Category Archives: Original Research

Educational design research, an innovative method to investigate virtual reality applications in disaster management training programs

Emilia Turucz1, Sorana Teodora Truta1, Maria Dorina Pașca2, Ernő Jerzicska3, Cristian Marius Boeriu1, János Szederjesi4, Leonard Azamfirei5

1. Department of Emergency Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
2. Department of Ethics and Social Sciences, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
3. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Oradea Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Romania
4. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care I, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
5. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care II, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2021-0003

Educational design research is a form of experiment that combines the stages of development, design and testing of a researched paradigm in a way that all theese processes are conducted in real learning environment. The investigated educational dilemmas are continuously modified and readjusted throughout the research process, so that researchers can test and generate theories simultaneously within naturalistic educational contexts. Design-based research is defined as an adaptive, collaborative, contextual and flexible process, easily adapting to any research objective through the adjacent methodological complex. It differrs from other research methods by addressing practical and theoretical objectives with the same importance, the final contribution being, in general, a validated practical application and a set of new theoretical knowledge. The aim of this paper is to present the exceptional advantages of this research method and to provide a source of ideas for researchers interested in developing scientific works based on this methodology. Demonstratively, we include an example of a research protocol adapted to this methodological concept, which aimed to investigate the potential use and integration of virtual reality technology in disaster management related training programs. This protocol constituted the basis of a complex inquiry process led by our research team and which we consider to be a perfect model for demonstrating the adaptability of the method to instructional research objectives.

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the educational process of Dental Medicine Department students in Oradea University during the lockdown period

Gabriela Ciavoi1, Catalina Farcasiu2, Edwin Sever Bechir3, Magdalena Natalia Dina2, Titus Alexandru Farcasiu2, Daniela Ioana Tarlungeanu2, Oana Cella Andrei2

1. University of Oradea, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oradea, Romania
2. “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucuresti, Romania
3. George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Faculty of Medicine, Targu Mures,
Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2021-0006

Aim: This cross-sectional study assesses the opinions regarding the abrupt change in dental health education of students from the Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oradea University during the lockdown period.
Materials and methods: An on-line survey was distributed, from 30th of April 2020 until the 2nd of May 2020, collecting data about gender, nationality, year of study, sources of information about the virus, measures taken to avoid contamination, rating online teaching versus face-to face teaching, experiencing anxiety about the future of the profession, perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their life and professional future and possible measures that can be implemented in order to avoid or reduce contamination. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS and Chi-Square test.
Results and discussions: Reopening was associated with anxiety concerning the future of the profession for 44.8% of the respondents; almost half of the students experienced anxiety caused by the possibility of being infected in case of reopening (49.7%), while 62.6% were afraid of the possibility to infect their family, peers or patients. From the total number of students, 12.9% were considering changing their profession. A quarter of respondents (25.2%) declared that they will wait for a decrease in number of cases in order to reevaluate their professional career options.
Conclusions: Government provided data was preferred by the female respondents’ group, versus the men respondents’ group who preferred the information provided by the WHO. The highest percentage of respondents that considered professional psychological support from university during the lockdown period useful were in the first 4 years of study. Most of the foreign students preferred to open their own dental office, while most of the Romanian students opted for being an employee in a big Dental Clinic or for reevaluating their options at a later point.

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Protein level alteration of endocannabinoid system components after chronic, oral self-administration of three atypical antipsychotics in rat

László-István Bába1, Melinda Kolcsár1, Zsolt Gáll1, László Csaba Bencze2, Adrian Man3, Imre Zoltán Kun4

1. Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
2. Biocatalysis and Biotransformation Research Center, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3. Department of Microbiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
4. Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2021-0008

