Northwestern Romania Research Articles

Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. and Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Campylobacter jejuni in Slaughtered Broiler Chickens in North-Western Romania

Campylobacteriosis is recognized as one of the most common food-borne zoonoses, with worldwide distribution, having undercooked poultry meat and other cross-contaminated foodstuffs as the main sources of human infections. The current study aimed to provide data on the occurrence of the thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in seven broiler chicken flocks, from three north-western Transylvanian counties of Romania, as well as to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolated C. jejuni strains. A total of 324 fresh cecal samples were collected during the slaughtering process, and screened for the presence of Campylobacter spp., using routine microbiological and molecular diagnostic tools. Overall, 85.2% (276/324; 95% CI 80.9-88.6) of the tested samples expressed positive results for Campylobacter spp., with dominant occurrence of C. coli towards C. jejuni (63.4% vs. 36.6%). From the six tested antimicrobials, the 101 isolated C. jejuni strains were resistant against ciprofloxacin (79.2%), nalidixic acid (78.2%), tetracycline (49.5%), and streptomycin (7.9%), but total susceptibility was noticed against erythromycin and gentamicin. Seven (6.9%) isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. The study results emphasize the role of broiler chicken as reservoir of Campylobacter infections for humans, as well as strengthen the necessity of the prudent using of antimicrobials in the poultry industry.

Ectopic Eruption of First Permanent Molars in Children from North-Western Romania.

Ectopic eruption of first permanent molars can lead to complications if left untreated. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the ectopic eruption of first permanent molars in a sample of children from North-Western Romania, and to identify the characteristic of this anomaly in the studied population. We included patients aged between 5 and 9 years, and patients who needed a radiological examination for the diagnosis and treatment of dental or dento-maxillary diseases. The following exclusion criteria were applied: unclear or poor-quality radiographs; radiographs that belonged to patients who benefited from an orthodontic treatment before the panoramic radiograph was taken; patients who were undergoing orthodontic treatment when the radiograph was taken; and patients with local or general diseases that could influence dento-facial growth and development. Three degrees of severity were selected (moderate, severe, and very severe). The sample consisted of 438 patients, and 61 patients were diagnosed with ectopic eruption of first permanent molars (13.92%). Out of the 1752 analyzed molars, 103 were affected (5.87%). Patients with a moderate degree of ectopy were more frequently boys (56%, n = 14), while patients with a severe degree of ectopy were more frequently girls (52.8%, n = 19). Patients with a moderate degree of ectopy had significantly more frequently a unilateral position (57.1%, n = 16), while patients with a very severe degree of ectopy had significantly more frequently a bilateral position (36.4%, n = 12). The ectopic eruption was diagnosed at the level of the upper-right first permanent molar in a percentage of 18.4% (n = 19), at the level of the upper-left first permanent molar in a percentage of 17.5% (n = 18), at the level of the lower-right first permanent molar in a percentage of 32% (n = 33), and at the level of the lower-left first permanent molar in a percentage of 32% (n = 33). Although not very frequent, the ectopic eruption of first permanent molars is an important anomaly that should be early diagnosed, monitored and treated.

Attitudes towards COVID‑19 vaccination in patients with cancer: A cross‑sectional study of 12 oncology centers.

