Western Romania Research Articles

Toxoplasmosis Seroprevalence in Romanian Children.

The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Romanian children is currently unknown. A serological survey was undertaken to determine T. gondii infection among children from Western Romania. Serum samples of 441 children (aged 1-18 years) were screened for T. gondii immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies. The overall T. gondii seroprevalence was 16.6% and tended to increase with age. Seroprevalence was 18.4% in children from rural regions and 14.7% in those from urban regions. T. gondii antibodies were demonstrated in 19.5% of females and 13.3% of males. This report provided the first seroepidemiological data and evaluated the demographic risk factors regarding T. gondii infection in children from Western Romania. Our results may serve as a basis for a future prevention program for toxoplasmosis.

Social formation and collapse in the Tisza-Maros region: dating the Maros Group and its Late Bronze Age successors

Abstract

Prevalence of a Iodothyronine Deiodinase 2 gene single nucleotide polymorphism in children with congenital hypothyroidism from Western Romania and impact on TSH levels

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the Iodothyronine Deiodinase 2 gene Thr92Ala polymorphism in children from West of Romania with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and association with TSH levels in response to levothyroxine monotherapy. Genotyping in 50 children with CH and 52 healthy controls was done using real time PCR. The results showed that there was no statistical difference between the frequencies of genotypes in patients vs. controls. Patients were treated with L-thyroxine and most had normal values for fT3 and fT4. However, high TSH values were found in 21 patients (42%) after treatment. Among patients with high TSH values, AA genotypes were significantly more prevalent (p = 0.044) than TT and AT genotypes. Our results suggest that for the D2 gene Ala92Thr polymorphism, the AA genotype may be detrimental for achieving euthyroidism in patients with CH and levothyroxine monotherapy, therefore polytherapy could be considered as a better approach in these patients.

Bones and Seeds: An Integrated Approach to Understanding the Spread of Farming across the Western Balkans

ABSTRACT Animals and plants, both farmed and hunted/collected, were an integrated part of the Neolithic food economy. When jointly analysed these can provide a holistic view of early food production systems which goes beyond individual descriptions of herd management and crop cultivation. Exhaustive surveys of both Neolithic zooarchaeological and archaeobotanical data were collected from the western Balkans and neighbouring regions (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, southern Hungary, western Romania and eastern Italy). Here we combine both sets of data to explore the Neolithic food economy along the maritime and inland streams of Neolithisation. We demonstrate that, notwithstanding significant limitations, it is possible to compare and combine the datasets and present an integrated approach to the spread and development of farming within the western Balkans. Our research also evinces diachronic and spatial differences within the exploitation of domesticated and wild species, and the factors that may have influenced such practices.

Cross Sectional Study Regarding the Association Between Sweetened Beverages Intake, Fast-food Products, Body Mass Index, Fasting Blood Glucose and Blood Pressure in the Young Adults from North-western Romania

The study investigated the association between the frequency of sweetened beverages intake and body mass index, diet choices, hypertension, and glycaemia in 1158 individuals from north western Romania, aged between 20 and 39 years. We found a high prevalence (87.48%) of soda consumption. There was a linear correlation between the number of sweetened beverages servings/week and unhealthy lifestyle expressed as frequency of fast-food consumption. A significant statistical association was found between soda consumption and prevalence of high blood pressure and impaired fasting glycaemia. Individuals who did not consumed sweetened beverages, had a prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and hypertension of 6% and respectively 13%; those who consumed more than 8 servings/week had a prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and hypertension of 19%. Inappropriate nutrition (lack of fruits and vegetables in food, consumption of fats and processed sugars or added sugars beverages) have increased the incidence of chronic diseases. We consider that public health policies regarding soda consumption are required.

Food Allergies: Knowledge and Practice among Food Service Workers Operating in Western Romania

The purpose of our study was to determine the knowledge and practices regarding food allergies among food service workers operating in western Romania (Timiş, Arad, and Caraş-Severin counties). A self-administered, multiple-choice questionnaire was completed by 121 Romanian food service workers from 23 food service units from July to September 2016. The food service workers interviewed had a moderate level of knowledge and practices regarding food allergies. The results highlight knowledge gaps in the areas of cross-contact and control of anaphylaxis emergencies, indicating the need to retrain food service workers. Our study revealed positive results according to education level, better practices used by more experienced staff, and differences between job positions and eating places. Higher knowledge levels of trained employees coexisted with better practices reported by employees who attended specific courses on allergens. All of these findings (significant at the 5% level) support the hypothesis that training programs must be adapted to the participants' needs and characteristics (professional experience, field of activity, and food service education level) to be easily accessible and to lower costs.