Objective: Atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) often cause metabolic adverse effects (mAE) such as weight gain and dyslipidemia. The mechanisms underlying AAP induced mAE are not fully elucidated. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a key system in the regulation of energy metabolism that may be involved in AAPs induced mAE. In this experiment, we studied the expression of three major components of ECS: cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), fatty acid amidohydrolase (FAAH) and monoacyl glycerol lipase (MAGL) after chronic administration in rat of three AAPs: olanzapine (Ola), aripiprazole (Ari) and cariprazine (Car).
Methods: Drugs were self-administered orally, in two doses by female, adult Wistar white rats (n=6 per treatment group) for six weeks. After the treatment period, the animals were sacrificed and visceral (perirenal) white fat pads were collected. The fat tissue samples were homogenized and the expression level of CB1, FAAH and MAGL were compared by western-blot analysis.
Results: An increase of CB1 expression was noticed after the treatment with 1.5 mg/kg/day Ola, although not statistically significant. All three drugs augmented the FAAH expression, the effect being significant after the treatment with 0.25 mg/kg/day Car. The expression of MAGL was not influenced significantly by the three AAPs, nevertheless, an increasing tendency can be remarked in the case of Ari and Car.
Conclusions: Promoting the CB1 expression in adipose tissue could contribute to weight increasing and other mAE effects of Ola. The tendency of Ari and Car to enhance the breakdown enzymes expression might have some role in more favorable mAE of these drugs.

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Clinical Evolution of Patients with Schizophrenia Associated with Addictive Disorders

Andreea Salcudean1, Melinda Ferencz2, Daniela Sabau2, Madalina Gherman3

1. Department of Medical Ethics and Socio-Human Sciences, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania
2. Psychiatry Clinic 1, Mureș Clinical County Hospital, Targu Mures, Romania
3. Targu Mures Emergency County Hospital, Targu Mures, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2020-0033

Introduction: The prevalence of schizophrenia in the general population is about 0.3% -0.7% Pathological use of substances such as cocaine, alcohol, amphetamines and nicotine are common in schizophrenia with a lifetime prevalence of 80%. They tend to isolate themselves in an inner world, thus being prone to substance abuse. The most commonly used substances are: alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, hallucinogens and cannabis.
Method: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive-analytical study on a group of 139 patients with a positive diagnosis of schizophrenia from the Psychiatry Clinic I of the Mureș County Clinical Hospital hospitalized between 01.01.2018-31.12.2019. The clinical and paraclinical data used were processed from observation sheets in the clinic archive. These were introduced and analyzed in the Microsoft Excel 2016 program, and the statistical test used was Chi Square in the Graph-Pad statistical analysis program.
Results: Most patients with schizophrenia have a schizoid (41%) and paranoid (32%) personality. Other types are: organic 25% (unstable and impulsive) and obsessive anxiety 2%. Due to the evolution of diseases, patients end up consuming psychoactive substances, tobacco and alcohol. A percentage of 48% of patients were tobacco consumers, 37% were alcohol consumers and 15% consumed psychoactive substances. Tobacco use is not a statistically significant factor in the recurrence of the disease.
Conclusions: Alcohol, tobacco and psychoactive substances are an important risk factor in the unfavorable evolution of the disease, most hospitalized patients are in the age group 50-59 years.

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Complications Following Surgery for Low Rectal Cancer – Modified Intersphincteric Resections vs Non-Sphincter Saving Technique

Vlad Olimpiu Butiurca, Andrei Modiga, Ioan Teodor Bud, Paul Cristian Russu, Marian Botoncea, Calin Molnar, Simona Gurzu

George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology, Targu Mures, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2020-0031

Introduction: In patients with low rectal cancer, a proper surgical technique is aimed to confer a better quality of life following surgery and a longer time of disease-free survival. Aim: In this study, we presented the results obtained by a single surgical centre in the treatment of low rectal cancer, using two types of surgery: intersphincteric resections (ISR) and abdominoperineal resections (APR).
Material and methods: The paper was focused on the rate of complications after surgery for low rectal cancer, which was retrospectively evaluated in 132 consecutive patients who underwent surgery over a period of 5 years. The statistical comparison was done between two groups: group 1 – that underwent ISR (n=60) and group 2 – patients evaluated after APR (n=72).
Results: The quality of life, evaluated at the regular follow-up, did not show significant difference between the two groups. Clavien-Dindo grade I and above complications were registered in 9 patients (15%) from group 1 respectively 23 patients (38.33%) from the group 2.
Conclusion: ISR is a good option for surgical removal of a low rectal cancer, with a lower rate of complications, compared with APR technique.

