Search Results (87)

Background: Fixed-dose combinations have advanced in many therapeutic areas, including otorhinolaryngology, where hearing disorders are increasingly prevalent. Objectives: The present study focuses on developing and evaluating a new capsule combining nicergoline (NIC), piracetam (PIR), and hawthorn extract (HE) for the management of sensorineural hearing loss. Methods: The first phase methodology comprised preformulation studies (DSC, FTIR, and PXRD) to assess compatibility among active substances and excipients. Subsequently, four formulations were prepared and tested for flowability, dissolution behavior in acidic and neutral media, and stability under oxidative, thermal, and photolytic stress. Quantification of the active substances and flavonoids was performed using validated spectrophotometric and HPLC-UV methods. Results: Among the tested variants, the F1 formulation (4.5 mg NIC, 200 mg PIR, 50 mg HE, 2.5 mg magnesium stearate, 2.5 mg sodium starch glycolate, and 240.5 mg monohydrate lactose per capsule) displayed optimal technological properties, superior dissolution in acidic media, and was further selected for evaluation. The antioxidant activity of the formulation was confirmed through the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), and iron chelation tests, and was primarily attributed to the flavonoid content of the HE. Acute toxicity tests in mice and rats indicated a high safety margin (LD₅₀ > 2500 mg/kg), while ototoxicity assessments showed no adverse effects on auditory function. Conclusions: The developed formulation displayed good stability, safety, and therapeutic potential, while the applied workflow could represent a model for the development of future fixed-dose combinations. Full article

Integrating ejectors into CO₂ transcritical refrigeration systems to reduce energy consumption has been performed successfully throughout the industry in recent years. The objective of the present work is to investigate the effect of indoor and outdoor operating conditions on the energy efficiency of ejector expansion supermarket refrigeration plants. The analysis uses the measured energy consumptions and loads for two supermarket refrigeration plants operating in two cities in the Republic of Moldova (Chisinau and Balti). A model for the prediction of the plant’s annual energy consumption and the loads of the refrigeration and freezing compressors is developed using experimental results. Although there are theoretical and experimental analyses of the investigated systems in the specialized literature, no studies were found in the specialized literature regarding energy consumption increase due to pressure losses through the pipe route in transcritical CO₂ refrigeration installations with an ejector for supermarkets. The results indicate that refrigeration compressors have a greater increase in energy consumption than freezing compressors with increases in the outdoor temperature. The study shows that the additional drop in evaporating pressure at the compressor rack due to incorrect sizing of the pipe route leads to higher energy consumption compared to what the same plant would consume if the pipe route were correctly sized and executed. For every one-degree increase in temperature loss due to additional pressure drop through the pipeline, the entire plant consumes around 1.5% more energy. Knowledge of these performance data of real systems provides designers and manufacturers with clues to understand the importance of the correct design of the pipe route to obtain maximum energy efficiency. Full article

This study investigates the influence of environmental variables on the elemental composition of Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. mosses in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, within moss biomonitoring studies aimed at analyzing atmospheric deposition patterns. Moss samples of Hypnum cupressiforme, characterized by a cosmopolitan distribution and a wide range of habitats, were collected from diverse geographical and climatic zones and analyzed for Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn. Statistical methods (Spearman correlations, PCA, Kruskal–Wallis tests) were applied to evaluate interactions between elemental concentrations and factors such as topography, climate, land cover, etc. Results revealed strong correlations among lithogenic elements (Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, and V), indicating natural weathering sources, while Cu exhibited potential anthropogenic origins in the Republic of Moldova. Elevated Cd and Pb levels in Georgian high-altitude regions were linked to wet deposition and steep slopes, whereas Moldovan samples showed higher Sr and Zn concentrations, likely driven by soil erosion in carbonate chernozems. The study highlights geogenic and climatic influences on element accumulation by moss, offering insights into the effectiveness of moss biomonitoring across heterogeneous landscapes. Full article

