥3 stents implanted and/or ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation stenting and/or stent length >60 mm, and/or chronic total occlusion revascularization. Ischemic and bleeding outcomes in high (≥25) or non-high (<25) PRECISE-DAPT strata were evaluated based on randomly allocated duration of DAPT. Results Among 14,963 patients from 8 randomized trials, 3,118 underwent complex PCI and experienced a higher rate of ischemic, but not bleeding, events. Long-term DAPT in non-HBR patients reduced ischemic events in both complex (absolute risk difference: −3.86%; 95% confidence interval: −7.71 to +0.06) and noncomplex PCI strata (absolute risk difference: −1.14%; 95% confidence interval: −2.26 to −0.02), but not among HBR patients, regardless of complex PCI features. The bleeding risk according to the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction scale was increased by long-term DAPT only in HBR patients, regardless of PCI complexity. Conclusions Patients who underwent complex PCI had a higher risk of ischemic events, but benefitted from long-term DAPT only if HBR features were not present. These data suggested that when concordant, bleeding, more than ischemic risk, should inform decision-making on the duration of DAPT. (AU)

An Integrated Approach to Current Trends in Organic Food in the EU.

The objective of this paper is to summarize an extensive bibliographical search by presenting the retrospective of EU organic food from the point of regulation, policy framework, trends and challenges. We also make a critical review of existing scientific evidence regarding European trends in organic food consumption and production and we identify research gaps for future comprehensive assessments of the policy and legal framework. This review has indicated the importance of the two pillars, namely regulation and policy, highlighting not only the need for solid restrictions regarding organic food production, however also the need to support food safety and consumer confidence in the growing organic food market.

Fatores de risco e proteção de doenças crônicas em adultos: estudo de base populacional em uma cidade de médio porte no sul do Brasil / Risk and protective factors for chronic diseases in adults: population-based study in a medium-sized town in the South of Brazil / Factores de riesgo y protección para enfermedades crónicas en adultos: estudio de base poblacional en una ciudad de tamaño mediano en el sur de Brasil

Introdução: As doenças crônicas constituem sério problema de saúde pública, caracterizadas por uma etiologia incerta, múltiplos fatores de risco, longos períodos de latência, curso prolongado, origem não infecciosa e associadas a deficiências e incapacidades funcionais. Objetivos: Determinar a prevalência e a distribuição dos principais fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis na população adulta, estratificada por sexo e faixa etária no município de Itajaí, SC. Métodos: A amostra foi constituída por 432 adultos, entre julho de 2013 e junho de 2014. Aplicou-se um questionário, composto por fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 48,4% do sexo masculino e 51,6% do sexo feminino, predominando a faixa etária de 20 a 39 anos (56,2%), estado civil casado e/ou união estável (70,4%) e com nível de escolaridade de até 11 anos (46,3%). Em relação aos fatores de risco, quando comparados com os dados nacional e estadual, os sexos masculino e feminino apresentaram prevalências significativamente superiores, respectivamente, para: tabagismo (22,5%; 17,0%); consumo de refrigerantes ou suco artificial (45,5%; 34,5%), leite integral (72,3%; 70,9%), carne com gordura (58,4%; 49,3%), obesidade (24,2%; 21,3%) e autoavaliação negativa de saúde (19,1%; 30,9%). Quanto aos fatores de proteção verificaram-se valores superiores e significativos para consumo regular de frutas e hortaliças (51,2%; 70,4%) e inferiores para o consumo recomendado de frutas e hortaliças (9,6%; 16,1%), feijão (46,9%; 40,4%) e atividade física (30,1%; 39,0%). Conclusão: Os resultados apontaram que as maiores prevalências de fatores de risco estão relacionadas à tríade ingestão alimentar inadequada, inatividade física e tabagismo, destacando-se as elevadas proporções de autoavaliação negativa da saúde.

Introduction: Chronic diseases constitute a serious public health problem, characterized by an uncertain aetiology, multiple risk factors, long periods of latency, prolonged course, non-infectious origin and association with disability and functional disability. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and distribution of major risk factors and protection for chronic diseases in the adult population, stratified by sex and age group in Itajaí, Santa Catarina. Methods: The sample consisted of 432 adults, aged 20-59 years between July/2013 and June/2014. A questionnaire was applied, consisting of risk and protection factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases. Results: The sample comprised 48.4% men and 51.6% women with predominant age group 20-39 years (56.2%), being married and/or cohabiting (70.4%) and education level of up to eleven years (46.3%). Regarding risk factors, compared with the national and state data, men and women had significant higher prevalence rates respectively for smoking (22.5%; 17.0%); consumption of sodas or artificial juice (45.5%; 34.5%), whole milk (72.3%; 70.9%), meat with visible fat (58.4%; 49.3%), obesity (24.2%; 21.3%) and negative self-assessed health (19.1%; 30.9%). With regard to protective factors and significant higher values for the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables (51.2%; 70.4%) and lower for the recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables (9.6%; 16.1%), beans (46.9%; 40.4%) and physical activity during leisure time (30.1%; 39.0%). Conclusions: The results showed that the highest prevalence of risk factors for chronic diseases is related to triad inadequate food intake, physical inactivity and smoking, specially the high proportions of negative self-rated health.

Introducción: Las enfermedades crónicas constituyen un problema grave de salud pública, caracterizado por una etiología incierta, múltiples factores de riesgo, largos períodos de latencia, curso prolongado, origen no infeccioso y asociación con deficiencias y discapacidades funcionales. Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia y la distribución de los principales factores de riesgo y protección para enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en la población adulta, estratificada por sexo y grupo de edad, en la ciudad de Itajaí, Santa Catarina. Métodos: La muestra consistió en 432 adultos entre julio de 2013 y junio de 2014. Se aplicó un cuestionario, que consta de factores de riesgo y protección para enfermedades crónicas. Resultados: La muestra estuvo constituida por 48,4% hombres y 51,6% mujeres, rango de edad predominante fue de 20-39 años (56,2%), que se casaron y/o unión de hecho (70,4%) y el nivel de educación de hasta once años (46,3%). En cuanto a los factores de riesgo, en comparación con los datos nacionales y estatales, hombres y mujeres mostraron significativa prevalencia más alta, respectivamente, para: fumadores (22,5%; 17,0%); consumo de bebidas gaseosas o jugos artificiales (45,5%; 34,5%), leche entera (72,3%; 70,9%), carne con grasa (58,4%; 49,3%), obesidad (24,2%; 21,3%) y la autoevaluación de salud negativa (19,1%; 30,9%). En cuanto a los factores de protección que se consideren valores superiores y significativos para el consumo regular de frutas y verduras (51,2%; 70,4%) y más baja para la ingesta recomendada de frutas y verduras (9,6%; 16,1%), frijoles (46,9%; 40,4%) y actividad física (30,1%; 39,0%). Conclusión: Los resultados mostraron que la mayor prevalencia de factores de riesgo está relacionada con la tríada - ingesta inadecuada de alimentos, inactividad física y tabaquismo, destacando las proporciones altas de autoevaluación negativa de salud.