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.

Halotherapy - benefits and risks

Abstract: Salt has been used for millennia in different parts of the world by different cultures because of its health benefits and therapeutic effect. Halotherapy is a dry salt therapy that is provided in environments, with special equipment called a halogenerator. In the last decades halotherapy has gained the trust of more and more people around the world and has been spreading quickly in many countries. The positive results from the therapy last for more than a year. The possibility to combine it with other physical therapy methods, as well as with pharmacological therapy, makes halotherapy a treatment of choice in mild and moderate forms of bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive bronchitis, post-pneumonia states and various other respiratory and skin diseases. The insignificant side effects, together with the conduction of this treatment in a cosy environment, have a beneficial effect on the psycho-emotional state of adult patients and children. The aim of the article is to reveal the benefits of halotherapy as an alternative method for treating pulmonary and skin diseases and some other conditions. Technology and application method are mentioned as well as main therapeutic factors, the positive effects, contraindications for its application and some side reactions that may occur during treatment.

SPAs and wellness – a new philosophy for harmony in life

Abstract: The article reveals the development of spa therapy through the years and centuries and its revival by receiving renewed attention from many medical specialties and health tourists. According to their character spas nowadays reflect the progress of science and culture of mankind. The accent is on the contemporary understanding of spa which is based on health promotion and prevention of illnesses. The idea for health prophylaxis has reached a higher level which serves as a base for thefoundations of wellness conception. The idea of this conception is aspiration for achieving complete prosperity of the human personality by synergy of all aspects of health - physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and social.

Laser Surface Melting of Austenitic Cr-Ni Stainless Steel

Abstract: The present paper deals with the microstructure and hardness distribution in width and in depth of the surface layer of steel Ch18N10T GOST (AISI 321, EN X6CrNiTi 18-10) after surface melting by continuous wave CO2 laser. Light microscopy, XRD analysis and Vickers hardness testing (HV5 and HV0,05) have been used in our research. Phase analysis shows disturbance of the mono-phase initial austenitic structure in the treated layer. The structure of the melted pool consists of austenite with dendrite morphology and δ-ferrite situated in the dendrites’ cores. The ferrite has been clearly identified by XRD analysis. As a result from fast heating and cooling, ferrite, obtained by diffusionless sliding mechanism, was observed along the austenite grains’ boundaries in the heat affected zone. The presence of small inclusions of supposed Ti carbide, non-identified by XRD analysis, was also observed. The durometric investigations show that the surface hardness in the melted zone is in the range 180-210 HV5 while that of the basic metal is about 270 HV5.

Detection of Autoantibodies to Complement Components by Surface Plasmon Resonance-Based Technology.

Abstract: The innate immune complement system is a powerful defense cascade against pathogens, but can induce host tissue damage when overactivated. In pathological conditions, mainly but not restricted to renal diseases, such as lupus nephritis, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, and C3 glomerulopathies, complement is overactivated or dysregulated by autoantibodies directed against its components and regulators. Among the key autoantibody targets are the initiator of the classical complement pathway C1q, the alternative pathway regulator Factor H, the components of the alternative pathway C3 convertase complex C3 and Factor B and the convertase complex itself. This methodological article describes our experience with a method for detection of anti-complement autoantibodies in real time using surface plasmon resonance-based technology. It allows label-free evaluation of the binding efficacy and stability of the formed antigen-antibody complexes.