From the multitude of materials currently available on the market that can be used in the development of microparticles, sodium alginate has become one of the most studied natural anionic polymers that can be included in controlled-release pharmaceutical systems alongside other polymers due to its low cost, low toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and gelatinous die-forming capacity in the presence of Ca²⁺ ions. In this review, we have shown that through coacervation, the particulate systems for the dispensing of drugs consisting of natural polymers are nontoxic, allowing the repeated administration of medicinal substances and the protection of better the medicinal substances from degradation, which can increase the capture capacity of the drug and extend its release from the pharmaceutical form.

Among the many potential future energy sources, hydrogen stands out as particularly promising. Because it is a green and renewable chemical process, water electrolysis has earned much interest among the different hydrogen production techniques. Seawater is the most abundant source of water and the ideal and cheapest electrolyte. The first part of this review includes the description of the general theoretical concepts: chemical, physical, and electrochemical, that stands on the basis of water electrolysis. Due to the rapid development of new electrode materials and cell technology, research has focused on specific seawater electrolysis parameters: the cathodic evolution of hydrogen; the concurrent anodic evolution of oxygen and chlorine; specific seawater catalyst electrodes; and analytical methods to describe their catalytic activity and seawater electrolyzer efficiency. Once the specific objectives of seawater electrolysis have been established through the design and energy performance of the electrolyzer, the study further describes the newest challenges that an accessible facility for the electrochemical production of hydrogen as fuel from seawater must respond to for sustainable development: capitalizing on known and emerging technologies; protecting the environment; utilizing green, renewable energies as sources of electricity; and above all, economic efficiency as a whole.

Bone metabolism is a complex process which is influenced by the activity of bone cells (e.g., osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts); the effect of some specific biomarkers (e.g., parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, osterix, RANKL, Runx2); and the characteristic signaling pathways (e.g., RANKL/RANK, Wnt/β, Notch, BMP, SMAD). Some phytochemical compounds—such as flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, anthocyanins, terpenoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids and others—presented a beneficial and stimulating effect in the bone regeneration process due to the pro-estrogenic activity, the antioxidant and the anti-inflammatory effect and modulation of bone signaling pathways. Lately, nanomedicine has emerged as an innovative concept for new treatments in bone-related pathologies envisaged through the incorporation of medicinal substances in nanometric systems for oral or local administration, as well as in nanostructured scaffolds with huge potential in bone tissue engineering.

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major contributor to heart failure-related morbidity and mortality. While type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, and thyroid dysfunction are individually linked to cardiovascular disease, their combined effects on DCM remain poorly understood. Objective: To evaluate the independent and synergistic associations of diabetes (stratified by treatment), thyroid dysfunction, and obesity with the prevalence of DCM and 30-day hospital readmission. We further examined the utility of a composite Metabolic Burden Score for risk stratification. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, electronic health record data from 1079 adult patients at a tertiary care center were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression, including ridge regularization, was used to identify predictors of DCM. Endocrine phenotypes were stratified by diabetes and thyroid status. A Metabolic Burden Score (range: 0–3) based on diabetes, obesity, and thyroid dysfunction was developed and correlated with clinical outcomes. Results: DCM was diagnosed in 46% of the cohort. Non-insulin-treated diabetes (OR: 6.93; 95% CI: 3.78–12.73), hypothyroidism (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.02–3.11), and male sex (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.36–4.00) were independently associated with increased DCM risk. Obesity was not independently predictive but contributed to DCM prevalence when assessed within the Metabolic Burden Score. DCM prevalence increased across burden strata, reaching 50% in the high-risk group. Notably, the moderate-risk group had the highest 30-day readmission rate (42.8%). Conclusions: Non-insulin-treated diabetes and hypothyroidism are key metabolic drivers of DCM. A simple composite burden score offers a clinically useful tool for stratifying risk of DCM and early readmission. These findings support integrated endocrine–cardiac screening strategies to improve early identification and prevention of structural heart disease.

Five new complexes with metal cations (Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺) of monolacunary Keggin monovanado-deca-tungstophosphate, K₈[PVW₁₀O₃₉]·15H₂O, have been synthesised. The molar ratio of the combination between metal cations and K₈[PVW₁₀O₃₉]·15H₂O has been established to be 1:1, and its general molecular formulas were found to be: K_n[MPVW₁₀O₃₉(H₂O)]·xH₂O (n = 5 for M = Fe³⁺ and n = 6 for M = Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺). Optimal conditions for complexes’ synthesis (pH, temperature, and reaction time) have been determined. The characterisation of K₈[PVW₁₀O₃₉]·15H₂O and of its compounds K_n[MPVW₁₀O₃₉(H₂O)]·xH₂O have been performed using AAS, TG-DTA-DTG, UV-VIS, IR, Raman, and powder XRD methods. In UV spectra, two maximums of absorption were obtained, at 200 and 250 nm, characteristic of Keggin polycondensate compounds. The coordination of cations Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, and Cu²⁺ through oxygen atoms from K₈[PVW₁₀O₃₉]·15H₂O in an octahedron system has been reflected with VIS spectroscopy. All these methods have proved the compositions and structures of K₈[PVW₁₀O₃₉]·15H₂O and K_n[MPVW₁₀O₃₉(H₂O)]·xH₂O, their similarity with other vanadotungstophosphates, and their achievements in the Keggin class. Additionally, all analysis methods have shown an increase in the degree of structural symmetry and the thermal stability of a polyoxoanion complex after attaching metal cations compared to the monolacunary, K₈[PVW₁₀O₃₉]·15H₂O.