Search Results (88)

Syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, has a complex evolutionary history, most likely being transferred from the Americas to Europe after the 15th century and subsequently spreading widely through sexual transmission. This work is one of the few studies on the skeletal evidence of probable treponematosis in archaeological populations discovered on the Romanian territory, providing data to better understand the disease history. Pathological lesions identified in three human skeletons of the 15th–19th centuries are described, and a diagnosis of treponematosis is performed. The three analyzed skeletons were discovered during the archaeological excavations in the necropolis of the Roman-Catholic Cathedral in Iasi City (Romania). The investigated skeletons belonged to individuals aged 30–40 years old (two females and one male). Somatoscopic, radiographic, tomographic, and microscopic examinations were used for the differential diagnosis. The results of multiple investigation methods support the diagnosis of probable treponematosis in all three skeletons, showing different stages of caries sicca in skull bones, cortical thickening, and new periosteal bone formation in postcranial bones. Full article

The oil-bearing rose (Rosa damascena Mill.), traditionally cultivated in Bulgaria for centuries, and the rose oil produced from it are of major cultural and economic importance. Its distinctive fragrance and rich aromatic profile are highly valued worldwide. In this study, a set of 15 start codon-targeted (SCoT) molecular markers was used to evaluate the genetic diversity and relationships of 38 rose accessions. The analyzed materials included Bulgarian-bred R. damascena cultivars, a locally improved population (‘Population 5’), three oil-bearing species (Rosa alba L., Rosa gallica L., and Rosa centifolia L.), Romanian heritage roses, and an unidentified rose genotype from an old Bulgarian plantation (Rosa sp.). The SCoT primers yielded a cumulative count of 238 bands, with an average of 12.9 bands per primer. The range of diversity markers, such as PIC (0.20–0.78), number of different alleles (1.5–2.00), Shannon’s information index (0.24–0.69), and gene diversity (0.15–0.50), provided evidence of genetic differences among the examined accessions. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) revealed higher genetic variation within groups (61%) than among the groups (39%). Multivariate analyses (UPGMA, PCoA, and STRUCTURE) resolved the accessions into major genetic clusters corresponding to their taxonomic identity or breeding history. The unidentified Rosa sp. formed a distinct genetic group, showing closer affinity to R. gallica. The locally improved R. damascena ‘Population 5’ exhibited higher genetic diversity than the Bulgarian cultivars. Overall, our results demonstrate the effectiveness of SCoT markers and the value of local and traditional rose germplasm as reservoirs of genetic diversity. The study provides a molecular framework to support breeding, conservation, and sustainable management of oil-bearing rose genetic resources. Full article

Objective: To analyze demographic traits, clinical complications, and healthcare use in patients with chronic liver disease across major etiologies in a large Romanian cohort. Methods: A retrospective study (2019–2023) of 2359 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), hepatitis associated with alcohol (ALH), cirrhosis associated with alcohol (ALC), or non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NALC). Data on demographics, clinical outcomes, and hospitalizations were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression modeling, and clustering in IBM SPSS 27.0.1. Results: CHC patients were oldest (mean 67.5 ± 12.3 years), while ALH patients were youngest (56.0 ± 11.0 years). CHC prevalence increased with age (10.0% in ≤30-year-olds to 87.1% in ≥81-year-olds; γ = 0.535, p < 0.001). Females comprised 60–70% of CHC cases, males > 85% of ALH and >78% of ALC. Mean hospitalization duration decreased from 13.80 days (2019) to 9.10 days (2023), yet cirrhotic patients had the longest stays (NALC: 16.37 ± 14.34; ALC: 17.66 ± 12.96) versus CHC (10.38 ± 10.14). Etiology was the strongest predictor of hospitalization length. Portal hypertension (PH) was the most common complication (54.3%), with males bearing more severe hepatic complications (ascites—38.3%; PH—66.8%). Conclusions: Hospital-based Romanian cohort analysis revealed that patient presentation and outcomes are fundamentally shaped by the interplay of etiology, sex, and age. We found a distinct female predominance in CHC, a pronounced male predominance in alcohol-related diseases, and evolving trends in non-alcoholic cirrhosis. These determinants dictate specific epidemiological patterns, hospitalization burdens, and complication risks, underscoring the critical need for a paradigm shift toward personalized, etiology-driven, and sex-tailored clinical management. Full article

