Tracing the movement of persistent organic pollutants at a high-mountain sampling site by chemometric assessment.

The main objective of the present study was to determine and differentiate the concentration levels, to define the probable sources of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) pollution in the atmospheric air and their seasonal variations in Bulgaria, on the high mountain peak Moussala, Rila Mountain. The study was based on the obtained results from the passive monitoring of POPs in 2014-2017. During this period, the measurements of POPs were performed with passive samplers, advanced instrumental methods analytically determined the concentrations of PAHs, and the analysis of the obtained data was performed by the multivariate statistical analysis (cluster, factor and time-series analysis).

How can the natural radiation background affect DNA integrity in angiosperm plant species at different altitudes in Rila Mountain (Southwest Bulgaria)?

Climate changes and anthropogenic factors are the main factors contributing to the destruction of natural ecosystems. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which wild plants adapt to UV, gamma background, and gross beta activity, as well as the possible damage that can be recorded in plants growing at different altitudes in Rila Mountain. We used physicochemical, cytogenetic, and molecular methods.

A 99mTc-labeled gemcitabine bisphosphonate drug conjugate as a probe to assess the potential for targeted chemotherapy of metastatic bone cancer.

Introduction: A novel compound with the potential for "targeted" therapy for cancer patients was prepared using a conjugate between the potent anticancer drug Gemzar (gemcitabine) and a bisphosphonate. This conjugate would be expected to accumulate at sites of bone metastatic cancer by virtue of an affinity of the bisphosphonate for bone undergoing osteoclastic and osteoblastic remodeling. Release of the anticancer drug at the site of the tumor would provide high local concentrations of the drug but avoid systemic toxicity.

Preclinical investigations of drug and radionuclide conjugates of bisphosphonates for the treatment of metastatic bone cancer.

The potential targeting of therapeutic bisphosphonate conjugates to bone metastatic lesions was evaluated in vivo in mice. A bisphosphonate conjugate with 5-fluorouracil was synthesized as a potential chemotherapy agent, and a bisphosphonate conjugate with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) was prepared as a potential carrier of cytotoxic radionuclides. The compounds are hypothesized to be able to deliver either high doses of radiation or a high concentration of chemotherapy agents at sites of increased osteoclastic activity in patients with bony metastases while exhibiting minimal toxicity to normal tissues.