Central Europe Research Articles

The End of the Cold War and the Rise of Regional Cooperation: Germany and the Establishment of the Council of the Baltic Sea States

ABSTRACT Based on new archival evidence, this article examines how Germany’s political leadership envisioned the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in the early 1990s. It clarifies how the founding of the CBSS followed Bonn’s policy goals in relation to European integration, identifying that the establishment of the CBSS was motivated by the failed Soviet Coup in August 1991, the Russian troop withdrawal from East Central Europe and Germany’s European policy. In addition, the article brings back into view the argument that Helmut Kohl’s government took over the institutionalisation of the Baltic Sea cooperation from the Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein because of political rivalry.

Tips and tricks of spinal cord biopsy: insights from a multicenter series of 61 patients.

Whenever the radiological and clinical presentation of diffuse spinal cord lesions pose diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas, the role of primary spinal cord biopsies (SCB) can represent a crucial surgical step to guide further management. However, the benefits of SCB comes with the risks of significant neurological worsening and potentially non-diagnostic findings. An evidence-based algorithm to assess the appropriateness of SCB and its chances of successful diagnosis is currently lacking. A multicenter retrospective study was conducted across 8 tertiary neurosurgery European centers and included all patients undergoing primary SCB between January 2005 and December 2020. The main objective of this study was to assess the positive diagnostic rate, while the secondary objective was to evaluate the rate of neurological deterioration. Histological diagnoses were obtained in 91.8% (56/61) of cases. Lesions spanning more than three spinal levels were significantly associated with non-diagnostic biopsies (p = 0.03). Neurological deterioration occurred in 47.5% (29/61) of patients, with 48,3% recovering within three weeks. Independent risk factors for postoperative deterioration included low-grade glioma (LGG) (p = 0.005) and lymphoma (p = 0.007). Intraoperative Ultrasound (IoUS) was significantly associated with reduced postoperative deficits (p = 0.030). Surprisingly, preoperative clinical and radiological diagnoses differed from histopathological findings in 47.5% of cases. SCB are relatively safe and effective diagnostic procedures despite their inherent risk of significant perioperative neurological worsening. The decision to undertake a primary SCB should always be made in a multidisciplinary setting after careful review of clinical and diagnostic findings.

Health Status Outcomes After Computed Tomography or Invasive Coronary Angiography for Stable Chest Pain: A Prespecified Secondary Analysis of the DISCHARGE Randomized Clinical Trial.

The effect of computed tomography (CT) vs invasive coronary angiography (ICA) on health status outcomes is unknown. To evaluate CT and ICA first-test strategies on quality of life (QOL) and angina. The Diagnostic Imaging Strategies for Patients With Stable Chest Pain and Intermediate Risk of Coronary Artery Disease (DISCHARGE) randomized clinical trial, conducted between October 2015 and April 2019 in 26 European centers, followed up patients with stable chest pain and intermediate probability of coronary artery disease for a median 3.5 years. Data analysis was from December 2023 to July 2024. Random assignment to CT or ICA. Patient-reported Euro QOL 5-dimensions descriptive system (EQ-5D-3L) visual analog scale (EQ-5D-3L-VAS) and 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) physical component score (SF-12-PCS) were primary prespecified QOL outcomes. Angina was the primary prespecified chest pain outcome. The EQ-5D-3L-VAS, summary index (EQ-5D-3L-SI), mental component summary (SF-12-MCS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-anxiety subscale (HADS-A) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-anxiety subscale (HADS-D) were also evaluated. Among 3561 patients (mean [SD] age, 60.1 [10.1] years; 2002 female [56.2%]), 1735 (96.0%) in the CT group and 1671 (95.3%) in the ICA group completed at least 1 health status assessment during 3.5 years of follow-up. Health status outcomes were similar between groups, with significant improvements in all QOL outcomes (eg, mean EQ-5D-3L-VAS 3.5 year minus baseline score: CT = 4.0; 95% CI, 3.1-4.9; P < .001; ICA = 4.6; 95% CI, 3.6-5.6; P =.002), except HADS-D, which improved only in the CT group (mean EQ-5D-3L-VAS 3.5 year minus baseline score: CT = -0.2; 95% CI, -0.4 to 0; P = .04; ICA = -0.2; 95% CI, -0.4 to 0; P = .12). Female patients had worse baseline and follow-up QOL than male patients (eg, baseline EQ-5D-3L-VAS difference between men and women = 5.2; 95% CI, 4.0-6.3; P <.001 and at 3.5 years = 3.1; 95% CI, 1.9-4.4; P < .001) but showed greater improvements in EQ-5D-3L-VAS (-1.9; 95% CI, -3.4 to -0.5; P = .009), SF-12-PCS (-1.4; -2.1 to -0.7; P < .001), and HADS-A (0.3; 0-0.7; P = .04). Angina outcomes were comparable between groups at 3.5 years, with similar 1-year rates in the CT group but higher rates in female than male patients in the ICA group (10.2% vs 6.2%; P = .007). Results of this secondary analysis of the DISCHARGE randomized clinical trial reveal that there was no significant difference in QOL or chest pain outcomes with CT vs ICA at 3.5 years. Female patients had worse health status than male patients at baseline and follow-up, and CT or ICA did not affect these differences. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02400229.

