Varna Medical University Press: Journals
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Body and Skin Hydration
Get PDFWater, the indisputable heart of life on Earth, plays an indispensable role in the dynamics of biological processes. All living organisms, from the simplest to the most complex, rely on it for survival. Water is the largest component of the human body, accounting for approximately 40 to 62% of body mass. Water balance is constantly challenged by transepidermal, respiratory, fecal, and urinary losses, with an average daily water turnover of 3.6±1.2 liters.It has been established that water is vital for the proper functioning of the human body, as it participates in numerous processes and is essential for the operation of all tissues and organs. Despite its importance, water is often referred to as a forgotten, neglected, and insufficiently researched nutrient.The purpose of this report is to reveal the significance of water for overall health and to highlight how optimal, regular water intake positively affects various aspects of well-being
Epidemiological Characteristics of Intestinal Infections in the Dobrich Region for the Period 2019–2023
Get PDFIntroduction: Intestinal infectious diseases are a major epidemiological group of importance in human pathology in Bulgaria and worldwide.Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the main epidemiological characteristics of intestinal infections, excluding the viral hepatitis group, in the Dobrich region.Materials and Methods: Data were collected from RHI-Dobrich, the National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (NCIPD), and the Ministry of Health's National System for Epidemiological Surveillance of Hospitals. Methods included epidemiological analysis, statistical methods, documentary analysis, and graphical presentation of results.Results: The incidence of intestinal infections in the Dobrich region during the studied period showed a clear tendency to decrease. There is a significant difference between the years before and after the pandemic. In 2019, the rates were slightly higher (29.81%) than the national average (29.27%). In the remaining period, they were below the national average.Conclusions: During the study period in the Dobrich district, salmonellosis and shigellosis exhibited a sporadic nature, with no recorded epidemic outbreaks except in isolated areas with low living standards and poor health habits. Colienteritis remains a prevalent cause of intestinal infections, with traditional epidemiological activity of pathogenic coli bacteria in early childhood (0–5 years)
The Role of Devices for Imitating the Movements of the Lower Jaw in the Practical Training of Students of Dentistry and Dental Medicine
Get PDFProfessional training plays a leading role in the development of human resources and is realized through interaction between teacher and student, with the aim of forming knowledge, skills, and habits. Future medical specialists—dentists and dental technicians—must understand the anatomy and physiology of all the elements that make up the masticatory apparatus, as well as the biomechanics of the complex movements performed in the lower part of the maxillofacial area. It is necessary for them to get an idea of how the chewing apparatus is built and functions as individual elements and as a whole. To get acquainted with the device and the practical use of various types of devices for reproducing the movements of the lower jaw, which will increase the medico-biological value of dental prosthetic structures. The study of the clinical and laboratory protocol for facebow and articulator work is included in the theoretical and practical training of both dental and dental technology students. Improper articulation between the occlusal surfaces of the tooth rows can lead to occlusal imbalance and craniofacial pain. Some of the studies prove that bruxism can often be caused by malocclusion as well.Aim: This study aims to analyze the role of mandibular movement simulators in the practical training of dental technology and dentistry students at the Medical University of Varna and Panacea-Community College in Tbilisi, Georgia, while identifying key trends.Materials and Мethods: The electronic databases of Research-Gate, Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed and Scopus were used. In order to achieve the goal, references were made to the necessary documentation providing practical training for dental technology students at the Medical College in Varna and Panacea-Community College, Tbilisi, Georgia, as well as for dental medicine students at the Faculty of Dental Medicine (FDM) at the Medical University of Varna.Conclusions: Despite the stated advantages of more complex devices (class III and class IV articulators) in dental practice and during the practical training of dental technology and dental medicine students, the use of class II devices is preferred in both Bulgaria and Georgia. Digital fabrication of prostheses is the future of dental technology and has the potential to provide lower cost and higher quality patient care, but still much of the technology for manufacturing dentures requires real working models to be incorporated into analog device for reproducing the movements of the lower jaw. Given the advantages of class III articulators, it is recommended that dental technology and dental medicine students primarily train with them
Express Monitoring of Hygiene and Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections
Get PDFIntroduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are often caused by contaminated or inadequately cleaned surfaces and the hands of hospital personnel.Aim: This study investigates and analyzes the levels of contamination on hospital surfaces, medical instruments, and staff hands.Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted from June to August 2024 at St. Marina UniversityHospital in Varna. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) monitoring was performed on 301 epidemiologically significant hospital objects. Sampling was carried out using the EnSURE system, including the Ultrasnap single-use device and a real-time test-reading device. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, as well as documentary and graphic methods.Results: The study encompassed 21 clinics of St. Marina University Hospital in Varna. A total of 301 hospital surfaces were examined using the luminometry method to evaluate cleanliness. Of these, 54.3% (n=163) met acceptable ATP levels ("passes"), 13.6% (n=41) were classified as "cautionary," and 32.1% (n=97) exceeded acceptable levels ("failed").Conclusion: The results indicate a significant adherence to hygiene standards in many cases but also highlight areas requiring improvement. Staff training to enhance competence in cleaning protocols is essential to minimize the risks of HAIs
Food Colorings and Their Impact on Food Choices Among Students
