Daniel Markov

Dr. Daniel Markov

General and Clinical Pathology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 May 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NANabiha Midhat Ansari
Nabiha Midhat Ansari
UKUsman Khalid
Usman Khalid
Daniel MarkovDaniel Markov
Daniel Markov
KBKristian Bechev
Kristian Bechev
VAVladimir Aleksiev
Vladimir Aleksiev
EPElena Poryazova
Elena Poryazova
Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in developed countries, with diagnostic accuracy and early detection being critical to patient outcomes. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer new opportunities to enhance diagnostic precision and clinical decision-making. Objectives: This literature review aims to explore recent developments in AI-augmented diagnostic approaches for EC, with a focus on applications in histopathology, imaging, and multi-omics, and to assess their clinical impact and future potential. Methods: A non-systematic literature review was conducted to examine recent advances in artificial intelligence applications for the diagnosis of EC. Relevant studies were identified through searches on PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on the integration of AI techniques in histopathology, imaging, and multi-omics data. Conclusions: AI-driven diagnostic tools have shown high performance in detecting and characterizing EC across multiple modalities, often matching or exceeding expert-level accuracy. These technologies hold promise for earlier detection, better risk assessment, and more personalized treatment planning. However, further research and validation are needed to address current limitations and support their broader integration into clinical workflows.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Areeb AnsariAreeb Ansari
Areeb Ansari
NANabiha Midhat Ansari
Nabiha Midhat Ansari
UKUsman Khalid
Usman Khalid
Daniel MarkovDaniel Markov
Daniel Markov
KBKristian Bechev
Kristian Bechev
EPElena Poryazova
Elena Poryazova
Background/Objectives: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a progressive microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide. Early detection and timely management are critical in preventing vision loss, yet current screening programs face challenges, including limited specialist availability and variability in diagnoses, particularly in underserved areas. This literature review explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the diagnosis, screening, and management of diabetic retinopathy. It examines AI’s potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, accessibility, and patient outcomes through advanced machine-learning and deep-learning algorithms. Methods: We conducted a non-systematic review of the published literature to explore advancements in the diagnostics of diabetic retinopathy. Relevant articles were identified by searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Studies focusing on the application of artificial intelligence in screening, diagnosis, and improving healthcare accessibility for diabetic retinopathy were included. Key information was extracted and synthesized to provide an overview of recent progress and clinical implications. Conclusions: Artificial intelligence holds transformative potential in diabetic retinopathy care by enabling earlier detection, improving screening coverage, and supporting individualized disease management. Continued research and ethical deployment will be essential to maximize AI’s benefits and address challenges in real-world applications, ultimately improving global vision health outcomes.

29 February 2024 in Folia Medica
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Daniel MarkovDaniel Markov
Daniel Markov
EPElena Poryazova
Elena Poryazova
Ralitsa RaychevaRalitsa Raycheva
Ralitsa Raycheva
GMGalabin Yordanov Markov
Galabin Yordanov Markov
Introduction: Endometriosis is a benign gynecological condition that shares many characteristics with cancer cells, including immune evasion, survival, adhesion, invasion, and angiogenesis. The simultaneous investigation of tissue hypoxia, EMT, and proliferative index in endometriosis, endometrial, and ovarian carcinomas may provide new insight into the evolution and progression of gynecological neoplasms. Aim: The aim of our study was to follow the immunohistochemical expression in endometriosis, endometrial and ovarian carcinoma in relation to tissue hypoxia and necrosis, EMT, proliferative index, and fibrosis. Materials and methods: The present study used biopsy samples from 50 patients with endometriosis, endometrial carcinoma, and ovarian carcinoma in search for a correlation between HIF-1α, Ki67, SMA, and E-cadherin expression and various clinicopathological features. Results: We observed heterogeneity and different intensity of immunohistochemical expression in different groups of patients. Immunohistochemical expression was compared with the degree of tumor cell differentiation. Cells of poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas showed a higher proliferative index with Ki67, presence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition with reduced expression of E-cadherin with stronger expression of HIF-1α. Regarding SMA in pelvic and ovarian endometriosis foci, we reported strong diffuse expression in stromal cells with marked fibrosis. Conclusion: Understanding the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and progression of gynecological tumors and endometriosis is important for prognosis, response to therapy, and possibly better treatment of patients.

