Publications by authors named "Velikova T"

Solid organ transplant recipients face unique challenges in managing their immunosuppressed status, making vaccination a critical consideration. This review aimed to comprehensively analyze current recommendations, evaluate the efficacy of vaccinations in this population, and assess safety concerns. We explored the latest evidence on vaccine types, timing, and potential benefits for transplant patients, highlighting the importance of individualized approaches for routinely used vaccines as well as coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines.

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In this article, we comment on an original article published in a recent issue of the . That observational cross-sectional study focused on investigating the function of the glymphatic system and its clinical correlates in patients with different glucose metabolism states by using diffusion tensor imaging along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index. It was shown that the cerebral glymphatic system may be dysfunctional in patients with type 2 diabetes.

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Despite advancements in the field, early diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) remains unachievable. This letter to the editor highlighted the importance of carefully assessing gastrointestinal symptoms, hypercalcemia, and elevated serum gastrin levels, as suggested by Yuan in their paper. They focused on a patient with recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea whose diagnostic path led to establishing a MEN1 diagnosis within a year.

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In this editorial, we comment on an original article by Duan . Despite advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the identification of suitable prognostic factors remains challenging. In their paper, Duan identified long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) to quantify genomic instability (GI) by combining LncRNA expression and somatic mutation profiles.

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Background: Breast cancer morbidity has been increasing worldwide, but treatments are improving. The therapeutic response depends on the stage at which the disease is diagnosed. Therefore, early diagnosis has never been more essential for successful treatment and a reduction in mortality rates.

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Coronary artery disease (CAD) presents a significant risk for patients with systemic vasculitides, a group of disorders characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels. In this review, we focus on the pathophysiological mechanisms, complications, and management strategies for CAD in systemic vasculitides. We highlight how the inflammatory processes inherent in vasculitis contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia.

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A hydropneumothorax is an uncommon complication of pneumonia, particularly in pediatric patients, and typically arises secondary to conditions such as malignancies, esophageal-pleural fistula, thoracic trauma, or thoracocentesis. While pneumothorax is rarely reported in adults with COVID-19 and is even less common in children, isolated cases have been noted in those with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). A recent alert has also been issued about increased Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections in Europe.

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Numerous studies of microorganisms isolated from the surface of cultural heritage objects, including library documents, are regularly carried out in different countries. Although the micromycete composition in each case varies, some species are constantly isolated. The structure of micromycete communities that inhabit library documents was studied in 57 cities of Russia located in seven federal districts (Northwestern, Central, Southern, Volga, Ural, Siberian, and Far Eastern).

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In this editorial, we comment on an article published in a recent issue of the . There is a pressing need for reliable tools for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite advancements in the diagnosis and treatment, TB remains a global health challenge.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how comorbidities impact the quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) compared to other autoimmune diseases and healthy individuals, utilizing self-reported data from the COVAD-2 survey.
  • Results show IIM patients have significantly higher rates of comorbidities, basic multitasking, complex multitasking, and mental health disorders.
  • The presence of these conditions correlates with lower overall physical and mental health scores, suggesting the need for targeted management strategies for IIM patients based on identified clinical clusters.
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  • Varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles), caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), require monitoring for effective public health planning, as explored in a study covering 18 years (2000-2018) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
  • The average incidence of VZV infection was around 449.58‰, with January seeing the highest cases (13.6%) and August/September the lowest (2.9%), primarily affecting children aged 1-4 and 5-9 years.
  • The research provides valuable insights into VZV infection patterns, highlighting age-related incidence and the need for preventive measures, such as vaccination, to manage outbreaks
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The rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered substantial attention for its potential application in drug discovery and development. This opinion review critically examined the feasibility and prospects of integrating AI as a transformative tool in the pharmaceutical industry. AI, encompassing machine learning algorithms, deep learning, and data analytics, offers unprecedented opportunities to streamline and enhance various stages of drug development.

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In public health, simulation modeling stands as an invaluable asset, enabling the evaluation of new systems without their physical implementation, experimentation with existing systems without operational adjustments, and testing system limits without real-world repercussions. In simulation modeling, the Monte Carlo method emerges as a powerful yet underutilized tool. Although the Monte Carlo method has not yet gained widespread prominence in healthcare, its technological capabilities hold promise for substantial cost reduction and risk mitigation.

