A Paleopathological Find on a La Tène Horse Skeleton Discovered in Rescue Archaeological Diggings in the Area of the Olympic Pool, Alba Iulia (CX 143 Pit).

The reconstruction of past life based on archaeozoology is a challenging domain that offers a range of valuable details concerning former human and animal populations. Additionally, the ancient era is a source of information for human and veterinary medicine, as well as for other biological sciences. This report highlights a pathological lesion identified during the investigation of a horse skeleton from a pit dated La Tène in Alba County (Romania). The left scapula with lesions was collected from the skeleton of a buried 7-8-year-old male horse. The aforementioned bone underwent gross, radiological, and computerized tomography evaluation. Macroscopically, a collar of supraarticular cancellous hyperostosis was detected, most likely as a consequence of an invasive chronic phlegmonous periarthritis and/or bursitis of the infraspinate muscle following probably a penetrating cutaneous wound in the shoulder region. A suppurative periarthritis\bursitis of the infraspinate muscle situated nearby caused, apparently, supraglenoidian periosteitis responsible for osteophytes and exostoses formation in the neck region of the scapula.

La Tène Horse Remains from Alba Iulia CX 143 Complex: A Whole Story to Tell.

The present paper deals with the archaeozoological investigation carried out on a horse skeleton discovered in a Late Iron Age La Tène tomb (coded CX 143) in Alba Iulia, Romania. The paper presents all the results of the investigation, with a description of finds, adding a detailed assessment of the dentition with some interesting conclusions on the usage of a horse bit and the possible consequences of this use. The morphological features of the horse indicate a 7-8-year-old male individual, with a recalculated height of 1200-1300 mm. What is also stressed in the investigated sample is the lack of the characteristic pathological lesions typical for horseback riding but showing distinctive elements of bit wear. A comparative perspective over the few findings from the same period is provided to ensure the framing of the identified individual into the much larger historical context.

High Coverage Mitogenomes and Y-Chromosomal Typing Reveal Ancient Lineages in the Modern-Day Székely Population in Romania.

Here we present 115 whole mitogenomes and 92 Y-chromosomal Short Tandem Repeat (STR) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) profiles from a Hungarian ethnic group, the Székelys (in Romanian: Secuii, in German: Sekler), living in southeast Transylvania (Romania). The Székelys can be traced back to the 12th century in the region, and numerous scientific theories exist as to their origin. We carefully selected sample providers that had local ancestors inhabiting small villages in the area of Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely in Romania. The results of our research and the reported data signify a qualitative leap compared to previous studies since it presents the first complete mitochondrial DNA sequences and Y-chromosomal profiles of 23 STRs from the region. We evaluated the results with population genetic and phylogenetic methods in the context of the modern and ancient populations that are either geographically or historically related to the Székelys. Our results demonstrate a predominantly local uniparental make-up of the population that also indicates limited admixture with neighboring populations. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presumed eastern origin of certain maternal (A, C, D) and paternal (Q, R1a) lineages, and, in some cases, they could also be linked to ancient DNA data from the Migration Period (5th-9th centuries AD) and Hungarian Conquest Period (10th century AD) populations.

Franz Baron Nopcsa: A short life of research in dinosaur evolutionary paleobiology and Albanology.

The short life of Hungarian paleontologist and Albanologist, Franz Baron Nopcsa (1877-1933) is reviewed with an eye on his discoveries of the dinosaurs of Transylvania and their dwarfed nature, as well as his interest in the people of Albania, especially their social organization, laws, history, and ethnography during the first and second Balkan Wars. He also engaged in espionage in Romania during World War I. In addition to his research on the dwarfed dinosaurs and their insular context, his paleontological work also focused on neo-Lamarckian evolutionary theory, the origin of avian flight, and growth and sexual dimorphism in dinosaurs based on osteology and bone microstructure.

Genome-Wide Marker Data-Based Comparative Population Analysis of Szeklers From Korond, Transylvania, and From Transylvania Living Non-Szekler Hungarians.

