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Mihaela Andreescu,1,2,* Cosmin Moldovan,3,4,* Delia-Andreea Lespezeanu,5,6,* Adela-Ioana Mocanu,5,7 Mihai-Adrian Schipor,8 Horia Mocanu9,10,* 1Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, Bucharest, 031593, Romania; 2Department of Hematology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, 01171, Romania; 3Department of Medical Surgical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, Bucharest, 031593, Romania; 4Department of General Surgery, Witting Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, 010243, Romania; 5Doctoral School, Faculty of Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, Bucharest, 031593, Romania; 6“Ion Pavel” Diabetes Center, National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases “Prof.Dr.N.C. Paulescu”, Bucharest, 030167, Romania; 7Department of ENT&HNS, Polimed Medical Center, Bucharest, 040067, Romania; 8Institute of Space Technology and Space Applications, University of the Bundeswehr, München, 85579, Germany; 9Department of ENT&HNS, Faculty of Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, Bucharest, 031593, Romania; 10Department of ENT&HNS, Găești City Hospital, Găești, Dâmbovița, 135200, Romania*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Adela-Ioana Mocanu, Polimed Medical Center, Bloc 67, Calea Văcărești 280, Bucharest, 040063, Romania, Tel +40723400435, Email adela.ioana.mocanu@gmail.com Mihaela Andreescu, Faculty of Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, Str. Gheorghe Petrașcu 67A, Bucharest, 031593, Romania, Tel +40744559730, Email tevetmihaela@gmail.comAbstract: With the advent of COVID-19, the number of patients diagnosed with mucormycosis has increased, especially in developing countries. The reason behind this increase is that COVID-19 causes hypoxia that promotes the growth of fungus. To identify the association between mucormycosis and COVID-19, in critically ill or immunocompromised COVID-19 patients. The literature included in the review was researched from October 1, 2021, to November 1, 2022, by using the Google Scholar database as the search engine. Of the 20 articles included, there were 4 case reports, 2 case series, 10 narrative reviews, and 4 quantitative studies. Mucormycetes growth is caused by several factors, including hyperglycemia owing to previously existing diabetes or excessive use of steroids, increased ferritin levels owing to the inflammatory cascade initiated by COVID-19, and immunosuppression caused by the use of steroids or other immunosuppressive therapy. Reduced white-cell count and activity in COVID-19 leads to increased germination of fungal spores hence developing a catastrophic picture of rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Considering that the hematological patient is frequently treated with cortisone, immunosuppressed due to the underlying condition, but also through the administered therapy, the association with a possible diabetes makes this patient susceptible to developing rhinocerebral mucormycosis during COVID-19 infection. Despite being severe, the association between mucormycosis and COVID-19 is specific and treatable. Development of mucormycosis in hematological patients suffering from severe COVID-19 disease is dangerous, yet not compulsory and can be prevented. Using a common steroid-dose protocol with hyperbaric oxygen and necessary preventive measure reveals the disease as a superadded infection. Hypoxia, poor glycemic control and overuse of steroids or immunosuppressive drugs cause it.Keywords: COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, immunocompromised, critical, COVID-19, mucormycosis, fungal infection