Get PDFIntroduction: Reports suggest that food colorings may contribute to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and teenagers. While some studies confirm this effect, others rеject it. In the educational system, topics related to healthy eating are addressed; however, the discussion of potential chemical contaminants in food, particularly colorings, remains unclear.Aim: This study aims to determine whether food colorings influence food choices among students from different age groups.Materials and Methods: A documentary analysis and a sociological survey were conducted with 138 participants (69 students and 69 parents) using a self-developed questionnaire between April and August 2024.Results and Discussion: The majority of students (71.9%) reported that they can purchase food independently. Of these, 63.8% consume fast food, croissants, and wafers daily. For half (50%) of the respondents, "taste preferences" were the primary factor influencing their food choices. Nearly all parents (98.5%) strongly believe that colorings should be clearly marked on labels, similar to allergens.Conclusion: The findings indicate that topics related to food choices are rarely discussed in schools, and students do not rely on reliable sources, such as educational institutions or personal physicians, for guidance
Internal root resorption—causes and treatment
Get PDFTo create the article, summarized data from articles, publications and research results on the subject were reviewed and summarized to facilitate easy diagnosis and the choice of treatment for teeth with internal root resorption. Internal root resorption is a pathological condition of the endodontium of vital teeth, in which clastic resorption of hard dental tissues is observed, leading to pathological communication of the tooth with the surrounding tissues. Diagnosed in time, it can be successfully treated, while the tooth retains its functional and aesthetic qualities
The Role Of Omega-3 Supplements On The Symptoms Of Autism In Children: A Narrative Review
Get PDFAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions for which the direct cause is yet to be determined. ASD is characterised by impaired social interaction and social communication, speech and language disorders, rigid or repetitive behaviour with atypical or excessive interests for individual’s age and sociocultural context. There are many proposed treatments for autism and among them is omega-3 fatty acids (OFA), but their efficacy is yet to be proven. Considering the link between OFA and the function and development of the brain, it is reasonable to explore if supplementation could provide improvement of symptoms. The aim of this study is to review the possible role and effect of OFA supplementation on ASD symptoms. We conducted a narrative review, initially examining 145 articles from PubMed and Google Scholar. Out of these, 13 articles were selected for detailed review, without any time restriction. The keywords used were “omega-3,” “autism,” “children,” and “nutrition.” We selected articles that included OFA supplementation, children diagnosed with autism, and the impacts on autism symptoms. Our research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids supplementation could be beneficial in improving the core symptoms in children diagnosed with ASD. However, the data is still non-conclusive and further research is needed to confidently conclude whether OFA supplementation has a place in treatment of ASD
Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension – a forgotten disease
Get PDFIdiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a rare and progressive disease, which affects predominantly young women and is associated with frequent complications and high rates of premature death. We present a case of a 37-year-old woman, diagnosed with IPAH after undergoing right heart catheterisation (RHC) with registered mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 54 mmHg and other haemodynamic data suggesting precapillary disease. After a negative vasoreactive test was acquired, monotherapy with endothelin antagonist was initiated. A year later a phosphodiesterase inhibitor was added to the treatment due to worsening of the physical capacity and some other markers. For a period of four years the patient was with a stable clinical course, but since the beginning of 2024 she has started showing signs of decompensated right-sided heart failure and experienced multiple complications. As a result of rhythm and conduction pathology, an electrocardiostimulator was implanted. She was treated for jugular vein thrombosis and later on a haemotransfusion due to bleeding was performed. Treatment of patients with PAH group I is complex because of the dynamic nature of the disease and the need for individual approach, which often requires the united efforts of a multidisciplinary team
Confidence In Angiographic Nurses – A Prerequisite For Effective Medical Care
Get PDFTrust between patients and nurses is a key element in health care and has a significant impact on the quality of medical care and patient satisfaction. It is a complex, multi-layered process that includes both emotional and rational aspects. Patient trust in angiography room nurses is the result of a combination of professional and interpersonal skills that build security and peace of mind in the care and treatment process.Objective: To investigate the opinion of patients regarding their level of trust in nurse practitioners in an angiography room during an invasive procedure.Material and methods: The opinion of a total of n=130 patients, of whom n=79 men and n=51 women, hospitalized on a planned basis in invasive cardiology departments at UMBAL "St. Marina" - city of Varna, SBALK "Cardiolife" - city of Varna, UMBAL "Kanev" - city of Ruse, UMBAL "Georgi Stranski" - city of Pleven, MBAL "Dr. Tota Venkova" - city of Veliko Tarnovo, MBAL " City Clinic" - Saint George" - the city of Montana and MBAL "Uni Hospital" - the city of Panagyurishte, regarding their trust in the invasive cardiology nurse. Documents, sociological and statistical methods were used in the research process. The statistical package IBM Statistics - SPSS for Windows, ver. 19 and MS Excel 2021.Results and discussion: When analyzing the obtained results, we found that the proportion of surveyed patients who trust nurses during an invasive examination is remarkably high (81%)
Nurses Competence In The Assessment Of Oncological Pain
Get PDFIntroduction: Various studies have reported that patients who do not receive adequate symptom management may experience increased psychological distress treatment delays or non-adherence prolonged hospital stay and negative effects on quality of life.Objective: To investigate the competence of nurses related to the application of professional care in cancer pain assessment.Materials and methods: The study surveyed 180 nurses working at the Clinical Center – Shumen, Clinical Center Ruse, SBALOZ “Dr. Marko Markov” Varna, Oncology Clinic at the University Hospital “St. Marina” in Varna and 250 hospitalized patients in the same healthcare facilities.Results and discussion: A large proportion of nurses are willing to provide care to a patient with pain (66%), with the leading need for professional care in patients with pain being opioid medication (28%). Approximately half of the surveyed nurses are prepared to apply rating scale to a patient with cancer (56%). A slight difference was found in the competence of working nurses in assessing pain according to the medical institutions. According to the patients, a large proportion of nurses apply painkillers at a precisely defined time in order to achieve a 24-hour effect of the therapy (66%).Conclusion: The study shows that pain remains a key challenge in nursing practice, with a significant proportion of nurses expressing the opinion that they are prepared to provide care. There is also a need for additional training for nurses, covering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills including the use of standardized pain assessment to ensure quality care for all patients