POPULARISATION PRACTICE OF DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE AT THE STATE AGENCY “АРХИВИ” GABROVO DEPARTMENT

The objective of the research is to describe the popularisation experience of documentary heritage at the department of the particular archive in Bulgaria, emphasizing the specific aspects of this practice in order to formulate recommendations for similar activities in Latvia. The methods used in the research: analysis of some individual aspects of popularisation of the documentary heritage based on the normative enactments governing the activity of archives in Bulgaria, case analysis. Popularisation of documents is the body of communication events, which are used to cover a wide circle of persons and institutions. It is directly connected to the social, political, cultural life in the country and region and it is aimed at the reflection of upbringing, educating, cultural, and science matters. Each department of the archive plans and implements the popularisation events of the documentary heritage separately from one another or in cooperation with museums, creative associations, scientific institutions and education establishments, other governmental and public institutions, the mass media, etc. They are initiated in order to introduce or remind the public of any significant events, processes, persons. There are varied forms of exhibition offerings: mobile and stationary, permanent and temporary, taking place in the premises of the archive and in the specifically adopted environment outside of it (in other institutions or outdoors), including in the electronic form. The archive of Gabrovo has substantial experience of work with the student group excursions from the city and the nearby neighbourhood, which require special preparation and ability to communicate with the youth, using understandable and acceptable to them materials and visual aids. Main conclusions: Despite being dully planned, in most cases under the situation of limited resources the popularisation events of the documentary heritage are based on the personal initiative, experience in building contacts and the ability to find some possibilities for improvement of this work through purposeful customer-oriented communication of the employees of the Archive of Gabrovo. It is important to use the personal connections and unforeseen events creatively in the work with the current and potential creators. In the public space the Archive Department of Gabrovo positions itself as an open institution that is ready to cooperate with all organisations and individuals interested for comprehensive and quality satisfaction of all public needs at all levels.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE INCIDENCE OF SPINAL DISTORTIONS IN ADOLESCENTS FOR THE PERIOD 2009-2021

Purpose: The study objective is to monitor changes in the incidence of spinal distortions in adolescents in the school years 2008/2009 and 2019/2020 in schools within the territory of the town of Kazanlak. The report presents an overview of the manner and organization of preventive screenings of adolescents and options for subsequent treatment. Materials and methods: The study was carried out by specialists in physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) in the school physicians’ offices with the consent of the directors, class teachers, parents and the regional education inspectorate. The preventive screenings were carried out completely free of charge for the pupils, and the treatment of newly discovered spinal distortions was carried out in outpatient conditions and was taken over by the National Health Insurance Fund. Results: The study outcomes showed no change in the incidence of spinal distortions of pupils in classes 1 to 4. However, among children from classes 5 to 10, there is a significant increase in the incidence rate over a period of 10 years. Conclusions: The introduction of modern technologies in pupils’ daily lives and their increasingly active lifestyles over the last 10 years has led to an increase in spinal diseases. PRM specialists are the physicians responsible for restoring preventive screenings for spinal distortions in schools. Our study with subsequent treatment and prevention of these conditions shows a successful approach to dealing with the increased number of scoliosis cases in the town of Kazanlak. Our team believes that this approach can be effectively implemented in each region by the PRM specialists and would have a strong social, economic and health effect in the long term for the population of the Republic of Bulgaria

CROSS BORDER RESPONCE OF MOSSES TO ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION OF 10 ELEMENTS IN SOUTHWESTERN BULGARIA AND EASTERN FYROM

ABSTRACT This study aims at first cross-border assessing of 10 heavy metals and toxic elements accumulation in the tissues of mos

