EATING PATTERNS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS IN THE POPULATION INCLUDED IN THE OBESITY STUDY IN ROMANIA (ORO STUDY).

CONTEXT: Four major modifiable behavioral risk factors are considered responsible for the current burden of the non-communicable diseases: tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and excessive alcohol consumption. Limited data on the lifestyle habits in Romanian population is currently available. OBJECTIVE: To assess the eating patterns and physical activity habits and other lifestyle components in various age groups in the population included in the ORO study. DESIGN: ORO was a cross-sectional, epidemiologic, multicenter non-interventional study conducted from January 2014 until August 2014 in 8 study centers spread in the main historical regions of Romania. RESULTS: Eating 3 meals/day every day was more frequently reported in the 60-79 years and ≥ 80 years age groups (53.0% and 51.7%) than in the 18-39 years and 40-59 years age groups (26.8% and 35.8%), p <0.001. The frequency of eating breakfast every day increased with age from 43.5% in the youngest age group to 79.3% in the oldest one (p <0.001). Intense and moderate leisure-time physical activity was more frequent among participants in the 18- 39 years age group. Leisure time physical activities were associated with younger age groups, male sex, rural area, higher educational level and non-smoking status. Regular breakfast and regular consumption of 3 meals/day was associated with older age group, male sex and non-smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis showed a high frequency of unhealthy lifestyle habits among the younger age groups as compared to the older ones, with the highest frequency of these unhealthy behavior reported in the 18-39 years age group.

MODERATE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IMPROVES RAT BONE ULTRASTRUCTURE IN EXPERIMENTAL OSTEOPOROSIS.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate how moderate physical activity improves the bone ultrastructural parameters in rats with glucocorticoid-induced secondary osteoporosis. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Research has been carried out on Wistar female rats. Secondary osteoporosis was induced through daily i.m.1.5 mg/kgbw methylprednisolone, over a period of 30 days. A group of rats with induced secondary osteoporosis were subjected to physical activity (swimming) for one hour/day for 30 days. Rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last administration and femoral bones were used for electron microscopy analysis. RESULTS: The ultrastructural findings obtained from the rats with osteoporosis showed varying degrees of alteration in all cellular components. A moderate physical effort led to the overall maintenance of the normal ultrastructure of the cells and connective components, protecting the lamellar structure of the compact bone from the deleterious effects of glucocorticoid. The shape and components of osteocytes were also preserved and the accumulation of lipids in the bone marrow diminished. CONCLUSIONS: Physical exercise has been shown to have a protective role by lowering the development of structural alterations specific to osteoporosis. Therefore, moderate physical exercises are recommended for improving the structure of the bone mass affected by glucocorticoid treatment.

Evaluation of scaling and root planing effect in generalized chronic periodontitis by fractal and multifractal analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Fractal and multifractal analysis are useful additional non-invasive methods for quantitative description of complex morphological features. However, the quantitative and qualitative assessment of morphologic changes within human gingival cells and tissues are still unexplored. The aim of this work is to assess the structural gingival changes in patients with generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP), before and after scaling and root planing (SRP) by using fractal and multifractal analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve adults with untreated chronic periodontitis were treated only by SRP. At baseline and after SRP, gingivomucosal biopsies were collected for histopathological examination. Fractal and multifractal analysis of digital images of the granular, spinous and basal and conjunctive layers structure, using the standard box-counting method was performed. The fractal dimension was determined for cell membrane, nuclear membrane of cell and nucleolus membrane of cell. RESULTS: In GCP a higher fractal dimension corresponds to a higher geometric complexity of cells contour, as its values increase when the contour irregularities increase. The generalized fractal dimensions were determined for the conjunctive layer structure of patients with GCP and patients with GCP and SRP. The fractal and multifractal analysis of gingival biopsies confirmed earlier findings that SRP reduces gingival injury in patients with GCP. CONCLUSION: It has been shown that fractal and multifractal analysis of tissue images as a non-invasive technique could be used to measure contrasting morphologic changes within human gingival cells and tissues and can provide detailed information for investigation of healthy and diseased gingival mucosa from patients with GCP.