Pollen holographic images and light-induced fluorescence measurements at the species level

The data collection presented here consists of holographic images and light-induced fluorescence measurements of pollen grains performed with the SwisensPoleno Jupiter, an instrument for real-time bioaerosol monitoring. This pollen collection, sampled directly from plants in their natural environment, is meant to provide reference datasets of airborne, mostly allergenic, pollen species found in central Europe. It has the advantage of including fluorescence measurements in addition to holographic images, giving an insight of both particle composition and morphology. Large reference datasets are necessary to develop automatic pollen monitoring tools but gathering fresh samples is complex, seasonally dependent and time consuming. Data sharing is the key to reduce data generation costs and improve identification of local and long-range transport pollen. These data are meant to be used as the basis for training new pollen identification algorithms that will make use of fluorescence measurements. Their potential reuse can also be to study pollen morphological and compositional variability at the species level.

Responses of grassland soil mesofauna to induced climate change

Climate change can significantly affect the below and above-ground ecosystems. This study aimed to test the effects of induced climate change on the composition of soil mesofauna and vascular plant species in semi-natural grasslands. Open-top chambers (OTCs) were used to manipulate climatic conditions. The research was carried out over three years in two semi-natural grasslands in south-west Poland (Central Europe). Changes in soil mesofauna (Collembola and Acari) and vegetation characteristics under OTC treatment were evaluated and compared to untreated control sites. Treatment with OTC significantly increased the abundance of Oribatida mites (up to 42%) but decreased the abundance of Gamasida (by 21%), indicating contrasting responses of the Acari subgroups to warming. Collembola diversity was significantly reduced under OTC conditions, as reflected in the lower Margalef, Simpson, and Shannon–Wiener indices. Furthermore, the abundance of epigeic Collembola increased under OTC. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that plant traits explained 37.91% of the variation in mesofauna structure. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) further supported these findings, showing that climate exerted a strong negative effect on soil quality, which in turn had a pronounced positive influence on plant quality (total effect = 0.678). Plant quality significantly enhanced soil fauna abundance (total effect = 0.264), while the overall impact of climate on soil fauna was negative (– 0.231), primarily via indirect pathways. These findings suggest that climate change in grassland ecosystems can disrupt the ecological balance of soil fauna by modifying their responses to environmental variables. The SEM results emphasise the cascading nature of these effects, from climate to soil, vegetation, and ultimately soil fauna, highlighting the importance of indirect environmental pressures. Conserving plant diversity remains essential to buffer against climate-driven disruptions and maintain ecosystem stability.

Parametric Building Envelopes Rationalized in Terms of Their Solar Performance in a Temperate Climate