Rehabilitation and Retrofitting of Water Supply Systems in Western Part of Romania

In Romania, there are more than 13,000 localities of which only 10% are equipped with centralized water supply systems at European standards. In the western area of Romania, there is a district operator, which manages the water supply and sewerage systems. It started working on upgrading and rehabilitating water supply systems by accessing European funds, to meet the quality requirements imposed by European legislation. In the first stage, 15 water supply systems were refurbished with works performed in urban and rural parts of western part of Romania. In the second and third stages, investments will continue for the rehabilitation and upgrading of all the western localities, which do not meet the quantitative and qualitative conditions of potable water with European standards. Water resources need to be managed very well, especially in the context of climate change, with water sources having to provide ever growing flow to consumers. The paper shows what are the problems of the centralized water supply system of three localities in western Romania, and how we resolved them. The aim of the study is to analyse the efficiency of the current water supply system and to identify the causes that lead to the qualitative deterioration of drinking water distributed to consumers in populated centres. Laboratory determinations for samples of treated water were performed. Based on these laboratory determinations, corrections were made to ensure that the drinking water complies with current regulations (458/2002 Drinking Water Act and completed with Law 311/2004). The retrofitting and rehabilitation of the existing water supply system of the locality resulted on the basis of these analyses. The flow captured from underground source should be increased. To ensure the flow of water to consumers, the existing drilling and extension of the capture front will be rehabilitated. Rehabilitation of the water supply system will bring a real benefit in terms of quality of life according to environmental restrictions under Directive 98/83 / EC.

Association of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms with Chronic Periodontitis in a Population in Western Romania.

Recent data indicate that gene polymorphisms, e.g. those of vitamin D-receptor (VDR), are associated with an increased susceptibility to chronic periodontitis (CP). This study investigated whether VDR gene polymorphism is associated with chronic periodontitis in a population in Western Romania, by determining the prevalence of the BsmI (rs1544410), ApaI (rs7975232), TaqI (rs731236) and FokI (rs2228570) genotypes and comparing the CP group with a periodontally healthy group. This case-control study included 53 patients with CP and 47 healthy patients. VDR polymorphisms were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The associations between VDR polymorphisms and CP were determined using logistic regression models, adjusted for patient age and serum level of Vitamin D. We found a statistically significant association between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2228570 (FokI) and CP. Compared with subjects having the Thymine-Thymine (TT) genotype, those with the Cytosine-Cytosine (CC) variant were 19 times more likely to have the disease (adjusted odd ratio [OR]: 19.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.67 - 198.92) and with the Thymine-Cytosine (TC) variant, 8 times more likely (adjusted OR: 7.86; 95% CI: 1.29 - 61.56). Also, for the SNP rs1544410 (BsmI), compared with the Adenine-Adenine (AA) genotype, the Adenine-Guanine (AG) variant had an increased risk of periodontal disease (crude OR: 3.76; 95% CI: 1.15 - 13.80). This case-control study of a Western Romanian population shows an association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms (FokI and BsmI) and CP susceptibility.

"A COMMUNICATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE EVOLUTION OF SYMBOLIC LANGUAGE. CASE STUDY: EMOJIS "

The paper tackles the evolution of the symbolic language, more precisely, it focuses on a novel form of digital communication known as emojis. It has been commonly accepted that in the post 2.0 web era few concepts have been so richly delineated, have become so visible and have spread so rapidly in both mainstream and niche culture. The aim of this study is to highlight intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics which led to the mass popularization and use of emojis, as well as communicational implications pertaining to this phenomenon. From the standpoint of communication studies, the emergence of the concept has brought about valuable and interesting changes in both global etymology and semantics, thus identifying an inherent necessity to examine it. The present paper also aims to identify how teenagers from Western Romania, ages 14 to 18, use this new way of communicating and the reasons behind opting for emojis. Furthermore, the research conducted in Arad seeks to establish the specific aspects which shape the way teenagers use emojis when interacting among themselves and outside the dynamic of their preferred group.

