Varna Medical University Press: Journals
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Neurological and psychiatric comorbidities in children with epilepsy
Get PDFComorbidity in children with epilepsy is an important issue in current medical literature. Neurological and psychiatric diseases play a key role among accompanying conditions. The most common neurological comorbidities found in children with epilepsy include cerebral palsy (CP), headache, congenital abnormalities of the central nervous system, hydrocephalus, tumors, and sleep disorders. Autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, depression, and anxiety are prominent among psychiatric comorbidities. This work describes the neurological and psychiatric comorbidities in a population of Bulgarian children with epilepsy, with results similar to those published by other authors
A study of students' perspectives on the application of artificial intelligence in medicine
Get PDFArtificial intelligence and its related technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in business and society, and they are beginning to be used in healthcare. These technologies have the potential to transform many aspects of medicine, patient care, and administrative processes.Aim: The aim of this scientific study is to analyze the opinions of students from the Medical University of Varna regarding the application of artificial intelligence in medicine.Materials and Methods: Documentary analysis of available literature and a direct anonymous survey conducted from February to April 2024.Conclusions and Results: The study shows that more than half of the students (62%) use artificial intelligence in their daily lives, with a significant portion of them (42%) using it several times a week. However, 23% of respondents do not use these technologies at all, highlighting a divide in the degree of acceptance and usage. Respondents identify the field of laboratory analysis as the most necessary for training and working with AI. More than two-thirds of them are willing to work with AI in their medical practice but express concerns about barriers such as lack of training, computer literacy, and time. Additionally, significant barriers to communication through AI are particularly analyzed between the medical team and the patient's relatives, underscoring the need to build trust in innovative technologies in a clinical setting.In conclusion, artificial intelligence promises to change the way healthcare operates by offering new opportunities to improve patient care and the efficiency of medical processes. However, to fully utilize its potential, issues related to ethics, training, and regulations need to be addressed
Need for dental treatment according to age
Get PDFWe determined the dental status of 75 consecutive patients who visited a therapeutic dental office. We divided patients into five age groups to track changes that occur with advancing age.According to the total number of own teeth reported, it is clearly evident that persons under 50 years of age have retained dentition; persons from 50 to 64 years of age have a sufficient number of own teeth - average more than 25. It is impressive that even in the group of the oldest, the patients have a considerable number of teeth - about seventeen, with which, however, it is difficult to carry out a good masticatory function. As a person grows older, he or she progressively begins to lose teeth, and the number of intact teeth becomes fewer and fewer, up to about 3 in the group of patients over eighty.As time progresses, tooth extraction becomes more frequent. The need for fixed prosthetic treatment increases with time. Removable dentures are more commonly required after the age of 50, with 47% of the oldest using them. Patients over the age of 80 have the same need for tooth therapeutic treatment as younger patients.As a person ages, there is an increasing need for professional dental care to maintain good oral health
Activity Of Dental Technicians - Study Of Foreign Experience
Get PDFThe dental profession is developing at a rapid pace due to the introduction of new materials and technologies. The purpose of this article is to explore foreign experience regarding the activity of the specialty “dental technician”. 20 countries were studied, some of them EU members. The study and the comparative characterization made it possible to find similarities and differences, some of them significant. It has been found that in some countries there is the presence of the profession “Clinical dental technician” or also called “Prosthetic dental technician”, in others the presence of certified dental technicians and profiling depending on the manufactured dental prosthetic structures and assistants, apprentices, journeymen and master dental technicians. The basic qualities necessary for practicing and carrying out the activity in the specialty are identical for all dental technicians in the world. We still don’t have certification, official profiling and qualification degrees. Dental technicians in Bulgaria are healthcare workers and their profession is regulated. The training is three years and the educational qualification is “professional bachelor”. The comparative analysis made it possible to make recommendations to the professional organization and the legislator: development of rules and introduction of exams for certification and official profiling of those working in Bulgaria. Development and introduction of a master’s program in the specialty to help dental technicians successfully manage their practices and develop their activities, and why not an opportunity for upgrading train-ing to acquire the specialty “Clinical Dental Technician”/”Dental Prosthetic Technician”
Thoracoscopic techniques in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of pleural effusions—advantages and disadvantages of different thoracoscopic approaches
Get PDFIntroduction: Pleural effusions are among the most commonly encountered conditions in the field of thoracic surgery. There are numerous diagnostic and treatment options, but the timing and precise choice of intervention remains critical.Aim: The aim of this article is to present and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various thoracoscopic approaches in the diagnosis and radical treatment of pleural effusions.Materials and Methods: From 2012 to 2022, 325 patients with pleural effusions were treated in our clinic using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) techniques. Of these, 207 were male and 118 were female, aged between 15 and 88 years. The type of surgical access was selected based on the nature of the effusion—etiology, free or localized, radiographic findings, patient habitus, and our desired surgical volume.Results: Video-assisted thoracic surgery was used in 325 patients, with 173 having inflammatory and 152 having malignant effusions—primary and metastatic. A three-port approach was used in 27 patients, a two-port approach in 193, and a one-port approach in 105. The indications, contraindications, advantages, and disadvantages of each thoracoscopic approach were discussed, allowing for individualized treatment approaches and improved outcomes for each patient.Conclusion: The personalized choice of a specific thoracoscopic approach and technique in the treatment of pleural effusions is a crucial step in achieving the best results for each patient