The article presents a method of shaping unconventional building envelopes characterized by their effective solar performance in a temperate climate. An analysis related to the impact of geometric shape on the solar direct radiation falling on building envelopes was presented in terms of polyhedral forms. It was based on interdisciplinary issues located in the fields of solar radiation, unconventional forms of buildings, numerical simulations, and artificial neural networks. The elaborated method’s algorithm was employed to describe the relationships between the envelope systems and the amount of the radiation falling on these systems, identified during the performed simulations. Two novel parametric models were defined to execute the simulations. The first was an initial geometric model defined by a number of arbitrary independent variables. The second was defined by one dependent variable representing the quantity of the solar radiation falling on each envelope. The analysis carried out showed that the invented trapezoidal forms of envelopes allowed for better control of the incident solar radiation in relation to the forms generated with other methods. The invented trapezoidal forms of envelopes can increase the amount of their direct solar irradiation up to 63%, compared to prior pyramidal forms. Although the climatic loads used were related to Strzyżów characterized by the geographical coordinates 49.9 N and 21.9 E and located in Central Europe, it was possible to adapt the method to other meteorological boundary conditions by changing the values of the defined parameters. The resultant parametric solar model can be employed to search for many diversified discrete solar envelopes of buildings and rational arrangements of their external planes so that the direct solar radiation falling on these envelopes can be increased during cold periods and restricted during hot summer periods of the year.

Accessibility of banking websites in Central and Eastern European countries in relation to cost management

PurposeThis study evaluates the accessibility of websites for publicly listed commercial banks in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, with a specific focus on the relationship between website accessibility and bank cost management indicators.Design/methodology/approachWe analyzed the websites of 26 publicly listed banks across nine CEE countries using the web accessibility evaluation tool (WAVE), a widely recognized tool for assessing website accessibility. We supplemented the analysis with cost management data, including general and administrative expenses and the cost-to-income (C/I) ratio, sourced from the Equity RT database and annual bank reports where necessary.FindingsThe study reveals significant disparities in website accessibility among publicly listed banks in the CEE region. Larger banks tend to have better website accessibility for individuals with disabilities. However, we found no significant relationship between cost management indicators, such as general and administrative expenses or the C/I ratio, and the number of accessibility errors reported by WAVE at national and individual bank levels.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to publicly listed banks in Central and Eastern Europe, which may not represent the broader banking sector in the region. Moreover, as the sole assessment tool, WAVE may not capture all dimensions of web accessibility.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that while larger banks may invest more in web accessibility, cost management practices do not directly influence website accessibility improvements. This could inform future strategies for banks aiming to enhance their digital inclusivity.Originality/valueThis research provides new insights into the relationship between bank size, cost management practices and web accessibility in the CEE region, contributing to the limited literature on digital inclusivity in the banking sector.

Reevaluating the safety of chamomile poultices in ophthalmic care

IntroductionGerman chamomile [Matricaria recutita L. (Asteraceae)] tea poultices are a common folk remedy in Central and Eastern Europe for treating eye inflammations such as blepharitis and conjunctivitis. This practice often precedes medical consultation and professional advice. Surprisingly, some healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, naturopaths, general practitioners, and pediatricians, recommend it as a primary treatment, particularly among the elderly. However, the ophthalmic use of chamomile lacks scientific validation, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and ophthalmic guidelines warn of potential allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis.MethodsThis review examines the origins and descriptions of herbal poultices, with a focus on chamomile, by analyzing data from Hungarian and international medical literature. The study highlights the unsanitary production and storage conditions, also the external application of chamomile teas, which increase the risk of infection and contamination.ResultsThe findings indicate that chamomile tea poultices pose significant health risks due to potential allergic reactions and microbiological contamination. The study underscores the lack of scientific evidence supporting the ophthalmic use of chamomile and the dangers associated with its application.DiscussionThe implications of these findings are critical for healthcare professionals and guideline developers. The study calls for discontinuing chamomile-based ophthalmic therapies and emphasizes the need for evidence-based practices. Future research should focus on validating the safety and efficacy of herbal remedies and developing guidelines to protect public health.

Provision of affordable housing in new large-scale housing projects in second-tier cities in Central and Eastern Europe. Comparing the cases of Lausanne (CH), Leipzig (GER), and Wrocław (PL)

Abstract The aim of this paper is to compare structures of affordable housing provision in new large-scale housing projects in second-tier cities in Central and Eastern Europe. The paper builds on the conceptual framework of structures of housing provision to highlight complexities stemming from spatial conditions, structural processes reflected by housing policies at national and local levels, and relations between different stakeholders. The context for the analysis comprises first, the affordable housing question, which has gained importance in urban areas recently affected by multiple crises. Second, large-scale housing projects are seen as a response to the affordable housing shortage in differing contexts of state-market relations. The paper builds on a comparative case study approach of three new large-scale housing projects in less often studied cities in Central and Eastern Europe (in Lausanne, CH–Plains-du-Loup, in Leipzig, GER–Leipzig 416, and in Wrocław, PL–Nowe Żerniki). It draws on document analysis and expert interviews to provide an in-depth comparative case description based on primary and secondary data. We discuss how new large-scale housing projects, produced to provide affordable housing, are embedded in and filtered through structural contexts and domestic policy motivations but also have socio-spatial implications. In each of these cases, the process of providing affordable housing revolves around different aspects (space, multi-scalar processes, and stakeholders). Our analysis reveals that the affordability of housing depends on the interaction between public, private and civic factors, embedded within a neoliberal framework.

