Development of Immediate Release Tablets Containing Calcium Lactate Synthetized from Black Sea Mussel Shells.

Nowadays, the use of marine by-products as precursor materials has gained great interest in the extraction and production of chemical compounds with suitable properties and possible pharmaceutical applications. The present paper presents the development of a new immediate release tablet containing calcium lactate obtained from Black Sea mussel shells. Compared with other calcium salts, calcium lactate has good solubility and bioavailability. In the pharmaceutical preparations, calcium lactate was extensively utilized as a calcium source for preventing and treating calcium deficiencies. The physical and chemical characteristics of synthesized calcium lactate were evaluated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and thermal analysis. Further, the various pharmacotechnical properties of the calcium lactate obtained from mussel shells were determined in comparison with an industrial used direct compressible Calcium lactate DC (PURACAL®). The obtained results suggest that mussel shell by-products are suitable for the development of chemical compounds with potential applications in the pharmaceutical domain.

Mussel Shells, a Valuable Calcium Resource for the Pharmaceutical Industry.

(1) Background: The mussel (Mytilus edulis, Mytilus galloprovincialis) is the most widespread lamellibranch mollusk, being fished on all coasts of the European seas. Mussels are also widely grown in Japan, China, and Spain, especially for food purposes. This paper shows an original technique for mussel shell processing for preparation of calcium salts, such as calcium levulinate. This process involves synthesis of calcium levulinate by treatment of Mytilus galloprovincialis shells with levulinic acid. The advantage of mussel shell utilization results in more straightforward qualitative composition. Thus, the weight of the mineral component lies with calcium carbonate, which can be used for extraction of pharmaceutical preparations. (2) Methods: Shell powder was first deproteinized by calcination, then the mineral part was treated with levulinic acid. The problem of shells generally resulting from the industrialization of marine molluscs creates enough shortcomings, if one only mentions storage and handling. One of the solutions proposed by us is the capitalization of calcium from shells in the pharmaceutical industry. (3) Results: The toxicity of calcium levulinate synthesized from the mussel shells was evaluated by the method known in the scientific literature as the Constantinescu phytobiological method (using wheat kernels, Triticum vulgare Mill). Acute toxicity of calcium levulinate was evaluated; the experiments showed the low toxicity of calcium levulinate. (4) Conclusion: The experimental results highlighted calcium as the predominant element in the composition of mussel shells, which strengthens the argument of capitalizing the shells as an important natural source of calcium.

Socio-Demographic Factors, Behaviors, Motivations, and Attitudes in Food Waste Management of Romanian Households.

(1) Background: Food waste (FW) in Romania is 70 Kg/capita/year, while 70% of food waste comes from public catering, retail services, and households (over 50%-47 million tons). The present study investigates the socio-demographic factors, behaviors, motivations, and attitudes related to food waste management in Romanian households. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online questionnaire via the Google Forms platform from 15 April 2023 to 15 May 2023. The questionnaire was designed to assess various aspects, such as some socio-demographic information (age, sex, occupation, area of residence, study level, household members number, children <18 years of age); the personal involvement and frequency of food purchases and homemade food cooking; the main sources that generate food waste; the motivation and frequency with which food waste occurs; the level of awareness regarding the impact of food waste; the respondents' intentions regarding sustainable behaviors and practices for food management; the level of information and familiarity of the respondents with the notions of validity and how these may influence their food consumption decisions. (3) Results: The results show that FW incidence is occasionally (42%), very rarely (43.33%), frequently (15%), and no food waste was reported by 2.66% of respondents. The 35-44 age category records the highest FW frequency, followed by 18-24. The most wasted are homemade food (29.67%), bread and bakery products (27.00%), and fruits and vegetables (14.33%). High involvement in purchasing and buying food following a previously established list reduces FW frequency. The same is valid for high daily involvement in food and homemade cooking. High interest in the FW problem and its perception as a waste of money leads to diminishing it, while guilty feelings increase the FW level (37.50% to 73.33%). (4) Conclusions: The present study shows that household food waste management is a multifactorial process that involves numerous socio-demographic, behavioral, and emotional aspects. Extensive data analysis supports our results, revealing deep self-reported information details and confirming its complex approach.

Elevated Immunoglobulin E Serum Levels: Possible Underlying Factors That Can Cause an Inborn Error of Immunity in the Pediatric Population with Recurrent Infections.

Elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels are commonly associated with allergies. However, high IgE levels are also found in several other infectious and non-infectious disorders. Elevated IgE levels typically suggest allergies, eczema, or recurrent skin infections. Hyperimmunoglobulin E (hyper-IgE) levels typically reflect a monogenic atopic condition or inborn immune defects with an atopic phenotype. The aim of our research is to investigate and observe the clinical characteristics of children with increased IgE levels who have previously manifested infectious diseases. Furthermore, the retrospective study considers other factors, such as demographic characteristics (sex, area/environment, and age), and their effect on IgE serum levels. To answer this question, we conducted a one-year hospital-based retrospective study that included 200 hospitalized children who had at least two viral or bacterial infections in the six months preceding hospitalization. Measurements of IgE and allergen panels (respiratory and digestive) using blood samples revealed that individuals who tested positive for the body's synthesis of hyper-IgE were not observably allergic to any potential allergens despite having higher total serum IgE. According to the results, there was a strong correlation between elevated IgE serum levels and a history of infectious diseases among the patients.

Microplastics: A Real Global Threat for Environment and Food Safety: A State of the Art Review.

