Dual Sensory Impairment: The Correlation between Age Related Macular Degeneration and Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

The pathogeneses of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and age-related hearing impairment are not yet fully understood. If AMD and age-related hearing impairment are correlated, the cause of both may be a result of a common vulnerability. The aim of this study was to assess the interrelation between age-related macular degeneration and age-related hearing loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our case-control analysis, the hearing conditions of 40 subjects with AMD were compared with 40 age-matched healthy controls. In all patients, retinal changes were certified by clinical examinations, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (FA). All subjects were inspected with pure tone audiometry (PTA), impedance audiometry, and speech audiometry. RESULTS: A significant correlation (p < 0.001) was identified between age-related macular degeneration and age-related hearing impairment. The predominant hearing impairment in this case was sensorineural (SNHL). Of the patients diagnosed with AMD, SNHL was found in 88.89% of those with exudative macular degeneration and in 67.74% of those with atrophic macular degeneration. In contrast, we found that a significant proportion of the control group had normal hearing. CONCLUSION: One possible explanation for the association between retinal and cochlear impairment may be due to a melanin disorder.

Assessment of Betulinic Acid Cytotoxicity and Mitochondrial Metabolism Impairment in a Human Melanoma Cell Line.

Melanoma represents one of the most aggressive and drug resistant skin cancers with poor prognosis in its advanced stages. Despite the increasing number of targeted therapies, novel approaches are needed to counteract both therapeutic resistance and the side effects of classic therapy. Betulinic acid (BA) is a bioactive phytocompound that has been reported to induce apoptosis in several types of cancers including melanomas; however, its effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics are less investigated. The present study performed in A375 human melanoma cells was aimed to characterize the effects of BA on mitochondrial bioenergetics and cellular behavior. BA demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect in both mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in A375 melanoma cells and at sub-toxic concentrations (10 µM) induced mitochondrial dysfunction by eliciting a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and changes in mitochondria morphology and localization. In addition, BA triggered a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect characterized by apoptotic features: morphological alterations (nuclear fragmentation, apoptotic bodies) and the upregulation of pro-apoptotic markers mRNA expression (Bax, Bad and Bak). BA represents a viable therapeutic option via a complex modulatory effect on mitochondrial metabolism that might be useful in advanced melanoma or as reliable strategy to counteract resistance to standard therapy.

Dental health between self-perception, clinical evaluation and body image dissatisfaction - a cross-sectional study in mixed dentition pre-pubertal children.

BACKGROUND: Self-perception of oral health status is a multidimensional construct that includes psychological, psychosocial and functional aspects of oral health. Contemporary concepts suggest that the evaluation of health needs should focus on clinical standards and socio-dental indicators that measure the impact of health/disease on the individual quality of life. Oral health cannot be dissociated from general health. This study evaluates a possible association between oral health status, body size, self-perception of oral health, self-perception of body size and dissatisfaction with body image in prepubertal children with mixed dentition, targeting the completion of children's health status assessment which will further allow the identification of individuals at risk and could be further used as an evaluation of the need for specific interventions. METHODS: The present study is cross-sectional in design and uses data from 710 pre-pubertal children with mixed dentition. The outcome variables comprised one item self-perception of oral health: dmft/DMFT Index and Dental Aesthetic Index, body size, self-assessed body size and desired body size. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: More than a half (53.1%) of the participants with mixed dentition reported that their oral health was excellent or very good. In the unadjusted model, untreated decayed teeth, dmft score and body dissatisfaction levels had a significant contribution to poor self-perception of oral health, but after adjustment for gender, BMI status, dmft score, DMFT score and DAI score, only untreated decayed teeth OR = 1.293, 95%CI (1.120-1.492) and higher body dissatisfaction levels had a significant contribution. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the need for dental treatment influenced self-perception of oral health in prepubertal children with mixed dentition, especially with relation to untreated decayed teeth. Since only body dissatisfaction levels, but not BMI, were related to poor self-perception of oral health, which involves a psychological component, further studies should evaluate the risk factors of body dissatisfaction, in order to plan health care directed to this age group, and with the purpose to positive parenting strategies.

Chemical composition and in vitro antifungal activity screening of the Allium ursinum L. (Liliaceae).

