Varna Medical University Press: Journals
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Approaches in using Python for image processing
Get PDFImage processing is an increasingly widespread field in computer science. On the other hand, it is increasingly used both in modern business and in social communication. We will look at image manipulation methods, emphasizing approaches for comparing them. We will offer ways to process images included in popular specialized applications. We emphasize the use of the popular Python programming language, which is becoming more and more popular due to its ease of use and large range of tools. We will look at some of the image processing and analysis libraries used in Python
The application of the uniform system of accounts for the lodging industry in high- category seaside hotels in Northeast Bulgaria
Get PDFThe Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry aims to provide an accounting model that can be easily adapted by hotels of different sizes and categories. The information from it should be useful for both internal and external users and allow the comparison of hotels located even in different countries. At this stage there is no thorough empirical study on the implementation of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry in Bulgaria. The present study investigates the implementation of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry in high- category seaside hotels in the Northeast region of Bulgaria
Sigma convergent analysis of the production structure of the Bulgarian economy
Get PDFThe article examines the structural convergence of production in the Bulgarian economy to the Eurozone using the σ analysis methodology. It first shows the dynamics of the aggregated divergence index and then of the dissimilarity and distance index. These three indices were calculated for each year of the analyzed period, and when interpreting their results, emphasis is placed on the direction and speed of their change over time
Perceptions about neighbouring countries - evidence from Bulgaria
Get PDFPerceptions about various countries reverberate in attitudes about products, migration and investments originating from the respective countries, as well as in changes in demand for products, migration and investments. In our study we analyse the changes eventuated in the recent couple of years, extending several studies from previous periods. We apply the psychosemantics approach and the repertory grid as the main research methodology. The countries in focus are the neighbouring Balkan countries, as well as the two big European ones - Russia and Germany. Using correspondence analysis, we compare results from two samples from 2021 and 2023. Discovered is a major change in perceptions about Russia, accompanied with certain shifts in the composition of the main factors. We interpret these changes as reflecting some substantial changes in the political sentiments of Bulgarian society
Cash conversion cycle in multi-specialty hospitals for active treatment from Varna region
Get PDFCash conversion cycle is an essential aspect of holistic financial management and metric for its efficiency. However, there is a limit of empirical evidence for its implementation in Bulgaria. The main purpose of this article is to study the cash conversion cycle in multi-specialty hospitals for active treatment (MBAL) from Varna region in the period 2018-2022. Cash conversion cycle assessment includes inventory turnover, receivables collection period and obligations payment period. Only 4 MBALs fall in the scope of the analysis. The small number of hospitals and results volatility limit the opportunity to formulate essential conclusions and generalizations. During the period one of the hospitals, stand out with negative values of cash conversion cycle. The remaining MBALs demonstrate a slowdown in the inventory turnover. One of them has stable indicators for receivable collection period, obligations payment period and cash conversion cycle. Others extend receivable collection period, shorter obligations payment period and as a result – extend cash conversion cycle
Cultural integration of people with impaired vision. 50 years of the House of Culture for the Blind in Varna
No full textPeople with visual disabilities have a specific need of creativity in the area of music and other arts. The cultural center of the blind, created 50 years ago, is a center for practicing and performing these arts. Over the years dozens of visually impaired people have been participating in different schools and art groups. The center is still full of life and can serve as an example for the current pragmatic generations. The power of spirit and the aspiration for creation and beauty of the artists with visual disabilities are admirable and worthy of high appreciation
Inflammation as a risk factor in patients with ischemic heart disease
Get PDFVascular inflammation plays an important pathophysiological role in the evolution of atherosclerosis and its complications. Measurement of vascular inflammation using validated biomarkers enables assessment of residual cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary artery disease. One of the most studied inflammatory biomarkers in this group of patients is the high-sensitivity c-reactive protein. The aim of this article is to provide a concise overview on the existing evidence concerning the predictive value of high-sensitivity c-reactive protein as a marker for assessing basal levels of vascular inflammation in patients with ischemic heart disease
Intense pulsed light (IPL): An innovative method for the treatment of Meibomian gland dysfunction in patients with dry eye disease
