First Report on Clinical Feline Heartworm (Dirofilaria Immitis) Infection in Romania.

Dirofilaria immitis (Nematoda: Filarioidea) is the causative agent of heartworm disease (HWD), a severe and potentially fatal condition in dogs. Although cats are considered more resistant to infection than dogs, they are also susceptible to heartworm infection. Moreover, the clinical importance of feline dirofilariosis has increased in recent years, especially in heartworm endemic areas. In contrast to dog, definitive antemortem diagnosis of heartworm infection in cat is difficult to achieve and a combination of testing methods must be used for clinical confirmation. Here we describe a clinical case of heartworm infection in a 12-year-old male mixed breed cat, originated from Southern Romania, which was referred to a veterinary clinic with a history of vomiting and clinical signs of respiratory distress. The thoracic radiograph showed a diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern of the pulmonary parenchyma. The serological test for D. immitis circulating antibody was positive and heartworms were visualized by echocardiography in the main pulmonary artery. In conclusion, the present study clearly shows that cats are at risk for D. immitis infection in heartworm-endemic areas in Romania. Additionally, the findings highlight the urgent need for increased awareness among veterinary practitioners of the existence of feline heartworm diseases and for adequate prophylactic measures to be applied. To our knowledge, this is the first report on clinical evolution and radiographic and echocardiographic features of a naturally heartworm-infected cat in Romania.

Multilocus sequence typing of canine Giardia duodenalis from South Eastern European countries.

Giardia duodenalis is a worldwide occurring protozoan that can infect various mammalian hosts. While living conditions are getting closer between pet animals and owners, there is discussion whether dogs may contribute to the transmission of these pathogens to humans. The present study was conducted in order to identify the Giardia assemblages in dogs from South Eastern Europe. For this purpose, 1645 faecal samples of household and shelter dogs from Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia were tested for Giardia coproantigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A subset of 107 faecal samples demonstrating Giardia cysts by direct immunofluorescence assay (IFA) or microscopy (15-22 per country) plus 26 IFA-positive canine faecal samples from Croatia were used for DNA extraction and multilocus sequence typing with nested PCRs targeting five different gene loci: SSU rRNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, beta giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi). One third (33.7%) of the samples tested positive for Giardia antigen in the coproantigen ELISA. Shelter dogs were infected more frequently than household dogs (57.2 vs. 29.7%, p < 0.01). Amplification was obtained in 82.0, 12.8, 11.3, 1.5, and 31.6%, of the investigated samples at the SSU rRNA, bg, gdh and tpi loci and the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region, respectively. The dog-specific assemblages C and D were identified in 50 and 68 samples, respectively. The results demonstrate that G. duodenalis should be considered as a common parasite in dogs from South Eastern Europe. However, there was no evidence for zoonotic Giardia assemblages in the investigated canine subpopulation.

Forecasting low flow conditions months in advance through teleconnection patterns, with a special focus on 2018.

Over the past decades, Europe has been affected by several low flow periods which had substantial impacts on the hydrology of the rivers themselves as well as on the society and economy. Low flow periods have a direct impact on the environment, on the inland waterway navigation, on the hydropower production as well as on the sediment management, among others. Similar to floods, low flows are naturally occurring phenomena which can significantly hinder different uses and functions of the rivers and impact the aquatic system and the water quality. Moreover, it is projected that, in the future, climate change might lead to drier summers over the European region and therefore to more frequent and severe low flow periods. The results presented here show that the summer 2018 low flow situation, over the Rhine and Elbe Rivers basin, could have been predicted up to two seasons ahead by using previous months' sea surface temperature, sea level pressure, precipitation, mean air temperature and soil moisture. The lagged relationship between the predictand (e.g. seasonal streamflow) and the climate and oceanic predictors varies between 1 month (e.g. precipitation) up to 6 months (e.g. sea surface temperature). Taking into account that all predictors are available in real-time, the forecast scheme can be used to provide early warnings for the upcoming low flow situations, thus offering the possibility for better management of the water resources.

