The evaluation of heavy metals in transylvania, as predictor for the health status of the exposed population.

It is well known and proven that heavy metal contamination of the soils can severely affect the health of the people living in the contaminated areas given the ease with which trace elements can enter the human body. In addition-to agricultural crop depreciation as well as soil erosion, soil pollution can negatively affect the natural function of ecosystems. While certain heavy metals in high doses can be harmful to the body, others such as cadmium, mercury, lead, chromium, silver and arsenic in minimal amounts have delusional effects on the body, causing acute and chronic intoxication. Our research is focused on the identification of heavy metals from the soil (O, Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Pb, Si, Ti, Zn) in 3 areas in Transylvania where factories were in operation, using 4 methods: UV-VIS spectrometry, AAS, SEM-EDAX and X-ray diffractions. High levels of very toxic trace elements such as lead, aluminum, cadmium were found near the studied areas, especially using SEM-EDAX and AAS methods. Knowledge on the soil concentration of TEs, the time exposure and the side effects can lead us to predict the health status of the exposed population. In our study, by determinating the concentration of TEs we set out to formulate a prediction on the health status of the exposed population using literature data.

Burden of varicella in Central and Eastern Europe: findings from a systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination against varicella rapidly reduces disease incidence, resulting in reductions in both individual burden and societal costs. Despite these benefits, there is no standardization of varicella immunization policies in Europe, including countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). AREAS COVERED: This systematic literature review identified publications on the epidemiology of varicella, its associated health and economic burden, and vaccination strategies within the CEE region, defined as Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Twenty-six studies were identified from a search of PubMed, Embase®, and MEDLINE® biomedical literature databases, supplemented by gray literature and country-specific/global websites. EXPERT COMMENTARY: Limited information exists in published studies on the burden of varicella in CEE. The wide variability in incidence rates between countries is likely explained by a lack of consistency in reporting systems. Funded universal varicella vaccination (UVV) in CEE is currently available only in Latvia as a one-dose schedule, but Hungary together with Latvia are introducing a two-dose strategy in 2019. For countries that do not provide UVV, introduction of vaccination is predicted to provide substantial reductions in cases and rates of associated complications, with important economic benefits.

Effects of prophylactic ibuprofen and paracetamol administration on the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugated vaccine (PHiD-CV) co-administered with DTPa-combined vaccines in children: An open-label, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial.

Prophylactic paracetamol administration impacts vaccine immune response; this study ( www.clinicaltrials.gov : NCT01235949) is the first to assess PHiD-CV immunogenicity following prophylactic ibuprofen administration. In this phase IV, multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority study in Romania (November 2010-December 2012), healthy infants were randomized 3:3:3:1:1:1 to prophylactically receive immediate, delayed or no ibuprofen (IIBU, DIBU, NIBU) or paracetamol (IPARA, DPARA, NPARA) after each of 3 primary doses (PHiD-CV at age 3/4/5 months co-administered with DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib at 3/5 and DTPa-IPV/Hib at 4 months) or booster dose (PHiD-CV and DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib; 12-15 months). Non-inferiority of immune response one month post-primary vaccination in terms of percentage of infants with anti-pneumococcal antibody concentrations ≥0.2 µg/mL (primary objective) was demonstrated if the upper limit (UL) of the 98.25% confidence interval of difference between groups (NIBU vs IIBU, NIBU vs DIBU) was <10% for ≥7/10 serotypes. Immunogenicity and reactogenicity/safety were evaluated, including confirmatory analysis of difference in fever incidences post-primary vaccination in IBU or DIBU group compared to NIBU. Of 850 infants randomized, 812 were included in the total vaccinated cohort. Non-inferiority was demonstrated for both comparisons (UL was <10% for 9/10 vaccine serotypes; exceptions: 6B [NIBU], 23F [IIBU]). However, fever incidence post-primary vaccination in the IIBU and DIBU groups did not indicate a statistically significant reduction. Prophylactic administration (immediate or delayed) of paracetamol decreased fever incidence but seemed to reduce immune response to PHiD-CV, except when given only at booster. Twenty-seven serious adverse events were reported for 15 children; all resolved and were not vaccination-related.

[Influence of cheeks support on the results of respiratory resistance measured by the interrupter technique in children]. / Influenta sustinerii obrajilor asupra rezultatelor rezistentei respiratorii determinata prin tehnica intreruperii fluxului.

INTRODUCTION: Interrupter technique (TIF) determines the respiratory resistance (Rocc) and can be used successfully in children, even at low ages as it requires only minimal cooperation. Efforts to standardize this technique are focused on limiting the contribution of upper airway resistance during the measurement. OBJECTIVE: Assessing the influence of cheeks support during the examination on the results of Rocc determined by TIF, both when used as basal examination or for measurement of bronchodilator response. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-one children diagnosed with asthma were included. Rocc was determined in all patients with both cheeks supported, and without support. Forty-three children subsequently performed spirometry in order to assess the correlation between spirometry and Rocc in the two situations described. To assess bronchodilator response two groups of children were studied, one with the basal and postsalbutamol measurements made with the cheeks supported and the other group with the same tests made without support. RESULTS: Rocc mean values were higher when the cheeks are supported during the examination, the difference being statistically significant. Regarding the correlation with spirometry, there is a good correlation between FEV1, PEF, MEF50 and Rocc in both cases (P < 0.001). deltaFEV1 correlated better with deltaRocc when cheeks were supported. CONCLUSIONS: Rocc measurements using interrupter technique with the cheeks supported registered higher values than those obtained in the absence of cheek support. Assessment of bronchodilator response using the interrupter technique is more accurate when performed with the cheeks supported.