Predicting Function and Structure using Bioinformatics Protocols:Study of the Intracellular Regions of the Jagged and Delta Protein Families

The type I membrane-spanning proteins Jagged (Jagged-i and -2) and Delta (Delta-l, - 3 and -4) are the human ligands of Notch receptors, which mediate key signaling events in cell differentiation and morphogenesis. The Jagged and Delta proteins are composed of a relatively large extracellular region and of a 100-150 residue, yet uncharacterized cytoplasmic tail, which has been recently found to be important in Notch bi-directional signaling. We applied bioinformatics methods to analyze the intracellular region of human Notch ligands, and to predict their structural and functional properties. We searched databases for orthologues, and found that while the intracellular region is evolutionaiy well conserved within the same ligand type, a wide variability is observed in different ligands. No significant similarity was found between the intracellular region of Jagged and Delta and proteins of known 3D structure. Globularity and disorder predictions indeed suggest that these regions are largely unstructured. However, secondary structure predictions show that these regions have some propensity to form local secondary structure elements. Functional predictions based on pattern recognition imply that the specificity in the Notch machinery response might be related to specific post-translational modifications and binding motifs in the ligand cytoplasmic tail, rather than to specific interactions between the receptors and the extracellular region of the ligands. We also speculate that, given the unusual amino acid composition, the cytoplasmic tail of Jagged and Delta might be involved in zinc binding

HUMAN CAPITAL IN THE CHANGING WORK ENVIRONMENT OF INDUSTRY 4.0

The analysis of surveys conducted in Bulgarian companies proves that the quantity and quality of human capital to the greatest extent determine the long-term potential for sustainable organizational development. Aware of the need for investment in human capital, more and more company leaders and managers are focused on creating value for their business through training and development of their employees; building knowledge, skills, competences and motivational attitudes towards the changing working environment in Industry 4.0. The article examines flexible forms of work and creative approaches to increasing the satisfaction and engagement of employees in the implementation of strategic company goals

The Comparison Of Automated Urine Analysis With Manual Microscopic Examination For Urinalysis

Увод: Уринният анализ е един от най-често извършваните в клиничната лаборатория. Той дава важна информация за заболявания на отделителната система. Микроскопското изследване на седимент отнема време и няма възможност за стандартизация.Цел: Целта на изследването е да се съпоставят резултатите за уринен седимент от автоматичен анализатор и микроскопски анализ.Материали и методи:Уринни проби (n = 92) бяха изследвани на уринен анализатор за определяне на уринен седимент FUS–100 и на камера на Fuchs-Rosenthal. Сравнени бяха резултатите за еритроцити и левкоцити.Резултати: За изследваната група уринни проби бяха изчислени: средна стойност за левкоцити за автоматичен анализатор 163 ±77/μl, а за левкоцити на микроскоп 201 ± 45/μl. Средната стойност за еритроцити на автоматичен анализатор е 47 ±48,5/μl, а за еритроцити на микроскоп 22 ± 13,5/μl.След статистически анализ на резултатите с T-test на Student (p < 0.05) се установи статистически значима разлика при изброяване на левкоцити (p = 0.04) и еритроцити (p = 0.00081) посредством двата изследвани метода.Обсъждане:Автоматизираните системи имат значение от гледна точка на стандартизация и бързина. Необходимото време за провеждане на микроскопско изследване на патологична проба урина, съдържаща голям брой клетки е около 20 минути. С производителност около 50 урини на час автоматичните анализатори успешно се използват за скрининг на пробите. Засичането на резултатите от тест лента и апаратния седимент е достатъчно на обучения лаборант да определи суспектните за неточен резултат проби, чиито брой клетки да бъде определен с последващо микроскопско изследване. Автоматичният анализатор оптимизира работния процес в клинично-лабораторната практика, като осигурява значително walk-away време за включване в други дейности.Изводи: FUS–100 разполага със софтуер за идентификация и високоспециализираната технология тип „изкуствен интелект“. Системата позволява автоматична калибрация и контрол на качеството. Методът позволява стандартизация и се характеризира с много добра възпроизводимост и точност.Introduction: Urinalysis is one of the most commonly performed tests in the clinical laboratory. It is an indicator of the status of urinary tract. Manual microscopic sediment examination is time-consuming and lacks standardization.Aim: In this study the results from manual microscopic examination and automated urine analysis were compared. Materials and Methods: A total of 94 urine samples were analyzed by Dirui FUS – 100 automatic urine sediment analyzer and by manual microscopic method using Fuchs – Rosenthal’s counting chamber. The results for leucocytes and erythrocytes were compared.Results: Within the tested urine samples the average value for leucocytes counted by the automated analyzer was calculated as 163 ± 77 / microl, for leucocytes counted using counting chamber – 201 ± 45 / microl.For erythrocytes counted by the automated analyzer the average value was calculated as 47 ± 48.5/microl and for the erythrocytes counted using counting chamber - 22 ± 13.5 / microl.Statistical analyses were performed by the T Student’s Test (p < 0.05) and statistically significant difference was determined for the leucocyte count (p = 0.04) and for the erythrocyte count (p = 0.00081) using both methods.Discussion: Automated systems are important in terms of standardization of measurement and speed of the analysis performance. The microscopic analysis of a pathological sample requires approximately 20 min. FUS – 100 Urine Sediment Analyzer is able to analyze 50 samples per hour. The automated analyzers are successfully used for screening urine samples. When combined with urine chemistry analysis the well trained staff can easily recognize the samples suspect for inaccurate result and to analyze them microscopically. The automated analyzers optimize the work process, providing significant amount of walk-away time for the laboratory staff.Conclusion: Dirui FUS – 100 uses artificial intelligence identification technique. The system performs automated calibration, provides standardization of the measurement and repeatability and accuracy of the analysis

