CURRICULUM VITAE

DIMITER HRISTOV ZAFIROV, M.D.

 

 

EDUCATION

 

                        M.D., 9/65-12/71 Higher Medical Institute, Varna, Bulgaria.

                        Specialty in Pharmacology, 1976-1980.

                        Higher Medical Institute, Sofia, Bulgaria.

 

 

POSITIONS AND TRAINING

 

8/97-7/00  FELLOW GASTROENTEROLOGY, MCP Hanneman University, Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, PA  19146.

 

8/94-7/97  RESIDENT in INTERNAL MEDICINE, Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine, Affiliated Hospitals at Canton, Ohio.

 

2/93-7/94  USMLE Steps 1 and 2.

 

7/90-1/93 VISITING RESEARCHER, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.  Gastrointestinal effects of hormones, cytokines and neurotransmitters.

 

5/85-6/90  ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, Higher Medical Institute, Sofia, Bulgaria.  Attending physician, teaching, research in gastroenterology.

 

1/84-4/85  VISITING SCIENTIST, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada.  Investigated the effects of several brain-gut peptides, serotonin, histamine and purine nucleotides on the gastrointestinal tract.

 

1/74-1/84 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, Higher Medical Institute, Sofia, Bulgaria.  Attending physician, teaching, research in gastroenterology.

 

3/72-12/73 ATTENDING PHYSICIAN, Medical Corps, Army of the Republic of Bulgaria.  Fulfilled military service requirement as an Attending Physician in the Department of Internal Medicine in a military hospital.

 

1/71-1/72 RESIDENT INTERNAL MEDICINE, University Hospitals, Varna, Bulgaria.

 


 

HONORS

 

1985 certificate of merit FOR ACHIEVEMENT AS Visiting Scientist, presented by the Dean of the School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada.

 

1971 SECOND IN THE MEDICAL CLASS OF 1971 and noted on the list as an “outstanding Graduate” from the Higher Medical Institute, Varna, Bulgaria.

 

1965 FIRST IN THE CLASS OF 1965, and awarded the Golden Medical from District Three High School in Varna, Bulgaria.

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

1.       Petkov, P., E. Konstantinova, D. Zafirov, and S. Stancheva, 1976.  Changes in the Content of Biogenic Monoamines in Various Cerebral Regions under the Influence of Centrophenoxine.  Exp. Med. Morphol., 15:233-236 (in Bulgarian).

 

2.       Popova, N., I. Petkova, R. Kolarova, and D. Zafirov, 1977.  Participation of Cyclic 3’, 5’-Adenosine Monophosphate in the Pathogenesis of Myocardial Hypertrophy during Experimental Hypertension.  Exp. Med. Morphol., 16:207-211. 

 

3.       Petkov, V., D. Zafirov, Y. Panova, S. Yanev, and S. Stanche va, 1978.  On the Participation of the Cyclic 3’, 5’-AMP System and of the Brain Biogenic Monoamines in the Mechanism of the Centrophenoxine Action.  In:  On the Pharmacology of Centrophenoxine, ed. V. Petkov, Publishing House of the Bulg. Acad. Sci., Sofia, 28-33.

 

4.       Vlahov, V., D. Zafirov, V. Mutafova, and I. Velinov, 1979.  A New Device for Measurement of the Volume of Experimental Inflammation.  In:  Innovations and Instrumentations in Medicine, ed. by INRA, Sofia, 13: 13-15.

 

5.       Vlahov, V., D. Zafirov, and D. Zeljazkov, 1980.  The Effects of Isoteolin on the Cerebral Blood Flow.  Advances in Internal Medicine, 8: 19-24 (in Bulgarian).

 

6.       Vlahov, V., I. Chakarski, D. Zafirov, A. Chaushev, G. Stefa nov, A. Koichev, and A. Bogdanova, 1980.  Experimental and Clinical Studies of Laxative Action of Herbal Combinations in Patients with Obstipation Syndrome.  Advances in Internal Medicine, 8: 60-68.