Patients with cancer are a high-priority population for COVID-19 vaccination, as per guideline recommendations. The present cross-sectional study was performed to assess the perception of patients with cancer from Romania regarding COVID-19 vaccines. The study included 932 patients with solid and hematologic malignancies. This was a multicenter study including 12 oncology centers located in Western and Northwestern Romania. Between December 2021 and January 2022, patients with cancer completed an individual paper questionnaire regarding acceptance of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, type of vaccine, side effects and source of information. During the first year of the vaccination campaign in Romania, 58.05% (541/932) of the investigated patients received COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccination rate was highest in the 61-70 year age group (61.22%). The most frequently used vaccine was Pfizer-BioNTech (72%). There was a statistically significant association between the rate of vaccination and the area of residence and level of education (P<0.001), with rural residence and a lower level of education being predictive factors for COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy. Patients living in rural areas used non-medical sources (e.g. mass media, social platforms) as their main source of information (53.40%, 204/382), whereas patients living in urban areas (64.90%, 357/550) used predominantly medical sources (e.g. recommendations from oncologists and general practitioners). The main source of information among non-vaccinated patients was mass media (e.g. television, radio); 72.38% vs. 29.67% among vaccinated patients. For the latter, the primary source of information was the recommendations made by oncologists (59.70%) and general practitioners (56.76%). The most commonly reported side effect was injection site pain (20-33% for the first dose and 5-27% for the second dose). In conclusion, the present study confirmed that patients with cancer may be reluctant to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, mainly due to the fear of its potential side effects. Although there is scientific evidence to support the efficacy and safety of vaccines, the primary source of information for patients may affect vaccine uptake, thus affecting the efforts to stop the pandemic. Furthermore, the present study revealed that non-vaccinated patients preferred mass media as their main source of information, whereas vaccinated patients relied on the recommendations made by oncologists or general practitioners.

Microbial water quality and health risk assessment in karst springs from Apuseni Mountains, Romania

In Apuseni Mountains (North-Western Romania), many of the inhabitants live in rural communities with limited or no access to the centralized and controlled water supply. This study assesses the microbiological quality of six karst spring waters from Bihor County used by rural communities as drinking water sources. Twenty-four water samples collected in January, April, June, and November 2021 were analyzed for E. coli, total coliforms, intestinal enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and heterotrophic plate count at 37 and 22°C. Standard microbiological methods based on the membrane filter technique or pour plate method were used for the microbiological characterization of the spring waters. The study revealed that the karst springs from the studied area present microbiological contamination. The microbiological parameters for five out of the six studied spring waters exceeded the maximum limits allowed by the 98/83/EC Directive. Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment estimated the risk of gastrointestinal illness for both adults and children due to the enteropathogenic E. coli contamination. According to the health risk evaluation model, the risk of infection/day and the risk of infection/year were high, with the maximum values of 0.24 and 1.00, respectively. The probability of illness caused by E. coli contamination of water ranged between 0.09 and 0.35 for five out of six groundwater sources. The local communities using the contaminated springs are exposed to daily and accumulated health threats. Therefore, preventive measures accompanied by continuous monitoring are necessary mainly for those water sources that are critical drinking water sources for the rural communities.

Intestinal parasites of buffalo calves from Romania: molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis, and the first report of Eimeria bareillyi.

Buffaloes represent an important economic resource for several regions of the world including Romania. In the present study, we examined 104 faecal samples collected from 38 buffalo calves (2-11 weeks old) from household rearing systems in Romania for gastrointestinal parasites. All samples were tested using the saturated salt flotation, McMaster and modified Ziehl-Nielsen staining methods. PCR coupled with sequencing isolates were used to identify assemblages of Giardia lamblia (Kunstler, 1882) and species of Cryptosporidium Tyzzer, 1907. Overall, 33 out of 38 examined buffalo calves were infected with different gastrointestinal parasites: 16 had single infections and 17 had mixed infections with two or three parasites. Species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (32/38; 84%) were the most prevalent parasites; eight species were identified according to the oocyst morphology, including the pathogenic E. bareillyi (Gill, Chhabra et Lall, 1963) which was detected for the first time in buffaloes from Romania. The nematodes Toxocara vitulorum (Goeze, 1782) (11/38; 37%) and Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856) (6/38; 16%) were also detected. Cryptosporidium spp. were found in four (11%) buffalo calves; two of them were molecularly identified as C. ryanae Fayer, Santin et Trout, 2008, and another one clustered in the same clade with C. ryanae, C. bovis Fayer, Santin et Xiao, 2005, and C. xiaoi Fayer et Santin, 2009. Giardia duodenalis assemblage E was also molecularly detected in a single (2.6%) buffalo calf. The presence of other buffaloes in the same barn was identified as a risk factor for infection with T. vitulorum. Our results indicate extensive parasitic infections in buffalo calves from northwestern Romania and underline the necessity of prophylactic treatments for T. vitulorum and E. bareillyi.

