Irina Franciuc

Freshly extracted Techirghiol sapropelic mud is used in lakeside balneotherapy, where atmospheric exposure may alter its physicochemical characteristics. This study investigated compositional changes during prolonged air exposure, accounting for the influence of dehydration on reported concentrations. Sapropelic sediment homogenized with native lake water was maintained in open containers at approximately 20 °C for 144 h. Moisture, volatile and mineral fractions, organic constituents, organic carbon and nitrogen, and sulfide fractions were assessed at baseline and at 24 h intervals, while individual mineral constituents were evaluated through 72 h. Temporal changes were analyzed descriptively, and concentrations reported on a wet-mass basis were additionally normalized to dry matter using the corresponding moisture measurements. Moisture decreased from 71.24% to 29.11%, accompanied by crust formation, cracking, and loss of homogeneity. Mineral residue increased from 20.36% to 62.45% on a wet-mass basis. Although the wet-mass volatile fraction remained near 8.40%, its calculated dry-mass proportion decreased from 29.21% to 11.85%. Total H₂S decreased from 0.1257% to 0.0493%, and the ether-extractable fraction from 1.61% to 0.74%, corresponding to wet-mass reductions of 60.8% and 54.0%, respectively. The corresponding reductions in calculated dry-mass concentrations were 84.1% and 81.3%, respectively. Individual mineral constituents showed comparatively small concentration changes through 72 h. Atmospheric exposure was associated with dehydration and differential compositional changes in Techirghiol mud. Dry-mass normalization revealed changes obscured by wet-mass reporting. Exposure duration and hydration state are relevant variables for physicochemical characterization and handling; these findings do not establish changes in therapeutic efficacy or a maximum permissible exposure time.

Background: Sapropelic mud from Techirghiol Lake has been used therapeutically under medical supervision for more than 170 years; however, its comprehensive physicochemical characterization under application-relevant conditions remains insufficiently documented. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties, mineral and organic composition, ion-exchange capacity, and potential therapeutic mechanisms of Techirghiol sapropelic mud. Methods: Mud samples were analyzed using standardized physicochemical and analytical techniques to determine pH, water content, granulometry, mineral composition, organic fraction, and trace elements. Results: The results indicate that Techirghiol mud is a highly hydrated alkaline peloid characterized by a complex mineral–organic system. Major elements included sodium, calcium, and magnesium, while trace elements such as manganese, iron, and zinc were present in relevant concentrations. The organic fraction, composed of humic substances, lipids, and proteins, reflected advanced but incomplete humification processes. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the complex physicochemical composition of Techirghiol sapropelic mud and provide a scientific basis for further studies regarding its properties and applications.

Background: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of conducting a prospective study to evaluate histological changes in skin and muscle tissues after two weeks of balneotherapeutic intervention, as described in Romanian medical regulations. Methods: Thirty-five patients participated in this study, thirty of whom received balneotherapy (a cold mud ointment or a mud pack, or a mud bath, and/or a salted water bath) and five received hydrotherapy (the witness plot). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Twenty-four hours after discharge, a tegument and muscle biopsy were performed, and fragments were histologically prepared. Results: In the blade evidence analysis, the increased caliber and number of open capillaries and the presence of angiogenesis vessels were statistically significant (p = 0.001 < α = 0.05) for the cold mud ointment and mud pack compared with the witness and mud bath plots. The number of angiogenesis blood vessels was higher in the dermis (p < 0.05 *) with the mud pack plot and in the muscle with the mud cold ointment (p < 0.05). The histological study showed that two weeks of therapeutic intervention produced evidence-based proof in the dermis and muscle tissues, which was persistent at least twenty-four hours after the completion of the balneal course. The results encourage the team to continue the histological approach using modern techniques.

Background: This study investigates microvascular changes in the dermis and muscle following a balneotherapy regimen prescribed by therapeutic protocols. Methods: Thirty-five inpatients participated in a two-week balneal course involving the application of mud and hypersaline water. Mud was applied outdoors in the summer as cold mud ointment and indoors year-round as mud packs or mud baths alternated with hypersaline water baths. Biopsies of the skin and muscle were obtained twenty-four hours post-discharge and prepared histologically. Results: Analysis focused on the epidermis, dermis, and muscle. Microvascular changes observed included increased caliber and number of open capillaries, as well as the presence of angiogenesis vessels. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in angiogenesis vessels between cold mud ointment and mud pack treatments compared to control and mud bath groups. A higher number of angiogenesis vessels were observed in the dermis in the mud pack group and in the muscle with mud cold ointment. Repeated thermal stimulation with mud and hypersaline water over two weeks produced histologically evident tissue modifications, persisting in the dermis and muscle at least twenty-four hours post-treatment completion.

