Search

Monoliths of impressive dimensions, menhirs, dolmens and cromlechs are examples of the megalithic civilization which existed in the area of Afro-Eurasia, from Neolithic up to the Bronze Age included. And in the case of menhirs and dolmens, it is also about isolated presences, and about groups. Alignments are groups specific to menhirs: parallel catenations, equally distanced, of organized stones forming a true spacial composition, with the purpose of symbolizing solemn processions. The cromlech is a complex where many menhirs or/and dolmens were placed in concentric circles, here the spacial composition is even more obvious. The present material will refer also to the most complex and coherent megalithic ensemble in the world: Stonehenge Assembly.

The present study will only refer to the Early Hallstatt, Ha A-B, the beginning of the first Iron Age brought important transformations recorded in ceramics, once the production forces started to develop because of the spreading of iron metallurgy. In a time when ceramics suffers major transformations regarding forms and decor – we are talking here about the first period of Hallstatt (the early one) – the Hallstatt Complex with incised and engraved ceramics completes the image of pottery at that time, together with the other great cultural unity (the horizon with fluted ceramics).

Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) has a substantial mortality even with anti‐tuberculous treatment, in HIV‐non‐infected patients. Purpose of the study. The objectives were to describe clinical and laboratory differences of TBM in HIV‐infected versus HIV non‐infected patients and to assess risk factors of death in HIV‐infected patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients admitted to four infectious diseases hospitals in Romania, between 2001 and 2011, with TBM. Patients were defined as having TBM according to a consensus definition published by Marais et al. [1] and further divided into three categories of TBM (definite, probable and possible). Results: We identified 162 patients with TBM of which 47 (29%) tested positive for HIV infection. Sixty‐six patients had definite, 53 probable and 43 possible TBM. Out of the 47 HIV‐infected patients 25 had definite, 17 probable and 5 possible TBM. TBM in HIV‐infected patients vs. HIV non‐infected patients was significantly associated in multivariable analysis with younger age (p=0.01), in‐hospital mortality (p Conclusions: HIV infection is associated with increased mortality in patients with TBM. Most of our patients with TBM were late presenters. Death in HIV infected patients was associated with a lower median CD4 count. HIV‐infected HIV‐non‐infected p‐value Male N (%) 32 (68) 68 (59) 0.287 Age (years) (median, IQR) 22 (18–34) 34 (20–51) 0.005 Duration of symptoms before admission (days) (median, IQR) 10 (7–14) 10 (7–14) 0.878 Cranial nerve palsy N (%) 6 (13) 31 (27) 0.051 Meningean syndrome N (%) 34 (72) 102 (89) 0.010 Glasgow Coma Scale, References Marais S, Thwaites G, Schoeman JF, Török ME, Misra UK, Prasad K, et al. Tuberculous meningitis: a uniform case definition for use in clinical research. Lancet Infect Dis. 2010;10:803–12. [...]

7‐11 November 2010, Tenth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection, Glasgow, UK, Background Guidelines recommend starting treatment in HIV infected patients earlier than before, but there is no consensus on the exact moment when treatment should be initiated. Would treatment started and [...]

Background: The primary goal was to estimate the seroprevalence of autochthonous hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in adult Romanian population. Additionally, we aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the HEV seropositive status.

The paper will refer only to one of period of Hallstatt, Middle Hallstatt, an important period of the first Iron Age – that form with Late Hallstatt a unity called by historian the protohistory of the Dacians – bringing important transformations recorded in the human beings’ habitat. The settlements and buildings of the entire Bronze Age reflect the continuation of migrations, though limited, by their sedentarization, but also the fortification of some settlements which became real centres of unions of tribes. The characteristic to the mentioned period is continuity (and then the ending) of the process of unification of the Thracian tribes, a process began in Early Hallstatt. The collision of tribes needed the amplification of settlements, but also of the fortifications and also, step by step, the extending of the Greek urbanism implemented in today’s Dobrogea by the Greeks who started colonies here, the Scythian-Greek incluences are to be found in the Late Hallstatt and in other areas on the nowadays territory of our country. The specificity of settlements and buildings of the cultures from the beginning of Hallstatt on the territory of our country will be studied in their evolution towards the next phase – of the second period of the Iron Age: Latène.

This material refers to one of the many transition periods from the History of Art on the territory of Romania - that is the period which separates Paleolithic from Neolithic: Epi-Paleolithic, with its endcalled (and accepted, first of all!) by some researchers: Mesolithic. As we will see, we will refer to the art of this moment of great complexity and diversity. From an artistic pointof view, Epi-Paleolithic already has tools which can be placed in the category of technical beauty, as far as form is concerned, precision becomes more and more important,and also the skillfulness of their production and the delicate, refined finishing; also connected to the artistic side of the period, the interest for beauty for creating geometrical-abstract decorations increases, obviously becoming a coherent ornamental motif. In the final phase of Epi-Paleolithic, the Mesolithic period comes with an art which is different from the one of the culture Schela Cladovei, characterized by ornaments with simple geometrical motifs, liniar incisions, oblique or in a network, this geometry leading to the main compositional textures of decoration of the oldest phase of the future Neolithic culture Criș.