This paper revisits the diachronic changes to Romanian DOM by focusing on the emergence of the DOM particle pe: the prenominal preposition pe is shown to undergo loss of analyzability when (i) the adjacent noun phrase is the direct object of the verb; and (ii) pe-DP falls under a certain pragmatic treatment. In other contexts, pe continues as a preposition. Loss of analyzability entails modification of the feature bundle associated with pe, as well as chunking and sensitivity of pe-noun phrases to discourse related priming factors. Briefly, the chunk consisting of two segments (i.e., prepositional phrase and nominal phrase: PP > DP) is gradually reduced to one segment (i.e., DP). This transition is context dependent; that is, it intensifies when the DPs receive a reading that involves discourse salience and animacy. The loss of analyzability regarding the properties of pe and the structural consequences it implied provide the basis for assessing the advent of animacy and definiteness/specificity as priming factors for DOM in Modern Romanian. Full article

Background: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) has a substantial impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mainly through pain, reduced mobility, and functional limitations. To better reflect these outcomes, we utilized the SF-36 survey, a well-established tool commonly used in both clinical and population research. The purpose was twofold: to evaluate HRQoL and to explore the main factors linked with activity limitation in a community-based group of Romanian patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 participants with LDH who completed the SF-36 questionnaire. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.922). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariate regressions were performed using SPSS 18.0. Results: Of the respondents, 53.3% were female and 58.4% were over 60 years old. While 55% reported good or very good health, 26.7% had severe Daily Activity Limitation (DAL) based on the SF-36 physical function score, and 62.5% scored in the poorer range (33–45) of the Physical and Emotional Status (PES) composite derived from the SF-36. Female sex and age over 60 were each associated with nearly a twofold-higher risk of moderate-to-severe DAL (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.04–4.65), while reporting severe or very severe pain increased this risk more than fourfold (OR = 4.64, 95% CI: 1.89–24.21). Conclusions: In patients with LDH, poor self-rated health, older age, female sex, and high pain intensity were significantly associated with reduced functional capacity. The SF-36 proved to be a valuable tool for identifying vulnerable subgroups that require targeted rehabilitation and psychosocial support. From a public health perspective, these findings also support the use of SF-36 in community screening and in guiding resource allocation for multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs. Full article

Background and Objectives: As artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR) enter routine care, understanding patient acceptance is essential. We assessed attitudes toward AI/XR-enabled telemedicine among Romanian patients and examined correlates of acceptance. Methods: We analyzed 198 survey responses to a 20-item questionnaire. Ordinal items were encoded 1–4. The Acceptance Index measured trust in AI, perceived improvement in care, and willingness to choose AI-assisted visits (on a 1–4 scale). Results: Respondents were predominantly 31–50 years old (62.6%) and university educated (76.2%); 27.3% reported prior experience with AI/XR. Acceptance averaged 3.27 ± 0.59 (α = 0.780) and did not differ by age (p = 0.922). Prior users showed higher acceptance than non-users (3.47 ± 0.47 vs. 3.19 ± 0.59; p = 0.0011). Knowledge (ρ = 0.189, p = 0.048) and perceived accessibility (ρ = 0.229, p = 0.016) correlated with acceptance; privacy concern did not (ρ = 0.072, p = 0.455). Subgroups: Prior use was associated with higher acceptance across education levels, with a significant effect in secondary education (Holm-adjusted p = 0.029; Cliff’s δ = 0.56). Ordinal logistic model: higher willingness to pay (OR 6.81, 95% CI 3.39–13.66, p < 0.001) and greater perceived accessibility (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.03–3.24, p = 0.040) independently predicted choosing AI-assisted visits. Conclusions: Patient acceptance of AI/XR-enabled telemedicine was moderate to high, strongest among prior users, and increased when access felt easy. Knowledge modestly supported acceptance; privacy concerns did not diminish it. Clear value propositions, streamlined access, and optional exposure pathways may enhance informed uptake. Full article