Adela-Ioana Mocanu,1,* Horia Mocanu,2 Cosmin Moldovan,3,4,* Ioana Soare,3,* Elena Niculet,5,6 Alin Laurentiu Tatu,6,7,* Claudiu Ionut Vasile,7,* Daniela Diculencu,8 Paraschiva A Postolache,9,* Alexandru Nechifor7 1Department of ENT & HNS, Polimed Medical Center, Bucharest, Romania; 2Department of ENT & HNS, Faculty of Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, Bucharest, Romania; 3Faculty of Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania; 4General Surgery Ward, ‘Witting’ Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania; 5Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania; 6Multidisciplinary Integrated Center of Dermatological Interface Research MIC-DIR (Centrul Integrat Multidisciplinar de Cercetare de Interfata Dermatologica - CIM-CID), “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galați, Romania; 7Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania; 8Medical Analysis Laboratory, Clinical Pneumoftisiology Hospital, Iasi, Romania; 9Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Adela-Ioana Mocanu, Department of ENT&HNS, Polimed Medical Center, Bucharest, Romania, Tel +40 751 209 060, Email adela.ioana.mocanu@gmail.com Elena Niculet, Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galați, Romania, Tel +40 741 398 895, Email helena_badiu@yahoo.comAbstract: Tuberculosis is a disease of global outreach that may affect the entire human body but is most commonly located in the lungs. Otorhinolaryngological manifestations of tuberculosis are rare, mostly occurring secondary to pulmonary disease but nevertheless represent significant diagnostic challenges. Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis is rare, representing around 1% of all upper air-way localizations and the most common presentation is in the form of adenoids. Tuberculous glossitis (oral tuberculosis) is even scarcer and may present in various clinical forms, usually mimicking a malignant neoplasm, or, less often, trauma or other infectious lesions. Oropharynx tuberculosis is usually misdiagnosed as hypertrophic chronic tonsillitis. We present four rare cases of ENT tuberculosis, primary adenoiditis and tonsillitis in a 13-year-old girl, a curious case of tuberculous glossitis in a 65-year-old woman, clinically diagnosed as a lingual neoplasm and two cases of tuberculous lymphadenopathy uncommonly located in the submandibular and supraclavicular regions. A comprehensive review of literature follows the case presentations. Tuberculous manifestation in the ear, nose and throat area remains a difficult diagnosis to establish, particularly because of its rarity and non-specific clinical appearance, and should be included in the differential diagnosis of pharynx lesions. An early diagnosis is essential to avoid occurrence of complications.Keywords: case report, tuberculosis, nasopharynx, oral tuberculosis, head and neck, extra nodal

Anca Chiriac,1–3 Anca E Chiriac,4 Adrian Naznean,5 Cosmin Moldovan,6 Cristian Podoleanu,7 Simona Stolnicu81The Department of Dermato-Physiology, Apollonia University, Iaşi, Romania; 2Department of Dermatology, Nicolina Medical Center, Iaşi, Romania; 3“P. Poni’’ Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iaşi, Romania; 4Department of Epidemiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy " Grigore T Popa", Iaşi, Romania; 5The Department of Foreign Languages, The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Tîrgu Mureș, , Romania; 6The Department of Applied Simulation in Medicine, The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania; 7The Department of Cardiology, The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania; 8The Department of Pathology, The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Tîrgu Mureș, RomaniaAbstract: Herpes zoster usually affects the thoracic and lumbar vertebra (T3–L3), while sacral herpes zoster has been very rarely reported. We present a very rare case of herpes zoster involving S1 dermatome in a 35-year-old healthy man who presented aching pain and typical herpes zoster eruption on the lateral aspect of the calcaneus, lateral plantar area and dorsal aspect of digits III and IV.Keywords: herpes zoster, S1, pain, sacral zoster

Anca Chiriac,1–3 Piotr Brzezinski,4 Cosmin Moldovan,5 Cristian Podoleanu,6 Marius Florin Coros,7 Simona Stolnicu8 1Department of Dermatology, Nicolina Medical Center, Iasi, 2Department of Dermatology, Apollonia University, Iasi, 3Department of Dermatology, P. Poni Research Institute, Romanian Academy Iasi, Romania; 4Department of Dermatology, 6th Military Support Unit, Utska, Poland; 5Department of Histology, 6Department of Cardiology, 7Department of Surgery, 8Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu‑Mures, Targu-Mures, Romania Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, affecting millions of people worldwide. The treatment concept for BCCs is the surgical one, but it is costly, as such, searching for alternative medical therapeutics is justified. Aim: To highlight the efficacy of high concentration (70%) trichloroacetic acid (TCA) as a choice therapy for low-risk BCC. Method and patient: Authors present, for the first time, the use of a high concentration TCA applied once a week for 2 consecutive weeks with a toothpick, on a patient with BCC on the right preauricular area. Results: On examination 4 weeks later, the lesion was not clinically and dermatoscopically evidenced. Conclusion: High concentration TCA could be an effective and safe, non-invasive choice of therapy for low-risk BCC, easy to perform, not expensive, with good cosmetic results, especially for patients who are not likely to undergo invasive or expensive treatments. Keywords: basal cell carcinoma, therapy, trichloroacetic acid, dermatology

