Nanocomposite Perfluorosulfonic Acid/Montmorillonite-Na Polymer Membrane as Gel Electrolyte in Hybrid Supercapacitors.

Solid-state supercapacitors with gel electrolytes have emerged as a promising field for various energy storage applications, including electronic devices, electric vehicles, and mobile phones. In this study, nanocomposite gel membranes were fabricated using the solution casting method with perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer dispersion, both with and without the incorporation of 10 wt.% montmorillonite (MMT).

Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with Rectal Cancer.

: The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions have resulted in delayed diagnoses across various tumor entities, including rectal cancer. Our hypothesis was based on the expectation of a reduced number of primary operations due to higher tumor stages compared to the control group. : In a single-center retrospective study conducted from 1 March 2018 to 1 March 2022, we analyzed 120 patients with an initial diagnosis of rectal cancer.

The combination of pleconaril, rupintrivir, and remdesivir efficiently inhibits enterovirus infections in vitro, delaying the development of drug-resistant virus variants.

Enteroviruses are a significant global health concern, causing a spectrum of diseases from the common cold to more severe conditions like hand-foot-and-mouth disease, meningitis, myocarditis, pancreatitis, and poliomyelitis. Current treatment options for these infections are limited, underscoring the urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies. To find better treatment option we analyzed toxicity and efficacy of 12 known broad-spectrum anti-enterovirals both individually and in combinations against different enteroviruses in vitro.

Echovirus 30 in Bulgaria during the European Upsurge of the Virus, 2017-2018.

In 2018, an increase in echovirus 30 (E30) detections was reported in some European countries. To assess the circulation and phylogenetic relationships of E30 in Bulgaria, E30 samples identified at the National Reference Laboratory for Enteroviruses, National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Bulgaria (NRL for Enteroviruses) in 2017 and 2018 were subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The present study revealed that sample positivity did not significantly increase in Bulgaria during the European upsurge.

Clinical and virological profile of locally acquired acute hepatitis E in South Bulgaria.

Introduction: Acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is recognized as a zoonosis in several European countries. We describe the characteristics and outcomes of locally acquired acute HEV hepatitis.

Methodology: A prospective study was conducted among adult patients with acute HEV hepatitis at the University Hospital in Plovdiv, South Bulgaria between January 2020 and May 2022.

Characteristics of patients with severe asthma in primary and secondary care settings considered eligible for biological therapy - the Bulgarian RECOGNISE study.

Asthma is a major non-communicable disease. It affects both children and adults, but is the most common chronic condition among the former. While inhaled controller drugs stabilize the disease in most asthma patients, there are a certain number of people who suffer from severe asthma, which requires treatment escalation.

Chemical profile of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. essential oil within and between populations and its weed seed suppression effect.

The aims of this study were to (1) establish the intrapopulation and seasonal variation of Juniperus excelsа essential oil (EO); (2) compare the J. excelsa concrete and resinoid composition with its EO composition; and (3) investigate the potential herbicidal activity of J. excelsa EO against seeds of Papaver rhoeas L.

Microbial Pathogens in Aquaponics Potentially Hazardous for Human Health.

The union of aquaculture and hydroponics is named aquaponics-a system where microorganisms, fish and plants coexist in a water environment. Bacteria are essential in processes which are fundamental for the functioning and equilibrium of aquaponic systems. Such processes are nitrification, extraction of various macro- and micronutrients from the feed leftovers and feces, etc.

Electrochemical Performance of Symmetric Solid-State Supercapacitors Based on Carbon Xerogel Electrodes and Solid Polymer Electrolytes.

For the development and optimization of solid-state symmetrical supercapacitors, herein, we propose using carbon-based electrodes and sodium- and lithium-form Aquivion electrolyte membranes, which serve as the separator and electrolyte. Carbon xerogels, synthesized using microwave-assisted sol-gel methodology, with designed and controlled properties were obtained as electrode materials. Commercial activated carbon (YP-50F, "Kuraray Europe" GmbH) was used as the active material for comparison.

The relationship between overweight and education revisited: a test of the selection hypothesis based on adolescents' educational aspirations.

Objectives: This paper examines the selection mechanism underlying the association between overweight/obesity and educational aspirations of adolescents.

Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study based on a survey conducted in secondary schools in Spain in 2016.

Methods: We estimate linear probability models to determine the association between adolescents' body mass index (BMI) and their expectations to obtain a university degree, as well as their school choices representing the most usual path towards higher studies.

Phytochemical and biological investigations on Centranthus kellereri (Stoj., Stef. & T. Georgiev) Stoj. & Stef. and C. ruber (L.) DC. and their potential as new medicinal and ornamental plants.