On-line Air Pollution Assessment in the Proximity of Coal Based Power Plants in Romania

This paper is presenting an on-line platform consisting in a measurement system and procedure used for air pollution assessment and warning, based on mobile and fixed sensor stations, located in the proximity of thermal coal power plants in western Romania, as well as the software interface used for data acquisition, visualization and interpretation. All the measurements were performed by the Politehnica University in Timisoara (mobile platform on vehicle) and by the Romanian Agency for Environmental Protection (fixed platforms, but located at a certain distance from these plants). The background acquisition devices and the dedicated user friendly software were developed by our team. Main polluting agents taken in account on this paper are SO2, NO2, O3, CO and PM10, as well as other polluting agents, by custom reqon the site of the Romanian Environmental Agency and are used for environmental studies, alarms or didactic purpose, as well as for reports. This paper also provides some examples of real measurements performed on site and the interpretation of these results, as well some simple solutions and recommendations for air quality increase, customized for these power plants.

Nurse plants and the regeneration niche of tree seedlings in wood-pastures from Western and North-Western Romania

Facilitation is a positive interaction demonstrated to be one of the important factors shaping the regeneration niche of trees, mostly under stressful conditions which is currently studied in the frame of complex ecological networks. The protection provided by benefactor plants for tree seedlings playing the role of beneficiaries is documented mainly in arid and semi-arid habitats or in situations where herbivores’ pressure constitutes the main stressful factor for tree regeneration. One of the iconic Transylvanian landscapes is the wood-pasture, also one of the oldest agro-forestry systems to which recent forest expansion in abandoned agricultural fields or pastures is added. The proposed work represents a preliminary investigation on the association between benefactor plants, mostly spiny shrubs (Rosa canina, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa as the most frequently encountered benefactors) and tree seedlings (Quercus spp., Tilia spp., Carpinus betulus, Fraxinus angustifolia, Pyrus pyraster as most frequently encountered beneficiaries), in four different locations from North-Western and Western Romania, wood-pastures, abandoned pastures and abandoned agricultural fields under the consideration that the main stressful factor is represented by livestock grazing. Bipartite, qualitative merged network was generated depicting the interaction between beneficiaries and benefactors. Commonly used metrics were calculated: connectivity, nestedness, modularity, betweenness centrality and centralization compared to similar facilitation networks presented in the literature. Facilitation network is characterized by high nestedness (N=0.896), lack of modularity, relatively high connectance (C=0.233), features encountered in mutualistic networks also. Betweenness centrality scores highlighted the keystone benefactor and beneficiary species, while betweenness centralization score (0.192) indicates the fact that there are several species sharing the dominant position in terms of interactions. The analysis of measurement data (seedlings’ and benefactor plants’ heights, distance from focal seedlings to nearest benefactor species and orientation) showed that there is common pattern in orientation (most of the benefactor species oriented toward South or South West) also in dimensional variability (MANOVA results).

Impact of cluster building in labor intensive industries on regional economy (Western Romania)

Starting with the mid-1990s, the Western Romania footwear cluster has emerged and grown attaining a critical mass of producers and suppliers. Statistical data analysis based on Location Quotient (LQ) supports the relative concentration of firms and jobs in the footwear cluster as compared to the rest of the regions. The higher LQ values of firms are positively correlated with high levels of entrepreneurship and qualified and diversified labor pool, whereas the high LQ of footwear employment shows the large scale production at region-industry level. Better performance of the firms in the cluster is revealed by much higher averages of turnover, size and profit as compared to the national average. Along the process of cluster building, the composition of the firms has turned hierarchical by functions, and diverse by size and production capabilities. Therefore, the cluster has gradually made the transition from a low-tech, labor intensive manufacturing to a local production system based on skills, knowledge and end-of-line activities. The findings of the paper reveal the impact of the cluster building on the regional economy in terms of specialization, competitiveness, integration into the global supply chain, and spatial pattern. Finally, the analysis will provide insights into the relations between the footwear cluster, regional development and policy design.

The Quality of Underwater Supplies in Western Romania

Over the last three decades, many scientist, national and international agencies were concerned about pollution of the Romanian environment, especially water and its impact on human health. This research includes studies and interpretations resulting from chemical and bacteriological analyzes of water samples collected from wells or underground springs from central north-western part of Romania. The water parameters were determined using standard analytical methods: pH, turbidity, oxidability, ammonium, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, total hardness, conductivity, mesophilic heterotrophic microorganisms, coliforms, E. coli, intestinal enterococci. Regarding non-compliant samples, the main problem is the bacterial load of water, confirming domestic pollution sources of water. More than 50% of the analyzed samples, which had concentrations of nitrate over 10 mg/L were also found bacteriological inappropria

SAS score: Targeting high-specificity for efficient population-wide monitoring of obstructive sleep apnea.

