Gypsy Research Articles

The prevalence of implant success versus failure in a Romanian sample population. A retrospective study

The prevalence of implant success versus failure in a Romanian sample population. A retrospective study

Examining the Detrimental Consequences of Delaying Romania’s Full Accession to the Schengen Area: A Security-Centric Approach Aligned with Sustainable Development and Quality of Life

PURPOSE: To highlight the degree of perception among the young population in Romania (ages 18–35) regarding the impact of the decisions by some European Union (EU) countries to delay the full acceptance (air, maritime, and land) of Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area on various indicators characterizing the country’s sustainable development, national security interests, and the quality of life of the population. This study was deemed timely in light of the EU’s decision regarding the removal of air and maritime border controls with Romania starting on 31 March 2024 (“Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area, air and maritime”), while maintaining controls at land borders (non-acceptance of “land accession”), under the conditions of Romania fully meeting all the requirements imposed by European legislation, a situation considered by national authorities and the Romanian public as discrimination compared to European states, and causing significant disadvantages in terms of sustainable development and the country’s security interests. METHODS: The study was based on a questionnaire administered to 785 Romanian citizens aged 18–35 years. Data were collected during the period from 15 March 2024 to 15 April 2024, centered around the date of 31 March 2024, which marks “Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area, air and maritime”, through the elimination of EU air and maritime border controls with Romania. The main method used was statistical analysis (descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate), focused on detecting and assessing the degree of respondents’ awareness regarding the efforts of authorities for the full accession of Romania to the Schengen Area and the EU’s response to this effort; the negative impact of delaying the elimination of controls at the EU’s land borders with Romania (“land accession”) on national security interests, on the sustainable development of the country by relating to the objectives of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda developed at the United Nations Summit in September 2015, and on the quality of life of people in Romania. Additionally, the study was based on empirical research of the analyzed issues, in accordance with the available literature. RESULTS: The study reveals that, in the context of a very high level of awareness among respondents regarding the efforts of national authorities for Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area (75.26–91.30%) and access to credible information resources and materials about these efforts (65.10–73.05%), Romania’s status as a full-fledged EU member is a determining factor for motivating Romania’s full accession to the Schengen Area (83.33–93.48%). Furthermore, the decisions of some European states to delay full accession are perceived as subjective/unfair actions that are likely to limit/violate the access/facilities of Romanian citizens, as full-fledged EU citizens, to the values of the European democratic space (59.12–76.69%). Additionally, respondents believe that these decisions are likely to affect Romania’s security interests (43.61–56.52%), exacerbate the discrepancies between the living standards of Romania’s population and those of Western European countries (47.59–71.73%), and negatively impact the national implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda objectives, as these objectives mostly target significant national infrastructures. Moreover, the WHOQOL-BREF measurement tool shows that these decisions negatively affect, to a large and very large extent, the quality of life of people in Romania (32.07–41.31%), with specific characteristics of the investigated domains (“Physical”, “Psychological”, “Environmental”, and “Social”), depending on the considered socio-demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that the study conducted provides a scientifically documented information base regarding respondents’ awareness of Romania’s efforts to join the Schengen Area, their perception of the direct consequences on national security, sustainable development of Romania, and quality of life, as a result of the decisions by some EU countries to delay Romania’s full accession to the Schengen Area. Lastly, the study reveals the correlation between the dissatisfaction/frustration of the population caused by the decision to delay Romania’s full accession to the Schengen Area and the questioning of the social, economic, political, and security consequences induced by this decision.

Genetic Insights into Skeletal Malocclusion: The Role of the FBN3 rs7351083 SNP in the Romanian Population.

