Relationship between Climate Change, Air Pollution and Allergic Diseases Caused by Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Common Ragweed).

Objective: Influence of climate change and outdoor air pollution (through anthropogenic factors, including heavy traffic, industry and other human activities polluting the environment), which contribute to global warming and increase the allergenicity of some plants (common ragweed) on allergenic patterns, with a direct negative impact on human health, causing or exacerbating allergic respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, changing the pattern of respiratory tract infections and premature deaths in Europe. The present study aims to highlight the link between climate change, outdoor air pollution, altered allergenicity of palms and possible behavioural risk factors in the environment. Methods:The clinical studies selected in this research highlighted the links between climate change, air pollutants and the occurrence/exacerbation of aeroallergen-induced respiratory disease; climate change (as an inducer of allergic respiratory disease), increasing global mean ambient air temperature and aeroallergens; climate change, global warming, [CO2] concentration and aeroallergens; climate change, atmospheric humidity, dust storms and aeroallergens; urbanisation (anthropogenic influence), air pollution and aeroallergens; potential of different plant species (common ragweed) for Ni accumulation and possible effects on the human body. Results:The medical implications of increased atmospheric [CO2] concentration are either direct (effect of [CO2] on human physiology and pathophysiology) or indirect (alteration of plant physiology associated with human disease). In an urban area with high [CO2] concentrations, ragweed grows faster, flowers earlier and more intensively, which will lead to increased pollen production compared to rural areas. Over time, climate change leads to changes in allergen (common ragweed) patterns, followed by effects on human health (causing or exacerbating allergic respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis and changing the pattern of respiratory tract infections). Conclusion:Climate change is changing air pollution patterns, particularly in urbanised areas of the world, with a significant effect on human health. Allergen patterns are also changing in response to climate change. Lifestyle adjustments are important to mitigate the health effects of air pollution and reduce the occurrence and progression of respiratory diseases.

Evaluation of Non-Pharmacological Measures Implemented in the Management of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania.

The management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania has included the involvement of not only the medical system, but also that of the administrative and social services. All these organizations are working together to lower the impact on the health of the general population, to increase the health system's response capabilities and even to diminish the negative effects upon the economy due to the epidemic's length. Therefore, non-pharmacological measures (NPMs) imposed through restrictive measures (administrative, economic and individual) have influenced the evolution of morbidity and mortality. Even from the first months of the pandemic's progression, researchers have shown the impact of the NPMs' existence, as there were many studies on all NPMs in conjunction, as well as those targeting specific measures such as school closures. Our study started by establishing a temporal relationship between the non-pharmacological measures found in most countries (wearing a mask, washing hands and physical distancing, limiting economic activities, closing schools, limiting internal and international movement, banning public and private events in closed spaces) and the evolution of the pandemic in Romania. The degree of novelty brought by this study consists of extending the analysis to the pre-existing state of the health system and to the measures meant to increase the resilience of the population, as well as to the measures aimed at reducing the type of risk, and factors that can equally influence the evolution of the number of cases. The results of the statistical analysis show the important effects of certain NPMs (mask mandates, online schooling, decisions regarding imposing or lifting local restrictions) as well as the reduced impact of other measures (hand disinfection, social distancing or the restriction of public and private events). Hence, it can be concluded that during such pandemics, implementing quick, simple measures can prevent the spread of the disease and help fight the contagion in a better manner.

Autophagy Plays Multiple Roles in the Soft-Tissue Healing and Osseointegration in Dental Implant Surgery-A Narrative Review.