Anterior transperitoneal laparoscopic approach of retroperitoneal tumour - clinical case.

We present our personal experience in the anterior transperitoneal laparoscopic approach of a retroperitoneal tumour.The case we have in view is that of a 48-year old female patient P.V., with congenital single left kidney. The patient has a retroperitoneal tumour mass of the right flank. Following investigations (ultrasound, CT with contrast), the tumour appeared well defined, of small dimensions (approximately 6-7cm diameter) and without anatomical relationships with large retroperitoneal vessels (inferior vena cava). For the laparoscopic excision of the tumour, we used an operating device adapted from the one used in right hemi-colectomy. After the coloparietal dissection, the access into the right retroperitoneal flank by means of laparoscopy is achieved by applying our procedure.The surgical intervention was quick and of a minimally invasive nature. Postoperative evolution was favourable, without any complications; the patient was discharged after 48 hours. In anatomic situations where the tumour anatomy is well defined and its size is acceptable, without dangerous anatomic relationships with large retroperitoneal vessels, attempted laparoscopic transperitoneal removal is the preferred option.

[Benefits of mechanical suture in our experience]. / Beneficiile utilizarii suturii mecanice în experienta noastrta.

UNLABELLED: The evolution of mechanical suture technology experienced a continuous improvement but the implementation of these devices in current practice of Romanian surgery encountered difficulties related mostly to increased costs. PURPOSE: Review of casuistic related to the use of mechanical suture devices. METHODS: We studied the casuistic between 2008 and July 2011. More parameters were analyzed compared to cases in which manual suture was used. RESULTS: 74 patients benefited from using mechanical suture. Circular staplers EAEC type were used in 53 cases, TA staplers in 48 cases and Endo GIA in 19 cases. Operations performed were: 44 colo-rectal anastomoses (2 laparoscopic), 9 eso-jejunal anastomoses, 17 gastric resections, 2 duodenal stump closures and 2 rectal stump closures. One (2.56%) colorectal anastomotic fistula was found which led to death. There was a single anastomotic imperfection where we performed ileostomy with favorable evolution. Duration of Dixon's operation was shortened by 36 minutes average. The anastomosis could be lowered to 3 cm from the anal verge. There were 3 late local rectal cancer recurrences, 1 recto-vaginal fistula and 1 rectovesical fistula. There were no anastomotic stenoses. CONCLUSIONS: There were two main advantages of using mechanical anastomosis: (1) the opportunity of palette broadening of laparoscopic operations, (2) the possibility of making safe anastomosis in difficult to access areas (rectum, esophagus). The use of mechanical staplers offers advantages especially in patients with rectal tumors, especially in obese male patients with narrow basin, where we can save many cases from rectal amputation. Staplers bring more comfort to the surgeon offering physical and psychological feeling of a perfect anastomosis. Although staplers cost is high, in selected cases, this disadvantage is offset by reducing the duration of operations, hospitalization and subsequent cost of stomas maintenance.

[Surgical emergencies in elderly]. / Urgentele chirurgicale la vârstnici.

BACKGROUND: A higher number of elderly are seeking surgical care in the last years for different affections. The aim of the study was to analyze the characteristics of surgical emergency pathology in elderly and to establish several prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did a retrospective study on 22.803 patients admitted in the First and the Third Clinic of Surgery from Targu-Mures between 1999 and 2006. The data were statistically processed. RESULTS: The elderly (> or =70 years) represented 15.10% of all cases and 20.70% of all emergencies. Almost half of them (47.80%) were admitted in emergency conditions, compared to only a third (32.53%) of the younger group. The malignancies represented 16.72%, meanwhile in the younger group only 6.98 %. Abdominal emergencies represented 83.59%, mostly due to intestinal occlusion and digestive hemorrhages. The operability ratio was 68%, close to the younger group (72%). The global mortality rate was 3.95%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical emergencies affect elderly in a higher percentage than the younger group. The emergency condition, the elder age and neoplasia are the most important factors of negative prognosis, and more important when they cumulate, increasing the mortality rate up to fivefold compared to the elderly admitted in elective condition.

