Bulgarian Experience in Vaginal Electronic Brachytherapy for Gynecologic Cancers' Treatment-First Results.

: The objective of this study is to prospectively collect dosimetric and clinical data on vaginal cuff electronic brachytherapy and propose a protocol for the procedure. Twenty-five patients who had proven endometrial or cervical carcinoma and had undergone radical hysterectomy have been treated with vaginal cuff electronic brachytherapy. Treatment session durations and doses to the targets and the organs at risk have been extracted from the treatment planning software.

Early life acute infections and risk for cow's milk protein allergy or atopic dermatitis at 6 months of age in high risk for allergy infants.

Background: Early life infections (ELIs), encompassing both viral and bacterial types, occur within the first six months of life. Influenced by genetic host factors and environmental conditions, the relationship between ELIs and subsequent allergic manifestations, particularly cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and atopic dermatitis (AD), is complex and not fully understood.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to examine the potential interplay between nutrition, infections, and allergic manifestations in the first six months of life in infants with a family history of allergies, who were either exclusively breastfed (EBF) or fed a combination of breast milk and standard (SF) or partially hydrolyzed infant formula (pHF).

Exploring SERPINA3 as a neuroinflammatory modulator in Alzheimer's disease with sex and regional brain variations.

SERPINA3, a serine protease inhibitor, is strongly associated with neuroinflammation, a typical condition of AD. Its expression is linked to microglial and astrocytic markers, suggesting it plays a significant role in modulating neuroinflammatory responses. In this study, we examined the SERPINA3 expression levels, along with CHI3L1, in various brain regions of AD patients and non-demented healthy controls (NDHC).

Alanine mutation of the targeting subunit of the myosin phosphatase, MYPT1 at threonine 696 reduces cGMP responsiveness of mouse femoral arteries.

The femoral artery (FA) is the largest vessel in the hindlimb circulation and its proper tone regulation ensures adequate blood supply to muscle tissue. We investigated whether an alanine mutation of the targeting subunit of myosin-light-chain-phosphatase (MLCP), MYPT1, at threonine 696 (MYPT1-T696A/+), decisive for enzyme acivity, affects the responsiveness of young and old FAs (y-FAs and o-FAs) to activation of nitric-oxide/soluble-guanylate-cyclase/protein-kinase-G cascade (NO/sGC/PKG). Contractile responses of the vessels were measured by wire myography.

Longitudinal changes in preschoolers' adiposity indicators according to compliance with 24-hour movement behavior guidelines: results from the ToyBox-study.

Background: There is a lack of studies evaluating longitudinal changes in adiposity indicators and the association with 24-hour movement behavior guidelines in preschoolers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate associations between changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) z-scores, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio, and compliance with the 24-hour movement behavior guidelines in three- to six-year-old children from a European sample.

Methods: In total, data from a European sample of 719 preschoolers (50.

Differential modulation of mutant CALR and JAK2 V617F-driven oncogenesis by HLA genotype in myeloproliferative neoplasms.

It has been demonstrated previously that human leukocyte antigen class I () and class II () alleles may modulate JAK2 V617F and CALR mutation (CALRmut)-associated oncogenesis in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). However, the role of immunogenetic factors in MPNs remains underexplored. We aimed to investigate the potential involvement of genes in CALRmut+ MPNs.

Factors Influencing Health Care Providers Payment Reforms in Central and Eastern European Countries.

Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries have recently implemented reforms to health care provider payment systems, which include changing payment methods and related systems such as contracting, management information systems, and accountability mechanisms. This study examines factors influencing provider payment reforms implemented since 2010 in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. A four-stage mixed methods approach was used: developing a theoretical framework and data collection form using existing literature, mapping payment reforms, consulting with national health policy experts, and conducting a comparative analysis.

Temporal Trends in Acute Adrenal Insufficiency Events in Children With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia During 2019-2022.

Background: It is unclear whether targeted monitoring of acute adrenal insufficiency (AI) related adverse events (AE) such as sick day episodes (SDEs) and hospitalization rate in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is associated with a change in the occurrence of these events.

Aim: Study temporal trends of AI related AE in the I-CAH Registry.

Methods: In 2022, data on the occurrence of AI-related AE in children aged <18 years with 21-hydroxylase deficiency CAH were compared to data collected in 2019.

Can revenue collection for public funding in health care be progressive? An assessment of 29 Countries.

Most research on health care equity focuses on accessing services, with less attention given to how revenue is collected to pay for a country's health care bill. This article examines the progressivity of revenue collection among publicly funded sources: income taxes, social insurance (often in the form of payroll) taxes, and consumption taxes (e.g.

Etiological structure and antibiotic resistance pattern of burn wound infections in hospitalized patients - a one-center study in Varna, Bulgaria.

