Trakia University

We conducted a phylogeographic study of two Mustela species, the European polecat (M. putorius) and steppe polecat (M. eversmanii), across a large area of their ranges based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial control-region. Our study identified 47 haplotypes from 81 M. eversmanii and 22 M. putorius individuals; combining our data with previous data, we analysed 75 known haplotypes from 169 polecats: 86 M. eversmanii, 65 M. putorius and 18 domesticated ferrets (M. p. furo). Both a maximum-likelihood tree and median-joining network revealed two major clades (I and II); Clade I comprised entirely M. eversmanii individuals, mostly from East Asian populations, with one exception, whereas Clade II comprised individuals from across the range from East Asia to West Europe. Haplotypes from M. eversmanii were separated between the two clades, suggesting genetic differentiation between the eastern and western parts of continental Eurasia. Clade II contained a mixture of haplotypes from M. eversmanii, M. putorius and M. p. furo. Gene flow between M. eversmanii and M. putorius around eastern Europe is consistent with previous hybridization reported between these species. Our results indicate that M. putorius furo was domesticated from M. putorius, although additional information is needed to confirm this.

Ocular complications associated with primary varicella zoster virus infection may involve any part of the eye. Unlike ophthalmic zoster in which the virus reactivates, ocular complications from primary varicella are rare. The aim is to present an interesting clinical case of a primary varicella keratitis overlapped by a bacterial infection. A seven-month- old boy was presented to an outpatient clinic 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks) after the beginning of a chickenpox rash with symptoms of bacterial keratitis of his right eye. He was admitted to a specialized clinic and successfully treated with a combination of topical quinolone treatment, washing of the conjunctival sac with iod-povidone 5% and two subconjunctival applications of Cefotaxime 5% and Atropine/Adrenalin 1% under general anesthesia. Twenty days after the initial complaints there were no signs of inflammation and only two small macules could still be observed. The child would be followed up for three months in case of recurrence. Primary varicella, even though considered benign in childhood, should not be underestimated. Some serious ocular complications can develop which if left untreated could lead to devastating visual results.

Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile is a spore-forming, anaerobic, toxin- producing gram-positive bacillus. Recently, its frequency as a cause of diarrhea in childhood has been increasing, which necessitates its further in-depth study. Objective To analyze the risk factors for morbidity, clinical course and outcome in children with C. difficile infection (CDI). A series of six cases of CDI in children aged between 10 months and 11 years, hospitalized in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases at University hospital, Stara Zagora, is presented. The main clinical manifestation of the disease is a diarrheal syndrome. All of the patients underwent clinical, epidemiological, laboratory, microbiological and serological tests. Conclusion The age group in our study is different from the usual one for CDI. With the exception of one, all the remaining patients lacked predisposing factors for CDI. Rapid diagnosis and initiation of adequate etiological therapy improves the condition of patients and leads to a favorable outcome.

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children, making its early detection critical for effective treatment. The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a hybrid deep learning framework that combines convolutional neural networks with intuitionistic fuzzy estimators to enhance the accuracy, sensitivity, and robustness of pneumonia detection in pediatric chest X-rays. The main background is the use of intuitionistic fuzzy estimators (IFEs). The hybrid model integrates the powerful feature extraction capabilities of CNNs with the uncertainty handling and decision-making strengths of intuitionistic fuzzy logic. By incorporating an IFE, the model is better equipped to deal with ambiguity and noise in medical imaging data, resulting in more accurate and robust pneumonia detection. Experimental results on pediatric chest X-ray datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, achieving higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional CNN approaches. The hybrid system achieved a classification accuracy of 94.93%, confirming its strong diagnostic performance. In conclusion, this hybrid model offers a promising tool to assist healthcare professionals in the early and accurate diagnosis of pneumonia in children.

