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.

Development of public health education in Bulgaria.

Abstract: Public health education in Bulgaria has developed strong traditions since the introduction of medical education in the country at the beginning of the 20th century. In the periods before and during the socialist regime, public health training suffered from a lack of integration and comprehensive epidemiological studies, insufficient training in management, and limited involvement of non-medical professionals. During the transition to a market economy after 1989, changes in the national context and the acceptance of modern European trends in health and educational policy became a solid base for further reform of public health education on all levels: undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education. Four new academic entities (faculties) for public health training were created in Bulgarian medical universities. The new faculties offering bachelors’, masters’ and doctoral degree programmes provided the basis for further expansion of public health education and research advancement.

The adipose tissue: a new member of the diffuse neuroendocrine system?

Abstract: Adipose tissue is a sophisticated module, consisting of adipocytes and non-adipocyte cellular elements including stromal, vascular, nerve and immune cells. There is at present evidence that sharing of ligands and their receptors constitutes a molecular language of the human's body, which is also the case for adipose tissue and hypothalamus-pituitary gland. Historically, Nikolai Kulchitsky's identification of the enterochromaffin cell in 1897 formed the basis for the subsequent delineation of the diffuse neuroendocrine system (DNES) by Friedrich Feyrter in 1938. In DNES paradigm, the secretion of hormones, neuropeptides and neurotrophic factors is executed by cells disseminated throughout the body, for example, Kulchitsky (enterochromaffin) cells, testicular Leydig cells, and hepatic stellate cells. Here we propose that the adipose tissue might be a new member of DNES. Today ( dnes , in Bulgarian), adipose tissue is "getting nervous" indeed: (i) synthesizes neuropeptides, neurotrophic factors, neurotransmitters, hypothalamic hormones/releasing factors and their receptors, (ii) like brain expresses endocannabinoids and amyloid precursor protein and, for steroidogenesis, the enzyme aromatase (P450arom), (iii) adipocytes may originate from the neural crest cells, and (iv) adipose-derived stem cells may differentiate into neuronal cells. Further molecular profiling of adipose tissue may provide new biological insights on its neuroendocrine potential. Overall this may frame a novel field of study, neuroadipobiology; its development and clinical application may contribute to the improvement of human's health. Adipobiology 2009; 1: 87-93.

Collaboration Patterns in Indian and Bulgarian Epidemiology of Neoplasms in Medline for 1966–1999

Abstract: The publication output of India and Bulgaria on epidemiology of neoplasms as reflected in Medline on CD-ROM for 1966–1999 was scientometrically analyzed. Indians have published 347 papers in 24 domestic journals but 444 papers in169 journals from 21 countries. Bulgarians have published 88 papers in 6 Bulgarian journals but 63 papers in 39 journals from 13 countries. Some 17 journals from 8 countries contained papers by Indian and Bulgarian authors both. Oncology dominated with 46 different journals. Indians have published papers in foreign journals of 30 thematic profiles but Bulgarians - of 12 ones. The collaboration of Indians and Bulgarians resulted from joint bilateral projects and/or postgraduate studies abroad.

Some aspects of the modern antihypertensive drug therapy and most common side effects

Abstract: Hypertensionor high blood pressure is one of the most common diseases worldwide affecting people and is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction, vascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Health care professionals must not only identify and treat patients with hypertension but also should have a good understanding of the side effects that accompany antihypertensive therapy. The aim of this review is to represent the most common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of the most prescribed antihypertensive drugs.

Cytoprotective and cytoproliferative effects of ethanolinfusions from Morus nigra and Cotinus coggygria heartwood in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Abstract: PURPOSE : The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of two ethanol infusions from the heartwood of mulberry tree (Morus nigra) and smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria) on viability of preadipocyte cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS : Preadypocyte 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 40% ethanol infusions from the heartwood of both species, as well as with 40% ethanol as a control. MTT-test was applied to assess cell viability. RESULTS : Ethanol infusions increased cell viability as compared to ethanol-treated controls. Along with the cytoprotective effect, also cytoproliferative effect was established for both infusions. CONCLUSION : Estimated cytoprotective percentage values of infusion in the nutrient medium could be used in further investigations aimed to explore biological effects of ethanol heartwood infusions from M. nigra and C. coggygria.