A retrospective demographic study of wild mushroom intoxications in the region of Varna, Bulgaria

INTRODUCTION: Recently, there has been a rising interest in the cases of wild mushroom poisonings. There are relatively few publications dealing with the demographic aspects of the patients experiencing intoxications after wild mushroom consumption at regional level.AIM: Our purpose was to retrospectively analyze some demographic characteristics of the patients with acute wild mushroom poisonings in the region of Varna, Bulgaria.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an epidemiological investigation of all consecutive patients with acute wild mushroom intoxications in the region of Varna hospitalized in the Clinic of Toxicology, Naval Hospital of Varna during the period between January 2005 and December 2022. There were a total of 672 hospitalized patients, 330 males aged between three and 84 years and 342 females aged between four and 85 years. We analyzed their annual dynamics during these 18 years and identified numerous gender and age differences in this contingent.RESULTS: The number of the male, female and all the patients considerably diminished during the second nine-year period—from 191 down to 139, from 212 down to 130, and from 403 down to 269, respectively. The mean patients’ age was highest in 2016 and in 2015 and lowest in 2011 and in 2008. There were 33 cases with two family members, ten cases with three family members, three cases with four family members, and one case with five family members among the hospitalized patients in a total of 12 years. There were no lethal cases.CONCLUSION: There were considerable differences in terms of age and gender characteristics of the patients hospitalized for acute wild mushroom intoxications in the region of Varna during the period between 2005 and 2022.

Wild edible mushroom usage by inhabitants with different educational level in the region of Varna

INTRODUCTION: Wild edible mushrooms are used worldwide and in Bulgaria as well. Recent ethnomycological studies indicate that wild edible mushroom usage depends on the educational level of the populations. AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess certain mushroom usage practices by inhabitants with different educational level in the region of Varna, Bulgaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an anonymous inquiry study of 200 adult individuals, 100 males and 100 females, living in the region of Varna by using 12 specific facts about wild edible mushroom usage focusing on the respondent’s educational level. Statistical data processing was done by means of descriptive and correlation analysis. RESULTS: There was a prevalence of the positive attitude towards wild edible mushrooms among respondents from Varna region regardless of their level of education. The respondents with primary and secondary education were more likely to cook fresh mushrooms than those with higher education. Drying, preservation, and freezing were rare among all of the respondents. There was statistically significant correlation between a respondent’s educational level, on the one hand, and traditional wild edible mushroom usage including cooking, drying, preservation, and freezing, on the other hand. CONSCLUSION: This study demonstrated some interesting characteristics of the attitude towards wild edible mushrooms among the participants with secondary, elementary, and higher education from the region of Varna and the extent of usage of common mushrooms in relation to their educational level. Further ethnomycological research could contribute to the improvement of the awareness of these mushrooms among the population in Bulgaria

Detection of Trichomonas tenax in patients with poor oral hygiene and paradontosis

As an initial compartment of the digestive system communicating with the environment, the oral cavity is populated by a large number and diverse species of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. They adhere to various surfaces, thus forming the so-called biofilms that are included in the composition of dental plaques. Plaques are a risk factor for the development of periodontitis because of the abundance of bacteria in them. The flagellate protozoan Trichomonas tenax has been isolated more frequently from the oral cavity of individuals with poor oral hygiene and periodontitis. The aim of our study was to assess the distribution of Trichomonas tenax worldwide based on the already published scientific literature. We performed a systematic review of 26 articles abstracted in several databases during the period between 1970 and August 2022. We proved a correlation between Trichomonas tenax and its presence in patients with periodontal disease. Different methods for its detection were established, such as microscopy, culture, polymerase chain reaction and loop-mediated isothermal amplification. The answers of many questions still remain unclear and, therefore, further epidemiological and clinical studies are needed to focus on the virulence and pathogenicity properties of this potential periodontal pathogen

WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOM USAGE BY THE URBAN AND RURAL POPULATION IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE WORLD, COMPARED TO THE REGION OF VARNA-BULGARIA