Introduction: Centranthus kellereri is a Bulgarian endemic plant species, found only in two locations in the world: The Balkans Mountains (Stara Planina), above the town of Vratsa, and The Pirin Mountains, above the town of Bansko, Bulgaria. Being endemic and endangered species precluded any significant research on it. The hypothesis of this study was that the populations of C.

Effect of BO on the Structure, Properties and Antibacterial Abilities of Sol-Gel-Derived TiO/TeO/BO Powders.

This paper studies the influence of BO on the structure, properties and antibacterial abilities of sol-gel-derived TiO/TeO/BO powders. Titanium(IV) butoxide, telluric(VI) acid and boric acid were used as precursors. Differences were observed in the degree of decomposition of Ti butoxide in the presence of HBO and HTeO acids.

Physical, chemical, sorption and microbiological characteristics of fennel fruits.

Fennel ( Mill. var. Mill) is an annual aromatic plant of the Lamiaceae family.

Rhinovirus Genotypes Circulating in Bulgaria, 2018-2021.

Rhinoviruses (RV) are one of the most common causative agents of respiratory infections, with significant socioeconomic impact. RV infections are not notifiable in Bulgaria, and little is known about the different RV genotypes circulating in the country. This study aims to investigate the diversity of RV genotypes that were circulating in Bulgaria in the period 2018-2021 in samples from ILI/ARI patients.

Age and Gender Trends in the Prevalence of Markers for Hepatitis E Virus Exposure in the Heterogeneous Bulgarian Population.

The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the Bulgarian population remains underestimated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate age and gender trends in HEV prevalence in the heterogeneous Bulgarian population. Stored serum samples from blood donors and different patient sub-populations-kidney recipients (KR), patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), Lyme disease (LD), patients with liver involvement and a clinical diagnosis other than viral hepatitis A and E (non-AE), hemodialysis (HD) and HIV-positive patients (HIV)-were retrospectively investigated for markers of past and recent/ongoing HEV infection.

Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the timing of surgical triage, tumor stage, and therapy of patients with colon carcinoma.

Purpose: With the onset of the COVID pandemic in Germany in March 2020, far-reaching restrictions were imposed that limited medical access for patients. Screening examinations such as colonoscopies were greatly reduced in number. As rapid surgical triage after diagnosis is prognostic, our hypothesis was that pandemic-related delays would increase the proportion of advanced colon cancers with an overall sicker patient population.

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Grossh. and L. Cultivated in Bulgaria and Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity.

The genus , belonging to the family Lamiaceae, includes about 300 species, most of which are used in folk medicine due to their pronounced biological properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the agrobiological characteristics of () Grossh. and () L.

Flexible Polymer-Ionic Liquid Films for Supercapacitor Applications.

Mechanically and thermally stable novel gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) have been prepared and applied in supercapacitor cells. Quasi-solid and flexible films were prepared by solution casting technique and formulated by immobilization of ionic liquids (ILs) differing in their aggregate state. A crosslinking agent and a radical initiator were added to further stabilize them.

The Impact of TRAIL on the Immunological Milieu during the Early Stage of Abdominal Sepsis.

Despite intensive scientific efforts, the therapy of peritonitis is presently limited to symptomatic measures, including infectious source control and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Promising therapeutic approaches to reduce morbidity and mortality are still missing. Within the early phase of abdominal sepsis, apoptosis of neutrophil granulocytes is inhibited, which is linked to tissue damage and septic shock.

Immune Phenotypic Characterization of a TRAIL-Knockout Mouse.

The TNF-superfamily member TRAIL is known to mediate selective apoptosis in tumor cells suggesting this protein as a potential antitumor drug target. However, initial successful pr-clinical results could not be translated into the clinic. Reasons for the ineffectiveness of TRAIL-targeting in tumor therapies could include acquired TRAIL resistance.

Essential Oil Composition of Seven Bulgarian Species and Its Potential as a Biopesticide.

species and especially L. are well known for their therapeutic applications. The present study assessed the essential oil (EO) composition, and antifungal and aphid suppression activity of seven Bulgarian species.

Effect of castalagin against HSV-1 infection in newborn mice.

We tested anti-herpetic effect of castalagin, an ellagitannin compound, extracted from pedunculate oak (). Previous investigations found that castalagin possesses a strong inhibitory effect against HSV-1/2 equal to acyclovir (ACV). It is also effective against ACV-resistant mutants and shows a synergistic effect with ACV.

A Robotic Completely Intercorporeal Jejunal Pouch Reconstruction after Gastrectomy.

Robotic surgery is increasingly gaining importance. While initial results suggest an advantage of the robotic over the minimally invasive approach in patients with gastric cancer, definitive proof of its superiority has yet to be provided. There are numerous approaches to recreate a gastric reservoir after a total gastrectomy.