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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.

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.

Polymer nanodielectrics characterized by good flexibility, processability, low dielectric loss and high dielectric permittivity are materials of interest for wearable electronic devices and intelligent textiles, and are highly in demand in robotics. In this study, an easily scalable and environmentally friendly method was applied to obtain polysiloxane/nanosilica nanocomposites with a large content of nanofiller, of up to 30% by weight. Nanosilica was dispersed both as individual particles and as agglomerates; in nanocomposites with a lower amount of filler, the former prevailed, and at over 20 wt% nanosilica the agglomerates predominated. An improvement of both the tensile strength and modulus was observed for nanocomposites with 5–15 wt% nanosilica, and a strong increase of the storage modulus was observed with the increase of nanofiller concentration. Furthermore, an increase of the storage modulus of up to seven times was observed in the nanocomposites with 30 wt% nanosilica. The tensile modulus was well fitted by models that consider the aggregation of nanoparticles and the role of the interface. The dielectric spectra showed an increase of the real part of the complex relative permittivity with 33% for 30 wt% nanosilica in nanocomposites at a frequency of 1 KHz, whereas the loss tangent values were lower than 0.02 for all tested nanodielectrics in the radio frequency range between 1 KHz and 1 MHz. The polysiloxane–nanosilica nanocomposites developed in this work showed good flexibility; however, they also showed increased stiffness along with a stronger dielectric response than the unfilled polysiloxane, which recommends them as dielectric substrates for wearable electronic devices.

Polymeric membranes are selective materials used in a wide range of applications that require separation processes, from water filtration and purification to industrial separations. Because of these materials’ remarkable properties, namely, selectivity, membranes are also used in a wide range of biomedical applications that require separations. Considering the fact that most organs (apart from the heart and brain) have separation processes associated with the physiological function (kidneys, lungs, intestines, stomach, etc.), technological solutions have been developed to replace the function of these organs with the help of polymer membranes. This review presents the main biomedical applications of polymer membranes, such as hemodialysis (for chronic kidney disease), membrane-based artificial oxygenators (for artificial lung), artificial liver, artificial pancreas, and membranes for osseointegration and drug delivery systems based on membranes.

The field of membrane materials is one of the most dynamic due to the continuously changing requirements regarding the selectivity and the upgradation of the materials developed with the constantly changing needs. Two membrane processes are essential at present, not for development, but for everyday life—desalination and hemodialysis. Hemodialysis has preserved life and increased life expectancy over the past 60–70 years for tens of millions of people with chronic kidney dysfunction. In addition to the challenges related to the efficiency and separative properties of the membranes, the biggest challenge remained and still remains the assurance of hemocompatibility—not affecting the blood during its recirculation outside the body for 4 h once every two days. This review presents the latest research carried out in the field of functionalization of polysulfone membranes (the most used polymer in the preparation of membranes for hemodialysis) with the purpose of increasing the hemocompatibility and efficiency of the separation process itself with a decreasing impact on the body.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most commonly used drugs in liver cancer. Unfortunately, the traditional chemotherapy with DOX presents many limitations, such as a systematic release of DOX, affecting both tumor tissue and healthy tissue, leading to the apparition of many side effects, multidrug resistance (MDR), and poor water solubility. Furthermore, drug delivery systems’ responsiveness has been intensively studied according to the influence of different internal and external stimuli on the efficiency of therapeutic drugs. In this review, we discuss both internal stimuli-responsive drug-delivery systems, such as redox, pH and temperature variation, and external stimuli-responsive drug-delivery systems, such as the application of magnetic, photo-thermal, and electrical stimuli, for the controlled release of Doxorubicin in liver cancer therapy, along with the future perspectives of these smart delivery systems in liver cancer therapy.

In this work, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were surface treated by plasma and grafted with poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMMA) for increasing mechanical strength and hydrophobicity. The surface characteristics of the sponges were studied by scanning electron microscopy, micro-computed tomography, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which demonstrated successful surface modification. Plasma treatment applied to CNF suspension led to advanced defibrillation, and the resulting sponges (CNFpl) exhibited smaller wall thickness than CNF. The grafting of PEGMMA led to an increase in the wall thickness of the sponges and the number of larger pores when compared with the non-grafted counterparts. Sponges with increased hydrophobicity demonstrated by an almost 4 times increase in the water contact angle and better mechanical strength proved by 2.5 times increase in specific compression strength were obtained after PEGMMA grafting of plasma treated CNF. Cells cultivated on both neat and PEGMMA-grafted CNF sponges showed high viability (>99%). Remarkably, CNF grafted with PEGMMA showed better cell viability as compared with the untreated CNF sample; this difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). In addition, the obtained sponges do not trigger an inflammatory response in macrophages, with TNF-α secretion by cells in contact with CNFpl, CNF-PEGMMA, and CNFpl-PEGMMA samples being lower than that observed for the CNF sample. All these results support the great potential of cellulose nanofibers surface treated by plasma and grafted with PEGMMA for biomedical applications.