 

7.       Vlahov, V., D. Zafirov, 1981.  The Cyclic AMP Level during an Increased Blood Flow in Cat Cerebral Cortex.  Acta Physiol. Pharmacol. Bulg., 7: 61-68. 

 

8.       Ivancheva, S., V. Vlahov, I. Chakarski, and D. Zafirov, 1981.  Experimental and Clinical Investigations of a New Herbal Combination with Laxative Effects.  Pharmacy, 31: 45-46. 

 

9.       Papasova, M., A. Bonev, K. Boev, D. Zafirov, and S. Gachilo va, 1982.  Effects of 4-Aminophyradine on Neurotransmission in Smooth Muscle.  Agressology, 23: 99-103.

 

10.   Zafirov, D., G. Bready-Dobreva, K. Boev, and M. Papasova, 1983.  Ionic Interactions in the Smooth Muscles of Cat Pulmonary Artery and Portal Vein.  Acta Physiol. Pharmacol. Bulg., 9: 54-62. 

 

11.   Bready-Dobreva, G., D. Zafirov, 1984.  Effect of PGE2 on Isolated Renal Artery from Rabbit.  Biomed. Biochem. Acta, 43: S307-S310.

 

12.   Nemeth, P.R., D.H. Zafirov, and J.D. Wood, 1984.  Forskolin Mimics Slow Synaptic Excitation in Myenteric Neurons.  Eur. J. Pharmacol., 101: 303-304.

 

13.   Carey, H.V., H.J. Cooke, P.R., Nemeth, D.H. Zafirov, and J.D. Wood, 1985.  Nerve-mediated Action of Forskolin on Guinea-pig Ileal Mucosa.  Experientia, 41: 1156-1158.

 

14.   Nemeth, P.R., C.A. Ort, D.H. Zafirov, and J.D. Wood, 1985.  Interactions Between Serotonin and Cisapride on Myenteric Neurons.  Eur. J. Pharmacol., 108: 77-83. 

 

15.   Nemeth, P.R., D.H. Zafirov, and J.D. Wood, 1985.  Effects of Cholecystokinin, Caerulein and Pentagastrin on Electrical Behavior of Myenteric Neurons.  Eur. J. Pharmacol., 116: 263-269.

 

16.   Zafirov, D.H., J.M. Palmer, and J.D. Wood, 1985.  Adenosine Inhibits Forskolin-induced Excitation in Myenteric Neurons.  Eur. J. Pharmacol., 113: 143-144.

 

17.   Zafirov, D.H., J.M. Palmer, P.R. Nemeth, and J.D. Wood, 1985.  Bombesin, Gastrin Releasing Peptide and Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Excite Myenteric Neurons.  Eur. J. Pharmacol., 115: 103-107.

 

18.   Zafirov, D.H., J.M. Palmer, and J.D. Wood, 1985.  Cyclic 3’, 5’-Adenosine Monophosphate Mimics Slow Synaptic Excitation in Myenteric Plexus Neurons.  Brain Res., 347: 368-371.

 

19.   Nemeth, P.R., J.M. Palmer, J.D. Wood, and D.H. Zafirov, 1986.  Effects of Forskolin on Electrical Behavior of Myenteric Neurons in Guinea-pig Small Intestine.  J. Physiol., 376: 439-450.

 

20.   Palmer, J.M., J.D. Wood, and D.H. Zafirov, 1986.  Elevation of Adenosine 3’, 5’-Phosphate Mimics Slow Synaptic Excitation in Myenteric Neurons of the Guinea-pig.  J. Physiol., 376: 451-460.

 

21.   Palmer, J.M., J.D. Wood, and D.H. Zafirov, 1987.  Purinergic Inhibition in the Small Intestinal Myenteric Plexus of the Guinea-pig.  J. Physiol., 387: 357-369.

