Riboflavin: The Health Benefits of a Forgotten Natural Vitamin

Riboflavin (RF) is a water-soluble member of the B-vitamin family. Sufficient dietary and supplemental RF intake appears to have a protective effect on various medical conditions such as sepsis, ischemia etc., while it also contributes to the reduction in the risk of some forms of cancer in humans. These biological effects of RF have been widely studied for their anti-oxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and anti-cancer properties. Moreover, the combination of RF and other compounds or drugs can have a wide variety of effects and protective properties, and diminish the toxic effect of drugs in several treatments. Research has been done in order to review the latest findings about the link between RF and different clinical aberrations. Since further studies have been published in this field, it is appropriate to consider a re-evaluation of the importance of RF in terms of its beneficial properties

Produção de biofilme em staphylococci isolados da pele de canídeos

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina VeterináriaO biofilme é um factor de virulência que confere vantagem evolutiva aos microrganismos que o possuem, uma vez que favorece a sua cooperação metabólica e permuta genética, além de lhes conferir protecção contra o sistema imunitário do hospedeiro e contra agentes antimicrobianos. Este estudo teve como principal objectivo avaliar a capacidade de produção de biofilme de staphylococci isolados da pele de cão e relacioná-la com a sua antibiorresistência. Foram investigados 21 staphylococci colhidos no Hospital Veterinário do Restelo, 11 isolados de pele saudável (grupo 1) e 10 isolados de casos clínicos de dermatite (grupo 2). As espécies maioritariamente identificadas foram Staphylococcus epidermidis (25%), Staphylococcus aureus (17%) e Staphylococcus chromogenes (17%) no grupo 1 e Staphylococcus capitis (50%), Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (30%) e Staphylococcos chromogenes (20%) no grupo 2. A maioria das bactérias isoladas (90%) foi resistente a pelo menos 2 grupos de agentes antimicrobianos, sendo os compostos activos menos eficazes a penicilina G, a ampicilina e o ácido nalidíxico, com resistências entre 80% e 100%. Verificou-se ainda que cerca de 40% dos staphylococci investigados são multirresistentes, não sendo susceptíveis a pelo menos 5 dos 7 grupos antimicrobianos investigados. Quanto à produção de biofilme, 38,1 % dos isolados foi considerado positivo a este factor de virulência, tendo os staphylococci isolados de pele saudável expressado biofilme mais frequentemente (55%), do que os isolados de dermatites caninas (20%). Foi ainda verificada uma correlação positiva entre a produção de biofilme e a antibiorresistência de vários grupos antimicrobianos, nomeadamente penicilinas, aminoglicosídeos, quinolonas e sulfamidas, o que sugere que a aquisição de genes de resistência é maior no contexto de um biofilme do que nas células bacterianas equivalentes de vida livre.ABSTRACT - Biofilm is a virulence factor which grants evolutionary advantage to microorganisms that possess it, once it favors their metabolic cooperation and genetic shift, besides granting protection against the host's immune system and antibiotics. This study's purpose was to evaluate production capacity for biofilm by bacterial staphylococci isolates from canine skin, and relate it to antimicrobial resistance. Of the 21 isolates obtained from dogs at Hospital Veterinário do Restelo, 11 of wich from healthy skin and the remaining 10 from dermatitis cases, the most frequently identified species were Staphylococcus epidermidis (25%), Staphylococcus aureus (17%) and Staphylococcus chromogenes (17%) in group 1 and Staphylococcus capitis (50%), Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (30%) and Staphylococcus chromogenes (20%) in group 2. Most of isolated bacteria (90%) were resistant to, at least 2 classes of antimicrobials, and the least efficient antibiotics were Penicillin G, Ampicilin, and Nalidixic Acid, with resistances rates between 80% and 100%. A high level of multiresistance was observed, with 40% of all staphylococci being resistant to at least 5 of the 7 investigated antimicrobial groups. Regarding biofilm expression, 38.1% of the isolates were considered to be positive to this virulence factor, with staphylococci isolated from healthy skin having expressed biofilm more frequently (55%) than those isolated from dermatitis cases (20%). A positive correlation was shown between biofilm production and resistance to antimicrobial from several groups, namely penicillins, aminoglycosides, quinolones and sulfamids. This suggests that bacteria growing in biofilm acquire resistance genes more easily that planktonic cells of the same organism

