A study of the pulmonary complications of preterm infants after prenatal corticosteroids prophylaxis in a major Bulgarian hospital

Abstract: An increasingly common problem in obstetrics and neonatology is premature birth. This problem is the cause of many health complications in premature neonates and is leading to neonatal mortality. These complications affect the whole body of premature babies, the respiratory system has the largest percentage due to lack of the period for intrauterine maturation of the lung. A retrospective study was carried out at the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital St. Georgi, Plovdiv, Bulgaria for the period 2015-2016. 167 preterm infants have been studied. They were divided into two main groups: a working group of 89 preterm infants with prenatal corticosteroid prophylaxis and a control group of 78 preterm infants without prenatal prophylaxis. Data on clinical outcomes, health status, background complications of prenatal corticosteroid prophylaxis have been analyzed. The summary, however, of the results that is: the 3.6% difference has been found between newborn children with RDS and those with all other disabilities; this shows that in preterm infants the priority is to damage the respiratory system. Over 60% of the prematurity develop respiratory distress syndrome. The presence of respiratory complications is dew to the earlier gestational week of birth and the older age of the mother and is somewhat limited by the prenatal administration of corticosteroids.peer-reviewe

Career Prospects of Assistant Pharmacist Graduates of Plovdiv Medical University Bulgaria – In The Past and Present

Future career prospects are important for every young person. In the present conditions of market competition and continuous growth of unemployment, the new legislative requirements in health care under EU Regulations, affect the decision of young people related to their choice of professional field. Requirements set by the labour market imply quick adaptation and orientation, and flexible implementation of the knowledge and skills acquired in education. High quality education of health professionals is a major factor in the development and effective functioning of the healthcare system, and the achievement of a high standard of healthcare. This study examines the career prospects of assistant pharmacists, graduates of the Medical College, Medical University of Plovdiv. A questionnaire survey was carried out among a random selection of 2011, 2012 and 2019 graduates from the Medical College, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. A total of 70 graduates were covered by the study. The results show, in addition to career success on the labour market, the level of satisfaction with training, as well as the desire of graduates to improve their professional competence. A large percentage of assistant pharmacists have success on the labour market. The graduates of the Medical College, Medical University of Plovdiv have a professional development that is timely and adequate to their qualification. There is an objective need for competent teaching staff, update of the teaching resources as well as conducting postgraduate courses in line with the European standards

Water an Eco-Friendly Crossroad in Green Extraction: An Overview

In this overview, the function of water and the increasing role of water as a green solvent and co-extractant based on its application in ancient times and the need of environmental thinking have been discussed. A brief summary of various extraction methods for natural products, the application of conventional and innovative processes, based on water and future insights and perspectives considering water as an eco-friendly crossroad in green extraction have been reported. Taking into account also the issue of wastewater, this paper calls for more effective use of water as a finite resource

Polyphenols as Suitable control for Obesity and Diabetes

Modern life is characterized by physical inactivity and poor food choices, which is often a prerequisite for unhealthy weight gain and overweight/obesity. These factors unlock the emergence of a number of diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular problems, different types of cancer, etc. The pursuit of scientists to seek strategies to prevent, relieve and cure the patient leads to the usage of natural compounds of potential beneficial effect. Polyphenols are a large group of naturally occurring secondary metabolites mainly found in plants and beverages. The presence of these secondary metabolites seems to decrease the manifestation of miscellaneous disease-causing symptoms. The purpose of this review is to synthesize information about polyphenols and their potential in controlling obesity and diabetes. Polyphenols are considered as health-beneficial sources and thus could be involved in novel strategies for preventing diabetes and obesity complications

Research in Bioenergy and Other Renewable Energy Sources in Bulgaria

The interest in Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in Bulgaria reflects the changes in the field of energy policy worldwide and in Europe. The key to successful development of renewable energies in Bulgaria requires a combination of political commitment and decision making as well as support mechanisms including well-defined government targets, technological advances and public acceptance. The renewable energy sources (RES) theoretical potential in Bulgaria is considerable. It is evaluated to 14387 J/year for geothermal energy; 77156,7 J/year for solid agricultural waste; 478,4 J/year – biomass from paper waste; 9605,2 J/year –biomass from wood for heating; 79,8 J/year –biomass from natural fibers; 11381,83 J/year –liquid agricultural waste; 25766 GWh/year – big and small HPS; 1450-1500 kWh/m year – solar radiation. The geothermal and wind energy sector’s potential is considered the highest, while larger-scale utilisation of solar and biomass energy may also be attractive. The research in bioenergy and other RES in Bulgaria is carried out mainly in the following organisations in Bulgaria: National Centre of Agricultural Science (NCAS), University of Forestry Sofia, Agricultural University Plovdiv, University of Rousse, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Technical University Sofia, Technical University Varna

