South Albania Research Articles

Distribution of episodes of kidney diseases admitted at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” in Tirana, Albania, during the period 2010-2023

Our aim was to describe the distribution of kidney diseases among hospitalized patients in Tirana, the capital of Albania, during the period 2010-2023. A case-series study was conducted including all episodes admitted with kidney diseases at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” in Tirana during the period 2010-2023 (overall: 15,763 episodes; 46% females; overall mean age: 54.0±17.3 years). We found that ≈56% of the kidney disease episodes were 35-65 years old, followed by >65-year-old individuals (≈28%). Most of the kidney disease episodes (about 43%) hospitalized were from the Tirana region, followed by districts pertinent to South Albania (23%). Older patients (>65 years) were more prevalent among males compared to females (301% vs 25%, respectively; p<0.001). Patients from the Tirana region were more prevalent among females compared to males (45% vs 42%, respectively, p<0.001). This study provides evidence on the distribution of the episodes of kidney diseases admitted at University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” in Tirana, the largest region in Albania, a country in the Western Balkans that is undergoing deep reforms in all sectors, including also the health sector.

Spatial and Temporal Variations of the Hydrochemical Parameters in the Gravelly Aquifer of the Lower Course of Vjosa River, Albania

Vjosa is the main river of South Albania. Currently, the confined Quaternary gravelly aquifer in its lower course supplies drinking water for roughly 300,000 local residents. In the past years, extracted groundwater quantity has increased, whereas the groundwater quality has been affected by seawater intrusion. This paper aims to assess the groundwater quality and to discuss the dominant hydrochemical processes in the aquifer. To fulfil this goal, the study discusses the groundwater quality’s spatial and temporal variations on the basis of the hydrochemical parameters and ratios for 2010–2021 period, during which data are collected from three monitoring wells, located 6, 14 and 17 km, from the sea. While for 1961–2009 period, hydro-chemical water types and TDS maps are prepared using roughly 100 chemical analyses. The hydro-chemical parameters are discussed related to the factors controlling the groundwater’s chemical constituents and the groundwater extraction. Heavy metals and nitrates’ contents indicate that the aquifer is not affected by anthropogenic pollution. The main conclusion is that the groundwater quality is affected by seawater intrusion due to overexploitation. The study reveals its gaps, mentions its possible usefulness, and underlines the discrepancy between the policy makers and the hydrogeologists approaches concerning groundwater extraction.

Preliminary zooarchaeological analysis of the Phoenice and Butrint excavations (2021 campaign)

The recent archaeological excavation of the Butrint and Phoenice sites in south Albania allows to restart the zooarchaeological analysis. In these samples, the faunal remains have a high level of identification, and their taphonomic conditions show many cut marks. This preliminary zooarchaeological analysis of the Chaonia region show two very similar economies, where the breeding of the main domestic species is followed by a reasonable hunting activity. These preliminary considerations could be useful to environmental study of Epirote area, but also to improve the recovery protocol of these remains together with collaboration of the archaeologists.

Distribution and biology of two Balkan scorpionflies, Panorpa rufostigma and P. lacedaemonia (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

Background and purpose: Two scorpionflies, Panorpa rufostigma Westwood, 1841 and P. lacedaemonia Lauterbach, 1972, are poorly known and understudied from faunistic and ecological aspects. A review of published and new records of two species in the Balkan Peninsula and Crete is presented. Material and methods: The scorpionflies were caught by various entomologists using a sweeping net, preserved in ethanol, and sent to the article authors. Results: Altogether five unpublished records of P. rufostigma and 19 unpublished records of P. lacedaemonia are presented. The paper summarizes the data on the identification, phenology, altitude preferences and habitats of both species. Three collecting places of P. lacedaemonia in south Albania are the first records in the country. Color images detailing some morphological characters of P. lacedaemonia are presented for the first time. Conclusions: Both species have a wider geographical distribution than previously known. The species P. rufostigma is a summer/autumn species preferring shrubby or semi-open stands, often of dry character. The species P. lacedaemonia occurs the whole year with two distributional peaks between and prefers forest or bushy stands, often by water.

