Showing papers by "Medical University of Varna published in 2002"
TL;DR: A new regression procedure for predicting the stature from the length of the limb long bones taking into account sex- and age-related changes is developed, providing better and more reliable results of stature estimation for the Bulgarian population than other formulae.
Abstract: Summary The purpose of the present study is to develop a new regression procedure for predicting the stature from the length of the limb long bones taking into account sex- and age-related changes. The statures and lengths of humerus (H), tibia (T) and fibula (Fi) were measured in 416 forensic cases (286 male and 130 female adult Bulgarians). The measurements of the bones and the stature were made on cadavers before autopsy. Stature regression analysis is performed for each of the three bones, as well as for a combination of humerus and tibia. There is a possibility of applying five different procedures with regard of the effect of aging on stature decrease. Resulting models are tested for outliers and heteroskedasticity. Regression parameters, their standard deviations, standard error of the regression, Anova test for model adequacy and the covariance matrix of regression parameters are calculated. The confidence intervals of the error term are determined. Nomograms for a direct application of the results are constructed where it is convenient. The method provides better and more reliable results of stature estimation for the Bulgarian population than other formulae.
106 citations
TL;DR: Rural incidence rates were over twice those reported for western populations but the rate for urban females was similar to other western rates, and marked heterogeneity in both stroke incidence and case fatality merit further investigation.
Abstract: Background: Bulgaria's official stroke mortality rates are higher for rural than urban areas. Official mortality data has indicated that these rates are amongst the highest in Europe. There has been a lack of studies measuring stroke incidence in urban and rural populations. Methods: We established intensive notification networks covering 37791 residents in Varna city and 18656 residents (55% of them village-dwellers), all aged 45 to 84, in 2 rural districts. From May 1, 2000 to April 30, 2001 frequent contact was maintained with notifiers and death registrations were scanned regularly. Suspected incident strokes were assessed by study neurologists within a median of 8 days from onset. Results: 742 events were referred for neurological assessment and 351 of these, which met the WHO criteria for stroke, were in persons aged 45 to 84 and were first ever in a lifetime. Incidence rates, standardised using the world standard weights for ages 45 to 84, were 909 (/100000/year) (95% CI 712–1105) and 597 (482–712) for rural and urban males and 667 (515–818) and 322 (248– 395) for rural and urban females. Less than half were admitted to hospital (15% among rural females over 65). Twenty-eight day case fatality was 35% (123/351) overall and 48% (46/96) in village residents. The excess case fatality in the villages could not be explained by age or severity. Conclusions: Rural incidence rates were over twice those reported for western populations but the rate for urban females was similar to other western rates. The high level and marked heterogeneity in both stroke incidence and case fatality merit further investigation.
34 citations
TL;DR: The results show that the ASA-induced gastric mucosal damage is accompanied by the development of oxidative stress, evidenced by the accumulation of MDA, and concomitant initial activation of cell antioxidant defences.
30 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that 8 months after PCA, catecholaminergic systems had reestablished their homeostasis, whereas serotonergic and histamine systems still show profound disturbances in their function.
Abstract: Portacaval anastomosis (PCA) in the rat is used as a model for portal systemic encephalopathy. Changes in the serotonergic, histaminergic, and catecholaminergic neurotransmitter systems are often found shortly after PCA. We have examined the long-term effects of PCA on the aminergic systems in brains of male Wistar rats, which 8 months previously had been subjected to PCA. Precursors, amines, and metabolites were assayed by HPLC. Eight months after PCA, the catecholamine levels were unchanged in all brain regions. In contrast, tryptophan was evenly increased throughout the brain. The accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan after decarboxylase inhibition (NSD-1015; 100 mg/kg i.p.) and the endogenous levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were significantly higher in PCA rats, particularly in the hypothalamus and midbrain, whereas 5-hydroxytryptamine concentrations were unchanged. Histamine levels were elevated throughout the brain with the greatest increase found in the hypothalamus and in the striatum. tele-Methylhistamine levels were significantly elevated in cortex and hypothalamus. We conclude that 8 months after PCA, catecholaminergic systems had reestablished their homeostasis, whereas serotonergic and histaminergic systems still show profound disturbances in their function. With histamine, this is reflected as an increase in the amounts of both transmitter and metabolite; serotonergic neurons respond by increasing only the level of the metabolite.
