Modification of black film hydration by infrared irradiation.
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Letter↗
Biomedical subjects
V Petkova
Publications and source records attributed to V Petkova.
The role of information for improvement of patients' treatment in Bulgaria.
PURPOSE: This issue is an attempt to assess patients' role as regards their compliance, respectively their non-compliance. The authors try to elucidate the factors concerning the patient-physician interrelation and patient-pharmacist interrelation that influence the non-compliance in order to increase the compliance rate. METHODS: Standard individual questionnaires and interviews were developed and applied to study an attitude to compliance and non-compliance among different categories of patients, suffering from chronic diseases. RESULTS: The obtained results show that the main reasons, influencing the patients' non-adherence to physicians' advise are: the high price of the drugs, the overburdened daily regimen, negligence, distrust towards the treatment and others. The insufficient information in the patient's leaflet together with the inappropriate drug form appears to be the main factors that cause non-compliance. This happens especially in the cases, when the patients are treated with more than one drug in different drug forms and particularly it concerns elderly people. Even though the compliance among the patients investigated was comparatively high (50% to 92%), possibility for improvement still exists if the treatment that have to be initiated could be individualised. Thus the level of compliance will be improved and increased. DISCUSSION: The results from the data analysis show a great variation in the level of compliance among the chronic patients in Bulgaria. It ranges from 50 to 92%, depending on the type of the chronic disease and on the age of the patients. This fact shows the necessity for improvement of the different factors that has to begin as soon as possible.
Adult↗
Assessment of pharmacy patients' compliance in Bulgaria (2001--2002).
The goal of this issue is to assess the level of compliance, respectively of non-compliance among pharmacY patients between the years 2001 and 2002 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The authors study and emphasize on the factors that influence the non-compliance of the patients and also try to find different ways to increase the rate of compliance in Bulgaria. Two types of standard individual questionnaires are applied for assessment of the state of compliance and non-compliance among the pharmacy patients. The obtained results show that the main reasons, influencing the non-adherence of the patients are: the high average price of the drugs, the overload daily regimen, inattention, distrust to the treatment and others. The drug form appears to be one of the main factors that cause non-compliance, especially when the patients receive more than one drug in different drug forms few times a day and especially if elderly patients are addressed. Despite the presented comparatively high level of compliance among the patients (from 53% for 2001, to 82% for 2002), there are strategies to enhance compliance that have to be initiated. They incorporate communication tactics, patient's education, and proper dosage of the drugs and scheduling of the drug application. The results of the analysis of the received data show an increase in the level of compliance for the pharmacy patients in Bulgaria. For 2001 it was 53%, while for 2002 it has increased to 82%. This fact shows the influence of strategies for improvement of compliance.
Adult↗
RNA leaching of transcription factors disrupts transcription in myotonic dystrophy.
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by a CUGn expansion (n approximately 50 to 5000) in the 3' untranslated region of the mRNA of the DM protein kinase gene. We show that mutant RNA binds and sequesters transcription factors (TFs), with up to 90% depletion of selected TFs from active chromatin. Diverse genes are consequently reduced in expression, including the ion transporter CIC-1, which has been implicated in myotonia. When TF specificity protein 1 (Sp1) was overexpressed in DM1-affected cells, low levels of messenger RNA for CIC-1 were restored to normal. Transcription factor leaching from chromatin by mutant RNA provides a potentially unifying pathomechanistic explanation for this disease.
Binding Sites↗
Phospholipid black foam films: dynamic contact angles and gas permeability of DMPC+DMPG black films.
The behavior of black foam films from aqueous dispersions of dimyristoylphosphatidyl-choline (DMPC) with addition of the soluble phospholipid dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) has been studied in dynamic conditions. The dynamic contact angles theta and the gas permeability coefficient K have been measured using the diminishing bubble method. The DMPC vesicle suspension in water is obtained through sonication and DMPG is dissolved in it. Two solutions with different NaCl concentrations (0.1 M and 0.5 M) have been studied. The behavior of the dynamic contact angles is very different for DMPC black films with, and without DMPG, respectively. They follow very different time dependence during spontaneous or forced variations of the bubble size. The gas permeability coefficient is significantly reduced by the DMPG addition. The NaCl concentration also influences this specific behavior. It seems that the electrically charged DMPG anions, which determine a significant electrostatic disjoining pressure, play an important role for this specific behavior. The results are discussed in connection with data regarding the thickness and structure of these black foam films. Films from DMPC+DMPG solutions in ethanol plus water mixed solvent have been studied as well, but no quantitative results could be obtained.
Biophysical Phenomena↗
Phospholipid black foam films: dynamic contact angles and gas permeability of DMPC bilayer films.