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The Efficacy of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Intervention in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Alina Schenk1, Cosmin Octavian Popa2, Peter Olah2, Nicoleta Suciu2, Cristiana Cojocaru3

1. Save the Children Mures Branch, Romania
2. George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
3. Braun Dialysis Centre, Sighișoara, Mureș County, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2020-0027

Background: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is one of the anxiety disorders which presents excessive anxiety and worries as central elements that are difficult to control in many situations or activities. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy is one of the most important orientations among psychological intervention in the psychotherapy field. This approach is based on a transdiagnostic perspective. Additionally, this therapy has a strong research foundation especially in the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression.
Objective: The present study aims to establish the efficacy of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy in medical students who are suffering from generalized anxiety disorder.
Method: The sample of this study consisted of N = 40 first-year medical students (33 women and 7 men) and the average age for the entire group was Mage= 19.22, SD= 1.04. Each student participated at eight therapy sessions. The level of anxiety and irrational beliefs were measured at pre-intervention and post-intervention using psychological questionnaires.
Results: Our findings indicate a statistically significant difference between the pre-intervention and post-intervention phase for the level of anxiety with a value of t = 20.31, df =78, P < 0.001, for irrational cognitions with t = 2.44, df =78, P < 0.05, for irrational beliefs with t = 3.45, df =77, P < 0.01, as well as low frustration tolerance with t = 2.57, df =77, P < 0.05 and awfulizing specifically.
Conclusion: The Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy intervention is an extremely efficient psychological treatment for improving emotional functioning in medical students.

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Factors Influencing the Choice of a Pharmacy in Romania: Comparation between Studies Performed in 2012 and 2020

Marius Călin Cherecheș1, Cristian Olimpiu Popa2

1. Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, Targu Mures, Romania
2. Faculty of European Studies, Babeș-Bolyai University Cluj Napoca, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2020-0029

The main factors perceived by patients as important in selecting a pharmacy were studied for many years. Selected studies mentioned primarily factors such as location, pharmacist competence and attitude, pharmacy services and premiums, and prices. We compared the results from our study in June 2012 with the results of the most recent study conducted in April 2020 focusing on the main factors influencing the patient’s option for a specific pharmacy. Respondents were asked an open question about what is the most important factor they consider when choosing a pharmacy and then answers were grouped into main categories. The urban population has been considered for both studies. The results tell us that the factors influencing the choice of a pharmacy remained unchanged over the time: i) prices, ii) availability of medicine, iii) professionalism of the pharmacist and iv) pharmacy proximity is the most mentioned by our respondents in both studies. However, the rank between these factors changed. Prices remain the top factor while the Availability of medicine (products) has been overcome by the Professionalism of the pharmacist (Attitude of the pharmacist) and Proximity. Using the logistic regression and Odds Ratio, we tried to identify socio-demographic segments significantly associated with these factors. Persons with low income are very likely to indicate Price as the most important factor in choosing a pharmacy in 2012 (OR = 2.088, p=0.018), while respondents aged 65 years and older are more likely not to indicate Price as the most important factor compared with other age groups, in both 2012 and 2020 studies (OR = 0.4, p=0.009, respective OR= 0.325, p=0.010). For this type of respondent, 65 years old and above, the attitude of the pharmacist is the most important factor influencing their choice of a pharmacy in 2020, while products availability has been the most frequent answer for this segment back in 2012. Results in Romania are similar to the ones collected from other countries as reported by other studies. However, particularities of the local market and regulations are influencing the ranking.

