Seasonal variations of radon activity concentration in mofettes from Harghita and Covasna Counties, Romania.

In Harghita and Covasna County (Romania) are many mofettes. The mofette is mainly CO composed low temperature volcanic gas emanation. The mofettes can contain important quantities of radon.

The FIRST large-scale mapping of radon concentration in soil gas and water in Romania.

In the framework of the last Council Directive 2013/59 (Euratom, 2014) laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionizing radiation, the problem of radon was assumed in Romania at national level by responsible authorities through the design and development of a National Radon Action Plan and an adequate legislation (HG nr. 526/2018). In order to identify radon risk areas, however, it is necessary to perform systematic radon measurements in different environmental media (soil gas, water, indoor air) and to map the results.

Hypoglycemic effects of colestimide on type 2 diabetic patients with obesity.

Recent studies have shown colestimide, a bile acid-binding resin, to also exert a glucose-lowering effect via amelioration of insulin resistance. To evaluate the effects of colestimide on glucose metabolism and to elucidate the underlying mechanism, we conducted a 6-month, open-label pilot study on 43 type 2 diabetic patients with obesity (BMI ≥ 25). The subjects were randomized to either treatment with colestimide 4g/day (T group, n=23) or continuation of their current therapy (C group, n=20).

Radon concentration measurements in mofettes from Harghita and Covasna counties, Romania.

In the Harghita volcanic range (Romania) there are many occurrences of dry CO(2) emanations, called mofettes. The emanating gas with high carbon dioxide content has a proved curative effect. The gas also contains important quantities of radon.

Promoter polymorphisms of the pigment epithelium-derived factor gene are associated with diabetic retinopathy.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF or SERPINF1), a neuroprotective and anti-angiogenic factor, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). In 416 patients with type 2 diabetes, four polymorphisms in the PEDF SNPs were identified, rs12150053 and rs12948385 in the promoter region, rs9913583 in the 5'-untranslated region, and rs1136287 (Met72Thr) in exon 3. Based on case-control studies, rs12150053 and rs12948385, but not rs9913583 and rs1136287, were significantly associated with DR.