 

22.   Palmer, J.M., J.D. Wood, D.H. Zafirov, 1987.  Transduction of Aminergic and Peptidergic Signals in Enteric Neurons of the Guinea-pig.  J. Physiol., 387: 371-383.

 

23.   Bready-Dobreva, G., D. Zafirov, K. Nieber, P. Oehme, and M. Papasova, 1988.  Effects of Substance P on Isolated Preparations from Rabbit and Rat Renal Arteries.  Biomed. Biochem. Acta, 47(1): 25-30.

 

24.   Zafirov, D.H., 1988.  Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine, and Lithium Chloride Antagonize the Excitatory Action of Forskolin and of Some Gut Peptides on Guinea-pig Myenteric Neurons.  Acta Physiol. Pharmacol. Bulg., 14: 17-25.

 

25.   Bready-Dobreva, G., D. Zafirov, K. Nieber, P. Oehme, and M. Papasova, 1989.  A New Analogue of Substance P with Antagonistic Properties in Renal and Pulmonary Arteries.  Acta Physiol. Pharmacol. Bulg., 15: 10-15. 

 

26.   Zafirov, D., G. Bready-Dobreva, V. Litchev, and M. Papasova, 1990.  Antiexudative and Capillarytonic Effects of Procyanidines isolated from Grape Seeds.  Acta Physiol. Pharmacol. Bulg., 16: 50-54.

 

27.   Zafirov, D., G. Bready-Dobreva, and M. Papasova, 1990.  Effects of Forskolin on Contractions and Release of Noradrenaline in Renal Arteries.  Comptes Rendus de l ’Academie Bulgare des Sciences, 43: 113-115. 

 

28.   Zafirov, D.H., H.J. Cooke, and J.D. Wood, 1991.  Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone (TRH) Mimic Slow Excitatory Potentials in Submucous Neurons of Guinea-pig Small Intestine.  J. Gastrointestinal Motility, 3: 209.

 

29.   Zafirov, D.H., H.J. Cooke, and J.D. Wood, 1991.  Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone Excites Submucous Neurons in Guinea-pig Ileum.  Eur. J. Pharmacol., 204: 109-112.

 

30.   Zafirov, D.H., J.D. Wood, 1991.  Peptidergic Modulation of the Excitability in the Guinea-pig Myenteric Neurons.  In:  Central and Peripheral Peptidergic Regulation, ed. V. Klusa, Latvian Academy of Sciences, Riga, 83-99.

 

31.   Zafirov, D.H., H.J. Cooke, and J.D. Wood, 1992.  Elevation of cAMP Facilitates Noradrenergic Transmission in Submucous Neurons of Guinea-pig Ileum.  Am. J. Physiol., (in press).

 

32.   Zafirov, D.H., Y. Xia, and J.D. Wood, 1995.  Actions of Daiichi DQ-2511 on Electrical and Synaptic Behavior of Enteric Neurons in the Guinea-pig Small Intestine, (in press).

 

ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

1.       Zafirov, D., S. Stancheva, 1976.  Studies on the Spasmolytic Action of the Total Coumarin Mixture of Peucedanum Arenarium W. K. and of the Flavonoids from Crataegus Monogyna.  Proc. of the Intern. Symp. “Physiology and Pharmacology of Smooth Muscle,” Varna, Bulgaria, 83.

 

2.       Popova, N.,  R. Kolarova, I. Petkova and D. Zafirov, 1976.  The Effect of Beta-adrenergic Blockade on the Level of Cyclic AMP in Rat Myocardium after Experimental Hypertension.  Proc. of the 6th Natl. Congress of Internal Diseases, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 11.

 

3.       Petkov, V., D. Zafirov, E. Konstantinova, V. Kuchev, Y.  Panova, S. Yanev and S. Stancheva, 1976.  Centrophenoxine, Biogenic Monoamines and Cyclic AMP in the Brain.  Proc. of the 4th Natl. Conference “Pharmacological and Clinical Studies of New Drugs,” Sofia, Bulgaria, 231-232.