Quantitative microbial risk assessment as a tool for groundwater monitoring. A case study in the rural communities of Romania

Karst springs are an essential source of drinking water in rural communities in North-Western Romania. Due to the fractured dolomite aquifers, dolines, or blind valleys, these springs are vulnerable to contamination by human and zoonotic pathogens. In this study, we assessed the human health risk associated with the contamination of six springs’ water with gastrointestinal pathogens. The data on the occurrence of E. coli and estimated Campylobacter and Rotavirus for a year of monitoring from twenty-four samples were inputted into a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) model (Machdar et al. 2013). The QMRA was conducted following steps: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization (Haas C N et al. 2014; World Health Organization 2016). In order to predict the total cases of illnesses for the spring water consumers, the probability of infection and illness was calculated for adults and children. Results have shown that the estimated probability of infection for enteropathogenic E. coli, Campylobacter, and Rotavirus ranged between 1.1 × 10-3 and 1.0 × 100, values much higher than the acceptable limit of 10-4 infections/person/year established by WHO (2016). The estimated probability of illness due to the pathogenic E. coli and Campylobacter infection was high, with values between 8.8 × 10-2 and 3.5 × 10-1 for five out of six groundwater sources. The estimated probability of illness due to the Rotavirus infection ranged between 4.0 × 10-4 and 6.4 × 10-2 for both adults and children. The finding suggests that consuming contaminated spring water could lead to severe acute, chronic, or sometimes fatal health consequences for the locals. This study provides valuable QMRA information on the contaminated karst groundwater, with important implications for human health and groundwater resources management.

Seroprevalence Rates against West Nile, Usutu, and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Viruses in Blood-Donors from North-Western Romania.

Introduction: West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are all arboviruses belonging to Flaviviridae family. All are characterized by vectorial transmission and sometimes associated with neuroinvasive infections. The circulation of these viruses is considered endemic in parts of Europe, with human cases reported in many countries. Among hosts, the viruses are vectored by hematophagous arthropods, such as mosquitoes (WNV, USUV) and ticks (TBEV). Considering the currently outdated knowledge regarding the epidemiology of these viruses in Romania, the aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence rates of WNV, USUV, and TBEV among healthy blood donors in north-western Romania. Methods: Human blood samples from healthy donors were collected between November 2019 and February 2020 in six counties from the north-western region of Romania. The samples were serologically tested by ELISA and serum neutralization test. Results: Overall, we obtained a seroprevalence of 3.17% for WNV, 0.08% for TBEV, and 0% for USUV. Conclusion: Despite the low seroprevalence of WNV, USUV, and TBEV in our study, we highlight the need for continuous nationwide vector and disease surveillance and implementation of control measures. Further research is required for an optimal overview of the epidemiological status of the Romanian population regarding these flaviviruses together with countrywide awareness campaigns.

Epidemiological aspects in phenylketonuria patients from a region in northwestern Romania