This study evaluated the surface area and volume dynamics of the largest and most important natural lakes in the Republic of Moldova: Manta and Beleu. Lakes and surrounding areas represent the main natural ecosystem of the country, are a shelter to thousands of animals and plant species, and are included in the protected areas network. The lakes are situated in the Lower Prut floodplain, with the main water sources being the Prut River through channels, as well as groundwater, surface runoff and precipitation. Regulations of the Prut River flow, climate change, and the increasing frequency of droughts and floods have a certain impact on lake extension and volume dynamics. The main methods used to evaluate surface area variation are the analysis of satellite images (Landsats, from 1975 to 2024) and the application of the NDWI index. As a result, it was identified that the extent of Beleu Lake varied from 0 to 19 km², and that of Manta Lake from 5 to 27 km². The actual average surface area is 7–11 km² for Beleu and 15–19 km² for Manta. The last catastrophic drought in 2022 decreased the surface area of Beleu by up to 3.7 km² and that of Manta by up to 5 km², while the most recent floods in 2020 extended the area of Beleu by up to 12 km² and that of Manta by up to 27.3 km². The volumes of Beleu vary from 0 to 40 mil.m³, with an average of 6.5–9 mil.m³, and of Manta from 4.5 mil.m³ to 55 mil.m³, with an average of 15–22 mil.m³. The shoreline lengths corresponding to the average water surface areas are 14–20 km for Beleu and 35–40 km for Manta. Full article

In a global context marked by food insecurity and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, this study proposes a healthy food basket (HFB) model tailored to the demographic, cultural, and economic specificities of the Republic of Moldova which is aligned with international standards. The research employed a comprehensive methodology, including estimations of daily energy requirements using revised Harris–Benedict equations, food selection based on nutritional value, economic availability, and cultural relevance, and nutritional validation through the mean adequacy ratio (MAR), which was derived from nutrient adequacy ratios (NARs) and dietary reference values (DRVs) established by the EFSA. Nutrient intake calculations were based on food composition data and not population-level dietary surveys. Fat-soluble vitamins were excluded due to insufficient available data. The results indicate adequate intake levels of vitamins (B₁, B₂, B₃, and C) and minerals (iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium) while highlighting deficiencies in calcium and sodium that require dietary adjustments. The inclusion of traditional foods, such as kefir and salted or raw pork fat, underscores the model’s cultural acceptability and economic relevance, strengthening the integration of global nutritional principles with regional dietary habits. This study’s limitations, including the use of secondary data and the lack of empirical validation, highlight the need for longitudinal studies. The HFB model offers a replicable solution for other regions facing similar challenges, contributing to global efforts to reduce malnutrition and promote sustainable diets. Full article

Background: Food security and sustainability are interconnected, yet the integration of nutritional and environmental metrics into food security assessments remains insufficiently explored. Objectives: This scoping review maps the literature on the integration of nutritional and sustainability metrics in food security, investigating the methods used, existing findings, and research gaps. A special focus is placed on Eastern Europe, including the Republic of Moldova, due to shared challenges in food security and the potential for adapting validated methodologies from this region. Eligibility Criteria and Sources of Evidence: His study includes articles from Web of Science and Scopus (2015–2025), published in English and Romanian, that analyze food security alongside nutritional and sustainability factors, following the Population, Concept, Context (PCC) framework. Charting Methods: The extracted data were synthesized narratively and visualized thematically, analyzing temporal trends and the geographical distribution of studies. Results: Out of 247 identified publications, 115 were included. The use of sustainability indicators has increased since 2020; however, economic and social dimensions remain underexplored. Conclusions: Developing an integrated methodological framework is essential for correlating the nutritional, ecological, and economic impact of food consumption. Future research should prioritize the development of standardized methodologies and broaden the scope of analysis, particularly in underrepresented regions such as Eastern Europe. Full article

The quality characteristics of seven triticale grain varieties were determined by different physiochemical analyses. For this purpose, the content of protein, wet gluten, fat, ash, moisture, carbohydrates, test weight, and thousand-kernel mass; mineral elements Ca, Na, Zn, Fe, and Cu; and total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), free radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay), and phenolic profile (4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rosmarinic acid) were analyzed. Also, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to evaluate the quality parameters of triticale grains. According to the chemical data obtained, all triticale varieties may be used for breadmaking. A high variability was obtained among triticale varieties for mineral elements and antioxidant compounds. The highest values were recorded for Ca, followed by Fe, Na, Zn, and Cu. The TPC, TFC, DPPH, and phenolic compounds of the analyzed triticale samples increased with the increasing temperature used in the extraction method. Generally, the highest value for phenolic acid was obtained by p-coumaric acid followed by rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, and chlorogenic acid. Principal component analysis of triticale cultivars related to their physicochemical data showed close association between some varieties such as Costel; Ingen 54, Ingen 35, Ingen 33, and Ingen 93, and Ingen 40; and Fanica varieties. Full article