 

4.       Zafirov, D., V. Vlahov, 1978.  Cyclic AMP Level during C02-induced Vasodilation in the Gray Matter of Cat Cerebral Cortex.  Proc. of the 3rd Internatl. Congress of Pathophysiology, Varna, Bulgaria, 156.

 

5.       Vlahov, V., S. Dimitrova, D. Zafirov, and V. Mutafova, 1978.  The Effects of Cinnarizine, Aligeron and Piracetam on the Cortical Blood Flow and on the Arterial and Venous 02, C02 and pH. Proc. of the First Natl. Congress of Pharmacology, Sofia, Bulgaria, 16-17.

 

6.       Vlahov, V., D. Zafirov, and D. Zeljazkov, 1978.  Measurements of the Changes in the Brain Volume and Cerebrospinal Liquo Pressure during Experimental Brain Oedema.  Ibidem, 17-18.

 

7.       Zafirov, D., V. Vlahov, 1978.  Cyclic AMP and Dilation of the Cerebral Blood Vessels in Cat.  Ibidem, 33-34.

 

8.       Vlahov, V., D. Zafirov, 1979.  The Role of Adenosine Nucleotides in the Mechanism of Cerebral Cortical Vasodilation.  Proc. of the 3rd Congress of the Hungarian Physiol. Soc., Budapest, Hungary, 99.

 

9.       Bacracheva, N., V. Vlahov, and D. Zafirov, 1981.  Experimental Evidence for Venotonic Action of Extracts from the Potentilla Species.  Proc. of the 5th Natl. Conference “Pharmacological and Clinical Studies of New Drugs,” Sofia, Bulgaria, 47.

 

10.   Bonev, A., D. Zafirov, 1981.  Influence of 4-Aminopyridine on Neurotransmission in the Smooth Muscle of Cat Stomach.  Proc. of the Conference for Young Scientists in Neurobiology, Sofia, Bulgaria, 8.

 

11.   Papasova, M., A. Bonev, K. Boev, D. Zafirov, and S. Gachilo va, 1981.  Effect of 4-Aminopyridine on Neurotransmission in Smooth Muscle.  Internatl. Symp. “Pharmacology of Transmitter Interactions,” Sofia, Bulgaria, 43.

 

12.   Zafirov, D., G. Dobreva, and M. Papasova, 1982.  Sodium-calcium Interactions in Vascular Smooth Muscle.  Proc. of the 3rd Internatl. Symp. “Physiology and Pharmacology of Smooth Muscle,” Varna, Bulgaria, 128.

 

13.   Bready-Dobreva, G., D. Zafirov, 1984.  Prostaglandins and Excitation-Contraction in Renal Arteries of Rabbit.  Second Natl. Congress of Physiology, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 26.

 

14.   Bready-Dobreva, G., D. Zafirov, 1984.  Effect of PGE2 on Isolated Rabbit Renal Artery.  Fourth Internatl. Symposium on Prostaglandins, Thromboxane and Leukotriens, Halle, Germany, 91.

 

15.   Nemeth, P.R., C.A. Ort, D.H. Zafirov, and J.D. Wood, 1984.  Cholecystokinin-Octapeptide and Caeruein but not Pentagastrin Alter Electrical Behavior or Myenteric Neurons in Guinea-pig Ileum.  Dig. Dis. Sci., 29: 559.

 

16.   Zafirov, D.H., P.R. Nemeth, J.M. Palmer, and J.D. Wood, 1984.  Forskolin Mimics Slow Synaptic Excitation in Myenteric Neurons.  Neurosci. Abstr., 10: 1101.

 

17.   Ort, C.A., P.R. Nemeth, D.H. Zafirov, and J.D. Wood, 1984.  Cisapride Blocks the Action of Serotonin on Myenteric Neurons.  Neurosci. Abstr., 10: 275. 

