Search

Copyright of Obstetrică şi Ginecologie is the property of MEDICHUB MEDIA, S.R.L. 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.)

Context:Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40l) can predict cardiovascular events (CVE) and mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients (short-, medium-term follow-up studies). Objective:To evaluate the relationship between sCD40l and survival, CVE and mortality in HD patients on long-term follow-up. Methods:We registered 46 HD patients’ baseline characteristics, mortality and CVE for 108 months. Results: SCD40l correlated positively with C-reactive protein, was higher in survivors, but had no impact on survival and was not predictive for CVE or CV mortality. Conclusion:The levels of sCD40l have no influence on survival or CVE and mortality in HD patients in a long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of the study was to examine the prognostic factors involved in the survival of patients with acquired aplastic anemia. Methods. We included in the study 80 patients diagnosed with aplastic anemia. We analyzed the prognostic factors related to the patient and disease. Results. Survival at 2 months, 5 years and 10 years was of 86.1%, 67.5% and 31.3%. By multivariate analysis, we obtained: severity of the disease, duration until the start of treatment, major bleeding and CsA were risk factors for death in 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Medical students' physical activity preferences are important to explore, as this population subgroup represents future models in society. Aims. To explore the infrastructure and community programs accessed by medical students when being physically active. Methods. Online questionnaire administered to medical school students in Cluj-Napoca and Iasi. Results. 65% of the options expressed accessed free-of-charge infrastructure (outdoor, university and home or around home). Students in the 1st and 2nd years of study accessed the University infrastructure significantly more than their 3rd to 6th year peers. Only 16% of the respondents accessed community programs for practicing physical activity in the last 12 months. Conclusions. Medical school students prefer free-of-charge (outdoor) sport infrastructure and have a very low participation rate in community physical activity programs. Efforts should be directed into research and policy for ensuring proper physical activity services to medical school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the understanding of statistical terms commonly used in lectures presented at summer schools for residents and young specialists. Material and Method: A survey was distributed to all the participants at the "Diabetic neuropathy from theory to practice" Summer School, 2014. The program was addressed to residents or young specialists in diabetes, neurology, surgery, and orthopedic from Romania. The survey consists of 6 multiple-choice questions and the first four questions evaluate the understanding of statistical terms. Results: There were 51 (42.5%) participants who completed the questionnaires. From 204 total questions 81 (39.7%) had correct answers. At the question 1, where relative risk was evaluated, only 3 (5.9%) respondents answered correctly while at the question 2 (number need to treat) about 78.4% (40) of answers were correct. At the question 3 (sensitivity), 22 (43.1%) respondents answer correct while at the question 4 (Receiver Operating Characteristic curves) only 16 (31.4%) respondents provided a correct answer. Tire overall mean score of correct answers was 1.56±0.91. Conclusion: Our study showed that young specialists who participated to the survey were not familiarized with simple statistical terms commonly used in presentations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic kidney disease is an important complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and has an economic impact in growth due to the increasing prevalence of T2DM. Identification of diabetic kidney disease risk factors is a priority for both the patient and the healthcare system. The aim of our study was to rank the risk factors using VIKOR method applied on a database with patients with T2DM. Data from 53 T2DM patients were analyzed with VIKOR method. 18 possible risk factors were taken in consideration as alternatives and four separate criteria of renal function: two for albumin excretion - quantified as urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) and two for GFR (glomerular filtration rate). In the top of the VIKOR method hierarchy was serum adiponectin followed by triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, duration of diabetes and age. Malondialdehyde and HDL-cholesterol influenced chronic kidney disease as protective factors (18th, respective 17th position in the hierarchy). VIKOR method brought new information about the similarity between the positions of some factors in the hierarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Experimental and clinical studies suggest an inverse relationship between adiponectin and oxidative stress. In this study we evaluated the relationship between serum adiponectin and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy. Material and methods. We included in this study 26 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy, from the outpatient settings of the Clinic of Nephrology Mihai Manasia Cluj