Vanishing river ice cover in the lower part of the Danube basin - signs of a changing climate.

Many of the world's largest rivers in the extra tropics are covered with ice during the cold season, and in the Northern Hemisphere approximately 60% of the rivers experience significant seasonal effects of river ice. Here we present an observational data set of the ice cover regime for the lower part of the Danube River which spans over the period 1837-2016, and its the longest one on record over this area. The results in this study emphasize the strong impact of climate change on the occurrence of ice regime especially in the second part of the 20th century. The number of ice cover days has decreased considerably (~28days/century) mainly due to an increase in the winter mean temperature. In a long-term context, based on documentary evidences, we show that the ice cover occurrence rate was relatively small throughout the Medieval Warm Period (MWP), while the highest occurrence rates were found during the Maunder Minimum and Dalton Minimum periods. We conclude that the river ice regime can be used as a proxy for the winter temperature over the analyzed region and as an indicator of climate-change related impacts.

ARCTIC CHANGE AND POSSIBLE INFLUENCE ON MID-LATITUDE CLIMATE AND WEATHER: A US CLIVAR White Paper.

The Arctic has warmed more than twice as fast as the global average since the mid 20th century, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification (AA). These profound changes to the Arctic system have coincided with a period of ostensibly more frequent events of extreme weather across the Northern Hemisphere (NH) mid-latitudes, including extreme heat and rainfall events and recent severe winters. Though winter temperatures have generally warmed since 1960 over mid-to-high latitudes, the acceleration in the rate of warming at high-latitudes, relative to the rest of the NH, started approximately in 1990. Trends since 1990 show cooling over the NH continents, especially in Northern Eurasia. The possible link between Arctic change and mid-latitude climate and weather has spurred a rush of new observational and modeling studies. A number of workshops held during 2013-2014 have helped frame the problem and have called for continuing and enhancing efforts for improving our understanding of Arctic-mid-latitude linkages and its attribution to the occurrence of extreme climate and weather events. Although these workshops have outlined some of the major challenges and provided broad recommendations, further efforts are needed to synthesize the diversified research results to identify where community consensus and gaps exist. Building upon findings and recommendations of the previous workshops, the US CLIVAR Working Group on Arctic Change and Possible Influence on Mid-latitude Climate and Weather convened an international workshop at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, on February 1-3, 2017. Experts in the fields of atmosphere, ocean, and cryosphere sciences assembled to assess the rapidly evolving state of understanding, identify consensus on knowledge and gaps in research, and develop specific actions to accelerate progress within the research community. With more than 100 participants, the workshop was the largest and most comprehensive gathering of climate scientists to address the topic to date. In this white paper, we synthesize and discuss outcomes from this workshop and activities involving many of the working group members. WORKSHOP FINDINGS: Rapid Arctic change - Emergence of new forcing (external and internal) of atmospheric circulation: Rapid Arctic change is evident in the observations and is simulated and projected by global climate models. AA has been attributed to sea ice and snow decline (regionally and seasonally varying). However this cannot explain why AA is greatest in winter and weakest in summer. It was argued at the workshop that other factors can also greatly contribute to AA including: increased downwelling longwave radiation from greenhouse gases (including greater water vapor concentrations from local and remote sources); increasing ocean heat content, due to local and remote processes; regional and hemispheric atmospheric circulation changes; increased poleward heat transport in the atmosphere and ocean; and cloud radiative forcing. In particular, there is emerging observational evidence that an enhanced poleward transport of sensible and latent heat plays a very important role in the AA of the recent decades, and that this enhancement is mostly fueled by changes in the atmospheric circulation. We concluded that our understanding of AA is incomplete, especially the relative contributions from the different radiative, thermodynamic, and dynamic processes.Arctic mid-latitude linkages - Focusing on seasonal and regional linkages and addressing sources of inconsistency and uncertainty