Wine is a product of human creativity, culture, and nature, and therefore it is an intriguing subject for scientific research and admiration. Among its many kinds, white wine stands out oenologically because of its diverse flavours, aromatic attributes, and capacity to mature. In this experiment, we established 3 different bud load levels (25%, 50%, and 75%) on the well-known white wine grape variety ‘Fetească Albă’. The sugar content significantly increased in the 50% and 76% groups, whereas there were no significant changes regarding titratable acid content, must quantity, and cluster weight.

The tradition of drinking wine has a very old history. Romania has a very good geographical location and a favourable climate for grapes; it is ideal for growing vines and producing quality wines. In our research, we analysed quantitative and qualitative parameters of four varieties of grapes in the Miniş-Măderat Vineyard. The objective was to look for differences between traditional varieties (Cadarcă/Kadarka and Fetască Neagră/Fekete Leányka) and world varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). From the data, it could be concluded that the worldwide-known varieties yielded better results, but for a new plantation in the Miniş-Măderat Vineyard, we recommend the use of traditional varieties, as they have a better history in the area.

The type of protection flameproof enclosure “d” consists in placing the parts that could ignite an explosive atmosphere inside of an enclosure that can withstand the pressure developed during an internal explosion of an explosive mixture and which prevents the explosion transmission to the explosive atmosphere surrounding the enclosure. The protection to explosion must remain valid even in case of an internal explosion. The maximum surface temperature of electrical equipment is defined as the highest temperature which is attained in service under the most adverse conditions (but within the specified tolerances) by any part or surface of equipment. When determining the maximum surface temperature of a flameproof equipment the temperature of external surfaces is considered. The increase of temperature due to an internal explosion is not considered. The purpose of this paper is to highlight this temperature increase during an internal explosion in case of a flameproof enclosure.

The current case study had the main purpose of determining and reporting the concentrations of the most toxic transition metals present in the composition of the particles suspended in the atmosphere, namely: lead, nickel, arsenic and cadmium. In the collection of experimental data, the fraction of suspended particulate matter represented by inhalable particles with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 microns (PM10) was studied, by taking, during two weeks within different seasons of the year 2021, two set of seven filters, each used for one day – from an area of heavy traffic, on one of the main arteries of the municipality of Craiova, near a continuous air quality monitoring station capable of monitoring PM10. Thus, it was possible to permanently compare the results obtained through this application with the official data – registered during the same time intervals – by the local division of the EPA, founding a remarkable data concordance.

Constant evolution of communication technology and expansion of Cyberspace has had a pervasive effect on all areas of human life, activities and interactions, that law unsuccessfully tried to regulate. Cyberspace was for a long period of time considered uncharted territory, an unlimited and open space outside the control of States and the limits on the admissible or accepted conduct of states and other stakeholders were blurred. In this context, the most important challenge and pressing need is to identify normative guidelines applicable in this environment considering its specific features (being unlimited, world-wide availability, anonymity). The aim of the paper is to challenge the elements of the so-called normative equivalence that was developed by several international bodies first in relation with human rights safeguards and extended as generally applicable with some special approaches at the level of the European Union (protection of personal data, strategy on cybersecurity) which will not be addressed.

Increased safety “e” represents a type of protection applied to electrical equipment or Ex Components in which additional measures are applied so as to give increased security against the possibility of excessive temperatures and against the occurrence of arcs and sparks. This type of protection cannot be applied to equipment producing electrical arcs and sparks in normal operation. This paper aims to underline some specific aspects regarding the equipment with type of protection increased safety.

As hot spot mapping has become an usual technique used worldwide in order to obtain a clearer view on the geographic incidence of several factors from the most diverse fields, this paper aims to present a case study (developed late 2020 and early 2021) regarding air quality status of Craiova – an important Romanian city – involving the most relevant three gaseous air pollutants. The study has been realized by using a modern technique for generating hot spot maps on grids, as smooth continuous surfaces, which is Kernel Density Estimation (KDE).