The objective of the study was to summarize the methods for isolating and identifying natural sulfur compounds from Allium ursinum (ramson) and to discuss the active constituents with regard to antifungal action. Using chromatographic techniques, the active constituents were isolated and subsequently identified. Analyses by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) suggested that these compounds were sulfur constituents, with a characteristic absorbance at 250 nm. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses allowed the chemical structures of the isolated constituents to be postulated. We adopted the same methods to identify the health-giving profiling of ramsons and the effects are thought to be primarily derived from the presence and breakdown of the alk(en)ylcysteine sulphoxide, alliin and its subsequent breakdown to allicin (sulfur-compounds of ramson) in connection with antifungal action. The aim of the study was the characterization of the chemical composition of ramsons and the testing of the action of the in vitro extracts, on different strains of Candida albicans. The main goal was to highlight the most efficient extracts of Allium ursinum that can provide long-term antifungal activity without remissions. The extracts from Allium ursinum plants, inhibited growth of Candida spp. cells at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 4.0 mg/mL, while that of adherent cells at concentrations ranging from 1.0 to > 4.0 mg/mL, depending on the yeast and plant species.

Management of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer for a Young Patient with Visceral Crisis-The Adjuvant Role of Lifestyle Changes.

The safety profile and effectiveness of existing anti-HER2-targeted therapies have not been evaluated in patients with breast cancer and visceral crisis. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman who was diagnosed with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer and initially treated with curative intent therapy in a neoadjuvant setting, using Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab in combination with Docetaxel; her cancer recurred two years later, with liver metastases and pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis, causing visceral crisis. Furthermore, the patient's clinical status worsened when she developed respiratory failure, hepatomegaly and a severe hepatocytolysis. Since the patient was free of disease more than six months, we started with Paclitaxel half dose because of the hepatic dysfunction, and we gradually reintroduced Trastuzumab and then Pertuzumab. In the meantime, the patient changed her lifestyle by increasing her consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and fiber and reducing her intake of processed meat, dairy and sugar. As a result, the patient showed a significant improvement in her respiratory symptoms and liver tests in less than two months. Imaging reevaluation showed partial remission of liver metastases and pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis. She underwent seven months of dual anti-HER2 blockade before relapsing cerebrally. Our results suggest that the sequential combination therapy with Trastuzumab, Pertuzumab and Paclitaxel presented in this study, associated with a healthy lifestyle, may be a good management for recurrent HER2-positive breast cancer with pulmonary visceral crisis and severe liver dysfunction.

Impact of Stress and Financials on Romanian Infertile Women Accessing Assisted Reproductive Treatment.

Around 20% of couples worldwide are affected by infertility issues, with numbers in the European Union reaching as high as 25%, while access to reproductive care varies significantly by geopolitical and country-specific variables. The purpose of this research is to shed light on the unique social, psychological, and financial difficulties faced by Romanian couples seeking access to assisted reproductive therapy (ART). A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2017 and 2019 to involve women who accessed ART at fertility clinics in Romania by completing two infertility surveys. We analyzed the data in terms of all facets of infertility and ART, including the effect of personal background and stress levels on succeeding to conceive, the impact of treatment costs, and household income. A total of 829 participants completed the survey. We observed that high stress exposure leads to a substantially higher duration to conceive using ART, although the proportions of successful pregnancies did not differ between low-stress and high-stress groups. A significantly higher number of couples achieved pregnancy when their monthly household income was higher than EUR 1000 and if the ART method was more expensive. Additionally, we observed that advanced age, high stress levels, and the high cost of ART had a negative association with achieving pregnancy using ART. The findings indicated that Romanian couples experiencing infertility must contend with significant expenses for specialist infertility treatments, as well as treatment-related stress, both of which have a detrimental effect on their odds of attaining conception.

High School Pupils' Relationships with Their Parents, Schoolmates, and Friends, and Health-Related Risk Behaviors.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to evaluate high school pupils' relationships with their parents, schoolmates, and friends, and the presence of health-related risk behaviors among the family members and friends on the pupils' smoking and binge drinking status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional population-based study that involved a questionnaire, and the sample involved 2908 pupils at high schools in Timis county, Romania. In our study, the following factors related to family members and friends and the living environment were identified. First, there were issues with the relationships with parents among some pupils, with 23.2% being neither satisfied nor unsatisfied and 4.9% being unsatisfied. Second, there were also issues regarding some pupils' satisfaction with the financial situation of their family, with 21.8% being neither satisfied nor unsatisfied and 16.4% being unsatisfied. An odds ratio (OR) is a statistic that quantifies the strength of the association between two events. RESULTS: There were 1495 (51.5%) girls and 1407 (48.5%) boys aged 14-20 years, and 79.2% came from organized families. Among the pupils, 71.1% reported that they were satisfied with their relationship with their parents, while 4.9% were unsatisfied. Additionally, 46.2% were satisfied with the financial status of their families, while 16.4% were unsatisfied. Moreover, 59.2% were satisfied with their relationship with their schoolmates and 80.2% were satisfied with their relationship with their friends, while only 1.8% were unsatisfied with their relationship with their friends. The logistic regression model of the pupils' smoking status identified two moderate predictive factors: this was defined ">1" friends who smoke (odds ratio [OR]=2.875) and smoking status of siblings (OR=2.222). The major predictive factor in the logistic regression model of occasional alcohol consumption in high quantities by pupils was male gender (OR=5.148). CONCLUSION: The predictive model of pupils' smoking status identified the following moderate predictors: high number of friends who smoke and smoking status of siblings. The major predictor in the model of occasional alcohol consumption in high quantities by pupils was male gender.

