The expression of TGF-beta1, its receptor TGFbetaRII, and signaling proteins Smad4 and Smad7 was observed in the majority of colorectal cancer specimens. Our results suggest that TGF-beta1 production by tumor cells may affect the tumor environment via suppression of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and probably contributes to tumor cells aggressiveness through autocrine activation of Smad signaling.

The aim of this prospective study is to examine the frequency and the severity of intra-abdominal hypertension in a mixed ICU of the University hospital.MethodsA closed system for intravesical intermittent measurement of IAP was constructed.ResultsThe frequency and the severity of IAH were examined in the period from June 2009 to December 2012 in 240 ICU patients divided into 3 groups (patients submitted to elective surgery, emergency surgery, and medical patients) in the University Hospital. In the elective surgery group there was 12.5% IAH, while in the emergency group IAH was 43.75%, and in the medical patients it was 42.5%. There was no statistical significant difference in the frequency of IAH among the mixed population of patients we examined and those studied by other authors with the same type of population.ConclusionsThe standardized measurement of intra-abdominal pressure is fundamental for defining intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome. The measurement of intra-abdominal pressure should be a part of the basic monitoring of patients at risk of intra-abdominal hypertension. Our point of view is that before there are indications for a surgical decompression, less invasive treatment options should be optimized.

Purpose: The main purpose of the study was to assess the levels of perceived stress among university teachers and to investigate whether a statistically significant relationship exists between perceived stress scores and age, sex, marital status, workload, financial status, years of teaching and physical activity of university teachers. Method: The research was carried out at Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. The sample was comprised of 86 university teachers. For statistical processing of the data were used descriptive analysis, Student's T-test and ANOVA with Dunnett's Post Hoc Tests for comparing the means. The IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 25th Version software was used to analyse the data. Results: There were no significant differences in the level of stress when the respondents were grouped as to age, sex, marital status and workload while a significant difference was found between perceived stress score and financial status, years of teaching, and physical activity. Conclusion: Stress among university teachers is a serious problem that requires additional research with a larger sample. University teachers should adopt positive coping strategies, such as regular rest and physical activity. Specific recommendations for coping with stress are suggested.

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Introduction: Scientific studies and their publication have always been messengers for future advances in medicine, as the primary tool for technological and scholarly advances in the field. They are an integral part of the professional life of specialists working in a university. Creating your own scientific publication of any kind is often an undervalued activity whose procedural stages and significance remain insufficiently known. The path to the final publication can be a monotonous and extensive process. While the road to a final draft could be tortuous and monotonous, the pace and mood of walking it are heavily determined by the researcher’s motivation. Postgraduate scientific work in academia is an area less preferred to a clinical career, and not favorite for medical graduation students. The main goal of higher education is to prepare students for work, so the introduction to scientific thinking is an important factor for better results in the professional field. During their studies, students must learn how to properly work with scientific literature and create their own scientific work. Training students in the principles of creation and assessment of academic projects is an important factor for better science. Our aim is to explore the preparedness of medical students for scientific work. We can use this information to identifying strategies for the promotion of research skills among them. Materials and Methods: We gathered the opinions of 278 Bulgarian and English medical students in the second and fourth year of study, using a multiple-choice questionnaire, specifically designed and approbated to correspond to our research mission. Data was processed with the predictive analytics software IBM SPSS Statistics, v. 25. Results: Almost all students have had a certain level of previous experience with scientific work. They have mostly done presentations and essays; 94% of them have used scientific literature. The students generally exhibit consciousness of its importance and follow the requirement to properly cite used sources. The year of education is a factor in predicting a student‘s assessment of the level of importance. Even though 90% admit that it is important to learn how to create scientific work, only 76% are of the opinion that their own knowledge is lacking, and thus would potentially opt for a module on scientific writing. Discussion: Students' experience factored by their year of medical education and completed degree of previous studies is a factor that changes their opinions towards a greater understanding of the meaning of scientific work and the need for further training. Students agree that they need further training in research methodology to be able to develop valid and efficient skills to undertake scientific work.