The intracellular region of Notch ligands: does the tail make the difference?

The cytoplasmic tail of Notch ligands drives endocytosis, mediates association with proteins implicated in the organization of cell-cell junctions and, through regulated intra-membrane proteolysis, is released from the membrane as a signaling fragment. We survey these findings and discuss the role of Notch ligands intracellular region in bidirectional signaling and possibly in signal modulation in mammals

Влияние на билкови и имуномодулиращи добавки върху растежните способности и качеството на месото при пилета бройлери

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal and immunomodulatory die-tary supplements and their combinations on growth performance, slaughter traits and meat quality in male broiler chickens. A total of 210 one-day-old Ross 308 male chickens were randomly distributed after weighing in 7 groups (3 replicates in each, n=10 chickens). Broilers were reared on deep litter until 42 days of age and divided as follows: Group I – control (basal diet without supplements); Group II – supple-mented with 0.2% Immunoßeta; Group III – supplemented with 0.2% garlic powder; Group IV – supplemented with 0.2% herbal mix (0.05% ginger, 0.05% rosemary, 0.05% thyme and 0.05% yarrow); Group V – supplemented with 0.2% Immunoßeta + 0.2% garlic powder; Group VI – supplemented with 0.2% Immunoßeta + 0.2% herbal mix; Group VII – supplemented with 0.2% Immunoßeta + 0.2% garlic powder + 0.2% herbal mix. At the end of the experiment, chickens weighed from 2552±54 g (Group I) to 2689±55 g (Group IV) without statistically significant differences (Р>0.05). Feed conversion varied from 1.64 (Group IV) tо 1.74 (Group I). Meat pH, water holding ca-pacity, water absorption capacity, and tenderness were not influenced by the dietary supplement type. All supplements used did not show an adverse effect on health, and no mortality was found in the experimental groups. The obtained results show a clear trend towards a positive effect of the used feed additives and their combination mainly on the fattening characteristics of the broiler chickens, evident from the higher values of the two efficiency indices.Целта на проучването беше да се установи ефекта на някои билкови и имуномодулиращи хранителни добавки поотделно и в комбинация върху растежа, кланичните характеристики и качеството на месото при мъжки пилета бройлери. Общо 210 еднодневни пилета (Ross 308) след претегляне бяха разпределени на случаен принцип в 7 групи (всяка с 3 повторения, n=10 пилета). Бройлерите се отглеждаха върху дълбока постеля до 42-дневна възраст и бяха разделени както следва: Група I – контрола (основна диета без добавки); II група – с добавка на 0,2% Immunoßeta; III група – с добавка на 0,2% чесън на прах; IV група – с добавка на 0,2% билкова комбинация (0,05% джинджифил, 0,05% розмарин, 0,05% мащерка и 0,05% бял равнец); Група V – с добавка на 0,2% Immunoßeta + 0,2% чесън на прах; Група VI – с добавка на 0,2% Immunoßeta + 0,2% билков микс; VII група – допълнена с 0,2% Immunoßeta + 0,2% чесън на прах + 0,2% билков микс. В края на експеримента пилетата достигнаха жива маса от 2552±54 g (I група) до 2689±55 g (IV група) като не се установиха доказани разлики между различните групи (Р>0,05). Конверсията на фураж варираше от 1,64 (IV група) до 1,74 (I група). pH на месото, водозадържащата способност, водопоглъщащата способност и нежността не се повлияха от вида на хранителната добавка. Всички използвани добавки не показаха неблагоприятен ефект върху здравословното състояние, като не беше установена смъртност в експерименталните групи. Получените резултати показват ясна тенденция към положителен ефект на използваните фуражни добавки и тяхното комбиниране основно върху угоителните характеристики на бройлерите, видно от по-високите стойности на двата индекса на ефективност

