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Abstract: Six major (Na, Al, K, Ca, Ti, Fe) and 28 trace (Sc, Cr, V, Mn, Co, Zn, Cu, As, Br, Sr, Rb, Zr, Mo, Sn, Sb, Ba, Cs, La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Sm, Tb, Hf, Ta, W, Th and U) elements were determined by epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) in nine Meridional Carpathian and Macin Mountains samples of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Correlation and principal factor analysis were used to interpret data while natural radionuclides radiometry shows a good correlation with ENAA results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Torque teno virus (TTV) is highly prevalent, but little is known about its circulation in humans. Here, we investigated the geographical distribution and phylogeny of TTV in Romania. A fragment of TTV untranslated region B was sequenced in samples from volunteers across the country. Additional sequences from dialyzed patients were also included in the study. Phylogenetic analysis showed that more than 80% of Romanian sequences clustered with isolates assigned to the species Torque teno virus 1 and Torque teno virus 3 (former genogroup 1), and this analysis discriminated between isolates from the North-East and West regions. Further studies assessing the pathogenic potential of TTV isolates should employ analysis based on genomic regions with phylogenetic resolution below the species level., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Human anelloviruses (TTV, TTMDV and TTMV) are at high prevalence all across the globe, having also a controversial disease-inducing potential. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anelloviral DNA in the Romanian human population and to investigate the association of infections with common pathologies in Romanian population., Methods: After informed consent, blood samples were collected from 2000 subjects represented by: clinically healthy individuals (n = 701) and a group of patients with pathologies linked to low grade inflammation or alteration of carbohydrate metabolism (n = 1299). All samples were analysed for the presence of TTV, TTMDV and TTMV DNA by hemi-nested PCR., Results: The prevalence of TTV, TTMDV and TTMV in the studied population was 68.2, 54.4%, respectively 40.1%, lower than the recent reports from other geographic regions. The three viral species were significantly more frequent in the group of patients compared to the healthy subjects and were associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The presence of anelloviral DNA was also associated with medical procedures (e.g. haemodialysis/transfusions, surgical procedures) and previous hepatitis A virus infection. Lifestyle choices related to alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity and living environment were not associated with differences in distribution of the three viruses., Conclusion: Further evidence is needed to establish a correlation between infection with human anelloviruses and a pathology or group of pathologies.

Background: The distribution of BRCA mutations varies significantly between populations. The spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in breast cancers in the Romanian population is incompletely known. The aim of the present study is to investigate the presence of nine BRCA mutations in patients with breast cancer identified in a surgical clinic from Bucharest., Methods: Unrelated women diagnosed with breast cancer from Coltea Hospital (n=114) and healthy controls (n = 150) were selected for this study. Seven mutations in BRCA1 (185delAG, 5382insC, 943ins10, E1250X, 1294del40, E1373X, R1443X) and two in BRCA2 (IVS16-2A4G and 6174delT) were tested using PCR based protocols. In addition, the presence of BRCA1 185delAG, BRCA1 5382insC, BRCA2 6174delT mutations were tested with a post amplification mutation detection system, based on the ELISA method., Results: Two patients with sporadic breast cancer (2%) and one patient with family history of the disease (7.14%) have the BRCA1 5382insC mutation. No other mutation was detected in patient and control groups. The mutations were not present in the control lot., Conclusions: Our results indicate that BRCA1 5382insC is a common mutation in Romanian women with breast cancer (3 114)., (Celsius.)

Background: The risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer (BC) is influenced by polymorphisms located in the genes encoding enzymes of the folate pathway. The aim of this study was to evaluate if A66G MTRR (rs1801394) polymorphism is involved in predisposition for colorectal and breast carcinogenesis in Romanian patients., Materials and Methods: In the present case-control study, 300 individuals divide in four groups: sporadic CRC patients (n = 120), control CRC (n = 60), BC patients (n = 60) and control BC (n = 60), were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method., Results: Frequency of genotype AA was 11.7% in CRC control and 5% respectively in BC control. For cancer groups the frequency of genotype AA was 9.2% in CRC and 0% in BC., Conclusions: Study results do not demonstrate an association between A66G MTRR polymorphism and CRC or BC in Romanian patients.

