Medical University of Varna

About: Medical University of Varna is a education organization based out in Varna, Varna, Bulgaria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 1199 authors who have published 1273 publications receiving 32940 citations. The organization is also known as: MU-Varna & Higher Medical Institute of Varna.

Primary Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma of the Renal Capsule: A Histopathological Case Report.

Abstract: Lymphomas are one of the most common malignant entries across all populations. Originating most commonly from the lymph nodes, extranodal lymphomas, including those originating from the connective tissue capsule of the internal organs, are rare entries. Herein we present a case report of a 78-year-old male patient presenting with a palpable mass in the region of the left kidney. Ultrasound and computer tomography revealed a mass engulfing the kidney. Nephrectomy was performed, with the histopathological investigation revealing a non-Hodgkin lymphoma originating from the renal capsule, with infiltration into the adjacent tissues. The patient was referred to a hematologist for treatment and one and a half years later, following two negative bone marrow biopsies, the patient is alive and disease-free.

One-minute time interval estimation as a novel potent indicator of emotional concerns in cancer patients prior to starting chemotherapy

Abstract: Our study explored the potential relationship between time estimation and issues that lead to distress in cancer patients prior to starting chemotherapy. Time estimation was assessed in 375 chemonaive patients with solid tumors by evaluating each subject’s prospective estimation of how quickly one minute passed compared to the actual time. The median estimated value (40 s) was used to stratify the patients into the two categories of fast and slow time estimation. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer (DT) and Problem List (PL) were used at the beginning of treatment to evaluate levels of distress and patient concerns. A fast time estimation correlated significantly with gender and items reported in the emotional domain on the PL. Females exhibited significantly faster time estimation than males. Patients who reported fear, worry and loss of interest in usual activities estimated the one-minute interval significantly faster than patients who did not report such items. In the multivariate logistic regression model, patients who experienced fast time estimation had a higher risk of reporting items in the emotional domain. Time estimation is a novel potent indicator of emotional concerns on the PL. This test is an easily performed, time-saving, nonintrusive, ultrashort screening tool that is suitable even for patients who are not willing to reveal their emotional status via direct questionnaires.

The pros and cons of prostate-specific antigen testing

Abstract: After its isolation in 1979, the prostate-specific antigen focused the interest of the urologists and soon became one of the most popular serum tumor markers. A large body of evidence, accumulated throughout the last two decades, convincingly proves that prostate-specific antigen is not only useful for marking the progress of prostatic carcinoma, but additionally has a potential role for the screening and diagnosis of this disease. This Dance Round briefly summarizes the various aspects of the clinical utility of prostate-specific antigen testing, the existing controversy due to its numerous limitations, and the current refinements in pros­tate-specific antigen levels, aiding to improve the specificity of the test. When all the pros and cons of prostate-specific antigen testing are evaluated, it becomes evident that the benefits of the test significantly outweigh its drawbacks. Biomedical Reviews 2001; 12: 57-63.

The Risk Reduction Effect of a Nutritional Intervention With a Partially Hydrolyzed Whey-Based Formula on Cow's Milk Protein Allergy and Atopic Dermatitis in High-Risk Infants Within the First 6 Months of Life: The Allergy Reduction Trial (A.R.T.), a Multicenter Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract: The role of partially hydrolyzed formulas (pHF) as part of nutritional interventions to prevent the development of allergic manifestations (AM) is questioned, and efficacy of each specific pHF should be substantiated.To investigate the risk-reduction effect of a whey-based pHF on the development of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants at high-risk for allergy within the first 6 months of life.In a multicenter double-blinded randomized controlled setting, healthy non-exclusively breastfed full-term infants, received either a specific whey-based pHF or a standard cow's milk-based formula (SF) and were clinically assessed for AM at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, supported by the objective scoring tools SCORAD and CoMiSS. CMPA was confirmed by open food challenge. Intention-to-Treat (ITT) and Per-Protocol (PP) analyses were performed.Of 331 randomized subjects (ITT analysis set), 160 received the pHF and 171 the SF. Six (3.8%) infants in the pHF and 12 (7%) in the SF group developed CMPA (p = 0.186). AD incidence was significantly lower in those receiving pHF as compared to SF (10.6% vs. 18.7%, p = 0.024) with a relative risk (RR, 95% CI) of 0.54 (0.32, 0.92), in particular when adjusting for family history of AD [6.5% vs. 27.3%, RR 0.24 (0.07, 0.78), p = 0.018] representing a risk reduction of 76%. The PP analysis showed similar results.This specific whey-based pHF reduced the risk of AD development, particularly in those with a family history of AD, and tended to reduce the development of CMPA in non-exclusively breastfed infants at high-risk for allergy. The A.R.T. study suggests that this particular pHF may contribute to measures aimed at prevention of allergic manifestations. However, further studies are needed to confirm this risk-reduction effect.

Hepcidin and beta-thalassemia major – diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

Abstract: Iron overload is one of the major pathophysiological mechanisms of organ damages in the transfusion-dependent anemia to which β-thalassemia major belongs. The accumulated free intracellular iron as a result of increased intestinal absorption, the frequent hemotransfusions and the premature death of erythrocytes leads to secondary hemosiderosis and tissue hypoxia. Hepcidin is a regulator of the iron metabolism. The article reviews the effects of hepcidin in maintaining iron homeostasis, as well as new diagnostic and therapeutic aspects in patients with β-thalassemia major.