Genome-wide genotype data from 48 carefully selected population samples of Transylvania-living Szeklers and non-Szekler Hungarians were analyzed by comparative analysis. Our analyses involved contemporary Hungarians living in Hungary, other Europeans, and Eurasian samples counting 530 individuals altogether. The source of the Szekler samples was the commune of Korond, Transylvania. The analyzed non-Szekler Hungarian samples were collected from villages with a history dating back to the era of the Árpád Dynasty. Population structure by principal component analysis and ancestry analysis also revealed a great within-group similarity of the analyzed Szeklers and non-Szekler Transylvanian Hungarians. These groups also showed similar genetic patterns with each other. Haplotype analyses using identity-by-descent segment discovering tools showed that average pairwise identity-by-descent sharing is similar in the investigated populations, but the Korond Szekler samples had higher average sharing with the Hungarians from Hungary than non-Szekler Transylvanian Hungarians. Average sharing results showed that both groups are isolated compared to other Europeans, and pointed out that the non-Szekler Transylvanian Hungarian inhabitants of the investigated Árpád Age villages are more isolated than investigated Szeklers from Korond. This was confirmed by our autozygosity analysis as well. Identity-by-descent segment analyses and 4-population tests also confirmed that these Hungarian-speaking Transylvanian ethnic groups are strongly related to Hungarians living in Hungary.

Mitochondrial DNA Profiles of Individuals from a 12th Century Necropolis in Feldioara (Transylvania).

The genetic signature of modern Europeans is the cumulated result of millennia of discrete small-scale exchanges between multiple distinct population groups that performed a repeated cycle of movement, settlement, and interactions with each other. In this study we aimed to highlight one such minute genetic cycle in a sea of genetic interactions by reconstructing part of the genetic story of the migration, settlement, interaction, and legacy of what is today the Transylvanian Saxon. The analysis of the mitochondrial DNA control region of 13 medieval individuals from Feldioara necropolis (Transylvania region, Romania) reveals a genetically heterogeneous group where all identified haplotypes are different. Most of the perceived maternal lineages are of Western Eurasian origin, except for the Central Asiatic haplogroup C seen in only one sample. Comparisons with historical and modern populations describe the contribution of the investigated Saxon settlers to the genetic history of this part of Europe.

Visual function changes in a Parkinson's Disease cohort - preliminary data.

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, has dramatically increased worldwide from 2,5 million in 1990, to 6,1 million in 2016. This condition continues to unfold its complexity, being nowadays recognized more as a syndrome rather than a disease. Beside the motor symptoms, the non-motor features, which can appear as early as twenty years before the classic onset, are now included in the diagnostic criteria. Increased public awareness, early recognition, and intervention (mostly neuroprotective) could highly increase the quality of life of people suffering from PD. We believe that these measures must be taken without delay, in order to counteract the increasing prevalence of PD worldwide. Abbreviations: PD = Parkinson's disease, GBD = Global Burden of Diseases, HY = Hoehn-Yahr scale, SD = standard deviation.

Sapientia aquatica gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a crater lake.

A new aerobic betaproteobacterium, strain SA-152T, was isolated from the water of a crater lake. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain SA-152T belonged to the family Oxalobacteraceae (order Burkholderiales) and was phylogenetically related to Solimicrobium silvestre S20-91T with 97.09 % and to Herminiimonas arsenicoxydans ULPAs1T with 96.00 % 16S rRNA gene pairwise sequence similarity. Cells of strain SA-152T were rod-shaped, non-motile, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. Its fatty acid profile was dominated by two fatty acids, C16 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0, the major respiratory quinones were Q-8 and Q-7, and the main polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain SA-152T was 48.3 mol%. The new bacterium can be distinguished from closely related genera Solimicrobium, Herminiimonas, Rugamonas and Undibacterium based on its non-motile and oxidase-negative cells. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic data, strain SA-152T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Sapientia aquatica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Sapientia aquatica is SA-152T (=DSM 29805T=NCAIM B.02613T).

Attitudes, practices, and priority of HIV screening and testing among clinical providers in Transylvania and Moldavia, Romania.