Presence of microplastic particles increased abundance of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes in microbial communities from the Oder river water and sediment

High abundance of microplastic particles (MPs) in the water environment could be a factor in spreading of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes (AMR), especially antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The aim of our study was to assess changes in the microbial community developing on microplastic surfaces incubated in water from the Oder River—one of Central Europe’s major rivers, flowing through three countries (Czechia, Germany, and Poland)—whose diverse, 20,000-km2 catchment area (encompassing industrial, agricultural, and urban regions) ensures a relatively high abundance of microbial communities.Samples of water and sediment were taken from river in Wroclaw area. Then the water was poured into disinfected glass liquid containers and pre-drained sediment was added. Control samples of water and sediment were collected on day 0. Then microplastic particles were added (500 mg; ~ 1 mm). Subsequent sampling was performed after incubation on 7th and 14th day. From each group, samples of sediment and water were collected after the incubation period (n = 5/group), for extraction of microbial DNA and library preparation. Sequencing was performed, using MinION sequencer with 10.4.1 Flow cell. Galaxy Europe platform and R program (v 4.3.3), alpha diversity and PERMANOVA with Benjamini–Hochberg p-value correction for multiple comparisons were used. For identification of biomarker taxa being different between groups, ANCOMBC (Analysis of Compositions of Microbiomes with Bias Correction) was performed. Obtained results shown higher abundance of pathogenic bacteria such as Aeromonas salmonicida Vibrio spp., Escherichia coli or Salmonella after 7 days of incubation in water and sediment. Additionally, after 7 days of incubation numbers of ARGs was higher compared to control group.

Analysis of detected and future drought conditions – a case study for the Great Hungarian Plain

Droughts may severely impact several different sectors, including drinking water availability, agricultural production, and energy supply. Due to climate change (CC), temperature is projected to increase on average, while the temporal distribution of precipitation is estimated to change, i.e. more heavy precipitation events and longer dry periods are likely to occur in Central Europe. In Hungary, which is the target area of this study, drought occurs from time to time, as a natural and CC-induced phenomena. To be prepared for the changes and to make adaptation strategies in time, the quantification of future changes is necessary. For this purpose, the modified Pálfai drought index (PaDI) is calculated for Hungary for the period 1975–2100. In the period 1975–2022, according to the observation-based HuClim dataset, a serious drought occurred in 2022 and heavy droughts in three years (1992, 2003 and 2012) over the Great Hungarian Plain. Future trends were projected using six climate model simulations from the EURO-CORDEX initiative under three RCP scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5). According to our results, the difference between the radiative forcing’s change of the different scenarios is smaller in the near future; however, by the end of the 21st century, scenarios play a key role in the projected changes. More specifically, the average spatial fraction of heavy drought by 2081–2100 in the case of RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 is projected to be 3%, 10% and 17%, respectively, compared to 6% in the 2001–2020 reference period. The most exposed area to heavy drought is the Great Hungarian Plain, especially its southern regions. Mitigation of climate change (e.g. irrigation, shift of sowing time or even shift of crop cultivars) should be the main aim to prevent the increase of frequency and severity of droughts, which may otherwise induce adverse effects on e.g. crop yields and water supply.

