Varna Medical University Press: Journals
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Knowledge about HIV prevention and attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS of foreign students from the Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria
Get PDFIntroduction: Medical students, future physicians of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), are a key group to whom targeted knowledge and adequate training should be directed in order to provide patient care without prejudice.Aim: The aim of this article is to evaluate the knowledge about prevention, diagnosis, treatment of HIV and the attitude towards sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among medical students at the Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.Materials and Methods: A total of 100 students were surveyed using anonymous questionnaire. The data were entered in Microsoft Excel and processed for the needs of the study with a documentary, statistical, and graphical method.Results: The analysis shows that according to the survey > 90% of students believe the early diagnosis/treatment increases the life expectancy of PLHIV, 78% chose Treatment can reduce the chance of HIV transmission, 94% can work/study with an HIV infected individual, 74% would not cut off their contacts with PLHIV, and 78% are not afraid to serve HIV-seropositive patients. However, 15% are not sure and 9% would do so only after a negative HIV test. These doubts are also confirmed in the opinion about the need to test for HIV all who seek medical care according to 67%, and only those subject to hospitalization according to 31%.Conclusion: According to the survey, students have correct knowledge about HIV prevention and a positive attitude towards PLHIV, but there are also some negative attitudes. Increasing HIV knowledge is an effective behavioral intervention in a variety of contexts. Universities are of utmost importance in achieving this goal
The integration of artificial intelligence in malaria control and surveillance
Get PDFIntroduction: Malaria, caused by Plasmodium spp., remains a global health challenge despite significant reductions in incidence and mortality over recent decades. Factors such as drug and insecticide resistance, diagnostic limitations, and the expansion of Anopheles vectors into new regions hinders control efforts. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers innovative tools to address these challenges by processing complex data, improving diagnostics, and supporting prevention strategies.Aim: This review explores the implementation of AI-based technologies in malaria control, focusing on their roles in epidemiological surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, vector control, and vaccine development.Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted for studies published between 2020 and 2024. Keywords included “malaria,” “Plasmodium,” and “artificial intelligence,” “AI.” The results were reviewed, emphasizing observational research on AI applications in epidemiological modeling of malaria transmission, enhancing vector control, improving diagnostic methods and protocols, and advancing the development of new vaccines and treatments.Results and Discussion: AI technologies demonstrate а transformative potential in malaria control. AI-driven models can predict outbreaks by analyzing climatic, environmental, and medical data; they can improve the accuracy of rapid diagnostic tests and automate the analysis of blood smears for parasite detection, enhancing diagnostic reliability. In addition, they can accelerate drug discovery by identifying novel therapeutic targets, identify antigenic candidates, and predict immune responses assisting vaccine research. AI-integrated citizen science initiatives, supported by smartphone apps, enhances vector surveillance, while satellite imagery processed through machine learning predicts vector breeding sites.Conclusion: AI-based tools represent a promising frontier in malaria management, offering innovative solutions for surveillance, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. With continued research and refinement, these modern-day technologies could significantly contribute to the eradication of malaria
Essential Oils: An Alternative to Antibiotics for Nasal Bacterial Infections
Get PDFIntroduction: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the primary pathogenic bacterium found in the nasal mucosa. This Gram-positive bacterium colonizes the upper respiratory tract and skin, leading to serious infections characterized by high morbidity. The topical antibiotic mupirocin is commonly used for treating staphylococcal infections. However, excessive and irrational use of antibiotics increases the risk of microbial resistance, while the lack of new antibacterial agents raises concerns about future pandemics.Aim: This review aims to present literature data on the role of essential oils (EOs) in managing bacterial nasal infections as an alternative to conventional therapeutic approaches.Materials and Methods: A literature review was conducted using the documentary method, drawing from scientific publications in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. The keywords used included nasal application, topical antibiotic, antibiotic resistance, essential oils, antibacterial effect, and Staphylococcus aureus.Results: Essential oils are known for their diverse biological effects. They may contain hundreds of chemical constituents, with monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and phenylpropanoids being predominant. Due to their broad spectrum of activities—including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, mucolytic, and bronchodilatory effects—these biologically active, volatile substances are valuable resources for anti-infective therapy in respiratory infections. Additionally, their natural origin and rich composition make them widely applicable and accessible in traditional medicine. Peppermint, pine, and eucalyptus oils are among the most commonly used in products for nasal application.Conclusion: Based on the literature review, EOs have potential in the treatment of nasal infections caused by S. aureus. These findings will be utilized in a future experiment focused on the formulation and characterization of a nasal antibacterial dosage form
Epidemiological Characteristics of Healthcare-Associated Infections in St. Marina University Hospital, Varna, for the Period 2022–2023
Get PDFIntroduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major problem in modern healthcare due to the widespread distribution of strains with high levels of antibiotic resistance, as well as their significant burden on morbidity and mortality.The aim of the study is to analyze the frequency and epidemiological structure of HAIs in St. Marina University Hospital, Varna for the period 2022–2023.Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of the registered HAIs from the monitoring system of St. Marina University Hospital, Varna was conducted during the period 2022–2023. The results were processed using descriptive statistical analysis, documentary methods, and graphic methods.Results: During the monitored period, 125,864 patients were hospitalized in St. Marina University Hospital, Varna. Of these, 36.29% (n=45,597) of patients received antibiotic therapy. A total of 1,263 cases of HAIs were registered, accounting for 1% of the total number of hospitalized patients. The leading etiological agent of HAIs was Escherichia coli (18.28%, n=229). The most common site of HAIs was surgical site infections (SSI), comprising 30.74% (n=391) of the cases.Conclusion: The analysis of the results shows an increase in the number of hospitalized patients, a decrease in antibiotic use, and a rise in the relative share of identified HAIs in St. Marina University Hospital, Varna. These findings highlight effective supervision and control of HAIs in the university hospital
Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus Carriage Among Students at Varna Medical University
Get PDFIntroduction: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections. The main sources of transmission are hospital staff and contaminated hands.Aim: The current study presents data on nasal colonization among medical students undergoing training in high-risk hospital departments.Materials and Methods: We analyzed 253 nasal and 241 throat secretion samples from medical students who opted to be examined in the Laboratory of Microbiology at St. Marina University Hospital in Varna during the period 2021–2023. The samples were cultured on blood agar, and Staphylococcus aureus was identified using standard biochemical tests. Statistical analysis was performed using R Project software (version 4.0.4/2021-02-15).Results: Only 15.8% of nasal secretion samples tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Positive throat samples were almost negligible, accounting for only 1.2%. The proportion of positive women was higher, but the difference was not statistically significant (17.3% vs. 14% of men; χ² = 0.5 and p-value = 0.5). No statistically significant difference was observed in the number of positive samples across different age groups.Conclusion: Despite the low carriage rate observed, screening for nasal colonization can help reduce the risk of nosocomial transmission
Potential of Floral Waters in Cosmetic Care for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Get PDFAcne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatological diseases in industrialized nations. Nearly 90% of people in Western societies experience the condition during their teenage years; in some cases, it may persist into adulthood. Acne vulgaris is associated with a significant burden, encompassing psychological, social, and financial consequences for patients, their families, and society. The degree and severity of the disease determine the choice of therapy. Clinically expressed forms of acne vulgaris require drug therapy under medical supervision by a specialist. However, for mild to moderate forms of acne vulgaris and during periods between therapeutic treatments, appropriate cosmetic interventions can significantly improve the condition.Effective control of oily and acne-prone skin requires the daily use of multifunctional cosmetic products for cleansing and intensive care. An important aspect of skincare is the elimination of oxidative stress, whether the skin is healthy or affected by a pathological condition. Floral waters are byproducts of the hydrodistillation processes used to extract essential oils from plant materials. These waters contain dispersed essential oils in concentrations of 0.025% to 0.1%. Due to their established high antioxidant potential, floral waters derived from various plant species can inhibit oxidation processes, making them a valuable component in skincare.Materials and Methods: Information obtained from scientific publications and other sources was included.Results: Studies have been published on the application of floral waters in cosmetics, as well as on their antioxidant activity, including research on floral waters originating from Bulgaria
Analysis of the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform
Get PDFIntroduction: According to Regulation (EC) 536/2014, clinical trials (CTs) of medicinal products (MPs) in humans may be conducted to detect or confirm the clinical, pharmacological, or pharmacodynamic effects of one or more investigational medicinal products (IMPs), to determine adverse drug reactions, or to study absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion to establish their safety and/or efficacy.Aim: Analysis of data provided by the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.Materials and Methods: We conducted a document and content analysis of the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for registration of clinical trials.Results and Discussion: In 2006, the WHO established the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, which aims to make information on clinical trials publicly available. The platform brings together data from ClinicalTrials.gov as well as nineteen other clinical trial registries around the world. EudraCT (European Union Drug Regulatory Authorities Clinical Trials Database) is the European database for all interventional clinical trials on medicinal products. The Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) supports the interaction between clinical trial sponsors, EU Member States, and EEA countries. According to data from the WHO platform, the total number of clinical trials registered worldwide for the period 1999-2022 is 744,100, of which 577,531 are interventional. The largest number of interventional clinical trials were registered in the USA, followed by China, Japan, and Germany. Eighty-nine thousand sixty-nine of the registered clinical trials were for malignancies and forty-five thousand forty-eight for cardiovascular diseases. Adult patients were included in 72% of the trials and children in 11%.Conclusion: The WHO platform aims to improve access to information on clinical trials and promotes ethical research practices. We identified the utility of using multiple clinical trial databases to perform a comprehensive analysis
Oral hygiene status in children with autism
Get PDFIntroduction: Autism is a developmental disorder that includes difficulties in the establishment and development of social contacts, imagination, communication, etc. Children diagnosed in the autism spectrum may have different degrees and combinations of disorders. Improper oral hygiene and eating habits are the main reasons for the deterioration of oral health in children with autism.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the oral hygiene status of children with autism and compare it with that of healthy children.Material and Methods: The object of the clinical study are 60 children with autism and 60 healthy children, aged between 3–18 years, whose parents have signed an informed consent form. In order to register the oral hygiene status, carbohydrate nutrition, oral hygiene (frequency of brushing teeth, duration of brushing teeth, participation of parents in performing oral hygiene), fluoride prophylaxis (individually or professionally administered), and frequency of dental visits are described.Conclusion: Maintaining oral hygiene is difficult in children with autism, involving training, motivation, and remotivation in order to establish proper oral hygiene habits. Parental involvement in oral hygiene is observed more often in these children. Visiting a dentist in the early stages of development of temporary teeth leads to less need for treatment and fewer indications for treatment under general anesthesia