Targeted Alpha Therapy: All We Need to Know about 225Ac's Physical Characteristics and Production as a Potential Theranostic Radionuclide

The high energy of α emitters, and the strong linear energy transfer that goes along with it, lead to very efficient cell killing through DNA damage. Moreover, the degree of oxygenation and the cell cycle state have no impact on these effects. Therefore, α radioisotopes can offer a treatment choice to individuals who are not responding to β- or gamma-radiation therapy or chemotherapy drugs. Only a few α-particle emitters are suitable for targeted alpha therapy (TAT) and clinical applications. The majority of available clinical research involves 225Ac and its daughter nuclide 213Bi. Additionally, the 225Ac disintegration cascade generates γ decays that can be used in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, expanding the potential theranostic applications in nuclear medicine. Despite the growing interest in applying 225Ac, the restricted global accessibility of this radioisotope makes it difficult to conduct extensive clinical trials for many radiopharmaceutical candidates. To boost the availability of 225Ac, along with its clinical and potential theranostic applications, this review attempts to highlight the fundamental physical properties of this α-particle-emitting isotope, as well as its existing and possible production methods.

Off the Beaten Path in Oncology: Active Brown Adipose Tissue by Virtue of Molecular Imaging

Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) is considered beneficial in diabetes and obesity, but it can also have negative effects such as its implication in tumours' pathogenesis and the development of Cancer-induced Cachexia. Since 18F-FDG PET/CT is a common molecular imaging modality used in cancer assessment, we aim to study the 18F-FDG BAT biodistribution in oncological patients and look for possible correlations between BAT activity and different malignancies as well as the patient's weight status. After analysing the total number of oncological 18F-FDG PET/CT scans between 2017 and 2021, we selected patients with active BAT. Based on their BMI, the selected patients were divided into nonobese (NO) vs. overweight and obese (OOB). OOB SUVmaxlean body mass(LBM) had the highest mean values in supraclavicular, latero-cervical, and paravertebral vs. mediastinal and latero-thoracic localisations in NO. BMI was positively correlated with latero-cervical and supraclavicular SUVmax(LBM) but negatively correlated with latero-thoracic and abdominal SUVmax(LBM). Considering the age of the patients, SUVmax(LBM) decreases in the latero-cervical, paravertebral, and abdominal regions. In addition, the males presented lower SUVmax(LBM) values. SUVmax(LBM) was not affected by the treatment strategy or the oncological diagnosis. To conclude, it is mandatory to take into consideration the BAT particularities and effects on weight status in order to optimise the clinical management of oncological patients.

Brown Adipose Tissue Biodistribution and Correlations Particularities in Parathyroid Pathology Personalized Diagnosis

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) participates in the regulation of whole-body metabolism by producing a variety of adipokines. This study investigates into the BAT pattern and the clinical aspects of overweight and obese (OOB) vs. non-obese (NO) hyperparathyroidism (HPT) patients with the aim of assessing the impact of BAT and obesity on HPT. Parathyroid scans performed on 441 HPT patients between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed in order to select the images with active BAT. Based on their BMI, the patients with active BAT were divided into OOB vs. NO. The results showed that BAT was present in cervical and supraclavicular regions, with a single localization especially among NO vs. multiple sites among OOB. The (total counts/pixels)_BAT/(total counts/pixels)_non-BAT ratio in the right cervical localization showed a significant difference between the groups with higher values in OOB. BMI, PTH, FT4, vitamin D, magnesium, creatinine, and urea had significant correlations with BAT ratios. The predictive values showed that right cervical ratios higher than 1.52 and right supraclavicular ratios lower than 1.15 indicated an increased probability of being OOB. The significant correlations between BAT activation in OOB vs. NO and HPT clinical parameters could be useful for developing potential treatments based on this tissue.