Introduction. Phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disease with autosomal dominant transmission, is the most frequent inborn error in aminoacidic metabolism. The variations in phenylalanine-hydroxylase (PAH) gene lead to a lowered enzymatic activity causing hyperphenylalaninemia. PKU has a mean European prevalence of 1:10,000 newborns, with a large variation in different ethnicities and geographic regions. The large genetic variability (over 1200 genetic variants known) as well as other factors determines a wide spectrum of metabolic phenotypes. Untreated, PKU leads to irreversible intellectual disability, low stature, hypopigmentation, motor deficits, seizures, but the early diagnosis and treatment enables almost normal somatic and mental development. Aim. The aim of this study is the determination of the impact of non-genetic factors over the clinical phenotype of PKU patients in a region of north-west Romania. Material and method. The study group is formed from 44 patients diagnosed with phenylketonuria in the 1981 – 2021 period, found in the database of Bihor Regional Center for Medical Genetics, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Oradea, Romania. The collected data was referring to the age, sex and domicile of the patients, the age of the diagnosis and the beginning of the treatment, also the metabolic control over the years, the metabolic phenotype of the patients and its impact on the clinical phenotype (IQ, the presence or absence of intellectual disability or the existence of a specific clinical phenotype). Results. The majority of patients (66%) were diagnosticated with phenylketonuria in the first 4 months of life, although there were cases with a late diagnosis, 20.5% of the patients were diagnosticated after the age of 1 year. Based on the pre-treatment plasmatic levels of phenylalanine, the majority of cases (72.7%) had a severe metabolic phenotype (classic PKU - cPKU), 20.5% of cases had a milder form of PKU (mPKU) and 6.8% of patients were found with a mild hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA). In the case of 23 patients, an optimal metabolic control was not obtained. The specific phenotype (blonde hair, light skin, blue eyes) was found in 22.7% of cases, 77.3% not having these features. At 68.2% of cases intellectual disability was found, with different levels of severity: 5 patients (11.5%) had liminal intellect, 9 patients (20.5%) had mild mental retardation, 6 patients (13.6%) had moderate mental retardation, 9 cases (20.5%) were with severe mental retardation and 1 patient (2.3%) had profound mental retardation; 31.8% of cases had normal intellect. The prevalence in Bihor county is 1:7,843 newborns. Discussions. A partial or, in rare cases, total lack of dietetic treatment was observed in all patients over 20 years old (current age). The delay in treatment initiation or an insufficient treatment, with a suboptimal metabolic control, will affect patient’s intellect, regardless of metabolic phenotype. If in 20 years old patients, or older, the main reason for mental retardation is the lack of dietetic treatment availability in the first years of life, for the younger patients the reason for mental retardation is usually a lack of compliance with the treatment. The majority of metabolic phenotypes is cPKU, in concordance with the literature data; the mild phenotype (HPA) was observed in a small percentage of patients, smaller than the data reported in the literature. In the first two studied decades the mild phenotypes were seldom observed. In the absence of screening tests or suggestive clinical manifestation it can be assumed that HPA patients remained undiagnosed, which would explain the small HPA percentage in the study group. A significant improvement in metabolic control in younger patients compared with older ones was observed, which denotes a better access to specific alimentation on one side, and o the other side, a better understanding of the disease from the patients and their families. Also, this study confirms a known fact that the diet in PKU is of great importance in the disease evolution. In this study there were included patients with severe metabolic phenotype with good metabolic control which reached adulthood without intellectual deficits, with higher education, social integrated and also patients with mild metabolic phenotype but with a poor metabolic control which developed intellectual deficiency. Conclusions. The PKU prevalence in Bihor county is higher than the estimated national value. The late diagnosis and treatment or the poor metabolic control led to intellectual disability, regardless of the metabolic phenotype. PKU screening and the better access to treatment allows younger generations of patients to enjoy a superior quality of life than the patients from the first two studied decades.

Study of the heavy metal content of floodplain soils along the upper Tisza River by sequential BCR extraction in Hungary

In this study PTEs, [potentially toxic elements (Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn)] were investigated in the upper layer of floodplain soils that occurred as a result of accident in the area of two mine tailings in Northwestern Romania. A large amount of sediment was deposited on the soil of floodplains along the Hungarian section of River Tisza, which could represent a threat to the environment. Floodplain soil samples were collected from four locations in Hungary from an area of the river stretching to about 250 km. BCR (Bureau Communautaire de Référence) sequential extraction method was used to analyze both post-flood and present samples. Most of the analyzed elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) were found in the residual fraction, but there is a notable soluble amount in hydroxylammonium chloride extractable fraction. The results allow a comparison of the changes that have taken place over time, in addition to serving as a basis for further studies.

The Etiology and Epidemiology of Pediatric Facial Fractures in North-Western Romania: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.