Background and Objectives: irregularities in the growth and development of the jawbones can lead to misalignments of maxillary and mandibular structures, a complex condition known as skeletal malocclusion, one of the most common oral health problems. Skeletal malocclusions, particularly Class II and Class III, can significantly affect facial appearance, chewing efficiency, speech, and overall oral health, often requiring orthodontic treatment or surgery to correct. These dentofacial anomalies are influenced by genetic and environmental factors and exhibit diverse phenotypic expressions. Materials and Methods: in this study, we investigated the correlation between the rs7351083 SNP of the FBN3 gene that encodes a member of the fibrillin protein family and malocclusion risk in a group of 57 patients from Romania. Results: the results shed light on the relationship between the selected genetic marker and the investigated dentofacial disorder, revealing a positive association between the reference allele (A) and Class II and that the alternate allele (G) is associated with Class III. Conclusions: cephalometric analysis revealed no significant differences among genotypes, suggesting that while genetic factors are implicated in malocclusion, they may not directly affect cephalometric parameters or that the sample size was too small to detect these differences. The discovery of an A > T transversion in one individual with a Class II deformity underscores the genetic diversity within the population and the necessity of comprehensive genotyping to uncover rare genetic variants that might influence craniofacial development and the risk of malocclusion. This study highlights the need for larger studies to confirm these preliminary associations.

Clinical and Metabolic Particularities of a Roma Population with Diabetes-Considering Ethnic Disparities in Approaching Healthcare Management.

The Roma population is Europe's largest ethnic minority, yet data on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases remain scarce in medical literature. This study aimed to compare the clinical and metabolic particularities of a Roma population with diabetes with a group of non-Roma. We conducted an observational, transversal study and evaluated 808 adult patients with diabetes mellitus, from a tertiary diabetes care hospital. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high among both groups, 94.3% in the Roma patients and 89.1% in the non-Roma. A slightly higher mean value of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index was observed among the Roma group (10.07 ± 0.71 versus 9.71 ± 0.82). Among the non-Roma, variables that were significantly associated with the TyG index were glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), while among the Roma, HbA1c and HDL-c were correlated with this index. There were no differences concerning myocardial infarction; however, the number of patients with a history of stroke was 2.1 times higher in the Roma group compared to the non-Roma group. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular disease, and microvascular complications among the study's Roma population are quite significant, underscoring the importance of ethnic disparities in approaching healthcare management strategies.

Modeling Religious Coexistence: The Turkish and Tatar Muslim Communities in Romania’s Dobruja

The peaceful coexistence of different religions is crucial today, especially with the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Levant and the arrival of new refugees and immigrants with diverse faith traditions. In Romania, while immigrants may face challenges integrating into the predominantly Romanian Orthodox religious majority, the Dobrogean Model of Religious Pluralism is a pattern of inter-religious coexistence with the potential to clarify the critical factors needed to facilitate peaceful pluralism among religious groups. Utilizing Rogers Brubaker’s triadic-nexus configuration of national minorities, nationalizing states, and external national homelands alongside various qualitative methods, this paper will investigate the historical and institutional elements for promoting peaceful coexistence, particularly with an eye toward the Islamic minority in the Dobruja region. The study will also examine the crucial role of state and affiliated institutions in promoting tolerance and coexistence by protecting freedom of religion. Romania's location at the crossroads of the East and West and the Dobruja region's reputation as a model of religious pluralism makes it an excellent case study for identifying critical factors for the peaceful coexistence of religions in contemporary societies.

The experiences and outcomes of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller pregnant people in pregnancy: A scoping review.