Genetic Polymorphism at 15 Codons of the Prion Protein Gene in 156 Goats from Romania

Background: The variability of prion protein gene (PRNP) codons and the frequency of alleles (K222, D146, and S146) that appear to confer genetic resistance to classical scrapie are still unknown in several goat populations/breeds prevalent in Romania. This work aims to assess the genetic polymorphism at 15 PRNP codons in Romanian goat populations to inform the development of goat breeding programs for scrapie resistance. Methods: Whole blood and hair follicles from Carpathian (50), French Alpine (53), and Banat’s White (53) breed goats were sampled to extract genomic DNA for genetic analyses and Sanger sequencing. In the targeted goat groups, one classical scrapie-positive Banat’s White goat was included. Results: The codons without polymorphisms were G37G, W102W, N146N, R151R, S173S, and I218I. The following non-synonymous polymorphisms of PRNP were recorded: P110P, P110S, P110T, T110T, G127G, G127S, I142I, I142M, T142I, H143H, P143P, R143R, R154R, H154R, P168P, Q168Q, Q211Q, Q211R, Q222Q, H222Q, K222K, S240S, P240P, P240S, and S240P. Conclusions: PRNP polymorphism was recorded in 60% (9/15) of codons. The scrapie-positive Banat’s White goat had G37G, W102W, T110T, G127G, I142I, H143H, N146N, R151R, R154R, P168P, S173S, R211R, I218I, Q222Q, and S240S. The K222 allele had a frequency of 6% (3/50) in Carpathian, 9.43% (5/53) in Banat’s White, and 15.09% (8/53) in French Alpine. Therefore, the polymorphisms detected in this sample of Romanian goat breeds are too rare to design a breeding program at the current time.

COVID-19-related information sources and anxiety levels

Introduction

Timely and accurate information is foundational to moderating and curing the COVID-19 for both the public and the scientific community, while repeated media exposure to crisis-related information raises stress and anxiety among general population.

Objectives

The main goal of the current study was to evaluate the associations between the COVID-19-related information sources and anxiety levels.

Methods

An online web-survey recruited participants who were ≥18 years old and lived in Romanian through an online campaign in May 2021. Participants were asked whether they received COVID-19-related information frequently from the following sources: the Internet, traditional media, medical staff in health care settings or from friends, co-workers, or family members. We also assessed participants’ level of anxiety with Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the cut-off point for anxiety index was set at 45. The associations of each information source with anxiety were examined using multiple regression analyses to control for sex, age, education and other demographic characteristics.

Results

In total, the data of 1559 respondents (1224 female; mean age = 37.03 years and standard deviation (SD)=12.90 years) were analysed. The mean index score for SAS were 44.28 (SD=10.6). The major source of information on COVID-19 was the Internet (59.20%) and medical stuff (58.27%), almost in equal measure, followed by traditional media (48.17%) and friends, co-workers, and family members (30.72%).

Conclusions

Receiving COVID-19 information from the Internet and traditional media was positively correlated with anxiety level (p=0.01), while receiving COVID-19 information from medical-stuff was associated with low levels of anxiety (p=0.03).

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Prevalence of anxiety and depression among students and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are experiencing severe mental distress. Following social distancing and economic insecurity, significant increases in mental health concerns have developed.

Objectives

The aims of this study was to report the levels of depressive and anxiety within active population in Romania, and to identify possible risk and protective factors for mental health.

Methods

Data collection occurred between February-March 2021. The online survey included questions regarding socio-demographic characteristics and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). 620 responses were validated (331 students and 289 workers).

Results

Among active population, risk of anxiety symptoms is lower in those who already were infected with SARS-Cov2 (p=0.026, df=2, Phi=0.109), while positive screening for anxiety or depression in this study was statistically significant associated with younger age (p=0.026, df=4, Phi=0.134) and female gender (p=<0.001, df=2, Phi=0.166). Even though anxiety and depression scores are similar among students and employees, there are different aspects regarding symptomatology between these two groups. Students have experienced more frequently tendency to worry and sudden feelings of panic (p=0.004, df=3, Phi=0.146). Also, their ability to laugh and see the funny side of things is affected (p=0.019, df=3, Phi=0.127) and they feel less enthusiasm about future (p=0.001, df=3, Phi=0.159). Participants living with someone else scored lower on anxiety and depression subscales and those are not influenced by the person with whom they are cohabitating or residing (p=0.020, df=3, Phi=0.138).

