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The excessive use of plastics, in addition to the limitative capacities available for plastic waste disposal or recycle increased the interest in degradable polymers. Polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) are among the most studied biobased polymers for packaging applications. However, their biodegradability in real environment is questionable. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the biodegradation behavior of PLA/PHB blend films and their sandwich-structured composites containing a cellulose paper interlayer, in natural soil environment, exposed to humidity and temperature conditions specific to different seasons. The study was conducted for 8 months and the biodegradation process was evaluated by measuring the morphological changes, weight loss and tensile properties of the samples. The weight loss data showed that materials were able to degrade under the action of soil microorganisms, water and heat. Moreover, the cellulose layer favored the water retention and enhanced the degradation. SEM images highlighted traces of erosion and biodegradation in the case of the buried samples and FTIR spectra revealed the scission of the ester bonds, which proved the degradation of the aliphatic polyesters. The XRD studies showed that the samples recovered from compost soil were more crystalline than those stored at room temperature, which indicates the degradation of the amorphous phase in the samples. In addition, DMA measurements showed a strong reinforcing effect of the cellulose interlayer on the PLA/PHB matrix. In conclusion, PLA/PHB blend is suitable for long packaging application, but the addition of a cellulose paper interlayer is beneficial to accelerate the decomposition rate.

Background/Objectives: Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare but life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy in children. Secondary forms, occurring in association with immune dysregulation, autoimmune disease, or other triggers, are particularly challenging to diagnose and manage, and pediatric-specific data remain limited. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, diagnostic pathways, and management of pediatric iTTP and to contextualize these findings within the recent literature. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series of pediatric patients diagnosed with iTTP at a tertiary referral center, between November 2021 and January 2026. Clinical presentation, laboratory findings, including ADAMTS13 activity and ADAMTS13 inhibitors, associated conditions, treatment strategies, and outcomes were reviewed. In parallel, a narrative literature review was performed focusing on pediatric immune-mediated secondary TTP published over the past five years. Results: Four pediatric patients (three females, one male; median age 14 years) met inclusion criteria. All presented with severe thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, accompanied by prominent neurologic manifestations in three cases. Severe ADAMTS13 activity deficiency (≤10%) with positive inhibitors was documented in all patients. Secondary iTTP occurred in association with evolving systemic autoimmunity, systemic lupus erythematosus, common variable immunodeficiency, or without an identifiable trigger at presentation. High clinical probability scores facilitated early diagnosis. Management required plasma exchange, corticosteroids, and targeted and immunomodulatory therapy. Conclusions: Pediatric secondary iTTP is a heterogeneous condition that frequently presents with diagnostic ambiguity and severe neurologic involvement. Early recognition, prompt initiation of TTP-directed therapy, and comprehensive immunologic evaluation are critical for favorable outcomes. Case series combined with narrative reviews remain valuable for advancing understanding and optimizing individualized care in this rare pediatric disorder.

In this study, composite membranes based on chitosan (CS), layered double hydroxide (LDH), and diclofenac were prepared via dispersing of LDH and diclofenac (DCF) in the chitosan matrix for gradual delivery of diclofenac sodium. The effect of using LDH in composites was compared to chitosan loaded with diclofenac membrane. LDH was added in order to develop a system with a long release of diclofenac sodium, which is used in inflammatory conditions as an anti-inflammatory drug. The prepared composite membranes were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscope Analysis (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and UV–Vis Spectroscopy. The results of the FTIR and XPS analyses confirmed the obtaining of the composite membrane and the efficient incorporation of diclofenac. It was observed that the addition of LDH can increase the thermal stability of the composite membrane and favors the gradual release of diclofenac, highlighted by UV–Vis spectra that showed a gradual release in the first 48 h. In conclusion, the composite membrane based on CS-LDH can be used in potential drug delivery application.

Minimal residual disease (MRD) is a critical prognostic marker in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The well studied and used MRD detection methods, multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for fusion genes and receptor gene rearrangements have significantly improved risk stratification, but have limitations in sensitivity and applicability. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as a promising approach for MRD assessment, offering better sensitivity and the ability to track clonal evolution. This systematic review evaluates the clinical utility and prognostic value of NGS for MRD detection in ALL, comparing its performance with conventional methods and exploring its potential role in therapeutic guidance. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed and Web of Science following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they assessed MRD using NGS in ALL patients and provided data on sensitivity and prognostic value. Comparative analyses with MFC or qRT-PCR were considered. Data on end-of-induction MRD values, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) were extracted. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. NGS demonstrated superior sensitivity in detecting MRD-positive cases compared to MFC in patients classified as MRD-negative. Higher correlation was observed in MRD-positive cases than in MRD-negative cases. NGS-based MRD stratification correlated strongly with clinical outcomes, with patients achieving NGS-MRD negativity exhibiting superior EFS and OS rates. Additionally, NGS was highly predictive of relapse following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy. The IGH rearrangements as the primary marker in NGS panels has demonstrated good prognostic value in B-ALL. NGS represents a transformative tool for MRD monitoring in ALL, offering enhanced sensitivity and prognostic accuracy. Challenges such as high costs, complex bioinformatics analysis and the need for standardization remain. While its integration into clinical practice holds significant promise, further research is needed to establish standardized protocols, cost-effectiveness, and its optimal role in treatment decision-making. The combination of NGS with MFC may provide complementary advantages.

SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines are highly efficient against severe forms of the disease, hospitalization and death. Nevertheless, insufficient protection against several circulating viral variants might suggest waning immunity and the need for an additional vaccine dose. We conducted a longitudinal study on the kinetics and persistence of immune responses in healthcare workers vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine with or without prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. No new infections were diagnosed during follow‐up. At 6 months, post‐vaccination or post‐infection, despite a downward trend in the level of anti‐S IgG antibodies, the neutralizing activity does not decrease significantly, remaining higher than 75% (85.14% for subjects with natural infection, 88.82% for vaccinated after prior infection and 78.37% for vaccinated only). In a live‐virus neutralization assay, the highest neutralization titres were present at baseline and at 6 months follow‐up in persons vaccinated after prior infection. Anti‐S IgA levels showed a significant descending trend in vaccinated subjects (p < 0.05) after 14 weeks. Cellular immune responses are present even in vaccinated participants with declining antibody levels (index ratio 1.1–3) or low neutralizing activity (30%–40%) at 6 months, although with lower T‐cell stimulation index (p = 0.046) and IFN‐γ secretion (p = 0.0007) compared to those with preserved humoral responses.

Food safety management represents an important concern in contemporary society. The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system is a crucial tool for meat producers, preventing and controlling major food safety concerns in the process. This research investigates key barriers to HACCP implementation in the meat industry, employing the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) model to identify and categorize these obstacles. Using the insights of 18 experts, a cause-and-effect relationship diagram is generated through which twelve barriers are categorized in terms of their cause and effect and then analyzed. Threshold value is calculated as 0.299. The findings reveal poor management as the primary impediment, followed by challenges in training, knowledge, and dedication. Categorizing the barriers into four groups emphasizes the critical role of effective management and human resources. The study contributes valuable insights to food safety management literature, serving as a practical resource for industry practitioners. Despite limitations in relying on expert opinions and the industry-specific focus, the research lays a foundation for informed decision-making, stressing the importance of effective management in successful HACCP implementation. Future research directions include diversifying geographical representation, exploring practical solutions, and integrating emerging technologies for a better understanding of HACCP adoption challenges.

This paper explores the design of logos in the aeronautical field, especially for the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering from Bucharest. The article aims to identify a new image for the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering in order to create a corporate identity manual to illustrate the use of the new logo in different situations and environments. The perfect candidate to represent the institution will be decided based on a survey which measures the public's receptivity to 5 proposed variants for the logo

When antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes (ARGs) reach novel habitats, they can become part of the habitat’s microbiome in the long term if they are able to overcome the habitat’s biotic resilience towards immigration. This process should become more difficult with increasing biodiversity, as exploitable niches in a given habitat are reduced for immigrants when more diverse competitors are present. Consequently, microbial diversity could provide a natural barrier towards antimicrobial resistance by reducing the persistence time of immigrating ARB and ARG. To test this hypothesis, a pan-European sampling campaign was performed for structured forest soil and dynamic riverbed environments of low anthropogenic impact. In soils, higher diversity, evenness and richness were significantly negatively correlated with relative abundance of >85% of ARGs. Furthermore, the number of detected ARGs per sample were inversely correlated with diversity. However, no such effects were present in the more dynamic riverbeds. Hence, microbiome diversity can serve as a barrier towards antimicrobial resistance dissemination in stationary, structured environments, where long-term, diversity-based resilience against immigration can evolve. A study based on a pan-European survey of soils and riverbeds of low-anthropogenic impact suggests that environmental microbiomes with a higher degree of bacterial diversity host less diverse and lower abundances of antibiotic resistance genes.

Nutrition concerns and food waste are a priority for the European Union, and the implementation of Green Pact policies is of major interest to all those involved in the food chain sector. The main purpose of this paper is to conduct an in-depth analysis of scientific production using bibliometrics, to understand the current structure of studies and future research directions on Green Deal policies in the food chain. 672 documents published between 2000 and 2021 were identified in the Web of Science database. Their scientific content was analysed using VOSviewer software on several levels: descriptive analysis, performance analysis, and scientific mapping from a conceptual, intellectual, and social perspective. In addition, to determine research gaps, the 10 most relevant and influential papers are analysed and synthesized. The most productive countries in terms of scientific output are Italy, India, and the USA, the peak being reached in 2021, and the main field approached is environmental sciences. Most of the articles analysed are reviews, highlighting gaps in primary research on Green Deal policies in the food industry. In this regard, several future research directions in the field are proposed.

This paper explores the design of logos in the aeronautical field, especially for the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering from Bucharest. The article aims to identify a new image for the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering in order to create a corporate identity manual to illustrate the use of the new logo in different situations and environments. The perfect candidate to represent the institution will be decided based on a survey which measures the public's receptivity to 5 proposed variants for the logo.