Microplastics are small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics, ubiquitous in nature and therefore affect both wildlife and humans. They have been detected in many marine species, but also in drinking water and in numerous foods, such as salt, honey and marine organisms. Exposure to microplastics can also occur through inhaled air. Data from animal studies have shown that once absorbed, plastic micro- and nanoparticles can distribute to the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, thymus, reproductive organs, kidneys and even the brain (crosses the blood-brain barrier). In addition, microplastics are transport operators of persistent organic pollutants or heavy metals from invertebrate organisms to other higher trophic levels. After ingestion, the additives and monomers in their composition can interfere with important biological processes in the human body and can cause disruption of the endocrine, immune system; can have a negative impact on mobility, reproduction and development; and can cause carcinogenesis. The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has affected not only human health and national economies but also the environment, due to the large volume of waste in the form of discarded personal protective equipment. The remarkable increase in global use of face masks, which mainly contain polypropylene, and poor waste management have led to worsening microplastic pollution, and the long-term consequences can be extremely devastating if urgent action is not taken.

The Impact of Medical Nutrition Intervention on the Management of Hyperphosphatemia in Hemodialysis Patients with Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease: A Case Series.

The treatment and interdisciplinary management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) continue to improve long-term outcomes. The medical nutrition intervention's role is to establish a healthy diet plan for kidney protection, reach blood pressure and blood glucose goals, and prevent or delay health problems caused by kidney disease. Our study aims to report the effects of medical nutrition therapy-substituting foods rich in phosphorus-containing additives with ones low in phosphates content on phosphatemia and phosphate binders drug prescription in stage 5 CKD patients with hemodialysis. Thus, 18 adults with high phosphatemia levels (over 5.5 mg/dL) were monitored at a single center. Everyone received standard personalized diets to replace processed foods with phosphorus additives according to their comorbidities and treatment with prosphate binder drugs. Clinical laboratory data, including dialysis protocol, calcemia, and phosphatemia, were evaluated at the beginning of the study, after 30 and 60 days. A food survey was assessed at baseline and after 60 days. The results did not show significant differences between serum phosphate levels between the first and second measurements; thus, the phosphate binders' initial doses did not change. After 2 months, phosphate levels decreased considerably (from 7.322 mg/dL to 5.368 mg/dL); therefore, phosphate binder doses were diminished. In conclusion, medical nutrition intervention in patients with hemodialysis significantly reduced serum phosphate concentrations after 60 days. Restricting the intake of processed foods containing phosphorus additives-in particularized diets adapted to each patient's comorbidities-and receiving phosphate binders represented substantial steps to decrease phosphatemia levels. The best results were significantly associated with life expectancy; at the same time, they showed a negative correlation with the dialysis period and participants' age.

Therapeutic Benefits and Dietary Restrictions of Fiber Intake: A State of the Art Review.

Throughout history, malnutrition and deficiency diseases have been a problem for our planet's population. A balanced diet significantly influences everyone's health, and fiber intake appears to play a more important role than previously thought. The natural dietary fibers are a category of carbohydrates in the constitution of plants that are not completely digested in the human intestine. High-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, have consistently been highly beneficial to health and effectively reduced the risk of disease. Although the mode of action of dietary fiber in the consumer body is not fully understood, nutritionists and health professionals unanimously recognize the therapeutic benefits. This paper presents the fiber consumption in different countries, the metabolism of fiber and the range of health benefits associated with fiber intake. In addition, the influence of fiber intake on the intestinal microbiome, metabolic diseases (obesity and diabetes), neurological aspects, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer prevention are discussed. Finally, dietary restrictions and excess fiber are addressed, which can cause episodes of diarrhea and dehydration and increase the likelihood of bloating and flatulence or even bowel obstruction. However, extensive studies are needed regarding the composition and required amount of fiber in relation to the metabolism of saprotrophic microorganisms from the enteral level and the benefits of the various pathologies with which they can be correlated.

Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Newly Developed Ointment Containing Jujube Leaves Extract.

Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (jujube) is a well-known medicinal plant with pronounced wound healing properties. The present study aimed to establish the chemical composition of the lyophilized ethanolic extract from Romanian Ziziphus jujuba leaves and to evaluate the healing and anti-inflammatory properties of a newly developed lipophilic ointment containing 10% dried jujube leaves extract. The ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry method was used, and 47 compounds were detected, among them the novel epicatechin and caffeic acid. The extract contains significant amounts of rutin (29.836 mg/g), quercetin (15.180 mg/g) and chlorogenic acid (350.96 µg/g). The lipophilic ointment has a slightly tolerable pH, between 5.41-5.42, and proved to be non-toxic in acute dermal irritation tests on New Zealand albino rabbits and after repeated administration on Wistar rats. The ointment also has a healing activity comparable to Cicatrizin (a pharmaceutical marketed product) on Wistar rats and a moderate anti-inflammatory action compared to the control group, but statistically insignificant compared to indomethacin in the rat-induced inflammation test by intraplantar administration of kaolin. The healing and anti-inflammatory properties of the tested ointment are due to phenolic acids and flavonoids content, less because of minor components as apocynin, scopoletin, and isofraxidin.

Comparative Quality Assessment of Five Bread Wheat and Five Barley Cultivars Grown in Romania.

Cereals whole grains contain vitamins, phytochemicals, antioxidants, resistant starch, and minerals with potential benefits to human health. The consumption of whole grains is correlated with a lowered risk of the most important chronic diseases, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the content of five cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and five cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) obtained by conventional plant breeding using crossing and selection methods. The novelty and the purpose of this research was to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze these ten cultivars from Romania and to show the importance of, and the changes produced by, crossing and selection methods when these are aimed at the physiological or morphological development of the cultivars. Studies based on gluten dosing; spectrophotometry using Bradford, fructan and protein dosing; Kjeldahl protein dosing; GC-MS/MS-protein and amino acid dosing; and identification of protein fractions using polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic method were conducted. This study demonstrates the possibility of developing future cultivars using conventional methods of improvement to modify the content and composition of nutrients to increase their health benefits.