COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF SPICE EXTRACTS 1. BLACK PEPPER (PIPER NIGRUM L.)

The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of a freon extract (extraction with C2H2F4 (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane)) and a dry encapsulated extract from black pepper (Piper Nigrum L.). The chemical composition was analyzed using GC/MS and the main compounds (concentration higher than 3 %) of the extracts were limonene (23.53 % and 19.07 %, respectively), β-caryophyllene (22.59 % and 18.79 %, respectively) and sabinene (18.18 % and 12.18 % respectively). The studied extracts demonstrated antioxidant activity against DPPH radical and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of a freon extract (extraction with C2H2F4 (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane)) and a dry encapsulated extract from black pepper (Piper Nigrum L.). The chemical composition was analyzed using GC/MS and the main compounds (concentration higher than 3 %) of the extracts were limonene (23.53 % and 19.07 %, respectively), β-caryophyllene (22.59 % and 18.79 %, respectively) and sabinene (18.18 % and 12.18 % respectively). The studied extracts demonstrated antioxidant activity against DPPH radical and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria

LAVENDER EXTRACT WITH TETRAFLOUROETHANE - CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND APPLICATION IN COSMETICS

The chemical composition of extract from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) by extraction with tetrafluoroethane was analyzed using GC and GC/MS. The main compounds (concentration higher than 3%) of extract were: linalool (32.48%), linalyl acetate (22.98%), borneol (5.12%), cis-linaloloxide (4.49%), (E)-β-farnesene (4.10%), lavandulol (4.22%) and β-caryophyllene (3.34%). The extract is used in model cosmetic emulsions O/W type. The studied extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.The chemical composition of extract from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) by extraction with tetrafluoroethane was analyzed using GC and GC/MS. The main compounds (concentration higher than 3%) of extract were: linalool (32.48%), linalyl acetate (22.98%), borneol (5.12%), cis-linaloloxide (4.49%), (E)-β-farnesene (4.10%), lavandulol (4.22%) and β-caryophyllene (3.34%). The extract is used in model cosmetic emulsions O/W type. The studied extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria

For optical flickering in symbiotic star MWC 560

This study is based on observations of MWC560 during the last two observational seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022). Other than looking for flickering we were interested in following the variability of brightness in the same period. Looking for similarities in the spectra with other types of stars is also of great interest to us because it could help clarify the stellar configuration of such objects. Our observations during the last two observational seasons of MWC560 confirm the absence of flickering. From the similarities of the gathered spectra of XX Oph and MWC560 we assume that the components in XX Oph are a red giant and a white dwarf, which are also surrounded by a common shell

Health technology assessment in countries of the European Union

Introduction: The topic of health technology assessment gains its popularity thanks to the role it plays in the processes of pricing, reimbursement and the level of impact on decision-makers in healthcare systems. Analyzing the work of health technology assessment agencies in European countries helps to determine their coverage in different countries, also to identify the benefits and the barriers that may affect the proper functioning of agencies and their activities.Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study is to analyze the development and the activities of the organizations for health technology assessment in countries from the European Union, as well as to determine the role and extent of the use of HTA as decision-making tool.Materials and methods: The information base of the research includes specialized scientific literature in Bulgarian and English. A number of official reports, documents and publications of international economic organizations and national agencies have been used, which provide an opportunity for better substantiation of ideas and analysis. The research uses the analytical, systematic, comparative and historical approach, scientific induction and deduction.Results: The process of health technology assessment arises as a result of awareness of the opportunities and prospects it offers. The organization of HTA depends on the country concerned, the degree of decentralization and its national priorities and needs. The information used for the studies is based on methodologies in the field of epidemiology, clinical practice and healthcare economics. That is why complex HTA serves as a tool for political decisions in the field of healthcare.The type of assessment that is used has a different variety depending on the country. The most commonly used evaluation methods are full HTA, economic evaluation, relative efficiency evaluation or a combination of two or more. After the analysis of HTA agencies in EU countries, there are several main differences – in the structure and organization of agencies, the degree of participation of patient organizations in the process, in terms of regulation of HTA processes, especially those related to medical devices. Despite good organization, the many associations and networks aimed at guiding and supporting HTA agencies, there are barriers to HTA for which should be build a strategy for their removement.Conclusion: Despite the differences between countries, the agencies must continue their joint work to achieve even higher efficiency and to upgrade the level of development