Subcellular distribution of calcium within root meristem cells.

The barley root (Hordeum vulgare) of 3-day old seedlings were treated with potassium oxalate to study the distribution of calcium among plant cell organelles. The best results were obtained by previously treating the root with 10(-3) M CaCl2 followed by an incubation for 20 min with potassium oxalate. The unstained sections for electronmicroscopy showed the deposits of calcium oxalate as a granular or a dark layer on the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and the nucleare envelope. Within all the cells, dark bodies, like vacuoles, were noticed.

Diabetic lymphangiopathy. An optical and electron microscopic study.

The lymphatic capillaries in the tegument of the dorsal side of the leg in patients with diabetes mellitus, and especially in those with clinically manifested macroangiopathy, present morphopathological modifications at the level of the endothelium and the basal membrane. Ultrastructurally, the modifications appear as dilatations of the intercellular space, dislocation or desquamation of the endothelium, an exaggerated growth of the micropinocytic vesicles, the appearance of the intracellular vacuoles and of the lysosomes. These modifications point to an increase in the endothelium permeability, which is an important phenomenon in the diabetic microangiopathy.

Malignant oncocytoma of the breast.

The histopathological pattern of a malignant oncocytoma of the breast in a 46 year-old woman is described. The electron microscopy of paraffin-embedded tissue revealed an abundance of swollen, vesicular mitochondria and loosely arranged intracytoplasmic microfilaments.

Some electron microscopy characteristics of lung immune response in the rats stimulated by respiratory and parenteral ways with pneumococcal suspensions.

Conventional albino rats of either sexes, weighing about 100 grams, were stimulated, one group by inhalation of pulverized suspensions of living type III pneumococci, in 6 exposures, and the second group, by 5 intramusculary injections, one a week, of 0,1 ml, emulision of killed germs, in complete Freund's adjuvant submitted after a week free interval to the inhalation of aerosolized living pneumococci. The tissue fragments sampled at two and respective five weeks after the beginning of the experiment, from central and peripherical sites of lungs, inclusively from a control group, were fixed in glutaraldehide-osmic acid and prepared for electron-microscopical examination. In the thickened, densely cellular alveolar walls there are numerous mature plasma cells, intermediate elements between reticular septal cells and plasmablast and also histiocytic cells which phagocytic inclusions and shape suggests their movement in the interalveolar septa. The swollen free alveolar macrophages contain an increased number of lysosomes and ribosomes. The hyperplastic granular pneumocytes possess enlarged cytosomes excreting osmiophilic material in the air spaces. There are discussed the problems of local plasma cell differentiation, alveolar macrophage physiology and transparietal migration of histiocytes.

Ultrastructural examination of the spleen after respiratory and general antigenic stimulation.

An ultrastructural study was carried out on the spleen of white rats stimulated repeatedly by respiratory and intramuscular ways with suspensions of living pneumococci and respectively with killed germs in complete Freund adjuvant. A high number of immunoblasts rich in polyribosomes populate the periphery of hypertrophied lymphoid follicles organized in multiple layers. Around the periarteriolar sheaths, mainly in systemically stimulated animals, there were evidenced activated lymphocytes with clear cytoplasms, dispersed monoribosomes and moderately developed mitochondria, concentrated at a cell extremity. Clusters of blastic and mature plasma cells, the cytoplasm of which is almost entirely occupied by rough endoplasmic reticulum, dominate the red pulp structure. Contacts between lymphocytes and histiocytes and an intense activity of macrophages complete the electron microscopic picture of the spleen immune response.

[Ultrastructural modifications in the pigeon islets of Langerhans after epiphysectomy and treatment with epifizan (author's transl)]. / Ultrastrukturelle Veränderungen in den Langerhansschen Insen der Taube nach Epiphysektomie und Behandlung mit Epifizan.