Background: Since quality of life encompasses social, psychological, and physical well-being, it is a crucial component of overall health and well-being. The quality of life has a significant impact on both the mother and the unborn child throughout the perinatal period. Both parties suffer when a threat, such as an illness, materialises because it lowers the quality of life. Using the SCL-90-R and SF-36, the current study aims to investigate variations in anxiety levels and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between pregnant women with and without relevant medical conditions. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study between April 2023 and December 2024. Eligibility criteria were: (a) pregnant women; (b) at least 18 years old; (c) of Romanian nationality residing in Romania; and (d) who signed informed consent and agreed to participate. A Personal Information Form (PIF), the SF-36 Health Survey, and the SCL-90-R questionnaire were used to collect data. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS v26, using non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U, Spearman correlations). Results: Ninety-five of the 212 patients in the study reported having related medical conditions. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the physical or mental components of the SF-36. Nonetheless, the pathological group’s anxiety scores were noticeably higher. Particularly in the pathological group, Spearman correlation revealed an inverse relationship between anxiety and SF-36 physical component scores. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of integrating psychological screening into prenatal care, particularly for women with medical comorbidities. Early identification and management of elevated anxiety may help preserve maternal HRQoL and contribute to better perinatal outcomes. Full article

The centres of historical cities have changed trying to accommodate modern urban needs, while maintaining the original bohemian atmosphere that represents the identity of the local community. Restoration, according to Cesare Brandi, goes beyond mere physical repairs and focuses on preserving the core historical and cultural significance of a building within its context. Brandi highlights the importance of the surrounding environment, suggesting that the “horizontal plan” around a structure should be prioritised to ensure its recognition within its historical setting. Decisions about preserving or removing additions should be informed by historical evidence, as modifications over time contribute to the building’s narrative. Aesthetic considerations are secondary to historical accuracy, with the primary goal being the preservation of the building’s relationship with its context rather than its visual appeal. This perspective aligns with Giovannoni’s view that preservation should not focus solely on individual monuments but on the broader urban fabric, which collectively forms the city’s historical environment. By respecting the context in which buildings exist, restoration efforts can maintain their role in the larger space. Ultimately, the aim is to balance the conservation of architectural value with modern needs, all while ensuring that the structure’s historical integrity is maintained. While there is extensive research on heritage conservation and accessibility, there remains a lack of integrated strategies that harmoniously address both cultural preservation and inclusive access. This paper presents an urban study made on the historical centre of Lugoj, a Romanian city with interesting architecture. This study aims to illustrate how creating an urban promenade can improve cohesion between old and new, creating a harmonious public space that reflects the identity of the local community. Moreover, the accessibility of the case study area is investigated, following four major categories of special needs, mobility, visual, auditory, and cognitive impairments, and offering recommendations for a better public space for all the citizens. Full article

Background/Objectives: Parental weight stigma and bias can shape how parents talk about weight and health with their children, yet their interplay in Romania is unexplored. We examined how parents’ experienced stigma, internalized bias, and explicit antifat attitudes relate to weight- and health-focused conversations with 5–17-year-olds, and whether these links vary by child weight status. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey of 414 Romanian parents, we assessed stigma (teasing/unfair treatment), internalized bias (WBIS-M), antifat attitudes (AFA, UMBFAT), and frequency of health (healthy eating/PA) versus weight-focused talks and comments. BMI-derived child weight status was classified via WHO percentiles. Multivariate regressions and mediation analyses tested predictors and indirect effects. Results: Nearly 80% of parents discussed weight at least sometimes; higher child BMI percentile and parental internalized bias independently predicted more weight conversations (β = 0.44 and β = 0.25, both p < 0.001). Internalized bias mediated the effect of experienced stigma on weight talk (indirect effect = 0.105, 95% CI [0.047, 0.172]). Explicit antifat attitudes drove comments about others’ weight (β = 0.17, p = 0.002). Health-focused talks were unrelated to stigma or bias but were more frequent among parents with higher education, better self-rated health, and lower BMI. Conclusions: Parents’ internalized weight bias—shaped by stigma—fuels weight-focused conversations, especially when children have higher BMI, while antifat attitudes underlie negative comments about others. Interventions should reduce parental internalized bias and train supportive, health-centered communication to curb weight stigma transmission. Full article