Conclusions

Findings from the current study offer initial insights into the rates of anxiety and depression within active population in Romania, one year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Psychological resilience and anxiety in response to COVID-19

Introduction

In Romania, the first case of COVID-19 was detected on 26 February 2020 and the number of cases has been rising afterward.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to assess anxiety and resilience regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyse possible protective measures and risk factors.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study and data were collected March and April 2021. Participants filled in the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.

Results

The sample consisted of 440 participants who presented to the general practitioner (female-65.7%) and the most representative age group was 35-64 years old; 18.4% of the participants stated that they were infected; 56.6% reported that they do not know anyone in their entourage who was infected/ has died of COVID-19 (group A), 32.9% knowing people with an infection in their close social environment (group B) and 10.5% had close people who died (group C). Almost half of the respondents (49,3%) scored above the cut-off point of the anxiety index (mild 38.6%, moderate 9.9%, severe 0.8%). As we expected, there is a strong negative correlation between anxiety levels and resilience (Pearson Correlation=-.551, p<0.01). If groups A and B had similarities regarding anxiety levels (44.97 and 44.23), those knowing someone who died of COVID-19 (group C) had a higher anxiety level (47.81%) (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused an understandable surge in anxiety among the general population. Low level of resilience is predictive of the phenomenon of having high anxiety in the face of the death of others.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Stress and sleep: impact of the main contributing factors to poor sleep experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic is associated with several stressful factors that can negatively affect peoples’ sleep quality and mental health.

Objectives

The aim of the current study was to prospectively identify decreased sleep quality and associated risk factors in general population during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational online study on a Romanian sample of 667 respondents aged >18 years. Sleep quality and quantity was evaluated with Athens Insomnia scale (AIS) and the main concerns associated with the pandemic context were evaluated through a multiple-choice question.

Results

The data collected identified important evidence regarding the prevalence and intensity of insomnia. The average score for AIS was 6.13 (cut-off point for was set at 8). However, it is worth noting that 179 respondents (26.8%) meet the criteria for insomnia. Of the 8 self-assessment items, daytime sleepiness was the criterion evaluated with the highest average score (1.01), all other items getting subunit values. A low quality of sleep was linearly related with fear of illness/death (p=0.053), fear of illness/death of close people (p=0.032), social isolation (p<0.001), economic impact (p=0.003), losing the job (p<0.001) and social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection (p=0.009).

Conclusions

More than a qurter of respondes scored above the threshold of 8 at the insomnia scale, while losing the job, social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection and social isolation are the main risk factors for a low quality and quantity of sleep.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Improved Personalised Neuroendocrine Tumours' Diagnosis Predictive Power by New Receptor Somatostatin Image Processing Quantification

Although neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are intensively studied, their diagnosis and consequently personalised therapy management is still puzzling due to their tumoral heterogeneity. In their theragnosis algorithm, receptor somatostatin scintigraphy takes the central place, the diagnosis receptor somatostatin analogue (RSA) choice depending on laboratory experience and accessibility. However, in all cases, the results depend decisively on correct radiotracer tumoral uptake quantification, where unfortunately there are still unrevealed clues and lack of standardization. We propose an improved method to quantify the biodistribution of gamma-emitting RSA, using tissular corrected uptake indices. We conducted a bi-centric retrospective study on 101 patients with different types of NETs. Three uptake indices obtained after applying new corrections to areas of interest drawn for the tumour and for three reference organs (liver, spleen and lung) were statistically analysed. For the corrected pathological uptake indices, the results showed a significant decrease in the error of estimating the occurrence of errors and an increase in the diagnostic predictive power for NETs, especially in the case of lung-referring corrected index. In conclusion, these results support the importance of corrected uptake indices use in the analysis of ^99mTcRSA biodistribution for a better personalised diagnostic accuracy of NETs patients.

Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding Ebola disease in healthcare workers from a tertiary care hospital in Romania

OBJECTIVES

The National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Prof. Dr. Matei Balș' was the designated centre for managing Ebola alerts in Romania during the 2014 African outbreak. We surveyed Ebola knowledge, attitudes and perceptions (KAP) among the institute's healthcare workers.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

The study consisted of a self-administered paper-based anonymous questionnaire that included 24 closed-item questions and two scales of personal concern.

RESULTS

Respondents were generally well informed; compared to nurses, doctors recorded a 1.9-fold higher rate of correct responses regarding Ebola transmission (P < 0.001), but both nurses and doctors correctly identified Ebola's aetiological agent. Nurses perceived higher personal (P = 0.008) and family (P < 0.001) risk than doctors. Respondents reporting high perceived risks were more likely to be less informed about Ebola (P = 0.019) and its prevention options (P = 0.033). Males were 6.7-fold more likely to volunteer than females (P = 0.001) and so were graduates of higher rather than lower education (1.5-fold more likely, P = 0.017) and doctors than nurses (1.7-fold more likely, P = 0.018). The institute ranked first among sources of information on Ebola; respondents who had received Ebola training in the institute 2 years previously were 1.2-1.3 times more likely to correctly identify transmission routes.

CONCLUSIONS

We have characterised KAP on Ebola disease among Romanian healthcare workers from a tertiary care hospital in Bucharest. Nurses, specialist physicians and laboratory personnel may need more frequent retraining than residents and senior physicians.

Histopathological and ultrastructural modifications of the arthrosis articular cartilage

Thirty samples of articular cartilage taken during the operation from patients with incipient arthrosis, arthrosis with radiological modifications and arthrosis under study for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) were investigated using histopathological (HE, VG, PAS-Alcian, Gömöri, Safranine O) and electronmicroscopic techniques. The control material was made of posttraumatic cartilage (Moore prosthesis). Histopathologically, the incipient arthrosis cartilage had superficial exfoliations associated with reduced saframinophilic tinctorial perichondrocytic activity. The arthrosic cartilage with typical radiological modifications was individualized at the synovia-cartilage junction by villous aspects of the synovia associated with perichondrocytic gaps, reduction of safraninophilia and modifications of reticuline-collagenic network. The arthrosic cartilage under study for RA revealed destructive fibrous modifications of the synovia and severe affection of the articular cartilage at synovia-cartilage junction. Electronmicroscopically, the ultrastructural affection was minimum in the incipient arthrosis cartilage developing to chondrocytic degeneration in arthrosis with radiological correspondent. Both histopathological and ultrastructural data emphasize the fact that arthrosis is associated with synovitis following a primitive degenerative process similar to rheumathoid synovitis in arthrosis under study for RA.

Pathogenesis aspects of arthrosis in histopathological and electronmicroscopical studies of articular cartilage, correlated to some immunological parameters

Twenty-five biopsies of arthrosic cartilage with radiological correspondence, arthro, sic cartilage under study for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and posttrauma cartilage as control-were examined using histopathological (HE, VG, PAS-Alcian, Gömöri, Safranine O) and electronmicroscopical techniques. The arthrosic cartilage with radiological correspondence shows superficial and deep fissures, perichondrocytic gaps and modified reticulino-collagenic network at the histopathological examination. At the level of synovia-cartilage junction, we found some villous aspects of the synovia desquamating in the proximity of the affected cartilage. The investigated arthroses for RA presented some destructive fibrous modifications of the synovia similar to rheumatoid synovitis and associated with some dystrophic chondrocytic alterations. The ultrastructural affection was severe leading to cellular degeneration. The immunologically-studied arthroses for RA had seric pathologic values regarding: circulating immune complexes (CIC) (mean = 67.08 +/- 1.45 U), Ig.M(mean = 358 +/- 3.02 UI/ml) and anti collagen antibodies (mean = 409.9 +/- 0.42 U). The synovial depletion of complementary fraction C3(mean = 42.3-1 mg%) as against the normal seric level (mean = 63.07 +/- 0.49 mg%) suggests an immune synovitis. Correlation of immunomorphopathological data emphasize that arthrosis coexists with a secondary synovitis following a primitive degenerative process and allows arthroses under study for RA to be separated from other degenerative rheumatism diseases.