Digitisation in forest industry in Bulgaria - state and perspectives

A main objective of the paper is to present the state, current trends and challenges in front of the enterprises in Bulgarian Forest sector, based on the introduction of digital tools and solutions in business and economy as a whole. A subject of analyses is the degree of digitisation of forest sector enterprises based on the implementation and use of online-based applications and electronic catalogs; specialized information and communication management systems and networks; office and warehouse management software. The indicators under analysis are divided into the following groups - "connectivity and digital skills"; "internal processes" and "relationship with customers, suppliers and third parties". In order to achieve comparability of the results, the selected indicators are the same as those officially used by Eurostat. For the purposes of the analysis, secondary and primary data are used as well as publications in the specialized literature, legislation framework and analyzes of statistical data from national and international databases. The paper presents primary results from in-depth interviews with management representatives from large forest industry enterprises, according to the requirements of the Bulgarian Accountancy Act (AA). Good digital practices in the furniture manufacturers are also presented, and some opportunities for development of the Forest industry entities are suggested

Modern marketing communications in the forest sector as a factor to increase the added value in terms of COVID-19

The closure of international borders due to COVID-19 has made it difficult to plan the timing of orders along the entire global value chain. This negatively affected the ability to timely produce the desired and ordered customers‘ furniture. As a result, when communicating with customers and suppliers, a shorter period of validity of the price offer was introduced. It required a review and update of the price offer and additional delay in the negotiations. A study of the main marketing strategies of the Bulgarian companies in the furniture industry is needed to outline to what extent they have been able to meet customer expectations. This research presents the role and significance of modern marketing tools for furniture manufacturers and clients in crisis conditions. Hence, the trends in the furniture market compared to consumer desires in the context of the new working and living conditions. The research methodology includes a study of 85 Bulgarian furniture manufacturers. The data were collected using a large-scale questionnaire distributed on the spot during the months March-April 2022. In addition, 80 furniture consumers were questioned regarding the used and preferred marketing communications by furniture manufacturers. The questionnaires were distributed in the period of September-October 2022. The results of the survey show that furniture manufacturers in Bulgaria have not yet met consumer expectations, using mainly traditional marketing methods of communicatio

Detection of CD33 expression on monocyte surface is influenced by phagocytosis and temperature

CD33 is a myeloid-associated marker and belongs to the sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin (Ig)-like lectin (Siglec) family. Such types of receptors are highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia, which could be used in its treatment. CD33 shows high variability in its expression levels with still unknown reasons. Here, we investigated the CD33 expression of monocytes in human blood samples processed at different temperatures and in dependence on their phagocytic activity against opsonized Escherichia coli. The samples were stained by fluorescently labelled anti-human CD14 to specify the monocyte population, anti-human CD33 antibodies to evaluate CD33 expression and analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. In blood samples kept at 37°C or first pre-chilled at 0°C with subsequent warming up to 37°C, the percentage of CD33-positive monocytes as well as their relative fluorescence intensity was up-regulated compared to samples kept constantly at 0°C. After exposure to E. coli the CD33 relative fluorescence intensity of the monocytes activated at 37°C was 3 to 4 times higher than that of those cells kept inactive at 0°C. Microscopic analysis showed internalisation of CD33 due to its enhanced expression on the surface followed by engulfment of E. coli

Doxorubicin-Loaded Human Serum Albumin Submicron Particles: Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro Cellular Uptake

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anthracycline antibiotic drug which is commonly used in a broad range cancer therapy. However, due to dose depending side effects and toxicity to non-cancerous tissues, its clinical applications are restricted. To overcome these limitations, human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated as a biocompatible drug delivery vehicle. In this study, human serum albumin submicron particles (HSA-MPs) were fabricated by using the Co-precipitation-Crosslinking-Dissolution technique (CCD technique) and DOX was loaded into the protein particles by absorption. DOX-HSA-MPs showed uniform peanut-like shape, submicron size and negative zeta-potential (-13 mV). The DOX entrapment efficiency was 25% of the initial amount. The in vitro release in phosphate buffered saline pH 7.4 was less than 1% within 5 h. In contrast, up to 40% of the entrapped DOX was released in presence of a protein digesting enzyme mixture (Pronase®) within the same time. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of DOX-HSA-MPs were evaluated using the lung carcinoma cell line A549. The results demonstrated that DOX-HSA-MPs reduced the cell metabolic activities after 72 h. Interestingly, DOX-HSA-MPs were taken up by A549 cells up to 98% and localized in the cell lysosomal compartment. This study suggests that DOX-HSA-MPs which was fabricated by CCD technique is seen as a promising biopolymer particle as well as a viable alternative for drug delivery application to use for cancer therapy

