Latest Articles from Folia Medica Latest 7 Articles from Folia Medica https://foliamedica.bg/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:42:21 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://foliamedica.bg/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Folia Medica https://foliamedica.bg/ Determinants and Factors of Satisfaction with Sublingual Immunotherapy in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis https://foliamedica.bg/article/47000/ Folia Medica 62(2): 385-390

DOI: 10.3897/folmed.62.e47000

Authors: Silviya Novakova

Abstract: Introduction: Allergen specific immunotherapy provides effective treatment of allergic rhinitis. Despite its efficacy, it can be signifi­cantly compromised by a possible treatment dissatisfaction of patients.Aim: To explore determinants and factors of satisfaction with sublingual immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis.Materials and methods: A total number of 191 patients with allergic rhinitis who completed a three-year course of sublingual im­munotherapy were included in the study. Of these, 76 had house dust mite (HDM) allergy - 42 men (55.26%) and 115 had grass pollen allergy - 63 men (54.78%) (mean age 27.3 years, SD: 6.14). The patients assessed their satisfaction using a visual analog scale. Health- Related Quality of Life was assessed by Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life questionnaire. A visual analog scale was used to determine severity of the allergic rhinitis.Results: The mean overall satisfaction, compared with that in previous therapy, increased significantly from 4.80 (SD 2.16) to 7.47 (SD 2.05) in the grass pollen allergy group and from 3.42 (SD 2.31) to 7.61 (SD 2.38) in the patients with HDM SLIT (p< 0.001). No relation between satisfaction and sex, type of immunotherapy extracts and duration of the disease was established. A strong correlation was found between satisfaction with treatment and quality of life (R=0.62) and severity of allergic rhinitis (R=0.69) after a three-year course.Conclusion: The results of this real-life study demonstrated that most patients with allergic rhinitis appeared to be satisfied with a three-year course of sublingual immunotherapy. The study provided evidence that reduction in severity of symptoms and improvement in quality of life could determine satisfaction with treatment.

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Original Article Tue, 30 Jun 2020 19:28:00 +0300
Refraction in Preschool Children in Kazanlak, Bulgaria https://foliamedica.bg/article/47463/ Folia Medica 62(2): 345-351

DOI: 10.3897/folmed.62.e47463

Authors: Kiril Slaveykov, Kalina Trifonova

Abstract: Introduction: The refractive state of the eye changes as the eye’s axial length increases and the cornea and lens flatten. In general, eyes are hyperopic at birth, become slightly more hyperopic until the age of 7, which at this point we see a myopic shift toward plano until the eyes reach their adult dimensions, usually by about the age 16.Aim: To determine the prevalence of refractive error in preschool children aged 3 - 6 in the city of Kazanlak, Bulgaria.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a kindergarten based school within the city of Kazanlak, Bul­garia. Out of 15 kindergarten schools, 10 chose to participate in the study. The children underwent non-mydriatic refraction screening using a Plus-Optix S12с mobile camera. Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism were defined as being a spherical equivalent (SE) ≤ −0.50 D, SE ≥ +2.00 D and cylindrical diopters ≤ −1.00 D.Results: A total of 596 children were screened. Out of these 596 children; 526 were with ametropia (470 hypermetropia, 46 myopia) and 50 had astigmatism. Strabismus was found in 12 children, with a further 8 children suffering from amblyopia and finally 8 children were also found to be diagnosed with anisometropia. In 8 cases there were no results due to opacities or due to the small size of the pupil.Conclusion: The prevalence of refractive error in preschool children is similar to that found in other research in the field. While most cases fall into the category of emmetropia or mild hypermetropia, most of the children had never been to an ophthalmologist. A manda­tory checkup should be issued for all children below the age of seven.

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Original Article Tue, 30 Jun 2020 19:28:00 +0300
Evaluation of Non-polar Composition in Plumbago Zeylanica Leaves by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry https://foliamedica.bg/article/47647/ Folia Medica 62(2): 308-313

DOI: 10.3897/folmed.62.e47647

Authors: Jayesh Dhalani, Gaurang Dubal, Chirag Rathod, Pankaj Nariya

Abstract: Background: Plumbago zeylanica plant belongs to Plumbaginaceae. The plant is reported for many pharmacological activities.Aim: The objective of the study was to identify fatty acids and non-polar chemical compounds in Plumbago zeylanica leaves. Materials and methods: Petroleum ether extract was prepared using soxhlet apparatus. Saponifiable and unsaponifiable matter was separated with saponification process. To identify fatty acids in saponifiable matter further esterification was performed. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis was performed of both saponifiable and unsaponifiable fractions. All the fatty acid methyl esters and non-polar chemical compounds were identified using NIST library data.Results: A total of 14 compounds were identified with comparison of NIST data. From that, 8 fatty acid methyl esters and 6 non-polar chemical compounds were identified. Here we have analyzed fatty acids and non-polar chemical compounds by the same GC-MS method.Conclusions: The present analysis showed that Plumbago Zeylanica leaves contain 8 fatty acids and 6 non-polar chemical compounds. Principal determination of the research was development of efficient method to identify non-polar compound from plant by single injection using chromatographic technique.