The endocrine pancreas in pigeon consists of three types of Langerhans' islets (light, dark and mixed) each one having D, A and B cells in different proportions, representing 42%, 32% and 25%, respectively, from the total amount of endocrine pancreas. The D-cells are electrondense and contain many large spheric secretory granules (300...500 nm) with an adherent membrane to its content. The A-cells are spheric or columnal in shape, having few cell-organelles, a low electron density and contain spheric or oval secretory granules (200...400 nm) with a narrow space between the membrane and its content. The B-cells are elongated, electrondense, have many cell-organelles and contain many polymorph secretory granules (180...260 nm) which have in their majority a crystalline content which is separated from the membrane by a halo. After epiphysectomy the A (glucagon-secreting) and B (insulin-secreting) cells appear to be stimulated: the nuclei are enlarged, the synthesis processes are accelerated and the secretory granules increased. The stimulation of the glucagon synthesis is the consequence of the hypoglycaemia, caused by pinealectomy. The D (somatostatin-secreting) cells appear to be inhibited, having decreased secretory granules and modifications of some cell-organelles. This seems to be connected only with hypertrophy of the B-cells. After epiphysectomy followed by a treatment with Epizifan, the A-cells appear to be exhausted, caused by a persistent secretory activity, these cells containing only a small quantity of immature secretory granules. The B-cells are overloaded with secretory granules, having some damaged cell-organelles and appear to be inhibited in the releasing of their secretory granules. The D-cells are very active, rich in secretory granules, allowing the conclusion that an active synthesis and secretion have been taking place. These facts could be explained only by an inner regulation mechanism of the Langerhan's islet which is disturbed by pinealectomy but not restored by the nonspecific (cattle) Epifizan.

Ultrastructural changes in the liver of aminophenazone- and nitrite-intoxicated rats.

Aminophenazone and sodium nitrite were administered in male albino rats in a short (20 days) toxicological experiment. Histological and ultrastructural changes were shown in the liver, which were characteristic of cirrhotic damage: cell mitochondria, nuclei, nucleoli, RER and SER were affected. Glycogen and free ribosomes were significantly decreased. Some necrotic processes, as well as the proliferation of autolysosomes and collagen in the centrolobular zones of the liver were also observed.

Ultrastructure in leaves of Fagus silvatica and Carpinus betulus individuals tolerant and susceptible to SO2 and heavy metal pollutants.

The ultrastructure characteristics of leaves during the development of cell organelles, in the "greening process" of spring, have been studied in pollutant-tolerant and susceptible individuals of beech (Fagus silvatica) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) in an area polluted with SO2 (the main pollutant may reach 0.06-2.72 mg/m3), heavy metals, and other gases discharged by non-iron metal processing factories. Leaves from tolerant beech and hornbeam individuals did not undergo ultrastructural changes compared to control leaves in an unpolluted area. The susceptible and very susceptible individuals of both species gradually undergo modification in organelle ultrastructure not only during the first steps of greening and momentary exposure to air pollution, but also as a result of long-term exposure to chronic pollution in the forest.

Ultrastructural changes in the mouse fetal choroid plexuses following chronic maternal alcoholization.

Female mice (RAP strain) were alcoholized for 30-50 days before mating and during pregnancy until killing, with a 20% solution of ethanol administered instead of drinking water. From foetuses of 16, 18 and 20 days and from newborn puppies (day 1) choroid plexuses were excised and electronmicroscopically examined. Chronic maternal alcoholization induced the lowering of glycogen content in the choroid cells of 16 day old foetuses, the swelling and vacuolization of mitochondria with the disappearance of cristae and enlargement of the Golgi complex--in the choroid cells at all the developmental stages controlled, the enlargement of intercellular spaces within the choroid epithelium and between the capillaries and the epithelial layer. The changes detected are presumedly due to disturbances of intracerebral fluid homeostasis and may be responsible for at least some of the CNS pathology observed in alcohol embryo- and fetopathy.

Ultrastructural changes in the mouse fetal neocortex following chronic maternal alcoholization.