Insights and Perspectives on Plant-Based Beverages

The emerging demand for everyday food substitutes is increasing daily. More and more individuals struggle with allergies and intolerances, making providing alternatives for simple products like dairy milk mandatory. Plant-based beverages (PBBs) are currently trending due to the multiple diets that promote their consumption with or without a justification. PBBs can derive from various types of plants, not exclusively nuts. Some of the most well-known sources are almonds, soy, rice, and hazelnuts. Given the need for sustainable approaches to resource utilization and food production, novel sources for PBBs are being sought, including fruit kernels. The plant kingdom offers a palette of resources with proven bioactivity, i.e., containing flavonoids, phenolic acids, vitamins, carotenoids, and phenolics. Many of these beneficial substances are water-soluble, which could be transferred to the plant beverage compositions. The current review compares the vast number of potential formulations based on their specific nutritional profiles and possible deficiencies, as well as their expected health-promoting properties based on the raw material(s) used for production. Special attention will be given to the antinutrients, usually abundant in plant-based sources

Valorization of onion extracts as anti-browning agents

The enzymatic browning, whose main responsible is polyphenol oxidase (PPO, EC 1.14.18.1), is involved in the phenolic oxidation and colour alteration of minimally-processed fruits and vegetables. Currently, the research of new strategies to inactivate PPO is moving towards replacing synthetic additives such as organic acids and sulphites with natural inhibitors. The present study is focused on investigating the anti-browning performance of juices and distillates obtained from three onion varieties (white, yellow, and red) and Borettana onion wastes (inner layers). Their inhibitory activity on a commercial mushroom tyrosinase and some plant PPOs has been evaluated by spectrophotometric and electrophoretic analysis. The in vivo trials has been also carried out by monitoring over time at room temperature the colour change on potato slices under accelerated browning conditions. The effectiveness of onion samples in limiting enzymatic browning was affected by not only the enzyme source but also inhibitor type. Although distillates had higher anti-PPO capacity as confirmed by in vitro assays, juices showed better in vivo effectiveness. Hence, onions and their wastes can be valorised as a natural source of anti-browning agents to control PPO activity thus preserving sensory, antioxidant and nutritional properties of agro-food products

Medico-legal and obstetric challenges of recent demographic increases in Malta

The southern Mediterranean island of Malta, strategically located between North Africa and Europe and a full member of the European Union, offers an excellent European standard obstetric service. Yet, this obstetric service, like all other medical disciplines, is undergoing a severe evolutionary challenge imposed by rapid demographic shifts. It also finds itself without significant and relevant medico-legal legislation which is likely to lead to serious acute needs at the interface between the rapidly changing nature and number of foreigners residing in Malta and their medical needs, especially in the obstetric sector.The article looks at several factors, which argue for the immediate need of implementation of such legislation. One aspect of crucial importance is the demographic fact of rapidly changing profile of the patients making use of the Maltese Obstetric Service (MOS). This is the result of an influx of both EU nationals as well as irregular migrants, mostly of sub-Saharan origin. Both provide their own form of challenges to the MOS. In both, albeit more likely in the case of EU nationals, these challenges may easily find expression and resolution in eventual medico-legal action.

Organizational Aspects of the Erasmus+ Mobility: The Case of a Successful Bulgarian-Russian Partnership

The purpose of this paper is to broaden the understanding of the Erasmus+ Program mobility impact on the business and management education in Bulgarian and Russian universities. In particular, it offers an extension of its scope formed on the example of the Erasmus+ cooperation between the University of Ruse (Bulgaria) and Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev (Russia) in the business and management study fields. This case study report highlights some important organizational aspects of the business and management Erasmus+ education in Bulgaria and Russia. It presents also some practical aspects and is based on the Erasmus cooperation between the two mentioned universities. The findings from the case study appear to be in line with existing literature; for instance, it confirmed that academic mobility is shaping the curricula in the universities involved

Assessment of patients’ awareness on drugs use and adherence to drug therapy as an element of Medication Review service

The administration of an excessive amount of or unnecessary drugs is a prerequisite for numerous drug-related problems, non-compliance, non-adherence to medicinal therapy, exacerbation and poor control of chronic diseases, and failure in achieving the treatment goals. The aim of this study was to assess patients’ awareness on drug use (administration, adherence to drug therapy) and to identify the possible drug-related problems with patients, using 5 or more medicines on Bulgarian territory. The data were collected implementing a structured study tool – a questionnaire for assessment of patients’ therapy using 5 or more drugs prescribed by a physician, including OTC and/or food supplements. The study provided an identification of factors affecting skipping of doses, modification of regime and analyzed the relationships and interdependencies between number of diagnoses and adverse drug effects rate; number of administered drugs and reported problems and unawareness of the medicinal product indications and health state. The results showed that it was necessary to introduce the Medication Review (MR) service in Bulgarian pharmaceutical practice. That will provide possibilities for development of pharmacists’ role in dispensing medical products, it will help in reducing drug-related problems and increasing the effectiveness of the treatment and adherence to medical therapy