Study on the innocuity of the hypophyseal human growth hormone

The hypophyseal human growth hormone (hGH), a Raben type laboratory preparation, was re-evaluated as regards its innocuity for therapeutic use. Besides the usual control tests recommended by the Romanian Pharmacopoeia, the contamination of the hGH for clinical use with acute and slow viruses, was investigated taking into account the withdrawal of this hormone in many developed countries. The contamination was absent both with acute viruses as resulted from hemadsorption on cell cultures and counterimmunoelectrophoresis, and with slow viruses as observed from a two year-follow up of guinea pigs injected intracerebrally with the hGH preparation. Further, the content of the growth hormone itself as well as the contamination degree with other pituitary hormones was examined. The hGH-RIA content was 2.23 +/- 0.13 IU/mg (means +/- SEM), range: 1.38-2.80 IU/mg (1st International Standard hGH 80/505-1982). The prolactin contamination assessed by RIA was 187.34 +/- 37.66 ng/mg hGH, range: 28.44-385.20 ng (International Standard WHO: 80/541). The LH and FSH contamination as quantified by the Isocommerz (DDR) RIA kits was with two orders of magnitude lower than 10 IU-LH/IU-hGH, the upper LH contamination limit considered as acceptable. Moreover, the proportion of the large molecular forms in the lyophilized hGH preparation was investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Corroborating the data obtained by these control tests with our previous experience on 149 pituitary dwarfs treated with this hGH preparation during the interval 1964-1984, resulted minor risks of some dangerous side effects of hGH administration in children with growth hormone deficiency by possible contamination with pathogenic agents or with other disturbing hormones.

Growth deficiency with high circulating growth hormone levels: the insulin stimulation test in 39 children

Thirty nine patients with abnormal high basal hGH levels were selected and analysed as a part of a retrospective study of the results of 1,500 insulin stimulation tests (IST), applied in children and adolescents with growth deficiency. Their height, weight, and bone age were lower than their corresponding chronological age. Both in girls and in boys groups, responders and nonresponders subgroups were detected as judging by the results of the secretagogue action of insulin on hGH. The hGH basal levels were 43.88 +/- 18.27 microU/ml (X +/- SD) in boys (no = 22) and 56.61 +/- 35.21 microU/ml in girls (no = 17). It is to be noted that the hGH nonresponder group had deeper hypoglycemia at 30 minutes post-insulin injection than the responder group: 53.6 +/- 13.0 mg/100 ml (X +/- SD) vs 66.0 +/- 11.5 mg/100 ml respectively (p less than 0.01). Two siblings, a girl and a boy, had the highest basal and stimulated hGH, either during the IST or starvation. One of them, the boy, during the starvation test, had a paradoxical fall of about two orders of magnitude of the serum hGH 4 hr after basal sample collection. These two siblings are similar to the familial Laron type dwarfism. The possible mechanisms of growth deficiency in children with constant high but variable hGH values are discussed, as well as the aspects concerning the therapeutic ways to improve their linear growth.

The serum osteocalcin levels in adult and aged hypothyroid patients

Osteocalcin (OC) or the bone protein containing gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (BGP or Gla-P), is a specific and sensitive marker of bone turnover. A radioimmunoassay (RIA) system for human osteocalcin was developed with the sensitivity of 0.5 ng/ml. The osteocalcin was measured in sera from 33 hormonally and/or clinically hypothyroid patients: 12 adult and 21 aged patients. For comparison, blood samples were collected from 14 hormonally hyperthyroid adult patients in whom the OC levels were 16.23 +/- 7.57 ng/ml (mean +/- SD) and from hormonally euthyroid adult patients (previously treated hyperthyroid patients) having OC 9.76 +/- 5.32 ng/ml. Abnormal low OC levels were noted in the hypothyroid adult patients group: 1.04 +/- 0.23 ng/ml by comparison to the hypothyroid aged patients 3.76 +/- 2.38 ng/ml (p less than 0.001). Moreover, great variability of the OC serum levels was observed in the aged group, four patients hormonally eu- or hypothyroid having high OC levels in the range: 13.29-55.45 ng/ml and other three patients although hormonally euthyroid but clinically hypothyroid had low OC levels 0.88-2.27 ng/ml. The abnormalities of the OC levels in hypothyroid adult and aged patients are discussed.

Methods of isolation and purification of bovine and rat osteocalcin

Measurement of osteocalcin (a bone protein containing gamma-carboxyglutamic acid, GLA-P) in the biological liquids and tissues is of interest for studying the mechanisms of bone diseases. It is also helpful in making a diagnosis and in following up the patients with diseases in which the osseous system is affected. Methods have been worked out for isolation and purification of osteocalcin from bovine and rat femur in order to use the purified substance as a starting material for developing radioimmunoassay (RIA) systems for each of these osteocalcins. The work went through the following stages: the processing of the femur bone, preparation of the 200 microns bone powder, demineralization of the powder, and concentration of the bone extract, purification of the extract by molecular exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-100 and repurification to the product by ion exchanger chromatography in NaCl linear gradient, on DEAE Sephadex A-25. The purity of the substance obtained was tested by disk electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. The bovine and rat osteocalcins obtained had the adequate purity for being used as RIA reagents.

Radioreceptor assay of human prolactin using rabbit mammary receptors

The purpose of this work is to develop the procedures for the preparation of the reagents suitable for the radioreceptor assay (RRA) of human prolactin (Prl). Human purified Prl (NIAMDD-hPrl-16) was labelled with 125I by the Chloramine-T or alternatively by the lactoperoxidase method. As reference preparation we used Prl isolated from the ethanolic step of the routine procedure for the preparation of human growth hormone (hGH) for clinical purposes. The lactogenic receptors were prepared from the pregnant rabbit mammary gland previously stimulated with insulin, cortisone and dried thyroid extract. The final receptor preparations obtained by ultracentrifugation contained 8.85-39.36 mg protein per ml. The prolactin was measured in the human sera and in our hPrl preparations by a double antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA) system using the NIAMDD reagents. We developed a RRA system for hPrl using rabbit mammary receptor preparations with a protein concentration of about 4 mg/ml. The comparative competition showed the same magnitude of the inhibition of the tracer receptor binding of hPrl and hGH. This interference of hGH makes difficult the assessment of the specificity of the hPrl-RRA system otherwise accountable by the structural and/or biological relationship of the three lactogenic hormones: hPrl, hGH and human placental lactogen (hPL). Studies concerning the preparation of a purified and solubilized rabbit mammary receptor and of an antiserum for it are in progress in our laboratory with the objective to provide a useful tool for the investigation of the lactogenic receptor structure and function relationship.

[The allergic-reactive and encephalitogenic potential of rabies vaccines prepared from different virulent materials]

The clinical, serologic and pathohistological study was carried out on laboratory animals inoculated with a series of rabies vaccines currently used in postinfection therapy in man and some experimental rabies vaccine variants used throughout the world, in order to estimate the reactive, allergic-inducing and encephalitogen potential of the products. The results showed that all the virulent material used in the preparation of rabies vaccines studied have an allergoencephalitogenic potential, reflected by humoral and histologic modifications, especially contraindicated being the avian rabies vaccines and those prepared from adult animal nervous material. Vaccines prepared from cell cultures, virulent brain of the neonate mouse and normal lamb present and allergoencephalitogen and neuropathogen potential that must be taken into consideration within the context of a repeated postinfection therapy. Rabies vaccines prepared from foetal brain and partial thymectomized lamb or testosterone treated lamb produce humoral and histologic alterations of low intensity.