Guided Growth in Skeletal Deformity Associated with DNA-Confirmed Ollier Disease

Abstract: Ollier disease (Spranger type I) is a rare, non-hereditary skeletal dysplasia characterized by asymmetrically distributed enchondromas. We report a case of an eight-year-old female presenting with left lower limb shortening and varus deformity. Radiographic evaluation revealed multiple osteolytic lesions typical of the disease. For the first time in early-stage diagnosis, targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was applied, identifying a heterozygous pathogenic IDH1 variant (c.394C>T; p.Arg132Cys), thus enabling prompt molecular confirmation. Surgical management combined guided growth via proximal tibial epiphysiodesis with intraoperative bone biopsy in a single session, reducing anesthetic exposure and hospitalization time. The early application of molecular genetic testing in this case contributed to improved diagnostic accuracy and more effective treatment planning, ultimately supporting better patient outcomes in skeletal dysplasia

Current distribution, trends, abiotic and biotic preferences of two Elodea species in Bulgaria

Two invasive aquatic macrophyte species from the genus Elodea and their distribution in Bulgaria were studied. The research was based on 653 field surveys from the period 2009-2022. Elodea records constitute to only 6% of the database. Between the two species studied, E. nuttallii exhibited a wider distribution both in rivers and lakes (natural and artificial). Several instances of invaders’ dominance were observed, with E. nuttallii showing dominance patterns mainly in lakes, and E. canadensis in rivers. Both species were distributed in aquatic habitats with a wide variation in abiotic characteristics, except for the dominant substrate. E. nuttallii showed a more significant altitudinal range reaching above 1500 m. Such altitudinal variations resulted in diverse ecological habitats in terms of abiotic factors such as temperature and light intensity. The studied aquatic macrophyte communities demonstrated average species richness. Ceratophyllum demersum and Myriophyllum spicatum were the most commonly recorded representatives of the native aquatic flora. Canadian waterweed demonstrated the ability to form dense communities in rivers, while Nuttall’s waterweed retained average values of abundance. A case of natural disappearance within the Elodea species has been documented. The systematised information covering a 13-year period could serve to identify strategic areas for monitoring aquatic IAS and their management

Intercalibration of the national classifications of ecological status for Eastern Continental lakes: Biological quality Element: Macrophytes

Abstract The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires the national classifications of good ecological status to be harmonised through an intercalibration exercise. In this exercise, significant differences in status classification among Member States are harmonized by comparing and, if necessary, adjusting the good status boundaries of the national assessment methods. Intercalibration is performed for rivers, lakes, coastal and transitional waters, focusing on selected types of water bodies (intercalibration types), anthropogenic pressures and Biological Quality Elements. Intercalibration exercises were carried out in Geographical Intercalibration Groups - larger geographical units including Member States with similar water body types - and followed the procedure described in the WFD Common Implementation Strategy Guidance document on the intercalibration process (European Commission, 2011). The Technical reports are organized in volumes according to the water category (rivers, lakes, coastal and transitional waters), Biological Quality Element and Geographical Intercalibration group. This volume addresses the intercalibration of the Eastern Continental Lake GIG macrophyte ecological assessment methods. Three countries (Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania) participated in the intercalibration exercise and harmonised their lake macrophyte systems. The results were approved by the WG ECOSTAT and included in the EC Decision on intercalibration (European Commission, 2018).JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

Depression Awareness and Self-Management Through the Internet: Protocol for an Internationally Standardized Approach

