Autism spectrum disorders: neurotrophins enter the dance

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a group of lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairment in social interaction and communication, delayed and disordered language, restricted and stereotypic patterns of behaviour, interests and activities, and onset before 3 years of age

Impact of risk factors on growth of children from families with atopy

Nutritional and non-nutritional factors might interfere with growth of children with atopy in the first years of life and complicate even further weight gain and development. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the impact of nutrition and several environmental factors on the growth of children from families with atopy in early childhood. During the period 2017–2020, a prospective cohort study, which included 120 children 13–31 months of age (24.0±3.9 months) with family medical history for allergy was conducted in Varna, Bulgaria. The sample was followed for around 2 years. Sociodemographic data, family and personal history for smoking, pet presence, atopy and common acute infections was collected at regular intervals. Anthropometric measurements were taken at birth, 2, 4, 6 month, 1 year and 2 years. The conducted study found that factors from the living environment and nutritional nature are related to the processes of growth and development in children from families with allergy. The presence of diseases such as atopic dermatitis, acute infections of the digestive and excretory system, hospitalizations in connection with urinary infections, smoking have relation to the growth and development of children with a family history of atopy. The data resulting from our study may serve as a basis for further research so the mechanisms of atopy to be investigated better and potential preventive measures during pregnancy and early childhood to be specified. The impact of risk factors on children‘s growth during the first 1000 days could be modified by targeted behavioral interventions of the whole family

The Adipose Mast Cell: Mastokines As Binary Modulators Of Disease Processes

A paradigm-shifting discovery of the hormone leptin (in the end of 1994) paved the way toward intensive studies on endocrine and paracrine function of the adipose tissue. Onwards, a wide range of signaling proteins collectively termed adipokines were identified as secretory products of adipose cells including mast cells, a “classical” companion of this tissue. The present review addresses the potential translational relevance of adipose paracrine signaling pertinent to various diseases, particularly atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, thyroid-associated (Graves’) ophthalmopathy, and breast and prostate cancer, with special reference to binary (protective versus pathogenic) roles of mastokines, mast cell-derived signaling proteins

PREVALENCE OF CARIES AND THE NEED FOR URGENT DENTAL TREATMENT AMONG CHILDREN WITH NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT IN NORTHEASTERN BULGARIA

Introduction: Oral health is extremely important for the quality of life and well-being. Findings reveal that people with special needs have difficulties in getting dental care, which increases their risk of oral diseases. The recommendations for dental examination are identical for patients with and without neurological impairment. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of caries and overall dental health among children with motor and mental disabilities in Northeastern Bulgaria. Methods: A total of 53 children with neurological impairment under the age of 18 were selected from Varna and Ruse from April to October 2017. Data on age, gender, height, weight, caregiver education level were collected. Information on oral hygiene behavior and diet was gathered as well. The 2013 World Health Organization standards for dental caries were used to assess the oral health status. The data were analyzed with the statistical package Jamovi v.2.2.2.0. Results: Children were divided into two groups – with predominantly motor or mental impairment. Both groups had high rates of caries and need for urgent dental treatment with no significant difference observed. The CPITN correlated positively with motor impairment (Spearman's rho= 0.393; p= 0.043). It was discovered that children with motor impairment had a higher prevalence of malocclusion than children with mental impairment (rho= -0.331; p= 0.016). The number of caries correlated as well with the type of occlusion (Spearman's rho=0.378; p=0.005), the dentition type (rho=0.343; p=0.012) and the age (rho= 0.372; p= 0.006). Conclusion: The study findings indicate that both types of neurological impairments were associated with a high frequency of caries and a significant need for urgent dental care. More frequent dental examination is thought to improve oral health. Nevertheless, more studies are required to substantiate this theory

NUTRITION IN SUBJECTS WITH COMPLETE DENTURES: ENERGY AND MACRONUTRIENT INTAKE

Introduction: There are many factors that have an influence on the nutritional status of older people, but the significance of nutrition for the quality of life is indisputable. Complete tooth loss affects and changes nutritional habits, which poses important questions about the intake of energy and macronutrients in subjects with complete dentures. The aim of this study was to make a comparative analysis of the energy and macronutrient intake in subjects with complete dentures, based on the Bulgarian recommendations for the physiological needs. Materials and methods: An individual questionnaire was used to collect the primary information, covering the following areas: demographic, co-morbid and 3-day dietary intake registered data, as well as a dental examination to confirm the total tooth loss. The investigation was conducted between March and April 2017 in Sofia and Varna. The study included 28 subjects, aged 47 to 89 years. Statistical data processing was performed with the SPSS software for Windows 15.0. Results: The average daily energy intake levels were by about 200 kcal higher than the reference needs for the male subjects with low physical activity, aged over 60 years and close to the recommended for the female subjects. For both sexes, protein intake levels corresponding to the reference, but at the expense of animal proteins (>60%); low carbohydrate intake levels (<40%), but increased intake of added sugars (10-12%); low intake of dietary fibers (<25 grams); high intake of fats, mostly at the expense of saturated fatty acids, were found. Conclusion: Unfavorable tendencies were identified in the nutrition of subjects with total tooth loss, which may further contribute to a worsening of their co-morbid conditions

