1,157 results match your criteria: "Medical university Sofia[Affiliation]"

Artificial intelligence in autoimmune bullous dermatoses.

Clin Dermatol

October 2024

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical Faculty, Medical University - Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Dermatologists treating patients with autoimmune bullous dermatoses (AIBDs), as well as the patients themselves, encounter challenges at every stage of their interaction, including dermatologic and comorbidities assessment, diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, treatment, and follow-up monitoring. We summarize the current and potential future clinical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of AIBDs. Recent research and AI models have demonstrated their potential to enhance or may already be contributing to advancements in every phase of the comprehensive diagnosis and personalized treatment process in AIBDs, providing patients, clinicians, and administrators with valuable support.

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Background: This manuscript aims to describe the symptoms, demographics, surgical approaches and techniques, the volume of surgical interventions, histological results, intra- and postoperative complications, and postoperative results in patients with anterior mediastinal tumors of thyroid origin (AMTTO).

Methods: Twenty patients with AMTTO were operated between 2017 and 2021. Fifteen were women and 5 were men.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Symptoms often appear vague and routine lab tests usually show no abnormalities, with the liver being the most commonly affected organ.
  • * The text highlights a rare case in a child where an isolated kidney hydatid cyst mimicked a urinary tract infection, resulting in misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
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Purpose: The use of thyroid hormones (TH) to treat obesity is unsupported by evidence as reflected in international guidelines. We explored views about this practice, and associations with respondent characteristics among European thyroid specialists.

Methods: Specialists from 28 countries were invited to a survey via professional organisations.

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Background: Since the publication of the 2011 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for patient research partner (PRP) involvement in rheumatology research, the role of PRPs has evolved considerably. Therefore, an update of the 2011 recommendations was deemed necessary.

Methods: In accordance with the EULAR Standardised Operational Procedures, a task force comprising 13 researchers, 2 health professionals and 10 PRPs was convened.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to assess how European thyroid specialists view levothyroxine (LT4) treatment for euthyroid women with positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) to improve fertility, as current evidence does not support this practice.
  • - An international survey (THESIS) revealed that 42.8% of over 2,316 respondents believe LT4 might be indicated for these patients, with significant variation across countries, highlighting a range from 22.9% to 83.7% of positive responses.
  • - Factors such as gender, age, and clinical experience influenced opinions; younger specialists and those who treat more thyroid patients were more likely to consider LT4, raising concerns about potential overtreatment risks in
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Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is a malignant proliferation of small lymphocytes, lymphoplasmocytoid cells and plasmocytes affecting the bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen. Its incidence is 1/100,000 and represents 8% of all lymphomas. A total of ~5% of patients with LPL may secrete non-IgM of IgG, IgA, kappa or lambda type or be non-secretory.

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The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, ethanol/water (70% ethanol), and water extracts of Astragalus aduncus aerial parts were investigated for their antioxidant potential, enzyme inhibition activity (anti-acetylcholinesterase [AChE], anti-butyrylcholinesterase [BChE], antityrosinase, antiamylase, and antiglucosidase) and antiproliferative effect (against colon adenocarcinoma cell line [HT-29], gastric cancer cell line [HGC-27], prostate carcinoma cell line [DU-145], breast adenocarcinoma cell line [MDA-MB-231], and cervix adenocarcinoma cell line [HeLa]). In addition, the phytochemical profile of the extracts was evaluated using validated spectrophotometric and high-pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectroscopy methods. Generally, the 70% ethanol extract demonstrated the strongest antioxidant properties, and it was the richest source of total phenolic constituents.

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The development of meningoencephalitis is a result of an inflammation of the meninges and the brain, which can cause neurological sequelae. Cerebellar meningoencephalitis in adult patients is extremely rare and requires special diagnostic approaches. The aim of this report is to present a rare case of meningoencephalitis and evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.

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The aim of the study is to determine whether the assessment of postoperative pain and timely measures to control it improve the quality of medical care in intensive care units (ICUs). To develop an improvement model with a focus on pain assessment and control. 151 patients were included in the study, divided into two groups: a retrospective group (RG)-60 patients and a prospective group (PG)-91 patients.