ProposalThis paper investigates a novel screening tool for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), which aims at efficient population-wide monitoring. To this end, we introduce SASscore which provides better OSAS prediction specificity while maintaining a high sensitivity.MethodsWe process a cohort of 2595 patients from 4 sleep laboratories in Western Romania, by recording over 100 sleep, breathing, and anthropometric measurements per patient; using this data, we compare our SASscore with state of the art scores STOP-Bang and NoSAS through area under curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV). We also evaluate the performance of SASscore by considering different Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI) diagnosis cut-off points and show that custom refinements are possible by changing the score’s threshold.ResultsSASscore takes decimal values within the interval (2, 7) and varies linearly with AHI; it is based on standardized measures for BMI, neck circumference, systolic blood pressure and Epworth score. By applying the STOP-Bang and NoSAS questionnaires, as well as the SASscore on the patient cohort, we respectively obtain the AUC values of 0.69 (95% CI 0.66-0.73, p < 0.001), 0.66 (95% CI 0.63-0.68, p < 0.001), and 0.73 (95% CI 0.71-0.75, p < 0.001), with sensitivities values of 0.968, 0.901, 0.829, and specificity values of 0.149, 0.294, 0.359, respectively. Additionally, we cross-validate our score with a second independent cohort of 231 patients confirming the high specificity and good sensitivity of our score. When raising SASscore’s diagnosis cut-off point from 3 to 3.7, both sensitivity and specificity become roughly 0.6.ConclusionsIn comparison with the existing scores, SASscore is a more appropriate screening tool for monitoring large populations, due to its improved specificity. Our score can be tailored to increase either sensitivity or specificity, while balancing the AUC value.

Microbiology Characteristics Among Cystic Fibrosis Patients in Western Romania

Abstract Background: Pulmonary infectious inflammation is a major cause of decline in lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) marked by exacerbations, consequently, slowing evolution of lung disease is a primary aim in CF management. The objective of the study was to analyze the microbiological spectrum from epidemiological point of view in our patients. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional transversal study including fifty-seven patients evaluated the prevalence of CF-related microbes in the study group and their pulmonary status. Results: The most frequent microorganism found in our group, regardless age, was Staphyloccocus aureus, closely followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacillus tuberculosis was a rare germ, despite the important frequency in our country. The microbes frequency was different with age groups, thus 3.5% of 1-3 years old children had the methicillin sen sitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strain, while for the 6-12 years group, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in an equal percentage of 14% with MSSA. Pseudomonas prevalence was found in 14.0% of adults and the combined infections were diagnosed in about a fifth of our patients. Conclusions: We concluded that the percentage of respiratory infections with redoubtable microbes is relatively moderate. The presence of underweight among CF patients with severe mutations are risk factor for a worse outcome and measures should be instituted.

Kinetic processes and stable isotopes in cave dripwaters as indicators of winter severity

AbstractWe examine how the stable isotope composition of meteoric water is transmitted through soil and epikarst to dripwaters in a cave in western Romania. δ2H and δ18O in precipitation at this site are influenced by temperature and moisture sources (Atlantic and Mediterranean), with lower δ18O in winter and higher in summer. The stable isotope composition of cave dripwaters mimics this seasonal pattern of low and high δ18O, but the onset and end of freezing conditions in the winter season are marked by sharp transitions in the isotopic signature of cave dripwaters of approximately 1 ‰. We interpret these shifts as the result of kinetic isotopic fractionation during the transition phase from water to ice at the onset of freezing conditions and the input of meltwater to the cave at the beginning of the spring season. This process is captured in dripwaters and therefore speleothems from Urșilor Cave, which grew under such dripping points, may have the potential to record past changes in the severity of winters. Similar isotopic changes in dripwaters driven by freeze–thaw processes can affect other caves in areas with winter snow cover, and cave monitoring during such changes is essential in linking the isotopic variability in dripwaters and speleothems to surface climate.