Purpose: Wild edible mushrooms are used worldwide and in Bulgaria as well. This inquiry investigation aimed at evaluating some mushroom usage practices by inhabitants in towns and villages in the Region of Varna, Bulgaria. Material/Methods: We carried out a study of 200 adult individuals, 100 males and 100 females, on the territory of the Region of Varna using anonymous inquiry with a set of 12 concrete items about wild edible mushroom usage. Statistical data processing was performed using descriptive and correlation analysis. Results: There was a domination of the negative attitude towards the wild edible mushrooms among the respondents from the towns, the villages and all the respondents as a whole on the territory of the Region of Varna. The inhabitants in the villages used more commonly cooking than those in the towns, and the inhabitants in the towns dried more seldom fresh mushrooms than those in the villages. Freezing was very rarely made use among all the respondents. There were statistically significant correlations between main town residence, on the one hand, and wild edible mushroom traditional usage, including cooking, drying, preservation and freezing, on the other hand. Conclusion: This inquiry investigation revealed some peculiarities of the attitudes towards wild edible mushrooms among the urban and rural population in the Region of Varna and the extent of usage of common mushrooms in dependence on espondents’ main residence

Poisoning with Amanita phalloides (Vaill. ex Fr.) Link - 25-years retrospective analysis in Varna region, Bulgaria

Fungal intoxications are important in the ethology of acute exogenous intoxications and A. phalloides mushrooms intoxications are the most important for clinical toxicology. Poisonings with A. phalloides mushrooms are infrequent, but they have high lethality due to their high toxicity. A retrospective analysis of poisonings with A. phalloides mushrooms in Varna region for a period of 25 years (1991-2015) was conducted and 147 patients have been registered. The frequency relative to all hospitalised patients with acute poisoning is 0.8%. Such intoxications are more common in males and the ratio of men to women is 1.62:1. The largest number of intoxications was registered in the age group of 45 to 60 years - 62 (42.2%). All intoxications occured following oral ingestion of A. phalloides mushrooms by mistake instead of edible mushrooms such as field mushroom - Agaricus campestris L. A lethal outcome was registered in 25 patients (17%). A. phalloides mushrooms account for 11.4% of the lethality in acute poisonings

Sleeve gastrectomy and active intestinal bypass in patients with severe obesity

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment modality for severe obesity in adults and children. Numerous recent investigations by foreign authors have convincingly proven the successful and safe implementation of a variety of bariatric and metabolic surgical methods for definite and stable weight reduction.AIM: The aim of the present article is to concisely review the most recent publications in the field of bariatric surgery in patients with morbid obesity and to share our initial experience by three case reports.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We briefly report three patients with severe obesity, two women and one man, who were operated on by sleeve gastrectomy and active intestinal bypass in the Clinic of Surgery at the Naval Hospital in Varna, part of the Military Medical Academy, in the 2020–2022 period. They were followed up until 2024.RESULTS: This surgical intervention resulted in a remarkable weight loss and a body mass index reduction. The male patient’s weight decreased from 220 kg down to 82 kg. The female patients’ weight reduction was from 198 kg down to 83 kg and from 127 kg down to 76 kg, respectively.CONCLUSION: There is accumulated evidence on the sufficient safety and significant effectiveness of the bariatric surgery in selected patients with severe obesity. A broader implementation of this modern method in the clinical practice in Bulgaria should be recommended

Modern possibilities in the treatment of inflammation caused by Staphylococcus aureus biofilm with bioactive glass S53P4