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Background: The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity among adults aged ≥65 years is increasing worldwide. It is a condition that describes the concomitant presence of sarcopenia and obesity, but it appears to be associated with greater increases in the risks for disability, morbidity, and mortality than the two conditions combined. The current review aims to summarize the available literature data on the effectiveness of lifestyle modification for the management of this high-risk geriatric syndrome.

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In this editorial, we comment on three articles published in a recent issue of . There is a pressing need for new research on autophagy's role in gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, and also novel insights into some liver conditions, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and acute liver failure (ALF). Despite advancements, understanding autophagy's intricate mechanisms and implications in these diseases remains incomplete.

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  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in joints and can lead to a decline in mobility and overall quality of life, but the exact cause remains unclear.
  • Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contribute to susceptibility to RA, with certain genetic markers indicating a higher risk for developing the disease.
  • Recent studies highlight the significance of the microbiome in influencing immune responses, where changes in microbial composition (dysbiosis) may trigger chronic inflammation and play a crucial role in the development and progression of RA.
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  • Severe COVID-19 cases are often driven by an excessive immune response, known as a cytokine storm, leading to uncontrolled inflammation.
  • Understanding immune dysregulation is crucial for developing targeted therapies to manage COVID-19 effectively.
  • This review examines various immunomodulatory treatments, including corticosteroids, antiviral drugs, and monoclonal antibodies, aimed at balancing immune response to improve patient outcomes.
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Imaging techniques play a crucial role in the modern era of medicine, particularly in gastroenterology. Nowadays, various non-invasive and invasive imaging modalities are being routinely employed to evaluate different gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. However, many instrumental as well as clinical issues are arising in the area of modern GI imaging.

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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have tantalized regenerative medicine with their therapeutic potential, yet a cloud of controversies looms over their clinical transplantation. This comprehensive review navigates the intricate landscape of MSC controversies, drawing upon 15 years of clinical experience and research. We delve into the fundamental properties of MSCs, exploring their unique immunomodulatory capabilities and surface markers.

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Liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma, remains a global health challenge with rising incidence and limited therapeutic options. Genetic factors play a pivotal role in the development and progression of liver cancer. This state-of-the-art paper provides a comprehensive review of the current landscape of genetic screening strategies for liver cancer.

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  • A study investigated rare cases of systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) reported after COVID-19 vaccinations by surveying individuals with new-onset SAIDs post-vaccination using a validated e-survey dataset.* -
  • Of 16,750 participants, 74 reported new-onset SAIDs, mostly idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, arthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica; higher incidences were found among Caucasians and Moderna vaccine recipients.* -
  • The research concluded that while the occurrence of new-onset SAIDs post-vaccination is low, certain risk factors like pre-existing autoimmune diseases, mental health issues, and ethnicity were linked to these cases.*
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Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy where the lymphocytes, mostly T-cells, are redirected to specifically recognize and eliminate a target antigen by coupling them with CARs. The binding of CAR and target cell surface antigens leads to vigorous T cell activation and robust anti-tumor immune responses. Areas of implication of CAR T-cell therapies include mainly hematological malignancies (i.

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Background: The pandemic presented unique challenges for individuals with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) due to their underlying condition, the effects of immunosuppressive treatments, and increased vaccine hesitancy.

Objectives: The COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune diseases (COVAD) study, a series of ongoing, patient self-reported surveys were conceived with the vision of being a unique tool to gather patient perspectives on AIRDs. It involved a multinational, multicenter collaborative effort amidst a global lockdown.

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Gluten ataxia and other central nervous system disorders could be linked to gluten enteropathy and related autoantibodies. In this narrative review, we focus on the various neuro-logical manifestations in patients with gluten sensitivity/celiac disease, immunological and autoimmune mechanisms of ataxia in connection to gluten sensitivity and the autoantibodies that could be used as a biomarker for diagnosing and following. We focused on the anti-gliadin antibodies, antibodies to different isoforms of tissue transglutaminase (TG) (anti-TG2, 3, and 6 antibodies), anti-glycine receptor antibodies, anti-glutamine acid decarboxylase antibodies, anti-deamidated gliadin peptides antibodies, Most studies found a higher prevalence of these antibodies in patients with gluten sensitivity and neurological dysfunction, presented as different neurological disorders.

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