Lecithinized superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD) was found to have a significantly improved half-life in the bloodstream and better pharmacological effects compared with unmodified SOD. However, there is no direct evidence that parenterally administered PC-SOD decreases superoxide levels in blood and tissues in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the ability of PC-SOD versus unmodified SOD as a superoxide scavenger in mice subjected to oxidative stress. Experiments were performed on a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mouse model of acute inflammation known to be accompanied by the overproduction of superoxide in the blood. The mice were divided into four groups: untreated (healthy; n = 6), LPS-treated (n = 7), LPS/SOD-treated (n = 6), and LPS/PC-SOD-treated (n = 7) mice. SOD and PC-SOD were injected intravenously. Blood samples were collected at four time intervals and analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy using a nitroxide probe, 3-carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl (CMP). The following effects were observed: (i) In the blood of healthy mice, the EPR signal was significantly lower compared with the control (p < 0.001) and LPS-treated mice (p < 0.01); (ii) in the blood of LPS-treated mice, the EPR signal was identical to that of the control; and (iii) in the blood of LPS/SOD-treated mice collected immediately after enzyme injection, the EPR signal was significantly lower compared with the control (p < 0.01) and LPS-treated mice (p < 0.05). However, the effect disappeared in the samples collected 30 min and 1 h after enzyme injection. (iv) In LPS/PC-SOD-treated mice, the EPR signal was significantly lower compared with the control (p < 0.01) and LPS-treated mice (p < 0.05), even in the blood samples collected within 1 h after enzyme injection. The data indicate that the blood of healthy mice was characterized by a high reducing capacity, while the blood of LPS-treated mice was characterized by a high oxidative capacity. SOD decreased superoxide production immediately after enzyme injection. However, the effect was short-lived and disappeared within 30 min. PC-SOD effectively decreased superoxide production in the bloodstream of LPS-treated mice and restored the redox balance to the control level even two hours after enzyme injection. The effects of PC-SOD were more pronounced and long-lasting compared with those of SOD. The possible reason is the longer half-life of PC-SOD in the bloodstream, its better stability, and its slower clearance from the circulation due to the increased hydrophobicity of the enzyme and its interaction with plasma proteins. The data are discussed in the context of recent clinical trials showing that PC-SOD is a promising pharmaceutical product for adjuvant therapy of a variety of pathologies accompanied by inflammation, redox imbalance, and oxidative stress.

Galium verum (Yellow Bedstraw) is a rhizomatous perennial herb belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It is native to Eurasia and Africa but has also been introduced to southern Canada and the northern U.S. Widely used in traditional medicine, G. verum has been recognized for its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, and anticancer properties. Phytochemical studies have shown that the plant is rich in significant bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, iridoids, anthraquinones, phytosterols, coumarins, and tannins. Research suggests that G. verum exhibits strong antioxidant activity, protecting cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Its antimicrobial potential has been demonstrated against various bacterial and fungal pathogens, supporting its traditional use in wound healing and infection treatment. Moreover, modern studies indicate its cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, suggesting potential applications in oncology. Additionally, its hepatoprotective and neuroprotective properties highlight its promise for treating metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. Despite its well-known therapeutic potential, further studies are required to fully clarify its mechanisms of action and ensure its safety for medicinal use. Given the variety of bioactive compounds found in G. verum and their pharmacological benefits, this review emphasizes the importance of this species as a valuable medicinal plant, encouraging further scientific research for its application in pharmacology.

This study investigates the association between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its complication, diabetic macular edema (DME), and compared it with biomarkers of oxidative stress. This study aimed to compare the main indicators of the development of diabetic retinopathy measured as parameters of oxidative stress and compared to lipid oxidation, DNA damage, and cytokine levels and to monitor their quantitative manifestation in DME. This study evaluated 134 patients (62 males and 72 females; aged 62.10 ± 11.22 years) and divided them into two groups: type 2 diabetes mellitus with DR and type 2 diabetes mellitus with DME. All results were compared with healthy volunteers (n = 94) and showed that patients with DME had significantly higher levels of ROS, cytokine production, lipid oxidation, and DNA damage. In addition, patients with DME had decreased levels of nitric oxide (NO) and an impaired NO synthase (NOS) system (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that patients with DR and DME are unable to compensate for high levels of oxidative stress. Reduced NO levels in patients with DME may be due to impaired NO availability. This study highlights compromised oxidative status as a contributing factor to DME in patients with decompensated type 2 diabetes mellitus. An assessment of oxidative stress levels and inflammatory biomarkers may aid in the early detection and prediction of diabetic complications.

