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This paper aims to demonstrate the necessity of infrastructure planning in the big cities of Romania starting from a theoretical approach to the subject. Green space and green infrastructure have a close connection with topics like urban sprawl, climate change, or nature-based solutions. The present results are based on the research on Google Scholar of the publications that have appeared in recent years. Thus, most scientific papers mostly refer to urban green infrastructure in relation to the field of planning, public health, nature-based solutions and climate change and, in a lower extent, to GIS systems, pandemic and social equity. The conclusions show that an interdisciplinary approach is needed, and that a strategic and priority urban planning must evaluate ecosystem services offered by green infrastructure in order to sustain a healthy city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planning for a green-blue infrastructure contributes to protecting nature and improving the quality of urban life by supporting the ecological, economic and social functions of urban areas. The European Commission states that there is no need for legislation designed exclusively to enforce implementing the concept of green-blue infrastructure in European countries and calls instead for using existing legislation, policy instruments and funding mechanisms. For the effective conservation of biodiversity, territorial planning at any spatial level must be an indispensable tool, especially for a country like Romania, where nature conservation yields almost always to economic development. Therefore, the main objective of our study is developing and implementing an innovative methodology for delimiting green-blue areas and ecological corridors in Bucharest metropolitan area and its integration into national policies and strategies. The methodology for developing the green-blue infrastructure plan is based on European, local and regional data, GIS tools, and urban planning solutions. The results of this study represent a realistic connectivity analysis, which contributes to planning for the green-blue infrastructure within the Urban Plan of Bucharest. As the main conclusion, we mention the need to protect the metropolitan territory of big cities from the intensity and dispersion of urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotizing fasciitis is a bacterial infection that evolves rapidly and can endanger the patient's life.The occurrence of this condition is usually favored by the existence of some predisposing factors, more frequently by the existence of a trauma in patients with a poor immune status, diabetes, renal insufficiency or in drug treatment. At the onset, the clinic may be non-specific, being associated with pain, edema and cellulitis up to necrosis with sepsis. Usually the diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion and is supported by the changes in the laboratory analyzes and the imaging examination. It requires prompt, aggressive surgical and pharmacological intervention. We present such a case, which, even in the absence of any apparent signs of initial severity, evolved fulminantly and required prolonged and aggressive surgical treatment until healing [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania 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.)

This comparative study aims to test the hypothesis according to which environmental awareness of planners is crucial to sustainable cities with a healthy and well connected green infrastructure able to provide ecosystem services. To test the hypothesis, we compared two cities, Bucharest (Romania) and Chisinau (Moldova), based on quantitative analyses using CORINE land cover and use data to analyze the land structure and its dynamic, and qualitative analyses focused on the planning process. Our findings suggest that both cities share a decreasing interest for planning for their green infrastructure, which was lost and fragmented. The process was aggravated in Bucharest by post-communist property restitution. Based on the results, we recommend planners in post-communist countries to give more attention to the green infrastructure, in order to produce plans fitted to the welfare and sustainability needs of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oncological field benefits of extensive medical research and various types of cancer notice improvements, however glioblastoma multiforme remains one of the deadliest cancers in humans with virtually no advance in survival and clinical outcome. Temozolomide, the FDA approved drug for glioblastoma, faces numerous challenges such as resistance and side effects. To overcome these challenges, many combination therapies are currently studied. The present study analyses the effects of temozolomide in combination with doxorubicin on a glioblastoma cell line. Our results showed that both drugs displayed a cytotoxic effect on the studied cells in single administration (55% for 100µM temozolomide at 14 days, 53% for 100µM doxorubicin at 14 days), but without a synergistic effect in dual therapy. Although the results failed to produce the expected effect, they propose new research perspectives in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Balkans, rising concerns about invasive fungal infections over the past decade stem from various factors. Primarily, there has been a notable uptick in immunocompromised individuals, including those with chronic illnesses like immunological and hematological diseases. Thus, it is essential to assess the region's laboratory capabilities and the availability of antifungals. This evaluation is vital for gauging the preparedness to diagnose and treat fungal infections effectively, thus minimizing their public health impact. Data were collected via an online questionnaire targeting healthcare professionals specializing in relevant fields across diverse healthcare settings in Balkan countries. The survey covered various aspects, including diagnostic methods, imaging techniques, and available antifungal armamentarium. Responses were obtained from 50 institutions across the Balkans. While conventional diagnostic methods like microscopy (96 %) and culture (100 %) diagnostics were widely available, access to newer diagnostic tools such as molecular assays (61 %) were limited, often relying on outsourced services. Imaging modalities like ultrasound (100 %) and CT scans (93 %) were universally accessible. A variety of antifungal drugs were available, including amphotericin B formulations (80 %), echinocandins (79 %), and triazoles (100 %). However, access to newer agents like posaconazole (62 %) and isavuconazole (45 %) was inconsistent. Therapeutic drug monitoring (53 %) services were also limited. The study underscores the need for equitable access to diagnostic facilities and antifungal treatments across healthcare settings in the Balkan geographic region. Improving access to molecular diagnostic tools and essential antifungal drugs, as well as implementing therapeutic drug monitoring, would optimize the management of fungal infections in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Romanian Archives of Microbiology & Immunology is the property of Institutul Cantacuzino 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.)

Introduction: Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) has an incidence of 1% of all fetal arteriovenous vascular abnormalities. The first-choice method for the diagnosis is two-dimensional real-time ultrasound (US), and the Doppler mode confirming the vascular nature of the malformation. Two methods that are currently used for treatment are: endovascular transarterial embolization and direct surgical removal. The mortality remains around 50%. Case Report: A 24-year-old woman was referred to the Prenatal Diagnosis Unit of the Emergency University County Hospital of Craiova at 34 weeks and 5 days of gestation, with a suspicion of fetal cerebral vascular malformation. All clinical data and fetal US parameters were within normal limits, except for the presence of a hypoechogenic structure containing a turbulent arterial and venous flow. The structure was located in the midline of the posterior part of the third ventricle. The dilatation of the straight sinus was observed. Three-dimensional multiplanar images were instrumental in localizing the abnormal structure. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam was performed at 36 weeks, confirming the sonographic findings and no associated brain parenchyma abnormalities. Despite the isolated aspect of the malformation, the parents were informed about the poor postnatal outcome. At 37 weeks and 3 days a female neonate was delivered by cesarean section, with an Apgar score of 9 and weighing 2720 g. The transfontanellar US confirmed the diagnosis of VGAM. Mild cardiac complications and pulmonary hypertension were noted during the immediate postnatal period. At 3 months of age, a subsequent MRI revealed partial closure of the aneurysm and a normal ventricular system. At 32 months, an angio-MRI showed an entirely normal intracerebral vascular system. Currently, the child is completely asymptomatic at 5 years of age, having normal neurodevelopment. Discussions : The VGAM is characterized by the presence of numerous arteriovenous shunts linking the vein of Galen with the choroidal arteries. This pathology occurs more in male than female patients. The possible consequences of the pathology are the "vascular steal effect" and the overload of the right heart. Heart failure and cerebral damage are commonly seen. This congenital malformation has usually an ominous outcome. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of spontaneous, complete remission of the VGAM, occurring at approximately 32 months post-birth. The single medical intervention was careful monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]