Depression is a global health problem that requires an early and accurate diagnosis to ensure quick access to appropriate treatment. Among multiple psychopathological paths, recent attention has focused on analysing the brain–gut–microbiota axis. The intestinal barrier plays a key role, and dysfunctions occurring at this level have implications for mental health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of intestinal permeability biomarkers, i.e., calprotectin, zonulin, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FAB), in relation to depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is the first study of this kind taking place in Romania, Eastern Europe, with an emphasis on patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The correlations identified between depression and calprotectin and depression and LBP have the potential to shed light on the process of rapid diagnosis of depression with the help of biomarkers. Since depression is correlated with a decrease in the quality of life in patients with IBD, the need for access to appropriate treatments must be urgent.

The pond slider (Trachemys scripta) is a major invasive species in freshwater habitats across the world. For decades, the main cause of individuals’ occurrences in the wild was the illegal release of pet animals. Recently, as an important component of their management, there has been an increasing focus on their ability to successfully reproduce in the invaded regions. In Romania, the species is reported as widespread in urban wetland environments within major cities, but information about its nesting and potential breeding remains scarce or anecdotal. We surveyed a large population of pond sliders in an artificial urban wetland site in Constanţa, SE Romania, and described their nesting ecology and reproductive output. Although eggs from several nests failed to hatch or were predated, potentially limiting their reproductive success, sliders were found to breed successfully at this site, with 18.6% viable hatchlings recorded. Our study could serve as a baseline for additional targeted surveys and to inform decision-making for successfully managing this invasive species. Although the importation, trading, and breeding of this species are prohibited by EU legislation, active and effective management is now required to address the successful reproduction and further potential spread of T. scripta.

Cultural heritage sites are often located within biodiversity hotspots, which may induce human-wildlife conflicts despite their effectiveness in attracting tourists. Mitigating these conflicts requires targeted conservation and education measures based on a solid understanding of how visitors perceive wildlife. We assessed visitors’ perception of the major wildlife groups (i.e., amphibians, reptiles, water birds) that were detectable during visiting hours, within an archaeological site overlapping with a biodiversity hotspot in southeastern Romania. We explored whether age, gender, education, nationality, and awareness (i.e., prompted by guided tours, previous visits, or protection level of the area) influenced visitors’ perception towards the different wildlife groups. Visitors were disturbed or felt repulsion mostly towards the less charismatic wildlife groups: snakes, frogs, and toads; the perception was significantly explained by gender, nationality and awareness. We recommend the site to be used to promote education regarding wildlife conservation, to improve visiting experience and protect less charismatic species.

Background and Objectives: Calprotectin is a marker for intestinal inflammation. Recent research suggests a link between inflammation and depression. This study assessed the association between the levels of calprotectin in patients from South-Eastern Europe and the severity of depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30 confirmed patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) who were assessed using clinical interviews for determining the severities of mental disorders (i.e., depression severity—PHQ-9, anxiety—GAD-7) and the quality of life (EQ-5D). Stool samples were collected from all participants for measuring their levels of calprotectin. Results: The level of calprotectin is correlated with PHQ-9 (ρ = 0.416, p = 0.022) and EQ-5D (ρ = −0.304, p = 0.033) but not with GAD 7 (ρ = 0.059, p = 0.379). Calprotectin levels in patients with mild, moderate, and moderately severe depression were significantly higher than in patients with minimal depression (198 µg/g vs. 66,9 µg/g, p = 0.04). Calprotectin level was corelated with the following depressive symptoms: autolytic ideation (ρ = 0.557, p = 0.001), fatigue (ρ = 0.514, p = 0.002), slow movement (ρ = 0.490, p = 0.003), and sleep disorders (ρ = 0.403, p = 0.014). Calprotectin was an independent predictor of depression with an odds ratio of 1.01 (95%: 1.002–1.03, p < 0.01). An ROC analysis showed that a level of calprotectin of 131 µg/g or higher has a sensitivity of 82%, a specificity of 61%, and an accuracy of 70% for predicting depression. In this study, no significant correlations were found between calprotectin level and anxiety. Conclusions: Calprotectin levels are associated with the severity of depression, and checking for a calprotectin level of 131 µg/g or higher may be a potential accessible screening test for depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

The origin of the common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) populations in south-eastern Europe (namely in Bulgaria and Romania), representing the north-eastern range border of this species, was addressed using mitochondrial DNA. We compared cytochrome b sequences from Bulgaria and Romania with those from the contiguous range in Central Europe that are available from previous studies. We recorded five main haplogroups in Bulgaria and Romania, belonging to the Central Balkan clade. However, haplogroup III was recorded in more localities than previously found. Additionally, signs of haplotype admixture were identified in several populations along the Danube River. The presence of the Southern Alps haplotype in one population from Otopeni, Bucharest (Romania) and its close phylogenetic relationships to north Italy populations suggests human-mediated introductions of this wall lizard clade in Romania. Our results confirm that P. muralis can have non-native lineages and admixture through active human-mediated transport.

Age and growth-related parameters provide a better understanding of life-history adaptations and trade-offs and can be studied in the wild through capture-mark-recapture (CMR) or sclerochronology (i.e., skeletochronology and counting growth marks on hard structures). In chelonians, skeletochronology is limited to carcasses, CMR is limited by time and funding constraints, but counting shell growth annuli (SGA count) is a cheaper and faster alternative. A long-term CMR study in Testudo graeca from south-eastern Romania allowed us to compare the age estimated by the two sclerochronology methods using carcasses, and calibrate the results with data obtained from recaptured tortoises. We found that the accuracy of SGA counts significantly decreased with time (i.e., years between captures and older individuals). Skeletochronology showed the best results with long bones (i.e., ulna, radius, femur), but overall underestimated the age when compared to SGA counts; we obtained comparable results from these two methods in tortoises up to 17 years old. The oldest age estimated by skeletochronology alone was 28 years, 30 years by SGA counts, and 40 years by SGA counts when calibrated by CMR. The growth models using age estimations from both skeletochronology and SGA counts were similar, highlighting their usefulness in monitoring growth trajectories. Our study showed that while age estimation in tortoises is challenging, a combination of methods can improve its accuracy.