Identification of Heavy Tobacco Smoking Predictors-Influence of Marijuana Consuming Peers and Truancy among College Students.

BACKGROUND: Poorly informed college students tend to adopt the habit of cigarette smoking. This habit often continues into their adulthoods, adversely affecting the population's health and increasing the burden on healthcare systems. AIM: We aimed at exploring the predictors of the avoidable habit of smoking. We performed an analysis of the correlation between the potential predictors (marijuana use among peers and truancy) and the tobacco smoking statuses of the students. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Our study sample included 2976 students from colleges in Timis County, Romania, during the 2018-2019 period. The gender distribution of the participants was 62.5% girls and 37.5% boys, between the ages 18 and 25 years. A logistic regression test was performed to determine the impact of some personal and environmental factors, which are responsible for heavy smoking in this population. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that the degree of marijuana smoking among friends and the frequency of college truancy are meaningful predictors of heavy smoking among young adults. The students with higher cigarette smoking rates had significantly more marijuana-smoking friends when compared to the students with average smoking rates. The truancy was higher among the students with higher cigarette smoking rates, compared to the students with average smoking rates.

Photoprotection role of melanin in the human retinal pigment epithelium. Imaging techniques for retinal melanin.

The human eye is made up of multiple layers of pigmented tissues that have in componence melanin. In the eye, one can separate melanosomes from various embryonic origins. The pigment-producing cells in the stroma of the iris, ciliary body and the choroid (uveal melanocytes) are neural crest derivatives. On the other hand, ciliary, iris and retinal pigment epithelial cells are developed from the neural ectoderm. One universally accepted role of melanin is to react as neutral-density filter in scattering light. Melanin acts as a free radical stabilizer and has the ability to absorb near-infrared, visible light and UV radiation. This paper reviews the current knowledge on ocular melanin, including ocular melanogenesis, roles of melanin in retinal metabolic processes and some imaging techniques that identify melanin in the retina.

The discontent degree in relations with the proximal social environment and adolescent personality features in Timis County, Romania.

UNLABELLED: In our study we investigated whether there is a relation between the degree of discontent in relations with the proximal social environment (family and peer groups) and adolescent personality features. The study was conducted on a statistical representative and homogenous sample consisting of 2908 teenagers (51.5% girls and 48.5 % boys, aged between 15 and 19 years). It was an observational (case) study and it consisted in 2 questionnaires applying: Freiburg Personality Inventory (212 items) and CORT 2004 questionnaire (116 items, 6 referring to the discontent levels created by proximal social environment). Cronbach's alpha index was 0.802 for FPI and 0,910 for CORT 2004. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 16 program applying Chi square (χ2) and gamma (γ) correlation. RESULTS: Depression and Emotional lability correlated positively and powerfully with q15 (discontent degree of relations with present friend-peers) (γ = 0.471, Sig. 0.000, and γ = 0.383, Sig. 0.000, respectively) and q5 (discontent degree of the relation with parents) (γ = 0.380, Sig. 0.000, and γ = 0.337, Sig. 0.000, respectively). Sociability and calm correlated negative with q5 (γ = -0.14, Sig. 0.000, and γ = -0.35, Sig. 0.000, respectively), q15 (γ = -0.33, Sig. 000 and γ = -0.18, Sig. 000, respectively). In conclusion, there is direct proportional relation between the discontent degree of relations with friend-peers and parents and depression and emotional lability, and inverse proportional relation of friend-peers and parents with sociability and calm.

MANIFESTATIONS OF SELF-HARM IN RELATION WITH BINGE DRINKING TO STUDENTS FROM TIMIS COUNTY, ROMÂNIA.