Screening and linkage to care are core, foundational strategies for HIV transmission prevention and for identifying People Living with HIV (PLHIV). In Romania - with an atypical experience in the HIV/AIDS epidemic - providing care for HIV+ patients identified early is a priority, though screening and testing can pose a challenge in some areas. METHODS: A survey of 125 clinical providers to explore important dimensions of HIV/ AIDS clinical care was conducted in Transylvania and Moldavia, where clinicians identified poor/ latent screening as a major problem in providing timely care and in preventing the spread of disease. We analyzed determinants of offering HIV screening/testing to patients using Pearson Chi-square analysis and logistic regression. Logistic regression generated Odds Ratios (OR) to reflect the magnitude of association between the relevant variables, with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) indicating statistical range. RESULTS: In total, 40.8% of providers did not provide HIV screening/testing to at least one segment of the population. Hospital-based providers were significantly more likely to offer HIV screening/testing to all segments than were non-hospital-based providers (58.1% v. 35.5%, respectively; p < .05). Providers located within institutions with screening/testing policies were more likely to offer such services to their patients (p < .05). Overall, 94.4% of providers indicated interest in more training around HIV screening/testing. DISCUSSION: Reaching Romanian and global goals for reducing HIV require more timely screening and action based on positive status. Romanian clinicians are interested in expanding HIV screening/testing and are interested in participating in training that helps them feel more prepared to undertake this work.

Screening of mecI Gene in Staphylococcus Strains Isolated in Transylvania Region of Romania.

In the last few decades, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have become a serious health care problem. However, in the European Union/European Economic Area countries the prevalence of the invasive MRSA isolates has decreased in recent years; in Romania, the considerably high prevalence of these strains is still unchanged. In this study, 396 staphylococcal strains were screened using molecular biology techniques for the presence of the nucA, mecA, and mecI genes and for the detection of the possible mutations accumulated in the mecI gene. More than half of the collected Staphylococcus strains (59.34%) were determined as S. aureus, and 63 strains were considered as MRSA. Small number of MRSA strains (n = 6; 54.54% of invasive S. aureus) originated from hemoculture. The mecI gene was present in 22 MRSA strains and in 4 methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci strains. The majority of the mecI-positive MRSA strains contained the C to T substitution at position 202; furthermore, one previously undescribed mutation (C to G transversion at nucleotide position 285) was detected in one MRSA strain.

Association between HLA class II alleles and hepatitis B virus infection in Transylvania, Romania.

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major problem worldwide. The major histocompatibility complex plays an essential role in host immunity and can help eliminate the HBV of infected hepatocytes. Our study aimed to determine the role of certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules (i.e. HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1) in the persistence or removal of HBV. Sixty patients confirmed to be HBV-positive via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), i.e. people with chronic active hepatitis, were included in the study along with a control group of 100 healthy individuals without evidence of HBV infection. The DNA was subsequently used to determine HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 low-resolution typing genetic profile via PCR amplification. The univariate analysis performed revealed significant association of the HLA-DRB1*03 and HLA-DQB1*05 alleles to the infected persons (study group), while HLA-DRB1*01 was shown to be protective against HBV infection. To our knowledge, this is the first Romanian study associating HLA with HBV, and it can provide valuable insight concerning the relationship between genetic factors and immune response in the sampled population.

Abundance of large old trees in wood-pastures of Transylvania (Romania).

Wood-pastures are special types of agroforestry systems that integrate trees with livestock grazing. Wood pastures can be hotspots for large old tree abundance and have exceptional natural values; but they are declining all over Europe. While presence of large old trees in wood-pastures can provide arguments for their maintenance, actual data on their distribution and abundance are sparse. Our study is the first to survey large old trees in Eastern Europe over such a large area. We surveyed 97 wood-pastures in Transylvania (Romania) in order to (i) provide a descriptive overview of the large old tree abundance; and (ii) to explore the environmental determinants of the abundance and persistence of large old trees in wood-pastures. We identified 2520 large old trees belonging to 16 taxonomic groups. Oak was present in 66% of the wood-pastures, followed by beech (33%), hornbeam (24%) and pear (22%). For each of these four species we constructed a generalized linear model with quasi-Poisson error distribution to explain individual tree abundance. Oak trees were most abundant in large wood-pastures and in wood-pastures from the Saxon cultural region of Transylvania. Beech abundance related positively to elevation and to proximity of human settlements. Abundance of hornbeam was highest in large wood-pastures, in wood-pastures from the Saxon cultural region, and in places with high cover of adjacent forest and a low human population density. Large old pear trees were most abundant in large wood-pastures that were close to paved roads. The maintenance of large old trees in production landscapes is a challenge for science, policy and local people, but it also can serve as an impetus for integrating economic, ecological and social goals within a landscape.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Sheep, Romania.