Acetobacter aceti and Acetobacter pasteurianus belong to acetic acid bacteria (AAB), associated with wine spoilage. The timely detection of AAB, thought essential for their control, is however challenging due to the difficulties of their isolation. Thus, it would be advantageous to detect them using molecular methods at all stages of winemaking and storage. In this paper, we analyzed wines, musts and grapes of 13 varieties grown in different regions with Protected Geographical Indication of the Republic of Moldova for the presence of AAB, Acetobacter aceti and Acetobacter pasteurianus by real-time PCR and measured wine volatile acidity. Overall, the AAB content in the mature wine explained 33.7% of the variance in the volatile acidity of the mature wine, while the A. pasteurianus content in the mature wine alone explained 59.6% of the variability in the volatile acidity in the wine, and its content in the grapes, must and wine explained about 70% of the variance in the the volatile acidity. This makes A. pasteurianus a good candidate to be a potential predictor of wine volatile acidity. Full article

Triticale grains and brewers’ spent grain (BSG) can be new sources to develop food products. From a socio-economical point of view, this fact is important since triticale is easily adapted to the climatic changes and BSG is a low-cost material which may lead to a “zero-waste” desiderate. In this study, dough rheological properties obtained from different triticale cultivars (Ingen 33, Ingen 35, Ingen 54, and Ingen 93) cultivated in the Republic of Moldova and BSG in a fermented form (BSF) in an addition level of 10% and 17.5% were analyzed. For this purpose, different rheological devices, such as Mixolab, Alveograph, HAAKE MARS 40 Rheometer, Falling Number, and Rheofermentometer, were used. Also, the pH value of the dough samples with different levels of BSF addition during fermentation was determined. According to the data obtained, BSF addition decreased water absorption values; torques values corresponding to stages 1–5 of the Mixolab curve; and dynamic rheological elastic, viscous, and complex modules. For the 17.5% BSF addition to triticale flour, the best rheological results were obtained for the Ingen 33 and Ingen 54 varieties. In addition, the BSF addition decreased the baking strength and tenacity of the Alveograph curve. The pH values of the dough samples during fermentation significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with the increased amount of BSF incorporated into the dough recipe. The highest pH decreased values were obtained for Ingen 35 with a 17.5% BSF addition, which varied between 5.58 and 5.48. During fermentation, all data recorded by the Rheofermentometer device were improved. The dough samples presented a high retention coefficient, which varied between 99.1 and 99.5%. The falling number decreased with the increasing level of BSF in triticale flour, indicating an increase in α-amylase activity in the mixed flours. The principal component analysis data showed a strong association between triticale flour varieties without a BSF addition and those with a high amount of BSF incorporated into the dough recipe. The results obtained indicate the fact that many mixes between BSF and different triticale varieties may lead to bakery products of a good quality. Full article

Brettanomyces bruxellensis yeasts cause wine spoilage by producing volatile phenol compounds with specific off-odors. Assessing the propagation of this species is challenging, especially for micro-wineries. In this study, wines produced in a micro-winery from the grapes of different varieties collected from three PGI regions of Moldova over three years were studied for the presence and infection level of Brettanomyces spoilage yeasts, using traditional microbiological and molecular methods. The results of Brettanomyces infection monitoring in mature wines might speak in favor of the hypothesis that grape berries can be a potential source of B. bruxellensis in wine. The contamination levels of mature wines with respective species fluctuated in accordance with the year of grape cultivation, being the highest during the 2023 vintage. This study shows the potential of applying sequencing analysis for tracking the source of Brettanomyces contamination in wineries. Full article

Climate change, driven by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, poses a critical global challenge, with household energy use as a significant contributor. In the Republic of Moldova, stark urban–rural disparities in fuel consumption and emissions necessitate targeted research to inform effective energy policies. This study analyzes GHG emissions from household fuel consumption, focusing on the differences between urban and rural areas, using a quantitative approach guided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodologies. The findings reveal that rural areas, heavily reliant on traditional fuels like firewood, contribute disproportionately to emissions compared to urban areas, where modern energy sources such as natural gas dominate. Nationally, the research provides critical data to shape energy transition strategies, promoting renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency in rural areas. Internationally, it offers a valuable case study on household emission dynamics in developing countries, contributing to the global understanding of energy use patterns and their environmental impacts. Recommendations include enhancing access to cleaner energy, modernizing infrastructure, and encouraging sustainable practices to align with Moldova’s commitment to GHG reduction goals and serve as a model for similar contexts worldwide. Full article