Background: The insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has recently been linked to the pathogenesis of human cancers. The goal of this study was to analyze the possible association between ACE gene I/D polymorphism and colorectal cancer in Romanian patients., Methods: Blood samples were obtained, after informed consent, from individuals with colorectal cancer (n=108, M:W = 64:44), and healthy persons (n=150, M:W = 84:66). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes using commercial kits and the insertion (I) / deletion (D) polymorphism was assessed by PCR. Statistical analysis was done using the chi2 test. We determined the odds ratio using the genotype II as risk factor. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: The distribution of ACE II: ID: DD genotypes was 23.1%: 46.3%: 30.6% in patients and respectively 20%: 48.7%: 31.3% in controls. The distribution of genotype (chi2 0.37, p = 0.54) and alleles (chi2 0.19, p = 0.65) did not differ significantly between cancer patients and control., Conclusions: Study results do not demonstrate an association between ACE ID polymorphism and colorectal cancer in our patients.

Mutations in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene have not been previously characterized among Romanian patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). We initiate this study to detect the mutations in APC gene in blood and tumor samples collected from 16 patients (10 men and 6 women) and blood samples from 21 first and second degree relatives of the patients. For this the presence of mutations in exons 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 as well as in regions B, L and W of exon 15 was investigated using PCR multiplex. In the same time, we have searched for 5 bp deletions at codon 1061 of APC gene by PAGE and SSCP methods. These methods allowed us to evidence identification of the presence of mutations in samples from 7 individuals. In one patient, was detected a deletion of exon 13th of APC gene both in DNA extracted from blood and tumor samples. Multiple deletions (e.g. in exon 6, 12, and in 15L and 15W regions) in DNA extracted from the tumor sample were detected, but not in DNA probe obtained from blood cells. We can speculate that these mutations are an example of genomic instability accompanying the malignancy. Till now, no mutation affecting 1061 codon of APC gene was identified in the patients investigated in our study.

The paper describes a research-development which had the objective to implement and manage the Electronic Patient Record in a multifunctional pilot platform named PROMED. The Electronic Patient Record implemented by PROMED platform is mainly aimed to facilitate both patient and health providers access to the health records and to provide an optimization of diagnostic and decision in healthcare services based on patients' medical history and medical statistics. The project promotes modern information and communication technologies for increasing quality and efficiency of healthcare services in an information based society. The PROMED platform is expected to contribute specifically to the improvement of the healthcare services in Romania by offering a solution for the integration of the main stakeholders involved in national healthcare system: patients, health service providers and public health authorities. The pilot system is first implemented in the "Cuza Voda" Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in Iassy, an important universitary and cultural city in the North East of Romania.

In Romania, more than 95% of patients present with advanced stage prostate cancer at the time of diagnosis. Our purpose was to detect early prostate cancer in the Romanian city of Oradea, with a screening based on digital rectal examination and fine needle aspiration biopsy. We performed digital rectal examinations on 701 men, between 50 to 80 years of age. Four men with a history of prostate cancer were excluded from the study. Transrectal fine-needle aspiration biopsies were done in 15 men who presented with suspicious findings at the digital rectal examination. Prostate cancer was cytologically proven in eleven men. Nine of these were low- to intermediate grade (GI-II) and clinically localized (T2). Two patients had clinical stage T3 tumors. The prostate cancer detection rate in the screened population was 1.6% (11/697). Currently, eight men have undergone total retropubic prostatectomy. One patient presented with pelvic lymph node metastases and, after a staging lymphadenectomy, only a bilateral orchiectomy was performed. This first Romanian mass screening study for prostate cancer revealed a great interest in early cancer detection among the general public. Continued effort to make asymptomatic men aware of the disease may ultimately lead to an overall stage reduction at the time of diagnosis in Romania.