When using electrical equipment in installations operating in hazardous areas endangered by potentially explosive atmospheres, care shall be taken also to the selection of such equipment. The correct selection of equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres must be considered in the design phase of an installation and verified in the mounting phase. Equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres must be designed, manufactured and placed on the EU market considering the provisions of the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU. In order to adequately select the electrical equipment, the provisions of the regulations in force must be considered together with the provisions of applicable standards.

This paper aims to interpret and to use within a statistical analysis the concentration profiles of the main air pollutants – i.e., nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and suspended particulate matter (PM10) – results recorded during the first half of 2021 by two air quality monitoring stations in Craiova, which is an important metropolitan area in Southern Romania. Another goal of the paper is finding the best numerical diffusion model to fit the recorded values for PM10, as this pollutant seems to be the major problem, because its daily average is often higher than the European Union threshold, meaning that imperative measures have to be taken for reducing particulate matter concentration in Craiova (like in other major Romanian metropolitan areas), in order for Romania to get the exoneration regarding air pollution from the European Union and, of course, for its citizens to improve the quality of their lives.

The solar irradiance is the main input parameter when designing solar energy conversion systems. A poor accuracy of the solar irradiance simulation models negatively affect the output energy and the durability of the solar energy conversion system. In the paper, the measured values of the direct solar irradiance in the entire month of July 2016 are analysed and, based on the daily received direct solar energy and the variability of the direct solar irradiance, the days are classified in four categories: clear sky days, partially clear sky days, partially cloudy days and cloudy days. Based on this classification, only four clear sky days were identified in July 2016. The same procedure was applied for the months of July 2013, 2014 and 2015 resulting 13 clear sky days in the entire monitoring period of four years (2013-2016). The measured values of the direct solar irradiance in these 13 selected clear sky days are comparatively analysed against the direct solar irradiance simulated with Meliss clear sky model. Further on, a statistical analysis is performed for the time interval 8:00-16:00 to evaluate absolute, relative and root mean square errors between the measured and simulated values. The results show that the simulation model overestimates, in eleven out of the thirteen clear sky days, the solar direct irradiance in the central part of the day. The measurements were performed in the Renewable Energy Systems and Recycling (RESREC) Research Centre located in the R&D Institute of the Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania.

Knuckle pads are thickening of the skin over the extensor surface of the proximal interphalangeal joints. Clinical picture, ultrasound imaging, and histopathological examination of the skin biopsy ascertain the diagnosis. In routine practice, two main differential diagnoses are important: knuckle pads vs. pseudo-knuckle pads and idiopathic vs. non-idiopathic forms of knuckle pads.

The special characteristics providing protection to explosion for equipment design for use in potentially explosive atmospheres must be preserved during their entire period of use. Thus, the equipment designed for use in potentially explosive atmosphere shall be subjected to specific inspections in order to verify that the characteristics on which explosion protection is based were not depreciated in time. The purpose of the paper is to underline the importance of inspections in case of equipment intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres and to provide specific recommendations in this matter.

Introduction: The aim of this presentation is to highlight the usefulness of high-frequency ultrasound (18 MHz) in localized morphea for: identification of the lesion, guided skin biopsy, quantification of skin thickness, evaluating the severity by measuring total echogenicity.

