Implementation in LIS Programs in SULSIT of the Findings from International Research about Reference Service Competencies

DergiPark: 73135ejovocThis paper is divided into two parts focused on research and implementation activities. The first part presents the results of the research, conducted in Bulgaria, as a part of the multi-nation research project on the topic “Core Skills, Competencies and Qualifications for Today's Reference Librarians”. The second part focused on the impact of the study summaries on the recent changes in the curriculum and syllabus of the specialty "Library and Information Management" in the State University of Library Studies and Information Technologies, Sofia, Bulgaria. And also it is reflection in the new projects of Faculty of Library Studies and Cultural Heritage and Library Management Department. The paper is designed in the frame of scientific activities of the project named “A Model for Creating of an Informational Environment for Stimulating Scientific Research in the Sphere of Cultural Heritage”, Contract ? DTK 02/41, 17.12.2009; Annex ? 1/DTK 02/41, 15.12.2011, financed by NSF of MEY

Outbreak caused by NDM-1- and RmtB-producing Escherichia coli in Bulgaria

Twelve consecutive carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli isolates were recovered from patients (infection or colonization) hospitalized between March and September 2012 in different units at a hospital in Bulgaria. They all produced the carbapenemase NDM-1 and the extended-spectrum-β-lactamase CTX-M-15, together with the 16S rRNA methylase RmtB, conferring high-level resistance to all aminoglycosides. All those isolates were clonally related and belonged to the same sequence type, ST101. In addition to being the first to identify NDM-producing isolates in Bulgaria, this is the very first study reporting an outbreak of NDM-1-producing E. coli in the world

Assessment of Balkan Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) Accessions for Agronomic, Fruit Quality, and Pest Resistance Traits

To maintain the continuous genetic variation and increase the genetic gain, appreciable germplasm diversity and its comprehensive characterization is necessary to further utilize gene sources for pre-breeding. The diversity of pepper forms, cultivation traditions and diverse fruit usages are typical for Balkan countries. Considering this rich diversity, 21 pepper accessions from the Balkan region were evaluated for morphological, biochemical, and insect resistance traits during 2018 and 2019 at Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Among the studied accessions, the highest productivity was observed in pumpkin shape K1115 and kapia type K1081 accessions, with 0.74 kg and 0.70 kg per plant, respectively. Concerning fruit quality, the highest total polyphenols and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were observed in pumpkin shape K712 (203.44 mg GAE/100 g FW) and K1103A (11.49 µmol Fe2+/g FW) accessions, respectively. Concerning insect resistance, 38% of studied accessions showed no infestation of green peach aphid. The kapia type K697 accession was seen as the most reliable resistance source, as it was not infested by aphids and had the least thrips (20% on plants) and cotton bollworm (6.67% on plants and 8.34% on fruit) damage. Based on examined traits, accessions were identified for enhanced fruit quality and promising insect resistance and have been included in further pre-breeding efforts

In Other Words. Coming to grips with critical, creative, inter-/crosscultural dialogue across space and time. A methodological workshop to explore the role of keywords in (re)producing or problematizing Otherness

How is a specific keyword used in a specific context to (re)produce different forms of Otherness? What critical, intercultural and creative practices can be developed to challenge and subvert such dissemination of stigmatizing and stereotyping language? Based on our collective and ongoing work on the online dictionary In Other Words, our Workshop will address these questions referring to the three paradoxes illustrated in the Call to demonstrate how a critical, creative and collective approach can challenge redundant monologues, enhance the plurality and diversity of perspectives, and promote inclusion - rather than reproducing exclusion - by offering alternatives to manipulative rhetoric and discriminating language against individuals and groups. Our Workshop invites participants to explore methodologically how dialogueshared experiences of inter-/cross-linguistic and inter-/cross-cultural practices can develop across time and space by adopting a multilingual perspective and a multi-level dialogue among researchers, practitioners, activists, educators, and artists. Theoretically, we ground our practice on discourses of exclusion and discrimination (e.g., Reisigl & Wodak, 2001; Wodak, 2015), showing how the construction of Otherness emerges as the result of several intersectional factors which are about relationalities and positionalities that are time- anchored and context-dependent (Praxmarer, 2016), as well as basically defined by different hierarchies of power – who has the power to define ‘the Other’ as such, from which position, for which purposes, and under which socio-cultural and historical conditions. We thus understand the process of the political construction of Otherness as Othering (Spivak, 1985), where dominating in- groups stigmatize real or imagined differences to motivate discrimination (Staszak, 2009). The Workshop is designed to engage participants in various activities and discussions of keywords. Before attending the Workshop, participants are invited to read four keywords of their choice from the IOW dictionary: three keywords from the main section and one from the Covid-19 section. Participants in the Workshop are also asked to bring an artefact that usually represents their region/country such as a keyring, fridge magnet or something similar for critical consideration and discussion. The Workshop aims at involving participants in critical thinking and creative activities to problematize the issue of Otherness by proposing and discussing some keywords not yet present in the dictionary, following the format seen on the website (etymology, problematization, communication strategies, subversion, and discussion), and to promote a dialogue on how online practices, when developed through a collaborative, collective and inter-/cross-cultural perspective, have the potential to create genuine interpersonal bonds and active participation across time and space