Get PDFIntroduction: Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a leading cause of dry eye syndrome. They produce lipids that contribute to the integrity of the tear film and slow down its evaporation. When these glands become blocked, they can lead to symptoms associated with dry eye disease. Until recently, only tear substitutes containing lipid components, omega-3 fatty acids, warm compresses, and topical anti-inflammatory agents were used for treatment. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a new treatment option for dry eye syndrome due to meibomian gland dysfunction.Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IPL for the treatment of dry eye syndrome due to meibomian gland dysfunction in patients of different age groups by examining the non-invasive tear breakup time (NITBUT) and Schirmer’s test measured before IPL treatment and their change after two IPL procedures.Material and Methods: ANTARES corneal topographer (CSO, ANTARES-2017) was used to measure the indicators. Intense pulsed light treatment was given to 61 patients in both eyes. Each patient had a second-degree MGD and underwent two procedures at an interval of two weeks. The tear breakup time (TBUT) and Schirmer’s test were assessed at baseline and two weeks after the last treatment. The analysis, by which the data were processed, is GLM Repeated Measures.Results: The majority of tests documented an improvement in the clinically relevant parameters, including the tear breakup time, Schirmer’s test, meibum quality, and Standard Evaluation of Eye Dryness Questionnaire. Side effects were relatively rare, but included discomfort and skin erythema. Age, gender and the application of artificial tears did not have a significant effect on the described results.Conclusion: Intense pulsed light shows therapeutic potential for MGD treatment, improving the quality of the tear film and reducing the symptoms of dry eye syndrome
Study of CA-125 and VEGF biomarkers in drained peritoneal solution in peritoneal dialysis patients
Get PDFIntroduction:During long-term treatment with peritoneal dialysis, structural and functional changes occur in the peritoneal membrane (PM). Peritoneal biopsy is the gold standard for detecting histopathological changes in the peritoneum, but as an invasive procedure it is not applied routinely. In the clinical practice, non-invasive Peritoneal Equilibration Test is used, but as it is not completely informative, new noninvasive methods are needed.Aim: The aim of this article is to evaluate the applicability of new non-invasive carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) biomarkers in drained peritoneal dialysate for assessment of the functional status of the peritoneal membrane in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Materials and Methods: A total of 35 patients (22 men and 13 women; aged 28 to 78 years) on peritoneal dialysis were included in the study. Creatinine ratio between dialysate and plasma was measured by Jaffe’s method both at the beginning and at the end of the study. CA-125 and VEGF in drained peritoneal dialysate were determined by ELISA at 4h and 12h dwell time both at the beginning and at the end of the study. Standard statistical methods were used and p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.Results: During follow-up we observed significant decrease in D/P-creatinine values, significant decrease in drained peritoneal dialysate volume, significant decrease of CA-125 appearance rates, and no significant change in the appearance rate of VEGF. We observed large interindividual variations of the CA-125 biomarker in both at the beginning and at follow-up.Conclusions: In our study, CA-125 was more informative for the functional state of the PM as we found a significant decrease of the CA-125 levels which parallels the conventional biomarkers used. Our study did not confirm VEGF as a suitable biomarker for assessment of the PM function as we did not observe significant changes in the VEGF levels during PD treatment. CA-125 testing in PD would have advantages as addition to classical tests
Which medical specialists can advise patients about medicines (analysis of data in the leaflets)?
Get PDFObjective: The aim of this study is to assess the specificity of the patient information provided in the leaflets accompanying the most commonly used medicines in Bulgaria, with special attention paid to the relationship between the type of pharmaceutical form and the recommendations for consultation with a specific medical specialist.Materials and methods: The object of the study are 2500 patient leaflets for medicines classified by the annual reports of the Bulgarian Medicines Agency (BMA) as the most frequently used medicinal products available on the market in our country. Тhe study was conducted in three steps: 1) Collection of data from the electronic versions of the patient leaflets; 2) Summarizing and systematizing the information required by Regulation No. 38/13.9.2007 regarding the "special recommendation for consultation with the doctor or pharmacist (depending on the case) in case of need for clarifications regarding the use of the product", by using specialized text analysis software; 3) Data analysis according to a pre-developed protocol based on the list of standard terms of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Healthcare, specifically concerning the dosage forms and the classification of the professional qualifications of medical specialists.Results: After selecting the leaflets of the medicines, in which it is written that only the physician provides additional information about the intake of the product (n=82), an analysis was made of the type of pharmaceutical form of these products. Half of the cases in this selection are oral forms, followed by injection forms with 24%, in third place are infusion forms with 19%. In the leaflets where it is mentioned that “physician, pharmacist and nurse” are the ones providing information (n=192), the most frequently encountered are oral forms (54%), followed by injectable (19%) and infusion (17%). In the leaflets where the physician and nurse are mentioned as the source of information (n=155), infusion forms prevail - 52%, followed by injectable (33%), oral (10%) and implants (5%).Conclusion: This study of specific regulatory drug data analyses the relationship between the type of pharmaceutical forms and the healthcare professionals who are mentioned in the leaflets as persons providing information to patients. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that for infusion and injectable forms, the physician and nurse are mentioned in over half of the selected leaflets. These medications require the use of medical devices for their application and sometimes special equipment, which is why they require specialized consultation