The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the nutritional, phytochemical, rheological, technological, and sensory properties of wheat flour dough and bread under a replacement of lupin flour at level 10, 20, and 30%. In this sense, the proximate composition, fatty acids profile, the content in total polyphenols content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA), and flavonoids content (TFC) of lupin; wheat and flour composites; and the bread obtained from them were determined. The rheological properties of the dough using the Mixolab system were also evaluated. The results showed an improvement in the nutritional properties of bread with addition of lupin in the composite flour, especially in terms of proteins, lipids, and mineral substances and a significant increases of functional attributes, such as TPC, TFC, and AA, which recorded the highest values in the bread with 30% lupin flour (76.50 mg GAE/100 g, 8.54 mg QE/100 g, 54.98%). The decrease of lupin bread volume compared to wheat bread ranged between 0.69–7.37%, porosity between 6.92–35.26%, elasticity between 63–70%, and H/D between 3.17–19.05%. The rheological profile of the dough obtained with lupin flours indicates a moderate stability and proper kneading behavior. The sensory analysis was also performed in order to identify the consumer’s acceptability regarding this type of bread. According to a 5-point hedonic scale, the most highly appreciated was the bread with 10% lupin flour, which obtained mean scores of 4.73 for general acceptability as compared with control bread (4.43).

(1) Background: Oxidative stress markers in the follicular fluid and serum of the patient with IVF results (number of fertilized oocytes, number of embryos, cumulative pregnancy rate) are important in establishing the causes of infertility. (2) Methods: 42 patients were enrolled in the study over the duration of 24 months and were divided into two groups: the study group divided into the female etiology for infertility as a tubal factor, diminished ovarian reserve, endometriosis, and unexplained infertility, and the control group consisting of the male factor, excluding the sperm donors and with no female factor cause. On the day of ovarian puncture in IVF, follicular fluid and serum were collected from the patients. (3) Results: Malondialdehyde from the follicular fluid was higher in the control group. The total antioxidant capacity in the follicular fluid is positively correlated with the pregnancy rate. There is no statistically significant difference in the oxidative stress markers from serum in both groups. (4) Conclusions: The capacity of the follicular fluid environment to contain the reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to a higher pregnancy rate in the control group.

The study examines the dichotomy between individual dietary autonomy and the broader implications of food overconsumption and waste, particularly focusing on meat consumption’s environmental, health, and social equity aspects. In the context of increasing awareness about the negative impacts of excessive meat consumption, this research explores the potential benefits of modest dietary shifts, specifically a reduction in animal product intake, on natural resources and the environment. Utilizing data from international and Romanian sources, including data about meat environmental impacts, in original research, the article analyzes the water, carbon, and land use footprints associated with different types of meat, emphasizing the significant differences between beef, pork, chicken, and sheep meat. The findings highlight that even a small reduction in meat consumption, such as 100 g per week per capita, can lead to substantial decreases in water use, carbon emissions, and land use, underscoring the importance of sustainable eating habits. Moreover, the study explores the potential of plant-based proteins as viable nutritional alternatives that can mitigate environmental footprints and foster global food security. Conclusively, this work advocates for a balanced approach that respects individual choices while promoting collective responsibility towards sustainable consumption patterns, emphasizing the role of scientific research and public awareness in driving positive change in dietary habits for environmental conservation and health benefits.

The objective of our study was to determine the effects of clinoptilolite supplemented in colostrum on the blood serum protein electrophoretic pattern of new-born calves. Methods: Romanian Black and White new-born calves involved in the study were divided into 3 groups: the control group (C) that received colostrum without clinoptilolite, and experimental groups I (E1) and II (E2) that received colostrum supplemented with 0.5% and 2% clinoptilolite, respectively. The concentration of total protein and protein fractions (albumin, α1-globulin, α2-globulin, β-globulin and γ-globulin) were analyzed by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate. Results: At hour 30 after birth, concentrations of γ-globulins, β-globulin and total protein in E1 group of calves were higher than in control group by 42.11% (p < 0.05), 28.48% (p > 0.05) and 18.52% (p > 0.05), respectively, and were higher, but not significantly, in group E2 compared to the control group. This was in accordance with a significant lower albumin/globulin ratio in groups E1 and E2 (29.35%, p < 0.05 and 35.87%, p < 0.05, respectively) than in control group at 30 h postpartum, which indicates an obvious increase of the globulins fraction in experimental groups. The conclusion: Clinoptilolite was effective in improving passive transfer in new-born calves, but it was more effective if added in colostrum with a dose of 0.5% than with a dose of 2%.

This study was undertaken to investigate the changes in the blood and milk biochemical parameters found in naturally occurring and long-lasting spontaneous subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), with the aim of identifying the patterns of paraclinical changes and providing valuable data for more accurately identifying SARA in cows under field conditions. The study was conducted on a dairy herd with a history of the occurrence of SARA-associated clinical signs. Twelve cows, between 20 and 150 days in milk, were randomly selected and subsequently subjected to venous blood, milk, and ruminal fluid collection. The mean pH value of the ruminal fluid was 5.56 ± 0.32, and 58% (7/12) of the tested cows were SARA positive (ruminal pH ≤ 5.5). The albumin, calcium, and phosphorus serum concentration values were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the SARA group than in the group of healthy cows. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) activity were significantly higher in the SARA cows (p < 0.05) than in the group of healthy cows. The mean values of milk fat, milk protein content, and milk fat-to-protein ratio were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the tested cows of the SARA group than in the healthy group of cows. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicate that long-term SARA triggered by a high-concentrate diet is associated with clinically significant changes in both the blood composition (hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia, and increased serum AST and GLDH activity) and the milk composition (decreased fat and protein percentage and milk fat-to-protein ratio). Altogether, the obtained results provide a more reliable pattern of paraclinical changes and useful insights for detecting SARA in dairy cows under field conditions.

Phytotherapy can enhance the beneficial health outcomes in the prevention of obesity and is able to improve the function of the metabolic organs, like the liver and kidneys. Since sea buckthorn (SBT) and grape extracts are known as abundant sources of polyphenol, we assumed that the extracts of these two plants might have a hypolipidemic effect and an improved metabolic function in obese rats treated with atorvastatin. One hundred and twelve white Wistar rats were divided equally into seven groups (G.I–VII) and orally treated as follows: G.I, atorvastatin 20 mg × kg·bw⁻¹; G.II, atorvastatin 20 mg × kg·bw⁻¹ + SBT 100 mg × kg·bw⁻¹; G.III, atorvastatin 20 mg × kg·bw⁻¹ + grape extract 100 mg × kg·bw⁻¹; G.IV, grape extract 100 mg × kg·bw⁻¹; G.V, SBT 100 mg × kg·bw⁻¹; G.VI, high-fat diet (HFD); group VII was considered the control group. After two and six months of administration, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were taken for biochemical analyses. The statistical results (analysis of variance (ANOVA)) showed that a combination of SBT and grape extracts with atorvastatin significantly reduced (p ˂ 0.001) the lipid parameters. After six months, the liver and kidneys improved their functioning, showing a statistically significant change (p ˂ 0.001) in the grape and sea buckthorn groups compared to the other groups. In addition, grape extract and SBT combined with atorvastatin proved to be potent hypolipidemic agents, so associations with phytodietary supplements can be considered as a valuable means of combating hypolipidemia and decreasing risk factors.