This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of protective coatings in preventing the corrosion of steel in the marine environment. Electrochemical tests were performed on S355JR steel immersed in natural seawater (Black Sea, Port Constanta) over a period of 22 weeks, using electrochemical techniques such as the evolution of the open circuit potential (OCP) and linear polarization resistance to calculate R_p and the corrosion rate (V_corr). The investigated steel surfaces included (a) S355JR steel blasted with Al₂O₃, (b) S355JR steel blasted and coated with epoxy primer enriched with zinc, (c) S355JR steel blasted and coated with epoxy primer and polyurethane paint, and (d) S355JR steel blasted and subsequently coated with epoxy primer and then polyurethane paint to which kreutzonit particles had been added. The proportion of kreutzonit particles added to the polyurethane paint was 2 wt% of the total mass of the paint. Subsequently, the samples were subjected to morphological analyses and cross-sectional analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), topographical characterization (roughness and microhardness), and structural assessments (FTIR and XRD), as well as an analysis of hydrophobicity (contact angle). The results of this study revealed significant differences in corrosion behavior between the different surfaces and coatings tested. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the coating with epoxy primer and polyurethane paint to which kreutzonit particles had been added provided the best corrosion protection in the marine environment during immersion.

The metallic titanium-based biomaterials are sensitive to corrosion-induced degradation in biological fluids in the presence of inflammatory conditions containing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excess ROS induces oxidative modification of cellular macromolecules, inhibits protein function, and promotes cell death. In addition, ROS could promote implant degradation by accelerating the corrosive attack of biological fluids. The functional nanoporous titanium oxide film is obtained on titanium alloy to study the effect on implant reactivity in biological fluid with reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide, which are present in inflammations. The TiO₂ nanoporous film is obtained by electrochemical oxidation at high potential. The untreated Ti6Al4V implant alloy and nanoporous titanium oxide film are comparatively evaluated for corrosion resistance in biological solution by Hank’s and Hank’s doped with hydrogen peroxide by electrochemical methods. The results showed that the presence of the anodic layer significantly improved the resistance of the titanium alloy to corrosion-induced degradation in biological solutions under inflammatory conditions.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the corrosion rate expressed in material loss per unit of time and the surface properties of carbon steel type S235JR blasted with different types of materials (quartz, alumina, and red garnet with a particle size between 60 and 80 mesh (0.25–0.60 mm)). The estimation of corrosion rate was determined by electrochemical methods, such as open circuit potential (OCP), polarization resistance (R_p), corrosion rate (V_corr), and gravimetric method by immersing the samples in 3.5% NaCl solution for a period of 336 h. All surfaces were characterized before and after corrosion tests using ex-situ characterizations, such as optical microscopy and roughness analysis. The results indicate that S235JR non-sandblasted exhibited higher polarization resistance, the lowest corrosion rate, and the lowest roughness values. While for the S235JR sandblasted groups, reduced corrosion resistance and increasing roughness values were noted. From the sandblasted groups, the lowest corrosion resistance and the highest value of roughness are attributed to the S235JR surface sandblasted with quartz. The S235JR surface sandblasted with quartz shows a decrease in corrosion resistance approximately two times lower than the non-sandblasted surface and an increasing of roughness approximately six times greater than the non-sandblasted surface.

Nanoporous TiO₂ film is deposited on grade 5 Ti6Al4V implant alloy by electrochemical oxidation. The nanopores of the film, as highlighted by electron microscopy, have a mean diameter of 58.6 nm, which is measured and calculated from an average value of 10 measurements. The increase in oxygen concentration compared to the untreated alloy, which indicates the oxidation of the titanium alloy surface, is visualized using X-ray spectroscopy coupled to an electron microscope. The beneficial effect of the oxidation and controlled formation of the TiO₂ film on the implant alloy is proven by the comparative evaluation of degradation over time through the corrosion of both the untreated alloy and the alloy with an electrochemically formed and controlled TiO₂ film in Hank’s solution, which simulates the most corrosive biological fluid, blood. The results show that the electrochemical modification of the grade 5 titanium alloy to form a nanoporous TiO₂ surface film using the electrochemical oxidation method confirms the potential of improving the anticorrosive properties of titanium alloys used in implant applications.

Quercetin is one of the most abundant plant flavonoids and an intensively studied bioactive compound belonging to the class of functional heterocyclic compounds with outstanding biological activities, due to its numerous biological, pharmacological and therapeutic effects. This paper presents the main information on the chemical structure, dietary sources, absorption, metabolism and bioavailability of quercetin, highlighting the role of the intestinal microbiota in the formation of metabolites responsible for an important part of its effects. The limitations related to stability and bioavailability are analyzed as well as modern formulation strategies and advanced delivery systems aimed at improving the efficacy of the compound. The major biological activities of quercetin are also summarized, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, metabolic and anticancer effects. Unlike previous reviews, which have generally addressed these topics separately, the present work integrates the gut-microbiota-mediated metabolism, cellular senescence, advanced delivery systems, combined therapies, and safety and regulatory considerations within a unified translational framework. Overall, this review emphasizes the need to relate the multifunctional biological potential of quercetin to its pharmacokinetic limitations, formulation performance and clinically achievable exposure while highlighting the need for standardized formulations and further clinical studies to validate its therapeutic benefits.

Background/objectives. Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains a major cause of healthcare-associated infectious colitis, particularly among elderly and multimorbid patients. Disease severity and clinical evolution are influenced by the host’s systemic inflammatory response. This study aimed to evaluate the hematological and inflammatory profile of hospitalized CDI patients and to explore the prognostic value of routine laboratory parameters for prolonged hospitalization. Methods. A retrospective observational study was conducted on 50 adult patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed CDI (positive glutamate dehydrogenase, antigen and toxins A/B). Hematological parameters (WBC, hemoglobin, RDW) and inflammatory markers (CRP, fibrinogen) were analyzed at admission and discharge. Prolonged hospitalization was defined as length of stay (LOS) > 8 days (cohort median). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess admission predictors of prolonged hospitalization, and model discrimination was evaluated using leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). Results. At admission, patients exhibited marked inflammatory activation accompanied by reduced hemoglobin and elevated RDW. Significant correlations were observed between inflammatory markers. All inflammatory and hematologic parameters improved at discharge. In multivariable analysis, lower admission hemoglobin and higher log-transformed CRP showed exploratory associations with prolonged hospitalization. The internally validated model demonstrated moderate discriminative performance (AUC = 0.65). Conclusions. CDI is associated with substantial systemic inflammatory activation and hematologic alterations. While no individual predictor reached statistical significance, the observed effect sizes provide hypothesis-generating estimates to inform future prospective validation studies.