In the present retrospective study, we have evaluated bacterial pathogens isolated from patients admitted to the Burn Care Unit at the Military Medical Academy, Varna, Bulgaria over a three-year period (January 2019 - December 2021). We also tried to summarize the corresponding antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolated infectious agents. A total of 1030 isolates were obtained from 1912 burn wound samples investigated.

Optimizing Subtalar Arthrodesis: A Human Cadaveric Evaluation of a Novel Partially-Threaded Screw Combination in the Delta Configuration.

: Despite the established role of subtalar joint arthrodesis (SJA) for treatment of subtalar osteoarthritis, achieving bone union remains challenging, with up to 46% non-union rates. Adequate compression and stable fixation are crucial for successful outcomes, with internal screw fixation being the gold standard for SJA. The delta configuration, featuring highly divergent screws, offers stability, however, it can result in hardware irritation in 20-30% of patients.

Physical activity in relation to metabolic health and obesity: The Feel4Diabetes study.

Aim: To examine physical activity levels in association with metabolic health and estimate the stability of metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotypes over a 2-year period.

Methods: In total, 2848 men and women from families at risk of the development of diabetes were recruited. Participants were classified as obese or non-obese and metabolic health was defined using five existing definitions.

Which factors influence health services utilization in Bulgaria? Results of a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Research on the factors influencing health care services utilization in Bulgaria does not apply a particular model to analyze these determinants. To fill this gap, we apply the Andersen's Behavioural Model, a commonly used framework, to determine the factors that impact the utilization of health care services in our country.

Methods: Data are collected in an online survey conducted in Bulgaria in 2023 among consumers.

SIRT-associated attenuation of cellular senescence in vascular wall.

This review focuses on the vital function that SIRT1 and other sirtuins play in promoting cellular senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells, which is a key element in the pathogenesis of vascular aging and associated cardiovascular diseases. Vascular aging is a gradual process caused by the accumulation of senescent cells, which results in increased vascular remodeling, stiffness, and diminished angiogenic ability. Such physiological alterations are characterized by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic variables, including oxidative stress and telomere attrition, which affect gene expression patterns and trigger cell growth arrest.

The role of radiology in provenance research - experiences from the collaboration between radiology and anatomy at the University of Rostock and future perspectives.

Worldwide, the study and examination of human remains and the circumstances of their acquisition for anatomical collection have received great interest. As part of provenance research projects, a large number of collections are being investigated to determine whether the human remains have been acquired in a correct or unlawful way because the people could have been killed in order to be used as "anthropological objects" for research purposes and to become so-called "specimens". These topics have also been addressed by the Institute of Anatomy at the University Medical Center Rostock.

Light-Emitting-Diode-Induced Fluorescence from Organic Dyes for Application in Excitation-Emission Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Food System Analysis.

An experimental study is presented on the possibility of using the fluorescence from organic dyes as a broadband light source together with a monochromator for applications in excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy. A high-power single-chip light-emitting diode (LED) was chosen as an excitation source with a central output wavelength at 365 nm to excite a fluorescent solution of Coumarin 1 dye dissolved in ethanol. Two excitation configurations were investigated: direct excitation from the LED and excitation through an optical-fiber-coupled LED.

Utility of expression of 4-hydroxynonenal tested by immunohistochemistry for cervical cancer.

Introduction: Cervical cancer (CC) is a leading cause of mortality in women around the world, with the highest incidence rate still being in developing countries. The most common aetiological factor is infection with high-risk human papilloma virus viral strains. Oxidative stress through generation of reactive oxygen species leads to lipid peroxidation and DNA damage.

Axial Spondyloarthritis: an overview of the disease.

Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic, inflammatory, immune-mediated rheumatic disease that comprises two subsets, non-radiographic and radiographic axSpA, and belongs to a heterogeneous group of spondyloarthritides (SpA). Over the years, the concept of SpA has evolved significantly, as reflected in the existing classification criteria. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the genetic and immunological basis of axSpA, in studying the processes of chronic inflammation and pathological new bone formation, which are pathognomonic for the disease.

Reflections on Postpartum Hysterectomy as a Possible Complication of Cesarean Myomectomy: A Long Debate.

Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors found in fertile women. Numerous obstetrical issues, such as dystocia during labor, fetal hypotrophy, a ruptured amniotic sac, early labor, low-birth-weight newborns, etc., are associated with fibrous pregnant uteri.

Pilot Study on the Development and Integration of Anthropomorphic Models within the Dental Technician Curriculum.

The effectiveness of modern medical education largely depends on the integration and utilization of digital technologies in teaching various disciplines. In this pilot usability study, we introduced 3D printed anthropomorphic dental models, specifically designed for the elective discipline "Digital and Metal-Free Techniques in Dental Technology" from the curriculum of the Dental Technician specialty in the Medical University of Varna. The evaluation focused on dental technician students' perception of this novel learning environment, its influence on their performance, and the potential for future application of these models and related 3D technologies in their professional practice.