Background/Objectives: Official data on the oral health of young children in Romania are limited, especially concerning the societal shifts following the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to compare the oral health status, hygiene habits, diet, and dental care patterns of 6-year-old children in a rural Romanian region before and after the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey studied two groups of 6-year-olds from rural Transylvania: Group 1 (n = 77), assessed 2018–2020 pre-pandemic, and Group 2 (n = 136), assessed in 2024 post-pandemic. Clinical data used the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Parents completed questionnaires on oral hygiene, diet, dental visits, and pandemic-related topics for Group 2. Chi-square, Student’s t-tests, and a multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Post-pandemic, 70% of children brushed twice daily, up from 26%. Despite this, negative outcomes increased: the number of affected teeth rose from 6.8% to 29.6% (p < 0.001), sugar intake increased, and dental visits became more reactive, with pain being the main reason for 61% of post-pandemic visits, compared to 17% pre-pandemic. Conclusions: This study reveals a significant oral health paradox: despite a three-fold increase in recommended toothbrushing, caries experience in permanent teeth increased four-fold. This outcome was driven by a high-risk environment of more cariogenic diets and reduced preventive care, with lower maternal education also identified as a key independent risk factor. These findings show that promoting hygiene alone is insufficient, underscoring the urgent need for public health programs that integrate nutritional counseling, improve access to preventive care, and address underlying socioeconomic disparities. Full article

Background/Objectives: The increase in life expectancy and the share of the elderly population has the effect of increasing the number of osteoporotic hip fractures. At the same time, the number of total hip arthroplasty (THA) interventions is continuously increasing. The objective of this study is to investigate the incidence rates of hip fractures during the period 2008–2019, in Romania, among people who are at least 40 years old, as well as to determine the extent to which the increase in the prevalence of people who have undergone THA has affected the incidence of hip fractures, given that the operated hip no longer presents a risk of fracture. Methods: We extracted the information, between 2008 and 2019, from nationwide retrospective studies about the incidence and time trend of hip fractures in Romania. Information on primary THA interventions during the period 2001–2019 was obtained from the Romanian Arthroplasty Register (RAR). We obtained the population size, by gender and age groups, from the reports of the National Institute of Statistics. For the period 2008–2019, we calculated the standardized annual hip fracture incidence rates by sex and by age. Given that each person has two hips at risk of fracture, we calculated hip fracture rates in a scenario without THA interventions. For this, we subtracted 0.5 people from the at-risk population for each prevalent hip prosthesis. Thus, we revealed the effects of decreasing fracture rates due to having hip prostheses. Results: From 2008 to 2019, age-standardized incidence rates of hip fractures increased by 10.8% in women, and by 2.8% in men. By excluding hips being replaced with prostheses in the at-risk population, we obtained higher hip fracture incidence rates. These recorded values were considerably higher for the elderly population. The variation in hip fracture rates during the observed period was 10.16% (9.76% in women and 11.68% in men) lower due to the increased prevalence of hip prostheses. Conclusions: Although the incidence of hip fractures has continued to rise, the growing number of people who have undergone THA and are living with hip prostheses has helped to blunt this increase. Full article

The process of secularization was long considered irreversible and characteristic of all contemporary culture. Nonetheless, more recent approaches view it as strictly linked to Western religiosity and in relation to a process of de-secularization and post-secular orientations regarding the sacred. For Romanian Orthodox theologians, secularization represents more of a trial than a danger. The current article presents the results of qualitative research regarding the religiosity of future graduates of Orthodox vocational theological high schools in Romania. The students enrolled in the research were asked to graphically represent God and briefly explain their drawings. The data were theoretically coded and compared with the canonical attributes of God as acknowledged by Orthodox theology. The results indicated the canonical correctness of students’ representations of divinity. Orthodox vocational high school education proves to be effective in imposing the Christian dogmatic line to the detriment of popular religiosity characterized by old pre-Christian beliefs and practices. Full article