Assessing the risk of Myiopsitta monachus (Monk Parakeet) invasion: Global perspectives and implications

Abstract Biological invasions are major threats to ecosystems and global economies, often exacerbated by human activities, such as trade and tourism. Myiopsitta monachus (Monk Parakeet), native to South America, is an example of an exotic species that has established populations across North America, Europe, and other regions. This study presents a model predicting the global distribution of M. monachus, focusing on areas at risk of future establishment. Using 25 climatic, topographic, and anthropogenic variables along with occurrence data from eBird (2000–2023), we conducted a multivariate logistic regression to create a favorability model, with 10 variables emerging as key predictors. The model showed high discrimination capacity (AUC &amp;gt; 0.856) and identified areas such as New Zealand, southern Queensland and New South Wales in Australia, Bangladesh, Peninsular Malaysia, South Africa, the coasts of the Arabian Peninsula, parts of Europe, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Bulgaria, as particularly vulnerable. In the Americas, the coastal regions of Ecuador and northern Peru, northern Colombia and Venezuela, as well as most of Central America, exhibit particularly favorable conditions. Similarly, the islands of Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola, along with vast areas of Mexico and the United States, present a high potential for establishment. We emphasize the need for proactive monitoring in these areas to prevent both new arrivals through international trade and potential invasions. Additionally, countries where M. monachus populations are still relatively small, such as Morocco, those in Central Europe, and the United Kingdom, should implement control strategies to prevent future spread. Our research highlights the importance of species distribution models in forecasting invasive spread, aiding early detection and prevention efforts. These actions are crucial for safeguarding biodiversity and reducing economic losses.

How policy capacities shape the green transition: explaining the use of EU sustainable finance in the EU’s Central and Eastern European member states

ABSTRACT This article investigates how policy capacities influence governments’ decisions on allocating funding for the green transition. Our theoretical framework outlines how political, analytical and operational capacities can be expected to affect green transition funding. We probe the plausibility of these linkages by examining how EU member states from Central and Eastern Europe are using the European Recovery and Resilience Facility – the EU’s main ‘green recovery’ financial instrument, which runs parallel to regulatory attempts of aligning private financial flows with climate mitigation and adaptation. In a comparative case study of Bulgaria and Estonia, we analyse how different configurations of policy capacities have influenced the allocation of green transition funding in the countries’ Resilience and Recovery Plans (RRPs). We show that the distinct configurations of policy capacities contributed to significant differences between Estonia and Bulgaria. Political capacities affected the prioritisation of the green transition agenda in the RRPs, while analytical and operational capacities shaped the private-public mix, legacy v. future-orientedness, and technological v. behavioural focus in the selected projects and investments.

Language and ethnicity in Central and Eastern Europe: Some theoretical aspects

This article presents a favourable theoretical analysis of the political problem of high profile which acutely touches Central and Eastern Europe – the ethnic problem. The outstanding role in delimiting ethnic dependence and conditioning ethnic cleavage turns to be devoted to language. The author gives a very persuasive introduction to this problem as well as promotes an exclusive comparison where the Western (arguably – civilly developed cultures) and Central-Eastern European nations, as well as history-influenced modifications to the character of the issue, are paralleled. We are not presented with a narrow and simplistic narration but are rather compelled to thoroughly perceive the multilateral complexity of this problem. Hence the author tries to trace the solutions that entail inter-ethnic tensions, although he primarily identifies the 'true' causes for such tensions. Schopflin finds it necessary to define what exactly ethnicity is and the reasons why language is enacted to such a salient role in ethnic self-consciousness. He excludes the restrictive assumption that ethnicity has been made political by "artificial" means only, providing evidence of why this approach proves to be not exhaustive. A sharper insight into this problem is introduced. The essential point is that ethnicity operates simultaneously on several planes, only one of which belongs to the political one. The author argues that while in pre-modern societies there was no occurrence of the political system to impinge too directly on cultures, with the coming of modernity, it began to do so. The article foregoes with the clarification that ethnicity is about cultural reproduction, where culture is defined as a system of moral regulation in its deepest sense. Cultural variations which locate distinctions and peculiarities in the questions of political power come to constitute the raw material for ethnic cleavage, because each community is axiomatically convinced of the rightness of its morality and its superiority to all others. The author continues in the depiction of the characteristics which specify the Western cultures and the Eastern nationalisms in which the former proves to be the type of democratic nationalism, the one to nurture loyalties, whenever the latter managed to rear up an all-directing monopolical political elite (the author names them 'secular intellectuals') who challenged every aspect of the established status quo and saw this as their raison d'être. Their vocation was not confined to some relatively confined arena (as in the West) but devoted themselves to nation-wide aspects, as the language might prove. In the face of the deprivation of the Western civic homogenisation, language in Central and Eastern Europe attained a much more effective basis for power than contiguity. Language in the latter became an instrument of popular mobilisation. Intellectuals used and controlled language; it became both instrument and aim; intellectuals consequently acquired paths to moral legislation. The author notices that any efforts to construct political nations on some other principles, namely geographical, in Central and Eastern Europe failed because of the lack of dynamism that derives from an authentically felt sense of community. Whenever the civic dimension of the nationhood devolves its primacy in the West, language demonstrates its primacy in the East. Expressive words of a Hungarian writer Gyula Illyes are put forward: if, he states, there is a language, then its speakers constitute a community; if a community has its own language, it has the right to constitute its own state and become a subject of history. The author concludes that language has played both a symbolic and a functional role in the centralisation of Central and Eastern Europe. It is claimed that though there can be no contingency in the nature of language, no language, with the exception of Polish, has had a continuous high cultural tradition. It is, however, posed that high cultural languages are vital both instrumentally and as legitimation. Nevertheless, motion to modernity distracts Central and Eastern European countries from the wide tolerance to multilingualism, which is understood as weakness that potentially threatens the future of the community. Hence, intolerance and oppression prevailing in the countries is the proof that the modern state has proved to be unable to assimilate ethnic minorities, once they have become conscious of their identity. Only the situation of one having its own language is taken as acceptable. Numerous examples are given to support these arguments. It is concluded that despite the feeling of something being missed, the provided factors constitute an explanatory framework for why it is so extraordinarily difficult to establish linguistic co-existence at the high cultural level in Central and Eastern Europe and why seemingly simple problems acquire an apparently applicable and deep-rooted insolubility.