Within Europe, Roma, Gypsy, and Traveller groups have been marginalized and discriminated against by larger society. Persecution and displacement have resulted in high rates of unemployment, reduced access to education, and poorer health, with significantly increased risk of poverty compared with the general population. In pregnancy, there appears to be a gap in the literature surrounding the experiences and outcomes of pregnant people within these ethnic groups. The aim of this study was therefore to scope published research, specifically questioning "What is the experience of Roma Gypsy and Traveller pregnant people who access maternity care?" and "What are the obstetric outcomes within these groups?" This review followed frameworks proposed by Arksey and O'Malley, Levac, and the Joanna Brigg's Institute. The PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) tool was used. The search strategy and specific terms were chosen using the population-concepts-context framework. Titles and abstracts were reviewed independently by two reviewers. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined to set clear guidance for reviewers to identify appropriate studies. Five electronic databases were searched (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE [OVID] Web of Science and SCOPUS). A charting form was developed to record key characteristics systematically and uniformly from the studies. Five themes were identified: systemic issues, antenatal care, complications of pregnancy, birth experience, and postnatal care. Systemic issues included racism, barriers to care, and adapted antenatal care. Antenatal issues included teenage pregnancy, smoking, risk of venous thrombus embolism, dietary issues, risk of communicable diseases, domestic violence, and mental health concerns. Increased risks of congenital abnormalities, growth restriction, premature labor, and perinatal and early childhood mortality were identified. For Roma women, negative birth experiences were reported, whereas the experiences of Traveller women varied. The findings identified in this study serve to create a framework upon which healthcare providers can tailor the way in which pregnant people from a Roma, Gypsy, or Irish Traveller background are cared for. Using such a framework would hopefully begin to reduce the systematic marginalization and discrimination of these minorities.

Football as a Medium for (Transnational) Integration of the Romani People

Southeastern Europe is home to numerous Romani communities, each distinctive in their own way depending on their country of origin and the time of immigration, language, customs, religion etc. Based on multi-sited ethnographic research (in the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Serbia), this paper discusses the role of football (professional, amateur and recreational) in the integration of the Roma people. Considering the size and diversity of Romani communities, research results show that football, as the most popular sport, enables easier social integration into the ethnic community on the local and transnational levels. Various football activities (minority football camps, tournaments) are initiated and organized by the Roma community itself. Although the Roma people legally enjoy full civil rights, football serves as a means to reduce discrimination, inequalities, poverty and social exclusion. In order for young Roma to train in clubs, they have to attend school regularly, which results in economic integration. This research also contributes to the creation of public integration policies which are implemented by the very minority and immigrant communities working transnationally.

Genetic Diversity Based on the Analysis of 27 Y- Short Tandem Repetition (STR) Loci in Two Populations in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania.

Y chromosome analysis is used in various fields of forensic genetics, genetic genealogy, and evolutionary research, due to its unique characteristics. Short tandem repetitions (STR) are particularly relevant in population genetic studies. The aimof this study is to analyze the genetic profile of two populations in the Apuseni Mountains area, Băița and Roșia Montană, Romania. 27 STR loci of the Y chromosome were analyzed to investigate the genetic profile of two populations from the Apuseni Mountains area. Investigating genetic diversity by analyzing allele frequency, haplotype frequency, calculating forensic parameters, and presenting the main haplogroups identified based on Y-STR markers. Gene diversity in the batch from Băița varies from 0.515 for the DYS393 locus to 0.947 for the DYS385 locus. In the Roșia Montană population, gene diversity ranges from 0.432 for DYS393 to 0.931 for DYS385. The haplotype diversity in Roșia Montană was 0.991, and the haplotype diversity was 1.000 in the population from Băița. A total of nine haplogroups was identified in the batch from Băița, while only seven haplogroups were observed in the batch from Roșia Montană. Both groups are based on the same five major haplogroups (E, G, I, J, and R) and the most common haplogroup is R1b in both populations. In this study, the genetic diversity of two distinct populations was assessed using genetic analyses based on different markers. Analysis of Y-STR profiles revealed significant genetic diversity in both studied groups. All haplogroups identified were similar to those present in other Romanian populations.

