Internet Poker Gambling Among University Students: A Risky Endeavour or a Harmless Pastime?

Two recent phenomena have marked gambling on university campuses: an increase of Internet gambling and a surge of interest in poker (McComb & Hanson, 2009). Accompanying them, greater participation and problem gambling rates among university students have been observed (Griffiths & Barnes, 2008; Wood et al., 2007). This thesis aims to describe online poker gambling patterns and the associated risks among university students, and to determine if the Internet as a context is linked to a greater risk of problematic and excessive gambling engagement and related problems. It compares online to offline poker players. The sample (N=1,256) was drawn from the University Student Gambling Habit Survey 2008 (ENHJEU) conducted among undergraduate students in three universities and three affiliated schools in Montreal, Canada. The analyses revealed that compared to offline poker players online poker players were more likely to be male and born outside of Canada. Their gambling patterns also suggested greater gambling engagement. Online poker players were much more likely than offline poker players to be identified as problem gamblers and to report problems in various major life areas. Virtually no differences were found in co-occurring risky behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol and substance use between the two groups. The findings point to an increased risk for gambling and other problems associated with the Internet and poker gambling for university students. Discussed are potential reasons including the enabling nature of the Internet setting with respect to gambling, as well as the prevailing perception of poker as a skill-based gambling format

Ethical committees and benefits of their functioning for healthcare professionals and patients

Налагащата се роля на морала в съвременното здравеопазване се свързва с заобикалящата ни среда - несигурността и риска. Етично отговорното поведение е предпоставка за предотвратяване и противодействие на множество морални рискове в обществото. Моралната отговорност означава да се носи отговорност за всеки конкретен избор в нашето ежедневие и да се зачитат етичните стандарти, налагани от обществото. По отношение на моралната отговорност етическите кодекси се явяват ефективен механизъм за въздействие. В лечебните заведения в Република България на основата на медицинската етика, морално отговорното поведение и съществуването на етични кодекси се създават етични комисии. Тяхната функция е да защитават интересите на здравните специалисти, пациентите и лечебните заведения, като ограничават здравните неравенства и осигуряват етично и отговорно поведение спрямо пациентите и медицинските специалисти. Резултатите от проведено анкетно проучване сред 149 медицински специалисти и 269 пациенти, работещи и лекувани в три различни лечебни заведения в страната, показва, че съществува ниско ниво на информираност относно етичните комисии, техните функции и роля. 83.2% от анкетираните медицински специалисти и 70.3% от анкетираните пациенти не са информирани, че етичните комисии в лечебните заведения имат консултативна функция. Непознаването на института етични комисии ограничава правата на медицинските специалисти и пациентите, като възпрепятства достъпа им до тях. Анализът на резултатите от анкетното проучване сред медицински специалисти и пациенти показва, че съществува ниско ниво на информираност относно етичните комисии, реализиращи дейност в лечебните заведения в страната и техните функции. Необходимо е да се създадат работни групи и обучителни модули, които да запознаят медицинските специалисти със съществуващите етични комисии в страната и с техните функции, като това би се отразило положително върху медицинската практика и самите пациенти.The important role of morality in modern healthcare is bound by our environment - insecurity and risk. Ethically responsible conduct is a prerequisite for preventing and counteracting multiple moral risks in society. Moral responsibility means responsibility for every specific choice in our everyday life and respecting ethical standards imposed by society. Regarding moral responsibility, ethical codes are an effective mechanism of action. In medical institutions in the Republic of Bulgaria ethical committees are established on the basis of medical ethics, morally responsible behavior and the existence of codes of ethics. Their function is to protect the interests of healthcare professionals, patients and healthcare institutions by reducing health inequalities and ensuring ethical and responsible behavior towards patients and healthcare professionals. The results of a survey conducted among 149 medical specialists and 269 patients working and being treated in three different healthcare establishments in the country show that there is a low level of awareness of ethical committees, their functions and role. A total of 83.2% of the surveyed medical specialists and 70.3% of the patients surveyed were not informed that the ethics committees in the healthcare establishments have consultative function. Not knowing the ethics committees of the institute limits the rights of medical professionals and patients by hindering their access to them. The analysis of the results of the survey among medical specialists and patients shows that there is a low level of awareness of the ethical committees operating in the healthcare institutions in the country and their functions. It is necessary to create working groups and training modules to familiarize the medical specialists with the existing ethical committees in the country and their functions, which would have a positive effect on the medical practice and the patients themselves

