Lucian Barbu-Tudoran

Babeş-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies Cluj-Napoca · Molecular Biology & Biotechnology

Kaolinite is able to assure the high binding affinity of the filler particles of raw ceramic bodies. It acts as a matrix that strongly holds the other constituents’ particles in a compact structure. The slurry samples were characterized by XRD, mineralogical microscopy and SEM coupled with an EDX elemental analysis. The slurry collected from the ce...

Three Co3O4/C electrocatalysts were obtained from ZIF-67/activated carbon composites. The nanocomposites showed excellent OER electrocatalytic performance compared to the literature, and active carbon boosts the catalytic activity.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are established artificial molecular recognition platforms with tailored selectivity towards a target molecule, whose synthesis and functionality are highly influenced by the nature of the solvent employed in their synthesis. Steps towards the “greenification” of molecular imprinting technology (MIT) has alread...

Three Co 3 O 4 /C electrocatalysts were obtained from ZIF-67/activated carbon composites. The nanocomposites showed excellent OER electrocatalytic performance compared to the literature, and active carbon boosts the catalytic activity.

Waste biogenic materials derived from seafood exploitation represent valuable resources of new compounds within the blue bioeconomy concept. Here, we describe the effectiveness of Raman technology implementation as an in-line tool for the demineralization process control of crustaceans or gastropods. Transparent chitin polymeric foils and calcium a...

Used water treatment is one of the most important aspects of environmental protection regarding industrial processes. Particulate matter dispersions affect water parameters; for example, increased pH values such as 10.21 are found for used floor tile water, and values of 10.84 are found for used wall tile water. However, pH decreases to about 9.42...

Waste biogenic materials from seafood exploitation are valuable resources of new compounds exploitation within the blue bioeconomy concept. Here, we describe the effectiveness of Raman technology implementation as an in-line tool for demineralization process control of crustaceans or gastropods. We produced transparent chitin polymer foils from thr...

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has attracted much attention in tumor-targeted drug delivery due to its ability to specifically bind to the CD44 cellular receptor, which is widely expressed on cancer cells. We present HA-capped magnetic nanoparticles (HA-MNPs) obtained via the co-precipitation method, followed by the electrostatic adsorption of HA onto the na...

COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis has become a new clinical entity. This study’s aim was to evaluate the histopathological and ultramicroscopic morphological aspects of this fungal infection. This was an observational retrospective study on eight patients from three tertiary centers in Romania. The tissue samples collected during funct...

Despite the rapid development of a wide variety of materials, zinc oxidic based compounds remain important multifunctional materials. Optimization of synthesis parameters is an essential step in controlling the morpho-structural properties of nanomaterials. For example, preparation of high purity ZnO without additional calcination stage as well as...

The genus Artemisia includes a large number of aromatic plants that produce secondary metabolites with numerous applications in the health, cosmetics, food and pest management sectors. However, relatively little is known of the dedicated organs where many of these metabolites are synthesized and accumulate. In this context, the aim of this paper wa...

Ceramic slurry wastes have a significant hazardous potential when dumped. Their recycling as raw material is a sustainable approach for the development of nature-friendly applications. The microstructure and mechanical properties play a key role in the success of this sustainable recycling. Ceramic slurry samples resulting from the wall and floor t...

There is an ever-growing requirement for systems that enable both conversion and storage of solar energy on the same device, thereby reducing the need for grid electricity and fossil fuels....

Water samples from two naturally hypersaline lakes, renowned for their balneotherapeutic properties, were investigated through a pilot SERS monitoring program. Nanotechnology-based techniques were employed to periodically measure the ultra-sensitive SERS molecular characteristics of the raw water-bearing microbial community and the inorganic conten...

Background The extremely halophilic archaeon Haloferax (Hfx.) alexandrinus DSM 27206 T was previously documented for the ability to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles while mechanisms underlying its silver tolerance were overlooked. In the current study, we aimed to assess the transcriptional response of this haloarchaeon to varying concentrations...

Ferrous particles are usually found in atmospheric particulate matters due to the cars chassis oxidation. These particles are able forming conglomerates with the other mineral particles. Thus, the investigated carwash slurry (CS) reveals a high mineralized composition dominated by Quartz, Calcite and clay minerals with significant amount of iron hy...

In this investigation, CoFe2O4-PVDF and CoFe2O4-ZnO-PVDF hybrid membranes were prepared using a modified phase inversion method in which a magnetic field was applied during the casting process to ensure a uniform distribution of nanomaterials on the membrane surface. Thus, better absorption of light and increased participation of nanoparticles in t...

The first objective of this paper is to reconstruct the production technology of fourth–first centuries BCE coarse ware from surveys near the ancient town of Norba in the Lepini Mountains of Southern Lazio, Italy, adopting a multi-analytical method, combining macroscopic observation with polarised light optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (X...

Multifunctional materials based on carbon xerogel (CX) with embedded bismuth (Bi) and iron (Fe) nanoparticles are tested for ultrasensitive amperometric detection of lead cation (Pb2+) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The prepared CXBiFe-T nanocomposites were annealed at different pyrolysis temperatures (T, between 600 and 1050 °C) and characterized b...

Heritage buildings clad with natural rock endure over time destruction caused by weathering mechanisms, pollution from urban areas, biodeterioration due to organisms, microorganisms, and also the anthropic factor. On the surface of the limestone samples taken from the ornamental natural rock with which the outside of Markovits-Mathéser house, Orade...

Several forged 3-Polker coins have been reported in historical sources on the financial crisis that occurred between 1619 and 1623 at the start of the 30-year-long war. Supposedly, belligerent countries forged other countries’ coins which were then used for external payments as a war strategy. Thus, a lot of 3-Polker coins (e.g., Sigismund-III-type...

This study presents the effect of Ni²⁺ substitution by Co²⁺ on the structure, morphology and magnetic properties of CoαNi0.9-αZn0.1Fe2O4 nanoparticles calcined at different temperatures. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of Fe-O, Co-O, Zn-O and Ni-O bonds in samples calcined at 200 °C, while the presence of the character...

Olive leaf was characterized by a high content of phenols and flavonoids (oleuropein, luteolin, and their derivatives), presenting functional and health-related properties. The chemical instability of phenolics through technological processes and their degradation in the digestive system may negatively impact them, leading to lower absorption. This...

Here we report the synthesis and investigation of bulk and nano-sized La0.7Ba0.3−xCaxMnO3 (x = 0, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.25) compounds that are promising candidates for magnetic refrigeration applications. We compare the structural and magnetic properties of bulk and nano-scale polycrystalline La0.7Ba0.3−xCaxMnO3 for potential use in magnetic cooling syst...

Uniform filler distribution in composites is an important requirement. Therefore, BaO glass, nano hydroxyapatite and quartz filler distribution was realized through PCL microcapsules which progressively release filler during matrix polymerization. Two composites were realized based on a complex matrix containing BisGMA, UDMA, HEMA and PEG400 mixed...

Electrospun mats of PLA and PLA/Hap nanofibers produced by electrospinning were loaded with doxycycline (Doxy) through physical adsorption from a solution with initial concentrations of 3 g/L, 7 g/L, and 12 g/L, respectively. The morphological characterization of the produced material was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The rele...

Since ancient times, many plants have been cultivated for their nutritional and medicinal properties. The genus Sanguisorba has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 2000 years.These species are distributed in temperate, arctic, or alpine areas in the Northern Hemisphere.Elongated, imparipinnate leaves and densely clustered flower heads ar...

The increasing pollution of surface and groundwater bodies by pharmaceuticals is a general environmental problem requiring routine monitoring. Conventional analytical techniques used to quantify traces of pharmaceuticals are relatively expensive and generally demand long analysis times, associated with difficulties in performing field analyses. Pro...

Dacian civilization flourished on the actual territory of Romania during the Late Iron Age and had its peak from the first century BC to the first century AD. They had intensive relations with Hellenistic and Roman civilizations. Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the origin of some widely spread artifacts discovered in the Dacian archeological...

Here we report investigations of bulk and nano-sized Pr0.65Sr(0.35⁻x)CaxMnO3 compounds (x ≤ 0.3). Solid-state reaction was implemented for polycrystalline compounds and a modified sol–gel method was used for nanocrystalline compounds. X-ray diffraction disclosed diminishing cell volume with increasing Ca substitution in Pbnm space group for all sam...

The rapid development of technological processes in various industrial fields has led to surface water pollution with different organic pollutants, such as dyes, pesticides, and antibiotics. In this context, it is necessary to find modern, environmentally friendly solutions to avoid the hazardous effects on the aquatic environment. The aim of this...

This study presents a structural analysis of a whey and gelatin-based hydrogel reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) by ultraviolet and visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results revealed barrier properties in the UV range for the reference sample (containing no graphene ox...

Zirconia-based bioceramics, one of the most important materials used for dental applications, have been intensively studied in recent years due to their excellent mechanical resistance and chemical inertness in the mouth. In this work, the structural, morphological and dissolution properties of the Zr1−xMgxO2 (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, and 0....

Methods for material investigation are powerful tools that allow specialists to elucidate important aspects regarding ancient artifacts such as the Roman amphorae deposits discovered at Potaissa Fortress in Turda, Romania. Archeological debate states that the deposit contained olive oil and wine amphorae, but no material evidence has been presented...

A biogenic carrier for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) loading and subsequent tableting as a new drug formulation for slow release has been proposed using the biomineral from blue crab carapace. Due to its highly ordered 3D porous nanoarchitecture, the biogenic carbonate carrier could achieve increased effectiveness in colorectal cancer cure provided that th...

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes blended with various amounts of MWCNT-ZnO (0.1%–3%) nanocomposites were prepared by the phase inversion method. The effect of nanocomposites blending on the membrane structural and morphological properties was investigated by XRD, FT-IR and SEM techniques. Contact angle measurement reveals that the hydrophil...

Periodontitis is one of the most common oral polymicrobial infectious diseases induced by the complex interplay between the altered subgingival microbiota and the host’s dysregulated immune-inflammatory response, leading to the initiation of progressive and irreversible destruction of the periodontal tissues and eventually to tooth loss. The main g...

(1) Background: The current limitations of glioblastoma (GBM) chemotherapy were ad- dressed by developing a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based drug reservoir designed for the localized and sustained release of ruxolitinib (RUX) within the tumor post-resection cavity, targeting residual infiltrative cancerous cells, with minimum toxic effects...

Mucoadhesive films loaded with doxycycline hyclate (Doxy Hyc), consisting of mixtures of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) E3, K4 and polyacrylic acid (Carbopol 940), were prepared by casting method, aiming to design a formulation intended for application in the oral cavity. The obtained film formulations exhibited a Doxy Hyc content between 7.5...

Surface modification of textile fabrics and leathers is very versatile and allows the products quality improvement. In this work, cotton and leather substrates were pre-treated with cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) and further coated with TiO2-SiO2-reduced graphene oxide composites in dispersion form. By using a Taguchi scheme, this research...

One of several promising strategies for increasing the bioavailability and therapeutic potential of high-lipophilic biologically active compounds is gold nanoparticle formulation. The current study describes the synthesis and biological antimelanoma evaluation of three triterpen-functionalized gold nanoparticles, obtained using our previously repor...

Three ceramic and composite computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials from different manufacturers (Cerasmart (CS)—nanoceramic resin; Straumann Nice (SN)—glass ceramic and Tetric CAD (TC)—composite resin) were tested to investigate the biocompatibility and sustainability on human fibroblasts and keratinocytes cells. Eac...

Co 1−x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 nanoparticles (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been synthesized via a green sol-gel combustion method. The prepared samples were studied using X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman, and magnetic measurements. All samples were found to be single phases and have a cubic Fd-3m structure. EDS analysis...

