[Firs Case Report of Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT) for Early Breast Cancer in Bulgaria].

The intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) is an innovative method for treatment of breast cancer, which can be used as a substitute of postoperative external beam radiotherapy )EBRT), or boost treatment to EBRT (1). Radiobiological advantages of IORT compared to EBRT are higher relative biologic effectiveness of low-dose radiation therapy and the presence of high dose in the tumor bed (where the possibility of remaining vital tumor cells is the highest), as this dose reduces rapidly with the distance from the applicator (2). Important feature of IORT alone is that it can be applied as a single fraction during the surgical intervention and spares 3 to 5 weeks of following radiation therapy.

Further in vivo studies on the role of the molecular chaperone, Hsp93, in plastid protein import.

In Arabidopsis, Hsp93 is encoded by two genes, atHSP93-V and atHSP93-III. We identified two T-DNA mutants for atHSP93-III: one being a partial 'knockdown' (hsp93-III-1) and the other a complete 'knockout' (hsp93-III-2). Homozygotes for both mutants were indistinguishable from wild type.

ADP/ATP and protein phosphorylation dependence of phototransformable protochlorophyllide in isolated etioplast membranes.

The effects of modulated ADP/ATP and NADPH/NADP(+) ratios, and of protein kinase inhibitors, on the in vitro reformation of phototransformable protochlorophyllide, i.e. the aggregated ternary complexes between NADPH, protochlorophyllide, and NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR, EC 1.

In vivo studies on the roles of Tic110, Tic40 and Hsp93 during chloroplast protein import.

A multisubunit translocon of the inner envelope membrane, termed Tic, mediates the late stages of protein import into chloroplasts. Membrane proteins, Tic110 and Tic40, and a stromal chaperone, Hsp93, have been proposed to function together within the Tic complex. In Arabidopsis, single genes, atTIC110 and atTIC40, encode the Tic proteins, and two homologous genes, atHSP93-V and atHSP93-III, encode Hsp93.

Functional specialization amongst the Arabidopsis Toc159 family of chloroplast protein import receptors.

The initial stages of preprotein import into chloroplasts are mediated by the receptor GTPase Toc159. In Arabidopsis thaliana, Toc159 is encoded by a small gene family: atTOC159, atTOC132, atTOC120, and atTOC90. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that at least two distinct Toc159 subtypes, characterized by atToc159 and atToc132/atToc120, exist in plants.

Pulmonary xanthine oxidase activity of rats exposed to prolonged immobilization stress.

This study was designed to study xanthine oxidase (XO) and xanthine dehydrogenase (XD) activity in the lung of rats exposed to prolonged restraining immobilization stress. Immobilization caused more than twofold increase of xanthine oxidase activity in the rat lung. The activity of xanthine oxidase decreased in lung homogenates incubated at -20 degrees C for 24 h.

Lipid peroxidation in rat lung induced by neuroleptanalgesia and its components.

The aim of the present work was to determine the likelihood of lipid peroxidation in the lungs of rats subjected to neuroleptanalgesia and its components. In particular, the effect of fentanyl, droperidol, a nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture when used separately or in combination, on the lung level of lipid peroxidation was investigated. The in vitro antioxidant properties of fentanyl and droperidol were also tested.

Lipid peroxidation in the lung of rats exposed to endotoxin: effect of vitamin E supplementation.

The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility for development of peroxidation in the lung of rats injected with endotoxin. The effect of vitamin E supplementation of the rats was also investigated. Vitamin E supplementation by itself did not cause visible differences or any pathological changes in the lung structure of rats as shown by routine histological examinations.

Lipid peroxidation in lung of rat stressed by immobilization: effects of vitamin E supplementation.

This study was carried out to examine the possibility of initiation of lipid peroxidation in the lung of Wistar albino male rats stressed by immobilization. The effects of vitamin E supplementation were also investigated. We found that immobilization of rats with normal pulmonary content of vitamin E caused lipid peroxidation in the lung.

High lung uptake of 99mTc-multilamellar liposomes after intravenous administration in rats and rabbits.

The study presents the results of our efforts to prepare liposomes with high lung uptake by modifying the liposome composition and size. Multilamellar liposomes composed of soya phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol (molar ratio 1:1), negatively charged with 0.1 mol sodium cholate were initially prepared.

[The use of labelled leukocytes in the diagnosis of traumatic osteomyelitis].

A total of 20 patients with posttraumatic osteomyelitis were investigated with 99mTc- and 111In-labeled leukocytes. Their elevated accumulation in inflammatory zones were detected on scintigrams of 12 patients. Osteomyelitis in 11 of them was confirmed on the basis of routine clinico-laboratory investigations.

[Thrombokinetic study of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura].

The kinetics of 111In-oxine-labeled platelets was studied in 37 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and in 12 control subjects using gamma-chamber. A comparison was made of the parameters of the kinetics, survival and sequestration type of platelets, as well as their recovery and exchange. In less severe processes the splenic type, while in more severe disease--the hepatic type of sequestration prevailed.

[Thrombocyte kinetics in patients with thrombocytopenia].

Investigation of the kinetics of blood platelets is of paramount importance in cases where it is necessary to differentiate the cause of thrombocytopenia in patients: reduction of the output, changes in organ distribution or increase of sequestration of blood platelets. Using the method of labeling own blood platelets and a gamma-chamber, the kinetics of blood platelets (organ distribution, recovery and survival) was studied and computed in 40 patients with hypoplastic anemia, hypersplenism and thrombocytopenic purpura. A complex of the parameters characterizing the given disease has been defined.

[Determination of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in internal diseases].

A convenient and reliable colorimetric method for determination of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme is worked out by modifying the method of Niels and al. Reference serum ranges of 15.45-191.

Assessment of the extent of bone marrow haemopoietic activity in normal subjects.

A method, introduced by the authors, for assessment of the extent of bone marrow haemopoietic activity in normal subjects is reported. 99mTc-sulfur colloid is injected, and the bone marrow visualized on gamma camera, type Phogamma-HP, which is equipped with 4096 channel analyzer (Nuclear Chicago). By use of a standard and by registering the activity in "zones of interest" from the arm, forearm, thigh and lower leg bones, indices and mean normal values in 26 normal subjects were calculated and reported.