Treatment of implant related infections after surgicalor dentalproceduresare challengingcomplicationsandmay have devastating results for patients.The ability of microorganisms to adhere and form biofilm on implant surface is one of the main reasons for treatment failure in infections. When used in human body implants provide a suitable surfacefor cell attachment and bacterial colonization. One of the most common bacteriathat is isolated in hospital-acquired infections is Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant subtype. When a biofilm is formed, bacteria acquire an arsenal of properties that allow them to survive in an adverse environment, increasing their resistance to antimicrobial agents. Recently, as treatment modalities bioactive glass is used in the treatment of infections with multiresistant bacteria types. Its mechanism of action is to stimulate osteogenesis by releasing biologically active ions and at the same time it has antibacterial functionon a number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to increasementin osmotic pressure and environmental pH without affecting host tissues. These properties make bioactive glass extremelly suitablefor the treatment of infectionin boneswith destruction and bone loss. The aim of the present study is to review the outcomesreported in the literature on the antimicrobial effectiveness of bioactive glass S53P4 on Staphyloccocus aureus(MRSA)

Therapeutic challenges in quadruple negative breast cancer

Recently, breast cancer (BC) continuously ranks first in the incidence rate of malignant neoplasms in womenworldwide. Quadruple negative BC (QNBC) is a recently identified subtype of triple negative BC (TNBC) presenting with negative androgen receptor expression. QNBC characterization and treatment is fraught with many challenges.There is cumulative evidence suggestingthat QNBC ishighly proliferative and immunogenic, rendering it anideal candidate for cytotoxic chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Several chemotherapeutic agents such as imatinib, cabozantinib, dasatinib, lucitanib,sunitinib, docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamidein QNBCpatients are highlighted. Some subtypes and related pathway proteins are preferentially expressed in QNBC and may act as effective therapeutic targets such as acyl-CoA synthetase4, S-phase kinase associated protein 2, immune checkpoint inhibitors, kinesin family member C1,and epidermal growth factor receptor. Several recent investigations comparing the therapeutic approach to QNBC and TNBC are briefly reviewed. Further more intensive and problem-oriented research in this topic of rising socio-medical importance is needed

Prognostic markers in quadruple negative breast cancer

Quadruple-negative breast cancer (QNBC) presents with negative expression of estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors and of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. This BC subtype has the worst prognosis. In QNBC, there is a greater paucity of prognostic biomarkers than in androgen receptors-positive triple negative BC (TNBC). Absent androgen receptor expression confers a more aggressive QNBC course and correlates with the expression of cancer stem cell phenotype, COX-2, and basal markers such as CK5 and nestin. Basal-like phenotype is significantly associated with adverse prognostic markers including high KI-67, COX-2 expression, and cancer stem cell phenotype. Engrailed-1 expression is associated with unfavorable overall survival in QNBC patients. Non-coding ribonucleic acids play a significant role in BC tumourigenesis by virtue of their oncogenic and tumour-suppressive properties. The identification of QNBC-specific circulating microribonucleic acids may improve tumour detection and prognosis. There is an obvious necessity to intensify the problem-oriented interdisciplinary research on the hot topic of prognostic biomarkers of QNBC

Quantitative dermatoglyphic study of the finger ridge count in breast carcinoma patients from Northeastеrn Bulgaria

The present study aimed to assess the relationship between the results from a quantitative dermatoglyphic analysis of the finger ridge count and the predisposition for developing breast cancer.The fingerprints of 82 breast carcinoma female patients diagnosed by histological and mammographic investigations were obtained and compared to 60 female controls from Northeastеrn Bulgaria. The fingerprints were obtained by classical ink method. The finger ridge count was determined by the method of Cummins and Midlo.The total finger ridge count (TFRC) showed statistically significant difference between the patients and the controls on the first and second finger of the right hand and on the second and third finger of the left hand. Due to statistically significant differences of TFRC on some of the fingers, we discovered differences in the descending formulas in the two observed groups. Descending formulas on the fingers of the breast carcinoma patients compared with the controls on the left hand were respectively 2>4>1>5>3 vs 2>1>4>5>3, and on the right hand 1>2>4>3>5 vs 4>1>3>2>5, respectively. Statistical significance was examined by SPSS 18.0 software.Our data indicated that a dermatoglyphic analysis could be utilized as a fast inexpensive supportive screening tool for the early diagnostics of breast cancer