The present study reports the successful synthesis of biocompatible magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) by an ecofriendly single step method, using two ethanolic extracts based on leaves of Camellia sinensis L. and Ocimum basilicum L. The effect of both green raw materials as reducing and capping agents was taken into account for the developme...

Bioactive glasses (BGs), also known as bioglasses, are very attractive and versatile materials that are increasingly being used in dentistry. For this study, two new bioglasses—one with boron (BG1) and another with boron and vanadium (BG2)—were synthesized, characterized, and tested on human dysplastic keratinocytes. The in vitro biological propert...

Thiovulum spp. (Campylobacterota) are large sulfur bacteria that form veil-like structures in aquatic environments. The sulfidic Movile Cave (Romania), sealed from the atmosphere for ~5 million years, has several aqueous chambers, some with low atmospheric O 2 (~7%). The cave’s surface-water microbial community is dominated by bacteria we identifie...

The structural, morphological, and optical properties of Ni2+ ions substitution in CoCr2O4 matrix as ceramic pigments were investigated. The thermal decomposition of the dried gel was performed aiming to understand the mass changes during annealing. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies reveal a spinel-type Face–Centered Cubic structure and a seconda...

Red light (600-800 nm) plays an important role in the photosynthesis process of plants, therefore the development of red-light emitting phosphors for plant growth LED devices is of real interest from scientific and technological point of view. In this study, different compositions of niobate perovskites with the general formula LixMg2Nb0.992-yVyMn0...

A composite film containing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) conducting polymer and paracetamol (PA) was deposited on Ti surface and was investigated to obtain information about the PA release process in artificial saliva solution at different pH values. Electrochemical methods were used either for the preparation of the composite matrix by...

The present research is focused on three different classes of orthodontic cements: resin composites (e.g., BracePaste); resin-modified glass ionomer RMGIC (e.g., Fuji Ortho) and resin cement (e.g., Transbond). Their mechanical properties such as compressive strength, diametral tensile strength and flexural strength were correlated with the samples’...

Implementing metallic nanoparticles as research instruments for the transport of therapeutically active compounds remains a fundamentally vital work direction that can still potentially generate novelties in the field of drug formulation development. Gold nanoparticles (GNP) are easily tunable carriers for active phytocompounds like pentacyclic tri...

Background and objectives: Cementless total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure and perioperative thromboprophylaxis is used to prevent deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Osseointegration is important for long-term implant survival, and there is no research on the effect of different thromboprophylaxis agents on the process of...

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were obtained for the first time via the green chemistry approach, starting from two aqueous extracts of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.), both leaf and stems. In order to obtain magnetic nanoparticles suitable for medical purposes, more precisely with hyperthermia inducing features, a synthesis reaction was cond...

The present research is focused on the 3-Polker coins issued during 1619–1627 by Sigismund III Vasa, King of Poland. A major financial crisis took place at that time due to the 30-year War, which started in 1619. There are two theories among historians concerning the silver depreciation of these coins. The most common theory (generally accepted wit...

Neo-adjuvant therapy (NAT) is increasingly used in the clinic for the treatment of breast cancer (BC). Pathological response to NAT has been associated with improved patients’ survival; however, the current techniques employed for assessing the tumor response have significant limitations. Small EVs (sEVs)-encapsulated miRNAs have emerged as promisi...

This study reports the fabrication and characterization of zinc oxide (ZnO) and europium-doped ZnO (Eu-doped ZnO) films and their antibacterial activities. The spray pyrolysis method was used to synthesize ZnO and 1, 2, 3, and 4% Eu-doped ZnO thin films on the glass substrate. The fabricated Eu-ZnO thin films were characterized using x-ray diffract...

Aspects of 2nd‐ to 5th‐century ce Roman production technology and knowledge transfer in southern Austria (known as Noricum ) were examined. With no evidence for workshops identified in the study area, 44 grey ware bowls from two sites at Aguntum and Lavant were studied macroscopically, and combined with optical microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction,...