Anxiety level and cardiovascular risk in the sphere of tourism

Objective: to do research on the influence of the work environment on the situational and personal anxiety with people working in the sphere of tourism and their effect on the cardiovascular risk through physiological, laboratory and behavioral changes in the style of life. The cardiovascular risk has been studied through a questionnaire in relation to sex, age, family diseases and type of task with 173 people of average age 41.25±0.9 years old, who work in the sphere of tourism (84 (48.6%) of them: women and 89 (51.4%) men). A standardized methodology has been applied for evaluating anxiety according to the situational scale of Spielberger: 134 people, personality scale -173 people. Laboratory results also establish different correlations on the level of personality anxiety. High situational anxiety is established 2.345 (95%CI 1.160-4.737) times more frequently with people who work in an environment with a lot of noise. The physical activity and sports reliably improve anxiety indications and increase the abilities for positive perception of stress in the work environment. OP for a moderate and high situational anxiety is 2.306 (95%CI 1.143-4.653) for those who do not go in for sports. The high levels of personal anxiety are connected with the higher incidence of hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia in men. Reliable co relational dependencies of anxiety have been found out in relation to laboratory indications for over all cholesterol and blood sugar.Scripta Scientifica Medica 2009; 41(1): 49-52

Orthodontic treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a systematic disease and has a major negative impact on different organs and systems, including oral cavity and teeth. Diabetes mellitus is a common and a serious public health problem. There are 3 types of diabetes: type 1 also known as juvenile or insulin dependent diabetes, type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and type 3 or gestational diabetes. Dentists often are faced with diabetic patients who are demanding orthodontic treatment. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the oral manifestation in orthodontic patients. Oral and dental manifestation of diabetes mellitus are: mouth dryness (xerostomia), burning mouth syndrome, dental caries, periodontitis and gingivitis, ketone breath in poorly controlled patients, teeth disposition and misalignment, brittle teeth, recurrent oral infections (e.g. oral candida, mouth ulcerations), altered taste sensation and also there is delayed healing of mucous membranes. Treatment considerations in patients with diabetes mellitus are: consideration before deciding orthodontic treatment, during the process of orthodontic intervention and diabetic emergencies during orthodontic treatment. Diabetic patients often seek for orthodontic treatment and dentists should be aware about the importance of this condition to prevent all possible complications. It is necessary for dentists to have a basic and solid knowledge about diabetes diagnosis, management, dental consequences, and the considerations to be taken during orthodontic treatment. Diabetes is not a contraindication to orthodontic treatment

Matrix Metalloproteinases in Oral Health—Special Attention on MMP-8

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a large family of Ca2+ and Zn2+ dependent proteolytic enzymes, able to cleave the various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), as well as a range of other regulatory molecules. Several reports have proven the important role of both MMPs and their endogenous inhibitors, TIPMs, in oral health, the initial development of the tooth, and during enamel maturation. In this mini-review, we aim to summarize the literature information about the functions of MMPs, paying more attention to MMP-8 (collagenase-2 or neutrophil collagenase) in the development and progression of periodontitis, peri-implantitis, and carious lesions. We also emphasize the role of particular gene variants in MMP8 as predisposing factors for some oral diseases

Discovery of a Novel Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor by Fragment-Based Design and Virtual Screening

Despite extensive and intensive research efforts in recent decades, there is still no effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. On this background, the use of drugs inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) remains an eternal evergreen in the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate cognitive impairments. Even more, the cholinergic hypothesis, somewhat forgotten in recent years due to the shift in focus on amyloid cascade, is back to life, and the search for new, more effective AChE inhibitors continues. We generated a fragment-based library containing aromatic moieties and linkers originating from a set of novel AChE inhibitors. We used this library to design 1220 galantamine (GAL) derivatives following the model GAL (binding core) - linker (L) - aromatic fragment (Ar). The newly designed compounds were screened virtually for blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and binding to AChE. Among the top 10 best-scored compounds, a representative lead molecule was selected and tested for anti-AChE activity and neurotoxicity. It was found that the selected compound was a powerful non-toxic AChE inhibitor, 68 times more active than GAL, and could serve as a lead molecule for further optimization and development

Seasonal monitoring of the yellow alfalfa geometrid, Isturgia arenacearia (Denis and Schiffermuller, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) by pheromone traps in three regions of Bulgaria

Monitoring the seasonal flights of the yellow alfalfa geometrid, Isturgia arenacearia (Denis and Schiffermuller, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), was made using home made sticky delta traps baited with pheromone caps purchased from “CSALOMON®” (Plant Protection Institute, Hungary, Budapest). The monitoring was conducted in alfalfa fields in Plovdiv, Pazardjik and Sofia regions in Bulgaria during 2007–2009. The flight of I. arenacearia at the investigated sites started during April and lasted until the end of August — middle of September. Two relatively well-defined peaks indicating two generations were recorded in Sofia region. Thus the flight period of the pest was defined more accurately than previously recorded and proved to be significantly longer than was known for this country. Pheromone baits, products of “CSALOMON®” (Plant Protection Institute, Hungary, Budapest), are potent and very species specific tool for detecting the presence of, and seasonal monitoring of I. arenacearia