Data processing system for the Centre of Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases

The paper is devoted to the functional specification and the architecture of a data processing system to database generation and management within the Centre of Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases in Bucharest. The main operations performed by the system refer to: --Patient admission. A patient file which is created for any new patient, contains all the details hitherto included in the patient registration form. --File update, carried out periodically or whenever required. Any new relevant detail is added to the existing file in a conversational manner. --Report generation. The reports are produced periodically or upon request. --Inventory and stock control concerning the drugs dispensed free of charge. --Data processing and classification. --Creation and retrieval of patient archives. --Display on request of the various details contained by the patient file. The described system can be implemented on an INDEPENDENT I-100 general purpose minicomputer, having a main memory of 96 kwords. The disc-based AMS operating system is used. The system operates in real time, although off-line background jobs can be run in order to assist the scientific work. A FORTRAN compiler is part of the operating system.

Data processing system for the centre of nutrition and metabolic diseases

The paper is devoted to the functional specification and the architecture of a data processing system to database generation and management within the Centre of Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases in Bucharest. The main operations performed by the system refer to: -Patient admission. A patient file which is created for any new patient, contains all the details hitherto included in the patient registration form. -File update, carried out periodically or whenever required. Any new relevant detail is added to the existing file in a conversational manner. -Report generation. The reports are produced periodically or upon request. -Inventory and stock control concerning the drugs dispensed free of charge. -Data processing and classification. -Creation and retrieval of patient archives. -Display on request of the various details contained by the patient file. The described system can be implemented on an INDEPENDENT 1-100 general purpose minicomputer, having a main memory of 96 words. The disc-based AMS operating system is used. The system operates in real time, although off-line background jobs can be run in order to assist the scientific work. A FORTRAN compiler is part of the operating system.

[Possibilities of surgical treatment in hemophiliac arthropathy]

The possibilities are discussed of the surgical treatment in haemophiliac arthropathies. The cases that have been treated totalled 11 patients with type A haemophilia and one patient with type B haemophilia. The treatment was aimed either at an arrest of deterioration in the involved joint (in the early, I and II stages), or at correcting the vicious positions that had developed in the late stages (III and IV).

Investigations on the efficacy of two schemes of standard gammaglobulin administration in the prevention of viral hepatitis

Prophylactic administration of standard gammaglobulin (G) to over 5,000 children led to a more than 6-fold decrease in the incidence of icteric viral hepatitis (V.H.) as compared with the control group and to the disappearance of the autumn--winter epidemic peak. A 3-fold decrease in the incidence of subclinical forms was also achieved. In another group of 5,000 children G was only given to contacts in epidemic foci; the incidence of icteric V. H. was similar to that recorded in controls, while subclinical forms were 2 times more frequent in children having received G after the infectant contact.

[Research on anti-diphtheria immunization in the city of Bucharest]

Biological, sero-epidemiological and bacteriological investigations, carried out in the town of Bucharest for evaluating the present diphtheria vaccination programme showed: -- high anatoxin titers, exceeding the titer considered as protective, in the vaccinates ; -- a concentration of the level of the titers of 1--4 AU/ml, in over 62% of the subjects, which means that the protective titer was exceeded 33 to lucru: -- negative Schick reaction, in the mean 95.06%, in the subjects examined during the 1969--1975 period; -- isolation of the Bacillus diphtheriae in a proportion of 0.08%, none of the toxigenic gravis type. The authors, correlating these data, consider the present vaccination calendar too loaded both as number of inoculations and as antigen concentration per revaccination dose, and recommend reconsideration of the vaccination programme.

[HB antigen in the family environment]

HBs antigen was determined in 297 members of 91 families, former blood donors in whom the state of HBs antigen carrier lasted more than six months. The results emphasized the higher proportion of HBs antigen carriers in the family environment than in the general population (7.4% as against 4.9%) and the significantly higher frequency of the antigen among the members of consanguine families.