Pneumatic vitreolysis in the treatment of vitreomacular traction syndrome: a comparison of pneumatic vitreolysis and combined pneumatic vitreolysis with simultaneous cataract surgery
Get PDFIntroduction: Vitreomacular traction (VMT) syndrome is characterized by an incomplete posterior vitreous detachment and the occurrence of subsequent anterior-posterior traction in the macular region, leading to morphological and functional changes.Aim: The aim of the study is to analyze the results in the treatment of phakic eyes with vitreomacular traction syndrome by two methods: application of pneumatic vitreolysis and a combined approach—cataract extraction (phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation) together with pneumatic vitreolysis simultaneously.Materials and Methods: A total of 12 patients (13 eyes) with vitreomacular traction syndrome, aged 59 to 87 years (mean 70.5 ± 8.4 years), divided into two groups were included:Group 1 (10 eyes): Patients without accompanying cataract or with cataract at an early stage of development, who underwent a single 27G-pars plana intravitreal application of 0.2cc 100% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).Group 2 (3 eyes): Patients with accompanying cataract who underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation and 27G-pars plana intravitreal application of 0.2cc 100% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).Results: We observed a mean success rate of pneumatic vitreolysis of 69.2% in all treated patients (70% for Group 1, 66.7% for Group 2).Conclusion: Pneumatic vitreolysis with expanding gas has very good results in the treatment of foveallocalized vitreomacular traction syndrome. Given the age of patients suffering from this disease and the likelihood of concomitant cataracts, the possibility of combining pneumatic vitreolysis with cataract surgery should be considered in the treatment plan. One-step application saves time and results in faster visual recovery and greater patient satisfaction
Surveillance of salmonellosis in the Varna region for the period 01.01–31.07.2024
Get PDFIntroduction: Non-typhoidal salmonella (NTS) is a foodborne zoonotic pathogen with significant implications for human health. Non-typhoidal salmonella infections continue to be a major global issue, representing the second most important zoonosis in the European Union (EU) and beyond. Aim: The aim of this article is to present the features of the epidemic process in NTS diseases in the Varna region and to evaluate the complex measures implemented to limit the spread of the infection and eliminate the epidemic focus. Materials and Methods: Official data from the Anti-Epidemic Control Department of the Regional Health Inspectorate (RHI) in Varna and data from the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (NCIPD) were used. Microbiological and epidemiological analyses, among others, were conducted during the processing of the information. Results: From 01.01 to 31.07.2024, 169 cases were registered. For this period, these cases accounted for about 30% of NTS patients in the Republic of Bulgaria. Five outbreaks were located in kindergartens, involving 134 cases. The remaining 35 cases were sporadic. Conclusion: Following the isolation of all individuals who tested positive and the prompt and appropriate implementation of revised measures, the epidemic outbreaks in Varna were effectively limited and eliminated
Modern application of phototherapeutic keratectomy in combination with serum drops in patients with pathological changes of the cornea
Get PDFIntroductionThe anterior ocular surface is a highly dynamic and sensitive structure that is always in contact with the environment. When it is disrupted, difficult-to-treat diseases occur, leading to reduced vision and a poor quality of life. Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) is considered a bridge between medical and surgical treatment of various corneal diseases. Additional treatment with autologous serum eye drops can support the re-epithelialization process and reduce subjective complaints before and after the procedure.AimThe aim of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of PTK in combination with the use of autologous serum drops in patients with pathological changes in the cornea who underwent treatment at the University Specialized Eye Hospital in Varna.Materials and MethodsFifteen patients (20 eyes) underwent PTK due to pathological changes in the cornea. Patients completed OSDI questionnaires before the procedure. After the procedure, autologous serum eye drops were applied 5 times a day for 6 weeks, at a concentration of 20% and in combination with a therapeutic contact lens. Postoperative results and subjective complaints of the patients were assessed using the included questionnaires.ResultsThe mean age of the studied patients was 45.6 years. Sixteen out of twenty eyes (80%) recovered without additional corneal erosion. Three eyes had 1 additional erosion, which in 2 cases was treatable with autologous serum eye drops without additional treatment with an excimer laser. In one patient, the observed recurrence required the placement of an amniotic membrane.ConclusionPhototherapeutic keratectomy is a safe and effective therapy. In combined treatment with autologous serum eye drops, the re-epithelialization process is faster, and subjective complaints before and after the procedure are reduced
Optimisation of post-production channel management
Get PDFThe problem of distributing their production. The structure of distribution channels often develops spontaneously through trial and error, based on the experience and intuition of marketing experts. Mathematical models of goods movement, regional supply chains and marketing are being developed.The goal of the research is to analyse approaches to optimising the post-production network of a specific enterprise as a basis for increasing sales through long-term partnerships.In accordance with the objectives of the study, the following tasks are set for implementation:1) building an integrated system for goods flows within the company's post-production network;2) identifying elements of the process of forming a distribution policy and choosing a channel