Quantum dots (QDs), also known as nanoscale semiconductor crystals, are nanoparticles with unique optical and electronic properties such as bright and intensive fluorescence. Since most conventional organic label dyes do not offer the near-infrared (>650 nm) emission possibility, QDs, with their tunable optical properties, have gained a lot of interest. They possess characteristics such as good chemical and photo-stability, high quantum yield and size-tunable light emission. Different types of QDs can be excited with the same light wavelength, and their narrow emission bands can be detected simultaneously for multiple assays. There is an increasing interest in the development of nano-theranostics platforms for simultaneous sensing, imaging and therapy. QDs have great potential for such applications, with notable results already published in the fields of sensors, drug delivery and biomedical imaging. This review summarizes the latest developments available in literature regarding the use of QDs for medical applications.

Pathogenic bacteria contribute to various globally important diseases, killing millions of people each year. Various fields of medicine currently benefit from or may potentially benefit from the use of nanotechnology applications, in which there is growing interest. Disease-related biomarkers can be rapidly and directly detected by nanostructures, such as nanowires, nanotubes, nanoparticles, cantilevers, microarrays, and nanoarrays, as part of an accurate process characterized by lower sample consumption and considerably higher sensitivity. There is a need for accurate techniques for pathogenic bacteria identification and detection to allow the prevention and management of pathogenic diseases and to assure food safety. The focus of this review is on the current nanoparticle-based techniques for pathogenic bacterial identification and detection using these applications.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common liver malignancy and is among the top five most common cancers. Despite the progress of surgery and chemotherapy, the results are often disappointing, in part due to chemoresistance. This type of tumor has special characteristics that allow the improvement of diagnostic and treatment techniques used in clinical practice, by combining nanotechnology. This article presents a brief review of the literature focused on nano-conditioned diagnostic methods, targeted therapy, and therapeutic implications for the pathology of hepatocellular carcinoma. Within each subdomain, several modern technologies with significant impact were highlighted: serological, imaging, or histopathological diagnosis; intraoperative detection; carrier-type nano-conditioned therapy, thermal ablation, and gene therapy. The prospects offered by nanomedicine will strengthen the hope of more efficient diagnoses and therapies in the future.

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare workers, leading to significant psychological distress, altered health-related behaviors, and reliance on various coping mechanisms. Understanding these impacts is critical for developing targeted interventions to support healthcare professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the psychological stressors, emotional responses, changes in healthy behaviors, and coping mechanisms employed by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study further examined differences across demographic and professional groups and explored correlations between stressors, coping strategies, and emotional outcomes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 338 healthcare workers, including physicians and nurses, in urban and rural healthcare settings during the pandemic. Data were collected using validated instruments to measure emotional responses (anxiety and anger), lifestyle behaviors (dietary habits, sleep patterns, physical activity, and smoking), and coping strategies. Statistical analyses included descriptive, inferential, and correlation techniques to assess relationships between variables. Results: Fear of infecting family members (M = 3.36, SD = 0.86) and concerns about inadequate protective equipment (M = 2.80, SD = 0.95) were the most significant stressors, strongly associated with heightened anxiety and anger. Changes in healthy behaviors were observed: 69.2% maintained a healthy meal schedule, 56.5% reported disrupted sleep patterns, and only 39.6% engaged in regular physical activity. Among smokers (27.5%), 31.1% increased smoking as a maladaptive coping strategy, while 21.1% reduced smoking. Nurses predominantly relied on emotion-focused strategies, such as religious coping and venting, whereas physicians favored problem-focused strategies like planning and active coping. Social support emerged as a protective factor, mitigating stress and facilitating adaptive coping. Conclusions: The study revealed significant psychological and behavioral impacts on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key stressors included the fear of infecting family members, concerns about inadequate protective measures, and the prolonged uncertainty of the pandemic, which contributed to heightened levels of anxiety and anger. Changes in healthy behaviors, such as disrupted sleep patterns, decreased physical activity, and increased reliance on maladaptive coping mechanisms, further underscored the multifaceted challenges faced by healthcare professionals. Although the acute phase of the pandemic has passed, the long-term consequences on the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers remain critical concerns. Further research is essential to develop effective strategies for monitoring, preventing, and addressing psychological distress among healthcare professionals, ensuring their preparedness for future public health crises.

Background and objectives: The prognoses of patients experiencing a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) are often significantly altered by hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), the early detection of which might be cumbersome. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), derived-NRL (d-NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein (LCR) ratios in predicting the progression to septic shock and death. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of ninety COVID-19 patients with prolonged hospitalization (exceeding 15 days) admitted to the ICU was conducted. The prevalence of culture-proven HAIs throughout their hospital stays was documented. NLR, dNLR, PLR, and LCR were recorded on admission, day 7, and day 14 to assess their discriminative prowess for detecting further progression to septic shock or death. Results: The prevalence of HAIs was 76.6%, 50% of patients met the criteria for septic shock, and 50% died. The median time to the first positive culture was 13.5 days and 20.5 days for developing septic shock. Mechanical ventilation was a key contributing factor to HAI, septic shock, and mortality. On admission and day 7 NLR, dNLR, PLR, and LCR values had no prognostic relevance for events occurring late during hospitalization. However, day-14 NLR, dNLR, and PLR were independent predictors for progression to septic shock and mortality and have shown good discriminative capabilities. The AUCs for septic shock were 0.762, 0.764, and 0.716, while the values for predicting in-hospital death were 0.782, 0.778, and 0.758, respectively. Conclusions: NLR, dNLR, and PLR are quick, easy-to-use, cheap, effective biomarkers for the detection of a more severe disease course, of the late development of HAIs, and of the risk of death in critically ill patients requiring a prolonged ICU stay.

Aloe, the largest genus in the Asphodelaceae family, comprises 548 species, with A. vera, A. arborescens and A. ferox being among the most widely studied species. Aloe species originated in arid climates and cover various habitats, from sea level up to 2700 m, and from desert to closed-canopy forests. For human health, Aloe species are the richest natural sources. The biological activity of Aloe sp. constituents covers a wide spectrum. Most of the indications come from traditional, folkloric use and several have been verified by in vitro or in vivo studies. Emodin, the main phenolic component, has showed anti-neoplastic, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and toxicological potential for use in pharmacology. Polysaccharides, with acemannan being the most important, are present in high abundance in Aloe gels. Acemannan has been reported to have applications in oral, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, oncology, dentistry and wound healing. The effectiveness of Aloe sp. constituents on colon, liver, duodenum, skin, pancreas, intestine, lungs and kidneys cancers was highly studied with remarkable findings. Regarding the metabolic syndrome, Aloe sp. can be used as an antidiabetic and reduces cholesterol and total body fat. Constituents of Aloe sp. are nontoxic in experimental acute oral studies and are widely used in cosmetology and as bitter agents or consistence modifiers in food and beverages. Traditional Aloe remedies cover most human diseases; however, in order to gain legitimacy, the Aloe-derived drugs must have a well-established composition, with thoroughly investigated adverse effects and conventional drug interactions.