among studies: The topic of Arctic mid-latitude linkages is controversial and was vigorously debated at the workshop. However, we concluded that rapid Arctic change is contributing to changes in mid-latitude climate and weather, as well as the occurrence of extreme events. But how significant the contribution is and what mechanisms are responsible are less well understood. Based on the synthesis efforts of observational and modeling studies, we identified a list of proposed physical processes or mechanisms that may play important roles in linking Arctic change to mid-latitude climate and weather. The list, ordered from high to low confidence, includes: increasing geopotential thickness over the polar cap; weakening of the thermal wind; modulating stratosphere-troposphere coupling; exciting anomalous planetary waves or stationary Rossby wave trains in winter and modulating transient synoptic waves in summer; altering storm tracks and behavior of blockings; and increasing frequency of occurrence of summer wave resonance. The pathway considered most robust is the propagation of planetary/Rossby waves excited by the diminished Barents-Kara sea ice, contributing to a northwestward expansion and intensification of the Siberian high leading to cold Eurasian winters. OPPORTUNITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS: An important goal of the workshop was achieved: to hasten progress towards consensus understanding and identification of knowledge gaps. Based on the workshop findings, we identify specific opportunities to utilize observations and models, particularly a combination of them, to enable and accelerate progress in determining the mechanisms of rapid Arctic change and its mid-latitude linkages.Observations: Due to the remoteness and harsh environmental conditions of the Arctic, in situ observational time series are highly limited spatially and temporally in the region.Six recommendations to expand approaches using observational datasets and analyses of Arctic change and mid-latitude linkages include: Synthesize new Arctic observations;Create physically-based sea ice-ocean surface forcing datasets;Systematically employ proven and new metrics;Analyze paleoclimate data and new longer observational datasets;Utilize new observational analysis methods that extend beyond correlative relationships; andConsider both established and new theories of atmospheric and oceanic dynamics to interpret and guide observational and modeling studies.Model experiments: We acknowledge that models provide the primary tool for gaining a mechanistic understanding of variability and change in the Arctic and at mid-latitudes. Coordinated modeling studies should include approaches using a hierarchy of models from conceptual, simple component, or coupled models to complex atmospheric climate models or fully coupled Earth system models. We further recommend to force dynamical models with consistent boundary forcings.Three recommendations to advance modeling and synthesis understanding of Arctic change and mid-latitude linkages include: Establish a Modeling Task Force to plan protocols, forcing, and output parameters for coordinated modeling experiments (Polar Amplification Model Intercomparison Project; PAMIP);Furnish experiment datasets to the community through open access (via Earth System Grid); andPromote analysis within the community of the coordinated modeling experiments to understand mechanisms for AA and to further understand pathways for Arctic mid-latitude linkages.

Linkages between atmospheric blocking, sea ice export through Fram Strait and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.

As a key persistent component of the atmospheric dynamics, the North Atlantic blocking activity has been linked to extreme climatic phenomena in the European sector. It has also been linked to Atlantic multidecadal ocean variability, but its potential links to rapid oceanic changes have not been investigated. Using a global ocean-sea ice model forced with atmospheric reanalysis data, here it is shown that the 1962-1966 period of enhanced blocking activity over Greenland resulted in anomalous sea ice accumulation in the Arctic and ended with a sea ice flush from the Arctic into the North Atlantic Ocean through Fram Strait. This event induced a significant decrease of Labrador Sea water surface salinity and an abrupt weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) during the 1970s. These results have implications for the prediction of rapid AMOC changes and indicate that an important part of the atmosphere-ocean dynamics at mid- and high latitudes requires a proper representation of the Fram Strait sea ice transport and of the synoptic scale variability such as atmospheric blocking, which is a challenge for current coupled climate models.

Gelatin-poly(vinyl alcohol) porous biocomposites reinforced with graphene oxide as biomaterials.