Equipment operating in installations endangered by the occurrence of potentially explosive atmospheres have special features designed in order to make them suitable for operations in such areas. Equipment designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres shall be placed on the EU market considering the provisions of the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU and the harmonized European standards under this Directive. Even if equipment is placed on the EU market in accordance with ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU provisions, the special characteristics providing protection to explosion can be invalidated in installation design, erection, operation, inspection, maintenance or repairing phases. In order to prevent invalidation of explosion protection characteristics an important accent is placed on training and authorization of personnel involved in design, mounting, operation, inspection, maintenance or repairing of equipment/installations operating in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Christina P Moldovan,1 Michelle E Marinone,2 Andrea Staack3 1Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America; 2School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America; 3Department of Urology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California, United States of America Abstract: Stress urinary incontinence is a common, disabling, and costly medical problem that affects approximately 50% of women with urinary incontinence. Suburethral retropubic slings have been developed as a minimally invasive and effective surgical option, and they have been used as a first-line treatment for stress urinary incontinence since 1995. However, complications including vaginal extrusion, erosion, pain, bleeding, infections, lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary retention, and incontinence have been reported with use of the slings. Several companies manufacture sling kits, and the sling kits vary with regard to the composition of the mesh and introducer needle. The aim of this review was to determine which sling kit was most effective for patients, had minimal reported side effects, and was best accepted by patients and surgeons. In a review of the literature, it was found that a total of 38 studies were published between 1995 and 2014 that reported on eight tension-free retropubic sling kits: SPARC, RetroArc, Align, Advantage, Lynx, Desara, Supris, and Gynecare TVT. The Gynecare TVT was the most cited sling kit; the second most cited was the SPARC. This review provides a summary of the studies that have examined positive and negative outcomes of the retropubic tension-free suburethral sling procedure using various sling kits. Overall, the results of the literature review indicated that data from comparisons of the available sling kits are insufficient to make an evidenced-based recommendation. Therefore, the decision regarding which sling kit is appropriate to use in surgery is determined by the medical provider’s preference, training, and past experience, and not by the patient. Keywords: stress urinary incontinence, retropubic sling kits, efficacy, outcome

The present work deals with design aspects and testing results of a novel solution regarding the remote control of two virtual robotic manipulators by using hands motion tracking and palms gesture recognition. The spatial position and orientation of the user's left and right hands' wrists are interpreted by a custom built software application and then forwarded as positioning data and gripper status to a V-Rep server running the simulation scene. The goal of the presented setup is for the user to be able to manipulate objects in the scene in a collaborative way, i.e. pick one object with the first robot and give it to the second one for elsewhere depositing. The real-life applications for this approach are to provide a framework for simplified operator training and programming of robots used in pick-and-place or assembly operations, and also in healthcare for assisting patients in hand -coordination and mobility recovery.

This paper presents our work regarding two different applications that use the electromyography sensors incorporated in the Thalmic Labs Myo Armband. The first application is about the HumanMachine Interface (HMI) for controlling an industrial robot bycreating the environment for the user to control a robot’s gripper position just by moving his arm. The second application refers to the real time control of a tracked mobile robot that is built with the Arduino development board. For each application thesystem design and the experimental results are presented.

Although polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a champion of recycling, intense research is being done to find new solutions for using recycled plastic. This study aims to characterize the mechanical andstructural properties (SEM- scanning electron microscopy) of products made from recycled metal swarf or mesh wire with recycled plastic (PET) in comparison with virgin plastic. Samples manufactured from virgin and recycled PET are made by pressing and high temperature. The loss of mechanical properties ofproducts made from recycled plastic is a major drawback that influences their use. SEM images confirm that the dispersion and distribution of the PET phase is not very uniform. By addition of virgin plastic in various compositions with recycled plastic, processing parameters and mechanical properties can be optimized.

Începând cu primul număr din 2013, Revista Română de Medicină de Laborator a implementat un nou sistem editorial şi de publicare. În cadrul acestui editorial vom încerca să clarificăm pentru toţi cititorii şi autorii schimbările majore şi efectul lor asupra evoluţiei revistei. Astfel, vom prezenta detalii legate de organizarea internă actuală a comitetului redacţional şi fluxul de lucru în redacţie a articolelor trimise spre publicare.

Introduction: Lately, a new idea has caught the attention of young people of both genders, being debated in consultation rooms, during classes, and especially on social media: is using horse shampoo for human hair wrong or not?

Researches was carried out in the dynamic of tubers formation at three potato variety (Tresor, Christian and Cumidava)), planted in three different photoperiod, the length of the day in growing tubers period being 14.5, 15.0 and 15.5 hours. Potato fertility are presented progressive under the influence of these photoperiod in 30, 35 and 55 day from emergence.