Background: Depression incurs significant morbidity and confers increased risk of suicide. Many individuals experiencing depression remain untreated due to systemic and personal barriers to care. Guided Internet-based psychotherapeutic programs represent a promising means of overcoming such barriers and increasing the capacity for self-management of depression. However, existing programs tend to be available only in English and can be expensive to access. Furthermore, despite evidence of the effectiveness of a number of Internet-based programs, there is limited evidence regarding both the acceptability of such programs and feasibility of their use, for users and health care professionals. Objective: This paper will present the protocol for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the iFightDepression tool, an Internet-based self-management tool. This is a cost-free, multilingual, guided, self-management program for mild to moderate depression cases. Methods: The Preventing Depression and Improving Awareness through Networking in the European Union consortium undertook a comprehensive systematic review of the available evidence regarding computerized cognitive behavior therapy in addition to a consensus process involving mental health experts and service users to inform the development of the iFightDepression tool. The tool was implemented and evaluated for acceptability and feasibility of its use in a pilot phase in 5 European regions, with recruitment of users occurring through general practitioners and health care professionals who participated in a standardizedtraining program. Results: Targeting mild to moderate depression, the iFightDepression tool is based on cognitive behavioral therapy and addresses behavioral activation (monitoring and planning daily activities), cognitive restructuring (identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts), sleep regulation, mood monitoring, and healthy lifestyle habits. There is also a tailored version of the tool for young people, incorporating less formal language and additional age-appropriate modules on relationships and social anxiety. The tool is accompanied by a 3-hour training intervention for health care professionals. Conclusions: It is intended that the iFightDepression tool and associated training for health care professionals will represent a valuable resource for the management of depression that will complement existing resources for health care professionals. It is also intended that the iFightDepression tool and training will represent an additional resource within a multifaceted approach to improving the care of depression and preventing suicidal behavior in Europe