EMPATHY IN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Background: Empathy is important for successful interactions. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the cognitive component (Perspective taking) and affective components (Empathic concern and Personal distress) of empathy in health professionals were related to the degree of perceived threat of coronavirus, difficulties in doing work, difficulties in getting along with people, the health condition (current or past coronavirus disease), as well as with some socio-demographic characteristics. Fantasy as the cognitive component of empathy was not the focus of the present study as more irrelevant to clinical practice. Subjects and methods: A study of 296 health care workers through the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and a survey on perceived coronavirus threat, difficulties in work and getting along with people found that perceiving coronavirus as a stronger threat reduced both the cognitive component of empathy Perspective taking and the affective component of empathy Personal distress. Results: As the affective components of empathy Empathic concern and Personal distress increased, the reported work difficulties were reduced. As the cognitive component of empathy Perspective taking and the affective component of empathy Personal distress increased, the reported difficulties in having a good relationship with other people were reduced. Some socio-demographic differences in the components of empathy in health workers were also established. Conclusion: These findings revealed the importance of Personal Distress (experienced anxiety, worry, discomfort, and apprehension when observing another person\u27s negative experiences), as well as the joint manifestation of several aspects of empathy for successful work and maintaining good relationships in health care. Emotionality is a normal part of human interactions, so manifestations of cognitive empathy should not be only considered as appropriate, and emotional empathy should not be ruled out as unnecessary in clinical practice during the coronavirus pandemic

Innovative technologies in laboratory medicine for prevention and control of chronic diseases

Въвеждането на иновативни методи и технологии за диагностика и лечение е процес от ключово значение за развитието на медицината. Лабораторните изследвания, подпомагащи поставянето на правилна диагноза и проследяване на всички заболявания, са основани на принципи и стандарти за добра практика. В проследяването на лабораторните параметри на пациентите с хронични заболявания новите технологии в ежедневието навлизат с бързи темпове. Публикацията представя перспективите и възможните ползи на тестовете, провеждани в дома на пациентите или от тях самите.The introduction of innovative methods and technologies for the diagnosis and treatment process is crucial to the development of medicine. Laboratory studies supporting a correct diagnosis and monitoring of all diseases are based on the principles and standards of good practice. In the researches of the laboratory parameters of patients with chronic diseases, new technologies are entering with a rapid pace. The article presents the prospect of possible benefits of the tests, which are acomplished at patients` homes or by themselves

LAPAROSCOPIC RESECTION OF GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMOR OF THE STOMACH - CASE REPORT AND CONCISE LITERATURE REVIEW

Purpose: To describe the effectiveness of laparoscopic partial gastric resection for small GIST of the stomach Case presentation: We present a 69-year-old woman with gastric GIST, diagnosed by ultrasound measuring about 3 cm/d on CT. Laparoscopic gastric resection was performed using Endo-GIA. GIST was proven immunophenotypically based on co-expression of CD 117+low (membrane and cytoplasmic expression) and membranous expression of CD34 with lines free from tumor infiltration. Conclusion: Laparoscopic resection is a safe procedure, oncologically and technically feasible, when in the hands of an experienced surgeon

Results of a Survey on the Aspects of Menopausal Symptoms and Medication Therapy

Introduction The period of menopause is accompanied by termination of the menstrual cycle. It is assumed to start from the 12th consecutive month of missing menstruation. In most cases, menopause occurs in the period between 40 and 50 years of age.AimThe objective of this present work is to present and analyze certain aspects of the menopausal symptomatic and the medication therapy in the menopause period.Materials and Methods A study using a direct anonymous survey was conducted on the territory of Varna Municipality during the period January – March 2018. The data collected from the survey was processed using the SPSS statistical software.SymptomsThe transition to menopause plays an important role in the etiology of symptoms described as hot flashes, nighttime sweating, mood changes, sleep disturbance, and sexual dysfunction. Therapy Approaches Hormone substitution therapy is an approach, which includes taking of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) for treatment of the symptoms of menopause and aging. Pharmacies offer a wide range of estrogen therapy medicinal products in the form of pills, plasters, suppositories, etc.Natural products therapy for menopausal symptoms includes herbs and other plant and non-plant additives.Conclusion Menopause is a natural stage in the aging process of the female organism. We are of the opinion that successful identification of the symptoms in the transitional period to menopause, and increased awareness of mature women as regards the therapy approaches available to apply, would have a significant positive impact on women’s health and social well-being