Pediatric facial fractures are not as common as facial fractures occurring in the adult population. Their therapeutic approach is different because they affect patients with active growth, and have an etiology and epidemiology that vary depending on different cultural, religious and demographic factors. This research aimed to identify the main factors involved in the etiology of pediatric facial fractures, as well as the epidemiology of pediatric facial fractures in a sample of children and adolescents from North-Western Romania. This 10-year retrospective study was performed in a tertiary center for oral and maxillofacial surgery in North-Western Romania. Medical files of patients that were admitted between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2022 were analyzed. Pediatric patients aged 0 to 18 years were included in this study. The final sample consisted of 142 children and adolescents diagnosed with facial fractures, with this number representing 14.1% of all patients affected by facial fractures. Most frequently, fractures were identified in the 13–18 age group (78.9%, n = 112), which were more often associated with fractures caused by interpersonal violence than caused by road traffic accidents, falls or animal attacks. Boys were more affected (88%, n = 125), and were more frequently associated with fractures caused by interpersonal violence. The most frequently identified etiological factors included interpersonal violence (50%, n = 71), falls (18.3%, n = 26) and road traffic accidents (11.3%, n = 16). In terms of location, the mandible was the most affected facial bone structure (66.2%, n = 94), and patients with mandibular fractures were more frequently associated with fractures caused by interpersonal violence. The incidence of pediatric facial fractures should be lowered because they may interfere with the proper development of the facial skeleton. Establishing measures aimed at preventing interpersonal violence, as well as other causes involved in the etiology of facial fractures is imperative.

The significance of iron ooids from the middle Eocene of the Transylvanian Basin, Romania

The middle Eocene ironstone of the Transylvanian Basin, Romania, provides new insight into the genesis and paleoenvironmental significance of ferruginous ooids. An horizon at the base of the Căpuş Formation in north-western Romania, well known for the spectacular nummulite banks there exposed, documents a peculiar association of large foraminifera within a matrix dominated by millimetric Fe-ooids. These red-brownish Fe-ooids are well evident through the whitish colour of the carbonatic host matrix. An integrated analysis of the ooids, carried out by Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy, Micro-X-ray Diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, allowed its detailed chemical and mineralogical characterization. Ooids are mostly composed of continuous concentric cortical layers of goethite interlayered by a few thin layers of phosphatic phases, whereas nuclei are made of ferruginous grains. No evidence of biological activity was detected in the cortex of the ooids to support a bio-mediated genesis. The occurrence of this ironstone testifies the existence of ferruginous bottom waters in the Eocene tropical/sub-tropical shallow-marine settings of the central Neotethyan Realm. The limited extension of the iron source area suggests that also local (e.g., not global) events could have been able to trigger iron ooidal deposition throughout the Phanerozoic.

Orthodontic Adolescent Patients' Attitudes toward Protective Face Mask Wearing during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictive measures, which aimed to limit the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These restrictions impacted all areas of life, including the activity of dental offices. For patients with orthodontic appliances, closing the dental offices was a major issue, as most orthodontic treatments last for more than a year and require regular checkups. The aim of this research was to assess the impact that the restrictive measures that were imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and, especially, wearing a face mask had on a sample of Romanian teenagers undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 277 orthodontic patients, with ages between 12 and 17.9 years, from North-Western Romania. They completed a 9-item questionnaire. The control group consisted of 231 participants, with ages between 12 and 17.9 years. They completed an 8-item questionnaire. Results: Most patients from the study group were not worried that wearing a protective face mask would hide their braces (never—49.5%; rarely—26.7%), and their desire to undergo an orthodontic treatment was not affected by the compulsoriness of face mask wearing (never—51.6%; rarely—26%). In contrast to that, in the control group, more than 50% of the participants were worried to some degree that wearing a protective face mask would hide their smile (occasionally—29.9%; frequently—18.2%; very frequently—2.2%). The majority of the participants from the study group did not consider interrupting the orthodontic treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic (62.5%), and the majority of the participants from the control group did not consider not going to the dentist due to the COVID-19 pandemic (70.6%). Most of the participants from the study group were not happy that they had to wear a face mask, which covered their orthodontic appliances, during the orthodontic treatment (68.6%). The attitude was similar to that of the participants from the control group, who were not happy that they had to wear a face mask, that covered their smile (51.1%). In the study group, most patients did not want face mask wearing to continue to be compulsory, given the fact that their orthodontic appliances were no longer visible (52%). In the control group, the attitude was similar, with 48.1% of the participants not wanting face mask compulsoriness to be maintained. Conclusions: In conclusion, although, most patients would not like to continue wearing a face mask as a mandatory regulation, they were not concerned or negatively affected by wearing a protective face mask, even though face masks hid their braces.