This study aimed to assess West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus seroprevalence among the dog population in the Danube region, Bulgaria, to confirm the results of ELISA by the virus neutralisation test (VNT), as well as to analyse several risk factors of seropositivity in dogs. To implement this, a total of 201 blood samples were collected from dogs in four districts bordering the Danube River. All the samples were tested for anti-WNV protein E antibodies using competitive ELISA. Neutralising antibodies against WNV and Usutu virus were tested in all the ELISA-positive samples. The results show a WNV seroprevalence of 45.3% (n = 91, CI = 36.45–55.59) by ELISA, whereas the virus neutralisation test indicated a seroprevalence of 21.9% (n = 44, CI = 15.91–29.39). Neutralising antibodies against Usutu virus were detected for the first time in Bulgaria, with a prevalence of 6% (n = 12, CI = 3.09–10.43). Compared to VNT, ELISA demonstrated 100.0% sensitivity and 70.1% specificity. The region (p < 0.0187), the district (p = 0.0258) and the ages of the dogs (p = 0.0180) were identified as statistically significant risk factors associated with WNV seropositivity. This study provides indirect evidence of WNV and Usutu virus circulation among dogs in the Danube region of Bulgaria, highlighting a potential risk for susceptible hosts in the area.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is among the most common diseases in industrialized countries and has a significant socioeconomic impact. The diversity of clinical symptoms and manifestations of CVD pose major challenges in routine diagnosis and treatment. Despite the high prevalence and the huge number of venous surgical interventions performed every day, a substantial proportion of the etiopathogenesis remains unclear. There are several widely advocated and generally valid theories of “peri-capillary fibrin cuffs” and “white cell trapping hypothesis”, which consider the role of venous reflux/obstruction, inflammation, vascular remodeling, hemodynamic changes, genetic and social risk factors. There are several specific provoking factors for the development of venous reflux: incompetence of the valve system, inflammation of the vascular wall, and venous hypertension. Over the past few years, increasing scientific data has demonstrated the link between oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular inflammation. High levels of oxidants and persistent inflammation can cause cumulative changes in hemodynamics, resulting in permanent and irreversible damage to the microcirculation and endothelial cells. Production of reactive oxygen species and expression of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules are involved in a vicious cycle of venous wall remodeling. The interaction of ROS, and in particular, the superoxide anion radical, with nitric oxide leads to a decrease in NO bioavailability, followed by the initiation of prolonged vasoconstriction and hypoxia and impairment of vascular tone. This review addresses the role of ED, oxidative, and hemodynamic stress in the CVD mediation. Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, we conducted a systematic review of published scientific articles using PubMed, PMC Europe, Scopus, WoS, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases in the interval from 24 April 2002 to 1 April 2025. The current review included studies (n = 197) scientific articles, including new reviews, updates, and grey literature, which were evaluated according to eligibility criteria. The selection process was performed using a standardized form according to PRISMA rules, the manual search of the databases, and a double-check to ensure transparent and complete reporting of reviews. Studies had to report quantitative assessments of the relationship between vascular endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, and shear stress in a chronic venous disease.

Oxidative stress is a critical factor in the onset of gestational diabetes and its associated complication, pre-eclampsia. This study aimed to evaluate (1) reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and superoxide radical levels as indicators of oxidative stress, (2) lipid and protein oxidation, (3) antioxidant enzyme activity, and (4) cytokine production in pregnant women with gestational diabetes, as well as those with both gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia, comparing these with biomarkers of gestational diabetes mellitus. The study categorized pregnant patients with gestational diabetes mellitus into two groups based on the presence of new-onset hypertension, measured twice every four hours, and a 24 h urine protein test showing 300 mg/day or ≥1+ proteinuria detected via a visual dipstick at ≥20 weeks of gestation. These groups were compared with normotensive pregnant patients. The findings revealed that patients with both gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia exhibited significantly elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, cytokine production, and lipid and protein oxidation end products compared to normotensive pregnant women. Additionally, these patients showed reduced nitric oxide (•NO) levels, impaired NO synthase systems (eNOS and iNOS), and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities (p < 0.05). These results indicate that patients with gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia are unable to counteract oxidative stress effectively. The study underscores the compromised oxidative status as a contributing factor to these complications. The findings provide insights into the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes and the subsequent pre-eclampsia, the role of oxidative stress, and the resulting complications. Measuring oxidative stress levels and inflammatory biomarkers could help in the early detection and prediction of gestational-diabetes-related complications in pregnant women.