and 48 patients with type 2 diabetes without diabetic neuropathy. Exclusion criteria were: chronic renal disease other than diabetic nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy stage 4-5 KDOQI, the presence of acute inflammatory/infectious, uncontrolled hypertension. Results. In patients with neuropathy plasma adiponectin was significantly correlated with lipid peroxides-malondialdehyde r=-0.42, p=0.03, with catalase r=0.56, p=0.009, with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol r=0.53, p=0.005 and glycated hemoglobin r=-0.54, p=0.005. Lipid peroxides - malondialdehyde was significantly correlated with age r=-0.46, p=0.02, glycated hemoglobin r=-0.54, p=0.005; abdominal circumference r=-0.39, p=0.05. Superoxide dismutase was significantly correlated with blood glucose r=-0.84, p<0.001. In multivariate linear regression adiponectine was dependent of lipid peroxides - malondialdehyde (p=0.04), body mass index (p=0.002), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.002) and glycated hemoglobin (p<0,001). In patients without neuropathy, multivariate linear regression found that adiponectine was dependent of urinary albumin/urinary creatinin report (p<0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.001), body mass index (p=0.009) and C-reactive protein (p=0.001). There were no significant differences in levels of adiponectin and oxidative stress parameters between diabetic neuropathy and without neuropathy group. Conclusion. In patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and diabetic neuropathy, low level of oxidative stress was correlated with high level of adiponectin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of multicriteria decision models is to help decision maker to evaluate each alternative and to rank them in descending order of performance. A problem can appear when the criteria are not independent. This study explores the effect of multicollinearity between criteria in decision making with the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and proposes an algorithm to resolve this problem. The algorithm was based on the application of the TOPSIS method several times until all the components are uncorrelated. The algorithm was applied on two examples from medical field to demonstrate its effectiveness. After we applied the purposed algorithm on two examples the index result from TOPSIS was equal correlated with all the criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The physico-chemical properties of an experimental composite resin used for indirect dental restorations were investigated. The goal was to evaluate the variation of water sorption and solubility of the composite specimens during a 7 day period of immersion and to assess the effect of an additional post-curing treatment on these properties. Material and Methods: The specimens were prepared and investigated according to the ISO standard 4049:2000. Two group of specimens were studied i.e. light-cured and post-cured (group A) samples and light-cured (group B) samples. Results: Significant statistical differences were observed regarding water sorption in both groups (p<0.05), the mean values being higher in the first days of immersion. Regarding the water solubility, negative values were obtained, that varied throughout the entire period of immersion; the solubility is masked by the higher values of water sorption. Conclusion: All the specimens present relative high water sorption values especially during the first three days of immersion. The additional post-curing treatment decreases the water sorption and solubility values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratio are two extensively used inflammatory markers that have been proved very useful in evaluating inflammation in several diseases. The present article aimed to investigate if they have any value in distinguishing among various respiratory disorders. One hundred and forty-five patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 219 patients with different chronic respiratory diseases (interstitial lung disease, obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome, bronchiectasis) and 161 healthy individuals as a control group were included in the study. While neither NLR nor PLR had any power in differentiating between various diseases, PLR was found to be significant but poor as a diagnostic test when the control group was compared with the OSA-COPD group. NLR was found to be significant but poor as a diagnostic test when we compared the control group with all three groups (separately): the OSA-COPD group; interstitial lung disease group, and bronchiectasis group. NLR and PLR had poor power to discriminate between various respiratory diseases and cannot be used in making the differential diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Custom-made dynamometry was shown to objectively analyze human muscle strength around the ankle joint with accuracy, easy portability and low costs. This paper describes the full method of calibration and measurement setup and the measurement procedure when capturing ankle torque for establishing reliability of a portable custom-built electronic dynamometer. After considering the load cell offset voltage, the pivotal position was determined, and calibration with loads followed. Linear regression was used for calculating the proportionality constant between torque and measured voltage. Digital means