Central nervous system involvement is relatively common in HIV infected patients ranging from subclinical neurological impairment to progressive dementia with a major impact on daily life and severe and potentially fatal opportunistic infections. We discuss the case of a newly diagnosed patient with advanced HIV infection presenting with neurological symptoms and a mild cognitive impairment. He had a low CD4 count (47 cells/mm3) and high plasma and cerebral spinal fluid viral loads (414.382 copies/ml and 141.040 copies/ml, respectively). The MRI showed symmetric periventricular white matter lesions. Findings were consistent with the diagnosis of HIV-associated mild neurocognitive disorder. New classification of the HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and current treatment recommendations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper will refer to an aspect of processing metals on the territory of Romania, in Bronze Age and Iron Age (the second age habing been studied up to the moment when Prehistory ended: 1st century B.C., being continued by Antiquity). Unfortunately, few pieces were found in settlements and in necropoleis, so it is difficult to attribute the artifacts of the Metal Age to one or other of the existing cultures, though the region where they were produced can be mentioned. Consequently, their study can lead to another classification than the chronological one, and that is of the field of ornamental arts in metal. We will focus only on two types of objects that embellish the neck and the chest: necklaces and pendants, which help us create a vivid image of this important artistic field of the Iron Age on the territory of our country, these two joining the other important types of jewels: bracelets, rings, fibulae, phaleras.

This study will only deal with the Neolithic period which we distinguish from the Eneolithic one in the sense that in this period man only used tools made of stone and later on, in Eneolithic (Chalcolithic), he started using copper. In its first period, the Neolithic has new characteristics as a result of the progress of human communities; thus, as opposed to the Palaeolithic, man starts a new period with changed “clothes”. Firstly, man now starts to create and appreciate beauty as the Palaeolithic art did not have aesthetic purposes. But an important transformation regards the habitat, Neolithic settlements and buildings reflecting the increasing stability of communities, thus taking a step forward from Palaeolithic and their evolution to the higher levels of the future society, the Eneolithic one.

Huntington disease (HD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by progressive choreiform movements, psychiatric disturbances and cognitive Impairment leading to dementia. The disease is caused by a cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene on chromosome 4p that encodes the protein huntingtin. In spite of HTT's widely distribution throughout the brain and many other tissues, the pathology of MD appears to be limited to the CNS with a selective neuronal cell loss, the atrophy of the neostriatum being most prominent; MRI volume measurements suggest that striatal atrophy begins 9 to 20 years before the clinical diagnosis of h d . The disease is transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner, Occasionally, it is caused by a new HTT gene mutation in the affected individual. We report a series of 5 HD patients to describe the clinical presentation and progression features. The patients were referred to our clinic in different stages of evolution. The diagnosis was based on genetic testing. Full clinical neurologic examination and psychological assessment were performed. We describe 4 men and 1 woman, 2 of them had no family history compatible with this disease. The woman has a twin sister with no neurological or psychiatric complaints so far; no presymptomatic genetic screening was made. Three patients experienced the disease onset at the beginning of the third decade. The correlation of CAG repeat number with age of onset is similar to that seen in populations reported in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Isolated focal dystonia (IFD) is a heterogeneous group of potentially invalidating movement disorders. The etiopathogenesis is complex, both genetic and environmental factors playing a role, but remains elusive. The CACNA1B gene codes for the N-type neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels CaV2.2, which may play a role in the development of some IFD., Methods: We analyzed samples from the GENDYS cohort for mutations in CACNA1B gene, using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS)., Results: The GENDYS cohort consists of 120 people with adult-onset IFD (cervical dystonia 47.5%, blepharospasm 47.2%, others 8.3%). Of these, 35% had subsequent topographical extension. Average age at onset was 42 and average disease durations 8 years. Targeted NGS revealed a novel frameshift mutation c.2291AGG > A, in exon 19, and a previously reported variant, c.6834T > G, in exon 47., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that disease-causing mutations in CACNA1B gene may be involved in the development of some adult-onset IFD. To our knowledge, this is the first study that identified a disease-causing CACNA1B gene mutation in association with adult-onset IFD.

Autologous fat transfer is widely used by plastic surgeons for aesthetic and reconstructive purpose, but it has a great disadvantage because of its high variability rate of resorption. Numerous studies have examined the use of different agents to increase the viability of fat grafts. The results were discouraging because the use of a single angiogenic factor to stimulate fat graft angiogenesis may be inappropriate. We proposed to use two pharmacological factors, erythropoietin (EPO) and insulin (INS), in order to decrease the resorption rate, to improve graft vascularization, and to reduce the number of complications. Twenty-four Wistar male rats were randomly divided in four groups (I-IV) of six animals each. The rats belonging to control group were given autologous transfer of simple fat. In group II, the graft was improved with EPO, in group III with INS, and in group IV both pharmacological agents were administered. Histological evaluation of the grafts at two months after injection demonstrated adipocyte survival in all four groups. The volume of the graft has progressively decreased in all groups and the difference in graft volume at one and two months after transplantation was not significant. The highest maintenance of fat graft volume (95%) at two months was observed in group IV, followed by group II and group III. Necrotic cystic changes and increased fibrosis were most extensive in the control group. The combination of INS with EPO may have a synergistic and additive effect. Efficient administration and dose optimization of these growth factors are important things to consider in the future.