The behavior of bilayer Newton Black Films (NBF) from aqueous dispersions of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) have been studied in dynamic conditions. The dynamic contact angles theta and the gas permeability coefficient K have been measured using the diminishing bubble method. Two different solutions have been used: (i) DMPC vesicle suspension in water obtained through sonication and (ii) DMPC dissolved in ethanol plus water mixed solvent. Both solutions contain 0.1 M NaCl. The behavior of the dynamic contact angles is very different for NBF from the two types of solutions. In the case (i) the initially constant theta(t) sharply increase after approximately 2 h of the spontaneous diminishing of the bubble, they follow the gas pressure variation in the cell and depend on the film area. On the contrary in case (ii) the theta(t) values are almost constant during the spontaneous diminishing of the bubble as well as during the gas pressure variation in the cell and they do not depend on the film area. The gas permeability coefficient is larger in case (ii). The results are discussed in connection with the thickness and structure of the NBF from the two types of solutions, taking into account the solubility (or insolubility) and the hydration of the adsorption layers of the DMPC molecules.
Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine↗
Comparison of the compliance of pharmacy patients.
This issue is an attempt to be compared the compliance, respectively non-compliance among pharmacy patients between the years 1998 and 2001. The authors make an attempt to elucidate the factors that influence the non-compliance of the patients in order to improve it and to increase the rate of compliance among them. A questionnaire is applied for assessment the state of compliance and non-compliance among the pharmacy patients. The results of the analysis of the received data show that the level of compliance was 69% in 1998 and has decreased to 53% in 2001. The main reasons that influence the non-adherence of the patients are shown.
Adult↗
Pin1 is overexpressed in breast cancer and cooperates with Ras signaling in increasing the transcriptional activity of c-Jun towards cyclin D1.
Phosphorylation on serines or threonines preceding proline (Ser/Thr-Pro) is a major signaling mechanism. The conformation of a subset of phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro motifs is regulated by the prolyl isomerase Pin1. Inhibition of Pin1 induces apoptosis and may also contribute to neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease. However, little is known about the role of Pin1 in cancer or in modulating transcription factor activity. Here we report that Pin1 is strikingly overexpressed in human breast cancers, and that its levels correlate with cyclin D1 levels in tumors. Overexpression of Pin1 increases cellular cyclin D1 protein and activates its promoter. Furthermore, Pin1 binds c-Jun that is phosphorylated on Ser63/73-Pro motifs by activated JNK or oncogenic Ras. Moreover, Pin1 cooperates with either activated Ras or JNK to increase transcriptional activity of c-Jun towards the cyclin D1 promoter. Thus, Pin1 is up-regulated in human tumors and cooperates with Ras signaling in increasing c-Jun transcriptional activity towards cyclin D1. Given the crucial roles of Ras signaling and cyclin D1 overexpression in oncogenesis, our results suggest that overexpression of Pin1 may promote tumor growth.
Adult↗
Occupational exposure to lead and induction of genetic damage.
To investigate whether occupational exposure to lead is genotoxic, we evaluated data from 103 lead-exposed workers and 78 matched controls. These data correspond to three different sampling periods, and we measured genetic damage as increases in the frequency of binucleated cells with micronuclei (BNMN) in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The levels of exposure were determined according to the lead levels in blood. Clearly significant increases in BNMN were observed in the exposed groups when compared to the control group. In addition, for the overall population (n = 181), we observed a clear relationship between lead levels in blood and BNMN (r = 0.497; p < 0.001). When we examined four exposure levels--very low exposure (< 1.20 microM/L), low exposure (1.20-1.91 microM/L), high exposure (1.92-2.88 microM/L), and very high exposure (> 2.88 microM/L)--we found significant differences in the genetic damage induction. We conclude that exposure to levels of lead higher than 1.20 microM/L may pose an increase in genetic risk. In addition, our data show that blood lead level is a good indicator of genetic damage induction.
Adult↗
[Diagnostic problems of post-intoxication states].
Complete clinical examination covered 37 patients in various stages after acute occupational poisonings with pesticides (8 examinees), with explosive gases (9 subjects), with carbon oxide (3 examinees), with cadmium oxides (1 examinee), with nitrogen compounds (4 ones), with sulfurous gases (2 examinees), with organic solvents (10 subjects) including chlorinated hydrocarbons (2 subjects). Post-intoxication period appeared to include syndromes characteristic for each poison and corresponding to severity of acute state (from cephalgia to parkinsonism and thyrotoxicosis after acute poisoning with carbon oxide, organic neurologic signs and toxic hepatitis after acute poisoning with phosphorus organic compounds, cerebral asthenia after acute exposure to organic solvents, severe encephalopathy and toxic auditory and optic neuropathy after hydrogen sulfide). Inadequate medical rehabilitation and continuous occupational exposure induced deterioration in clinical signs and advanced post-intoxication syndromes.
Adult↗
Interaction between YY1 and the retinoblastoma protein. Regulation of cell cycle progression in differentiated cells.
