Influence of the Exercises with Sports Hammock on Functional Durability of the Postural Stability Muscles

INTRODUCTION: `Good posture` is the position of the body that imposes minimal stress on muscles and negligible load on joints in order to maintain balance. This is achieved by keeping the muscle balance necessary for proper development and functioning of the locomotor system.AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the influence of exercising with sports hammock on functional endurance of the postural stability muscles.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey was conducted between February 2014 and December 2015 among 200 children aged between 5 and 7 years in the city of Varna. The test of Matthiass, the test of Kiel and the test of sustained balance were used for the assessment of the functional endurance at the beginning as well as at the end of the survey. For one half of the children (n=100), exercising with sports hammock was applied, while the rest of the children remained as a control group. Descriptive methods and hypothesis testing (Student`s t-test) were used for data analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The differences between the initial and final means in all tests of endurance for the children of the intervened group are positive and statistically significant, i.e. all the tests demonstrate improvement (p<0.0001). Upon completion of the test of Kiel on static and strength durability of the abdominal muscles the best improvement is observed in the experimental group (exercises with sports hammock): +0.94 seconds (p< 0.0001). The improvement is significant also in comparison with the results of the children from the control group

Study of Viscosity-temperature Properties of Oil and Gas-condensate Mixtures in Critical Temperature Ranges of Phase Transitions

Transport of oil and gas-condensate mixtures of various compositions is found to be accompanied by a slight increase in viscosity in the coldest period when ground temperatures at depth of a condensate pipeline reach 0 – minus 4°С. Fall in temperature of oil fluids under study to minus 10 – minus 30°С is accompanied by a sharp increase in all structural and rheological parameters of the mixture. Even a slight amount of oil added to a gas-condensate mixture causes a significant decrease in viscosity in the negative temperature range. As a result, cloud and pour point of a mixture falls, its amount decreases, the structure of paraffin deposits changes

Serum cholesterol and triglycerides in Parkinson`s disease and essential tremor

The role of lipid metabolism in the pathogenesis of Parkinson`s disease is still controversial. Most authors suggest that higher The role of lipid metabolism in the pathogenesis of Parkinson`s disease is still controversial. Most authors suggest that higher serum cholesterol may be associated with a lower risk of Parkinson`s disease. Debates exist as to whether essential tremor shares similar neuropathological mechanisms as Parkinson`s disease. We investigated serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in a clinical setting of Parkinson`s disease versus essential tremor patients. Two hundred and sixteen Parkinson`s disease patients (126 males), aged 68.04 years, with 4.58 years disease duration and 342 essential tremor patients (118 males), aged 69.39 years, with 5.3 years disease duration were included, hospitalized during a period of 7 years in First Clinic of Neurology, University St Marina Hospital, Varna, Bulgaria. We found insignificantly higher levels of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride in essential tremor patients. Results differ statistically only on gender level with increased cholesterol in males and triglycerides in females. Our findings may indicate divergent pathophysiological mechanisms underlying Parkinson`s disease and essential tremor. Further research may elucidate the role of lipid metabolism changes in both diseases.Biomed Rev 2015; 26: 43-46.Key words: serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, Parkinson`s disease, essential tremo

Modelling of Dewatering and Desalting Processes for Large-capacity Oil Treatment Technology

This paper is devoted to analysis of oil treatment technology in the case of complex industrial process realization and further selection of technological mode. Mathematical modelling method is used to improve the efficiency of dewatering and desalting processes. The simulation system based on module modelling principle is developed. Every module is described in terms of appropriate combination of phenomena and processes. Problems of oil treatment analysis of complex structured technological scheme and searching of effective dewatering and desalting processes technological modes are solved

Analysis of technological conditions influence on efficiency of oilfield treatment

The results of influence of process parameters on oil quality and recommended effective technological modes of oilfield treatment processes are presented in this paper. It is shown that the parameters that significantly affect the efficiency of oil processes are temperature and water-oil emulsion flow rate with a given number of working process units and the structure of flowsheet flows

Health status of the Bulgarian population: social determinants, recent dynamics and policy implications