were used for data collection and processing. Four healthy consenting participants were enrolled in the study. Three consecutive maximum voluntary isometric contractions of five seconds each were registered for both feet during plantar flexion/dorsiflexion, and ankle torque was then calculated for three ankle inclinations. A calibration procedure resulted, comprising determination of the pivotal axis and pedal constant. Using the obtained data, a measurement procedure was proposed. Obtained contraction time graphs led to easier filtering of the results. When calculating the interclass correlation, the portable apparatus demonstrated to be reliable when measuring ankle torque. When a custom-made dynamometer was used for capturing ankle torque, accuracy of the method was assured by a rigorous calibration and measurement protocol elaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim. Cigarette smoking has negative effects on general health, including oral health. The aim of our study was to assess the correlations between nicotine dependence, exhaled carbon monoxide levels and oral hygiene status. Methods. Smoker and non-smoker participants were enrolled in this observational study. The Fagerström test was used to classify nicotine dependences: low (score: 0-3), medium (score: 4-6) or high (score: 7-10). The oral hygiene status was classified according to the oral hygiene indices of plaque, calculus and gingival inflammation. Lastly, the exhaled carbon monoxide levels were measured with a MicroSmokelyzer (Bedfont Scientific Ltd., Kent, United Kingdom). Results. Sixty five participants (50 smokers in the study group and 15 nonsmokers in the control group) were enrolled between 11th and 29th of January 2016. No statistical differences were observed between the study group and the control group in terms of age (mean age±SD 23.5±1.9 and 24.0±1.5, respectively) or gender (50% and 26.6%, respectively). A statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in terms of plaque, (p=0.036), calculus (p=0.001) and gingival indices (p<0.001). A positive correlation was found between the exhaled levels of carbon monoxide and the general Fagerström score (r=0.97, p<0.001) or the Fagerström score in smokers (r=0.93, p<0.001); a negative correlation was observed between the exhaled carbon monoxide levels and the number of tooth brushings daily (r=-0.41, p=0.001). The plaque index was statistically significantly associated with the exhaled carbon monoxide levels (p=0.008), general Fagerström score (p=0.016) and number of tooth brushings daily (p<0.001). The calculus and gingival indices were statistically significantly associated with the exhaled carbon monoxide levels (p<0.001), general Fagerström score (p<0.001) and score in smoker participants (p=0.029 and p=0.001, respectively) as well as the number of tooth brushings daily (p<0.001). Conclusion. Our study found a significant association between the plaque, calculus and gingival indices and smoking. Moreover, nicotine dependence was significantly associated with the number of daily tooth brushings and the gingival index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the Neonatal Hearing Screening Programme is still being implemented in Romania, it is important to study parent satisfaction because the success of the hearing screening depends on the parent's cooperation. We aimed at validating the Romanian version of The Parent Satisfaction Questionnaire with A Neonatal Hearing Screening Programme. This study included 137 participants and a sample of 30 participants who filled out a second copy of the questionnaire a month later. We recorded high levels of overall satisfaction, but smaller levels of satisfaction for each of the four dimensions of the questionnaire: the satisfaction with the information, the medical staff responsible for hearing testing and the appointment schedule. The Romanian version of the questionnaire showed a good internal consistency, strong test-retest reliability and positive significant correlations between overall satisfaction with all dimensions of the questionnaire. The Parent Satisfaction Questionnaire with the Neonatal Hearing Screening Programmeme proved to be valid and reliable for assessing parent satisfaction with the hearing screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to detect the types of the cervix lesions and to establish the correlations between age, environment of origin, diagnosis and gravity of the lesions. Methods: In the period 2009-2012, all cervical secretions from female subjects presented at Integrated Outpatient Unit, of the Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Cluj-Napoca, Romania were tested by Babeş-Papanicolaou examination. Babeş-Papanicolaou cytological smear was performed according to the 2001 Bethesda System criteria. Results: From 3153 cervical secretions (2736 female subjects from urban areas and 417 female subjects from rural areas) with age 10 - 87 years, 2899 (91.9%) smears (372 women from rural area and 2527 women from urban area) had normal appearance. Premalignant or malignant lesions (positive cases) were detected in 254 (8.1%) smears (45 (12.1%) cases from rural area, 209 (8.3%) cases from urban area). In the urban area, most positive cases were recorded in the age range of 45-54 years, while in the rural areas in the age range of 35-44 years. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that environment and age significantly influenced the occurrence of positive cases (OR=1.44 95% CI 1.02-2.02, p=0.04 for rural area, OR=0.71 95% CI 0.60-0.85, p<0.001 for age). The correlation between age and the degree of severity diagnosis (r=-0.09, p=0.14) was not significant. Conclusions: Cervical lesions detected through Babeş-Papanicolaou test in adult women are more common in the rural area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like compound with a direct and indirect antioxidant role, energetic role and with an increase of the immune system. The modifications of oxidant/antioxidant (O/AO) balance in exercise with the oxidative stress (SO) production, determined us to study the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on the leucocytes phagocytic capacity, which through the phagocytic function on the reactive species of oxigen (SRO) production have a favourable role in the antimicrobian defence in the body. Aims. The following were studied: 1. influence of CoQ10 supplementation on the aerobic exercise capacity; 2. influence of exercise and CoQ10 supplement on the leukocytes and phagocytic capacity. Methods. The investigation was carried out in 3 groups of 10 male albino Wistar rats: group I: animals trained to exercise; group II: animals trained to exercise with CoQ10 supplementation; group III: sedentary animals with CoQ10 supplementation. Venous blood samples were taken from the retroorbitar vein on the 1st day, 14th day and 28th day. Leukocytes count and the leukograme (polymorphonuclear neutrophil leucocytes: PMNN; monocytes: MO), phagocytic capacity (phagocytic index: FI; phagocytic activity: FA; peroxidase activity: Px) were detected. Results. The training determined significant increases of the aerobic exercise capacity, with or without CoQ10 supplementation. The exercise influence the phagocytic capacity, with the significant decreases of FI on the 14th day and on the 28th day as compared with the 1st day, the significant increases of FA on the 14th day and restoration to the initial values on the 28th day, and without significantly influence on the Px. The exercise and CoQ10 supplementation did not determine significant changes of the counts of leucocytes and PMNN, but produced significant MO increases, with maximum values on the 14th day, as compared with the 1st day; influencing favourably the phagocytic capacity, while supplementation in the sedentary animals determined a significant decrease of FI after 14 days and 28 days, and significant increases of FI and FA after 28 days; Px decreased significantly, as compared with the 1st day. The CoQ10 supplementation in sedentary animals determined the significant decrease of FI after 14 days and 28 days, and increases of FA which are significant after 28 days; Px increased significantly during the exercise, as compared with the 1st day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is dedicated to the investigation of the interfaces between the dentin biostructure and composite inlays manufactured using the trade-mark Gradia and the experimental Barodent biomaterials. The restorations were luted with a self-adhesive resin cement and with a conventional resin cement associated either with a two-step etch & rinse adhesive or with a three-step etch & rinse adhesive. The scanning electron microscopy examination and the optical microscopy coupled with the microleakage investigations, followed by a statistical analysis of data, allowed the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the interface between composite biomaterials and tooth biostructure, as influenced by the restoring material and the resin cement. The two investigated composite materials gave similar results regarding the interface quality and the marginal adaptation in dentin. The conventional resin cement associated with the etch& rinse adhesive systems gave the lowest microleakage values and formed the most homogeneous interface between the composite inlay and dental biostructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adiponectin, an insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic adipokine, seems to conserve its protective effect against cardiovascular complications in dialysis patients. In diabetic dialysis patients however results are less consistent, higher adiponectin levels being associated with mortality. We intend to study the prognostic value of plasma adiponectin for atherosclerotic complications and all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetic patients on hemodialysis in a multicenter trial; we hereby present our pilot study. Material and methods: All (28) diabetic patients on maintenance hemodialysis in our center were included in the study. History, clinical data, routine laboratory assessment and total plasma adiponectin were obtained. Patients were compared to a control group of 20 nondiabetic hemodialysis patients. During 1 year of follow-up, new occurrence of cardiovascular complications due to atherosclerosis (myocardial infarction and revascularization, amputation or revascularization due to arteriosclerosis obliterans, stroke) and all-cause mortality were recorded. Results: Type 2 diabetic dialysis patients had lower adiponectin levels than dialysis controls (21.08±3.17/ml versus 39.00±10.11μg/ml, p=0.03). In simple regression, adiponectin was correlated to body mass index (r=-0.43, p=0.01) and serum triglycerides (r=-0.62, p=0.0003); in multiple stepwise