Adapting public policies to current demographic trends

About most of types of crises we have got very few details about how they are starting, how they are developing or about their impact on immediate or long term. Either is the COVID-19 pandemic (nobody was able to anticipate the start of the pandemic, although such risk was known as probable, as well as the predictions about its evolution were extremely diverse), about the Ukrainian war or about the economic crisis which already is made visible by an increasing inflation and employment, but particularly about the cumulative effect of these crises, we are confronted with a high degree of uncertainty and with the difficulty to plan and implement a response. The article brings into discussion another type of crises, the family and child policy crisis, of which beginning was known (or rather ignored) but of which effects on long term are clearly identifiable. An important consequence, the demographic crisis, strongly tied to the child and family deficit protection, has built during a three decade period, the National Institute of Statistics (2021) showing that in 2060 the Romanian population will fall to 14.54 million people, because of significant fertility decline and because of an increasing emigration. Basically, the population of Romania was in 2021 slightly below to the population registered in 1966, although during the last over three decades of the communist regime was implemented an aggressive pro-natalist policies. The article aims to identify the main features of the family policies and those targeting the elderlies into the context of a sharp demographic decline.

From “At Risk” to “Dangerous” People. The Roma Between Development Policies and Practices of Expulsion

Over more than three decades since the fall of state socialism in Central and Eastern Europe, the position of the Roma in the region is rather ambivalent. Numerous European institutions, inter-governmental development agencies, national governments and European and national/local non-governmental organizations are involved in a pan-European effort to turn the tide for the Roma. The paper argues that although there are numerous efforts to implement development policies and programs to bridge the gap between Roma and non-Roma, there is still a gap between the discourses and inclusion policies developed at the European and national level and those at the sub-national level. There is a tendency to move away from the framing of Roma as an “at risk” group to seeing them as “dangerous people”, who pose threats to the security of others. The paper uses two sets of data sources. First, it employs a secondary analysis of three recent databases: – SocioRoMap – Sociographic mapping of Roma communities in Romania for community-level monitoring of changes regarding Roma integration (2017) and two surveys conducted by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (2011 and 2016). The second data source is based on semi-structured interviews carried out in several research projects that the author has participated in over the last few years. In conclusion, I argue that the two political projects of institutional developmentalism and securitization of the lifestyle of the poorest Roma can coexist, but the abandonment of the former can lead to complex social problems in the future.

Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease to Dialysis in the Roma Population With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Comparison With Caucasian Patients.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant health challenge among patients, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality outcomes. However, there remains a paucity of data within the medical literature on the Roma population, one of the most significant minority groups globally, with studies indicating that these individuals are disproportionately affected by CKD compared to the general population, with higher prevalence rates. Materials and methods We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study from October 2022 to March 2024, evaluating 735 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, of which 402 were Roma, aged 18 to 89 years, following the hospital's standard protocols for diabetes management, at the "Nicolae Malaxa" Clinical Hospital in Bucharest, Romania, a tertiary care center for diabetes. Results The prevalence of CKD was higher among the Roma patients, reaching 56.50% (n=203), in comparison with the Caucasian group (43.50%, n=156), however, with a lower mean age (55.53±10.56 years versus 63.32±10.04 years). Roma patients with CKD had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease compared to Caucasians, including myocardial infarction, stroke, stable angina, and heart failure. Cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia, in patients with CKD, were also more prevalent among the Roma population. Taking into consideration the natural progression of CKD, the anthropometric measurements and laboratory parameters stratified by ethnicity revealed that Roma patients in the very high risk of CKD progression category had a lower mean age, and a lower median duration of diabetes (56.37±10.79 versus 59.92±7.48 years, and 4.00±2.00 versus 10.00±10.30 years, respectively), as well as a more elevated mean waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) compared to Caucasians. Moreover, patients in the very high risk of CKD progression category among both groups showed the highest level of insulin resistance, measured by the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index (mean value of 10.13±0.60 among the Roma patients, and 10.09±0.82 among Caucasians). Among the study group, weight, WC, BMI, and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) were associated with a very high risk of progression of CKD. In Caucasian patients, it was demonstrated that weight, WC, BMI, ABSI, and triglycerides (TG) have contributed to the very high risk of progression of CKD, while among the Roma patients, no association was found. Conclusion In conclusion, our findings suggested a high prevalence of CKD among both groups. There is still a need for further investigation of additional risk factors, such as genetics, limited access to health education, and appropriate treatments that could synergistically accelerate the progression of CKD among Roma patients.

