Body Composition Assessment in Young Bulgarian Tennis Athletes

Body composition is a major factor determining achievements in racket sports (tennis, table tennis and squash) and plays a significant role in the level of physical development. The aim of the present study is to assess body composition in young Bulgarian tennis players. A total of 86 boys (26 tennis players, 60 schoolchildren), aged 10-11 years, participated in this cross-sectional study. Body composition was determined by means of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance measurements (BIA). The following anthropometric indices were calculated: fat mass index (FMI=fat mass/ stature2, kg/ m2), fat free mass index (FFMI= fat free mass/ stature2, kg/m2). Comparisons between groups were performed by Student t-test (P0.05). In athlete they were 14.12± 0.98 kg/m2 and in non-athlete – 14.30 ± 1.04 kg/ m2. Training experience of TP was significantly and negatively correlated with several anthropometric traits and indices of body composition. Physical activity, particular tennis training was inversely correlated with body weight, body fat and FMI, moderately correlated with FFM in children

Parathyroid Scintigraphy

The visualization of abnormal parathyroid glands is difficult due to their variations in number and localization. Noninvasive parathyroid imaging studies include 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy, ultrasonography, computed tomography scanning, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. There is a general consensus that the most sensitive and specific imaging modality, especially when it is combined with single-photon emission CT is the scintigraphy with 99mTc-sestamibi or 99mTc-tetrofosmin. 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy significantly increases the role of preoperative scintigraphy in patients with hyperparathyroidism and allows unilateral surgical approach with minimally invasive parathyroidectomy to be used. Generally, three protocols with the use of two radiopharmaceuticals, 99mTc-sestamibi or 99mTc-tetrofosmin, are most widely applied: single-phase dual-isotope subtraction, dual-phase single-isotope and combination of both. Each one of them has specific advantages and disadvantages. While single parathyroid adenomas are localized with greater precision, hyperfunctioning parathyroid hyperplastic cells represent a real challenge to the imaging modalities. Several factors can influence the radionuclide uptake in pathologically changed parathyroid cells, like the size, the level of their functional activity, the quantity of oxyphilic cells, mitochondria, P glycoprotein and other MDR gene products

Sociological features of violence among students in conditions of social crisis

Violence is a dynamic process, a rapidly changing phenomenon having a regional manifestation. The causes of violence in a school environment are complex and arise from various factors of a personal and societal nature. The research interest is related to the review of current issues related to violence, physical education and sports, as well as normative aspects of regulation to optimize social processes in the specific sphere, as part of the processes taking place in our society. The purpose of the empirical sociological research is to establish the content and characteristics of violence among students at school, ways to overcome and control in conditions of social crisis. To solve the main tasks, achieve the goal and prove the hypothesis, a complex methodology of researching literary and normative sources, content analysis was applied. Based on an in-depth analysis of qualitative and quantitative data in several metropolitan schools, the dominant causes and factors of student violence are explored. The impact of physical education and sports as a factor in the prevention of violence is analysed. Conclusion: the prevention of violence in schools between students requires systematic actions and specialized training, preparation of all institutions, educational programs in support of tolerance

Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance – analysis of awareness of students

Introduction: Antibiotics are some of the most precious achievements in medicine. Nowadays there is the danger of losing their activity due to the increase of antibiotic resistance (AR). In relation to November 18 – European Antibiotic Awareness Day, we at Medical College “Y. Philaretova” developed an educational poster, using materials of the British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. After introducing the poster, we conducted a questionnaire research among students in specialty “Medical Laboratory Technician”.Aim: The aim of the current work is to analyze the awareness of students about this problem.Materials and Methods: The questionnaire forms consisted of 11 questions of 3 to 5 multiple choice answers. They were spread for voluntary and anonymous filling out. Statistic processing by Excel and determining of relative share were applied in the analysis of results.Results: A total of 77 out of the 85 questionnaire forms were filled out, which marks an activity of 87.5%. Excellent answers were obtained for the questions concerning the causes and consequences of development of AR – relative share between 71% and 100%. Lower success rate - 43-95 %, showed the questions about mechanisms and epidemiology of AR. Unsatisfactory were the answers of the questions concerning the significance of antibiotics for the current achievements in medicine and in case of inability to limit AR – 11% and 56%, respectively.Conclusion: The students demonstrated relatively good level of knowledge about AR (apparently helped by the developed poster). Much more knowledge on antibiotics and AR is needed by future medical specialists, including for multidisciplinary training and improvement of the educational programs

Haberlea rhodopensis alcohol extract normalizes stress-responsive transcription of the human TP53 gene

