759 results match your criteria: "Sofia University "St. Kliment[Affiliation]"

Gibson, 1968 is an acuariid nematode associated with lethal cases of streptocarosis of diverse aquatic birds in North America and Europe. This study reports as an agent causing severe and fatal necrosis of the oesophagus and proventriculus of anatids, i.e.

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Biofilms are a well-known multifactorial virulence factor with a pivotal role in chronic bacterial infections. Their pathogenicity is determined by the combination of strain-specific mechanisms of virulence and the biofilm extracellular matrix (ECM) protecting the bacteria from the host immune defense and the action of antibacterials. The successful antibiofilm agents should combine antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility with the capacity to penetrate through the ECM.

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Baker's yeast is a key starting material for producing extracts with diverse compositions and applications. This study investigates the effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) pretreatment, which induces irreversible electropermeabilization, on the enzymatic hydrolysis of yeast. Cell suspensions were exposed to monopolar rectangular pulses in a continuous flow system followed by 4 h of incubation with Alcalase at concentrations of 0.

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Objectives: The antimicrobial, oxidative activities, and ecotoxicity of synthesized silver-loaded zeolites (X and ZSM-5(MFI), Si-to-Al ratios 12 and 25) were studied, linking antimicrobial properties to material structure and released active silver species.

Methods: The materials were characterized by SEM, EDX, TEM, and XRPD. All materials, with a silver content of 1-3%wt for the Ss and about 35%wt for the X-zeolites, were tested against and .

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The development of fluorescence-based methods for bioassays and medical diagnostics requires the design and synthesis of specific markers to target biological microobjects. However, biomolecular recognition in real cellular systems is not always as selective as desired. A new concept for creating fluorescent biomolecular probes, utilizing a fluorogenic dye and biodegradable, biocompatible nanomaterials, is demonstrated.

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In Vitro Anticancer Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract from L. ssp. .

Life (Basel)

November 2024

Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria.

Despite significant efforts, cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. The medicinal plant L. represents a valuable source of biologically active compounds with pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral.

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Three-quarters of the planet's land surface has been altered by humans, with consequences for animal ecology, movements and related ecosystem functioning. Species often occupy wide geographical ranges with contrasting human disturbance and environmental conditions, yet, limited data availability across species' ranges has constrained our understanding of how human pressure and resource availability jointly shape intraspecific variation of animal space use. Leveraging a unique dataset of 758 annual GPS movement trajectories from 375 brown bears (Ursus arctos) across the species' range in Europe, we investigated the effects of human pressure (i.

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Poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) (PBCA) nanoparticles have numerous applications, including drug and gene delivery, molecular imaging, and cancer therapy. To uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying their interactions with cell membranes, we utilized a Langmuir monolayer as a model membrane system. This approach enabled us to investigate the processes of penetration and reorganization of PBCA nanoparticles when deposited in a phospholipid monolayer subphase.

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C1q, the key component of the classical pathway of the Complement system, is known for its vast functional activity including clearance of apoptotic cells. The binding of C1q to apoptotic blebs occurs via an interaction with the phosphatidylserine externalized on the cell surface. In this study, we characterized the interaction between C1q and phosphatidylserine, with emphasis on the structure of the phosphatidylserine-binding site within the globular domains of C1q and the nature of binding of C1q with phosphatidylserine, using both in vitro and in silico methods.

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Background: With the global population aging rapidly, dementia has become a pressing public health challenge, affecting the cognitive functions and daily activities of older adults worldwide. Enhancing literacy about dementia is a proactive prevention strategy, yet the effectiveness of educational programs can vary based on the target population's background. Thus, understanding dementia knowledge levels across different communities and countries is essential for successful educational interventions.

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Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease that requires continuous treatment. Despite the excellent results, treatment with biologics and target-specific disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs often has to be interrupted due to insufficient therapeutic effectiveness, toxicity, or side effects.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the reasons and factors influencing treatment discontinuation with biologic and target-specific drugs among the Bulgarian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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Vaccination for solid organ transplanted patients: Recommendations, efficacy, and safety.

World J Transplant

December 2024

Department of Epidemiology and Disaster Medicine, Medical University, University Hospital "St George", Plovdiv 4000, Bulgaria.

Solid organ transplant recipients face unique challenges in managing their immunosuppressed status, making vaccination a critical consideration. This review aimed to comprehensively analyze current recommendations, evaluate the efficacy of vaccinations in this population, and assess safety concerns. We explored the latest evidence on vaccine types, timing, and potential benefits for transplant patients, highlighting the importance of individualized approaches for routinely used vaccines as well as coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines.