Environmental sensitivity in the 27 National Roma Integration Strategies of the European Union member states

ABSTRACT The Roma people, particularly in Central and Eastern European countries, often live ethnically segregated in inadequate housing or without access to basic services (water, sewage system, electricity). Exposure to these harmful environmental factors jeopardizes their health and hinders their social integration. This study delves into the sensitivity of the National Roma Integration Strategies (NRIS) (2012–2020) regarding the environmental factors that affect the Roma population. Previous studies have explored gender or identity in the strategies, but few have analysed environmental sensitivity. Based on World Health Organization (WHO) reports, we consider the following environmental factors: housing, access to basic services, urban environment, working environment and injuries at home. The sensitivity of the 27 NRIS to these factors was quantified in all crucial areas (housing, health, education, employment). An inductive analysis of the operational content (measures, actions) was conducted on nine NRIS. The Member States in the southeast of the European Union were more environmentally sensitive than their counterparts in the northwest. The salient environmental factors were housing and basic services. The nine NRIS analysed show two approaches (western/eastern) in addressing the environmental conditions of the Roma population. Finally, although we identified environmental factors in the NRIS, this issue was not systematically addressed.

Romani American history: Historical absences and their consequences

American historians have created an historical absence by ignoring Romani people’s presence in evidence from the past. The origins of this “absence-ing” are multifaceted and interrelated, but fundamentally stem from the continued influence of out-of-date and unprofessional ways of thinking and knowing. Examining and understanding “absence-ing” requires a consideration of the nature of the discipline of history as well as a history of the missing historicization of Romani Americans. The consequences of the “absence-ing” of Romani people from American histories have negatively and distinctively influenced four different groups of people: historians of the Americas; historians of Romani people in Europe; Romani studies scholars of the Americas who are not historians; and Romani Americans. The harm that each of these four groups experiences builds upon and influences the others. Epistemic injustice is thus perpetuated in linked ways. This article was published open access under a CC BY licence: https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0 .

Fashion and pilgrimage: Discourses constructing Romani identity

Our study interprets the activities and products of Romani Design, a Budapest-based high fashion company. We discuss their creative technique and ideology, which programmatically construct a distinctive Romani identity in their fashion products. Their activities take part not just in the maistream world of fashion shows and fashion business but they also appear in special spaces of representation, for example, in a major city museum exhibition, mobilizing visual parallels with eighteenth-century artistic paintings. They also take part in a religious, ritual event, the dressing of the statue of the Virgin Mary in a church in the Romani community space of the Csatka pilgrimage feast. All three event spaces serve to position a “Gypsy” identity, as well as a confident but also contradictory Romani bodily-spiritual projection through objects and their placement. This article was published open access under a CC BY licence: https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0 .

Does Sex Affect Intergenerational Education Transmission in the Spanish Roma Population?

The Spanish Roma population have shown strong group cohesion and have maintained distinctive characteristics for more than 500 years in Spain. However, this cohesion does not guarantee the homogeneity of the group. The aim of this paper is to determine the diverse effects of the transmission of education to children by parents in all the subgroups of the Spanish Roma population. We analyse the outcome of gender roles for both parents as education transmitters and the recipients (their offspring) while allowing for the heterogeneity in the Spanish Roma population. Our analysis reveals the existence of a clear influence of the parents’ education level, with mothers being more influential than fathers. We also find disparities in education level attained, with females receiving less. This analysis should help to identify the most successful policies to increase the education level of the Spanish Roma population.

