Since loss of meniscus is correlated with an increasing risk for osteoarthritis, meniscal scaffolds are proposed as new strategies. Development of a suitable scaffold has to take into account differing meniscus thickness, exposure to compressive and tensile forces combined with high porosity and biocompatibility of the material. After physical testing of three flat scaffolds composed of different modified polyglycolic acid (PGA) fibers, a three‐dimensional meniscus‐shaped PGA‐hyaluronan implant was generated. Micro‐computed tomography showed 90% porosity in the outer area with 50% in the inner area of the implant. Biocompatibility and expression of meniscus typical cartilaginous genes were shown for human meniscus cells cultivated in the implant with 10% human serum or 5% platelet‐rich plasma for 14 days in vitro. The proof‐of‐concept study in sheep demonstrated proteoglycan‐ and collagen type I‐rich repair tissue formation in partial meniscectomy combined with a meniscus‐shaped PGA‐hyaluronan implant after 6 months. In contrast, the control showed nearly no repair tissue formation. Thus, meniscus‐shaped PGA‐hyaluronan implants might be a suitable therapeutic approach to support repair tissue formation in partial meniscectomy.

In this study Fe3O4@C matrix was obtained by combustion method and used hereafter as adsorbent for paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid removal from aqueous solutions. The Fe3O4@C matrix was characterized by electronic microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. Two kinetic models of pseudo first-order and pseudo-second-order for both paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid were studied. The experimental data were investigated by Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson adsorption isotherm models. The adsorption followed the Redlich–Peterson and pseudo-second-order models with correlation coefficients R2 = 0.98593 and R2 = 0.99996, respectively, for the adsorption of paracetamol; for the acetylsalicylic acid, the adsorption followed the Freundlich and pseudo-second-order model, with correlation coefficients R2 = 0.99421 and R2 = 0.99977, respectively. The equilibrium was quickly reached after approximately 1h for the paracetamol adsorption and approximately 2h for acetylsalicylic acid adsorption. According to the Langmuir isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacity of the magnetic matrix was 142.01 mg·g−1 for the retention of paracetamol and 234.01 mg·g−1 for the retention of acetylsalicylic acid. The benefits of using the Fe3O4@C matrix are the low cost of synthesis and its easy and fast separation from solution by using an NdBFe magnet.

Aim: To perform validation of the Romanian Knee disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOSJR). Method: Ninety-six patients (101 knees) with advanced osteoarthritis (OA) scheduled for total knee replacement completed Romanian translations of KOOSJR and IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committeesubjective knee form) and Euroqol EQ-5D-5 L, and the treating physician completed the original knee society score (KSS). Results: Average age was 66.4 (range 50-83) years and male to female ratio 1:3.76. There was moderate correlation between the test-retest (average 4 days) KOOSJR (r = 0.618, n = 45) and IKDC (r = − 0.671, n = 99), weak between KOOSJR and EQ-5D-5 L Index (r = − 0.431, n = 100) and VAS (r = − 0.364, n = 99) and very weak to KSS score (r = − 0.133, n = 98) and function (r = − 0.072, n = 97) For the first KOOSJR, Cronbach's alpha was 0.816 and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.816 (95% CI 0.755-0.866) for average measures. For the retest, Cronbach's alpha was 0.841 (95% CI 0.760-0.903) for averages. Conclusion: The Romanian Knee disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOSJR) is a valid, reliable, consistent and reproducible clinical score for patients with OA requiring arthroplasty.

The phytotherapy is based on the consume of fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants; they contain mixtures of bioactive chemical substances (carotenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, organosulfur compounds) with synergic effects on the treatment of diseases. Nano- and micro-carriers are very useful drug delivery systems which can improve the transmembrane transfer of natural extracts. In the present study, betulin and two birch bark extracts were encapsulated inside polyurethane microstructures. Structures� size, homogeneity and surface charge were studied using a Zetasizer, while DSC analysis was involved to assay structures� thermal behavior. Irritation effects were monitored by non-invasive techniques on human skin. The results indicate the obtaining of structures with size around 200-250 nm, with a positive surface charge and a very good thermal stability. The non-irritation potential recommends these structures as a safe delivery system used for natural extracts.

A constant situation present in the anatomy laboratories is represented by the cadavers preservation resulted from dissection. The main requirement for this process is the use of formaldehyde which is a toxic substance probably included in the class of carcinogenic substances. Large specimens resulted from dissection process, such as limbs or trunks, can be preserved only in large containers filled with formaldehyde and for limited periods of time. To remove these issues we used the anatomy laboratory in order to be able to preserve the first sustainable plastinated anatomical specimens. In our study have been used 8 adult human bodies (partial and complete), 6 females and 2 males, aged between 62 and 73. We have removed and dissected brains, upper limbs, kidneys and livers. They have undergone preservation process of plastination.