17 January 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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VAVladimir Aleksiev
Vladimir Aleksiev
Daniel MarkovDaniel Markov
Daniel Markov
KBKristian Bechev
Kristian Bechev
Background/Objectives: Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) pose a significant challenge in clinical practice and exert a considerable socio-economic burden on the healthcare system, affecting approximately 1 million individuals annually. These effusions are a leading cause of debilitating dyspnea and a diminished quality of life among cancer patients, with distant metastasis to the pleural layers occurring in about 20% of cases during treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational case-control study was conducted on 151 Bulgarian patients with a hydrothorax. The control group included 72 patients with benign diseases, confirmed via biopsy, with 38 having inflammatory and 34 non-inflammatory pleural effusions. The other 79 patients had malignant pleural involvement. These groups are representative of the main types of pleural pathology. Results: The study found that all of the tumor markers, except for PIVKA-II (Protein induced by vitamin K absence-II), showed statistically significant differences between the malignant and non-malignant patient groups, with CAE (carcinoembryonic antigen) and CA19-9 showing the most notable differences. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that CA72-4 had the best ability to distinguish between the two groups, while PIVKA was the weakest, with optimal cut-off values for all of the relevant tumor markers being derived using the Youden index. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study highlights the transformative potential of pleural fluid tumor markers as precise and minimally invasive resources for distinguishing malignant from non-malignant pleural effusions. These findings pave the way for improved diagnostic accuracy and personalized clinical management, addressing a critical gap in the care of patients with pleural pathologies.

22 April 2024 in Cureus
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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SKStefan Konsulov
Stefan Konsulov
TMTaniel Minkov
Taniel Minkov
DPDimitar Pazardzhikliev
Dimitar Pazardzhikliev
DMDenis Milkov
Denis Milkov
Daniel MarkovDaniel Markov
Daniel Markov
Thornwaldt cyst is a rare cystic formation, located along the midline of the nasopharynx. We present the case of a 60-year-old man with impaired nasal breathing and a several months-long history of serous otitis media. His only concomitant disease was arterial hypertension. The diagnostic imaging tests revealed a well-rounded cystic formation involving the upper part of the nasopharynx, characteristic of Thornwaldt cyst. Following, endoscopic transnasal marsupialization was performed and the benign cystic nature was confirmed on histopathology. The patient responded to the administered treatment and reported no persistence or emergence of new symptoms. The current case presents a symptomatic Thornwaldt cyst successfully treated by endoscopic transnasal marsupialization.

11 February 2024 in Cureus
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SKStefan Konsulov
Stefan Konsulov
DMDenis Milkov
Denis Milkov
Daniel MarkovDaniel Markov
Daniel Markov
EPElena G Poryazova
Elena G Poryazova
Pleomorphic adenomas (PAs) are benign tumors of the salivary glands. Rarely, they arise in the sinonasal cavity, presenting as well-defined, homogeneous soft tissue masses, causing expansive bony changes. The significance of PAs is the possibility of giving rise to malignant carcinoma - “carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma” (CXPA).Here, we present the case of a 64-year-old female complaining of progressive unilateral congestion and external nose deformation, mostly along the left contour of the radix, with epiphora of the ipsilateral eye. Eventually, a tumor began protruding from the left naris. The computed tomography excluded osteolysis, while the surgical procedure discovered the inferior turbinate as the origin of the tumor. In addition, the ipsilateral maxillary sinus was found to have developed secondary sinusitis. After complete surgical excision, the histological result was sinonasal melanoma, but following no progression of the disease, a second pathologist with additional immunohistochemical markers (HMB-45 (human melanoma black 45) negative, Melan-A (melanoma antigen recognized by T-cells 1) negative, S100 (protein soluble in 100% ammonium sulfate at neutral pH) positive, panCK AE1/AE3 (pan cytokeratin antibodies AE1 and AE3) negative, p63 (tumor protein 63) negative, Ki-67 (marker of proliferation Kiel 67) 10%, CD68 (cluster of differentiation 68) negative, CK7 (cytokeratin 7) negative, and CDX2 (caudal-type homeobox 2) negative) placed the definitive diagnosis of PA.PA of the inferior turbinate is an extremely rare finding, with the clinical symptoms being unspecific. Sometimes, SOX-10 (SRY-box transcription factor 10) positivity can mislead to malignant melanoma, as in our case, which is why a broad panel of immunohistochemical markers is critical for the definitive diagnosis.