 

18.   Zafirov, D.H., J.M. Palmer, P.R. Nemeth, and J.D. Wood, 1985.  Mechanism of Excitatory Action of Bombesin, Gastrin-Releasing Peptide and Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide on Guinea-pig Myenteric Neurons.  Fourth Internatl. Symposium “Physiology and Pharmacology of Smooth Muscle,” Varna, Bulgaria, 133.

 

19.   Wood, J.D., D.H. Zafirov, J.M. Palmer, and P.R. Nemeth, 1985.  Elevation of Intraneuronal Cyclic AMP Mimics Slow Synaptic Excitation in Myenteric Neurons.  Ibidem, 131.

 

20.   Palmer, J.M., D.H. Zafirov, P.R. Nemeth, and J.D. Wood, 1985.  Electrophysiological Evidence for Second Messenger Function of Cyclic AMP in the Enteric Nervous System at Guinea-pig Small Intestine.  Gastroenterology, 88: 1528.

 

21.   Wood, J.D., D.H. Zafirov, and J.M. Palmer, 1985.  Activation of Adenylate Cyclase by Gastrointestinal Messenger Substances in the Enteric Nervous System of Guinea-pig Small Intestine.  Gastroenterology, 88: 1635.

 

22.   Palmer, J.M., D.H. Zafirov, P.R. Nemeth, and J.D. Wood, 1985.  Peptidergic Modulation of excitability in Myenteric Plexus Neurons.  Dig. Dis. Sci., 30: 786.

 

23.   Wood, J.D., D.H. Zafirov, and J.M. Palmer, 1985.  Gastrointestinal Messenger Substances Modulate Excitability in Myenteric Plexus Neurons through Activation of Adenylate Cyclase.  Neurosci. Abstr., 11: 113.

 

24.   Palmer, J.M., D.H. Zafirov, P.R. Nemeth, and J.D. Wood, 1985.  Second Messenger Function of Cyclic AMP Mediates Modulation of Excitability in Myenteric Plexus Neurons.  Neurosci. Abstr., 11: 813.

 

25.   Bready-Dobreva, G., D. Zafirov, K. Nieber, P. Oehme, and M. Papasova, 1986.  Modulation of Neurotransmission in Arteries by Substance P.  Second Int. Symposium “Pharmacology of Transmitter Interactions,” Sofia, Bulgaria, 18.

 

26.   Bready-Dobreva, G., D. Zafirov, K. Nieber, P. Oehme, and M. Papasova, 1986.  Interactions between Substance P and a Putative Antagonist of Substance P.  Proc. of the 4th Natl. Congress of Physiology, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, 63.

 

27.   Palmer, J.M., D.H. Zafirov, K. Tamura, M. Schemann, and J.D. Wood, 1986.  Purinergic Compounds Suppress Neuronal Excitability in the Myenteric Plexus of Guinea-pig Small Intestine.  Gastroenterology, 90: 1576.

 

28.   Palmer, J.M., D.H. Zafirov, and J.D. Wood, 1986.  Complains of-modulation of Excitability in Myenteric Plexus Neurons by Peptides and purines.  Symposium “Smooth Muscle Function,” Banff, Alberta, Canada, 121, 10-P5.

 

29.   Zafirov, D., J. Wood, 1986.  Effects of Brain-Gut Peptides on the Intramural Neurons of Guinea-pig.  Proc. of the 4th Natl. Congress of Physiology, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, 63.

 

30.   Zafirov, D.H., J.M. Palmer, and J.D. Wood, 1986.  Adenosine Antagonizes the Slow Synaptic Excitation in the Myenteric Plexus Neurons Caused by Some Gut Peptides.  Second Int. Symposium “Pharmacology of Transmitter Interactions,” Sofia, Bulgaria, 18.

 

31.   Zafirov, D., J. Wood, 1986.  Role of Cyclic AMP in Modulation of Excitability of Neurons from Guinea-pig Small Intestine Myenteric Plexus.  Ibidem, 67.

