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Sulfite is a widely applied preservation agent, against oxidative decay in foodstuffs and beverages. Among the analytical methods applied, electrochemical techniques exploit its facility to undergo oxidation. This paper aims at the comparative investigation of the performances exhibited by three analytical methodologies: cyclic voltammetry at different Pt working electrodes, the volumetric method employing sodium thiosulfate as titrating agent and the photocolorimetric method relying on the reduction of Fe3+-orthophenanthroline complex by sulfite. The cyclic voltammetric assay was performed at Pt strip and Pt ring electrodes, by linearly sweeping the potential between -100 and 1,500 mV. The linear range corresponded to 7.5 mg L-1 – 4.0 g L-1 for Pt strip working electrode and to 15.5 mg L-1 – 4.0 g L-1 for Pt ring working electrode. Relative standard deviations smaller than 3% showed repeatability. RSD values smaller than 3% were also obtained in the photometric assay, but the latter was characterised by a narrower linear range. The Pt strip electrode allowed wider linear range and lower sensitivity, whereas the Pt ring electrode with Ag/AgCl reference in the same unit was characterised by better repeatability. Applications involved sulfite assay in vinegar, brown sugar and cider samples with consistency between cyclic voltammetry and titrimetry.

3D bioprinting is a technology that supports fabrication of biomimetic tissues with complex architecture. It has application in drug discovery, tissue development, and regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to create a blood vessel model correlating properties of collagen-hyaluronic acid hydrogel with bioprinter parameters such as speed rate, pressure, number of layers, nozzle diameter, and temperature. The blood vessel model was created using BioCAD software and bioprinted by extrusion technology using collagen-hyaluronic acid hydrogel. We analyzed the water uptake, enzymatic degradation and morphology by scanning electron microscopy and after staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Trichromic Masson dyes. The results showed that the blood vessel constructs have 2.46 mm (±0.41) mean diameter, 1.4 mm (±0.10) mean thick wall, and 2.8 mm (±0.05) mean height which is appropriate with the model created in the BioCAD software. The optimal parameters for these constructs were: 1.1 bar pressure, 1mm/sec speed rate, 18°C temperature, 0.2 mm nozzle diameter, and 10 numbers of layers. Increasing hydrogel weight by 22% at 2 hours after immersion in PBS suggesting that is hydrophilic. Furthermore, decreasing by up to 47.2% in the presence of collagenase (50 µg/ml) shows that is biodegradable. H&E and Trichromic Masson staining showed that collagen-hyaluronic acid hydrogel organized in a network with pores dimension that could support cells growth and differentiation. In conclusion, our scaffold mimics the blood vessel structure, further experiment will be addressed for study the biocompatibility of these scaffold with mesenchymal stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There were assayed glucose, uric acid, total proteins, albumins, AST, and calcium levels in blood samples collected from crows, magpies and pigeons around Henry Coanda bucharest airport. All assays were performed on an IDEXX Vet Test Analyzer, dry chemistry methods., 10 samples for each species. The obtained mean values were for glucose 325 mg/dL in crows, 539 mg/dL in magpies and 419 mg/dL in pigeons. Total proteins were 1.6 g/dL in crows, 4.3 g/dL in magpies and 3.9 g/dL in pigeons, and albumins 0.6 g/dL in crows, 1.6 g/dL in magpies and 1.8 g/dL in pigeons. AST activities mean values were 681 U/L in crows, 539 U/L in magpies and 392 U/L in pigeons. Calcium levels had close values, in all three species, 10.0, 10.9 and 9.4 mg/dL in crows, magpies and pigeons. Uric acid presented mean values of 10.7 mg/dL in crows, 16.2 mg/dL in magpies and 5.5 mg/dL in pigeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims the assessment of fish welfare in two farms from the southern area of Romania (Ulmu and Ciocanesti) using as objective welfare indicator the serum biochemical profile. The tests were conducted by using Vettest 8008 Chemistry, being analyzed: blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphatemia, calcium, albumine, cholesterol, glucose, total proteins, blood ammonia, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, creatin kinase, triglycerides, amylase. The obtained results were compared with those from other scientific researches regarding carp serum biochemical profile. The values in Ciocanesti ponds show increased creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, phosphatemia, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase values and a slightly increased calcium and albumine values, the cause being the dehydration and the intense muscular effort associated with fish angling and restraining. In Ulmu ponds, there is noticed in adition a significant increasing of cholesterol, transaminases and glucose, which could suggests hepatopancreatic disorders. Following the researches, the fish welfare level was acceptable in Ciocanesti farm and poor in Ulmu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to exist, fish need an appropriate environment, which satisfy its biological necessities. The physical - chemical water conditions play an important role in aquatic organisms' evolution. In Fundulea - Frunzareni fish farm there were harvested water and blood samples. From water samples there were established the physical - chemical parameters as: pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, residual chlorine, total ferrum, sulphates and detergents and from serum samples: blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorum, calcium, albumins, alanine transaminase, cholesterol, tryglicerids, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase. The samples, both water and blood serum, were processed in the Animal welfare discipline laboratory - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Bucharest, using Nova 60 device for water samples and Vettest 8008 biochemistry analyzer for serum samples. Regarding water quality in Fundulea - Frunzareni fish farm it was found that water pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrites, total ferrum and copper recorded values within the admitted limits for carp rearing. Phosphates exceeded the admitted limits provided for carp rearing by 1.5 times in the samples harvested from 3 m depth at the water supplying sector of the pond and by 4 times in rejection sector. Residual chlorine exceeded admitted limits by 6-13 times, depending on the sampling point and depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycosylation extent of soluble proteins extracted from canine fetal organs form of about 50-55 days presented different values, according to the physiological functions of these organs. The highest carbohydrate content, 18.9%, was found in kidneys protein extracts, organs that are completely functional at the fetuses age. The lungs extracts also presented glycoproteins with a high carbohydrate content, 11.4%, because both glycoproteins and glycoconjugates plays important surfactant roles in the fetal lung liquid. Spleen extracts presented an overall 8.8% carbohydrate content of the soluble glycoproteins, while heart and liver extracts showed the lowest glycosylation extent (7.1% and 6.47% respectively). There was a major electrophoretically distinct glycoprotein fraction, common to all examined protein extractions, that either comes from fetal blood or olay a similar role in the fetal organs development. Glycoproteins investigation may become an important tool for the evaluation of fetuse health or for congenital glycosylation disorders in dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lectin concept defines a class of proteins or glycoproteins with agglutinating properties on other cells that can reversibly bind carbohydrates without altering their structure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of geographical area of production on lectin of banana. The lectin content, after isolation and purification was evaluated by hemagglutination tests. It was observed that the haemagglutinating activity is different between bananas from different sources. The results suggest that these laboratory determinations can identify the source of origin of the bananas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the project was to develop an e-leaming platform to offer a teaching package for the students instruction before attending practical training stages [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]