AIM: The research investigated the feeling of sadness, suicidal thoughts and plans associated with binge drinking among students in Timis County, Romania. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We applied a transversal population study to the representative sample of 2076 students, 62.49% girls and 37.51% boys with a mean age of 21.09 years with SD 1.48. RESULTS: The boys practice binge drinking significantly more often than girls, the difference is small to medium: prevalence of 22.1% for boys and 8.7% girls, 1-2 times in the last month. CONCLUSIONS: Only girls who practice this behavior, increased frequency of engaging in binge drinking is associated with feelings of sadness, suicidal thoughts and suicide plans in a small measure, but significant.

Personality profiles and risk diet behaviors--a case-control study on teenagers from Timis County, Romania.

In the study we conducted we aimed at investigating the relation between personality profiles and risk diet behaviors in teenagers. This study was a case-control one and we applied 2 questionnaires (Freiburg Personality Inventory--FPI with 212 items) and CORT 2004 (items Q94-Q116 of diet behavior) on a sample of 2908 teenagers (51.5% girls and 48.5% boys). Cronbach's alpha index was 0.802 for FPI and 0.730 for items Q101-Q109 of CORT. Personality profiles were built by an Excel 2003 Program. Statistical analysis was realized with SPSS 16 program applying Chi square (chi2) and gamma (gamma) correlation. Personality features of teenagers with high and without risk diet behavior were analyzed. Results obtained: personality profiles and statistical results indicated the existence of a significant statistical difference of aggressiveness and domination between teenagers with high and no consumption of butter and/or lard (Q103) (chi2 = 6.872, Sig. 0.032 and chi2 = 6.922, Sig. 0.031 respectively), of juices from the market (Q106) (chi2 = 9.055, Sig. 0.011 and chi2 = 14.571, Sig. 0.001 respectively). Aggressiveness correlated with consumption of fried potatoes (Q109) (chi2 = 6.144, Sig. 0.046) too. Correlation gamma indicated direct proportional relations of aggressiveness with: Q103 (gamma = 0.215, Sig. 0.017), Q106 (gamma = 0.224, Sig. 0.004), Q109 (gamma = 0.242, Sig. 0.012); and of domination with: Q103 (gamma = 0.234, Sig. 0.008), Q106 (gamma = 0.073, Sig. 0.000). In conclusion, there is a direct proportional relation between consumption of: butter/lard, juices from the market and teenagers' aggressiveness, domination; and a similar relation between consumption of fried potatoes and aggressiveness.

Homework particularities for small school children.

UNLABELLED: The present study was centered on the particularities of the duration of preparing homework, taking breaks during homework preparation, and the way the breaks should take place for small school children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study has been done on a sample of 235 small school children from Oradea, 114 boys and 121 girls, between the ages 7 and 10 years old, using an anonymous questioner, with 41 items, which investigates the lifestyle of the small school children. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The duration of homework preparation it is significantly more reduced for the school children in 1st grade in comparison with the ones in 3 grade (p < 0.001); for school children in 2nd grade compared to the ones in 3rd (p < 0.001) and for school children in 3rd grade compared to the ones in 4th grade. A percentage of 93% of children prepare their homework after lunch. Half of the children from grades I-IV prepare their homework with no break. A very small number of children spend their homework break time in a healthy manner, while the rest prefer to play computer games (46.95%) or to watch television (46.08%). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the schoolchildren need 1-2 hours at home to prepare their homework. Most of the school children prepare their homework after lunch, in an optimal interval of time. Half of the questioned children prepare their homework with no break. Those who are taking breaks prefer activities which get the children even more tired, therefore being non-hygienic methods of spending homework breaks.

The body mass index in relation with the self-perception of weight and the body composition from different populational groups.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the self-perception of weight in relation with the body mass index and the body composition of three working groups composed of physically untrained young students, young athletes and patients diagnosed with chronic diseases. The working groups consisted of 110 participants: untrained students, athletes and dialysed patients; 50.9% women and 49.1% men; with an average age of 26.03. The BMI of the patients is significantly higher than the BMI of the athletes and untrained students. No significant differences were found between groups in terms of self-perception of weight. Compared to the physically untrained students and patients, the athletes have a significantly higher level of muscle tissue. The athletes also have a significantly lower adipose tissue than that of the physically untrained students and patients.