Platelet indices represent useful biomarkers to express the thromboembolic status, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in preterm newborns. Our study presented platelet count and function changes in prematurity-related morbidities such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular bleeding, and anemia of prematurity in preterm newborn cases reported to healthy full-term newborns by flow cytometry and hematological methods. The platelet volume represents the average size of platelets in the blood samples, showing the significantly increased values in preterm newborns compared with healthy full-term newborns due to increasing activated platelet production. Flow cytometric analysis of immature platelet fractions (IPF) made using thiazole orange staining to detect their mRNA content and a glycoprotein (anti-GPIIIa) antibody for platelet gating. CD61-TO expression from premature newborns was significantly lower compared to healthy full-term neonates. Preterm newborn cases with respiratory distress syndrome and a need for respiratory support (RDS+) were characterized by a significantly increased platelet volume and a decreased immature platelet fraction reported in RDS− cases. Evaluating the platelet function in the newborn is difficult because the laboratory methodologies work with small quantities of newborn blood samples. The immature platelet fractions and platelet volume promise to be diagnostic biomarkers for diseases.

Objective: Preterm neonates represent a category of neonates at high risk for anemia. Due to particular pathologic processes and clinical presentation in preterm neonates, this type of anemia is described as a separate entity named anemia of prematurity (AOP). The population represented by very low birthweight (VLBW) neonates is at the highest risk of developing anemia of prematurity. Reduced tissue oxygenation due to anemia can have short-term consequences (growth restriction, apnea episodes) or long-term consequences such as delayed neurological development, rapid detection, and management of AOP is needed to avoid its complications. Material and methods: We describe the particularities of this condition and the interventions for its prevention or correction in a group of premature infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation discharged home during 2021. Results: We assessed the presence of anemia and the need for erythrocyte transfusion in 32 VLBW neonates, separated into two groups based on the gestational age: 24-29 gestational weeks (GW) and 30-31 GW. The number of neonates receiving a transfusion and the number of transfusion events was higher in the former, more immature group. We also identified more significant phlebotomy losses in the first group, contributing to a higher proportion of AOP cases needing erythrocyte transfusion. Conclusions: Although our protocols for transfusion at this moment recommend lower hemoglobin thresholds, we tend to transfuse above those levels based mainly on clinical signs and symptoms. We need better prevention strategies for AOP, both by using cord blood and more strict monitoring of phlebotomy losses.

The aim of this study was to present the cases with family history of type 1 diabetes in a group of pediatric patients from the Clinic of Pediatrics, Constanta County Hospital, and to analyze the risk for relatives conferred by presence of particular DR genotypes. 8 out of 60 index cases had relatives affected with type 1 diabetes (13.33%). Of these, four had firstdegree relatives affected (6.67%) and were presented here. Although high-risk genotypes were more frequent in the group of familial cases, no association was found between DR genotype and family history of type 1 diabetes when statistical significance was tested (p value 0.119).

Genome scan, linkage and association studies have identified CMH genes in the genetic determinism of most autoimmune diseases, affecting approximately 5% of the population. The susceptibility conferred by HLA alleles does not influence the development of autoimmunity in general, but rather the probability of some disorders. From extremely high number of known HLA alleles, less than 30 are associated with diseases, and fewer than 10 are involved in the strongest associations. The aim of this study was to determine HLA genes in autoimmune diseases. The method used for the assignment of HLA alleles was molecular genotyping, primarily by the sequence specific oligonucleotide hybridization method (SSO), and when required, by the sequence specific primers method (SSP). Molecular genotyping was performed in 282 cases of diabetes mellitus type 1, Hashimoto thyroiditis, Graves’ disease and ankylosing spondylitis. HLA typing in patients with autoimmune diseases is important for determining prognosis and genetic counseling. In ankylosing spondylitis HLA typing is used for differential diagnosis. In such studies it’s important to be aware that there is a particular HLA gene expression depending on the geographic area.