Low Population Structure and Genetic Diversity in Rhinolophus blasii at the Northern Limit of Its European Range: Are there Undiscovered Colonies?

The Blasius's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus blasii) shows a fragmented distribution in the European part of its range, and its populations are threatened by many human-induced factors. The status and distribution of the species in Romania are largely unknown. In recent years, regular bat surveys and monitoring have confirmed the presence of the species in north-western Romania, in Gălăşeni Cave, Pădurea Craiului Mountains, representing the northernmost distribution point of R. blasii in Europe. In our study we investigated whether this northernmost colony is genetically isolated from, or related to, larger populations in south-western Romania. A combined analysis of two mitochondrial (12S, HVII) and two nuclear (RAG2, DBY7) genetic markers was used in order to reveal possible relationships between these populations. The small number of haplotypes, the presence of shared haplotypes and overall low population structure suggest that the south-western and north-western Romanian populations are related through yet unidentified colonies of R. blasii, with continuous migration between them. Our results also indicate that the R. blasii colony from Gălăşeni Cave was established by female individuals migrating not far from their birthplace. To preserve this marginal population in a long term, conservation measures need to be strengthened and properly enforced, in parallel with the search for new R. blasii colonies in the region. To our knowledge, the present work represents the only molecular study of R. blasii in Europe.

Fast Wheel Gravel-tempered Coarse Ware Found in 7th–10th-Century Cemeteries from Western Romania

Sometime in the 7th century, pottery made with a potter’s wheel reaching a medium rotation speed appeared in the Carpathian Basin. This particular pottery, generically referred to as “Danubian-type pottery”, evolved in different ways from one region to another until it was generalized in the 8th century as a specific type that characterizes large areas in central and south-eastern Europe. Owing to the technical innovations that led to the improvement of the potter’s wheel, pottery also began to be produced on the fast-rotating wheel. However, 7th–10th-century fast wheel pottery from Transylvania should not be regarded as an ethnic attribute. Early Medieval wheel-thrown pottery is recorded not only in settlements but also in inhumation and bi-ritual cemeteries from Transylvania, north-western Romania and Crișana (centralwestern Romania), constantly appearing from the Middle Avar period (AD 650/670) until the end of the 10th century (Tab. 1–2). The list of finds thus demonstrates that all population groups archaeologically attested in Transylvania by material evidence and, especially, spiritual activities knew fast wheel pottery. These are mainly Avar and Slavic populations, represented in the group of Avar cemeteries at the Mureș river bend in central Transylvania and the Mediaș Group, which can be attributed to the Slavic and Slavo-Avar populations of the Transylvanian Plateau.

Comparative phylogeography of two troglobitic Coleoptera (Leiodidae, Leptodirini) species from Romania based on mitochondrial DNA

