MMP2 -1306C>T polymorphism in patients with COPD

The remodeling of the bronchial walls is an important process of the pathophysiology of COPD as the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is shown to play an important role in this process. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the possible role of MMP2 -1306C>T promoter polymorphism as risk factor of COPD. We genotyped by PCR-RFLP 84 patients with COPD and 71 control individuals. The genotype, but not allele distribution, differed between COPD patients and controls (p=0.021 and 0.602, respectively). Carriers of the variant T allele (CT+TT) tended to have 1.64-fold higher risk for COPD (95% CI: 0.82-3.26, p=0.164) than those with CC genotype, as that risk was significant in the subset of older than 65 years individuals (OR=4.24, 95% CI:1.31-13.57, p=0.019). The risk for COPD of T carriers (CT+TT) was significant and even higher in the subset of older individuals (more than 65 years) and in those without diabetes as a co-morbidity. Patients with T genotypes had later onset of the disease (64.1±7.1 years) than those with CC genotype (59.7±9.5 years, p=0.045). In conclusion, our results suggest that the T genotypes of MMP2 -1306C>T SNP may determine a risk for COPD especially in advanced age

Ochratoxin A and β2-Microglobulin in BEN Patients and Controls

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin naturally occurring in different foods. OTA is arguably a risk factor for Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN). The aims of this study are to (1) test the OTA-BEN association in BEN-groups and controls and (2) determine whether urine β2-microglobulin, a marker of impaired ability of the kidneys to re-absorb, is related to OTA. BEN patients had significantly higher OTA serum levels. Within the offspring, OTA was significantly related to higher β2-microglobulin excretion. OTA (2005/2006) was related to a higher incidence of BEN after 2008, providing further evidence that OTA is a risk factor for BEN

ЗА СЪСТАВНИТЕ НАИМЕНОВАНИЯ С ЛЕКСЕМАТА WIND

Attributive phrases are represented by different constructions according to their semantics and structure. The main component is a noun and the dependent component can be represented by different parts of speech: an adjective, a pronoun, a participle or a noun. The subject of the present study are compound words with a dominant or subordinate component ‘wind’ in English

The minus of a plus is a minus. Mass death of selected neuron populations in sporadic late-onset neurodegenerative disease may be due to a combination of subtly decreased capacity to repair oxidative DNA damage and increased propensity for damage-related apoptosis

Neurons in the adult central nervous system (CNS) are subjected to high levels of oxidative damage that is usually promptly repaired. Transcribed genomic regions are repaired with priority over untranscribed regions. The prioritization of DNA repair in neurons results in modification of the input into the assessment of genomic integrity in order to delay or avoid damage-related apoptosis unless the damage interferes directly with the functioning of the neuron. CNS neurons may be replaced, albeit rarely. Over-stimulation of adult neural progenitor niche caused by accelerated neuronal loss may result in its premature depletion. The combination of the two pathologic mechanisms (increased rates of neuronal death and depletion of the progenitor niche) may eventually result in irreversible loss of specific cell populations in the CNS and/or generalized neuronal loss. Here we propose that the risk of developing sporadic late-onset neurodegenerative disease (LONDD) may be modulated by the individual capacity for detection and repair of DNA damage and the genetic propensity to repair moderate-degree damage or to assess it as irreparable and route the cell towards apoptosis. Thus, subtly deficient DNA damage repair coupled with a tendency to repair the damage rather than kill the damaged cell may be associated with increased risk of cancer, whereas deficient DNA repair coupled with a propensity to destroy damaged cells may increase the risk of LONDD. Extensive studies of individual repair capacity may be needed to test this hypothesis and, potentially, use the results in the assessment of the risk of common late-onset disease

Characterization of the individual capacity for repair of genotoxic damage of a Bulgarian hESC line and two commonly used stabilized cell lines

AbstractThe number of stem cell lines worldwide grows steadily, including disease-specific lines and lines derived from specific tissues. The proportion of stem cell lines that were established in strictly xeno-free conditions is rapidly increasing, but it is still unclear whether these lines may be maintained in vitro for prolonged periods of time with satisfactory survival rates and minimal loss of their ‘stemness’ properties. The efficiency of repair of DNA damage has recently emerged as an important factor for maintenance of stem cells in culture with minimal genomic changes and preservation of the undifferentiated state. In this study we investigated the individual capacity for repair of DNA damage/maintenance of genomic integrity and additional markers in one human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line derived in Bulgaria from a discarded embryo and two of the human T-leukaemia cell lines commonly used for research purposes (T-1301 and Jurkat E6-1). Knowledge about the status of the studied cancer cell lines may be valuable for research purposes. Data about the individual repair capacity and the genetic risk for common late-onset diseases of newly established hESC lines as well as hESC lines currently in use may become a valuable tool in the assessment of the applicability of pluripotent human cell lines for research purposes, clinical trials and, potentially, clinical applications

Characterization of Fruit Sorbet Matrices with Added Value from Zizyphus jujuba and Stevia rebaudiana