Hyalomma aegyptium the dominant hard tick in tortoises Tesdudo hermanni boettgeri found in different regions of Albania

The purpose of this study was to estimate the level of hard tick infestation in the tortoise subspecies Testudo hermanni boettgeri living within the free-range hills and mountains of four regions of central and south Albania. In addition, this study showed the morphological differences of infested and non-infested tortoises in several geographic locations where tortoises are known to be infested with Hyalomma aegyptium, a natural carrier of different zoonotic pathogens. Thirty-six of 145 (24.8%) examined Hermann's tortoises were found to be infested with hard ticks. After the tortoises were carefully captured and controlled, a total of 67 H. aegyptium were collected: 47 in Berati, 11 in Ballshi and 9 in Saranda. None of the 40 tortoises in the Tirana region were found to be infested with ticks. All ticks were identified as H. aegyptium adults. The highest prevalence of tick infestation was in the Berati region at 49.1%, followed by the Ballshi and Saranda region by 24% and 12%, respectively. The mean infestation intensity was 1.86 H. aegyptium per Hermann's tortoise, and it was found that H. aegyptium are less common in large Hermann's tortoises. The number of H. aegyptium male ticks was negatively correlated with the body dimensions of Hermann's tortoises. Hyalomma aegyptium is the most prevalent tick in Hermann's tortoises in three regions of south Albania, and with a typical three-host life cycle in different wild and domestic animals, they may be a vector of zoonotic pathogens. Furthermore, other studies should be conducted to detect the presence of zoonotic pathogens in ticks from these regions and to estimate the risk of transmission in animals and humans.

Impact of climate and management on radial growth dynamics of two coexisting Mediterranean Quercus species in south Albania

In the context of changing climate conditions, it is crucial to understand how trees maintain resistance and resilience to and recover from drought stress and management-related disturbances, and how management (intensive/extensive) modulates tree growth responses to climate. Dendrochronological methods were used to examine radial growth rates, to reconstruct disturbance history and to evaluate growth resistance and resilience to and recovery from disturbance events identified by pointer year analysis in two coexisting Quercus species (Q. macrolepis Kotschy and Q. trojana Webb). Moreover, a dendro-ecological approach was used to quantify climate–growth relationships, including a drought index, the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI). Q. trojana/Q. macrolepis showed major/moderate growth releases and moderate growth suppression. Q. trojana demonstrated statistically lower growth recovery than Q. macrolepis. The climatic drivers of radial growth in Q. macrolepis were May, June, September precipitation, July temperatures and the SPI accumulated since the previous year (up to 18 months); whereas Q. trojana responded significantly to May and June precipitation, July temperatures and the SPI at mid-time scales (< 8 months). Under intensive management, both species were more responsive to precipitation, temperature and short to mid-time scale SPI than during the extensive management period where they showed loss of sensitivity to spring–summer precipitation, temperature and SPI. These results are relevant to understand species vulnerability to climate and management/ human-related disturbances, and the effects of intensive/extensive management in modulating climate (drought)–growth relationships in Q. macrolepis and Q. trojana trees.

At the beginning stages of the “School of Gramos”. The frescoes of the church of transfiguration (Shen Sotiri) in Tremisht, South Albania (1560)

The murals of the single-aisle timber-roofed basilica of the Transfiguration (Shen Sotiri) in Tremisht (Permet, southern Albania) date from 1560. Several features, such as the Theotokos Blachernitissa, the Passion cycle, the courtiers? hats and clothes of certain military saints, as well as the style of the frescoes, lead us to the artistic tradition of the Ohrid Archbishopric. Moreover, a few iconographic peculiarities seem to be associated with Ioannis from Gramosta (before the mid-sixteenth century). Consequently, the ?Tremisht painter? might have been a member of Ioannis? workshop, representing thus the beginning stages of the so-called ?School of Gramos? of Post-Byzantine icon painting.

