Neli Ermenlieva

Nutritive intake of omega-3 fatty acids and maternity

https://www.journal-imab-bg.org 1985 ABSTRACT Introduction: Pregnancy and lactation are physiological conditions, which put the female organism into a serious ordeal. The satisfaction of the nutritive needs during maternity plays a significant role in the favorable end of pregnancy and for the health of both mother and infant. A significant number of studies prove the importance of the essential fatty acids for mother’s and baby’s health. During this period the needs of fats do not exceed, but the requirements to them increase. Aim: To study the nutritive intake of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) in pregnant women in Varna, Bulgaria and to determine if there is a risk for nutritive deficiency. Materials and methods: A questionnaire (Food Frequency Questionnaire) about the consumption of foods – sources of n-3 FA was distributed among 350 pregnant and nursing women in Varna, Bulgaria. Results and discussion: Less than 40% of the responders regularly consume foods, sources of polyunsaturated fatty acid: fish, walnuts, linseeds, etc. Only 9,3% of the young mothers take dietary supplements with n-3 FA. Conclusion: A low nutritive intake of essential fats was found. The receiving of PUFA dietary supplements is not popular among the Bulgarian mothers. Over half of the pregnant and nursing women are at risk of non-adequate intake of n-3 FA.

Vitamin B12: Could It Be a Promising Immunotherapy?

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and an important micronutrient with critical role in DNA, protein, and lipid synthesis. It is responsible for one-carbon metabolism and cell division of nervous and hematopoietic cells. Among its various functions, the role as immunomodulator in cellular immunity, especially in elevating the number of CD8+ cells and NK cells, attracts scientific interest. Many alternative anticancer and anti-inflammatory treatments involve the use of B12 together with other vitamins and nutrients, but still the scientific information is too obscure and insufficient. Controversial data link tumorigenesis with either increased or decreased B12 blood levels in different types of cancer. Dietary intake and additional supplement with the vitamin do not protect against cancer risk, but the dominant opinion is to integrate B12 as part of rational and healthy nutrition to ensure proper function of the immune system. This chapter will review in brief the most important facts for vitamin B12 functions and properties. We will try also to present in concise way the human immune system and the exact role of B12 in immune activity with emphasis on the questionable participation of vitamin B12 in the process of carcinogenesis and its significance as anticancer immunotherapy.

A MODEL FOR INTEGRATED SOFTWARE TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION POLICY IN DENTAL TECHNICAL LABS

Introduction: Integrated marketing communications (IMC) are all kinds of communications between organisations and customers, partners, other organisations and society. Aim: To develop and present an integrated software model, which can improve the effectiveness of communications in dental technical services. Material and Methods: The model of integrated software is based on recommendations of a total of 700 respondents (students of dental technology, dental physicians, dental technicians and patients of dental technical laboratories) in Northeastern Bulgaria. Results and Discussion: We present the benefits of future integrated software to improve the communication policy in the dental technical laboratory that meets the needs of fast cooperation and well-built communicative network between dental physicians, dental technicians, patients and students. Conclusion: The use of integrated communications could be a powerful unified approach to improving the communication policy between all players at the market of dental technical services.

Epidemiological Study of Hepatitis A Infection in Eastern Bulgaria

Abstract Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is an acute, self-limited liver disease transmitted usually through the faecal-oral route via person-to-person contact. Bulgaria has intermediate HAV endemicity with higher susceptibility among adults and recurrent outbreaks. Aim: As HAV infection is strongly related to human movements and represents a significant risk to travelers and migrants, as well as to local population receiving these groups, we set out to analyze the epidemiological data on hepatitis A in five of the largest tourist border regions of Bulgaria located in its eastern part: Varna, Shumen, Dobrich, Burgas and Yambol. Materials and methods: We reviewed retrospectively all reported cases of acute hepatitis A in the eastern regions of Bulgaria over a 7-year period between 2008 and 2014. Results: A total of 2879 newly infected patients were registered during the study period, the number varying widely: from 190 cases in 2014 to 923 in 2012. The average incidence of HAV was higher in the south-eastern regions than in the northeastern regions (55.30%000 vs 15.04%000 respectively, p < 0.0001). The most affected age group in all regions was the 5-9-year olds (p < 0.0001) and males were significantly more susceptible to HAV (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Hepatitis A is still a major public health problem in Bulgaria; there is a significant difference in the incidence of the disease between the regions in the south-east and those in the north-east and between the different age groups and sexes.