Background/Objectives: Marbofloxacin, a second-generation fluoroquinolone, is used to control economically significant poultry diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Although synergistic antimicrobial activity between fluoroquinolones and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) has been observed in vitro, data on their pharmacokinetic interactions in vivo remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of NAC on the oral pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin in broiler chickens and its antibacterial activity against E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 25923, assessing the potential benefits of their combined administration. Methods: The pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin was evaluated in broilers (5 mg/kg dose) after a single intravenous (n = 12) or single oral (n = 12) administration into the crop. The protocol for the co-administration of marbofloxacin and NAC (400 mg/kg via feed) was as follows: on the first day, the poultry (n = 12) received a single oral dose of marbofloxacin via the crop and over the next four days the fluoroquinolone drug was administered via their drinking water. The plasma levels of the drugs were determined using LC-MS/MS analyses, and minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using the microbroth dilution method. Results: NAC significantly reduced the bioavailability of marbofloxacin after a single oral administration into the crop and decreased the elimination rate constant following the administration of both drugs. At a concentration of 20 μg/mL, NAC led to a 3.8-fold reduction in the MIC of marbofloxacin against E. coli ATCC 25922 and a 2-fold decrease at concentrations between 1 μg/mL and 6 μg/mL, while no change was observed in marbofloxacin’s effect on S. aureus ATCC 25923. Conclusions: Oral co-administration of NAC and marbofloxacin reduced the fluoroquinolone’s bioavailability by two-fold while enhancing its antibacterial activity against E. coli ATCC 25922.

The production of soybean meal (SBM) can be linked to various issues related to the environment (e.g., deforestation, water waste, and transportation costs), and reducing its inclusion in pig diets by using alternative protein sources, such as insect meal, is an important challenge for nutritionists. This study aimed to compare the productive performance, dietary digestible energy (DE), nutrient digestibility, and some blood indices of growing Danube White pigs fed graded levels of Black Soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae meal (BSFLM) at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 g/kg of diets, in replacement of SBM for 38 days, from 119 to 157 d old. Each diet was fed to eight pigs in individual boxes following randomization. Pigs grew according to breeders’ recommendations and did not have any clinical health problems. Replacing SBM did not change (p > 0.05) the pigs’ growth performance and DE, as only dietary fat digestibility increased in a linear fashion (p < 0.001), possibly due to the high BSFLM, i.e., the high-fat inclusion rate. There was a simultaneous rise in some oxidative damage indicators and an increase in antioxidant status, thus suggesting that further research involving longer feeding periods is needed to identify a potential time sequence of events. Overall, BSFLM is a promising ingredient in pig nutrition.

Captive breeding of different species of birds offers conservationists a viable option when it comes to boosting wild populations of rare endangered species. Including non-releasable animals with permanent injuries can increase the breeding flock and breeding output. In addition, it provides an opportunity for birds that cannot be released to be included in conservation activities by rearing offspring for release in the wild. Between 2013 and 2024, in Bulgaria in the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre, part of Green Balkans - Stara Zagora NGO, individuals from three species of small falcons were paired for breeding - the pairs included birds with permanent disabilities of Lesser Kestrels, Common Kestrels and Red-footed Falcons. For the study period, 34 Lesser Kestrels - offspring to injured pairs, were reared and released into the wild in the country, together with 172 Common Kestrels and two Red-footed Falcons. The breed-and-release activities contributed to reinforcing the wild populations of the falcon species and to improving the skills and knowledge of aviculturists and veterinarians in Bulgaria dealing with birds of prey.

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is caused by viruses belonging to the Hepeviridae family. HEV infection can be self-limiting; however, extrahepatic manifestations may be present. The purpose of the current study was to establish the seroprevalence of HEV among Bulgarian liver transplant recipients (LTRs) and to identify associated risk factors. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted between April 1, 2023, and October 30, 2023, at the Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria. All serum samples were tested for anti-HEV IgG/IgM using HEV IgG/IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on Dia.Pro (Milan, Italy). Each participating LTR completed a detailed paper-based closed-ended questionnaire regarding the associated risk factors for HEV infection. Results: The study included 73 LTRs with a mean age of 47.0 ± 14.0 years. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 25 LTRs (34.2%), including 20 males (37.7%) and 5 females (25%). All participants were HEV-IgM negative. HEV seropositivity rates were higher but not statistically significant in LTRs aged >60 years than in those aged <60 years (40% vs. 32.7%). A significant factor by logistic regression was "high level of education" (odds ratio [OR] = 2.917; p = 0.038). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first seroepidemiological HEV study among LTRs from Bulgaria that found a high seroprevalence (34.2%).