The Orpheus flower Haberlea rhodopensis (Friv.) of the family Gesneriaceae can go into anabiosis for long periods in an almost entirely desiccated state. It is an endemic relict from the Balkan Peninsula. Alcohol extracts from H. rhodopensis contain many biologically active substances with potent antioxidant, antigenotoxic, radioprotective, revitalizing and antiaging capabilities. However, regulating the gene networks responsible for these activities is vastly unknown. This study explores the cellular mechanisms underlying the protective effect of H. rhodopensis extracts (HRE). HeLa cells (human cervix epithelial carcinoma, HeLa ATCC® CCL-2™) were used as a model. We examined the changes in catalase activity and TP53 mRNA level shortly after oxidative (H2O2) and ionizing radiation (IR) induced stress with and without pre-incubation with HRE extracts. The dynamics in the activity of catalase, a main cellular antioxidant enzyme, and the expression of the stress-responsive gene TP53 were investigated by UV spectrophotometric assay and RT-qPCR, respectively. Under the applied stress conditions, H2O2 treatment and gamma radiation, catalase activity increased. This was a sign of induced ROS generation. In the first hours after treatment, the two stressors led to opposite changes in the levels of TP53 gene expression, which were alleviated by pre-incubation with HRE in a concentration-dependent manner. The broad biological activities of the studied extract, taking into account our results, show that ability of HRE to reduce the effect of stress is achieved through complex molecular mechanisms aimed at preserving cellular homeostasis. Mechanisms include the normalization of antioxidant enzyme activity such as catalase and the activity of TP53, one of the genes responsive to stress, by up or down-regulation

Nutritional status, macro- and micronutrient deficiency in children with neurodevelopmental disorders

The nutritional status of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) has a significant impact on their overall health and quality of life. Most of the scientific research, exploring NDD children`s nutrition, has been dedicated to cerebral palsy (CP) patients who are reported to suffer from malnutrition in 46% - 90% of the cases. The etiology of malnutrition in children with NDD involves many underlying factors and can be contributed to both nutritional and non-nutritional factors. Obesity typically associated with mentally retarded children and children with genetic syndromes (e.g. Down syndrome) is nowadays less frequently observed. The energy needs of children with severe cases of central nervous system disorder differ from the energy requirements of normally developing children. The difference can be largely attributed to the interplay of several factors affecting the basal metabolic rate. The prevalence of malnutrition can induce or worsen respiratory failure as well as secondary immune deficiency, which in turn affects the prognosis of the underlying disease. Macronutrient deficiency in NDD children is commonly accompanied by micronutrient losses of folate, iron, magnesium, vitamin D, essential fatty acids, etc., which are crucial for a number of metabolic pathways. The lacking in any or all macro- and micronutrients may produce symptoms that are difficult to distinguish from the already present neurological disorder. This situation calls for a comprehensive evaluation and nutritional support for NDD children for an improved prognosis and quality of life, considering the current data and knowledge on the problem

Graves’ Disease and Pregnancy

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune organ specific disease characterized by excessive production of hormones from the thyroid gland and by its diffuse enlargement. The growth and function of the thyroid gland are stimulated by autoantibodies directed against the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor. Pregnancies complicated by Graves’ disease are characterized with higher incidence of abortion, preterm delivery, low-birth- weight infants and neonatal mortality, as well as maternal complications such as heart failure, eclampsia and rarely thyroid storm. When fully controlled hyperthyroidism have excellent outcomes. Different therapeutic approaches are used in women with Graves’ planning pregnancy and in those when the disease is diagnosed after they became pregnant. Thionamides are the first choice for treatment, with Propylthyouracil being preferred for the first trimester and Methimazole for the second and third trimester. Aplasia cutis and some other malformations were associated with methimazole use during pregnancy. Monitoring the effect of treatment should ensure keeping maternal FT4 in the high normal range. Block-and replace regimen is not recommended and rdioiodine therapy is absolutely contraindicated. Thyroidectomy may be considered before pregnancy or in rare cases in the second trimester. Iodine is avoided because of the risk of fetal hypothyroidism and goiter. The use of beta-blockers is controversial. Noenatal thyrotoxicosis may occur in association with maternal Graves’ disease due to maternal TSAbs cross through the placenta

Survey on 5G Second Phase RAN Architectures and Functional Splits

The Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture evolves with different generations of mobile communication technologies and forms an indispensable component of the mobile network architecture. The main component of the RAN infrastructure is the base station, which includes a Radio Frequency unit and a baseband unit. The RAN is a collection of base stations connected to the core network to provide coverage through one or more radio access technologies. The advancement towards cloud native networks has led to centralizing the baseband processing of radio signals. There is a trade-off between the advantages of RAN centralization (energy efficiency, power cost reduction, and the cost of the fronthaul) and the complexity of carrying traffic between the data processing unit and distributed antennas. 5G networks hold high potential for adopting the centralized architecture to reduce maintenance costs while reducing deployment costs and improving resilience, reliability, and coordination. Incorporating the concept of virtualization and centralized RAN architecture enables to meet the overall requirements for both the customer and Mobile Network Operator. Functional splitting is one of the key enablers for 5G networks. It supports Centralized RAN, virtualized Radio Access Network, and the recent Open Radio Access Networks. This survey provides a comprehensive tutorial on the paradigms of the RAN architecture evolution, its key features, and implementation challenges. It provides a thorough review of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project functional splitting complemented by associated challenges and potential solutions. The survey also presents an overview of the fronthaul and its requirements and possible solutions for implementation, algorithms, and required tools whilst providing a vision of the evaluation beyond 5G second phase.info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersio