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The gut microbiota‐brain axis has been recognized as a network of connections that provides communication between the gut microflora and both central and autonomic nervous system. The gut microbiota alteration has been targeted for therapy in various neurodegenerative and psychiatric disbalances. Psychobiotics are probiotics that contribute beneficially to the brain function and the host mental health as a result of an interaction with the commensal gut bacteria, although their mechanism of action has not been completely revealed. In this state‐of‐art review, the findings about the potential therapeutic effects of the psychobiotics alone or in combination with conventional medicine in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as well as in some psychiatric diseases like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, have been summarized. The evidence of the psychobiotics therapeutic outcomes obtained in preclinical and clinical trials have been given respectively for the observed neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixtures of a cross-linked polyacrylic acid (Carbopol 940) and two types of surfactants, namely anionic sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and nonionic Tween 80, were investigated by viscometry, conductometry, tensiometry, spectrophotometry, fluorimetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of nonionic surfactant decreased the reduced viscosity and the transmittance of the Carbopol polymer aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the interaction between Carbopol 940 and SDS was characterized by two significant concentration values: the critical aggregation concentration of SDS was particularly independent of Carbopol polymer concentration while the polymer saturation point of both surfactants increased with the increase in polymer content. The values of critical aggregation concentration and polymer saturation point obtained using various techniques confirmed the occurrence of Carbopol polymer-surfactant associations. The effect of different SDS and Tween 80 concentrations on the conformation of Carbopol 940 in aqueous solution could be explained through hydrophobic association between surfactant micelles and Carbopol polymer tails and through hydrogen bonding in the case of Tween 80. Additionally, the surfactant-induced structural changes were confirmed in Carbopol 940-SDS and Carbopol 940-Tween 80 aqueous solutions by SEM measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal variations of caffeine and antibiotic concentrations were investigated along the selected sites of the Danube using solid-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The potential risks on the aquatic organisms were evaluated. HPLC methods for caffeine and antibiotic determination were modified and validated showing good accuracy, repeatability, selectivity, and robustness. The obtained results confirmed the presence of caffeine at four sampling points, near the wastewater discharges. The mean caffeine concentrations for summer, autumn, winter, and spring were 24.78, 26.83, 24.61, and 86.29 ng/L, respectively. The analyzed antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, and tiamuline) were under the limit of detection in all tested samples taken from the Danube. The maximum risk indexes (MaxRIs) were calculated for caffeine at each sampling site. Four out of seven selected sampling sites showed sublethal effects on the aquatic organisms with 10 < MaxRI < 100 (class II), while the other three had no potential risk for aquatic organisms. The highest potential risk was calculated for the sampling site in the vicinity of one of the biggest wastewater discharges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]