25 citations
TL;DR: It is speculated that some environmental factor may have had an impact on embryogenesis and resulted in nephropathy in patients with BEN, which could have been famine during the devastating Balkan wars in the beginning of 20th century or an infectious or environmental factor limited to the affected areas around the Danube river.
Abstract: There is evidence to suggest that a renal embryogenesis disorder, with an associated deficit of nephrons, may be the cause of nephropathy later in the lives of patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy
5 citations
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TL;DR: This paper was withdrawn by the author because severe errors were discovered as discussed by the authors, and a new paper was published in the same year. But this paper was not published in this paper.
Abstract: This paper was withdrawn by the author because severe errors were discovered.
5 citations
TL;DR: The 7th International Conference on NGF and Related Molecules celebrated this tour de force of NGF's discovery, by presenting the state-of-the-art in neurotrophic factor research, including 60 lectures and 75 posters from world experts in neurotrophobiology.
Abstract: In 1951, Rita Levi-Montalcini discovered nerve growth-stimulating factor, later named nerve growth factor (NGF), which today is recognized as the paradigm of a whole family of neurotrophic proteins, the neurotrophins. Half a century later, on 15-19 May, 2002, in Modena, Italy, The 7th International Conference on NGF and Related Molecules celebrated this tour de force of NGF's discovery, by presenting the state-of-the-art in neurotrophic factor research, including 60 lectures and 75 posters from world experts in neurotrophobiology. Biomedical Reviews 2002; 13: 67-69.
3 citations
TL;DR: This work focuses on the potential involvement of PAAT in the process of atherogenesis and angioplasty-induced restenosis, and considers the intimal smooth muscle cell proliferation as a key event in the generation, development and complication of atherosclerosis.
Abstract: The artery wall consists ofintima, media, and adventitia, the latter gradually transiting into the periadventitial adipose tissue (PAAT). Although many paths lead to atherosclerosis, the prevailing paradigm at present is Russell Ross's response-to-injury hypothesis, which states that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. This hypothesis considers the intimal smooth muscle cell proliferation as a key event in the generation, development and complication of atherosclerosis. Thus the potentially important role played by adventitial fibroblasts/myofibroblasts in atherosclerosis and postangioplasty restenosis, suggesting therapeutic perspectives targeted to these particular cells, has been neglected. Here we go further away from the intima, and focus on the potential involvement of PAAT in the process of atherogenesis and angioplasty-induced restenosis. Biomedical Reviews 2002; 13: 63-65.
3 citations
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TL;DR: It is hypothesized that the water inside the new-formed nanotubes can manifest optical coherent laser-like excitations and superradiance similarly to the processes taking part in the normal brain microtubules as shown by Jibu et al.
Abstract: Recent discovery by Perutz et al. of the physical structure of the amyloid that accumulates in neurons in certain neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease or Huntington's disease, suggests novel mechanism of consciousness impairment, different from the neuronal loss, which is the end stage of the pathogenic process. Amyloid is shown to be water-filled nanotubes made of polymerized pathologically-changed proteins. It is hypothesized that the water inside the new-formed nanotubes can manifest optical coherent laser-like excitations and superradiance similarly to the processes taking part in the normal brain microtubules as shown by Jibu et al. The interfering with the macroscopic quantum effects within the normal microtubules can lead to impairment of conscious experience. Experimental data in favor of quantum theory of consciousness can be obtained from the research of the amyloid nanotubes.
2 citations