Prevalence of microspirometry-detected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in two European cohorts of patients hospitalised for acute myocardial infarction: a cross-sectional study.

To establish the prevalence of clinically significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and relevant characteristics in individuals with a significant smoking history who are hospitalised for acute myocardial infarction (MI). Cross-sectional study. Hospital inpatients at 8 European centres (7 in Sweden, 1 in the UK). 518 men or women (302 in Sweden, 216 in the UK) hospitalised for acute MI, aged 40 years or older, with a smoking history of at least 10 pack-years. The primary outcome was prevalence of detected significant COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stages 2-4), defined as a ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 and 6 s (FEV1/FEV6) <0.7 and FEV1 <80% of the predicted value, measured using microspirometry. Secondary outcome measures were prior diagnosis of COPD, prescription of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), symptom burden (COPD Assessment Test (CAT)) and blood eosinophil count. The prevalence of significant COPD was 91/518 (18% (95% CI 14 to 21)) with no difference between the countries. Of those with detected significant COPD, 69 (76%) had no previous COPD diagnosis. A CAT score >10 was found in 65%, and a blood eosinophil count of ≥100/mm3 and ≥300/mm3 was found in 76% and 20%, respectively. Inhaled corticosteroids were used by 15% of the patients. In a cohort of patients hospitalised for acute MI in Sweden and the UK, one in five patients with a history of smoking was found to have significant COPD based on microspirometry. Symptom burden was high and treatment rates with ICS low. Among those diagnosed with COPD, three out of four had not been previously diagnosed with COPD.

Sepsis Burden in a Major Romanian Emergency Center—An 18-Year Retrospective Analysis of Mortality and Risk Factors

Background and Objectives: Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet data from Central and Eastern Europe remain scarce. Our study aims to address the scarcity of information regarding the characteristics and mortality rates of patients with sepsis by reporting recent data from one of the largest emergency centers in Romania over an 18-year period (2007–2024). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12,089 adult patients diagnosed with sepsis at the University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest. Patients were identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes and free-text diagnosis. Demographic and clinical data were extracted, including comorbidities, interventions, and mortality outcomes. Associations between comorbidities and in-hospital mortality were assessed using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The study population had a mean age of 68.7 years, with a slight predominance of males (50.9%). In-hospital mortality was 53.9%, and 30-day mortality reached 85.1%. The most common comorbidities were diabetes (27.2%), chronic kidney disease (14.0%), and cancer (12.9%). Pneumonia (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.89–2.28), cirrhosis (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.40–2.03), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.27–1.77) were strong predictors of mortality, while diabetes was associated with a slightly lower risk (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.83–0.97). Conclusions: Sepsis-related mortality in Romania is higher than reported in Western Europe and North America, resembling trends in resource-limited settings. Targeted early recognition, antimicrobial stewardship, and improved intensive care units (ICU) resource allocation are crucial for reducing mortality. Multicenter studies and microbiological analyses are needed to further understand sepsis outcomes in this region.

