Characteristics of atrial fibrillation in older people

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with aging. It is associated with serious health consequences. The degenerative changes and the comorbidities result in anatomical substrate for this arrhythmia. Patients over 65 years old have higher embolic risk. Prescription of non-vitamin K antagonists is recommended after evaluation of the hemorrhagic risk as well. The preferred strategy – rhythm or rate control is selected based on the patient’s characteristics. Rhythm control is performed by electrical cardioversion, pharmacological cardioversion or ablation. For rate control, beta-blockers are mostly recommended

Work-up in a patient with embolic stroke of unknown source – clinical case

А 33-year-old man without risk factors was admitted to Cardiology Department with history of embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS). The physical examination, laboratory tests, Holter ECG, and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were unremarkable. For further evaluation, he underwent transcranial contrast Doppler sonography (TCD) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), which showed atrial septal aneurism and patent foramen ovale (PFO) with significant right-to-left shunt. After screening for thrombophilia, the patient was scheduled for percutaneous closure of PFO. After the procedure he was discharged in a satisfactory condition with following anticoagulant therapy for a year.Conducting further clinical testing in young patients with ESUS is important for the assessment of etiology, further treatment, and secondary stroke prevention

Microplastic pollution – are there potential toxic threats for aquatic animals in Bulgaria?

Microplastic (MPs) pollution and its negative effects is a growing, yet poorly studied problem in Bulgaria. In the present review we aimed to summarize the available data on MPs contamination of surface waters and sediments, and its impact on aquatic animals in Bulgaria

Lysosomal membrane stability and respiration rate in zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) as biomarkers for ex situ heavy metal exposure

Background and purpose: In the current study we aimed to investigate the lysosomal membrane stability in haemocytes of the invasive mollusk zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) by applying the neutral red retention assay (NRRA), as well as changes in the respiration rate and survival under acute heavy metal exposure. Materials and methods: The mussels were treated with different concentrations of Ni and Pb in laboratory conditions for a total acute period of 72 hours. These metals are considered as priority substances in surface waters according to Directive 2008/105/EO of the European parliament and the Council. The metal concentrations were prepared as 75, 50 and 25 % of the maximum permissible levels (100%) set by national and EU law.Results and conclusions: We found that after the first 24 h the lysosomes retained the dye between 60 and 90 min. in the mussels exposed to the higher Ni and Pb concentrations (100, 75 and 50 %). We also registered a negative, statistically significant correlation between the metal concentrations and the average time the lysosomes retained the dye after the 24th and 72nd h. Moreover, we found that the lysosomes could not retain the dye more than 60 min. after the 72nd h of exposure compared to the control (100 min.). The respiration rate increased in a dose-dependent manner after the 24th and 72nd h. We can conclude that the acute metal exposure, including all metal concentrations below the allowable concentrations, lead to destabilization of the lysosomal membrane stability and changes in the respiratory rate of zebra mussel, thus altered physiological functions. Overall, we consider that such experiments can be successfully applied in risk assessment and monitoring programs on metal-contaminated aquatic systems, and the obtained results in the field of water policy, respectively.</p

Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Impairs the Health Condition of Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771)

Тhe present pilot laboratory study (96 hours and 30 days) aimed to provide for the first time the possible adverse effects of different concentrations of PBDEs congers (PBDE 28, PBDE 47, PBDE 99, PBDE 100, PBDE 153, PBDE 154), based on Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) in Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas, 1771). Thus, we calculated different condition factors based on the mussel’s weight and length to determine the possible adverse effects of acute and subchronic exposure to PBDEs under laboratory conditions

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2C - case report, review and recommendations

Introduction: Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD) is an autosomal recessive muscular dystro­phy defined with weakness of the hip and shoulder girdles leading to their paralysis and to confine­ment of the patient to a wheelchair. A common form among Bulgarian Roma families is LGMD2C - a C283Y mutation of the gamma-sarcoglycan gene.Materials and methods: Research in PubMed, European journal of human genetics, Official Journal of The Bulgarian Society of Neurology. A case report of a patient admitted for the first time to Uni­versity Hospital St. Marina - Varna. Family history: younger sister diagnosed with LGMD2C in 2014. Hospitalization was then offered to the sister and the patient, but it was not conducted. Cousin diag­nosed with LGMD2C - as well untreated, leading to immobilization. The disease presents at the age of 9 with difficulties in walking, climbing stairs and running. During hospitalization the neurologi­cal exam showed: scoliosis, Achilles and knee areflexia, low styloradialis and cubitus reflex, myopath­ic EMG, axonal degeneration of upper and lower limbs. The laboratory test was within normal val­ues except for high levels of creatine kinase (CK) - 3809 UI (13 times above the normal level: 32 - 294 UI), a DNA sample was taken for further analysis. The patient was discharged with better clinical and paraclinical specifications in a stable general condition.Results: The patient`s DNA analysis confirmed the mutation C283Y leading to the diagnosis LGMD 2C. Medical genetics consultation is offered. Rehabilitation and neurological consultations are need­ed, but taking into account the family history, the medical recommendations may not be followed.Conclusions: The described case reports that LGMD type 2C still needs screening, prophylaxis and programs for health-education among the Roma families in North-Eastern Bulgaria

Double Haploid Development and Assessment of Androgenic Competence of Balkan Pepper Core Collection in Bulgaria

This study was designed to assess the androgenic potential of 180 pepper accessions and 11 progenies (four F1 and seven BC) possessing PMMoV resistance in order to complement an ongoing pepper breeding program. The experiment was carried out in 10 replications with 20 anthers for each accession in two different induction mediums from 2017 to 2019. The highest androgenic response was observed in culture medium 17-2 but differences between two mediums were nonsignificant. From a total of 191 genotypes, 102 genotypes expressed a potential for direct embryogenesis. Embryo induction was seen to be genotype-dependent and decreased in the following order: Pumpkin > Conical > Bell or blocky > Round > Elongate as the most responsive genotypes with over 10% reacted anthers being observed in CAPS-23, CAPS-29, CAPS-127, CAPS-157, CAPS-169, F1 and BC 887 derived from CAPS-23. The number of regenerated plants was higher in the conical group and least in the round varietal group. Regenerated plants were examined visually and by flow cytometry for identification of spontaneous doubled haploids (DH) and haploids. Those originating from F1 and BC progenies were additionally evaluated by a CAPS marker targeting L4 allele for resistance against PMMoV. Obtained results revealed two groups consisting of homozygous susceptible and resistant plants. Therefore, use of anther culture in ongoing breeding will greatly facilitate the pepper genetic improvement

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers' exposure causes changes in the physiology of zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771)

Тhe present laboratory study (96 hours and 30 days) aimed to provide for the first time the possible adverse effects of different concentrations of PBDEs congers (PBDE 28, PBDE 47, PBDE 99, PBDE 100, PBDE 153, PBDE 154) based on Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) in zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas, 1771). Therefore, we analysed the gill histochemical structure by applying the Periodic acid–Schiff staining method to assess the exposed individuals' physiological status and linked them to the tested PBDEs concentrations in the contaminated water