Little is known about the occurrence of tick-borne encephalitis in Romania. Sheep are an infection source for humans and are useful sentinels for risk analysis. We demonstrate high antibody prevalence (15.02%) among sheep used as sentinels for this disease in 80% of the tested localities in 5 counties of northwestern Romania.

Genetic affinities among the historical provinces of Romania and Central Europe as revealed by an mtDNA analysis.

BACKGROUND: As a major crossroads between Asia and Europe, Romania has experienced continuous migration and invasion episodes. The precise routes may have been shaped by the topology of the territory and had diverse impacts on the genetic structure of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in historical Romanian provinces. We studied 714 Romanians from all historical provinces, Wallachia, Dobrudja, Moldavia, and Transylvania, by analyzing the mtDNA control region and coding markers to encompass the complete landscape of mtDNA haplogroups. RESULTS: We observed a homogenous distribution of the majority of haplogroups among the Romanian provinces and a clear association with the European populations. A principal component analysis and multidimensional scaling analysis supported the genetic similarity of the Wallachia, Moldavia, and Dobrudja groups with the Balkans, while the Transylvania population was closely related to Central European groups. These findings could be explained by the topology of the Romanian territory, where the Carpathian Arch played an important role in migration patterns. Signals of Asian maternal lineages were observed in all Romanian historical provinces, indicating gene flow along the migration routes through East Asia and Europe. CONCLUSIONS: Our current findings based on the mtDNA analysis of populations in historical provinces of Romania suggest similarity between populations in Transylvania and Central Europe, supported both by the observed clines in haplogroup frequencies for several European and Asian maternal lineages and MDS analyses.

Atmospheric flux, transport and mass balance of (210)Pb and (137)Cs radiotracers in different regions of Romania.

This study focuses on the determination of (210)Pb and (137)Cs fluxes from different areas in Transylvania, Romania and on the determination of transport and mass balance within the lacustrine system of Red Lake. In order to achieve this, samples were taken from six different locations (Bihor County area, Ighiel area, Red Lake area, Mluha Peatbog, Mohos Peatbog and Zanoaga Rosie Peat bog in the Semenic Mountains) throughout Romania, these being compared to the values of the Danube Delta area. The activity concentrations of the soil samples were measured by gamma spectrometry (HPGe detector) for both (210)Pbtotal, (210)Pbsup ((226)Ra) and (137)Cs, while peat samples were measured by both alpha ((210)Po) spectrometry (PIPS detectors) as well. The mean value for the (210)Pb flux was measured in the Danube Delta region (42±8Bqm(-2) yr(-1)), while the highest was measured in the Semenic Peatbog (227±54Bqm(-2) yr(-1)); the average being 132±8Bqm(-2) yr(-1). In case of (137)Cs the mean was 298±3Bqm(-2) yr(-1), maximum being 1683±15Bqm(-2) yr(-1) in case of Ighiel area and minimum being 32±1Bqm(-2) yr(-1) in the Danube Delta region. In case of the Red Lake, from the total inventory of 410±23Bqm(-2) yr(-1) in the sediments, the loss by outflows is 100±12Bqm(-2) yr(-1), the catchment to lake transfer factor being 0.84%.

Environmental determinants of the old oaks in wood-pastures from a changing traditional social-ecological system of Romania.

Large, old trees are keystone ecological structures, their decline having disproportional ecological consequences. There is virtually no information available regarding the status and occurrence of old trees in traditional cultural landscapes from Eastern Europe. In this study, we explore the environmental determinants of the old oaks found in wood-pastures from a changing traditional rural landscape from Central Romania. Both the old oaks and the wood-pastures harboring them have exceptional cultural, historical, and ecological values, yet are vulnerable to land-use change. We surveyed 41 wood-pastures from Southern Transylvania and counted the old oaks in them. We then related the number of old oaks from these wood-pastures to a set of local and landscape level variables related to wood-pastures. We found 490 old oaks in 25 wood-pastures. The number of old oaks was positively related to the size of the wood-pasture and the amount of pasture and forest around it (500 m buffer), and negatively related to the proximity of the village. Furthermore, we found a significant interaction between the effects of sheepfolds in the wood-pasture and the size of the wood-pasture on the number of old trees, indicating a negative influence of sheepfolds on the number of old trees in smaller sized wood-pastures. There is an increasing risk for losing old trees in the traditional cultural landscapes due to the lack of formal recognition of these trees. Therefore, while presenting the positive example of local initiatives and citizen science, we argue for an urgent development and implementation of conservation policies along with education strategies targeting the old trees and rural communities from the changing traditional cultural landscapes of Eastern Europe.

