Bulgarian Study Research Articles

Benefits of Helicobacter pylori cagE genotyping in addition to cagA genotyping: a Bulgarian study

Associations of Helicobacter pylori cagE status with complex patient characteristics remain to be elucidated in Eastern Europe. The aim of this study was to assess the frequencies of cagE gene and cagA/cagE combinations in H.pylori strains from symptomatic Bulgarian patients and to improve cagA detection. cagA and cagE genotypes were evaluated in 219 patients with single-strain infections. In total, 84.9% of strains were cagA (+), while 68.5% were cagE (+). cagA (+), cagE (+), and cagA (+)/cagE (+) strains were more prevalent in peptic ulcer (93.8%, 84.4%, and 84.4%) compared with nonulcer patients (81.3%, 61.9%, and 61.3%, respectively). In elderly patients, cagE (+) and cagA (+)/cagE (+) strains were 1.9-fold more common than in the 12 children evaluated. Only 10% of the elderly subjects harbored low-virulence cagA (+)/cagE (-) strains compared with 16.8% of adults and 41.7% of children. Intriguingly, prevalence of the cagA (+)/cagE (-) genotype was 2.1-fold lower in men than in women, suggesting a higher frequency of more virulent strains in men. The presence of both cag genes and combinations was not linked to strain susceptibility to clarithromycin or metronidazole, place of residence, or prior therapy. Use of an extra primer pair increased cagA detection in 14.7% of 31 cagA (-) strains. In conclusion, use of a second primer pair for the cagA gene can be recommended in countries with common cagA (+) strains. Although both cag genes were linked to severe diseases in Bulgarian patients, the best discrimination of virulent strains was obtained by the cagA/cagE combination or by the cagE gene alone. cagE prevalence increased gradually with patient age, while the cagA (+)/cagE (-) genotype, implying a disrupted cag pathogenicity island, was associated with both younger age and female gender.

Improvement in quality-of-life questionnaire measures in obese adolescent females with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with lifestyle changes and oral contraceptives, with or without metformin

We studied the effect of metformin or placebo in a lifestyle modification program combined with oral contraceptives (OC) on quality-of-life parameters measured by the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) questionnaire in obese adolescent women with validated PCOS. The quality-of-life indicators were measured at baseline and conclusion for five domains on the PCOS questionnaire, with equal improvement in scores in both placebo and metformin groups, suggesting that the addition of metformin does not add improvement to quality-of-life measures above those observed with lifestyle modification and OC treatment.

The types and timing of the degenerative changes seen in the cysts during and after benzimidazole treatment of cystic echinococcosis

In a large-scale Bulgarian study, 122 patients with abdominal and/or lung echinococcosis were randomly selected for treatment with albendazole or mebendazole. The main aims were to evaluate the effect of each drug on the hydatid cysts, to follow the changes in cyst morphology during and after treatment, and to determine how quickly each drug produced the first, detectable, degenerative changes in the cysts. Follow-up was based on periodic ultrasonography, chest radiography and computed tomography. The abdominal cysts were categorised as small (<5 cm in diameter) or large. As albendazole treatment had effects that were almost identical to those of mebendazole treatment, the results for the two drugs were combined. In the lungs and, particularly, in the abdomen, the size of the cysts being treated influenced the character and timing of the degenerative changes seen in them. The initial change seen in each abdominal cyst was detachment of the endocyst, which occurred 1-3 months (small cysts) or 2-5 months (large cysts) after the initiation of treatment (P<0.05). The abdominal cysts then developed a hyper-echoic/hyper-dense appearance, became smaller, and finally disappeared 3.3-9.3 months (small cysts) or 5.6-13.9 months (large cysts) after treatment began (P<0.05). The first degenerative change noted in the lung cysts was cyst rupture, which occurred as early as day 10 of therapy but was generally observed 1 or 2 months after treatment began. After their complete evacuation, the ruptured lung cysts shrank and became deformed, some disappearing within 5-9 months of the initiation of treatment. The degenerative changes recorded, which began significantly earlier in the lung cysts than in abdominal cysts, indicate serious damage to the cysts and the parasiticidal, curative effect of each of the two benzimidazoles employed.