In this work, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were surface treated by plasma and grafted with poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMMA) for increasing mechanical strength and hydrophobicity. The surface characteristics of the sponges were studied by scanning electron microscopy, micro-computed tomography, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which demonstrated successful surface modification. Plasma treatment applied to CNF suspension led to advanced defibrillation, and the resulting sponges (CNFpl) exhibited smaller wall thickness than CNF. The grafting of PEGMMA led to an increase in the wall thickness of the sponges and the number of larger pores when compared with the non-grafted counterparts. Sponges with increased hydrophobicity demonstrated by an almost 4 times increase in the water contact angle and better mechanical strength proved by 2.5 times increase in specific compression strength were obtained after PEGMMA grafting of plasma treated CNF. Cells cultivated on both neat and PEGMMA-grafted CNF sponges showed high viability (>99%). Remarkably, CNF grafted with PEGMMA showed better cell viability as compared with the untreated CNF sample; this difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). In addition, the obtained sponges do not trigger an inflammatory response in macrophages, with TNF-α secretion by cells in contact with CNFpl, CNF-PEGMMA, and CNFpl-PEGMMA samples being lower than that observed for the CNF sample. All these results support the great potential of cellulose nanofibers surface treated by plasma and grafted with PEGMMA for biomedical applications.

Background: Molecular testing has improved pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) diagnosis, but the clinical interpretation of semi-quantitative GeneXpert results—particularly at low bacillary loads—remains uncertain. Methods: This retrospective study included 167 patients with positive GeneXpert results evaluated at a tertiary pneumology hospital between January and December 2024. Patients were stratified by culture status. Associations between semi-quantitative GeneXpert categories and smear positivity, culture confirmation, and time to culture positivity were evaluated using logistic regression, ROC analysis, and Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Increasing GeneXpert categories were associated in a graded association with microbiological positivity. Compared with “Very Low”, the odds of smear positivity were higher for “Medium” (OR 36.00, 95% CI 6.49–199.65) and “High” results (OR 328.50, 95% CI 43.29–2492.98). The probability of culture confirmation increased stepwise (0.60 for “Very Low”, 0.79 for “Low”, 0.93 for “Medium”, and 0.92 for “High”; AUC 0.70), indicating that bacillary load is only one of several determinants of culture positivity. Prior tuberculosis and underweight status were associated with “Very Low” results, while cavitary disease was associated with higher categories. Higher GeneXpert categories were also associated with shorter time to culture positivity. Conclusions: Semi-quantitative GeneXpert categories provide clinically relevant information in PTB. “Medium” and “High” results were usually associated with microbiological positivity, whereas “Very Low” results were less reliable and required cautious interpretation. These categories may support early clinical decision-making while culture results are pending.

Background: Young adulthood represents a critical period for the emergence of early metabolic disturbances, potentially influenced by dietary shifts toward convenience and ultra-processed foods. However, evidence linking dietary patterns and cooking practices with objective metabolic biomarkers in Romanian university students remains limited. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 693 students aged 18–24 years at the Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania (June–July 2025). Dietary habits, food preferences, and cooking practices were assessed using a structured online questionnaire, while anthropometric and biochemical data were obtained from university health records. The primary outcome was glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a marker of average blood glucose levels over the previous 2–3 months. Prediabetes was defined as HbA1c 5.7–6.4%. Dietary patterns were identified using k-means clustering based on fast-food consumption frequency, main meal of the day, fruit and vegetable intake frequency, and predominant cooking method. Multivariable regression models assessed associations between dietary variables and glycemic or lipid outcomes. Results: Prediabetes prevalence was 21.1% (diabetes: 1.4%). Three dietary patterns were identified: health-conscious (prediabetes 15.4%), mixed (20.0%), and fast-food oriented (27.3%; χ2 p = 0.003). Fast-food consumption frequency was independently associated with higher prediabetes risk (OR = 1.78 per category; 95% CI 1.38–2.30; p < 0.001) and higher HbA1c levels (β = 0.147; p < 0.001), while fruit and vegetable intake showed an inverse association with HbA1c (β = −0.109; p < 0.001). A dose–response relationship was observed between fast-food frequency and both HbA1c and prediabetes prevalence (p-trend < 0.001). An interaction between high-temperature cooking methods and frequent fast-food consumption was observed for HbA1c (p = 0.023). BMI and sex were the strongest predictors of lipid outcomes, although fast-food intake was associated with higher triglyceride levels (p = 0.034). Conclusions: Among Romanian university students, dietary patterns characterized by frequent fast-food consumption were associated with higher HbA1c levels and greater prediabetes prevalence. A high-temperature cooking method was associated with higher glycemic levels when combined with frequent fast-food intake. These findings suggest that early dietary behaviors during university years may be relevant for metabolic risk profiles in young adults.