The present work aims to develop new biocomposites based on gelatin (Gel) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) reinforced with graphene oxide (GO). On the one hand, the model is designed with consideration of the high performance of the aforementioned biopolymers as biomaterials; on the other hand, the original component of the system, GO, is expected to improve structural stability and boost mechanical strength. Porous Gel-PVA/GO materials with GO content ranging from 0.5 to 3 wt% are obtained by freeze-drying. Structural analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the ability of well-dispersed GO nanosheets to form interactions with the polymers, leading to a unique molecular structuration. 3D analysis by X-ray microtomography (microCT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggests that GO has an influence on pore adjustment. According to mechanical tests, GO undoubtedly exhibits a beneficial effect on the polymer resistance against compressive stress, improving their compressive strengths by 97-100% with the addition of 0.5-3 wt% GO. Moreover, biological assessment using the MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast murine cell line indicated the fabrication of a cytocompatible composite formula, with potential for further in vivo testing and tissue engineering applications.

[Growth factors in proliferative diabetic retinopathy]. / Factori de crestere în retinopatia diabetica proliferanta.

This work presents the possible implications of the angiogenic growth factors and some cell mediators in the initiation and development of the neovascular proliferation in diabetic retinopathy. According to the physiopathologic theories stated above, that are implied in the generation of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, here are some therapeutic experiments based on the action of the angiogenic growth factors.

[Antitumor radiotherapy in ophthalmology]. / Radioterapia antitumorala în oftalmologie.

The paper presents the sources, the radiations and the clinical methods, as well as the technique used for the treatment of the neoplastic ocular diseases. At the same time, it is underlined the significance of the radiotherapy as the only efficient therapeutically mean for a certain ocular tumoral disease.

[The use of excimer lasers in ophthalmology--an update and the outlook]. / Utilizarea laserilor cu excimeri în oftalmologie--actualitati si perspective.

This article presents the actual therapy with excimer lasers. These lasers help the ophthalmologist in the healing of some little imperfections of the nature, as refractive errors. Also we can observe the great potential of the excimer lasers.

[Photodynamic therapy in ophthalmology]. / Terapia fotodinamica în oftalmologie.

This work presents the ophthalmic applications of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Very good results of PDT were observed in the treatment of neovascularization and tumors.

[Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors with topical action in the treatment of glaucomatous diseases. A preliminary note]. / Inhibitorii de anhidraza carbonica cu actiune topica în tratamentul bolii glaucomatoase. Nota preliminara.

Seven patients with open angle glaucoma were treated using Dorsolamida twice daily together Betablocant treat. Five patients with secondary glaucoma were treated with Dorsolamida three time daily as well three patients with edematous postimplant keratopathy. Intraocular pressure decreased with an average of 3-4 mm Hg and at the patients with corneal edema that decreased.

[CMV retinitis--"the lightning that announces a storm"]. / Retinita cu CMV--"fulgerul care anunta furtuna".

After a theoretic presentation, the authors show the results of a study on 11 patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis. We observed the slowing of the evolution of the retinal lesions. Of 11 patients, 8 comes the first time to the physician for ocular symptoms. The CMV retinitis may predict the presence of HIV infection.

[A recurrent adenoid-type basal-cell epithelioma of the superior portion of the ala nasi and of the left internal palpebral angle (rodent ulcer)--a clinical case]. / Epiteliom bazocelular tip adenoid recidivat al partii superioare a aripii nazale si unghiului intern palpebral stâng (ulcus rodens)--caz clinic.

The palpebral basocellular epithelioma is the most frequent neoformation of the ocular adnexa. It has a local invasive potential, necessitating a complete and also oncological excision. This paper presents a case in which an insufficient treatment has gone to the recurrence of the tumor.

[A giant arterial aneurysm with an inferior paramacular location--a clinical case]. / Anevrism arterial gigant cu localizare paramacular inferior--caz clinic.

