10 research outputs found
Advancements in Malaria Pharmacotherapy in the Modern Period and the 21st Century
Malaria continues to be a highly significant global disease, accounting for a substantial number of cases, surpassing all other parasitic diseases worldwide. Despite efforts in prevention, chemoprophylaxis, and non-medicinal preventive measures, there are instances when living in malaria-prone regions necessitates confirmation of the disease through various diagnostic methods before commencing treatment. The primary objective is to safeguard the health of individuals traveling to, staying in, or returning from malaria-endemic areas.This study provides a comprehensive overview of the entire process of diagnosing and treating malaria, encompassing all steps, stages, roles, and specificities involved. The official recommendations and guidelines, including those integrated into the national legislation concerning malaria pharmacotherapy in the Republic of Bulgaria, are thoroughly analyzed, highlighting both commonalities and disparities
OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON THE PREVENTION, PROPHYLAXIS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF MALARIA - A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF GREECE AND THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
Malaria is still one of the most significant global viral diseases, causing more deaths than all other parasitic diseases. Prevention, chemoprophylaxis, opting for different non-drug methods and behaviors, procedures for arrivals from malaria-active areas, transmission dynamics, all diagnostic methods and treatment of malaria disease are at the heart of protecting the health of people traveling, staying and returning from malaria active areas. Our research summarizes all the steps, stages and roles of your organizations and medical specialists in the process of diagnosis, prophylaxis, prevention and treatment, as well as the similarities and differences in the legislation and organization of the health system in the Republic of Greece and the Republic of Bulgaria
IMPLEMENTING OF EDUCATION IN BIOETHICS AT CONTEMPORARY SCHOOLS – FACTOR FOR HEALTHY LIFESTYLE OF THE GROWING UP GENERATION
The aim of the article is to present main results obtained in the core of a pilot study carried out in the course of project training teachers and educators in contemporary schools in the skills and knowledge required for responsible and innovative training of students for applying in their lifestyle ethical principles from the Universal Declaration of Bioethics of UNESCO
Motivations in weight reduction and undesirable eating behaviors among women with excessive body weight (Poland)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between attitudes toward weight loss, taking into account: the motivating factors that determine the desire to attempt weight loss; the level of well-being and degree of motivation before and during the weight loss attempt; changes in attitudes after an unsuccessful weight loss attempt; the state of well-being after the completed weight loss attempt and the degree of severity of disordered eating according to the TFEQ-13 questionnaire. The study was conducted among 600 female users of forums for people with excessive weight. The research method used in this study was the author's questionnaire and the standardized Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. A general survey questionnaire serving as a working tool was sent by Computer-Assisted Web Interview to community groups. The predominant group of respondents cannot even count the weight reduction attempts they have made during their lives (31%). Three attempts were made by 29% of respondents, and two attempts by 17%. Attempts to lose weight most often involved increasing current physical activity (overall responses), reducing the caloric content of meals (26%), and improving current eating habits (22%). Most people reduced their body weight from 6 kg to 10 kg (29%) or from 3 to 5 kg (27%). It was found that low a risk of aggravation was diagnosed in 45.5% of people, moderate in 44.5, and low in 10%. For lack of control over eating – a low risk was observed in 15.5% of people, moderate in 68.5% of people, and high in 16%. Evaluating eating under the influence of emotions, the highest risk of the studied phenomenon was observed in 50.5% of people, moderate risk in 36.5% of people, and low risk in 13% of people. The level of motivation significantly decreased when trying to reduce weight. No significant deterioration in well-being was observed before and during the weight loss attempt
Pre-Pandemic Dietary Assessment of Elderly Persons Residing in Nursing Homes—Silesia (Poland)
