Occupational exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) is an underrecognized risk factor for neurodegenerative changes linked to repeated micro-traumatic brain injuries. These subtle injuries trigger oxidative stress, a key mechanism contributing to neuronal dysfunction and chronic degeneration.This short editorial perspective summarizes current molecular biology methods used to assess oxidative stress biomarkers–superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA)–in zebrafish (Danio rerio) models of vibration-induced neurotoxicity. Emphasis is placed on quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, enzymatic activity assays, and Thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis as complementary techniques for evaluating redox imbalance. Findings from reviewed studies demonstrate consistent oxidative patterns between zebrafish and vibration-exposed workers, supporting the translational relevance of this model for occupational neurodegeneration research. This Short editorial highlights the importance of methodological standardization and cross-species biomarker validation to strengthen oxidative stress assessment in vibration-related disorders. Zebrafish models offer a practical and ethical platform for advancing early detection and prevention strategies in occupational neuroprotection.
In the study below, we will discuss on five ethnic communities in Romania, namely the Kalderash (Brateiu, Sibiu), the Russian-Lipovans (Jurilovca, Tulcea), the Rudari (Băbeni, Vâlcea), the Sachsen (Cisnădioara, Sibiu), and the Szeklers (Korond, Harghita). All these communities are presented from the perspective the symbols or patterns of culture, social organization, and traditional economy that are relevant for local ethnic self-identification. Our objective is to provide field-based evidences for the manners in which ethno-cultural identities are currently engaged in Romania, within particular traditions regularly expressed by means of folk arts. Information for this study has been collected during research campaigns pursued in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2010, basically relying on ethnographic interviews taken among local interlocutors in the abovementioned five locations. The results of our work point to the importance of traditional crafts and occupations for the making of distinct ethnic “profiles” in each case, in the context of living together with Romanian groups and of the modernization of rural life (such as through the tourism industry).
Starting from the convolutions observed in the critical reception of Alexandru Philippide’s poetry, from his debut to the last printed volume, as well as posthumously, the study aims to identify their main – both objective and subjective – causes, an attempt expected to remove the underestimations recorded in certain periods (1945–1965 or after 1990), as well as the overestimations of the 1965–1985 interval.
Founder of the Linguistic School of Iași, holder of the first university chair of Romanian philology in the country, corresponding member (since 1898), then full member (since 1900) of the Romanian Academy, Alexandru Philippide was also the founder, in 1927, of the Institute of Romanian Philology of Iaşi, which, since 1933, will bear his name (an event whose 90th anniversary was celebrated at the end of the last year, in 2023). The paper aims at revealing Philippide’s substantial contribution to the foundation of the scientific study of the Romanian language, which the Institute of Romanian Philology, through its current structure and main philological subfields (linguistics, literary history and ethnology), carries forward in concerns, methods and spirit, covering, albeit in varying proportions, the full diversity of his work.
The paper illustrates the life and scientific activity of Alexandru Myller, one of the most reputed Romanian mathematicians, founder of the Mathematics Seminar at the “Alexandru I. Cuza” University of Iași, Romania, and the long-lasting consequences of his scientific work in the domain of mathematics.k.
This article is a brief account of the life and struggle of Alexandru Myller for creating a research mathematical department at the University of Iaşi, Romania.
Fifty years after being elected President of the Romanian Academy, Branch of Iaşi, and thirty-five years after his passing away, the Academy member Petre Jitariu is still present in the memory of the academic and scientific community. The article approached Petre Jitariu’s life, professional becoming, scientific contribution, as well as the institutional growth of the Iași Branch of the Romanian Academy under his administration.
This paper is a homage to Professor Ioan Borcea – one of the most brilliant personalities of the Romanian biology at the beginning of the 20th century – on the 145th anniversary of his birth. His various scientific, teaching, and public achievements are highlighted. Though Ioan Borcea is mostly known as the founder of the marine research in Romania, he made significant contributions to various biological fields, such as zoology, biogeography, ecology, entomology, general biology, or environmental protection. Undoubtebly, his most remarkable achievement is the creation of the first marine research institution in Romania in 1926. The distinguished Romanian zoologist is also credited for laying the foundations of an excellent school of Zoology at the University of Iași.
The study is focused on a case of trepanation, identified in a sample of skeletons discovered at the “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” Roman Catholic Cathedral from Iași (Romania). The sample of 89 skeletons (children, adolescents, adults and elders) originates from inhumation tombs and reburials, dating from the 15th–19th centuries. Trepanation has been practiced in many past cultures, dating as far back as the Late Paleolithic to this century, and it has been detected in widespread locations in every part of the world. Being an extremely aggressive intervention on the human body, the trepanation (called craniotomy, in medical terms) was made with various purposes: medical (surgical, therapeutic, curative), symbolic or magical-religious. In this case, trepanation was identified in the skull of an adult mature male, on the occipital bone near the left mastoid. Craniotomy was evaluated by macroscopic observation, followed by stereomicroscopy, radiology, and computed tomography. Skull opening is roughly circular, and it was probably made by the scraping method, with a flat implement used with a rotary movement on the bone surface, which was thus eroded to the formation of a complete hole. The trepanation hole has been left open for a long period of time. In the skeleton with trepanation, no other pathologies were identified.
The paper highlights the personality of the prestigious scientist of Iaşi, organic chemist professor Constantin V. Gheorghiu (1894–1956), being dedicated to the celebration of the 130 years since his birth. The “Poni-Cernătescu” Museum in Iași preserves in a permanent exhibition a series of elements and memories highlighting the life and scientific work of Constantin V. Gheorghiu.
In this study, the authors present a human skeleton with cranial trauma discovered in a 17th–19th century necropolis of Iaşi City (Romania), during the 2022–2023 archaeological campaigns. Standard paleoanthropological methods, as well as stereomicroscopy and computed tomography were applied to analyse this skeleton. Results indicate that the skeleton belonged to an adult male of 30–35 years (i.e., young adult). The preservation status of the bones is satisfactory, the morphometrical data showing a general background of Europoid type, with the body height of 165.50 cm. At skull level, on the right parietal bone, a large perforation (traumatism) was identified. In terms of healing, bone regeneration had begun, indicating that the subject survived after the impact, but not for long. Dental calculus is present on mandibular teeth (i.e., all incisors, and canines), and maxillary ones (all incisors, and canines). Microdontia was also identified, at the upper right third molar (M3).
This is a brief presentation of the long and fruitful scientific of professor Alexandru Ungureanu in the field of geography and geomorphology, developed at the ”Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, Romania.
The present paper (an abridged, updated and translated version of a study published in Haja 2017: 21–39) provides a short history of the Dictionary of the Romanian Language (first edition, 1913–2010) elaborated and finalized, after several attempts, as one of the major objectives of the Romanian Academy, created in the year 1866, under the initial name of The Romanian Literary Society. One of these attempts was A. Philippide’s contribution, preserved in manuscript in the Library of the Romanian Academy, Iași Branch. The manuscript of the dictionary, containing 12,250 pages, was drafted between 1897 and 1905. The selection of quotations for A. Philippide’s dictionary laid at the basis of the development of the first edition of the Dictionary of the Romanian Language coordinated by Sextil Pușcariu between 1905–1948. Moreover, the manuscript is a testimony to the impressive effort made by the scientist of Iași. It is certain that A. Philippide established the suitable principles and the method for the elaboration of the monumental lexicographical works of the Romanian Academy.
This work is focused on a case of trepanation reported in a skeletal sample found in a necropolis from Iaşi (Romania). According to the discovered coins, the time limits of necropolis use are set between the 17th and 19th centuries. In the study, the classical paleoanthropological and paleopathological methods, stereomicroscopy, dental wear, nonmetric dental traits were applied. The skeleton under analysis belonged to an adult male of 35–40 years (middle adult). The preservation status of the skeleton is satisfactory. At the level of the skull (on the parietal bones), two perforations were identified, diagnosed as trepanations. The craniotomy was realized intra-vitam, most probably for medical/ therapeutic purposes. Tripartite Inca bone was reported on the lambdoid suture. Dentition is characterized by moderately advanced predominant wear and antemortem microfractures in both anterior and posterior teeth. The particularities of this individual are defined by the supernumerary roots and the asymmetry of traits in the second upper incisor. Supragingival and subgingival dental calculus (moderate amount) is present at the level of the lower first and second incisors (I1, I2) (labial and lingual surface). At the level of the postcranial skeleton, perforation of the sternum (sternal foramina) and Schmorll’s nodule in three thoracic and two lumbar vertebrae were reported.
A discrete recall, 35 years after his too early passing away, on the complex personality of the reputed mathematician and eminescologist, Dan Petrovanu, professor at the Faculty of Mathematics, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, seen through the eyes of one of his many students, professor Teodor Havârneanu. It is said that an image is worth a thousand words. Still, we had the determination to build in 3,400 words the puzzle image evocating a great man, who should remain in the collective memory as a remarkable personality.
A brief introduction to the section dedicated to Ion Th. Simionescu, on the occasion of his 150 th birth anniversary. The section includes the papers presented at the symposium organized in Iași by the Facutly of Geography of the "Al. I. Cuza" University of Iași and the Center of Geographical Studies of the Iași Branch of the Romanian Academy
A brief text supporting the idea that Romania has always been part and parcel of Europe, by its culture, civilization level, history, economy and traditional religion, so that one cannot speak of country s integration within the old continent.
The paper highlights the personality of the prestigious scientist of Iași, chemist professor Petru Bogdan (1873–1944), being dedicated to the 150th celebration of his birth. As a student and collaborator of the scientist Petru Poni, in 1913, professor Petru Bogdan taught the first physical chemistry course in Romania and published the first specialized books in this field. The paper presents the research activity within the University of Iași, aspects regarding his family life, and the publishing activity of this tireless supporter of cultural life.
University Professor Cristea Niculescu-Otin, with a solid training in chemical engineering, had a major contribution to the foundation and development of the chemical engineering education at “Gheorghe Asachi” University and Polytechnic School of Iași. His name remains in the history of the local and national education for his important work related to the establishment of the superior technical school in the capital of Moldavia, whose first rector he was between 1938 and 1944. Alongwith the didactic activity and his preoccupation for the organization of the laboratories necessary for a proper development of the educational process, Professor Otin also performed a remarkable research activity, especially in the field of Technological Chemistry.
An impressive presentation of the life and many-sided scientific, didactic, academic and editorial activity of Ion Th. Simionescu, a renown geographer, biologist, geologist, etc., on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary.
