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Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Monitoring the incidence, epidemiological characteristics and medical and social consequences of sexual assault is a priority of the Public Health at global and national level.. Our research goal is to identify certain epidemiological characteristics of sexual assault in Sibiu County which allow the formulation of specific intervention strategies in order to reduce the frequency, the medical and social consequences thereof. The study was performed through a longitudinal retrospective survey upon a number of 180 sexual assault cases that have addressed to the Forensic Dept of Sibiu County during 2006-2010. The study results show a slight tendency to decrease the frequency of sexual assaults for the last year of study only. There is a small difference in the area of residence environment of the victim. (53% rural area, 47% urban area). Most sexual assault victims are female (94%). Homosexual rape was identified in 6% of cases. Over 60% of victims are minors. More than half of the cases (63%) had injuries that required medical attention. Sexual assaults occur more frequently in the summer and are twice as rare in spring. Sexual assaults are more common in early days of the week (Thursday, approx. 20% ) and are very rare on Fridays (about 9%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper proposes a dynamic analysis of the main epidemiological characteristics of traumatic pathology in Sibiu County. The descriptive survey method is based on data collected from forensic acts performed by the Forensic Service of Sibiu County on the victims who suffered injuries. The studyperiod is 2006.010.01-2010.12.31 There were analyzed the following parameters: frequency of violent/non-violent deaths; death mechanism type, interpersonal aggression form, frequency, type and number of the forensic acts addressed to the victims. The findings have led to the following conclusions: 1. we can identify a traumatic pathology etiological profile for Sibiu County characterized by significant weight of the following deaths mechanisms: hit with hard object, hanging, drowning and other death mechanisms (cumulative). Although fluctuating during the study, these values registered important levels, in excess of 2 to 10 times the weight of other mechanisms; 2. it was described a slow downward trend, evolving in parallel, for the frequency of autopsied violent/ non-violent deaths only for the past two years of the interval; 3. the frequency of the homicides during the study registered fluctuating but high levels; 4. a slow but sustained reducing of the infanticide rate was regarded (from 3 cases in 2006 to 0 cases in 2010); 5 . in terms of causal relationship between criminal activity and its repercussions on the human body, there is a trend of increasing seriousness of the crimes committed by aggression, falling within Article 181 Criminal Code and Article 182 Criminal Code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study proposes a synthetic epidemiological characterization of domestic violence in Sibiu County, as part of the interpersonal violence. Material and Method: The study group is composed of 36 adult women who presented to the Forensic Medicine Service of Sibiu County for the establishment of mechanical trauma produced by the domestic violence. The average age group is 38.9 years, average education level is secondary school, residence environment without statistically significant differences, the average income level in the study group is equal / below the minimum income per economy. Results: Most victims (70%) experienced repeated episodes of violence, but do not state authorities (about 90%) because of fear on the part of the aggressor and distrust of institutions. The entire study group experienced more forms of abuse. In most cases, the abuser is represented (89%) by the current partner. Episodes are triggered by alcohol consume and lack of tolerance (about 50%), but also by poverty, lack of employment, housing overcrowding, couple relationship instability (about 33% each). Conclusions: The study draws attention to domestic violence underreporting that opens the way for more frequent, more severe and unpredictable acts of violence. Identifying the causes of domestic violence offers the premises of targeted interventions in the area of civic education, accountability and public awareness on the norms of democratic relations including private environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study proposes a synthetic epidemiological characterization of domestic violence in Sibiu County, as part of interpersonal violence. Material and Methods: The study group is composed of 36 adult women who presented to the Forensic Medicine Service of Sibiu County for the establishment of mechanical trauma produced by the domestic violence. The average age group is 38.9 years, average education level is secondary school, residence environment without statistically significant differences, the average income level in the study group is equal / below the minimum income per economy. Results: Most victims (70%) experienced repeated episodes of violence, but does not state authorities (about 90%) because of fear on the part of the aggressor and distrust of institutions. The entire study group experienced more forms of abuse. In most cases, the abuser is represented (89%) by the current partner. Episodes are triggered by alcohol consume and lack of tolerance (about 50%), but also by poverty, lack of employment, housing overcrowding, couple relationship