 

32.   Zafirov, D.H., G. Bready-Dobreva, and M. Papasova, 1986.  Effects of Substance P on Neurotransmission in Arteries from Normal and Hypertensive Animals.  XXX Internatl. Congress of Physiol. Sci., Vancouver, Canada, 292.6.

 

33.   Zafirov, D.H., J.M. Palmer, K. Tamura, and J.D. Wood, 1986.  Neuromodulatory Interactions between Peptidergic and Purinergic Messenger Substances in the Enteric Nervous System.  XXX Internatl. Congress of Physiol. Sci., Vancouver, Canada, 437.

 

34.   Bready-Dobreva, G., D. Zafirov, K. Nieber, and P. Oehme, 1987.  New Analogue of Substance P which Antagonized the Vascular Effects of Substance P.  Internatl. Symposium “Physiology of Peptides,” Leningrad, USSR, 27.

 

35.   Zafirov, D.H., J.D. Wood, 1987.  Mechanisms of Peptidergic and Aminergic Postsynaptic Excitation of the Neurons from Myenteric Ganglia.  Third Internatl. Symposium and School for Young Scientists “CNS and Peripheral Synapsis,” Varna, Bulgaria, 89.

 

36.   Zafirov, D.H., G. Bready-Dobreva, K. Nieber, P. Oehme, and M. Papasova, 1987.  Effects of Substance P and of a Putative Antagonist of Substance P on Isolated Arteries.  The Second World Congress of Neuroscience, 973P.

 

37.   Bready-Dobreva, G., D. Zafirov, K. Nieber, P. Oehme, and M. Papasova, 1988.  Mechanisms of Action of Substance P on Arteries.  Internatl. Symposium “Physiology and Pharmacology of Smooth Muscle,” Varna, Bulgaria, 41.

 

38.   Bready-Dobreva, G., D. Zafirov, K. Nieber, P. Oehme, and M. Papasova, 1988.  Substance P as Regulator of the Contractile Activity of the Vascular Smooth Muscle.  Symposium “Basic and Applied Aspects of Muscle Physiology,” Reinchardsbrun, Germany.

 

39.   Zafirov, D., J. Wood, 1988.  Peptidergic and Aminergic Regulation of Activity of Myenteric Neurons.  Symposium “Physiology of Peptides,” Leningrad, USSR, 70-71.

 

40.   Zafirov, D., 1989.  Involvement of Second Messenger Systems in Peptidergic and Aminergic Modulation of Excitability of Guinea-pig Myenteric Neurons.  Internatl. School of Molecular Neurobiology, 8-15 May, Madralin, Poland.

 

41.   Zafirov, D., G. Bready-Dobreva, and M. Papasova, 1989.  Forsko lin Effects on Contractions and Noradrenaline Release in Rabbit and Dog Renal Arteries.  XXXI Internatl. Congress of Physiological Sci., Helsinki, Finland, P4379.

 

42.   Zafirov, D., G. Bready-Dobreva, and M. Papasova, 1990.  Role of Cyclic AMP in Relaxation and Neurotransmission in Renal Arteries.  Third Internatl. Symposium “Pharmacology of Transmitter Interactions,” Sofia, Bulgaria, 100.

 

43.   Zafirov, D.H., H.J. Cooke, and J.D. Wood, 1991.  Electrophysiologic Evidence for Involvement of Adenylate Cyclase in Adrenergic Transmitter Release in Guinea-pig Submucous Plexus.  Regional Meeting of the IUPS, Prague, Czechoslovakia, (Abstr.), p. 128.

 

44.   Xia, Y., D.H. Zafirov, P. Mohanraj, H.J. Cooke, and J.D. Wood, 1995.  Identification of Tachykinin Receptors ob Neurons Identified Morphologically in the Mucous and Submucous Plexuses of Guinea-pig Small Intestine.  Digestive Disease Week, May 14-17 1995, San Diego, CA, Abstracts 3627.