Recent studies emphasize an increased prevalence of non-motor symptoms in idiopathic dystonia with focal onset (IDFO), but their pathophysiological relationship is not clear. We aimed to identify the prevalence of depression and neurocognitive impairment in a group of patients with idiopathic dystonia with focal onset and their impact on the patients' quality of life. This study represents a component of an ongoing research project - GENDYS. From the database of this project, we selected 48 patients 56.62+/-14.16 years old who have been examined clinically and using specific scales: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (for depression), Montreal Cognitive Assessment - MoCA (for cognitive impairment), and a 5-degree analog scale for subjective perception of the severity of the disease. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study on patients with depression and cognition evaluated by the above-mentioned scales. We also performed a nested case-control analysis on 20 IDFO patients with and without at least moderate depression matched for age and gender; the cut-offs for depression were PHQ-9 score ≥10 and PHQ9 <5, for the depression group and the control group, respectively. The cut-off for MoCA was 26 points. 22 IDFO patients (46%) had depression; 54.5% of IDFO patients with depression had cognitive impairment, indicating a slight trend of increased cognitive impairment in those with depression compared to those without; the perception of the severity of disease was the greatest in patients with depression. Depression is more prevalent in patients with IDFO and is associated with a worse perception of the disease severity., (©Carol Davila University Press.)

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the extent of and factors associated with incorrect dosing of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-infected children in Harare, Zimbabwe., Methods: All children aged 0-10 years and children aged 11-17 years who weighed < 35 kg and taking ART were recruited from the paediatric HIV clinic at Harare Hospital. Their current doses of ART drugs were compared against doses recommended by the national guidelines., Results: Among 309 children recruited [55% male; median age 7 years (interquartile range (IQR) 5-10 years)], the median CD4 count was 899 cells/μL and the median duration of their current ART regimen was 11.2 months (IQR 4.9-17.1 months). Overall, 110 (35.6%) children were prescribed incorrect doses of at least one drug component within their ART regimen; 64 (20.7%) under-dosed and 49 (15.9%) over-dosed on at least one drug. Children receiving a higher than recommended dose of at least one drug were younger compared with correctly dosed children (median 6 versus 7 years, respectively; P = 0.001), had been on their current ART regimen for a shorter time (median 7.2 versus 13 months, respectively; P = 0.003) and were less likely to be receiving a three-drug fixed-dose combination (FDC; 42.9 versus 63.3%, respectively; P = 0.009). Those who were under-dosed were also less likely to be on a three-drug FDC (25 versus 63.3%, respectively; P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Over a third of children were prescribed incorrect doses of ART. Children taking triple-drug FDCs were likely to be correctly dosed. Our study highlights the importance of weight monitoring at each clinical contact, training of health care providers on paediatric drug dosing and the need for wider availability of FDCs for children., (© 2019 The Authors. HIV Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British HIV Association.)

The gut-brain axis is increasingly recognized as an important pathway of communication and of physiological regulation, and gut microbiota seems to play a significant role in this mutual relationship. Oxidative stress is one of the most important pathogenic mechanisms for both neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, and acute conditions, such as stroke or traumatic brain injury. A peculiar microbiota type might increase brain inflammation and reactive oxygen species levels and might favor abnormal aggregation of proteins. Reversely, brain lesions of various etiologies result in alteration of gut properties and microbiota. These recent hypotheses could open a door for new therapeutic approaches in various neurological diseases.

The GMO Panel has previously assessed genetically modified (GM) carnation FLO-40689-6 and concluded that there is no scientific reason to consider that the import, distribution and retailing in the EU of carnation FLO-40689-6 cut flowers for ornamental use will cause any adverse effects on human health or the environment. On 27 October 2017, the European Commission requested EFSA to analyse new nucleic acid sequencing data and updated bioinformatics data for carnation FLO-40689-6 and to indicate whether the conclusions of the GMO Panel on the previously assessed GM carnation FLO-40689-6 remain valid. The new sequencing data indicated the correction of one nucleotide compared to the sequencing data originally provided. The new sequence was corrected by removal of one nucleotide from the polylinker region in locus 1. The removal of this base pair reported in the new nucleic acid sequencing data for carnation FLO-40689-6 has been already present in the original plant material used for the risk assessment. Thus, with the exception of bioinformatics analyses, the studies performed for the risk assessment of GM carnation FLO-40689-6 remain valid. The new sequencing data and the bioinformatic analyses performed on the new sequence, did not give rise to safety issues. Therefore, EFSA concludes that the original risk assessment of carnation FLO-40689-6 remains valid., (© 2018 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)