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EuroGuiderm guideline on lichen sclerosus-Treatment of lichen sclerosus.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol

October 2024

Division of Evidence-Based Medicine (dEBM), Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Article Synopsis
  • Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a skin condition primarily affecting the anogenital area, causing symptoms like itching, soreness, and potential sexual and urinary dysfunction, with a risk of genital cancer and significant impacts on quality of life.
  • The guideline aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of LS, offering evidence-based recommendations for different therapies and care approaches, especially during pregnancy and follow-up.
  • Topical corticosteroids are the primary treatment for LS in both sexes, with surgery as an option for males if standard treatments fail, while UV light therapy is suggested for non-genital LS, despite limited research.
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EuroGuiderm guideline on lichen sclerosus-introduction into lichen sclerosus.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol

October 2024

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Division of Evidence- Based Medicine (dEBM), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Article Synopsis
  • Lichen sclerosus (LS) is an inflammatory skin condition primarily affecting the anogenital area, leading to symptoms like itching, soreness, and potentially serious complications such as urinary and sexual dysfunction, along with an increased risk of genital cancer.
  • *The guideline aims to provide a comprehensive approach for diagnosing and treating LS, including recommendations for topical and surgical treatments, as well as care considerations for patients during pregnancy and ongoing management.
  • *Topical corticosteroids are considered the standard treatment for LS, with additional options like emollients and, if ineffective, surgical interventions such as circumcision for males; UV light therapy is also suggested for non-genital forms of LS despite limited evidence.
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MSL2 variants lead to a neurodevelopmental syndrome with lack of coordination, epilepsy, specific dysmorphisms, and a distinct episignature.

Am J Hum Genet

July 2024

Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.

Article Synopsis
  • * A study identified 25 individuals with new variations in the MSL2 gene, who exhibited NDD symptoms such as developmental delays, coordination problems, and autism spectrum disorder, along with other health concerns.
  • * iPSCs from affected individuals showed reduced MSL2 levels and changes in gene expression, leading to the characterization of a new MSL2-related disorder with unique clinical markers and a specific DNA episignature for diagnosis.
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The review focuses on the recent knowledge on natural anthraquinones (AQs) of plant origin and their potential for application in an exclusive medicinal curative and palliative method named photodynamic therapy (PDT). Green approach to PDT is associated with photosensitizers (PS) from plants or other natural sources and excitation light in visible spectrum. The investigations of plants are of high research interests due to their unique health supportive properties as herbs and the high percentage availability to obtain compounds with medical value.

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Background: Previous research done in Bulgaria demonstrated a fivefold reduction in mortality from COVID-19 with increased doses of colchicine from two hospitals in the country. We report here a further 333 cases of COVID-19 inpatients, treated with different doses of colchicine and its effect on mortality.

Materials And Methods: A case-control comparison from two additional hospitals was conducted between increased doses of colchicine and added bromhexine to standard of care (SOC) versus current SOC.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study analyzed the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) in horses and donkeys across 15 provinces in Bulgaria, testing 378 serum samples for antibodies using ELISA and confirming results with the virus neutralization test (VNT).
  • - Out of the samples tested, 9.26% were ELISA-positive for WNV, with a seroprevalence of 3.97% confirmed by VNT; no Usutu virus was detected in these animals.
  • - The research identified several risk factors for WNV seropositivity, including location, altitude, type of housing, and breed, suggesting that equids could serve as indicators for WNV and potential human case prediction in Bulgaria.
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Aim: To evaluate the relationship between common carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) in patients with prediabetes and new-onset diabetes mellitus without proven cardiovascular disease and some classic cardio-metabolic risk factors.

Patients And Methods: The study included 461 obese patients with an average age of 53.2 ± 10.

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Characteristics of emerging new autoimmune diseases after COVID-19 vaccination: A sub-study by the COVAD group.

Int J Rheum Dis

May 2024

Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Article Synopsis
  • 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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Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is an extremely uncommon cause of cerebral calcification. A male patient, aged 45, was admitted to the neurosurgery clinic with a closed traumatic brain injury, namely a concussion, resulting in symptoms of headache and loss of balance. A CT scan was conducted, which detected bilateral calcifications on the basal ganglia and the tentorium.

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Introduction: Limited real-world evidence exists about the burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients receiving systemic or non-systemic therapies in clinical practices. ESSENTIAL AD was an observational study that aimed to fill this information gap.

Methods: ESSENTIAL AD enrolled (September 2021-June 2022) adult patients with physician-confirmed AD that was routinely managed with systemic and non-systemic treatment in a real-world setting from 15 countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

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Axial Spondyloarthritis: an overview of the disease.

Rheumatol Int

September 2024

First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.

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.

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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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