Background: There are no clinical or laboratory markers that can diagnose acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) accurately. This study aimed to find differences in clinical and laboratory markers between arterial occlusive AMI and other acute abdominal diseases where AMI was initially suspected. Methods: This was a post hoc study of an international prospective multicenter study where data on patients with suspected AMI were collected. Independent factors associated with arterial occlusive AMI were evaluated in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: The number of patients with arterial occlusive AMI was 231, consisting of thrombotic (n = 104), embolic (n = 61), and indeterminate (n = 66) occlusions. The non-AMI group included 287 patients, of whom 128 had strangulated bowel obstruction. Current smoking (odds ratio [OR] 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31–5.03), hypertension (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.09–3.97), bowel emptying (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.59–6.63), and leukocytosis (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.14–2.08) at admission were independently associated with arterial occlusive AMI compared to the non-AMI group. Conclusions: This study found clinical and laboratory data to be associated with arterial occlusive AMI in patients with suspicion of AMI, which can possibly be of value in screening for arterial occlusive AMI at the emergency department. Further studies are needed to find more accurate diagnostic markers. Full article

Increasing temperatures due to climate change can favor more thermophilic species, allowing them to expand their territories northward. For the Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina), climate change may facilitate further range expansion as higher temperatures and changing precipitation patterns create more favorable conditions in new areas. The Isabelline Wheatear is a small passerine bird belonging to the Old-World flycatchers. This species’ breeding range extends from temperate southeastern Europe and Asia Minor across arid desert and steppe regions to subtropical northern areas. Its habitat preference includes arid environments characterized by high temperatures, low precipitation, and open spaces. Field observations were collected over four breeding seasons (2021–2024) through the Common Bird Monitoring scheme and occasional observations. Prediction models also incorporated observations from scientific literature and online databases for covering neighboring areas in Ukraine and Romania. Using Maxent species distribution models (SDMs) and all presence locations and bioclimatic variables, predicted modes were built to identify new suitable areas for the Isabelline Wheatear. Most of the predicted range lies close to the Black Sea coast, in southeastern and southwestern Moldova. According to available data, the Isabelline Wheatear inhabits the southern third of Moldova. Fifteen locations have been identified as hosting breeding populations in proper habitats. Until 2021, the Isabelline Wheatear was considered a recent cryptic or overlooked breeding species in Moldova. This is likely due to several factors, including its recent entry into the country’s territory, potentially from two different directions at different times. The new data and predictive models provide valuable insights into the current distribution and future expansion potential of this species, underscoring the dynamic nature of avian responses to climate change. Full article

Primary root canal infection is a dynamic process. All species of oral microbiota have comparable abilities to establish in the root canals of necrotic teeth. The essential ecological factors in their biological selection are nutrient availability, anaerobic environment and bacterial interactions. In chronic apical periodontitis, all selected microflora residing in the long-term infected habitat of root canals system are synergistic, and each of them can play the role of an endodontic pathogen. Microorganisms living in the root canal system of pulpless teeth progressively reach through anatomical communications to the periodontal ligament where, sooner or later, they cause the inflammatory and immunological conflict between the infection and the host. The insight into the complexity of the root canal microbiota is improved by the current pyrosequencing and next-generation sequencing diagnostic techniques, which allow the identification of multispecies of the microbiome and their targeted treatment. The insight into the complexity of root canal microbiota is improved by present diagnostic techniques of pyrosequencing and next generation sequencing, which allow the identification of multispecies of the microbiome and their targeted treatment. Full article

Members of Asteraceae family have properties enabling their application for medical purposes. The major- and microelement content in 15 medicinal species of the Asteraceae family growing in the National Botanical Garden, Republic of Moldova was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. A total of 31 chemical elements, Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Tb, Hf, Ta, Th and U, were identified in herbal samples. Potassium was found to be the most abundant major element; its content in plants ranged from 20,700 mg/kg in Artemisia lerchiana to 58,000 mg/kg in Matricaria recutita. The content of other major elements existed in the following ranges: Ca from 4700 to 14,200 mg/kg and Mg from 1710 to 3870 mg/kg. The maximum content of Mg, K and Ca in analyzed plants was higher compared to data presented in the literature. Among essential microelements the most abundant were Fe (83–910 mg/kg), Mn (23–150 mg/kg) and Zn (27–76 mg/kg). The daily intake of metal and the health risk index for selected elements (As, Ni, Sb, V, Mn, Cr, Co, U, Sr, Al, Fe, and Zn) were calculated. Health risk indexes were obtained for V and Co in Calendula officinalis, Tanacetum balsamita, Achillea clypeolata, Artemisia balchanorum, Artemisia lerchiana, Helichrysum arenarium, and Matricaria recutita. The principal component analysis showed three associations of elements, which can be defined as physiological, geological and anthropogenic sources of elements. Full article