Nerve-mast cell-nerve growth factor link: the mast cell as yin-yang modulator in inflammation and fibrosis

Inflammation and fibroproliferation are biological responses aiming at recovering from injury. Wound healing is considered a paradigm of such a homeostatic phenomenon. However, what begins as a protective response, in excess becomes a damaging process we call chronic inflammatory-fibroproliferative disease.Biomedical Reviews 1995; 4: 1-6

Neural-immune-effector (NIE) cross-talk in vascular trophobiology: proposal for new and not yet exploited purinergic regulatory mechanisms

In a state-of-the-art approach, Dr. Hasséssian presents purinoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction/vasodilation mechanisms of the pulmonary circulation. He focuses on P2 purinoceptors of smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, platelets and mast cells, without addressing P1 (adenosine) purinoceptors. Recently, the Burnstock's purinoceptorology is "arborizing" into a variety of members of P1 and P2 purinoceptor families classified by the International Union of Pharmacology. Here we would like to add some possible, new and not yet exploited, purinergic regulatory mechanisms to the Hasséssian's work. Accordingly, we shall briefly focus on the involvement of connective tissue (adventitial) mast cells and their interactions with perivascular nerves and medial smooth muscle cells.Biomedical Reviews 1994; 3: 81-86

Homage to George E. Palade Cell Protein Secretion in Vascular Biology: Overview and Updates

Abstract This short overview and updates expresses our brain-and-heart homage to George Emil Palade, "the most influential cell biologist ever". In his 1971 paper Palade wrote for Albert Claude, the founder of biological electron microscopic method: "Seldom has a field owed so much to a single man". Herein, we articulate the same words for George Palade, the Teacher of many generations in cell biology research and education. Accordingly, we focus on two paradigm shifts in the cell biology, namely (i) the transition from light to transmission electron microscopy in studying cell protein secretion made by George Palade, and (ii) the transition from contractile to secretory phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells made by Maria Daria Haust followed and developed by our research group. Altogether, we argue that one of the present challenges in vascular biology is to cultivate secreto-centric thinking and thus further focusing on how we could make the vascular muscle's secretory pathways work for the benefit of human's cardiovascular health

Online rehabilitation of children with disabilities during the first coronavirus pandemic wave in Varna, Bulgaria

The coronavirus pandemic imposed restrictive public health measures to reduce the spread of the infection in all European countries, including Bulgaria. Among the most affected by the restrictions were children with disabilities as this led to a disruption of their regular service provision. The study aimed to understand if online rehabilitation services in Varna, Bulgaria met the needs of children with neurological disorders during the Covid-19 lockdown.Between July and August of 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents of children with disabilities who were handled at the Karin Dom Foundation. They were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the impact of the coronavirus service disruption on the overall rehabilitation strategy and assistance, the influence of online services on the development of their child, and the family’s quality of life during the period of May-June, 2020. In a sample of 62 parents and caregivers of children with neurological impairments, the study finds that the cognitive abilities of children are positively impacted by online rehabilitation services as compared to motor-skill and self-care abilities. Due to secondary pressures on all family members, children with neurological impairments may be at “high-risk” for coronavirus impacts and consequences. Our study found that internet rehabilitation programmes may benefit neurologically impaired children. Public health initiatives may promote family- centered treatment for children with neurological diseases by boosting family well-being. This study calls for greater online crisis services for neurologically challenged children

Nutrigenomics: DNA-based individualized nutrition

In the past decade, nutrition research has undergone an important shift from epidemiology and physiology to molecular biology, adipobiology and genetics, thus launching the science of nutrigenomics. To at molecular level study effects of nutrition on health and disease. The completion of several large genome projects has markedly altered the research agenda by drawing attention to the importance of genes in human nutrition. There has been a growing recognition that micronutrients and macronutrients can be potent dietary signals that influencethemetabolic pathways of cells and have an important role in the control of energy, vascular and neuronal homeostasis. Accordingly, nutrition researchers have increasingly started to recognize that gene-environment interactions can be implicated in the pathogenesis of lifestyle-related diseases, particularly cardiometabolic diseases, fatty liver diseases, cancers, and Alzheimer's disease. An adiponutrigenomic insight into life expectancy is also outlined. Overall, the present Dance Round focuses on a mater of nationwide importance for Bulgaria, a country at the epicenter of today's global healthquake, the obesity and related diseases.Biomedical Reviews 2006; 17: 117-122