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Using Green's function theory and a microscopic model, the multiferroic properties of Co4Nb2O9 are investigated theoretically. There are some discrepancies in the discussion of the electric and dielectric behavior of CNO with and without external magnetic fields. We try to clarify them.

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Green algae of the genus have attracted the attention of scientists due to their rich biochemical composition and potential for application in phytomedicine. The present study investigated the influence of light on the bioactive capacity of extracts from the Bulgarian strain of the green microalgae sp. BGV.

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Beneficial and Safety Properties of a Bacteriocinogenic and Putative Probiotic subsp. 2a Strain.

Foods

November 2024

ProBacLab, Laboratório de Microbiologia de Alimentos, Departamento de Alimentos e Nutrição Experimental, Food Research Center, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil.

This work aimed to evaluate some of the probiotic features and safety of the bacteriocin-producing subsp. 2a. The effect of selected commercial drugs from different generic groups and antibiotics on the growth of subsp.

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The increasing prevalence of infections with macrolide-resistance, causing high azithromycin failure rates, is a major concern internationally. In response to this challenge, diagnostics that simultaneously detect and genetic markers for macrolide-resistance enable the therapy to be individually tailored, i.e.

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In this article, we comment on an original article published in a recent issue of the . That observational cross-sectional study focused on investigating the function of the glymphatic system and its clinical correlates in patients with different glucose metabolism states by using diffusion tensor imaging along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index. It was shown that the cerebral glymphatic system may be dysfunctional in patients with type 2 diabetes.

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Article Synopsis
  • The text discusses the importance of forecasting future health issues in the USA for effective planning and public awareness regarding disease and injury burdens.
  • It describes the methodology for predicting life expectancy, cause-specific mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) from 2022 to 2050 using the Global Burden of Diseases framework.
  • The forecasting includes various scenarios to assess the potential impacts of health risks and improvements across the country, focusing on demographic trends and health-related risk factors.
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Altered Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Telomere Length in Patients with Substance Use Disorder: Correlation with Age, Sex, and Chronic Diseases.

Biochem Genet

November 2024

Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Laboratory of Genome Dynamics and Stability, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Georgi Bonchev Street, Bldg. 21, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex condition involving psychological, sociocultural, and genetic factors. In this study, we examined the alternations in mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and telomere length (TL) and their relationship to demographic, medical, heredity, and substance use characteristics in patients with SUD and healthy controls. We investigated a total cohort of 54 participants: 21 healthy individuals, 17 patients with alcohol dependence (AD), and 16 patients with drug dependence (DD).

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Ladder oligomers containing calixarene skeletons in the main chain-calix[4]resorcinarene (CRA) ladder macromolecules with open chain and cyclic macromolecules with double ring-like (Noria-type) topologies-bring particular research attention as functional materials with various applications. However, there is still a remarkable lack of studies into the synthesis of fully water-soluble derivatives of these interesting macromolecules. Research on this topic would allow their bio-based research and application niche to be at least revealed.

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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers synthesized N-modified versions of VV-hemorphin-5 and paired them with different naphthalimides to create colorimetric and antimicrobial properties in cotton fabric.
  • The study found that immobilizing these peptides on fabric affects their flexibility and reduces their antimicrobial effectiveness, which is essential for bacterial contact.
  • Among the tested peptides, the one with a nitro-substituent showed slightly better antibacterial activity, indicating potential for using treated cotton in medical applications like antibacterial dressings.
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Silica-poly (vinylpyrrolidone) hybrid material was prepared using the sol-gel method. Tetramethyl ortosilane (TMOS) was used as a silica precursor. XRD analysis established that the as-prepared material is amorphous.

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Zinc oxide nanoparticles are safe, non-toxic, and biocompatible. These NPs are used in food packaging materials, self-cleaning glass, ceramics, deodorants, sunscreens, paints, coatings, ointments, lotions, and as preservatives. This study explored the biological potential of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using .

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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is considered the most common metabolic disorder of the pregnancy period. It is characterized by pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction in the setting of chronic insulin resistance. Zinc is a nutrient involved in numerous metabolic processes and shows a relationship with glycometabolic disorders and GDM.

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Monensic acid is a natural polyether ionophore and is a therapeutic of first choice in veterinary medicine for the control of coccidiosis. Although known as a sodium-binding ligand, it can also form a variety of coordination species depending on experimental conditions applied. In this study, we present the crystal structures and properties of Co(II) and Mn(II) complexes of sodium monensinate (MonNa) derived from the reaction of MonNa with cobalt or manganese dinitrates.

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