Depression a common condition in older hospitalized chronic patients-a transversal study

Objective: To examine the prevalence of depression among older hospitalized patients and its relation to chronic diseases. Method: A transversal study was conducted in a Regional Hospital in South Albania which included a total of 100 hospitalized chronic patients. The study lasted one month and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used for the data collection. Each participant completed a validated Albanian version of the questionnaire. Patients diagnosed with various pathologies who presented for examination but were not admitted to the hospital were excluded from the study. For the data analyses were used descriptive statistics. Results: Participants’ mean age was 55.9 ± 18.45. 46 % of patients were female and 54% were male. The results of variables assessing the depression were as follows: 24% of female patients report “Little interest or pleasure in doing things” nearly every day; 15% of female and 11% of male patients report “Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless”; 39% of female and 24% of male patients feel “tired or have little energy”. The diagnosis was significantly associated with the trend for depression, p&lt;0.05. The most frequent diagnoses diagnosis were hypertension, diabetes, and stroke respectively 23.00%, 14.00%, and 10.00%. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms occur more commonly in older hospitalized patients with chronic diseases. They require a longer rehabilitation time, which influences the day hospital stay. For improving the quality of care and life of this patient a routine depression screening and more support from nurses are recommended.

Primary healthcare personnel challenges and barriers on the management of patients with multimorbidity in Albania.

The number of people living with chronic conditions is increasing worldwide with most of these people receiving the needed healthcare services in primary healthcare (PHC) settings. The objective of this study was to explore the main challenges and barriers that PHC providers confront while treating multimorbid patients. This is a qualitative study utilising semi-structured individual in-depth interviews. The study took place in Vlora City, which is the biggest city located in south Albania. Τhe two biggest PHC centres of the city were enrolled. Purposive sampling method was used to recruit PHC practitioners. Main criteria of participation in the study were being fully employed at the enrolled primary care centres, having worked for at least 1year and to deal with multimorbid patients in daily practice. Data collection took place from September 2019 to January 2020. In total, 36 semi-structured interviews took place with 23 (63.9%) nurses and 12 (33.3%) physicians (general practitioners/family doctors). Communication problems and disputes, lack of materials/equipment and the inappropriate infrastructure, miscommunication and problems in doctor-nurse relationships, coordination problems, lack of protocols and problems in the referral system were reported as the main challenges and barriers that the PHC personnel confront. The findings of this study are critical in understanding challenges that PHC personnel face when dealing with multimorbid patients in PHC settings. The emerged knowledge contributes significantly in a better understanding of the actual situation and to inform health policy makers on how to deal with the existing problems.

Variation of Albanian &lt;i&gt;Salvia Officinalis L.&lt;/i&gt; Yield and Essential Oil Composition in Different Harvesting Seasons and Years

The aim of this study is to investigate chemical composition of Salvia Officinalis L. essential oil relating three factors: geographic position, year and harvesting season and the relationship of these factors with each other. Thirteen representative samples were taken for this study, on five locations, in north and south Albania. They were collected in two consecutive years, 2017-2018, and two harvesting periods, June and September. Essential oil extraction was done with Clevenger-type apparatus and each of them was analyzed using GC-FID and GC MS/MS. Yield percentage for different geographic positions but the same year, and harvesting period, June 2017, varies from 2.32% to 3%. During the flowering stage (June), yield percentage is higher (2.3 to 3.0 %) than during the beginning of the fruiting phase (September), (2 to 2.2%). South Albania sage belonged to the camphor ecotype, with a higher percentage during June (41.3% to 43.6%) and lower in September (31.1% to 36.3%). North sage belonged to α-thujone ecotype, with a higher percentage in June (28.4% to 37.3%) and lower in September. The year factor in this study shows a lower effect in essential oil composition and yield percentage. Data obtained from this study are indicative and may be helpful for future commercial cultivation of the Salvia officinalis L. plant. The results of this study, provides indicative information on the selection of the best variety of Salvia officinalis L. to use, in a particular site and harvesting season.