Sorbets are healthy ice cream alternatives and desired frozen desserts by vegetarians and vegans. This study focuses on assessing the effects of sorbet recipe alteration through the addition of different percentages of Zizyphus jujuba powder. Stevia rebaudiana was used as a sugar substituent. A control sample and five variables were developed. Peaches from the “Laskava” (native Bulgarian) variety were used as the main ingredient. The new sorbet matrices were characterized based on their moisture and ash content, overrun, melting behavior, melting rate, water holding capacity, pH, nutritional data, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, vitamin C content, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The microbial load and CIELAB color of the sorbet alternatives was also evaluated. A sensory evaluation revealed the most preferred variant. Panelists evaluated the appearance (n = 6), aroma (n = 5), flavor (n = 5), mouthfeel (n = 7), and aftertaste (n = 5). The soluble solids content varied from 17.50 to 33.03%, the ash content from 0.36 to 5.21%, the moisture content from 63.77 to 80.21%. The studied sorbet matrices have an overrun in the range from 8.11 to 12.32%. Results showed that a potential for the development of peach sorbet matrices with added value and a reasonable consumer acceptability exists. Further research can perfect the recipe and provide a reference for other frozen desserts

The Perspective of Nectarine Fruit as a Functional Ingredient of Puddings Prepared with Corn and Rice Starch

Fruits have long been recognized as healthy diet compounds since they are excellent sources of health beneficial bioactive components (polyphenols, minerals, vitamins, organic acids, etc.). However, the diversification of the consumer’s taste calls for an expansion of food options and novel ingredients. In recent years, excessive refined sugar intake demands the incorporation of sugar alternatives in popular dessert recipes and high-calorie obesogenic foods in general. Puddings are well-known food choices introduced into the human diet very early because of their easy and high digestion. Four formulations with two types of starch (corn and rice) were selected as objects of analysis. Nectarines were incorporated as a purée and lyophilized powder. The nectarine variety “Gergana” is a local variety used for preparations with proven beneficial properties. The study aimed to analyze the physical (moisture, ash, colour, water-holding capacity, water activity, density, and syneresis), rheological (firmness, gumminess, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness), nutritional, and sensory characteristics of the nectarine-enriched puddings. The outcomes obtained from this study provide important information about the possible application of the formulations in the children’s daily menus. All four formulations had a distinct peachy aroma. The formulations prepared with nectarine purée resulted in better sensory perception, texture, and water holding capacity. The formulations prepared with lyophilized fruit had similar CIELAB colour values. The same trend was observed in the nectarine purée formulations. At this point, the formulation prepared with lyophilized fruit and rice starch showed the most promising results. Sufficient evidence leads to further exploration of the perspective of fruit-enriched puddings to improve their technological and health-promoting properties

The Perspective of Nectarine Fruit as a Sugar Substituent in Puddings Prepared with Corn and Rice Starch

It has been long recognized that fruits are healthy diet compounds as they are excellent sources of health-beneficial bioactive components (polyphenols, minerals, vitamins, organic acids, etc.). The diversification of the consumer\u2019s taste calls for an expansion of food options and novel ingredients. Puddings are a well-known food choice introduced in the human diet at a very early age because of their ease and high digestion. Four formulations with two types of starch (corn and rice) were selected as objects of analysis. Nectarines were incorporated as a pur\ue9e, and lyophilized powder. The nectarine variety \u201cGergana\u201d, used for the preparations, is a local variety with proven beneficial properties. The study aimed at analyzing the physical (moisture, ash, color, water-holding capacity, water activity, density and syneresis), textural (firmness, gumminess, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness), nutritional, and sensory characteristics of the nectarine-enriched puddings. The outcomes obtained from this study provided significant information about the possible application of the formulations in the children\u2019s daily menus. All four formulations had a distinct peachy aroma. The formulations prepared with nectarine pur\ue9e resulted in a better sensory perception of their texture, and better water-holding capacity. At this point, the formulation prepared with lyophilized fruit and rice starch has the most promising results. Sufficient evidence leads to further exploration of the perspective of fruit-enriched puddings in order to improve their technological and health-promoting propertie

The fine art of vascular wall maintenance. Carriership of XPC, TP53 and APOE polymorphisms may be a risk factor for cerebral vascular accidents in the Bulgarian population

Efficient maintenance of the integrity of the endothelium of cerebral blood vessels is crucially important, especially when the vessel walls are subjected to greater-than-normal levels of stress. Persistently high levels of genotoxic stress may result from lower capacity to detect and repair DNA damage conferred by carriership of variants of key genes of DNA repair/maintenance of genomic integrity. Adult Bulgarian patients with a history of cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs) and age-matched healthy controls were analyzed for 11 markers, including 7 DNA polymorphisms in genes coding for proteins of DNA repair and maintenance of genomic integrity, 3 hypercoagulability markers and 1 marker for susceptibility for cerebral amyloidosis. Homozygous carriership of the del allele of the polymorphism XPCins83 was associated with decreased risk of CVAs (RR = 0.446, 95% CI:0.225–0.886, p = 0.021). In individuals carrying the 'protective' del/del XPCins83 genotype, carriership of the 'pro-apoptotic' genotype Arg/Arg in the TP53 locus was associated with increased risk of CVAs (RR = 1.845, 95% CI:1.049–3.244, p = 0.034). Carriers of the Lys751Gln genotype at the ERCC2 locus were at increased risk of CVAs (RR = 2.055, 95% CI:1.09–3.876, p = 0.025). Carriership of the E2/E3 genotype at the APOE locus decreased the risk of CVAs in Bulgarian males (RR = 0.279, 95% CI:0.090–0.873, p = 0.028). Male Bulgarian carriers of the APOE4 allele were at increased risk of CVAs. Carriership of the common prothrombotic mutations Factor V Leiden, PT G20210A, MTHFR C677T and PAI1 4G/5G had no significant effect on the risk of CVAs in Bulgarian adults