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(1) Background: A sustainable healthy diet assures human well-being in all life stages, protects environmental resources, and preserves biodiversity. This work investigates the sociodemographic factors, knowledge, trust, and motivations involved in organic food acquisition behavior. (2) Methods: An online survey via Google Forms platform, with 316 respondents, was conducted from 1 March to 31 May 2024. (3) Results: Our findings show that suitably informed people with high educational levels (academic and post-college) report significant satisfaction with organic food consumption (p < 0.05). There is also a considerable correlation between ages 25–65, moderate to high satisfaction, and “yes” for eco-food recommendations (p < 0.05). The same satisfaction levels are associated with medium confidence in eco-food labels and a moderate to high monthly income (p < 0.05). Our results show that monthly income and residence are not essential factors in higher price perception. Insignificant price variation perception correlated with high confidence and weekly acquisition (p < 0.05). Similar price perception correlates with the highest confidence level and daily acquisition (p < 0.05). Obese respondents exhibited minimal satisfaction and opted for “abstention” from eco-food recommendations (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The present study extensively analyzed Romanian people’s knowledge, perception, and trust regarding organic foods. It demonstrates that sociodemographic factors differentiate consumers and influence attitudes and motivation for organic food acquisition.

Background/Objectives: Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis (IgAV), classically known as Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP), is a type of nonthrombocytopenic small-vessel vasculitis. HSP is the most frequent kind of systemic vasculitis in children, characterized by purpura, arthritis or arthralgia, gastrointestinal pain, and kidney dysfunction. The aim of our research was to investigate and observe the clinical characteristics of children diagnosed with HSP and to explore the correlation between infectious diseases and HSP. Furthermore, this retrospective study considered other factors, such as demographic characteristics (sex, area/environment, and age), and their effect on the pediatric population diagnosed with HSP. Methods: To answer this question, we conducted a five-year hospital-based retrospective study that included 144 hospitalized children who were diagnosed with HSP during hospitalization. Measurements of immunological panels (IgA, IgM, IgG, and IgE), C3, C4, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and hematite sedimentation rate (VSH) determined using blood samples revealed that there is a strong correlation between the elements of the immunological panel and the HSP manifestations. Results: Additionally, elevated IgG and normal IgA serum levels in pediatric HSP patients are strongly associated with infectious diseases. Conclusions: Notably, patients with infectious diseases exhibited high IgG and normal IgA serum levels post-treatment and a higher risk of relapses.

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.

Among the cultivated plants of great interest at the planetary level, soy and pea can be highlighted. Soy represents a major source of protein and oil, with exceptional and widely accepted qualities in most cultures and religions. It is also a very good substitute for animal protein, having significant amounts of essential amino acids. Peas, although less cultivated than soybeans, contain large amounts of protein and carbohydrates, and they are also a source of food used in many diets due to their high nutritional content. The present study focuses on the nutrient composition analysis of five soybean varieties and four pea varieties grown in Romania for their use in food in the most efficient way. Protein dosage was carried out using Bradford and Kjeldahl methods, and the amino acids were dosed using gas chromatography. It was demonstrated that the analyzed varieties are rich in nutrients with different content depending on their type. Among the soybean hybrid varieties analyzed, the beans from the early Ovidiu F type and the semi-early Anduța F stood out for their increased content of lipids (23.28%) and proteins with increased biological value, and in the case of the pea beans, those from the Evelina F (22.21%) varieties of the Afila and Spectral F autumn types presented the highest content of proteins (21.06%) and essential amino acids (16.87%). All the obtained results offer a theoretical foundation for the advanced and balanced application of different varieties of soybean and pea bean in a balanced diet.

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.

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.

(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.

Given the important role of antioxidants in the cellular degeneration process, as well as the increased interest in recent years related to the use of natural antioxidants in therapy, the present study aims to investigate the antioxidant activity of a new pharmaceutical product containing natural antioxidants extracted from plant raw materials. In a first step, the product conventionally named “CILTAG”, containing a mixture in equal proportions of 10% hydroalcoholic extractive solutions of dried plant raw materials from Medicaginis herba, Trifolii pratense flores, Ginkgo bilobae folium, Myrtilli fructus, and Cynosbati fructus, was obtained. In the second stage, the antioxidant activity of the hydroalcoholic extractive solutions included in the pharmaceutical product was tested by chemiluminescence and electrochemical methods and by the superoxide dismutase (SOD) method. The electrochemical determination of the antioxidant capacity of hydroalcoholic extractive solutions was based on a method that provides an indirect evaluation of the presumed antioxidant properties of some compounds using Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid), as a standard measurement. The experimental results indicate a significant antioxidant potential for both the analyzed plant extractive solutions that are part of CILTAG and the final product.