Prevalence of low central bone mineral density in a bulgarian female referral population: a pilot study

Osteoporosis is one of the most important health problems among elderly women. The prevalence of central osteoporosis in Bulgaria is still unknown. We tried to retrospectively determine the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis at the spine and hip in a female referral population. Bulgarian women (2,600) aged group 25-87 years referred for bone densitometry screening were included. Information about known risk factors for low bone mass was recorded. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 4500 A) at the lumbar spine (2,547 participants, 1,954 of whom were postmenopausal) and left hip (723 participants, 605 of whom were postmenopausal). T-scores were calculated from Hologic-provided and own Bulgarian peak BMD data (the latter based on 122 healthy premenopausal 25- to 39-year-old women). Peak lumbar spine BMD was 0.994 g/cm2 (SD 0.095 g/cm2), and thus lower than the manufacturer-provided value of 1.047 g/cm2. The peak BMD of the total hip was 0.959 g/cm2 (SD 0.129 g/cm2) and thus higher than the manufacturer-provided BMD of 0.942. T-scores differed according to the database used. The osteoporosis threshold of -2.5 SD was reached at the spine in the age group 70-74 years. Left hip T-scores showed a much slower decline with age. In women aged 50 and older the prevalence of osteoporosis reached 37.31% at the spine, and 16.14% at the left hip. Osteopenia was found in 39.74% at the spine and in 65.57% at the total hip. This is the first Bulgarian study looking for the prevalence of central osteoporosis in a female referral population. It may become the starting point for future epidemiological work.

Prevalence ofChlamydia TrachomatisInfections in Symptomatic Patients in Bulgaria

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in symptomatic patients and to compare our data with similar studies made in Bulgaria. 822 patients were included in the study with a diagnosis suggestive of Chlamydial infection: urethritis, prostatitis, Reiter syndrome, cervicitis, salpingitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, etc. The samples were cell cultured on McCoy and detected by immunofluorescence with anti-lipopolysaccharide monoclonal antibody. The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in symptomatic patients was about 37% in the investigated 822 urogenital samples (568 women and 254 men). Active infection with C. trachomatis was detected in 39% of the women and in 33% of the men. Our study shows a relatively high prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in symptomatic patients; a lower prevalence of the infection in comparison with other Bulgarian studies, using different methods for detection. The results prove the high sensitivity and specificity of the cell-culture method for the detection of Chlamydial infections and the need for screening of the symptomatic patients and their sexual partners for Chlamydial infection.

PREVALENCE OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS INFECTION IN SYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS IN BULGARIA

The aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in symptomatic patients and to compare our data with similar studies made in Bulgaria. 822 patients were includet with a suggestion of possible chlamydial infection - urethritis, prostatitis, Reiter syndrome, cervicitis, salpingitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, etc. The samples were cell cultured on McCoy and detected in immunofluorescence with anti-lipopolysaccharide monoclonal antibody. The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in symptomatic patients addressing the specialists was about 37% in the investigated 822 urogenital samples (568 women and 254 men). Active infection with C. trachomatis was detected in 39% of the women and in 33% of the men. Our study shows a relatively high prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in symptomatic patients; lower prevalence of the infection in comparison with other bulgarian studies, using different methods for detection. The results prove the high sensitivity and specificity of the cell-culture method for the detection of chlamydial infections and the need for screening of the symptomatic patients and their sexual partners for chlamydial infection.