National Political Parties in the Realm of Deepening European Fiscal Integration

The persistent Eurocrisis caused serious turbulence in the European economic and political world, which prematurely ended the ‘flights’ of a number of cabinets in some EU member states and rejected the ‘return tickets’ (to office) of some political parties in Europe. The latest trends in European policy-making and debating, concurrent to the crisis, have been centered on the matter of fiscal integration – a process which has previously been associated with statehood in its traditional form. However, the new EU rules and regulations, introduced in the span of the crisis, indicate that fiscal governance is slowly being lifted beyond the member states’ scope of discretion, onto the supranational level. This is why, this research seeks to unveil changes taking place in the domain of national political parties as a result of the unfolding EU dynamics. It studies the established patterns of inter-party competition, in France and Germany, on matters such as European integration, market regulation and taxation and compares its findings to the expressed positions of French and German political parties on the introduction of a Financial Transaction Tax at the EU level. The results of the research indicate that some political parties have altered their positioning at the national level, which signals that the deepening of European fiscal integration has instigated changes in inter-party competition dynamics within two EU member states.

QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH DIMINISHED VISION

The eye diseases cause sufferings, affect the quality of life of the patient, and decrease the level of his/her well-being. The disability, related to the diminution of vision, is an indicator for the medical condition of the population, state of morality and ethics in the society, and it may be corrective in the work of healthcare professionals. The aim of the study is an analysis of the significance and extent of the problem with reference to the quality of life of patients with poor vision. The task is an exploration of the quality of life in connection with eye disability, which to assist in selecting appropriate measures regarding the problem. The glaucoma is a serious, socially significant disease, which may lead to considerable loss of vision and to blindness if let untreated. A study of the primary disability during the period from the year 2005 to 2012, in Eastern Bulgaria, demonstrated that the glaucoma is a leading cause of bilateral blindness. The degree of vision reduction causes a considerable impact on the quality of life. The factor age influences negatively the quality of life in patients with loss of vision. The poorest quality of life (QoL) had the oldest, and the persons below 40 years of age. The assessment of the disability, and of the worsened QoL for patients with eye diseases and their families, as well as for the Bulgarian society, is of primary significance for the creation of positive practices as performing of screening programs, etc

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS IN THE DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPY OF GLAUCOMA IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Glaucoma is characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP), which results in impairment of the optic nerve and vision both in children and adults. The aim of the study is an analysis of the distinguishing characteristics of diagnostics and therapy of glaucoma in children and adults. A documentary method of investigation of scientific sources - based on clinical practice - is applied. The methodology of study comprises investigation of the diagnostics of glaucoma and of the methods for its treatment. It was found that the specification of diagnosis of glaucoma is possible after confirmation of the results from the application of different methods and examinations, which were described. The methods of the present day for medicinal and surgical treatment were systematized. The monitoring of the condition of eyes and vision for early detection of abnormalities is an important part of the cares for the general health in every human age

APPROACHES AND METHODS FOR OVERCOMING OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS IN CONNECTION WITH DISASTER SITUATIONS

The disaster situations have become more and more frequent for the last decade, and they have intensified the manifestation of fragmentation of the modern society, bringing about a sense of helplessness. In those conditions, the art therapeutic groups provide a sense of connection with the other people and interpersonal support. The aim of the current study is an examination of the way, by which the brain and body react to events causing an acute stress reaction. Assessment of art therapy applicability and helpfulness is done in connection with disaster situations, and comparative analysis of the main approaches and methods, used in practice of work with people who had suffered traumatic events. The results of the study show that the new type of art therapists may disclose an emotional problem, related to trauma sustained, that the client cannot cope with on his/her own. The focus - in connection with the choice of method - is concentrated on the therapeutic needs of the person. In terms of the particular individual, the different methods of art therapy create a medium for the achievement of alleviation from insurmountable emotions or traumas. In social terms, the latter methods help to be achieved an increase of the sense for social adaptation of people from all ages, and of whole families. In conclusion, it may be stated, that the use of different forms of support after disaster situations, has major significance for recovery and maintenance of the physical, emotional, and mental health of the population