Educational achievement plays a significant role in the labour market, benefiting individuals and society. Graduating from high school is a key step towards better employment opportunities and a prerequisite for higher education attainment. In 2023, only 22.5% of the Romanian population graduated tertiary education, while 16.6% left education or training early. The Romanian public high school network comprises 1558 units, mostly located in urban areas. The high school enrolment rate is 83.5% in urban areas, and it drops to less than 60% in rural areas, with the country registering the highest out-of-school rate in the EU for the 15-year-old population. Spatial accessibility may influence enrolment in high schools, particularly for students living in rural or remote areas, who often face financial challenges fuelled by long distances and limited transportation options. Hence, travel distance may represent a potential barrier to completing the educational process or may determine inequalities in educational opportunities and outcomes. This paper aims to assess the spatial accessibility of the public high school network in Romania by using distance data provided by the Open Street Map API (Application Programming Interface). We examine variations in spatial accessibility based on the distribution of high school units and road network characteristics considering three variables: travel distance to the nearest high school, the average distance to three different categories of high schools, and the number of high schools located within a 20 km buffer zone. The results highlight a significant urban–rural divide in the availability of public high school facilities, with 84.1% (n = 1311) located in urban areas while 49.1% of the high school-aged population lives in rural areas. Many rural communities lack adequate educational facilities, often having limited options for high school education. The findings also show that 32% of the high school-aged population has to travel more than 10 km to the nearest high school, and 7% has no high school options within a 20 km buffer zone. This study provides insights into the educational landscape in Romania, pointing out areas with limited access to high schools, which contributes to further inequalities in educational attainment. The findings may serve as a basis for developing policies and practices to bridge the urban–rural divide in educational opportunities and foster a more equitable and inclusive education system. Full article

In the era of Artificial Intelligence, the magic of achieving results at the “speed of light” for tasks that until recently required a lot of work and effort shocks, arouses enthusiasm and generates fears at the same time. Therefore, starting from this reality of our days, we proposed within the current research to study the relationship between the factors of technostress (techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-insecurity, techno-uncertainty) perceived as a result of the implementation of AI at the societal level and the quality of life, filtering the relationship through the “lens” of the positive and negative affect mediators. The mediation analyses, conducted on a sample of 217 adult Romanian citizens (18–62 years old), suggested that although AI-related technostress does not directly influence quality of life, it has a significant indirect impact through affective traits—general tendencies to frequently experience positive or negative emotions. This indicates that technostress contributes to variations in quality of life by influencing emotional experiences, which mediate the relationship. These findings emphasize not only the absence of a direct effect, but also the importance of the indirect pathway in understanding how individuals are affected by AI-related stress. We believe that the results of the current study can be equally useful in raising awareness of the psychological mechanisms responsible for the quality of life and in understanding the importance of implementing official programs, both technically, regarding the development of skills to understand and work with AI, and psychological support programs, considering the management of emotions, with reference to this technology. Full article

Background: The transition from pediatric to adult care in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is challenging due to the disease’s complexity and the need for lifelong, comprehensive management. In Romania, ongoing efforts aim to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration, though systemic barriers, such as fragmented healthcare services, persist. Nonsense mutations, including those in exon 30 described here, are often associated with more severe disease progression. Methods: We present the case of a 17-year-old Romanian DMD patient with a nonsense mutation in exon 30 of the dystrophin gene. The patient received multidisciplinary pediatric care addressing his medical needs, including neuromuscular, respiratory, cardiac, and orthopedic management. Transition readiness was assessed using the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ), and the patient’s perspective on the process was documented. Results: Care followed international standards, but the disease progressed predictably, with gradual loss of ambulation, respiratory decline, and cardiac complications. The TRAQ revealed strengths in communication with healthcare providers but moderate confidence in self-management tasks. From the patient’s perspective, fragmented adult services and difficulty accessing specialized neuromuscular support remain major obstacles, underscoring the importance of early, structured transition planning and patient-centered approaches. Conclusions: Transitioning to adult services requires strong communication between pediatric and adult teams and integration of specialized care. Tailored follow-up plans ensure continuity of care and effective disease management. This case reflects broader needs in similar healthcare contexts, highlighting the necessity of robust transition frameworks to respond to patient-specific challenges and ultimately support long-term quality of life. Full article