Leptin G-2548A and leptin receptor Q223R gene polymorphisms are not associated with obesity in Romanian subjects.

We aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms LEP G-2548A and LEPR Q223R in the human leptin (LEP), and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes are associated with obesity and metabolic traits in a sample of Romanian population. Two hundred and two subjects divided in obese (body mass index, BMI30 kg/m(2)), and non-obese were included in this study. The polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.

Population history of the Dniester-Carpathians: evidence from Alu markers.

The area between the Dniester and the eastern Carpathian mountain range is at a geographical crossroads between eastern Europe and the Balkans. Little is known about the genetics of the population of this region. We performed an analysis of 12 binary autosomal markers in samples from six Dniester-Carpathian populations: two Moldavian, one Romanian, one Ukrainian and two Gagauz populations.

Religious-ethnic groups in Romania--correlations between lifestyle and health status.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the lifestyle factors from Romania on the state of health, to underlie the significant ethnical and/or confessional differences between the lifestyle and, respectively, their influence on the state of health. Our research group included 242 persons (males 88, females 155), the majority of them living in rural areas. We interviewed the subjects with the use of a questionnaire, we clinically and paraclinically investigated each and every one.

[The heterosis effect in newborn infants].

In a sample of 410 Families eight body characteristics were examined concerning the appearance of heterosis effects in newborns. Distance between the parents' birthplaces, ABO blood groups and morphological typology were used as measures for the genetic differences of the parents. The t-test was applied to test differences between newborns of different distance groups of homogenic and heterogenic parents.

Influences on assortative mating.

Age plays a considerable role in assortative mating. As regards this criterion we can distinguish a "rural, more traditional model" with high values of the coefficients of correlation, and an "urban model" with significantly lower values. Concerning eye and hair colour we find both these models as well as transitional forms.