Investigating interactions with the dead in early medieval Central and Eastern Europe from 5th to 8th centuries CE

Investigating interactions with the dead in early medieval Central and Eastern Europe from 5th to 8th centuries CE The project aims to investigate the practical, conceptual and emotional dimensions of human interactions with the dead (graves, human remains and artefacts) in early medieval Central and Eastern Europe from the 5th to 8th centuries CE. Archaeological and textual evidence will be investigated through an innovative approach combining cutting-edge scientific methods, technical solutions and new theoretical approaches.

Populism in Central and Eastern Europe: Manifestations and Impact in Interdisciplinary Perspective

In light of the increasing autocratization of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), this thematic cluster focuses on the many manifestations of (right-wing) populism and illiberalism and their impact on CEE politics and societies. The interdisciplinary approach constitutes the main contribution of this cluster, which includes four articles that analyze specific aspects of the “cameleon” of populism. While much of the literature explores the political side of populism, we shed light on its relation to political culture and gender and to contexts such as post-communist economies and war. The post-communist CEE allows us to draw broader conclusions about the manifestations and consequences of populism in power due to the variety of empirical cases within this relatively small region. Not least, the political and institutional success of populism in CEE transcends its physical borders, as leaders like Orbán have long been role models for populists such as Donald Trump, Geert Wilders, and others. Emerging from the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network “Delayed Transformational Fatigue in Central and Eastern Europe: Responding to the Rise of Illiberalism/Populism” (FATIGUE), this cluster is a collaborative project of early career scholars.

Development of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Tests for the Identification of Biting Midge Species and Clades (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of the Obsoletus Group (Subgenus Avaritia), Including Important Viral Vectors in Europe

Species of the widespread Obsoletus Complex (Culicoides subgenus Avarita Fox, 1955) have been implicated as potential key vectors during the bluetongue and Schmallenberg epidemics in Central Europe in 2006 and 2012. Although extensive efforts have been made to clarify vector–pathogen relationships, one of the most important steps in this process—correct species identification—remains difficult, due to the presence of isomorphic species within the Obsoletus Group. To overcome the difficulties in morphological species identification, several PCR tests were developed. With the aim of developing a high-throughput PCR, capable of differentiating all putative vector species and newly described haplotypes of the subgenus Avaritia present in Europe, a dataset of 4407 published sequences of the mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was used to develop specific primers and probes, which can either be applied in a singleplex PCR or in different multiplex PCR approaches. The real-time PCR achieved very high diagnostic sensitivity (100%) and specificity (91.7%) and reliably detected the three clades of C. obsoletus sensu stricto (s.s.) in a pool of specimens. Thus, the new real-time PCR approach will provide an excellent tool for large-scale monitoring, which could improve the understanding of the biology, geographical distribution, and habitat preference of European biting midge species involved in the transmission of bluetongue, Schmallenberg, and epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses.

Radial growth projections reveal site-specific futures of different oak species with contrasting water availability in SW Hungary

The growth and vitality of forest ecosystems in Central Europe are expected to be affected by climate change, posing a challenge for forest management. In this study, we examined and projected the relationship between growth and climate for dominant sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) trees in two sites in Hungary, each with different water availability. We developed a single linear mixed model based on tree age, climatic water balance and insect outbreak for the study period (1971–2021) to estimate the impact of projected climate change in the 21st century on basal area increments until 2100 using two climate scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Our study suggests that the growth response of oak species to different seasonal water balances is site and species-specific. We found that the water balance of the previous winter had a significantly greater influence on the growth in the stands of the dry site than in the stands of the wet site. Q. cerris reacted more sensitively to the water balance conditions of the previous summer than Q. petraea. Predictive models forecast a general growth decline of up to 10.8% for both oak species during the 21st century compared to past growth with a significant change according to the RCP8.5 scenario. Additionally, the models predict a significantly greater decrease in growth in the more humid site compared to the xeric site which could be attributed to the site-specific response of growth to the winter water balance. At the same time, we did not detect significant differences in the future growth of the two oak species. These findings provide insights into the climate-related factors influencing growth in Hungarian oak forests.