Female mice (RAP strain) were alcoholized for 30-50 days before mating and during pregnancy until killing, with a 20% solution of ethanol administered instead of drinking water. From foetuses of 16, 18, 20 days and from newborn puppies on day 1 parietal neocortex fragments were excised and examined electronmicroscopically. Chronic maternal alcoholization induces in the neocortex of mouse foetuses and newborn puppies various ultrastructural changes: swelling of mitochondria with the disappearance of cristae and vacuolation, both in the capillary endothelium and in the cells of the neural tissue; enlargement of intercellular spaces; in the neocortex zones rich in neuronal processes (marginal and intermediary zone) vacuolation and structural wastage of these processes are detected. Moderate chronic alcohol intake leads to persistent ultrastructural changes in the fetal and newborn neocortex which may contribute to the appearance of some neuro-psychical and behavioral symptoms in alcohol embryo- and fetopathy. The possible pathogenetic pathways leading to the pathological changes detected are discussed.

Electron-microscopic studies on the effect of calcium pantothenate upon rat liver and locally irradiated epidermis.

Calcium pantothenate was administered to Wistar rats in a dose of 180 mg/day/rat for 42 days, in order to investigate its effect upon the ultrastructure of the epidermis locally irradiated with a dose of 600 rep and upon partly hepatectomized liver and locally irradiated epidermis, as compared to control. The resulting data have revealed that calcium pantothenate is metabolized without entailing ultrastructural changes. Both liver and epidermis appear to be protected by calcium pantothenate, which greatly diminishes or even cancels the display of irradiation-induced negative effects. The changes brought about by irradiation are throughly presented and the subcellular mechanisms providing the radioprotection of epidermis and liver are accurately defined.

Effect of colchicine and prednisolone upon the peptidergic neurosecretory product in Cyprinus carpio L.

After a treatment with physiological doses of colchicine and prednisolone, the rapid transport of the neurosecretory granules in the preoptico-neurohypophyseal tract of Cyprinus carpio L. is blocked. This fact is manifested by the accumulation of neurosecretory granules and of Hering's bodies at the level of fibres of preoptico-neurohypophyseal tract, and on the contrary, by the significant reduction of neurosecretory product in the nerve fibres of the neurohypophysis. The neurotubules which participate in the rapid axonal flux of neurosecretory granules do not suffer detectable ultrastructural changes.

Decreased fertility, increased dominant lethals, skeletal malformations induced in the mouse by Ziram fungicide.

The toxic effect of the Ziram fungicide (Zn-dimethyldithiocarbamate) on fertility, its lethal and teratogenic potential were tested on two mouse strains, C3H and AK. The fungicide was administered by gavage to male mice in daily doses of 0.2 mg% and 0.1 mg% along three weeks, then the mice were mated with normal females. Ziram induced changes in the testes and meiotic chromosomes. From among the mated females, 80 per cent of the C3H mice and 20 per cent of the AK remained unfertilized. The dominant lethals have a higher incidence in the AK strain. The skeletal malformation induced were kyphosis, scoliosis, sternum ossification failure; retardation in skeletal development is more obvious in the AK strain.

Ultrastructural comparative investigations on the hypophysary cells in fresh-water teleosts under natural conditions. The glycoproteic thyreotrope cells.

The structural und ultrastructural characteristics of the glycoproteic hypophysary cells - considered as TSH producers - were studied with optical and electron microscopical means in 7 species of freshwater teleosts: Leuciscus cephalus L., Barbus meridionalis petényi H., Chondrostoma nasus L., Gobio gobio carpathicus Vlad., Phoxinus phoxinus L., Nemachylus barbatulus L. and Cobitis taenia L., during the reproductive period and in the period of sexual rest. These cells are present in a relatively reduced number in the hypophysis, forming islets of 2...3 cells, each. They are of small dimensions (the maximal diameter being 7 micron) having polyhedral form with prolongations or an ovoidal form. The cellular nucleus is of large dimensions (to 5 micron) often deformed or segmented. The cytoplasm, during the reproductive period, contains numerous moderately electrondense secretory granules. The mean diameter of the granules does not exceed 1200 A in any of the species studied. In the reproductive period the mitochondria are swollen and prolonged, the Golgi complex more developed and in some species a large number of microvesicles is spread around this complex. The researches proved the tight connection of these cells with the nerve fibres which contain or not neurosecretory peptidergic granules. The more intensive elaboration of the granules during the reproductive period is discussed.