Background. Residents of nursing homes (NHs) are one of the most vulnerable social groups to SARS-CoV-2 infection. It seems obvious that all preventive methods, including nutrition, should be a priority for these homes. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the menus of elderly people residing in nursing homes and to compare them with the recommendations and especially with the scientific literature that proves the protective effect of nutrition on the course of COVID-19 disease. Material and methods. The material investigated in the research were decade menus selected at several nursing homes between 2017 and 2020. The total number of 4640 daily menus from 58 NHs located in Silesia (Poland) were analyzed in the research. Data analysis included mathematical tools of Kruskal–Wallis and U Mann–Whitney tests for multiple comparisons in scarcely observed samples (p = 0.05). Results. It has been noted that the energy value provided with food scored 1780.22 kcal, which denoted 102.72% of the daily standard for females and 98.23% for males. The investigated menus differed in terms of energy and nutrition value. The mean content of proteins totaled 47.95 g/day, which covered 93.83% of the daily requirements for this nutrient. When it came to fat content, a level of 109.12 g/day was observed; this covered 160.47% of the daily requirement for females and 143.58% for males. Absorbable carbohydrates constituted 116.60% of the daily standard, i.e., 151.59 g/day. It was stated that values for vitamin D reached 7.01 (±0.63) µg per day, which can be interpreted as 41.00% of the recommended intake for females and 42.00% for males. It was also noted that the values for vitamins A and E were respectively two and fifteen times lower than the recommendations. Conclusions. The evaluated menus must not be an aid in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The content of energy from food, fats, and carbohydrates substantially exceeded recommended standards, whereas the content of proteins, vitamins A, E, D, zinc and calcium did not meet requirements regarding nutrition standards for the analyzed group
Preoperative ultrasound assessment of myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer and prediction of surgical stage
AbstractThe aim of the study was to determine the performance of two-dimensional transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) in the preoperative assessment of myometrial invasion and cervical stromal invasion (CSI) in women diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Two-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound was performed prior to the diagnostic procedure and before surgical treatment. Myometrial invasion was assessed by measuring the ratio between the endometrial thickness and the antero-posterior diameter of the uterus in the midsagittal plane, by measuring of the smallest tumor-free margin of myometrium and was modified by the subjective assessment of the investigator. Cervical stromal invasion of the tumor was assessed by measuring the distance between the lowest detectable point of the tumor and the internal cervical os. Patients were operated by open surgery, laparoscopic or robot-assisted methods. No statistical difference was found between the number of preoperatively assessed patients (n = 161/180, 89.4%) and those with confirmed diagnosis after surgery (n = 144/180, 80%), (p > 0.05). Before surgery, 55.9% (n = 90/161) of cases were assessed with invasion 50% before surgery were 44.1% (n = 71/161). Surgery confirmed 43.8% (n = 63/144) of cases. No myometrial invasion was found preoperatively in 19 cases, using TVUS as a diagnostic tool. After surgery, in 36 cases no myometrial invasion was found. We found more cases with Grade 1 tumor (n = 29/81, 35.8%) when myometrial invasion was less than 50% compared to predominance of Grade 2 (n = 45/63, 71.4%) and Grade 3 (n = 15/63, 23.8%) tumor when invasion was more than 50% (p < 0.01)
A Split Face Comparative Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of 40% Pyruvic Acid vs. Microdermabrasion with 40% Pyruvic Acid on Biomechanical Skin Parameters in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris
The synergy of cosmetic acids, with their keratolytic and antibacterial properties, with the mechanical exfoliation of the epidermis brings faster and better treatment results. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of using only pyruvic acid and the synergy of microdermabrasion and chemical exfoliation. In total, 14 women diagnosed with acne took part in the study. Two areas were marked on the participants’ faces: the right side (microdermabrasion treatment and a preparation containing pyruvic acid 40%) and the left side (preparation containing pyruvic acid 40%) without mechanical exfoliation. A series of four treatments was performed at 2-week intervals. Skin parameters such as stratum corneum hydration and sebum secretion were measured. Before the treatments, all patients had moderate acne according to GAGS (Min: 19, Max: 22, Md: 20), and after the treatments, it decreased to mild acne according to GAGS (Min: 13, Max: 17, Md: 140). On the right side of the face, there was a statistically significant reduction in sebum secretion in all the examined areas of the face and increase in the hydration of the stratum corneum. On the left side of the face, the differences were also observed in the decrease of sebum value and increase of hydration level; however, they were smaller than on the right side. The use of microdermabrasion in combination with pyruvic acid led to better results in the case of increased hydration and reduction of sebum secretion than using only pyruvic acid treatment