About 50 species of cave-obligate Leptodirini (Leiodidae) beetles have been described so far in Romania, most of them populating caves in the Apuseni Mountains (north-western Romania) and the Southern Carpathians. In this contribution, we present the first molecular phylogeographic study of the two troglobiotic Pholeuon species from the Apuseni Mountains. The two species are Pholeuon (s.str.) leptodirum and Pholeuon (Parapholeuon) gracile, endemic to Bihorului Mountains and Pădurea Craiului Mountains, respectively. To examine the genetic divergence within and between the two species we sequenced 571 bp of the mitochondrial COI gene in a total of 145 specimens, 56 specimens of the first species (collected in five caves) and 89 of the second species (collected in eight caves) across their geographic ranges. We found very low genetic variation, four haplotypes in P. leptodirum and seven haplotypes in P. gracile, and a maximum of 0.7% and 0.9% intraspecific divergence, respectively. However, a significant genetic divergence of 6.55% was found between species. The results are consistent with previous definitions of the two species based on morphological characters, while caution should be taken in considering attributions to different subspecies. Our research contributes to the phylogeographic information of troglobitic beetles, providing a solid basis for future comparison with other terrestrial or aquatic cave adapted species.

The medieval parish church of Baia Mare: preliminary results of an archaeological research project

Baia Mare (Nagybánya in Hungarian, a town today in Northwestern Romania) was an important mining town in medieval Hungary. It was called Rivulus Dominarum, meaning “Lady’s Creek.” The town owed its emergence and prosperity to gold and silver mining and related minting. The town, therefore, was an important economic centre, not only in the region but also for the whole Hungarian Kingdom. Once a large parish church stood near the main square, but it became almost entirely dismantled, only its tower standing since the second half of the 19th century. From 2012 to 2014, archaeological excavations were carried out in the parish church and its surroundings; the results allow us to outline a much more detailed picture of this significant medieval building.

Vegetation And Productive Potential of Dominant Grasslands by Festuca Valesiaca and Agrostis Capillaris in Northwestern Romania

The aim of our research is to develop a floristic, phytocenological, ecological, cytogenetic, economic, syndynamic and ecoprotective study of the vegetation of the dominant grasslands of Festuca valesiaca Scleicher ex Gaudin and Agrostis capillaris L. in the North-West region of Romania. A numer of 20 phytocenological surveys were carried out in the most representative sample areas in order to find answers to the five objectives pursued. The species from the floristic inventory of the grasslands are included in the Association table according to the cenotic affinity criteria as characteristic and differential entities for the cenotaxons of the alliance, order and class. The phytocoenoses of the grasslands gathered in the association Agrostio-Festucetum valesiacae are statistically analysedin the results based on tables, histograms, dendrograms, diagrams on the distribution of species in ecological bioforms categories, phytogeographic elements, cytogenetic elements, ecological indices or factors: soil moisture, air temperature, soil chemical reaction. The succession dynamics of phytocoeneoses, the economic value and the productive potential, the sustainable and eco-protective management of the grasslands were all studied. The results thus obtained were compared with two reference papers belonging to authors who conducted more recent studies in different geographical regions. Eight conclusions were drafted in which both the results of the research and the original contribution of the authors are summarized.

Sarmatian and Pannonian mollusks from Pécs-Danitzpuszta, southern Hungary: a unique local faunal succession

As the almost 200-year palaeontological research revealed, the geographical distribution of various fossil mollusk faunas in deposits of the late Neogene Lake Pannon displays a regular pattern. The lake basin was filled by lateral accretion of sediments, resulting in condensed sedimentary successions in the distal parts of the basin and successively younger shallow-water deposits from the margins towards the basin center. Exposed intra-basin basement highs, however, broke this strict pattern when they acted as sediment sources during the lake’s lifetime. The Mecsek Mts in southern Hungary was such an island in Lake Pannon during the early late Miocene. Deposition of the 200 m thick Sarmatian–Pannonian sedimentary succession in Pécs-Danitzpuszta at the foot of the Mecsek Mts was thus controlled by local tectonic and sedimentary processes, resulting in a unique succession of facies and mollusk faunas. A typical, restricted marine Sarmatian fauna is followed by a distinct freshwater or oligohaline interval, which, according to micropalaeontological evidence, still belongs to the Sarmatian. Although poor preservation of fossils does not allow firm conclusions, it seems that freshwater Sarmatian snails were the ancestors of the brackish-water-adapted early Pannonian pulmonate snail taxa. The successive “Sarmatian-type” dwarfed cockle fauna is similar to those widely reported from the Sarmatian–Pannonian boundary in various parts of the Pannonian Basin; however, a thorough taxonomic study of its species is still lacking. The bulk of the sedimentary succession corresponds to the sublittoral to profundal “white marls,” which are widespread in the southern Pannonian Basin. In Croatia and Serbia, they are divided into the Lymnocardium praeponticum or Radix croatica Zone (11.6–11.4 Ma) below, and the Congeria banatica Zone (11.4–9.7 Ma) above; this division can be applied to the Pécs-Danitzpuszta succession as well. Sedimentation of the calcareous marl, however, ceased at Pécs-Danitzpuszta at about 10.5–10.2 Ma ago (during the younger part of the Lymnocardium schedelianum Chron), when silt was deposited with a diverse sublittoral mollusk fauna. Similar faunas are known from the Vienna Basin, southern Banat, and other marginal parts of the Pannonian Basin System, but not from Croatia and Serbia, where deposition of the deep-water white marls continued during this time. Finally, the Pécs-Danitzpuszta succession was capped with a thick, coarse-grained sand series that contains mollusk molds and casts representing a typical littoral assemblage. This littoral fauna is well-known from easternmost Austria, northern Serbia, and northwestern Romania, but never directly from above the sublittoral L. schedelianum Zone. The fauna is characteristic for the upper part of the Lymnocardium conjungens Zone and has an inferred age of ca. 10.2–10.0 Ma. The Pécs-Danitzpuszta succession thus allows to establish the chronostratigraphic relationship between mollusk faunas that have not been observed in one succession nor in close proximity to each other in other parts of the Pannonian Basin.

Hydrothermal Sphalerites from Ore Deposits of Baia Mare Area

Sphalerite is an abundant mineral in the hydrothermal deposits from the Baia Mare and Oaș areas (northwestern Romania). Sphalerite samples were analyzed with an electron probe microanalyzer and Raman spectroscopy. The obtained results indicated different amounts of Fe in the various deposits from the Baia Mare and Oaș areas. The sphalerites from Baia Sprie, Cavnic, Iba, Turț Penigher, and Breiner have a low Fe wt.% content. High Fe wt.% contents are at Herja and partly at Ghezuri and Nistru (copper stage) where sphalerite is associated with pyrrhotite. The correlation between iron and zinc from sphalerites is strongly negative. The negative correlation shows that iron is the main element that replaces zinc in the sphalerite structure. The manganese content of sphalerites in the Baia Mare and Oaș area is up to 0.84 wt.%. The cadmium content is quite uniform in the Baia Mare and Oaș area with contents ranging from 0.01 to 0.72 wt.%. The Fe content of sphalerites is an important indicator of the physico-chemical conditions of deposit formation because it is a function of temperature, pressure, and sulfur fugacity.

Breastfeeding Practices and Determinant Factors of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers of Children Aged 0-23 Months in Northwestern Romania.

In terms of breastfeeding (BF) practices in Romania, there is a lack of up-to-date data. The aim of the present study was to assess current BF practices, and to investigate the factors associated with exclusive BF (EBF) under 6 months of age in northwestern Romania. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data among 1399 mothers of children aged 0–23 months, recruited between March and June 2019, from the community. BF practices were evaluated based on the World Health Organization indicators for assessing infant and young child feeding practices, whereas determinants of EBF were explored using logistic regression models. Almost all mothers (95.7%) breastfed their child at least once. The EBF rate was 46.7%, the continued BF rate at one year of age was 54.2%, and the continued BF rate at 2 years of age was 30.3%. The place of delivery and parental leave duration were strong determinants of EBF. The improving rates observed in this study for all the BF practices assessed suggest the continuation of efforts to develop effective national policies and programs for promoting, protecting, and supporting BF in Romania. Particular emphasis should be given to the creation in maternity hospitals of an environment that is supportive towards breastfeeding.