Nitric oxide (NO) is considered a regulator of bone response to mechanical stress that mediates adaptive bone formation, the pathological effects of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1 (IL-1) and other cytokines; regulates leukocytes and epithelial cell adhesion; inhibits T cell proliferation; and enhances natural killer (NK) cell activity, as well as other immune-related processes. The aim of the current study was to test the potential use of salivary NO as a biomarker of bone response that is specific and sensitive to local changes, following the application of different types of dental appliances. Material and methods: Salivary NO was determined in 30 patients divided into three groups with 10 participants each: control (C), fixed metal braces group (M), and aligners group (A). Salivary NO was determined four times in each group (before the procedure, at 2 weeks, 30 days, and 60 days after the procedure) using ELISA and rapid semi-quantitative assay with Nitric Oxide Saliva Test Strips (Berkeley, CA, USA). The mean results were compared with the ANOVA test, and the Pearson correlation index was calculated. The results show a significant increase in salivary NO levels by both methods only in the metal braces group, which is suggestive of oxidative damage, increased invasiveness, and bone response to metal braces. In conclusion, our study showed that metal brackets lead to a significant temporary increase in oral oxidative stress as an adaptive reaction to the presence of foreign bodies in the oral cavity. The subsequent concentration decrease at 60 days suggests a normalization of the body’s response to foreign bodies.

The artificial insemination (AI) technique is an essential tool in goat breeding programs, since it increases the efficiency of sire genetic evaluation and the extension of genetic improvements; at the same time, it enables control of parturition dates with a view to meeting market demands. The objective of this study was to determine the fecundity rate according to the mode of semen preservation before artificial insemination. The percentage of kidding was influenced by the duration of storage: 3 h = 88%; 14 h =821%.

The widespread and uncontrolled use of anthelmintic products has contributed to the emergence of anthelmintic resistance (AR). This phenomenon globally threatens the productivity and welfare of small ruminants. A questionnaire consisting of 34 questions was handed to 234 goat farmers across Romania to gain insight into control practices against internal parasites and the farmers’ perception of the parasitic infections present in their herds and the efficacy of anthelmintic treatments. The majority of farmers (88.5%) admitted they had never submitted fecal samples for parasitological laboratory analysis, and 77.4% had treated the animals on their own. In general, the farmers dewormed their goats based on visual body weight estimation. Prophylactic anthelmintic treatment was practiced by more than 85% of the farmers. A traditional control approach based on treating the entire herd at fixed time intervals is widespread among Romanian goat and sheep farmers. The most commonly used anthelmintic drugs in the previous 3 years (2021–2023) were benzimidazoles (85.5%) and macrocyclic lactones (81.6%). Poor anthelmintic efficacy was suspected by 14.5% of farmers, and the minority (18.0%) considered internal parasites as a problem in their herds. Regarding the farmers’ perception of the presence of parasites, there was a significant level of uncertainty. This is the first survey carried out in Romanian goat herds, and it provides up-to-date information on practices aimed at controlling internal parasites.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the gradient of milk yield, of milk biochemical composition and fatty acids profile according to breed, for primipara goats from Carpathian breed and Saanen x Carpathian and French Alpine x Carpathian half breed that were grown in semi-intensive system (Dobrogea, South Romania). The studies were performed on goats raised at ANCC CAPRIROM farm, located in Constanta, Romania. The biochemical parameters (fat, proteins, lactose) were studied by electrochemical method with a Lactostar analyzer Funke Gerber type specialized for goat milk. Milk fatty acids profile, as fatty acids methyl esters (FAME), was determined by chromatographically gas method. The considerable high protein content found in half breeds, might be explained by the fact that bucks from specialized breeds such us Saanen and French Alpine which were used for half breeding, come from imported animals from France, which were locus genotyped for alpha S1 casein gene and were selected dominant genotypes that lead to a higher protein concentration in milk.The statistical analysis shows that the milk coming from Carpathian does and their half breeds is not significantly different regarding the levels of various fatty acids, saving omega 3 acids, which are considerable higher at Carpathian does, proving that food has the decisive role regarding composition.

We intend to study the influence of thermal processing on the antioxidant capacity of tomato products. The products were analyzed for lycopene content and antioxidant activity. Lycopene was extracted using a mixture of hexane: ethyl alcohol: acetone, in ration of 1:25 (w: v). The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by the DPPH method. The obtained results show a higher quantity of lycopene in the processed products (8, 4800 ±0, 48079 - 11,8217 ±0. 37010 mg/100g), compared to the fresh ones (2.9400±0.1510-4.0933±0.16773 mg/100g) and the antioxidant activity registers higher values in the aqueous extracts (21-45%). The thermal processing concentrates the content of lycopene and preserves the antioxidant activity, so that for the optimal nutritional intake of antioxidant phytonutrients, the consumption of processed tomatoes is indicated, to the detriment of the fresh tomatoes.