The Importance of Ecovillage Communities in Romania

Abstract This paper aims to analyze and propagate the concept of eco-village as much as possible within the majority of Romanian communities. A sustainable ecovillage or village is a traditional or intentional community created to become socially, culturally, economically and ecologically sustainable. The ecovillage community hosts an alternative way of organizing people’s lives, so as to create sustainable relationships between people and the environment, without altering it. This study incorporates a model of successful eco-village, corroborated with the necessary factors and strategies that determine the formation of social and civic capital. There are numerous claims from researchers and community members, in the academic and grey literature, that intentional communities are making significant improvements towards sustainability goals, particularly in terms of environmental impact. However, actual measures of progress, with evidence supporting these claims, are relatively scarce

How Should a Virtual University Be Managed? A Theoretical Approach

Abstract The concept of a virtual university (VU) has grown in popularity among academics. It has been adopted by numerous traditional universities (TU) that got familiar with virtual education since spring 2020, triggered by the pandemic context. Today, university decision-makers should see VU as more than just an anchor, a mechanism to ensure the continuity of the educational process in grave conditions, or a model for distance online education through intense use of information technology (IT). This paper's research shows that a conceptual model of a virtual university (MVU) should be seen as a complex organization with a structure of roles held by people who interact in processes to provide products and services to students, researchers, and other learners in a virtual environment, supported by IT resources. The study aims to highlight management process (MP) on MVU. It analyzes and interprets the MP for an organization, followed by universities. This theoretical approach can address university's tactical management needs from the perspective of transition or adoption of MVU and understanding what it means to manage a VU. The presented way of managing VUs offers unique support for decisions of acceptance within the academic and administrative community in Romania to integrate and offer virtual education.

Are Roma losing their roots? Traditional and non-traditional Roma occupations in two large communities in Romania: Timișoara and Cluj-Napoca

Are Roma losing their roots? Traditional and non-traditional Roma occupations in two large communities in Romania: Timișoara and Cluj-Napoca

Cross-Reactivity of Ragweed Pollen Calcium-Binding Proteins and IgE Sensitization in a Ragweed-Allergic Population from Western Romania.

Ragweed pollen allergy is the most common seasonal allergy in western Romania. Prolonged exposure to ragweed pollen may induce sensitization to pan-allergens such as calcium-binding proteins (polcalcins) and progression to more severe symptoms. We aimed to detect IgE sensitization to recombinant Amb a 9 and Amb a 10 in a Romanian population, to assess their potential clinical relevance and cross-reactivity, as well as to investigate the relation with clinical symptoms. rAmb a 9 and rAmb a 10 produced in Escherichia coli were used to detect specific IgE in sera from 87 clinically characterized ragweed-allergic patients in ELISA, for basophil activation experiments and rabbit immunization. Rabbit rAmb a 9- and rAmb a 10-specific sera were used to detect possible cross-reactivity with rArt v 5 and reactivity towards ragweed and mugwort pollen extracts. The results showed an IgE reactivity of 25% to rAmb a 9 and 35% to rAmb a 10. rAmb a 10 induced basophil degranulation in three out of four patients tested. Moreover, polcalcin-negative patients reported significantly more skin symptoms, whereas polcalcin-positive patients tended to report more respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, both rabbit antisera showed low reactivity towards extracts and showed high reactivity to rArt v 5, suggesting strong cross-reactivity. Our study indicated that recombinant ragweed polcalcins might be considered for molecular diagnosis.

Environmental impacts of tobacco product waste: An investigation on littering attitudes

Cigarette butts are one the most common types of waste. Habits, convenience, lack of ashtrays and bins, accidental discarding of cigarettes due to their small size and the misconception that cigarette butts are biodegradable are just some of the causes associated with this behaviour. Previous studies in several countries show that cigarette butts have become one of improperly disposed waste. The aim of this study is to identify the behaviours and motivations of smokers and to analyse how to dispose of cigarettes after consumption and to quantify the amount of cigarette butts generated by the Romanian population, chosen because its tobacco consumption is very close to the average value of the European Union. To collect these data, a questionnaire was developed, to which respondents from different regions of the country responded. The examination of the questionnaires took place in two stages. Areas of interest were chosen where photos were taken in 2021 November, between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. A total of 184.72 km2 of public open spaces were analysed. We calculated that approximately 3,962,091 out of a total of 4,559,467 residents live in these areas affected by this form of litter. The approach is suitable for replication in similar contexts.