The Effects of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis), Bamboo Extract (Bambusa vulgaris) and Lactic Acid on Sebum Production in Young Women with Acne Vulgaris Using Sonophoresis Treatment
People struggling with acne vulgaris, not only experience skin eruptions and skin pain, but also report that their quality of life is worse compared with healthy people. This study examined, for the first time, the effect of sonophoresis on select skin parameters (sebum level) in young women suffering from acne vulgaris. The study included 60 women 19–23 years of age (M = 21.45, SD = 0.91) with mild and moderate facial acne. The inclusion criteria were 19–23 years of age, female or male gender, mild to moderate acne, no dermatological treatment within last 12 months, and no hormonal contraception (women). No men volunteered for the study, so the group was homogeneous. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A underwent a sonophoresis procedure using ultrasound and ultrasound gel combined with a green tea, bamboo extract ampule, and 5% lactic acid. Group B was the placebo group, where sonophoresis was performed using only ultrasound gel (no ampules). The members of the placebo group were told that they were undergoing sonophoresis with a green tea, bamboo extract, and 5% lactic acid ampule. Before and after the series of procedures, sebum levels were measured in the skin. Each patient underwent a series of five procedures using sonophoresis equipment at one-week intervals. Sonophoresis with green tea, bamboo extract, and 5% lactic acid contributed to the reduction of skin eruptions and sebum levels in the participants of the study (group A). The study results demonstrated that the combined use of plant preparations, lactic acid, and ultrasound had a positive effect on the skin of people suffering from acne vulgaris, including reduction of skin eruptions and sebum levels on the surface of the skin
The Effects of Green Tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>), Bamboo Extract (<i>Bambusa vulgaris</i>) and Lactic Acid on Sebum Production in Young Women with Acne Vulgaris Using Sonophoresis Treatment
People struggling with acne vulgaris, not only experience skin eruptions and skin pain, but also report that their quality of life is worse compared with healthy people. This study examined, for the first time, the effect of sonophoresis on select skin parameters (sebum level) in young women suffering from acne vulgaris. The study included 60 women 19–23 years of age (M = 21.45, SD = 0.91) with mild and moderate facial acne. The inclusion criteria were 19–23 years of age, female or male gender, mild to moderate acne, no dermatological treatment within last 12 months, and no hormonal contraception (women). No men volunteered for the study, so the group was homogeneous. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A underwent a sonophoresis procedure using ultrasound and ultrasound gel combined with a green tea, bamboo extract ampule, and 5% lactic acid. Group B was the placebo group, where sonophoresis was performed using only ultrasound gel (no ampules). The members of the placebo group were told that they were undergoing sonophoresis with a green tea, bamboo extract, and 5% lactic acid ampule. Before and after the series of procedures, sebum levels were measured in the skin. Each patient underwent a series of five procedures using sonophoresis equipment at one-week intervals. Sonophoresis with green tea, bamboo extract, and 5% lactic acid contributed to the reduction of skin eruptions and sebum levels in the participants of the study (group A). The study results demonstrated that the combined use of plant preparations, lactic acid, and ultrasound had a positive effect on the skin of people suffering from acne vulgaris, including reduction of skin eruptions and sebum levels on the surface of the skin
Stakeholders’ Involvement in Health Technology Assessment in Kazakhstan, Poland and Bulgaria
Background: In recent years, involvement of healthcare stakeholders in health technology assessment (HTA) has been discussed as helping the inclusion of social values in the decision-making process. The aim of our research was to identify and compare details from Kazakhstan, Poland and Bulgaria on their stakeholders’ involvement in the HTA process. Information was sought on their identification, responsibilities, and regulation. Methods: We conducted a survey of seven types of stakeholders in the healthcare systems of Kazakhstan, Poland, and Bulgaria. They included patients and the public, providers, purchasers, payers, policy makers, product makers, and principal investigators. They were questioned on their involvement in the HTA process, and on the objectives of their participation. Results: Levels of involvement of different kinds of stakeholder varied between countries, reflecting political and administrative developments. There was full or partial agreement on the objectives of stakeholder participation. All respondents agreed that representatives of the ministry of health should be involved in selection of stakeholders for HTA. Conclusion: Progress has been made in the involvement of stakeholders, with interest in further development in all three countries