Application of a simple likelihood ratio approximant to protein sequence classification

Abstract Motivation: Likelihood ratio approximants (LRA) have been widely used for model comparison in statistics. The present study was undertaken in order to explore their utility as a scoring (ranking) function in the classification of protein sequences. Results: We used a simple LRA-based on the maximal similarity (or minimal distance) scores of the two top ranking sequence classes. The scoring methods (Smith–Waterman, BLAST, local alignment kernel and compression based distances) were compared on datasets designed to test sequence similarities between proteins distantly related in terms of structure or evolution. It was found that LRA-based scoring can significantly outperform simple scoring methods. Contact: [email protected]. Supplementary information:

Epstein-Barr virus - molecular basis for malignant transformation

Epstein-Barr (EBV) is a widespread virus which can be detected in more than 90% of world population. Primary EBV infection during adolescence and adultness results in infectious mononucleosis, while in children it is usually asymptomatic. EBV is responsible for different malignant forms of B-cell or epithelial cancers, such as Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, hairy leukoplakia and HIV-associated lymphomas. Evidence exists that infection with EBV is also linked with a higher risk of hepatocellular and gastric cancers, as well as autoimmune diseases.EВV shows two alternative life cycles - latent and lytic. After the primary infection, the virus remains in B lymphocytes in latency, while the lytic infection takes place predominantly in the epithelial cells and can last for months with constant virus release in saliva and nasopharyngeal secretion. Unlike other herpes viruses, development of oncological diseases is linked with the latent cycle, as a result of immune response‘s failure to control latently infected cells.With the present work we try to concisely review the current knowledge about mechanisms of EBV pathogenesis in humans and to summarize recent findings in the field

Carcinoma erysipeloides of the breast in a patient with advanced invasive lobular breast cancer

Carcinoma erysipeloides (CE) is an uncommon cutaneous metastasis of advanced breast carcinoma, showing distinctive features and presenting as a well-demarcated erythematous macule or plaque varying in size. It also may show a raised border and oedema. The differential diagnoses include erysipelas or cellulitis of the breast, or rarely—radiodermatitis. Most of the time CE is associated with advanced breast cancer and rarely with neoplastic tumours of the colon, pancreas, oesophagus, uterus, etc. We report a 58-year-old woman who presented at the Medical Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a 1-month history of not well-demarcated, erythematous, oedematous patches and plaques on the left and right breast, abdomen and both shins, associated with advanced invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast

MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF COASTAL BATHING WATERS IN REGION VARNA

Water contaminated by human and animal excreta may contain a range of pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa. During the bathing season, water samples are taken and analyzed for Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. The aim of these study is to assess the quality of bathing waters along Black Sea Coast in Varna Region from 2012 to 2016. Materials and Methods: The information about microbiological monitoring of coastal bathing waters in Region Varna is received from Regional Health Inspection – Varna. Results and discussion: From May 2012 to August 2016, 1117 water samples were collected and analyzed in the Laboratory of Sanitary Microbiology of Regional Health Inspection – Varna. In the region of Varna, there is a tendency to increase the number of bathing areas with excellent water quality. In Avren Municipality, bathing water was classified as good and excellent. In Shkorpilovtsi – Tsentralen plazh, the bathing water was excellent quality. In Byala Municipality there was a deterioration in the quality of the seawater. During 2012-2016 two of these 17 sites – Riviera, located in resort Golden Sands and St. Elias located in St. St. Konstantin and Elena had excellent bathing water quality. The water indicators of Ofitserski plazh- Varna and Tsentralen plazh, Zlatni pyasatsi - PSVO were poor, while the indicators of Varna -Yuzhen plazh were satisfying or good. Conclusion: According to the European Environment Agency, the development and improvement of community water supply and collecting system will have a positive effect on the quality of bathing water

Seroprevalence of Syphilis among Pregnant Women in the Varna Region (Bulgaria)

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease with continuously rising rates among European countries. The vertical (mother to child) transmission is an important way of dissemination, often leading to stillbirth and permanent impairment of the newborn. We present a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 2702 pregnant women tested for syphilis seropositivity. During the study period (2009-2013) non-specific and specific treponemal antibodies were detected in 15 pregnant women (0.56% of sample size with 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.84). Our results showed a lack of correlation between syphilis seropositivity and age, ethnic origin, or pregnancy trimester of the mother. The only factor found to influence syphilis seropositivity was the mother’s place of residence – rural inhabitants had significantly higher risk for syphilis infection when compared to urban inhabitants, with a seropositive proportion of 1.08% versus 0.36%, respectively. </p