Cystic echinococcosis in adult hospitalized patients: A 10-year retrospective study in Western Romania

Background: Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus.Due to high rates of echinococcosis in humans and animals, Romania is listed among the first contries worldwilde, being recognized as a highly endemic area.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of this disease in patients hospitalized in surgical clinics in Timisoara, Western Romania. Methods & Materials: This retrospective study included 228 adult patients admitted in 6 surgical clinics in Timisoara, between January 1st2007 and September 30th2017.Clinical, laboratory and epidemiological data were collected from the clinical records of these patients. Results: The 228 patients aged 19 to 82 years (mean = 46.2), 124(54.4%)were females, 136 (59.6%) from rural area.High prevalence of CE was observed in patients aged 50-59 years (21.7%) and 30-39 years (20.7%). Hospitalization period ranged between 3 and 46 days (mean 13.4 days).The meanlength of hospital stay was significantly higher in patients aged 60-69 years(16 days) compared to those aged 30-39 years (11 days), 40-49 years (7.5 days) and 50-59 years (11 days)(p < 0.05).Seventy-two patients (31.6%) had two or more hospitalizations.The most frequent localizations of the cysts were: liver (75.9%) and lung (10.5%). Multiple cysts have been reported in 53 (23.2%) patients.Fifty-one patients (22.4%) presented complications: anaphylactic shock, cardio-respiratory arrest, bacterial superinfection, cystic rupture, biliary fistula.The mean lengh of hospital stay was significantly higher in patients with complications (15.7 days) compared to those without complications (12.7 days)(p = 0.017). A significantly higher mean length of hospitalization was recorded in patients who underwent cystectomy (15.4 days) compared to those in whom percutaneous procedure (9 days) was performed(p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings indicate a higher prevalence of CE in females and rural area. Liver and lungs were the most affected organs.The length of hospital stay may be reduced in patients undergoing percutaneous procedure and in those without complications. Public Health Autorities should improve monitoring CE in order to evaluate and design of targeted prevention and control actions.

MIDDLE MIOCENE DIATOMITE- BEARING FORMATIONS FROM WESTERN ROMANIA

In Western Romania diatomite occurs only in the Lower Sarmatian (Middle Miocene) formations, as a consequence of intense volcanism developed in Apuseni Mountains and evolution of peculiar sedimentary basins connected to the Pannonian realm. The main basins with diatomite successions are Zar and and VadBorod. The diatomite preserves besides diatoms (centric and pennate) and other microfossils (dinoflagellates, ebriidinas, silicoflagellates, phytolites) assemblages a lot of macrofossils as plants (mainly foliar imprints), fish, reptiles and mammals. Several taxa are indicative for environment reconstruction. The Lower Sarmatian climate is estimate as wet warm temperate to subtropical. A tentative of both aquatic and land environments reconstruction is done.

Thelazia callipaeda, an Endemic Parasite of Red Foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) in Western Romania.

Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) is a vector-borne zoonotic nematode parasite of the conjunctival sac of a large spectrum of hosts, currently having an expanding distribution range throughout Europe. In Romania, the parasite has a relatively large distribution range and host spectrum. However, the presence of T. callipaeda in red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) has not yet been confirmed. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and geographical distribution of T. callipaeda in red foxes from Romania. A total of 514 animals originating from 10 counties of western Romania were evaluated for the presence of T. callipaeda. Overall, 151 red foxes (29.38%) were positive. No significant differences were noticed between sex and age groups of positive foxes. In total, 3,350 adult nematodes were recovered. The intensity of infection had a mean value of 23.2, while the sex ratio was 2.2:1 in favor of females. In 91 foxes, both eyes were affected, while 60 harbored unilateral infection. Sequence analysis of the cox 1 gene of one nematode from each positive fox ( n=151) revealed the exclusive presence of haplotype h1. We report a relatively high prevalence and distribution range of T. callipaeda infection in red foxes in Romania, highlighting their potential role as a wildlife reservoir.

Assessment of Giardia lamblia Infection Prevalence Using Lugol�s Iodine Staining Technique

Parasitic diseases have a worldwide distribution and represent an important public health problem. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in a Child Day Care Center from Western Romania using direct wet mount and concentration procedures of stool samples. One hundred sixty-four children aged 2-8 years were investigated. Stool examinations were performed using the iodine staining for the identification of protozoan cysts and the Willis-Hung concentration method for the identification of helminth eggs. Routine laboratory investigations were also conducted to evaluate the eosinophil count in the infected children. Intestinal parasitic infections were diagnosed in 47 cases (28.6%). Giardia lamblia (25%), Entamoeba coli (5.5%), Blastocystis hominis (1.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.6%) were the only parasites identified. Among the children with parasitic infections we have determined association of two parasites in 7 (14.9%). We have found that in children with giardiasis the eosinophil values were increased (5.54�4.21%) compared to controls (3.69�1.48%) (p[0.01). Our findings suggest that giardiasis may be significantly prevalent in children attending day care centers in Western Romania. Efficient educational programs should be timely implemented in child care centers with the aim of providing appropriate infection control measures.