Overexpression of the transcription factor YY1 activates DNA synthesis in differentiated primary human coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Overexpression of the retinoblastoma protein together with YY1 blocked this effect. In growth-arrested cells, YY1 resides in a complex with the retinoblastoma protein, but the complex is not detected in serum-stimulated S phase cultures, indicating that the interaction of the retinoblastoma protein and YY1 is cell cycle-regulated. Recombinant retinoblastoma protein directly interacts with YY1, destabilizing the interaction of YY1 with DNA and inhibiting its transcription initiator function in vitro. We conclude that in differentiated cells elevation of the nuclear level of YY1 protein favors progression into the S phase, and we propose that this activity is regulated by its interaction with the retinoblastoma protein.
Animals↗
[Occupational risk in the polyurethane ware production].
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Adult↗
[Lipid peroxidation in chronic lead exposure].
The state of lipid peroxidation, monitored by MDA concentration in the blood plasma of 46 battery workers with lead level in the blood in the 1.26-5.6 mol/l range is investigated. Higher MDA concentration (4.61 + 0.6) mol (ml in the blood plasma of exposed workers in comparison with the control sample of nonexposed workers is statistically established. The greater part of exposes workers (56.6%) have MDA concentration above the upper reference range. The significant correlation (r = +0.54) of the lipid peroxidation with the lead level in the blood is established. The investigation results show the rise of lipid peroxidation in workers chronically exposed to lead. This rise is more significant at lead levels above 1.92 mol/l.
Adult↗
[The effect of the zinc-containing preparation Oxyrich in the treatment of chronic saturnism (preliminary results)].
Under indoor conditions the effect of the Bulgarian zinc-containing preparation Oxyrich was studied in the treatment of 12 workers (males) with chronic saturnism. The preparation was orally administered in a dose of 150 mg (0.45 mmol Zn++) daily for 10 days in three equal receivings, after which three day antidotal therapy with CaNa2 EDTA was carried out according to the classic schedule. The complex investigation of the workers besides the clinical exmination included some key indices of the porphirine metabolism (5-ALK-D, 5-ALK, free protoporphirine in the red bolld cells), as well as the content of zinc and lead in the blood and their excretion with the urine prior and post the administration of Oxyrich and CaNa2 EDTA. The results of the carried out study revealed that the therapy with Oxyrich demonstrated a tendency to normalization of the activity of 5-ALK-D and decrease of the elimination of 5-ALK. This gave grounds for further study with higher doses of Oxyrich, as well as enlargement of the spectrum of the indices of the porphirine metabolism.
Adult↗
[Clinical-toxicological aspects of micro mercury poisoning].
Thirty workers were hospitalised after clinical and laboratory screening of 65 women and 35 men from electrical lamp factory. The mercury concentration in air of the working places varied from normal value (0.01 mg/m3) to 0.04-0.05 mg/m3. Target neurological anamnesis, internal and neurological examination, EEG, renal function tests and several laboratory parameters of large extent were carried out. The analysis of results establishes the signs of micromercurialism in 20% of the examinees. The authors determine the peculiar clinical (neurasthenic syndrome, periodontal diseases ) and biochemical (blood Hg level and urinary mercury) parameters of this early, functional stage of the chronic Hg poisoning.
Adult↗
[A clinical observation of vinyl chloride-induced disease].
Analysis is performed on the observed clinical picture of vinyl-chloride disease in 12 persons, developed at concentrations of toxic substance about MAC after exposure from 5 to 34 years. After enlarged clinical test on individual organs and systems the authors establish that the most frequent result of chronic poisoning with vinyl-chloride is the combination of peripheral neurovegetative symptoms with toxic hepatitis on the background of neurosis-similar (astheno-vegetative) manifestations. In the cases, observed by the authors, the poisoning takes a light course affecting the neurovegetative structures and prevailing of the vegetovasal forms of polyneuropathy ending with Raynaud-similar syndrome, or affecting the distal parts of the peripheral nerves with early electromyographic find. The Raynaud-similar syndrome and the bone changes ad specificity to the clinical picture, but are not constant manifestation of poisoning and can be developed at more continuous occupational exposure. The authors propose a discussion on the legality of the appelation vinyl-chloride disease in the cases, when not all classical clinic symptoms are present.
Bulgaria↗
Cytometric haematological analysis of experimental Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection at temperatures of cultivation of 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C.
The dynamics of acute lethal infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (serovar III) grown at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C, respectively, were studied in guinea-pigs. Using an automated hematology analyzer, the quantity and quality of the host cellular response was determined at the primary site of infection (the peritoneal cavity) and in parallel in the blood. A much more intensive leucocytic response of monocytic type was observed in the animals infected with microorganism grown at 37 degrees C. This type of reaction was associated with a lower mortality rate and a relatively benign progression of the infection.
Animals↗