Second-line therapy in biliary tract cancer

Einleitung: Die malignen biliären Tumoren (mBT) sind eine heterogene Gruppe seltener Tumorerkrankungen der Gallenblase und der Gallengänge. Die mBT werden häufig in fortgeschrittenen Stadien diagnostiziert und haben eine schlechte Prognose. Die einzige kurative Option ist die R0-Tumorresektion. Bei Rezidiv oder inoperablem Stadium stellt die systemische Chemotherapie mit Gemcitabin und Cisplatin als Erstlinientherapie (FL) den Behandlungsstandard dar. Allerdings mangelt es an Richtlinien für die Zweitlinientherapie (SL), die bei einem weiteren Progress oder Unverträglichkeit eingesetzt wird. Es ist ungewiss, welche Patienten von einer Zweitlinientherapie überhaupt profitieren. Methodik: Daten von 198 Patienten mit mBT wurden analysiert und in eine standardisierte Datenbank eingegeben. Die retrospektive statistische Analyse erfolgte mit dem Programm SPPS Statistics. Das Patientenkollektiv, das nur eine Therapielinie bekommen hat (1LINE) und die Patienten, die mindestens zwei palliative Therapielinien erhalten haben (2LINE) wurden mittels deskriptiver statistischer Methoden untersucht und miteinander vergleichen. Außerdem wurden die Merkmale der 2LINE-Patienten ermittelt und deren Einfluss auf das Überleben ab Erstdiagnose (Ü-ED), ab Anfang der Erstlinientherapie (Ü1) und ab Anfang der Zweitlinientherapie (Ü2) mittels Kaplan-Meier-Überlebenskurven und Cox-Regressionsanalyse untersucht. Um unabhängige positive prognostische Faktoren zu identifizieren, wurde anschließend eine multivariate Analyse durchgeführt. Ergebnisse: Einen positiven Einfluss auf das Ü1 zeigte sich für den G2-Differenzierungsgrad versus G3 – 16,2 vs. 9,76 Monate (p=0,016). Die folgenden Faktoren haben einen Vorteil für das Ü2 gezeigt: G2 vs. G3 - 6,31 vs. 3,61 Monate (p=0,043), keine Gallensteine in der Vorgeschichte - 6,01 vs. 2,99 Monate (p=0,047), Karnofsky-Performance-Status (KPS) 90-100 vs. ≤ 80 am Ende der FL - 7,92 vs. 3,22 Monate (p=0,019), sowohl zu Beginn der SL - 7,89 vs. 4,01 Monate (p=0,003). Bei den Therapieregimen ergaben sich Vorteile bezüglich Ü2 für: Platin-Kombitherapie in der FL vs. Gemcitabin Monotherapie (8,18 vs. 4,99 Monate, p=0,026) und Gemcitabin Monotherapie in der SL vs. Platin-Kombitherapie (7,95 vs. 4,40 Monate, p=0,007). Die multivariate Analyse bestätigte das Fehlen von Gallensteine in der Vorgeschichte (p=0,001), ein hoher KPS zu Beginn der SL (p=0,030) und Gemcitabin Monotherapie als Regime in der SL (p=0,010) als unabhängige prognostische Faktoren bei 2LINE-Patienten. Schlussfolgerung: Kongruent mit früheren Studiendaten sind guter KPS und niedriger Differenzierungsgrad mit einem längeren Überleben assoziiert. Gallensteine in der Vorgeschichte erweisen sich als negativer und eine platinhaltige FL als positiver prognostischer Faktor. Prospektive randomisierte klinische Studien sind erforderlich, um die Rolle der SL-Therapien bei fortgeschrittenen mBT zu verdeutlichen und Standards für die palliative Behandlung nach Versagen der FL zu etablieren.Introduction: Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is the collective term for a heterogeneous group of tumors of the gall bladder and the bile tract. BTC is often diagnosed in advanced stages and has a poor prognosis. The R0 resection offers the only curative option. The systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin is the standard first-line treatment (FL) for advanced disease or after relapse. However, there are no guidelines for second-line therapy (SL) to be applied in the case of progress disease or toxicity. Moreover, it is still unclear, which patients benefit from a second-line therapy at all. Methods: Medical data was collected from 198 patients with BTC, analyzed and entered into a standardized database. Retrospective statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS Statistics. Patients which received only one palliative treatment (1LINE) and those who received at least two (2LINE) were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and were compared with each other. The characteristics of the 2LINE patients were investigated. Their impact on survival from the point of diagnosis (Ü-ED), from the start of the first-line therapy (Ü1) and from the start of the second-line therapy (Ü2) was determined using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the Cox proportional hazards model. Multivariate analyses were performed in order to determine independent prognostic factors. Results: A favourable impact on Ü1 was shown for grading G2 vs. G3 – 16.2 vs. 9.76 months (p=0.016). The following factors were superior for Ü2 survival: G2 vs. G3 – 6.31 vs. 3.61 months (p=0.043), absence of gall stones in the medical history – 6.01 vs. 2.99 months (p=0.047), performance status (KPS) 90-100 vs. ≤ 80 at the end of FL – 7.92 vs. 3.2 months (p=0.019), as well as at the beginning of the SL – 7.89 vs. 4.01 months (p=0.003). In terms of therapeutic regimen, platin-based combination FL were associated with longer Ü2 survival compared to gemcitabine alone – 8.18 vs. 4.99 months (p=0.026). Whereas gemcitabine alone was superior to platin-based combinations applied in the SL situation – 7.95 vs. 4.40 months (p=0.007). A multivariate analysis verified the absence of gall stones (p=0.001), a favourable KPS at SL start (p=0.030) and the gemcitabine regime during the SL (p=0.010) as independent prognostic factors for 2LINE patients. Conclusion: Corresponding with previous studies, good performance status and low grading are associated with longer survival. Medical history of gall stones prove to be a negative and platin containing FL a positive prognostic factor. Prospective randomized clinical trials are needed to clarify the role of SL therapies in advanced BTC and to establish a standard for the palliative treatment after failure of FL

Odporność prusaków (Blattella germanica) na DDT i Propoxur w niektórych częściach Bułgarii

Five field strains of Blattella germanica from different areas of Bulgaria were tested for resistance to DDT. The strain from Sofia-city after 24 hours of exposure was resistant to DDT in terms of mortality by resistant ratio of 3.76 at the LT₅₀ level. Also 5 strains of B. germanica from 3 regions of Bulgaria have beecn tested to the carbamate insecticide - Propoxur. For the. first time in Bulgaria, DDT- and Propoxur- resistant cockroach strains have been found. It is due to female and nymph resistance, while the males are highly susceptible to Propoxur