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated systemic disorder induced by gluten in genetically predisposed individuals, requiring lifelong management through a strict gluten-free diet (GFD). Although its global prevalence is around 1%, awareness and diagnosis remain suboptimal, contributing to challenges in disease management. Objectives: To assess the awareness, knowledge, and experiences of Bulgarian CD patients and caregivers regarding CD, diagnosis, and dietary adherence. Methods: A structured survey was conducted to evaluate patient and caregiver knowledge, awareness, and experiences with CD, focusing on the diagnostic process and dietary practices. Data were collected from a sample of Bulgarian CD patients and their caregivers. Results: The majority of the 191 respondents (94%) recognized CD as a lifelong condition, but only 26.7% correctly identified its autoimmune, systemic nature. The average diagnostic delay was 8.1 months, with over 50% of patients relying on serological tests alone, consistent with recent non-biopsy guidelines. Dietary adherence was significantly hindered by misconceptions about gluten-containing grains and societal barriers. Notably, 83.6% of participants reported bringing their own food when eating outside. Conclusions: The findings underscore the need for targeted public health initiatives, enhanced healthcare provider training, and improved dietary education to address knowledge gaps, expedite diagnosis, and improve dietary adherence. Such interventions could help reduce the psychosocial burden of CD and enhance the quality of life for affected individuals.

The purpose of this article is to present the concept of nanotechnology, its growing importance in the food industry, and the challenges associated with its use, with a special focus on peptide nanostructures. Peptide nanostructures are innovative materials that self-assemble into nanometer-scale configurations such as nanoparticles, nanocapsules, and nanofibers. These structures can encapsulate bioactive ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, providing controlled release and enhanced bioavailability. Peptide nanostructures also exhibit strong antimicrobial properties, making them suitable for use as natural bio-preservatives, reducing the risk of microbial contamination, and extending the shelf life of food products. In packaging, these nanostructures can improve the barrier properties of materials, protecting food from external influences and maintaining its freshness. This article examines current research and applications of peptide nanostructures, highlighting their unique properties and potential benefits for the food industry. Despite their promising potential, addressing issues related to the safety and public acceptance of these technologies remains important to ensure their successful implementation.

The publication discusses a study on the granulometric composition of the soil during cultivation with a combined machine consisting of a share plough and an active soil chopper. It has been established that in order to achieve good cultivation of the soil with the combined machine, in which there is a higher proportion of soil particles with sizes up to 50 mm in the surface layer of the soil at a depth of up to 10 cm, the controllable factors should have the following values: operating speed 1.389 m/s; height of the axis of the soil chopper from the bottom of the furrow-0.36 m; frequency of rotation of the shaft of the soil chopper-220-280 min-1 ; distance of the axis of the soil chopper from the tip of the plough body share-0.75 m for the layer with a depth of 10-20 cm, for the surface layer with a depth of 0-10 cm the influence of this factor is not unambiguous and is subject to additional research. It is proven that when ploughing with a soil chopper, soil aggregates with dimensions below 50 mm are 89.4% and 84%, respectively, in the layers with a depth of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm. The obtained results confirm the hypothesis that the developed combined machine can be used for pre-sowing soil cultivation.

Face recognition and identification is a method that is well established in traffic monitoring, security, human biodata analysis, etc. Regarding the current development and implementation of digitalization in all spheres of public life, new approaches are being sought to use the opportunities of high technology advancements in animal husbandry to enhance the sector’s sustainability. Using machine learning the present study aims to investigate the possibilities for the creation of a model for visual face recognition of farm animals (cows) that could be used in future applications to manage health, welfare, and productivity of the animals at the herd and individual levels in real-time. This study provides preliminary results from an ongoing research project, which employs attribution methods to identify which parts of a facial image contribute most to cow identification using a triplet loss network. A new dataset for identifying cows in farm environments was therefore created by taking digital images of cows at animal holdings with intensive breeding systems. After normalizing the images, they were subsequently segmented into cow and background regions. Several methods were then explored for analyzing attributions and examine whether the cow or background regions have a greater influence on the network’s performance and identifying the animal.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in scientific productivity—an increased number of published original articles, reviews, short communications, case reports, and letters to the editor. In this regard, there is a large number of peer-reviewed journals in all fields of scientific knowledge, including in the field of biomedical sciences. Many studies indicate the existence of so-called journal editorial board bias and acknowledge the difficulty of eliminating it. We present our brief opinion on an important topic such as how publishing policy in some peer-reviewed journals leads to feelings of bias and inequality among authors and how to address this.