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The Role of Acceptance and Planning in Stress Management for Medical Students

Cosmin Octavian Popa1, Alina Schenk2, Adrian Rus3, Simona Szasz1, Nicoleta Suciu1, Dan Alexandru Szabo1, Cristiana Cojocaru4

1. George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, Targu Mures, Romania
2. Save the Children, Romania
3. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Southwestern Christian University, Bethany, OK, USA
4. Braun Dialysis Centre, Sighisoara, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2020-0020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of two coping mechanisms, namely Acceptance and Planning, in stress management among medical students.
Methods: This research included two groups, a target group consisting of medical students (N = 100; Mage = 22.34) and a control group which was composed of physical education and sports students (N = 100; Mage = 20.11). For the target group, a low level of stress was induced, the students being informed that their overall behavior during an examination would be analyzed later by a group of psychologists, after which they were filmed while taking the exam. The students from the control group performed a physical exercise while they were filmed, and they were told that the correctness of the exercise would be evaluated by experts in physical education and sports on the basis of the recorded images. After completing the tasks, both the students in the target group and those in the control group completed the COPE questionnaire.
Results: The statistical data interpretation revealed a significant statistical difference regarding the two coping mechanisms, namely Acceptance [M = 10.73; t (19) = 3.79, p <0.001; CI -1.91, -0.60], and Planning [M = 9.47; t (19) = 4.70, p <0.01; CI -1.99, -0.81]. According to statistical data analysis, we did not find another significant statistical difference among the remaining 13 coping mechanisms.
Conclusions: To efficiently manage stress during exams, medical students use Acceptance and Planning coping mechanisms, which may increase their emotional regulation abilities and help them focus on problem-solving.

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The Anti-tobacco Legislation’s Impact on Air Pollution in Romanian Foster Care Homes

Nimród Tubák1, Lorand Kocsis1, Péter Balázs2, Valentin Nădăşan1, Iozsef Lorand Ferencz1, Ágnes Tamás1, Zoltán Ábrám1

1. George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, Targu Mures, Romania
2. Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2020-0019

Objective: The research aimed to investigate the impact of the anti-tobacco legislation (2016) on air quality in Romanian foster care homes.
Methods: The measurements took place in foster care homes situated in three Romanian counties. We recorded data three times (in 2014, in 2016 – six months after the implementation of the anti-tobacco legislation, in 2019). In 41 foster care homes were measured the indoor and outdoor Particulate Matter (PM2.5) level in the air, using the TSI SidePak™ Personal Aerosol Monitor device. Descriptive statistics and t-test were used for data analysis (significant difference if p < 0.05).
Results: The indoor PM2.5 values were higher in every year than outdoor values. Analyzing the anti-tobacco legislation’s impact on air quality, we found no difference between the indoor data measured in 2014 and in 2016, but there was a significant difference in the outdoor values (they were higher in 2016). Comparing the values measured after the implementation of the legislation (2016 vs. 2019) we found no difference in either indoor or outdoor values.
Conclusions: The anti-tobacco legislation has not influenced the indoor air pollution (PM2.5) level. The increased outdoor PM2.5 values suggest that the residents of the foster care homes are smoking more in front of the house after the introduction of the anti-tobacco legislation in 2016.

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Establishing the Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Serum Interleukin 6 Levels in Sepsis

Iudita Maria Badea, Agota Evelyn Timar, Oana Coman, Valentina Negrea

George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania

DOI: 10.2478/amma-2020-0014

Objective: Establishing a serological profile of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in order to evaluate its usefulness as a biological marker for the diagnosis and early prognosis in sepsis.
Materials and Methods: The study included 246 individuals, divided into 2 groups: 131 in the septic subgroup (S) and 115 in the septic shock (SS) subgroup. Inflammatory markers, bacteriological examinations and laboratory samples were determined within 24 hours of the first signs of infection. Severity scores were also calculated within the first day of the onset of sepsis.
Results: The SS subgroup (median 121.2 pg/ml, 18.59-10235 pg/ml; SD = 1920) shows significantly higher values of IL-6, compared to the S subgroup (median 43.49 pg/ml, 13, 27-6566 pg/ml; SD = 1367) (p = 0.0026). The SS subgroup has a significantly higher death rate than S subgroup (p = 0.001). The cut-off values of the mortality prediction degree were 184.74 pg/ml. The area under the curve of the cytokine IL-6 for the differentiation of sepsis from septic shock was 0.693 (95% CI 0.582-0.790, p = 0.002). The optimal value of the cut-off that allows the differentiation of the septic subgroup from the one with organ dysfunction, was 52.72 pg / ml.
Conclusion: Serum IL-6 values are significantly higher in the septic shock group. All deceased patients had higher IL-6 serum values.

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