regression, triglycerides remained the only predictor of plasma adiponectin (p=0.01). Adiponectin levels were higher in women than in men (28.73±5.76 μg/ ml versus 15.33±2.88 μg/ml, p=0.03). There was a statistically significant difference in plasma adiponectin levels between patients with proliferative retinopathy and patients without this condition (27.22±4.87 μg/ ml versus 16.46±3.91 μg/ml, p=0.02). Patients with new onset of cardiovascular events had lower adiponectin levels than controls (12.76±3.52 μg/ml versus 23.34±3.81 μg/ml but the difference did not reach statistical significance, probably due to the small number of patients. Baseline adiponectin was higher in deceased patients than in survivors (29.87±10.32 μg/ml versus 19.61±3.29 μg/ml); again, statistical significance was not reached due to the small cohort. The number of patients to be included in the multicenter trial in order to attain statistical significance for each arm of the above mentioned comparisons was calculated. Conclusions: In diabetic patients treated with hemodialysis, lower adiponectin levels were found in patients with new onset of complications of atherosclerosis, while increased adiponectin might predict all-cause mortality. Further large-scale prospective studies are required to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To provide epidemiologic data on kidney biopsy from Romania., Methods: Retrospective observational study of kidney biopsy records for adult patients from a referral center in the north-western part of Romania, reported for 2014-2023., Results: 556 biopsies were performed, corresponding to an incidence of 12 biopsies/m person-year with over 50% increase over the last reported year. Optimal core for optic microscopy was available in 81.4%, immunofluorescence was performed in 86.3%, and electron microscopy in 35.2% of patients. The mean age at biopsy was 47.12 years, and 53.8% were males. Indications for kidney biopsy were nephrotic syndrome in 63.1% of patients, nephritic in 25.9% of patients, asymptomatic urinary abnormalities in 2.9%, acute kidney injury/rapid progressive renal failure in 3.6%, and chronic kidney disease in 1.4%. The most frequent diagnostic categories were membranous nephritis (14.7%), IgA nephropathy (13.9%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (11,1%), minimal change disease (12,2%), lupus nephritis (10,9%), vasculitis (7.6%), and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (8%). The age of diagnosis increased for IgA Nephropathy over time while it decreased for membranous nephritis., Conclusions: Our study adds data for the completion of the kidney biopsy map in our region., (© 2024 Yuriy Maslyennikov et al., published by Sciendo.)

Brown tumors, an exceptional bone complication of severe primary (PHP) or renal (secondary) hyperparathyroidism (RHP), are caused by long-standing, elevated parathormone (PTH)-induced osteoclast activation causing multinucleated giant cell conglomerates with hemosiderin deposits in addition to the local production of cytokines and growth factors. We aim to present an adult case series including two females displaying this complication as part of a multidisciplinary complex panel in high PTH-related ailments. The approach was different since they had distinct medical backgrounds and posed a wide area of challenges amid real-life settings, namely, a 38-year-old lady with PHP and long-term uncontrolled hypercalcemia (with a history of pregnancy-associated PHP, the removal of a cystic jaw tumor, as well as a family and personal positive diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease, probably a PHP-jaw tumor syndrome), as well as, a 26-year-old woman with congenital single kidney and chronic renal disease-associated RHP who was poorly controlled under dialysis and developed severe anemia and episodes of metabolic acidosis (including one presentation that required emergency hemodialysis and was complicated with convulsive seizures, followed by resuscitated respiratory arrest). Both subjects displayed a severe picture of PHP/RHP with PTH levels of >1000 pg/mL and >2000 pg/mL and elevated serum bone turnover markers. Additionally, they had multiple brown tumors at the level of the ribs and pelvis (asymptomatically) and the spine, skull, and pelvis (complicated with a spontaneous cervical fracture). As an endocrine approach, the control of the underlying parathyroid disease was provided via surgery in PHP (for the postparathyroidectomy hungry bone syndrome) via medical intervention (with vitamin D analogs) in RHP. Additionally, in this case, since the diagnosis was not clear, a multidisciplinary decision to perform a biopsy was taken (which proved inconclusive), and the resection of the skull tumor to confirm the histological traits. This series highlights the importance of addressing the entire multidisciplinary panel of co-morbidities for a better outcome in patients with PHP/RHP-related brown tumors. However, in the instance of real-life medicine, poor compliance and reduced adherence to recommendations might impair the overall health status. Thus, sometimes, a direct approach at the level of cystic lesion is taken into consideration; this stands for a narrow frame of decision, and it is a matter of personalized decision. As seen here, brown tumors represent the hidden face of PHP/RHP, primarily the complex and severe forms, and awareness is essential even in the modern era.

