Publications by authors named "Katya Stefanova"

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease with articular and systemic manifestations, and one of the most common is anemia. This study aims to investigate whether the levels of the soluble receptors sRAGE, sRANKL, and OPG are affected by the distribution of RA patients in subgroups according to soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin (sTfR-F index) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels and to examine their correlation with indicators of iron metabolism, disease activity, and autoimmune and inflammatory changes. The levels of sRANKL and sRAGE were significantly higher in the subgroup of anemia of chronic disease combined with iron deficiency anemia (ACD/IDA) compared to the ACD group: < 0.

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Abnormalities in lipid homeostasis have been associated with many human diseases, and the interrelation between lipotoxicity and cellular dysfunction has received significant attention in the past two decades. Ceramides (Cers) are bioactive lipid molecules that serve as precursors of all complex sphingolipids. Besides their function as structural components in cell and mitochondrial membranes, Cers play a significant role as key mediators in cell metabolism and are involved in numerous cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, and induction of apoptosis.

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Objectives: Roma population is one of the major ethnic groups in the Central and Eastern Europe, having high rates of chronic diseases and associated risk factors related to their poor social conditions, unhealthy lifestyle and low educational level. The purpose of our study was to assess the health status of Roma from South Bulgaria by means of blood indicators and determine the prevalence of some cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in the Roma population sample.

Methods: The study group consisted of 60 Roma (23 men and 37 women), mean age 53.

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Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory joint disease. Various proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of this chronic disorder. It is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor and antibodies against citrullinated peptides.

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