instability (about 33% each). Conclusions: The study draws attention to domestic violence underreporting that opens the way for more frequent, more severe and unpredictable acts of violence. Identifying the causes of domestic violence offers the premises of targeted interventions in the area of civic education, accountability and public awareness on the norms of democratic relations including private environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper proposes a dynamic analysis of the main epidemiological characteristics of traumatic pathology in Sibiu County. The descriptive survey method is based on data collected from forensic acts performed by the Forensic Service of Sibiu County on the victims who suffered injuries. The studyperiod is 2006.010.01-2010.12.31 There were analyzed the following parameters: frequency of violent/non-violent deaths; death mechanism type, interpersonal aggression form, frequency, type and number of the forensic acts addressed to the victims. The findings have led to the following conclusions: 1. we can identify a traumatic pathology etiological profile for Sibiu County characterized by significant weight of the following deaths mechanisms: hit with hard object, hanging, drowning and other death mechanisms (cumulative). Although fluctuating during the study, these values registered important levels, in excess of 2 to 10 times the weight of other mechanisms; 2. it was described a slow downward trend, evolving in parallel, for the frequency of autopsied violent/ non-violent deaths only for the past two years of the interval; 3. the frequency of the homicides during the study registered fluctuating but high levels; 4. a slow but sustained reducing of the infanticide rate was regarded (from 3 cases in 2006 to 0 cases in 2010); 5 . in terms of causal relationship between criminal activity and its repercussions on the human body, there is a trend of increasing seriousness of the crimes committed by aggression, falling within Article 181 Criminal Code and Article 182 Criminal Code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome that mimics the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction and is often preceded by emotional and/or physical stress. There is currently no treatment for TTS. Here we show that injection of 2.5 mg kg -1 of epinephrine (EPI) into mice recapitulates numerous features of human TTS, including increased myocardial damage and mortality in males. Gene set enrichment analysis of myocardial RNA sequencing after EPI injection revealed significant enrichment of calcineurin-dependent pro-inflammatory gene networks, which was more pronounced in male than in female mice, in agreement with observed sex discrepancies in the mouse phenotype. An increase in calcineurin activity was detected in the circulating cells of patients with TTS, suggesting a systemic nature of the syndrome. Preventive and therapeutic treatment of mice injected with EPI using calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine and tacrolimus improved heart function and reduced myocardial injury. Our findings suggest that calcineurin inhibition could be a potential therapy for TTS., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Pubertal onset is triggered by multiple neuroendocrine interactions. The role of prepubertal IGF-1 in this process has not been explored in both sexes. Our objective was to analyze the association of prepubertal IGF-1 concentration with age at thelarche (B2) and menarche (M) in girls and age at gonadarche (G2) in boys., Methods: This is a longitudinal study (n = 1,196 boys and girls) within the Growth and Obesity Chilean Cohort Study (GOCS). At age ≈ 6.7 years, blood sample was taken for IGF-1. Subjects were divided into 4 groups according to the onset age of the pubertal event., Results: Higher prepubertal IGF-1 levels were observed at earlier ages of B2 (p = 0.003) and M onset (p = 0.041). A taller prepubertal height was observed at younger ages of B2 and M (p=<0.001 and 0.002, respectively). The hazard proportional regression models (HR) showed that with an increase of 1 SD in IGF-1, the HR of presenting B2 at younger ages was 1.25, and this association was maintained when adjusted for confounding variables. Similarly, the HR of presenting M at earlier ages was 1.21. This association was maintained only when adjusting for body mass index but not using further confounders. In boys, prepubertal IGF-1 showed a tendency to be significantly higher in children with earlier G2 and taller height (both p < 0.001). The HR of presenting G2 at younger ages was 1.22, and this association was maintained after adjusting for confounders., Conclusions: Higher IGF-1 levels in mid-childhood are associated with earlier puberty onset. The role of IGF-1 in the onset of puberty requires further investigation., (© 2022 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Context: A close link between body mass index (BMI) and female pubertal onset is well established. However, observations in boys remain inconclusive., Objective: We aim to determine whether BMI as well as total and central adiposity in prepubertal Chilean boys is associated with pubertal timing., Methods: We performed a longitudinal study in which 494 boys from the Growth and Obesity Chilean Cohort Study were followed starting from birth and throughout puberty, including 5 prepubertal visits. The main outcome measures included anthropometric data and semi-annual clinical pubertal staging. The association between BMI, obesity (BMI standard deviation score [SDS] ≥ 2) and central adiposity (waist circumference ≥ 90th