OSMANLI ARŞİV BELGELERİNE GÖRE ARNAVUTLUK TA 1847 TOSKALIK İSYANI VE OSMANLI DEVLETİ NİN MÜDAHALESİ

Albania is a geography ruled by feudal lords and senators before the Ottoman rule. After the region was conquered by the Ottomans, it was connected to Rumeli province. Over time, various sanjaks were established in the Albanian region and direct administration started. As the central authority began to weaken from the eighteenth century onwards, local powers of power have established structures that are autonomous in practice, even though they are officially linked to the state in their territory. Towards the end of the second Mahmud era, the central authority was established by eliminating the pashas and lords that acted in Albania and opposed the state. However, the military, financial and property arrangements brought by Tanzimat caused discomfort in Albania and caused some rebellions, as in other parts of the Osmian country. In 1843 and 1844, such local revolts and other bandit movements shook the public order of the region. With the inurement of the new tax model and the enforcement of the compulsory military service based on the casting lots (kura), a revolt with a wide participation took place in South Albania, known as Toskeria in 1847. This rebellion, which was initiated by the villagers and the highlanders who were disturbed by the new regulations and the former Albanian overlords and chiefs, whose interests were damaged, sometimes openly and often underhand, carried the state for about a year. Among the leaders of the rebellion, the name of Gjoleka, an ancient timar holder , came to the fore. After the revolt was suppressed, new regulations came into force. In this article, the results of the 1847 Toskeria rebellion, the measures taken by the state and the methods used in suppression of the rebellion will be examined in the light of Ottoman archival documents. In the article, besides archival documents, research type books and articles were also used

Ecological particularities of the critically endangered killifish Valencia letourneuxi and its spring-fed habitats: a long-lost endemic species of south Albania

The southernmost part of Albania, the Butrinti Lake area is characterised by a highly diverse freshwater fish community with a high degree of regional endemism. This study focuses on the Corfu killifish (or toothcarp) Valencia letourneuxi (Sauvage, 1880) that is endemic to the western part of the Ionian Ecoregion, and reported in Albania in the past from a single location, Lake Butrinti. Recently, in June 2019, the species has been rediscovered at a very low population density (only 11 individuals collected) in a spring-fed stream in the vicinity of Lake Butrinti. Other fish present together with V. letourneuxi were the native Telestes pleurobipunctatus, Barbus peloponnesius, Anguilla anguilla and Pelasgus thesproticus and the translocated Alburnus sp. Our findings provide useful insights into the ecology and conservation of a Critically Endangered, range-restricted species and its habitats. The Corfu killifish presence correlated negatively with water depth and positively with aquatic vegetation coverage. The conservation implications of our findings both for the target species and the co-occurring fish fauna in its spring-fed habitats are discussed.

Birth Rituals and Cultural Memory of Albanian Diaspora in Ukraine

The article is devoted to the traditional birth rituals of Albanians of Ukraine reflected in their cultural memory. Several migrations from the South Albania since XV-XVI century, following by different geographic, political, ethnic and sociocultural surroundings influenced a lot Albanian traditional culture but ritual practices related to the human birth, still take a special place in the cultural memory of the Albanian diaspora. Memory on ritual practices related to the birth is mostly based on contrasting the past and present that illustrated by rituals related to the folk obstetrics and beliefs about protection, health and well-being of a mother and a child. Specificity of birth rituals is interpreted by bearers of tradition as representation of the group’s identity in a multiethnic environment in the South Ukraine and as a way for Albanians to save and transmit their culture.

How the Musicality of Ethnolinguistic Affects the Cognitive Abilities for Further Learning

The Albanian native speaker’s have a better pronunciation or accent of the foreign language they learn and these phenomena are unique in so called Indo-European languages group, a family group where Albanian is one of the oldest surviving member. Albanian language richness in sound is expressed with writing system of different large alphabets up to 53 letters. Further certain element of ethnography of singing such as iso-polyphony considered by UNESCO as word heritage which has been a form of ancient singing in north as well in the south Albania including Macedonia still vivid in Albania. Characterized by songs consisting of two solo parts, a melody and a countermelody with a choral drone. The structure of the solo parts varies according to the different ways of performing the drone, which has a great variety of structures, especially in the popular style adopted by all groups performing this music. There are these language characteristics and ethnography that affects the native neuroplasticity abilities in learning another language easier and with better pronunciation or accent.

The study of lepidocyclina (eulepidina) (foraminifera) from middle Oligocene to lower Miocene of South Albania

There are studied too many samples from Ionian Zone (geological outcrops and drilling wells) and Koma depression containing Larger Foraminifers, Lepidocyclina (Eulepidina) subgenus. For their study, determination to species level, biometrie and counting measurements known in literature are used. According to proposal (for Mediterranean region) we suggest that in south Albania also can be separated the following species and subspecies: - Lepidocyclina-(Eulepidina) formosoides DOUVILLE R. - Lepidocyclina-(Eulepidina) dilatata (MICHELOTTI) - Lepidocyclina-(Eulepidina) dilatata (MICHELOTTI) var concentrica SILVESTRI For the specimens of microsphaeric generation (B-Form, diameter more than 5 centimeter) maintained the typological concept of classification and were attributed to the species Lepidocyclina (Eulepidina) elephantine LEMOINE and DOUVILLE (1904). They are given briefly the deposition conditions of the shells of this subgenus in flysch (Ionian Zone and mollasic deposits (Korria depression) Middle Oligocene- Lower Miocene age. The paper has been accompanied by means 3 plates.