Dental endo-osseous implants have become a widely used treatment for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are placed into a surgically created osteotomy in alveolar bone, the healing of the soft tissue lesion and the osseointegration of the implant being key elements to long-term success. Autophagy is considered the major intracellular degradation system, playing important roles in various cellular processes involved in dental implant integration. The aim of this review is an exploration of autophagy roles in the main cell types involved in the healing and remodeling of soft tissue lesions and implant osseointegration, post-implant surgery. We have focused on the autophagy pathway in macrophages, endothelial cells; osteoclasts, osteoblasts; fibroblasts, myofibroblasts and keratinocytes. In macrophages, autophagy modulates innate and adaptive immune responses playing a key role in osteo-immunity. Autophagy induction in endothelial cells promotes apoptosis resistance, cell survival, and protection against oxidative stress damage. The autophagic machinery is also involved in transporting stromal vesicles containing mineralization-related factors to the extracellular matrix and regulating osteoblasts' functions. Alveolar bone remodeling is achieved by immune cells differentiation into osteoclasts; autophagy plays an important and active role in this process. Autophagy downregulation in fibroblasts induces apoptosis, leading to better wound healing by improving excessive deposition of extracellular matrix and inhibiting fibrosis progression. Autophagy seems to be a dual actor on the scene of dental implant surgery, imposing further research in order to completely reveal its positive features which may be essential for clinical efficacy.

PM10 and NO2 Air Pollution and Evolution of COVID-19 Cases in Romania.

Objectives:Based on the correlation between air pollution and COVID-19 incidence/mortality already existing in the literature, we aimed to develop a study to investigate the link between the average level of PM10 (particulate matter 10 - particulate matter 10 microns in diameter) and NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) concentration over five years and the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 cases per 1000 people in Romania. Methods: To assess PM10 and NO2 exposure, we determined the average value of annual PM10 and NO2 concentration for each city over five years (2015-2019). For this purpose, the average of annual PM10 and NO2 concentrations collected from monitoring stations in selected cities was calculated. Then, the annual values over five years were averaged to finally obtain the average PM10 and NO2 concentration for each city. Data on the cumulative number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 up to the 28th of September 2020 were provided by the National Centre for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases (CNSCBT) of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP). The study used the cumulative incidence/hour per 1000 population on 28.09.2020. Results:According to Law no. 104/2011, the annual permissible limit value of PM10 concentration of 40 µg/m³ was not exceeded in any of the 43 cities in our study. The average for all cities was 24.0±4.8 ìg/m³, with a minimum value of average PM10 concentration of 13.9 µg/m3 measured in Alba Iulia and a maximum value of 39.1 µg/m³ in Iasi. The regression model shows that, in Bucharest, 77.9% of the variation in case incidence is explained by the variation in PM10 concentration. In order to find the number of new cases that would correspond to a cumulative incidence of 0.166, taking as an example one of the districts with a population of 259,084, the above regression model shows that an increase in the average PM10 concentration by one unit is associated with 43 new cases. Conclusion:The study demonstrates that an exposure of the population to particulate matter in atmospheric air, at low values, below the permissible limit values but for a long time (the follow-up period in our study was five years, between 2015 and 2019), can have effects on the health status of the population, which becomes much more vulnerable to external agents, in our case pathogenic microorganisms (viruses).

Death by SARS-CoV 2: a Romanian COVID-19 multi-centre comorbidity study.

Evidence regarding the relation between SARS-CoV-2 mortality and the underlying medical condition is scarce. We conducted an observational, retrospective study based on Romanian official data about location, age, gender and comorbidities for COVID-19 fatalities. Our findings indicate that males, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and chronic kidney disease were most frequent in the COVID-19 fatalities, that the burden of disease was low, and that the prognosis for 1-year survival probability was high in the sample. Evidence shows that age-dependent pairs of comorbidities could be a negative prognosis factor for the severity of disease for the SARS-CoV 2 infection.

Sociodemographic Determinants and Students' Perception Regarding Legislative Changes.

The frequency of legislation changes and their utility is a subject of interest and always under debate with pro and contra arguments. In the current study, the perception of students regarding medical legislation changes was analyzed. In general, no statistically significant differences were found between the sub-groups of students, thus underlining a unitary perception. The general perception is that changes in legislation are made too often. Moreover, only a small part of the analyzed group agrees on the utility of these changes. Finally, it seems that income is the main driver for students as future employees in the medical system. Also, significant differences between males and females' perceptions are emphasized, and legislation changes should take into account the primary drivers. Other issues, such as corruption, stability, and performances should be the key points in legislation changes. These results should be a challenge for all stakeholders, in particular for policymakers.