centile) with precocious puberty and age at gonadarche was analyzed using survival- and logistic regression models., Results: BMI, prevalence of total obesity, and central obesity increased throughout childhood. Among the study population, 45 boys entered puberty before the age of 9 years (9.1%). Obesity at 4 to 7 years and childhood mean BMI SDS were significantly associated with precocious gonadarche. Mean age at testicular enlargement (≥4 mL), was 11.0 years (95% CI, 10.9-11.1) and was inversely associated with BMI SDS, waist circumference, and percentage fat mass in almost all prepubertal visits. Age at testicular enlargement in normal weight, overweight, and obese boys was 11.2 (11.0-11.3), 10.9 (10.6-11.1) and 10.7 (10.4-11.1) years, respectively., Conclusion: Our observation supports the association of BMI SDS and obesity with pubertal timing and precocious gonadarche in boys, respectively. Early intervention controlling the obesity epidemic could be useful in decreasing detrimental impact on later health., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Tobacco smoke, containing more than 4800 chemical substances with a large number of mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds, is the most important indoor pollution. Aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between exposure of children (2-15 years) to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) with the amount of respiratory diseases, the occurrence of atopic diseases and the risk for genotoxic damage., Patients and Methods: Within the last 1.5 years 216 children were included in the study. Smoking habits of the family, environmental settings, housing, nutrition, social and economic factors were assessed by a detailed questionnaire. Two different effect markers were used to assess molecular and genetic damage. Biochemical effect of ETS was quantified by 4-aminobiphenyl-hemoglobin (4-ABP-Hb) adducts and the genotoxic damage was determined by chromosomal damage as seen in the micro nucleus test in lymphocytes., Results: Chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis are accumulated in the ETS-exposed children. In the ETS-group atopic diseases (allergic rhinitis, extrinsic asthma or neurodermatitis) were significantly more frequent (39.5 %, p = 0.01) than in the non-exposed group (23 %). In addition the genetic predisposition was significantly decreased in the ETS-group (20.8 %, p = 0.048) compared to the non-exposed group (45 %). Until now, blood samples of 63 individuals were analysed for Hb adducts and 92 for micro nuclei. Hemoglobin adducts of 4-ABP, a human carcinogenic aromatic amine, were significantly elevated in children with smoking parents (mean: 82.2pg/g Hb, p = 0.003) compared to children with non-smoking parents (mean: 60.6 pg/g Hb). ETS-exposed children showed significantly higher micro nucleus frequencies (mean ETS: 8.0/1000 binucleate (BN) cells, p = 0.001) than non-ETS exposed children (mean: 6.2/1000 BN cells)., Conclusion: Our data underline the thesis, that ETS plays an important role for the development of atopic diseases. The significantly increased effect markers of tobacco smoke in exposed children give evidence, that ETS causes elevated molecular and genotoxic damage in children.

The genotoxic effects of 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) alone cannot explain the formation of rat liver tumors. It has been proposed that mitochondrial effects are associated with its tumor-promoting properties. These mitochondrial effects are thought to trigger apoptosis and regenerative proliferation, which alters the liver lobule in a cirrhosis-like manner. A situation is generated which favors the growth of initiated cells. To test this sequence of events, the dose dependence of early effects with time was studied. Male Wistar rats received 50, 100, 200, 400, or 800 ppm AAF in the diet and the following endpoints were analyzed at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks of feeding: apoptotic cell death, cell proliferation, GST-P-positive foci (placental form of glutathione S-transferase), and morphological alterations. Hydrolyzable hemoglobin adducts were used as a dosimeter for metabolic activation after 2 weeks of feeding. The hemoglobin adduct levels increased linearly with dose. With the conventional carcinogenic concentration of 200-ppm AAF in the diet, the number of apoptoses increased first, predominantly in the periportal area (2 weeks). Cell proliferation followed with some delay (4 weeks). This reflects regenerative tissue response and not the growth of initiated cells, because the number of enzyme-altered foci was still extremely low at that time. Foci developed only later when the morphology had changed. With 50 ppm AAF in the diet, a no-effect level had not been reached for any of the endpoints, but foci developed much more gradually than with higher doses. Unexpectedly, the proliferative response stabilized at 8 weeks with a labeling index of 12-17, with all AAF concentrations. The observed sequence of events supports the hypothesis. It is concluded that (1) The proliferation of initiated cells-defined as promotable cells-is largely determined by the cellular environment, such as morphologically altered liver. (2) The morphological alterations in rat liver result from imperfect regeneration from toxic effects. (3) Imperfect regeneration results from limitations in the possibilities to adapt to chemical stress. (4) If these limits are overwhelmed and morphology has changed to a certain extent, preneoplastic foci develop; this occurs much faster, at least, than without these changes.