Predictors of quantitative microbiological analysis of spatter and aerosolization during scaling.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study is to analyze the infection risk through spatter and aerosolization during scaling and to create a prediction model of the total number of hemolytic bacteria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Air samples were collected prior to patient's arrival and spatter and aerosol samples were collected during scaling procedure in 80 patients of 4 different dental clinics. The dentists calculated DI, CI, DMFT. Only patients with CI > = 1 were included. The bacteriological results (CFU/m3) were correlated with clinical indicators. Patients were divided into 2 groups: one that rinse with sterile water and the other with chlohexidine mouth rinse 0.1%. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Medium size effect positive correlations were found between the number of decayed teeth and the total number of bacteria and the total number of hemolytic bacteria that grew on plate attached to the dentist's mask. The mean number of bacteria and the mean number of hemolytic bacteria that grew on plate attached to the dentist's mask were significantly lower in the group that rinse with chlorhexidine 0.1%, when compared to the group that rinsed with sterile water. When controlling for the total number of bacteria and the total number of hemolytic bacteria from air sampling, the total number of hemolytic bacteria that grew on the plate attached to the dentist's mask can be predicted by CI, group membership and DMFT score.

Defining family elements in adolescence.

UNLABELLED: The family has a permanent partner role on adolescents till adult stage. The adolescent builds up his own identity based on the affiliation to his family, but he gets away from his family for the need of leading his own life and finding his place in society. The adolescent sample was made up of 2908 college students from Timis County, aged between 15-19 years, 51.5% girls and 48.5% boys. The working method was the populational transversal study based on anonymous self-administration of the investigation questionnaire CORT 2004 about the risky comportment in teenagers, in a CNCSIS research project. RESULTS: The study results high lighten the predominance of family organized affiliation, 78.9% living with family, 88.6%; the medium study level of 63.7% of mothers and 59.1% of fathers; the satisfaction towards family members, 71.7%; satisfaction towards family's financial level, 61.2%. In this way is underlined the role of identity development in adolescents.

Contribution of certain individual factors and of the entourage to the heavy smoker status in Timis County students.

UNLABELLED: The study aimed for a hierarchy of factors associated to the heavy smoker status in young people. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The representative sample of students included into the study totalized 2076 young subjects in Timis County universities, with urban residence, 62.5% girls and 37.5% boys, aged between 18-25 years. The working method was the transversal population study based on the CORT 2004 questionnaire regarding health risk behaviors in adolescents and young people. Data processing used the Epilnfo software. The strongest predictors of the heavy smoker status in young people are the existence of suicidal thoughts, the increased number of friends who smoke the smoker status without the wish to quit. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Students with an increased intensity of smoking more frequently experienced suicidal thoughts as compared to students smoking with a medium intensity. Students with a medium smoking intensity have significantly more friends who smoke as compared to students who are light smokers. Students, who tried to quit smoking, smoke significantly less cigarettes a day than those who did not wish to quit smoking.

Giant pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts in a child.

This case report focuses on hydatidosis, one of the most important parasitic zoonoses in Romania. We describe an interesting paediatric case of an eight-year old boy from a rural region presenting with a both giant and life-threatening pulmonary cyst (that was successfully managed) and a hepatic cyst. Noteworthy are the negative consequences of this disorder on children's health and development as a result of prolonged hospitalizations, surgical interventions and chemotherapy.

Features of pubertal maturation in adolescents from Timis County.

AIM: Puberty, by content and finality, mean all the events of somatic and mental maturation, with the transformation of the child into an adult. It is the period in which it is acquired the reproductive capacity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pubertal maturation was studied on a sample of secondary school adolescents from Timis County, 800 students from schools and high schools in the urban area aged 11-14 years, with uniform distribution by sex and age. The pubertal evaluation was made with reference to Tanner stages. The result was an earlier and stronger pubertal maturation in girls compared with boys. RESULTS: Pubertal maturation in adolescents from Timis County is higher compared to the national level (step 1999), and is less elevated compared with the local level of maturation (1998). CONCLUSIONS: The study contributes to maintain actual the health condition in adolescence.

Dietary patterns in young adults from Timis County.

UNLABELLED: Dietary patterns present at the age of the young adult have great probability to remain unchanged for the rest of the life and may contribute to eating disorders later in life. The aim of this study is the analysis of the intake patterns for fruits and vegetables in students from Timis County. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study using a stratified cluster sample design to produce a representative sample of students for the Timis County. The students' sample totalized 2076 students from the universities in Timis County. RESULTS: A large percent of the young people participating in the study (41.9%) does not consume fresh juices. For the consumption of fresh fruits, the present results back up the international di scoveries, only 32.8% of the young people consuming fruits daily, which is a smaller percent that the medium value reported by other countries. The frequency of consumption for fruits differs according to gender, being higher for girls. For salads, the percent of young people consuming this type of foods at least once a day is 17.0%, much lower compared to 32.8% of the young people consuming fresh fruits at least once a day. CONCLUSIONS: The examination of the dietary patterns related to the intake of fruits and vegetables helped us to determine priority areas for future interventions.