Anaerobic microbiology in 198 cases of pleural empyema: a Bulgarian study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of anaerobic bacteria in 198 patients with pleural empyema and the susceptibility of isolates to eight antibacterial agents. Isolates were identified by the Crystal anaerobes identification system, API System rapid ID 32 A and/or routine methods. Susceptibility was tested by Sceptor MIC system for anaerobic bacteria and limited agar dilution method. Anaerobic bacteria were found in 74.2% of the patients and included 247 strains within 21 genera. The predominant anaerobes were Gram-positive anaerobic cocci (52 isolates), Fusobacterium (51), microaerophilic streptococci (24), Prevotella (19) and Bacteroides species (11). Common species/groups were Fusobacterium nucleatum (in 27.2% of specimens yielding anaerobes), Micromonas micros (8.2%), Finegoldia magna (7.5%), Bacteroides fragilis group (6.8%), Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (6.1%) and F. necrophorum (5.4%). No resistance to chloramphenicol and ampicillin/sulbactam was detected. The susceptibility rates of Gram-negative anaerobic isolates to penicillin, cefoxitin, clindamycin, clarithromycin, metronidazole and tetracycline were 63.8%, 90.2%, 87.8%, 58.6%, 98.8% and 71%, and those of Gram-positive anaerobes were 79.2%, 100%, 84.3%, 68.4%, 41.9% and 75%, respectively. The wide diversity of isolated anaerobic genera and species and the susceptibility patterns of the isolates emphasize the role of the anaerobic microbiology in cases of pleural empyema.

Helicobacter pylori and Helicobacter heilmannii in children. A Bulgarian study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and Helicobacter heilmannii among 321children. Gram staining, urease test and culture were performed. Of all patients, 52.6% were H. pylori positive and 0.3% were H. heilmannii positive. H. pylori infection was associated with chronic gastritis in 57.1%, with duodenal ulcer in 75% and with non-ulcer dyspepsia in 25.6%. This infection was more frequent in children aged 11-18 years than in younger patients. Rapid urease test, culture and direct Gram staining showed 42.3, 96.5 and 78.2% sensitivity and 93.2, 100 and 84.6% specificity, respectively. H. pylori was detected in 60.2% of fresh versus 52.8% of frozen specimens and in 64.8% in gastric biopsy versus 25% in gastric mucus specimens. H. pylori growth was detected after nine to 10 days in 6.2% and after 11 days in 1.2%. Culture exhibited the best accuracy of the three diagnostic methods. Frozen biopsy specimens gave reliable H. pylori detection unlike gastric mucus specimens. Eleven days of incubation for H. pylori is recommended. The study confirms an early acquisition of H. pylori infection in Bulgaria. The incidence of H. heilmannii infection in childhood is uncommon but clinically important.

Prevalence of low forearm bone density in a Bulgarian female referral population.

Osteoporosis is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population. The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in Bulgaria is unknown except for preliminary data. We tried to determine retrospectively the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in a referral female population; 8869 consecutive Bulgarian women (age 20-87 years) were included. Information about known risk factors for low bone mass was recorded. Forearm bone mineral density was measured at the distal radius+ulna site by single X-ray absorptiometry (DTX-100 device). T- and Z-scores were calculated from Bulgarian reference data. In the total study sample 15.16% had osteoporosis and 28.8% had osteopenia. In women aged 50 years and over the corresponding prevalence was 20.45% and 32.5%. Age-adjusted prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia started rising after age 55 years. Corresponding mean T-scores also declined and the osteoporosis threshold of -2.5 SD was reached in the age group 70-74 years. Z-scores in all age groups were between 0 and -0.6, thus excluding major selection bias. This is the first large-scale Bulgarian study designed to look for the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in a referral population. It may become the starting point for future screening and intervention strategies in our country.

Geomagnetic Field Variations as Determined from Bulgarian Archaeomagnetic Data. Part II: The Last 8000 Years

The knowledge about past secular variations of the geomagnetic field is achieved on the basis of archaeomagnetic researches of which the Bulgarian studies form an extended data set. In Part I (Kovacheva and Toshkov, 1994), the methodology used in the Sofia palaeomagnetic laboratory was described and the secular variation curves for the last 2000 years were shown. In Part II (this paper), the basic characteristics of the prehistoric materials used in the archaeomagnetic studies are emphasised, particularly in the context of the rock magnetic studies used in connection with palaeointensity determinations. The results of magnetic anisotropy studies of the prehistoric ovens and other fired structures are summarised, including the anisotropy correction of the palaeointensity results for prehistoric materials, different from bricks and pottery. Curves of the direction and intensity of the geomagnetic field during the last 8000 years in Bulgaria are given. The available directional and intensity values have been used to calculate the variation curve of the virtual dipole moment (VDM) for the last 8000 years based on different time interval averages. The path of virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) positions is discussed.

