The human ecology of the Danube Delta: A historical and cartographic perspective

We present a case of environmental transformation, in the Romanian Danube Delta, driven by the interplay of state power, technological intervention, geomorphological processes, and local practices. Through the presentation of a cartographic archive (1856-2017), together with participant observation and historical research, we detail the various stages of transformation in the deltaic environment and show the relative interplay of driving forces. We show that each transformation of the Delta is at the same time an imposition from without and an adaptation from within, a move of consolidation of state power and a resistance to being fully incorporated. We show how in the history of this particular environment, the main drivers of change pass from being of a geomorphological nature to being related to the use of state power. We detail three stages in the transformation of the delta, through which the conceptualization of, and interventions in, the environment, go from a borderland to be secured, to a rich exploitation ground, to an ecological marvel to be protected. We argue that this kind of analysis can be particularly relevant for the governance of protected areas.

[Foreign bodies in the urogenital tract--between iatrogeny and autoerotism]

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to evaluate the cause, diagnosis and management of foreign bodies in the urogenital tract reviewing a 7 years experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2000 to 2007, 12 patients were treated in our department because of foreign bodies localized in the urogenital tract. We retrospectively analyzed the data regarding presentation, diagnosis and management.

RESULTS

The foreign bodies from the urogenital tract included: mascara, spray cap, wires, candle, swabs, plastic tube, remnants from JJ ureteral stent and nefrostomy tube. Diagnostic investigations varied from case to case and consisted of: KUB (kidney, ureter and bladder), abdominal ultrasound, urography, computer tomography, and also cystoscopy. The management was endoscopic in 4 (33%) cases, but in the great majority of them--8 (67.6%) it was necessary a classical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Foreign bodies localized in the urogenital tract, represents a relative rare pathology and in many situations those cases have legal implications. Investigations must include radiologic investigations in order to identify their exact location and size. In many cases the management can not be endoscopic and it is necessary a classic intervention.

Contributions to the complex study of some lichens-Usnea genus. Pharmacological studies on Usnea barbata and Usnea hirta species

The pharmacological researches have been performed for Usnea barbata and Usnea hirta species using hydroalcoholic extracts. The acute toxicity has been determined and the following LD50 have been obtained: i. p. Usnea barbata 22.53g vegetal material/kg b. w.; Usnea hirta 21.02g vegetal material/kg b. w.; i. v. Usnea barbata 7.43 vegetal material/kg b. w.; Usnea hirta 4.52g vegetal material/kg b. w.; per os up to 32g vegetal material/kg b. w. no mortality has been recorded. It has been demonstrated that the antiinflammatory activity was comparable, sometimes superior to the phenylbutazone and hydrocortisone hemisuccinate; the analgesic activity was close to the noraminophenazone; the antipyretic activity was equal, sometimes superior to the aminophenazone. In Romania, Usnea barbata was mentioned in 1929 among the plants known by Romanian people with popular names: "Bear's beard", "Trees' dandruff", "Woman's long hair" (1). "Farmacia naturii" (2) and "Flora medicinală a Romaniei" (3) have mentioned that Usnea barbata (L) Mott contains usnic acid-substance with broad antibiotic spectrum. Lichens have made the subject of the multiple studies because of their old medical use (4). Besides the antibiotic properties noticed at lichens products (4) there have been discovered the following pharmacological actions: antiinflammatory (5), antitumoural, immunostimulatory (6, 7, 8, 9). The results of the researches made on lichens family within Romania's spontaneous flora (10) have determined us to study the two species: Usnea barbata (L) Mott and Usnea hirta (L) Wigg.