Институционалните условия за членство в еврозоната и защо пътят е по-важен от неговата цел

The conditions for Bulgaria's admission to the Eurozone are examined in detail, emphasizing and analyzing the presence of different conditions - those that are formally described and are related to objective quantitative criteria and those that are not formalized and are related to the functioning of the Bulgarian institutions. Very often in public debates, formal criteria are discussed, and informal criteria remain in the background. The chapter seeks answers to the following questions. Is it possible that Bulgaria will meet resistance to joining the Eurozone, because of such informal criteria? Is the set date of 1 January 2024 for the adoption of the euro realistic? Is it possible that the period of participation in ERM II, before admission to the Eurozone, will turn out to be significantly longer than expected? Is there a risk of such a scenario materializing, and should attempts be made to control and reduce such risk, if it exists? The presentation is based on a comparative analysis between Bulgaria and other EU countries

Development of a tool for optimizing the management processes in the field of innovation in the Bulgarian furniture enterprises

Innovation is primarily associated with a high level of uncertainty, risk, and a lot of investments. These negatively affect the Bulgarian forest enterprises, which in general are “low-tech” and are investing less in innovation. The main goal of the paper is, by the use of the Markov Chains methodology, to propose an adapted methodology for risk assessment at the beginning of the innovation process in Furniture production in Bulgaria. Additionally, the study presents possible situations and describes them throughout the theoretical approaches in a probabilistic way. The research results can be used to avoid some decision-making mistakes before the start of the innovation process through an easy-to-use methodolog

Development of a model for monitoring the needs for innovation in furniture enterprises in Bulgaria

There is a variety of methods for assessing and modelling the innovation factors that are presented in the specialized literature. However, out of the scope of those analyses is the use of the “First Alert” or the “signal line” approach. Through it the enterprises can analyze their need for innovation activities and the extent to which those innovations are needed. The main goal of the present study is to develop and analyze to use of a to make a decision whenever Bulgarian furniture enterprises have to implement innovation. The applied research methods are based on the logical, deductive, and comparative methods, as well as the “signal line” approach. This study proposes for the first time the use of a pan-European revenue regression curve and the number of innovative enterprises. The results show that the innovation activities must be, first of all, focused on the staff and then on the assets that the entity possesses and use. The results of the study support the development of the literature by presenting a more in-depth analysis of the possible ways to use the national statistical institute data for planning the innovation activities by furniture enterprise

Targeted Propolis-Loaded Poly (Butyl) Cyanoacrylate Nanoparticles: An Alternative Drug Delivery Tool for the Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis

In this study, we describe a nano-carrier system for propolis that is able to cross an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and effectively reduce the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans in animal models. Antimicrobial properties of propolis have been widely studied. However, propolis applications are limited by its low water solubility and poor bioavailability. Therefore, we recently formulated novel poly (n-butyl cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles (PBCA-NP) containing propolis. PBCA-NP are biocompatible, biodegradable and have been shown to effectively cross the BBB using apolipoprotein E (ApoE) as a ligand. Prepared nanoparticles were characterized for particle size, zeta potential, propolis entrapment efficiency and in vitro release. Additionally, the PBCA-NP were functionalized with polysorbate 80, which then specifically adsorbs ApoE. Using an in vitro BBB model of human brain microvascular endothelial cells hCMEC/D3, it was shown that fluorescence labelled ApoE-functionalized PBCA-NP were internalized by the cells and translocated across the cell monolayer. Propolis-loaded PBCA-NP had in vitro, antifungal activity against C. neoformans, which causes meningitis. To utilize the invertebrate model, Galleria mellonella larvae were infected with C. neoformans and treated with propolis-loaded PBCA-NP. The larvae exhibited normal behavior in toxicity testing, and treatment with propolis-loaded PBCA-NP increased survival in the C. neoformans-infected larvae group. In addition, following cryptococcal infection and then 7 days of treatment, the tissue fungal burden of mice treated with propolis-loaded PBCA-NP was significantly lower than control groups. Therefore, our ApoE-functionalized propolis-loaded PBCA-NP can be deemed as a potential targeted nanoparticle in the therapeutic treatment of cerebral cryptococcosis.Peer Reviewe