A step towards Balkan Capsicum annuum L. core collection: Phenotypic and biochemical characterization of 180 accessions for agronomic, fruit quality, and virus resistance traits.

Region-specific local landraces represent a germplasm diversity adapted and acclimatized to local conditions, and are ideal to breed for targeted market niches while maintaining the variability of heirloom traits. A collection of 180 pepper accessions, collected from 62 diverse locations across six Balkan countries, were characterized and evaluated for phenotypic and biochemical variation during a multi-year environment. An assortment of 32 agro-morphological, fruit quality, and virus resistance traits were evaluated, and the top 10% accessions were identified. A wide range of trait variation concerning plant architecture, inflorescence and fruit traits, yield and fruit quality was observed, and appreciable variation was noticed. According to hierarchical clustering, six distinct clusters were established based on pre-defined varietal groups. Divergence among accessions for phenotypic and fruit compositional variability was analyzed, and eight principal components were identified that contributed ~71% of the variation, with fruit shape, width, wall thickness, weight, and fruit quality traits being the most discriminant. Evaluation of the response to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and pepper mild mottle mosaic virus (PMMoV) showed that 24 and 1 accession were resistant, respectively while no tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) resistance was found. Considerable diversity for agro-bio-morphological traits indicates the Balkan pepper collection as good gene sources for pre-breeding and cultivar development that are locally adapted

Anti-Idiotype scFv Localizes an Autoepitope in the Globular Domain of C1q

We addressed the issue of C1q autoantigenicity by studying the structural features of the autoepitopes recognized by the polyclonal anti-C1q antibodies present in Lupus Nephritis (LN) sera. We used six fractions of anti-C1q as antigens and selected anti-idiotypic scFv antibodies from the phage library “Griffin.1”. The monoclonal scFv A1 was the most potent inhibitor of the recognition of C1q and its fragments ghA, ghB and ghC, comprising the globular domain gC1q, by the lupus autoantibodies. It was sequenced and in silico folded by molecular dynamics into a 3D structure. The generated 3D model of A1 elucidated CDR similarity to the apical region of gC1q, thus mapping indirectly for the first time a globular autoepitope of C1q. The VH CDR2 of A1 mimicked the ghA sequence GSEAD suggested as a cross-epitope between anti-DNA and anti-C1q antibodies. Other potential inhibitors of the recognition of C1q by the LN autoantibodies among the selected recombinant antibodies were the monoclonal scFv F6, F9 and A12

Leucosceptoside A from Devil’s Claw Modulates Psoriasis-like Inflammation via Suppression of the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in Keratinocytes

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by abnormal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation that is accompanied with dysregulated immune response and abnormal vascularization. Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn.) tubers extract has been used both systemically and topically for treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease, among others. However, its potential mechanisms of action against psoriasis remains poorly investigated. The human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line is a well-accepted in vitro model system for inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis. The present study involved an exploration of the effect of biotechnologically produced H. procumbens (HP) cell suspension extract and pure phenylethanoid glycosides verbascoside (VER) and leucosceptoside A (LEU) in interferon (IFN)-γ/interleukin (IL)-17A/IL-22-stimulated HaCaT cells as a model of psoriasis-like inflammation. Changes in key inflammatory signaling pathways related to psoriasis development were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Treatment with LEU, but not VER and HP extract improved psoriasis-related inflammation via suppression of the PI3K/AKT signaling in IFN-γ/IL-17A/IL-22-stimulated HaCaT cells. Our results suggest that LEU may exhibit therapeutic potential against psoriasis by regulating keratinocyte differentiation through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway