The role of diet is crucial in the development and prevention of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the current study was to describe dietary intake and assess health scores of children and adults by using a survey questionnaire on moldavian and transylvanian population, in order to evaluate whether it is necessary to introduce a prevention program for cardiovascular diseases in Romania. In 2015, a questionnaire was sent to 347 children and 583 adults in two counties in Romania where the climatic and topographic conditions are different. Participation rate in the children group was 56.48% moldavian / 43.51% transylvanian, respectively 39.62% moldavian / 60.37% transylvanian participants in the adult group. The questionnaire included a 44-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and questions on lifestyle for children and a 21- item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and a health score for adults. Results were evaluated against the WHO recommendations of healthy diet. In Mures county the number of former smokers is significantly higher compared to Bacau county, and considerably more subjects report active smoking and exposure to passive smoking. The incidence of overweight and obesity was similar in the two counties, 68.14% in Bacau and 70.67% in Mures. More subjects from Bacau (94.35%) have regular exercise compared to those from Mures (85.38%), the difference is not quite significant. The majority of the subjects from Bacau county have a significantly healthier diet compared to those from Mures, consuming regularly eggs, meat and dairy products. Based on our data, only 16% of Romanian children reach the WHO recommendation for healthy nutrition regarding fruit and vegetable intake.Dietary habits of children and adults in Romania warrant improvements. Public health actions should be taken to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, decrease the consumption of saturated fats and sweets and also to increase the frequency of physical activity. These actions may be helpful in reducing the risks for overweight and cardiovascular diseases.

Oral malodour is the general term used to describe disagreeable odor in expired air with psychological component in patients with special needs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of essential oil mouthwash on oral halitosis and periodontal status of patient with special needs. 26 patients aged between 16-45 were enrolled in this single-blind, parallel-group study. Informed consent was obtained. The following parameters were recorded: gingival index, plaque index, organoleptic breath assessment, and BANA test from tongue coating samples prior to treatment with essential oil mouthwash (group 1) or a placebo (group 2) at baseline and 28 days after the start of treatment. There were significant differences (p[0.05) in plaque and gingival index after treatment with essential oil mouthwash compared to the placebo. The results provide a statistically significantly greater level of efficacy in controlling established plaque and gingival index after use of essential oil mouthwash. Therefore, it can be recommended in halitosis therapy in order to maintain a good periodontal status.

Simultaneous determination of caffeine, cotinine, and 1N-methyluric acid in urine has numerous applications in determining patterns of use by athletes, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which includes these substances on the Monitoring List. The method can provide information on the enzyme-inducing activity on CYP1A2 of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from cigarette smoke. Urine samples from 30 people (15 smokers and 15 non-smokers) were sampled 6 hours after having consumed a beverage with a total caffeine content of 200 mg. A HPLC with UV detection method was used which allowed concomitant determination of the three analytes. The results obtained show different values of caffeine urine concentrations (6.47 � 3.63 mM / L in smokers vs 10.09 � 5.68 in non-smokers, p [0.05) and a higher elimination of N1-methyluric acid by over 50% in smokers (identifiable due to the presence of cotinine, the main metabolite of nicotine).

Halitosis is an embarrassing symptom with a significant social impact. Periodontal disease, tongue coating, interdental food impaction, and dental cavities are the predominant causative factors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of essential oil mouthwash on halitosis. 30 patients aged between 16-25 were enrolled in this single-blind, parallel-group study. Informed consent was obtained. The following parameters were recorded: gingival index, plaque index, organoleptic breath assessment, and BANA test from tongue coating samples prior to treatment with essential oil mouthwash (group 1) or a placebo (group 2) at baseline and 28 days after the start of treatment. Histological examinations were performed from gingival tissue. There were significant differences (p[0.05) in plaque and gingival index after treatment with essential oil mouthwash compared to the placebo. The results provide a statistically significantly greater level of efficacy in controlling established plaque and gingival index after use of essential oil mouthwash. Therefore, it can be recommended in halitosis therapy.

Obesity, a common metabolic disorder, is a condition for the development of chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The present study evaluates the prevalence of periodontal diseases in Romania and their association with obesity, as a risk factor. This cross-sectional study included 170 subjects aged between 18-65, with healthy periodontal status, gingivitis, aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis. All subjects completed the questionnaire with independent variables: age, education, socio-economic status, oral hygiene habits, smoking habit, the presence of any systemic diseases. Periodontal examination included: plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, clinical attachment level. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Statistically significant correlations were found between periodontal diseases and BMI and WC: according to BMI 30.5% were obese, and 42.5% had high WC. 51.9% of obese participants had chronic periodontitis. Gingivitis and initial periodontitis do not influence BMI and WC, only the chronic periodontitis remained significantly associated with obesity. Our study suggests that there is an association between chronic periodontitis and BMI- defined obesity or WC, but further prospective studies should be carried on to establish the extent of it. The prevention and management of obesity may represent an approach to control periodontal health. Our study evaluates the prevalence of periodontal diseases in Romania and their association with obesity, as a risk factor.