The authors report the case of a 72-year-old patient with a sudden loss of the visual acuity of her unifunctional right eye. The ophthalmoscopy and the angiofluorography of the right eye showed a vascular tumour that is situated paramacular inferior, a long temporal arterial branch. Clinical and biochemical investigations permitted the diagnostic of arterial aneurysm developed on systemic hypertension and vascular fragility of the patient. It is very possible that an occlusive or a spastic downstream component to be at the origin of the aneurysm.

[Emergency keratoplasty]. / Keratoplastia de necesitate.

In some ocular diseases may occur the corneal perforation. This condition requires an emergency penetrating keratoplasty. We show in this paper the conditions, surgical techniques and the complications in this kind of surgical intervention, with examples from our clinical cases.

[Prostaglandin esters--new directions in the treatment of glaucoma]. / Esterii de prostaglandine--noi directii în tratamentul glaucomului.

The therapeutically approach of glaucoma still represent a problem of the ophthalmology. Latanoprost, a new prostaglandin derivative, fall the intraocular pressure as good in the night as during the day by its special way of action. Since January 1998, in the Eye Clinic of the Central Military Hospital, we studying the ocular hypotensive effects of the latanoprost. Our results seems to confirm the efficacy of this prostaglandin analogue.

Photochemical and photodynamic properties of vitamin B2--riboflavin and liposomes.

Ocular neovascular disease represents an important cause of blindness today. In this paper, it was used a model to evaluate the vaso-occlusive potential of photodynamic therapy with B2 vitamin. Neovascularization induced în an occular cornea consists of an easily accessible monolayer-like neovascular net within a transparent matrix. This fact allows studying the efficiency of occlusion în an isolated neovascular structure. This study is a requirement for the transport evaluation and photodynamic efficiency of this drug. Both riboflavin and the DPBF are embedded în the phospholipid bilayer. The quantum yield of DPBF photooxidation and riboflavin singlet oxygen generation are higher by comparison with water (13-35 s în liposomes and 0.4 s în water), due to the higher lifetime of singlet oxygen în liposomes and due to the special transport mechanism of B2 inside of liposomes. The photochemical behavior of riboflavin (Vitamin B2) aqueous solution and în unilamellar liposomes of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) during the sensitized photooxidation of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) are discussed în this paper. Some structural aspects of DPPC liposomes, have been studied, too. The first step în the sequence of vesicle shape transformations, the spherical to polygonal shape transition, occurs în a very narrow temperature range, i.e., during the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition. At different temperatures (30,37-42 degrees C) could be seen the sequence for the vesicle form: spherical-polygonal-ellipsoidal, attributable to the lipid domain coexistence on the macroscopic structure of liposomes. The incorporation of B2 Vitamin eliminates the ellipsoidal form of DPPC, even at high temperature, because B2 has a very small molecule able to be encapsulated into DPPC vesicle. Also, the incorporation of B2 increase the DPPC diameter, all these observations being obtained by optical confocal microscopy.

[Iopidine in the control of intraocular pressure after glaucoma laser treatment]. / Iopidina în controlul cresterilor presionale dupa proceduri antiglaucomatoase laser.

Iopidine is an a 2 agonist with a few indications in glaucoma treatment. 48 patients with medically uncontrolled POAG and PACG were treated with ALT and Nd-Yag iridotomy. In lot A Iopidine was instilled 30' before and immediately after laser treatment and in lot B Iopidine was delivered only postlaser. The mean and percent change in intraocular pressure were similar in both groups one and two hours after laser treatment.

[The anterior segment ischemia syndrome]. / Sindromul de ischemie a segmentului anterior.

Starting from a clinical case, the paper presents a rare complication of the strabismus and retinal detachment surgery: the anterior segment ischemia syndrome. In this context, we discuss the clinical and pathogenetic circumstances of apparition, underlining the great importance of primary prophylaxis.