The present work shows the biochemical and structural fundamentals for the stress induced anxiety and stress adjustment response of the CA3 hippocampus area. Adult male Wistar rats were repeatedly exposed to a 3 h day restraint stress, for either 3 or 6 days. The concentration of corticosterone and testosterone in the CA3 hippocampus area was diver...

Ni/CeO2–Al2O3 with bimodal porous structure and two different CeO2 concentrations (low: 5 wt% and high: 15 wt%) were prepared by the refluxed co-precipitation method and characterized by N2 physisorption, XRD, TPR, H2-TPD, and CO2-TPD. Catalysts were tested in combined steam and dry reforming of methane (CSDRM) at atmospheric pressure, 600°C–700 °C...

Green route is an economic, facile and eco-friendly method, employed for the synthesis of various types of nanoparticles, having it as a starting point biological entity, especially as a plant extract. The present study aims to obtain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) starting from an ethanolic extract of Populi gemmae (Pg), by adjusting the reaction pa...

Life in Movile Cave (Romania) relies entirely on carbon fixation by bacteria oxidizing sulfide, methane and ammonia, using oxygen, nitrate, sulfate, and ferric iron as electron acceptors. There, our attention was drawn by a white veil-like structure at the water surface. Microscopic analysis of the veil revealed a dense population of microorganisms...

The applications of ferrimagnetic nanoparticles (F-MNPs) in magnetic hyperthermia (MH) are restricted by their stabilization in microscale aggregates due to magnetostatic interactions significantly reducing their heating performances. Coating the F-MNPs in a silica layer is expected to significantly reduce the magnetostatic interactions, thereby in...

The old fibers that make up heritage textiles displayed in museums are degraded by the aging process, environmental conditions (microclimates, particulate matter, pollutants, sunlight) and the action of microorganisms. In order to counteract these processes and keep the textile exhibits in good condition for as long as possible, both reactive and p...

Differences in crystallinity, structure and composition variation along the growing direction in gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata otoliths that inhabited different environments were determined to evaluate the correlation of spectroscopic and chemical data with the lifetime development and movement pattern. The Raman spectroscopy signal provided the...

Iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized starting from two aqueous extracts based on Artemisia absinthium L. leaf and stems, employing a simplest, eco-friendliness and low toxicity method—green synthesis. The nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray fluorescence an...

Temperature-induced phase transitions and the presence of impurities to the spinel phase ferrite nanoparticles were comparatively assessed using the same annealed samples, by Raman spectroscopy (RS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), in order to point out advantages and disadvantages of either method depending on the research issue at hand. RS revealed g...

MWCNT decorated with undoped and Cu or Mn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized successfully. PXRD patterns show the diffraction plans specific to MWCNT, anatase, and rutile phases of TiO2. The ratio between anatase and rutile phases differs from sample to sample. Through EPR spectroscopy, the defect and the valence states of the dopant ions in...

Engineered nanomaterials are increasingly used in everyday life applications and, in consequence, significant amounts are being released into the environment. From soil, water, and air they can reach the organelles of edible plants, potentially impacting the food chain and human health. The potential environmental and health impact of these nanosca...

This study presents the correct processing of Co–Cr alloys as a method of preserving the properties of the materials as-cast, and therefore they can be safely placed in contact with the oral cavity tissues as resistance frameworks. The basic materials analyzed in this study were five commercial Co–Cr dental alloys with different components obtained...

The present work is focusing on the study of the corrosion products (natural patina) formed on the surface of the equestrian statue of Michael the Brave, Principe of Walachia, and on the patina formed on the bas-reliefs that decorated the marble of the statue pedestal. The statue is placed in the Mihai – Viteazul Square in the center of Cluj-Napoca...

Aspartic acid stabilized iron oxide nanoparticles (A-IONPs) with globular shape and narrow size distribution were prepared by the co-precipitation method in aqueous medium. A quantum-mechanical approach to aspartic acid optimized structure displayed negative charged sites, relatively high dipole moment, and hydrophilicity, which recommended it for...