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Perné MG, Sitar-Tăut AV, Orășan OH, Negrean V, Vlad CV, Alexescu TG, Milaciu MV, Ciumărnean L, Togănel RD, Petre GE, Șimon I, Crăciun A. The Usefulness of Vitamin K-Dependent Proteins in the Diagnosis of Colorectal Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4997. [PMID: 38732222 PMCID: PMC11084444 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common neoplasms in developed countries, with increasing incidence and mortality, even in young people. A variety of serum markers have been associated with CRC (CEA, CA 19-9), but neither should be used as a screening tool for the diagnosis or evolution staging of CRC. The sensitivity and specificity of these markers are not as good as is required, so new ones need to be found. Matrix Gla protein and PIVKA II are involved in carcinogenesis, but few studies have evaluated their usefulness in predicting the presence and severity of CRC. Two hundred patients were divided into three groups: 80 patients were included in the control group; 80 with CRC and without hepatic metastasis were included in Group 1; 40 patients with CRC and hepatic metastasis were included in Group 2. Vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) levels in plasma were determined. Patients with CRC without methastasis (Group 1) and CRC patients with methastasis (Group 2) presented significantly higher values of CEA, CA 19-9, PIVKA II (310.05 ± 38.22 vs. 430.13 ± 122.13 vs. 20.23 ± 10.90), and ucMGP (14,300.00 ± 2387.02 vs. 13,410.52 ± 2243.16 vs. 1780.31 ± 864.70) compared to control group (Group 0). Interestingly, Group 1 presented the greatest PIVKA II values. Out of all the markers, significant differences between the histological subgroups were found only for ucMGP, but only in non-metastatic CRC. Studying the discrimination capacity between the patients with CRC vs. those without, no significant differences were found between the classical tumor markers and the VKDP AUROC curves (PIVKA II and ucMGP AUROCs = 1). For the metastatic stage, the sensitivity and specificity of the VKDPs were lower in comparison with those of CA 19-9 and CEA, respectively (PIVKA II AUROC = 0.789, ucMGP AUROC = 0.608). The serum levels of these VKDPs are significantly altered in patients with colorectal carcinoma; it is possible to find additional value of these in the early stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirela-Georgiana Perné
- 4th Department–Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adela-Viviana Sitar-Tăut
- 4th Department–Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Olga Hilda Orășan
- 4th Department–Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vasile Negrean
- 4th Department–Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Călin Vasile Vlad
- 4th Department–Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Teodora-Gabriela Alexescu
- 4th Department–Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mircea Vasile Milaciu
- 4th Department–Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lorena Ciumărnean
- 4th Department–Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Răzvan Dan Togănel
- 6th Department–Surgery, 4th Surgery Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gabriel Emil Petre
- 6th Department–Surgery, 4th Surgery Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Șimon
- 6th Department–Surgery, 4th Surgery Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, Nr. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandra Crăciun
- 2nd Department–Molecular Sciences, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pasteur Street, Nr. 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Vulturar DM, Moacă LȘ, Neag MA, Mitre AO, Alexescu TG, Gherman D, Făgărășan I, Chețan IM, Gherman CD, Melinte OE, Trofor AC, Todea DA. Delta Variant in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study on Clinical Outcomes Based on Vaccination Status. J Pers Med 2024; 14:358. [PMID: 38672984 PMCID: PMC11050903 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14040358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic endures, the spread of the Delta variant has introduced nuanced challenges, prompting a nuanced examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a multilevel logistic regression analysis encompassing 197 patients, comprising 44 vaccinated individuals (V group) and 153 unvaccinated counterparts (UV). These patients, afflicted with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, were hospitalized between October 2021 and February 2022 at the COVID-19 department of a University Centre in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. We compared patient characteristics, CT lung involvement, Padua score, oxygen saturation (O2 saturation), ventilation requirements, dynamics of arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters, ICU admission rates, and mortality rates between the two groups. RESULTS The UV group exhibited a statistically significant (p < 0.05) proclivity toward developing a more severe form of infection, marked by elevated rates of lung involvement, oxygen requirement, ICU admission, and mortality. CONCLUSION Our findings underscore the substantial efficacy of the vaccine in diminishing the incidence of severe disease, lowering the rates of ICU admissions, and mitigating mortality among hospitalized patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiana-Maria Vulturar
- Department of Pneumology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.-M.V.); (I.F.); (I.M.C.); (D.-A.T.)
| | - Liviu-Ștefan Moacă
- Department of Pneumology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.-M.V.); (I.F.); (I.M.C.); (D.-A.T.)
| | - Maria Adriana Neag
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Andrei-Otto Mitre
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Teodora-Gabriela Alexescu
- 4th Department Internal Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Diana Gherman
- Department of Radiology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Iulia Făgărășan
- Department of Pneumology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.-M.V.); (I.F.); (I.M.C.); (D.-A.T.)
| | - Ioana Maria Chețan
- Department of Pneumology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.-M.V.); (I.F.); (I.M.C.); (D.-A.T.)
| | - Claudia Diana Gherman
- Department of Surgery-Practical Abilities,“Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Marinescu Street, No. 23, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Oana-Elena Melinte
- Discipline of Pneumology, III-rd Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (O.-E.M.); (A.C.T.)
| | - Antigona Carmen Trofor
- Discipline of Pneumology, III-rd Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (O.-E.M.); (A.C.T.)
| | - Doina-Adina Todea
- Department of Pneumology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.-M.V.); (I.F.); (I.M.C.); (D.-A.T.)
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Vulturar DM, Moacă LȘ, Chețan IM, Vesa ȘC, Alexescu TG, Grigorescu C, Trofor AC, Stoia MA, Nemes AF, Todea DA. Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Personalizing Sleep Quality through Gentle Rocking Motion. J Pers Med 2024; 14:218. [PMID: 38392651 PMCID: PMC10890667 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14020218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Achieving restorative sleep is crucial for overall well-being, yet sleep difficulties affect a substantial portion of the adult population. Sleep disturbances are associated with diminished quality of life, physical complaints, cognitive impairment, and emotional regulation challenges. OBJECTIVE This study explores the influence of an innovative experimental bed designed to generate rocking motions on sleep parameters. METHODS A prospective observational study enrolled 60 adult participants, assessing their sleep on a regular stationary bed and the Inoveris bed, providing gentle rocking movements. Polysomnography was conducted, recording electroencephalography, electrooculogram, electromyogram, respiratory effort, and other parameters. RESULTS The rocking bed significantly increased total sleep time (TST) and reduced N1 sleep stage duration (p < 0.001). Participants also experienced a quicker transition to the N2 sleep stage (p = 0.01), indicative of a faster shift from wakefulness to deeper sleep. Additionally, rocking led to a higher percentage of N1 sleep stages (p = 0.01) and a significant increase in N3 sleep stage duration (p = 0.004). While some results lacked statistical significance, notable trends in the rocking bed group have clinical relevance, consistently improving sleep parameters, including increased TST. The rocking bed also showed a trend towards higher sleep efficiency (SE) and sleep duration percentage, hinting at a potential overall enhancement in sleep quality. CONCLUSION This study contributes valuable insights into the potential benefits of rocking motions on sleep architecture. Despite variations in outcomes across studies, our results underscore the potential of rocking beds as a non-pharmacological intervention for enhancing sleep quality. Notable improvements in total sleep time (TST), N1 sleep stage reduction, and accelerated transitions to deeper sleep stages highlight the clinical relevance of rocking interventions. Further research, collaboration, and addressing the identified limitations will advance our understanding of the therapeutic applications of rocking motions in sleep science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiana-Maria Vulturar
- Department of Pneumology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Liviu-Ștefan Moacă
- Department of Pneumology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Maria Chețan
- Department of Pneumology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ștefan Cristian Vesa
- Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology Department, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Teodora-Gabriela Alexescu
- 4th Department Internal Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristina Grigorescu
- Discipline of Pneumology, III-rd Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Antigona Carmen Trofor
- Discipline of Pneumology, III-rd Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Mirela-Anca Stoia
- 4th Department Internal Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Cardiology, Emergency County Clinical Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Doina-Adina Todea
- Department of Pneumology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Alexescu TG, Nechita MS, Maierean AD, Vulturar DM, Handru MI, Leucuța DC, Orășan OH, Negrean V, Ciumarnean L, Todea DA. Change in Neuroticism and Extraversion among Pre-University Education Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58070895. [PMID: 35888616 PMCID: PMC9324659 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58070895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives: Since the first reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection cases in China, the virus has rapidly spread to many countries, including Romania. In Romania, schools were closed in March 2020 to prevent the virus from spreading; since then, they have been sporadically opened, but only for a short time. Teachers had to adopt online education methods, experiencing real difficulties in their attempts to maintain high-quality teaching, as a result of social distancing from students and colleagues. The current study aimed to evaluate the burden on the neuroticism states of employees in the pre-university education system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted, in which personality trait data from 138 employees were collected via a questionnaire (EPI, Eysenck Personality Inventory), which measured extraversion–introversion and neuroticism scores before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, 150 subjects were invited to participate in the study, although 12 of them refused to participate. Based on the questionnaire not being fully filled in a further three subjects were excluded from the study, leaving a total of 135, of which 115 were woman and 20 were men. Results: The results demonstrate that the subjects included in the study expressed higher neuroticism during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period. This change could promote more stress and depression symptoms. Subjects with high school education had significantly lower neuroticism scores over time than those with university education (p = 0.006). Furthermore, we found extraversion scores to be statistically significant in our population (p = 0.022). Conclusion: The gender and living environment of the teachers were not significantly associated with the reduction in the extraversion score, but were more frequently found among older persons and in subjects without higher education. Subjects of Hungarian ethnicity had lower extraversion scores than those of Romanian ethnicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora-Gabriela Alexescu
- 5th Departament Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (T.-G.A.); (O.H.O.); (V.N.); (L.C.)
| | | | - Anca-Diana Maierean
- Department of Pneumology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.-D.M.); (D.A.T.)
| | - Damiana-Maria Vulturar
- Department of Pneumology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.-D.M.); (D.A.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Daniel-Corneliu Leucuța
- Department of Informatics and Biostatistics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Olga Hilda Orășan
- 5th Departament Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (T.-G.A.); (O.H.O.); (V.N.); (L.C.)
| | - Vasile Negrean
- 5th Departament Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (T.-G.A.); (O.H.O.); (V.N.); (L.C.)
| | - Lorena Ciumarnean
- 5th Departament Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (T.-G.A.); (O.H.O.); (V.N.); (L.C.)
| | - Doina Adina Todea
- Department of Pneumology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.-D.M.); (D.A.T.)
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Ciumărnean L, Milaciu MV, Runcan O, Vesa ȘC, Răchișan AL, Negrean V, Perné MG, Donca VI, Alexescu TG, Para I, Dogaru G. The Effects of Flavonoids in Cardiovascular Diseases. Molecules 2020; 25:E4320. [PMID: 32967119 PMCID: PMC7571023 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavonoids are metabolites of plants and fungus. Flavonoid research has been paid special attention to in recent times after the observation of their beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. These favorable effects are exerted by flavonoids mainly due to their antioxidant properties, which result from the ability to decrease the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, thus improving the lipid profiles. The other positive effect exerted on the cardiovascular system is the ability of flavonoids to produce vasodilation and regulate the apoptotic processes in the endothelium. Researchers suggested that these effects, including their anti-inflammatory function, are consequences of flavonoids' potent antioxidant properties, but recent studies have shown multiple signaling pathways linked to them, thus suggesting that there are more mechanisms involved in the beneficial effect of the flavonoids on the human body. This review aims to present the latest data on the classification of these substances, their main mechanisms of action in the human body, and the beneficial effects on the physiological and pathological status of the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Ciumărnean
- Department 5—Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.C.); (M.V.M.); (M.-G.P.); (V.N.); (T.-G.A.); (I.P.)
| | - Mircea Vasile Milaciu
- Department 5—Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.C.); (M.V.M.); (M.-G.P.); (V.N.); (T.-G.A.); (I.P.)
| | - Octavia Runcan
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology ‘Octavian Fodor’ Cluj-Napoca, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Ștefan Cristian Vesa
- Department 2—Functional Sciences, Discipline of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andreea Liana Răchișan
- Department of Pediatrics, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400177 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vasile Negrean
- Department 5—Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.C.); (M.V.M.); (M.-G.P.); (V.N.); (T.-G.A.); (I.P.)
| | - Mirela-Georgiana Perné
- Department 5—Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.C.); (M.V.M.); (M.-G.P.); (V.N.); (T.-G.A.); (I.P.)
| | - Valer Ioan Donca
- Department of Geriatrics-Gerontology, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400139 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Teodora-Gabriela Alexescu
- Department 5—Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.C.); (M.V.M.); (M.-G.P.); (V.N.); (T.-G.A.); (I.P.)
| | - Ioana Para
- Department 5—Internal Medicine, 4th Medical Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.C.); (M.V.M.); (M.-G.P.); (V.N.); (T.-G.A.); (I.P.)
| | - Gabriela Dogaru
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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