Diesel exhaust contains numerous genotoxic carcinogens. It is essentially unknown to which extent this source contributes to the total load of these chemicals in humans. One possible approach to the problem is to find suitable biomarkers. To this end five polycyclic mononitroarenes (nitro-PAH) were selected and methods developed to determine the sulfinic acid-type hemoglobin adducts they form in vivo. The nitro-PAHs are: 1-nitropyrene, 2-nitrofluorene, 3-nitrofluoranthene, 9-nitrophenanthrene, and 6-nitrochrysene. Hydrolysis of the hemoglobin adducts yields the respective arylamines which were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The detection limit was 0.01-0.08 pmol/g Hb. Blood samples were analyzed from 29 bus garage workers, occupationally exposed to diesel exhaust, and from 20 urban hospital workers and 14 rural council workers as controls. Hb adducts above the detection limit were found in most blood samples. The most abundant cleavage products were 1-aminopyrene and 2-aminofluorene with levels ranging from 0.01 to 0.68 pmol/g Hb. However, there was no significant difference between the groups for 1-nitropyrene and 2-nitrofluorene supporting the conclusion that both are widespread environmental contaminants resulting in significant background exposures. A significant difference on a group from individuals from urban and rural areas was found only if all five adducts were added, this may indicate an additional exposure from traffic. The new specific nitro-PAH Hb adducts are proposed to be used as biomarkers to trace the sources and to identify above-background exposures., (Copyright 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.)

Aromatic amines are metabolically activated by N-oxidation of either the amine or the acetamide as a first step and esterification of the resulting N-hydroxyl derivatives as a second step. Both pathways may lead to DNA-adducts and subsequently to DNA lesions and mutations. Since the accumulation of non-acetylated adducts has been associated with tumour initiating properties, the balance between acetylation and deacetylation may greatly influence the biological effect. Hydrolysable haemoglobin adducts representing the bioavailability of N-hydroxylamines and the corresponding nitroso-derivatives were analysed following oral administration to female Wistar rats of two arylamine-acetamide couples: 4-aminobiphenyl and 2-aminofluorene, and two arylamine-acetamide-diacetamide triples: benzidine and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine. The results show that the monoacetamides are readily deacetylated in vivo whereas the diacetamides are not. A dynamic equilibrium is indicated to exist between acetylation and deacetylation, which depends on substrate specificity, and the role of deacetylation is emphasised. In addition, acetylation polymorphism was studied with 4-chloroaniline and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine in slow acetylating A/J and rapid acetylating C57BL/6J mice. The slow acetylator genotype was associated with significantly higher haemoglobin-adduct levels for both arylamines. The results provide additional support for the use of haemoglobin adducts in biomonitoring as a dosimeter for the biologically active dose of arylamines/arylacetamides. Moreover, biomonitoring of haemoglobin adducts may provide information about an individual's susceptibility to the toxic and carcinogenic effects of these chemicals.

The release and availability of the carcinogenic component of the soluble azo dye Direct Red 46 and the insoluble azo pigment Pigment Yellow 17 were analyzed in Wistar rats using hemoglobin adducts as a dosimeter. The levels of hemoglobin adducts were found to be very low. Intestinal cleavage and release of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine (3,3'-DCB) from Direct Red 46 and Pigment Yellow 17 was calculated to be 3% and 0.6% of the dose, respectively, in a 4-week feeding study. It is proposed to measure blood samples from exposed humans in order to test the applicability of the method and eventually to use it for controlling human exposure to the carcinogenic colorant components.