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Original Article Tue, 30 Jun 2020 19:28:00 +0300
Retreatability of Bioceramic Endodontic Sealers: a Review https://foliamedica.bg/article/47690/ Folia Medica 62(2): 258-264

DOI: 10.3897/folmed.62.e47690

Authors: Kostadin I. Zhekov, Vessela P. Stefanova

Abstract: In 2009 a new type of endodontic sealers was introduced to the market. The so called “bioceramic” sealers are a promising alternative to the present golden standard of root canal fillings. Now a decade later, still very little is known about the ability to remove these sealers in cases of non-surgical endodontic retreatment (NSER). There are only a limited number of articles that provide such information. The commonly used hand files are not efficient in removing thoroughly the sealer from the main canal walls. Machine driven files are much easier and faster alternative to the hand ones, but are still not able to ensure complete removal. Although ultrasonics can be applied only in the straight portion of the main canal, they raise the efficacy of sealer removal. Photon-initiated photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) is another way to enhance the removal of bioceramics. Solvents like chloroform and orange oil are effective in softening gutta-percha, but not the bioceramics. This article reviews the available scientific data concerning removal of bioceramic materials in the context of a NSER.

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Review Tue, 30 Jun 2020 19:28:00 +0300
Correlation of Disease Activity and Quality of Life of Patients with Psoriasis after Narrow-band Ultraviolet B Therapy https://foliamedica.bg/article/47797/ Folia Medica 62(1): 89-93

DOI: 10.3897/folmed.62.e47797

Authors: Lyubomir A. Dourmishev, Karolina Lyubomirova

Abstract: Introduction: Treatment with ultraviolet light is a well-established and effective treatment option for mild to moderate psoriasis. The aims of the study were to measure the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) reduction after narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB UVB) therapy, to evaluate the quality of life before and after treatment using the dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and to compare the clinical effectiveness with quality of life improvement. Material and methods: Twenty two patients (13 male and 9 female patients), aged between 21 to 70 years (mean age 40±14.65 years) were enrolled in the study. NB UVB treatment was performed with 10 to 25 (mean 18.5; SD 3.39) procedures with cumulative doses of 5 to 19.4 J/cm2. The baseline median PASI score was 20.027 which decreased after therapy to 11.11. More than PASI 50% reduction was achieved in 40.91% of the patients after at least 6 weeks of treatment and the results are highly statistically significant. Quality of life (QoL) assessed using DLQI was found moderately affected by disease pretreatment. NB UVB therapy significantly increased DLQI score in spectrum of ‘symptoms and feelings’ and ‘treatment’. Discussion: The PASI score reduction that we observed after NB-UVB therapy is consistent with the results reported by other authors. Baseline DLQI scores were indicative of moderate QoL impairments associated with disease. At the same time, the reduction of the DLQI index corresponding to improved QoL correlated with the objective clinical symptom assessment. Conclusion: Our data suggest that DLQI and PASI indexes are important complementary methods for comprehensive health assessment of patients with psoriasis.

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Original Article Tue, 31 Mar 2020 17:00:13 +0300
Various Aspects of Tiagabine Effectiveness as Add-on Therapy in Patients with Refractory Epilepsy https://foliamedica.bg/article/47762/ Folia Medica 62(1): 59-64

DOI: 10.3897/folmed.62.e47762

Authors: Ekaterina Viteva, Zahari Zahariev

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate various aspects of tiagabine (TGB) effectiveness in Bulgarian patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. This open, prospective study recruited the patients with epilepsy attending the Clinic of Neurology at the University Hospital of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The patients completed diaries about the seizure frequency, severity, and adverse events. There were regular documented visits at 3 or 6 months during the first year of treatment with TGB and at 6 months or 1 year afterwards, with dynamic assessment of seizure frequency, severity, adverse events, and EEG recordings. TGB was applied as an add-on treatment in 43 patients (24 males, mean age 39 years). There was relatively mild and transient dynamic improvement of seizure severity, satisfactory seizure frequency reduction in 32.6% of participants, stable mean seizure frequency reduction (40-50%) from month 6 to month 24 and a stable response rate (52.3-50%) during the same period. New seizure types (myoclonic, myoclonic-atonic) occurred in 2 patients. The final clinical efficacy was higher in patients with initial monotherapy. There were adverse events (dizziness/vertigo, sedation, memory impairment, loss of appetite and weight, confusion, psychosis, insomnia, transient diplopia, lymphadenomegaly, rash, nausea, depression, anxiety, tremor of hands, unstable gait, legs edema, thrombocytopenia, cervical muscles tightening) in 26.19% of patients. In conclusion, TGB treatment is associated with low and transient improvement of seizure severity, good and stable improvement of seizure frequency, possible worsening of seizure control, possible appearance of new seizure types, and acceptable safety and tolerability.

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Original Article Tue, 31 Mar 2020 17:00:08 +0300
Aesthetic Improvement of White Spot Fluorosis Lesions with Resin Infiltration https://foliamedica.bg/article/47731/ Folia Medica 62(1): 208-213

DOI: 10.3897/folmed.62.e47731

Authors: Veselina I. Todorova, Ivan A. Filipov, Abdul F. Khaliq, Pankaj Verma

Abstract: Dental fluorosis changes the colour and/or structure of enamel, leading to an unaesthetic appearance. One of the main goals in the treatment is aesthetic improvement of the affected teeth. Two clinical cases of patients with white spot fluorosis lesions on frontal teeth are presented. All treated teeth are infiltrated with low-viscous light-curing resin (ICON, DMG). A significant improvement in the aesthetic appearance of all the treated tooth surfaces is visible immediately after resin infiltration, and in most of the teeth - a complete disappearance of the white spots. Resin infiltration is an alternative micro-invasive approach for treatment of white spot lesions of different origin. It allows a quick and natural recovery of the affected teeth.

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Case Report Tue, 31 Mar 2020 14:08:31 +0300