Survey of traditional beliefs in the Hungarian Csángó and Székely ethnomedicine in Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania, part of Romania, has a long-standing culture of Hungarian ethnomedicinal practices. The aim of this study was to review the unexplored ethnopharmacological use of plants, animals and other materials, focusing mainly on the beliefs surrounding them; and compare them with traditional uses from other countries and with scientific literature. An ethnobotanical inventory was conducted among Csángó and Székely Hungarians in three areas of the country between 2007 and 2012. Questionnaires included medical and non-medical uses of plants, animals, and other substances with rational and irrational elements. Altogether 22 plants, twelve animals, and ten other substances had documented uses for various beliefs. The treatments utilize magical numbers, like 3 and 9, to define peculiar order, tools, and like-minded aspects. Plants were used for prediction (e.g. Phaseolus vulgaris L.), protection (e.g. Corylus avellana L.), and as symbols (e.g. Arctium lappa L.). In addition to the use of animals (e.g. Salamandra salamandra L.) or no longer used elements (use of Lytta vesicatoria L.), the employment of other substances (e.g. ash, milk) was also documented. The frequency of the documented uses is in continuous decline due to environmental and social changes, and the increased prevalence of conventional healthcare. Hence, the priority of their conservation is of pivotal importance nowadays. .

Um manuscrito inédito do naturalista Manuel Ferreira da Câmara: "nota sobre a extração das minas do Principado da Transilvânia" (1796) / An unpublished manuscript of naturalist Manuel Ferreira da Câmara: "A note on extraction from the mines of the Principality of Transylvania" (1796)

O personagem Manuel Ferreira da Câmara foi um dos expoentes da Ilustração luso-americana. A historiografia deu destaque às suas atividades como administrador, funcionário e político, deixando de incorporar a dimensão de naturalista. Ao recuperar essa faceta de estudioso do mundo natural, encontramos em arquivos e bibliotecas diversos textos do autor que permanecem inéditos. Um deles tem como título "Nota sobre a extração das minas do Principado da Transilvânia escrita em Zalathna aos 5 de março de 1796", produzido no âmbito da viagem realizada por diversos países da Europa central e setentrional, a pedido do governo português. Dada a reflexão elaborada por Câmara sobre a região da Transilvânia e a política de administração das minas ali implementada, é de grande relevância a sua publicação.

Manuel Ferreira da Câmara was one of the exponents of Luso-american Enlightenment. The historiography has highlighted his activities as an administrator, employee and politician, neglecting to incorporate his dimension as a naturalist. By resurrecting this facet of a student of the natural world, we find in the archives and libraries various texts by the author that remain unpublished. One of these manuscripts is entitled "A note on extraction from the mines of the Principality of Transylvania written in Zalathna on March 5, 1796", produced during a trip through several countries of Central and Northern Europe at the request of the Portuguese government. Given the reflection elaborated by Câmara on the Transylvania region and the policy of administering the mines implemented there, its publication is highly relevant.

Analysis of soil heavy metal pollution and pattern in central transylvania.

The concentration of five soil heavy metals (Pb, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg) was measured in forty sampling sites in central Transylvania, Romania, regions known as centres of pollution due to the chemical and metallurgical activities. The soil samples were collected from locations where the ground is not sliding and the probability of alluvial deposits is small. The concentration of heavy metals was measured by using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry method. Data were verified by using the Neutron Activation Analysis method. In some locations, the concentration for the investigated heavy metals exceeds the concentration admitted by the Romanian guideline. The highest concentration of lead (1521.8 ppm) and copper (1197.6 ppm) was found in Zlatna. The highest concentration of chromium was found in Târnaveni (1080 ppm). The maximum admitted concentrations in the sensitive areas revealed to be exceed from five to forty times.