This paper sets out to review the situation with regard to health status of the Bulgarian population and its main determinants. Revealing their recent dynamics, the study also aims to predict the future trends. It tries to interrelate the diseases burden and its determinants with necessary policy responses. High lighting the main challenges it draws out policy implications. The methods involve analysis of the current demographic and health situation and assessment of its dynamics. Some trends are analyzed comparatively for the different gender and residence population groups. The study is based on an analysis of previously published reports and official statistics. It also draws upon a number of national and local health surveys. Targeted and sustained investment is necessary to reverse the negative trends of population health and its social determinants. Clearly formulated, evidence-based, comprehensive and consistent policy is needed for integrated control of risk factors and chronic diseases, emphasizing on prevention and health promotion. Tangible political commitment, multisectoral collaboration and public participation are required for developing, implementing and sustaining healthy public policies.Scripta Scientifica Medica 2008; 40(2): 111-116

N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-probnp) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the plasma N-terminal pro BNP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). A prospective study of 40 patients was carried out. Thirteen of them were accepted for diagnostic evaluation of a suspected sleep apnea which was proved with polysomnography (PSG), 26 were with documented congestive heart failure (CHF). The values of NTpro-BNP are not different between the patients with OSAS without concomitant diseases. There is a significant difference in the NT pro-BNP in OSAS patients with and without arterial hypertension, as well as in patients with CHF. There is no association between the values of the natriuretic peptide and the variables assessing the severity of OSAS. In conclusion: the undiagnosed OSAS is not related with severe impairment of the left ventricular function. The analysis of the NT-pro-BNP in pa tients with possible OSAS may be used as a fast, easily accessible, and reliable diagnostic marker as well as suit able improving the treatment and control of the concomitant cardio vascular morbidity and mortality.Scripta Scientifica Medica 2011;V.43(1):7-1

Association of breakfast consumption frequency with fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity/b cells function (HOMA-IR) in adults from high-risk families for type 2 diabetes in Europe : the Feel4Diabetes Study

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association of breakfast consumption frequency (BCF) with glycemic control indices in a cross-sectional sample of adults from families at high risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), exploring the role of sex and socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: In 2370 adults (40.8 ± 5.6 years) from 6 European countries, sociodemographic, lifestyle, anthropometric and biochemical characteristics were assessed through standardized procedures. Multivariable regression models were used to examine the association between fasting glucose (FG), fasting insulin (FI), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (dependent variables) with BCF (independent variable) controlling for multiple possible confounders. Results: A linear association of BCF with FG (β = -0.557, 95% CI (-0.834, -0.280)) and a quadratic association with FI and HOMA-IR with the highest point of curve observed at BCF = 2.989 (times/week) and at BCF = 2.746, respectively, independent of the used covariates. In males and in participants of high SES, BCF was linearly and inversely associated with FG, while with FI and HOMA-IR there was an association with BCF in quadratic function. In females, BCF was linearly and inversely associated with FG and HOMA-IR, and there was a quadratic association with FI. In low SES there was only a linear association with FG, yet with no statistically significant findings for FI and HOMA-IR. Conclusions: Regular breakfast consumption, especially >3 times/week is associated with improved indices of glycemic control. This association was diminished in low SES participants in the presence of the used covariates

Associations between food and beverage consumption and different types of sedentary behaviours in European preschoolers: the ToyBox-study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between food and beverage consumption and time spent in different sedentary behaviours such as watching TV and DVDs, playing computer/video games and quiet play/activities in preschoolers. METHODS: A sample of 6431 (51.8 % males) European preschoolers aged 3.5-5.5 years from six survey centres was included in the data analyses. Data on dietary habits and sedentary behaviours [watching TV, playing computer and quiet play (both during weekdays and weekend days)] were collected via standardized proxy-administered questionnaires. One-way analysis of covariance and general linear model (adjusted for sex, maternal education, body mass index and centre) were conducted. RESULTS: The results of the generalized linear model showed that the more strong associations in both males and females who were watching TV for > 1 h/day during weekdays were positively associated with increased consumption of fizzy drinks (β = 0.136 for males and β = 0.156 for females), fresh and packed juices (β = 0.069, β = 0.089), sweetened milk (β = 0.119, β = 0.078), cakes and biscuits (β = 0.116, β = 0.145), chocolate (β = 0.052, β = 0.090), sugar-based desserts and pastries (β = 0.234, β = 0.250), salty snacks (β = 0.067, β = 0.056), meat/poultry/processed meat (β = 0.067, β = 0.090) and potatoes (β = 0.071, β = 0.067), and negative associations were observed for the consumption of fruits (β = -0.057, β = -0.099), vegetables (β = -0.056, β = -0.082) and fish (β = -0.013, β = -0.013). During weekend days, results were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: In European preschoolers, sedentary behaviours were associated with consumption of energy-dense foods and fizzy drinks. The present findings will contribute to improve the strategies to prevent overweight, obesity and nutrition-related chronic diseases from early childhood