Interspecific Variation of Micromorphology of Glandular Trichomes between two Salvia Species in South Albania

Interspecific Variation of Micromorphology of Glandular Trichomes between two Salvia Species in South Albania

--------- 1945-1961 (Yugoslav Position on Albanian-Greek Relations 1945-1961)

Bulgarian Abstract: Югославската политика се опитва по много настоятелен и майсторски начин да използва напрежението в албано-гръцките отношения, като един важен фактор, за да тласне албанското ръководство по трудния път на подчинение към Югославия. На 9 юли 1946 г., се подписва Договорът за приятелство и взаимно сътрудничество между Албания и Югославия, който в своя член 3 предупреждава Гърция, че в случай на агресия, Югославия ще подпомогне военно Албания. Непрекъснатите и продължителни претенции на Гърция за анексирането на Южна Албания са един от факторите, които довеждат до подписването на този договор, който причинява редица притеснения в Атина. English Abstract: Yugoslav politics is trying in a very persistent and masterful way to use tensions in Albanian-Greek relations as an important factor in pushing the Albanian leadership on the difficult path of obedience to Yugoslavia. On July 9, 1946, the Albanian and Yugoslav Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Cooperation, which in its article 3 warned Greece that, in the case of aggression, Yugoslavia would support Albania. Greece's persistent and persistent claims for the annexation of South Albania are one of the factors that lead to the signing of this treaty, which causes a number of concerns in Athens.

Basic characteristics and quality of virgin olive oil produced in Corfu (cv. Lianolia) and South Albania (cv. Kalinioti)

In the present study the qualitative characteristics such as peroxide number, absorption coefficients (K232, K270), acidity, total phenols, a-tocopherols, chlorophylls and composition of fatty acids were determined in 19 virgin olive oil samples of “Lianolia” variety cultivated in Corfu and “Kalinioti” variety cultivated in South Albania, harvested in the crop year 2013/2014.&#x0D; Obtained results indicate that all olive oil samples show chemical and physicochemical parameters included in the limits established for virgin olive oils and some of them in the limits for “extra” virgin olive oils.&#x0D; Moreover it was found that the qualitative characteristics of olive oil samples are affected by variety, fruit treatment and the method of olive harvesting (in Corfu olives are collected by hands from plastic nets under the trees, whereas in Albania they are basically collected by hand after falling on the ground). The results of the present study are a first indication of the olive oil quality produced in Corfu and South Albania.

Performing Nostalgia. Migration Culture and Creativity in South Albania

Performing Nostalgia. Migration Culture and Creativity in South Albania

The Migration of the Population in the South Albania: The Case of Gjirokastra Region

In Albania, after the year of 1990 (referred to as the transition), the society is facing with the new social phenomena in shape, but especially in the content. Such phenomena (by different researchers), are also observed in countries that have been in the same socio-economic system as our country (Eastern Europe). The emigration seems clear becomes determinant component of demographic regime in Albania country, because of political instability, economic and social difficulty, high level of unemployment, opening of the country with the world etc. This situation provoked and stimulated a great movement in our population in the 1990s. The study of the emigration dynamic has been very intensive in this part of east Europe. The international migration (especially to Greece), is one of the main impact factor to all socio demo-economic evolution in Gjirokastra region. This research is focused on statistical evidences and analyses of the international migration from Gjirokastra region, after 1990: factors, dimensions, directions, motifs and typology of migrations (causes, distances, individual or familiar, etc.), consequences etc. International migration has been an illegal phenomenon, especially at the beginning. For a better evidence of this phenomena, it is seen and taken under researches and analyses in three dimensions: time (periods of time) and in space that is a more complex in form and content (seen according to communes and villages) and structural of the population (age, gender, ethnic group, education level and settlement). The research will be accompanied by some conclusions and suggestions, at the end. This region has been characterized by a deficit populating evolution, first of all, because of the migration phenomena. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p214