Effects of Echinostoma trivolvis (trematoda) infection on metallic ions in the host snail Helisoma trivolvis (gastropoda)

Flame and graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry were used to study the metallic ions in the digestive gland-gonad complex (DGG) of Helisoma trivolvis snails infected with the daughter rediae of Echinostoma trivolvis and in uninfected DGG. Seven metals were found to be present in infected and uninfected DGG at concentrations above the detection limits of the analytical methods. Of these, sodium was present in significantly higher amounts (Student's t-test, confidence level of 95%) in the infected versus uninfected DGG; magnesium and manganese occurred in significantly lower amounts in the infected DGG. Our results were compared with those from a Bulgarian study in which neutron activation analysis was used to determine elements in Lymnaea stagnalis snails infected with the intramolluscan stages of the 37-collar-spined echinostome E. revolutum. The Bulgarian study also reported a significant elevation of sodium but reduction of zinc in the hepatopancreas (i.e., digestive gland) of infected snails. Other differences between the two studies are discussed.

The second international congress on Bulgarian studies

The second international congress on Bulgarian studies

Labour, Leisure and Physical Culture. A Bulgarian Perspective

Physical culture and sport have a considerable influence on the development of society and social relationships. In order to appreciate this, a sociological approach is essential. Sport organisations affect the separate areas of work and sport in numerous ways. The results of two Bulgarian studies of the time budgets from the years 1970/71 and 1976/77 show that the amount of time spent on sports and taken from working hours has increased. Only if this increase benefits the quality of work and productivity is it useful for the population. This is discussed with respect to the new categories of additional labour time and additional leisure time.

Problems of Ethnography of the Bulgarians in the Works of Soviet Scholars

The Soviet scholarly public has celebrated the 1300th anniversary of the formation of the Bulgarian state. In this connection, specialists in the social sciences are discussing all aspects of the problem of Bulgarian studies as a complex of humanistic knowledge. Soviet ethnographers have also done considerable work in this area.

Bulgarian studies on the Ottoman Empire and Turkey

(1983). Bulgarian studies on the Ottoman Empire and Turkey. Middle Eastern Studies: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 119-125.

Bulgaria

Essay| April 01 1981 Bulgaria: The Solace of History Frederick B. Chary Frederick B. Chary Professor of History and Philosophy, Indiana University, Northwest Frederick B. Chary is chairman of the department of history and philosophy of Indiana University Northwest. He is the author of The Bulgarian Jews and the Final Solution, 1940-1944 and “The Diary of Bogdan Filov,” which appeared in the journal Southeastern Europe, and has written several other articles and papers relating to Bulgaria during World War II and the Bulgarian agrarian movement. Vice president of the Bulgarian Studies Association and editor of the Association’s newsletter, Frederick Chary is also a member of the executive board of the American Association of Southeast European Studies and an editor of Southeastern Europe. He has visited Bulgaria on a number of occasions over the past decade as a research scholar and a participant in conferences. Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Current History (1981) 80 (465): 164–167. https://doi.org/10.1525/curh.1981.80.465.164 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Frederick B. Chary; Bulgaria: The Solace of History. Current History 1 April 1981; 80 (465): 164–167. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/curh.1981.80.465.164 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentCurrent History Search This content is only available via PDF. © 1981 by The Regents of the University of California1981 Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

Bulgaria Past and Present: Studies in History, Literature, Economics, Music, Sociology, Folklore and Linguistics. Edited by Thomas Butler. Proceedings of the First International Conference on Bulgarian Studies Held at the University of Wisconsin, Madison—May 3-5, 1973. Columbus, Ohio: American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies, 1976. xiv, 397 pp. Paper.

Bulgaria Past and Present: Studies in History, Literature, Economics, Music, Sociology, Folklore and Linguistics. Edited by Thomas Butler. Proceedings of the First International Conference on Bulgarian Studies Held at the University of Wisconsin, Madison—May 3-5, 1973. Columbus, Ohio: American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies, 1976. xiv, 397 pp. Paper. - Volume 38 Issue 1

First U.S. International Conference on Bulgarian Studies

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