Background: Previous reports associated ADIPOQ 276G>T polymorphism with plasma adiponectin levels and diabetes. Our objective was to study this polymorphism in type 2 diabetes (T2D) Romanian patients and to assess its influence on plasma adiponectin levels; possible link to prevalence of T2D was also addressed., Design: Case control studyMaterial and Methods: Consecutive T2D patients, age and sex matched controls were genotyped for the 276 ADIPOQ locus. Medical history, laboratory evaluation, plasma adiponectin were assessed., Outcomes: 105 T2D patients and 48 controls were included. Adiponectin was higher in controls (17.04±3.02 µg/ml) than in T2D patients (10.32±1.16 µg/ml), difference failed to reach significance (p=0.06). Genotype distribution wasn't different between T2D patients and controls. 44 (41.90%) of T2D patients had GG genotype, 51 (48.57%) GT and 10 (9.52%) TT genotype. Adiponectin was higher (19.03±3.46 µg/ml) in diabetic TT allele carriers than in GT (9.96±1.76 µg/ml) or GG patients (8.71±1.60 µg/ml) p=0.003. In controls, 28 (58.33 %) subjects were carriers of the GG genotype, 16 (33.33%) had GT genotype and 4 (8.33%) had TT genotype. There weren't significant differences in the studied parameters between different genotypes in the control group. Logistic regression disclosed age p=0.0001 (OR 1.086; CI 1.041/1.133), waist circumference p=0.00049 (OR 1.084; CI 1.036/1.135), adiponectinemia p=0.036 (OR 0.963; CI 0.929/0.998) but not genotype as predictors for the presence of diabetes., Conclusion: Presence of the TT allele at the 276 locus of the ADIPOQ gene is associated with higher plasma adiponectin levels in type 2 diabetes patients. Plasma adiponectin, and not genotype at the 276 locus is predictive for the presence of T2D.

Cervical samples from 182 females aged 16-63 years were tested between 2008-2011 for human papillomaviruses (HPV) using PCR methods through the reverse hybridization and Roche genotyping. In 99 (54.4%) cases, different types of HPV were detected in 53 (53.5%) single infections and in 46 (46.5%) multiple infections, frequent in urban (94 cases: 50 single infections and 44 multiple infections). 32 different types of HPV were identified, 15 types being with high-risk. There were only seven rural patients, having single infections with the types 51, 58, 84; multiple infections with three or more than three associated HPV were not found. The most frequently identified was type 16 with high-risk, both in urban and rural areas, prevalent at 20-30 years of age. The types 35, 39, 59, 68 with high-risk were isolated only from multiple infections. Of the 9 females of rural origin investigated through cytological examination Babeş-Papanicolaou, the types 16, 31, 58 (with high-risk) were detected in five cases. 42 (42.4%) cases with HPV infections were found in females aged 20 to 25 years. The frequency of HPV infection decreases with the age. The mean of age is significantly increased in females without infection (p = 0.00007) and it is significantly decreased in females with multiple infections, as compared with those with single infections or without infections. The females with single infections have the average of age significantly lower, as compared with the females free of HPV infections. There is a significant correlation between the age and the total risk of HPV infection (the age increase and the total risk decrease).

Unlabelled: Cholesterol gallstone disease is a common disease, which is the result of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. We aimed to study the gallstone risk factors in patients with gallstone heredity., Method: Plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, cholesterol and glycaemia were assessed in 109 patients with gallstones having at least one affected sibling (females/males = 95/14, age 54.36 +/- 11.22 yrs, BMI 29.06 +/- 5.36 kg/m2) and in 271 controls without gallstones (females/males = 248/23, age 52.82 +/- 10.94 yrs, BMI 26.00 +/- 4.63 kg/m2). Student's t test, Mann-Whitney test and chi square test were used to compare BMI, plasma lipid levels, prevalence of diabetes mellitus and pregnancies., Results: Patients with gallstone disease had higher BMI (p = 0.0000005) as compared to controls. Plasma triglyceride levels were significantly higher and serum HDL-cholesterol levels significantly lower in patients than in controls (p = 0.00001, respectively, p = 0.0002). Basal glycaemia was also significantly higher in patients than in controls (p = 0.00006). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in cases than in controls (p = 0.00001). In univariate logistic regression analysis, BMI, triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol, increased glycaemia and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with gallstone disease, but in multiple logistic regression analysis, only BMI had a significant effect., Conclusion: The main risk factor for gallstone disease in cases with known heredity of gallstone disease is BMI.