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Item 1922 – 1925 in BULGARIA – LITERATURE, LITERARY CRITICISM and POLITICS(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2024-04-21) Protohristova, KleoThis text aims at analysing literary life in Bulgaria between 1922 and 1925. The analysis is motivated by the dominant impression of its extraordinary intensity and draws upon the assumption that the chronological stretch is self-contained as a distinct micro-period in national literary history. The goal of this research is to endorse the hypothesis that the projection potential in the dynamics of the examined time span is meaningful. Observations have been carried out in the mode of H. R. Jauss’s “synchronic cross-sections” and include contextualising parallels with the respective literary years in Western European literature.Item 3D structure prediction of lignolytic enzymes lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase based on homology modelling(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2015-11-27) Kale, Swapnil K.; Deshmukh, Amit G.Lignolytic enzymes have great biotechnological value in biopulping, biobleaching, and bioremediation. Manganese peroxidase (EC 1:11:1:13) and lignin peroxidase (EC 1:11:1:14) are extracellular and hem-containing peroxidases that catalyze H2O2-dependent oxidation of lignin. Because of their ability to catalyse oxidation of a wide range of organic compounds and even some inorganic compounds, they got tremendous industrial importance. In this study, 3D structure of lignin and manganese peroxidase has been predicted on the basis of homology modeling using Swiss PDB workspace. The physicochemical properties like molecular weight, isoelectric point, Grand average of hydropathy, instability and aliphatic index of the target enzymes were performed using Protparam. The predicted secondary structure of MnP has 18 helices and 6 strands, while LiP has 20 helices and 4 strands. Generated 3D structure was visualized in Pymol. The generated model for MnP and LiP has Z-score Qmean of 0.01 and -0.71, respectively. The predicted models were validated through Ramachandran Plot, which indicated that 96.1 and 95.5% of the residues are in most favored regions for MnP and LiP respectively. The quality of predicted models were assessed and confirmed by VERIFY 3D, PROCHECK and ERRAT. The modeled structure of MnP and LiP were submitted to the Protein Model Database.Item 45 YEARS IS NOT ENOUGH: AN IDEA THAT SHOOK THE WORLD OF LINGUISTICS(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024) Dagnev, IvayloConceptual metaphor theory emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s and viewed the process and product of metaphorization as a complex interrelationship between language and thought. A central claim of this theory proposed by Lakoff & Johnson and subsequently developed by numerous researchers is that the apperception of the unknown takes place through a special process of construction in semantics – metaphorization, which results from the complex interaction between embodied experience, the conceptual system and its linguistic representation. The evolution of the theory problematises many essential issues of semantics such as the meaning and use of words, the relationship between literal and figurative meaning, between the conceptual character and the lexical expression in language. Like any significant idea, the theory of conceptual metaphor has become the target of numerous criticisms on all its aspects, which, after all, are the necessary driving force for its development.Item A case of transportation of Cimex hemipterus (Fabricius, 1803) (Insecta, Hemiptera) in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-03-25) Georgiev, DilianDuring the period of 02-09.03.2024, the author and their family stayed in a hotel infested with bed bugs in Uroa village, Unguja Island, Zanzibar. Upon returning to Bulgaria (Hrishteni village, Stara Zagota city area), one specimen of Cimex hemipterus (Fabricius, 1803) was found alive in the luggage. This should be the first documented record of the tropical bed bug in Bulgaria, and the possibility of transfer via increased touristic visit in tropical destinations were briefly discussed.Item A contribution to the knowledge of the trophic spectrum of three lacertid lizards from Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2013-04-04) Mollov, Ivelin; Petrova, SlaveyaA study on the trophic spectrum of three species of lacertid lizards (Lacerta agilis, Lacerta trilineata and Podarcis muralis) was carried out, based on 20 specimens collected in the period 1967-1973 in various localities in Bulgaria. The analyzed data showed that the insects (Insecta) are the most numerous and the most frequently met among the alimentary components of the total amount of food of the studied stomachs (except for Lacerta agilis, where spiders are slightly predominating). The non-insect components consisted spiders and isopods. The largest niche breadth was recorded in Lacerta trilineata (8.25), followed by Podarcis muralis (5.20) and Lacerta agilis (3.44). The niche overlap between the three species (pair-wise comparison) showed medium values and in our opinion there should not be any serious competition for food resources at the places with sympatric distribution.Item A contribution to the study of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Western Rhodope Mts. (Bulgaria)(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2018-04-18) Teofilova, Teodora MariusThe available information on the diversity of the ground beetle fauna in the region of the Western Rhodope Mts. was enriched. A total of 133 species were found, including 16 endemic (12% of all) and 5 relict species. Ten species were new for the studied area: Amara morio nivium, Badister bullatus, Harpalus caspius, Laemostenus janthinus, Microlestes apterus, Pterostichus leonisi, Syntomus obscuroguttatus, Tachyura quadrisignata, Trechus asiaticus, Tachys micros. Genera Badister and Tachys were reported for the first time from the Western Rhodopes. Faunistic contribution was made for a region researched in detail for the last in 2006. The results proved the predominantly mesophilous nature of the habitats due to the large percentage of forest territories. The life forms of the carabids showed the prevalence of the zoophages over the mixophytophages both in qualitative (67%: 33%) and in quantitative terms (85.5%: 14.5%).Item A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MEDICO-LEGAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS REGARDING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA(Plovdiv University Press, 2024) Ilieva, AntoniaSince the 1990s, issues related to persons with disabilities have been permanently on the agenda of a number of international organizations, legislative and state policies, etc. This trend is not unexpected, but rather a conditioned consequence of the development of civilization, society, industrialization and medicine. According to official Eurostat3 data, as of 2023 only within the EU, people with disabilities number one hundred and one million people, i.e. one out of every four people. Worldwide, the number of persons under the age of eighteen is ninety-five million people, of which thirteen million are severely disabled. In our country, according to NSI4 data from 2022, the number of persons with disabilities has reached 654,547 in the country, of which 22,248 are children. In this sense, the administrative-legal, medico-legal and social issues that arise on a daily basis, both for administrative bodies and for people with disabilities, become more and more comprehensive and affect more and more deeply basic constitutional rights of citizens. In the foreground the issues emerged in relation to respect for human dignity, risk of social exclusion, dissatisfaction with provided social care, practical impossibility for individuals to exercise work, access to modern and expensive treatment, etc. The purpose of this review is to highlight the most significant medico-legal and social problems through the prism of European and national legislation, which problems are registered on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as to make recommendations to the legislator for their resolution.Item “A matter of health”: Evaluation of health habits in pupils in Primary School in Serbia(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2018-03-14) Miličić, Dragana; Drndarski, Marina; Trajković, Jelena; Savić, Tatjana; Lučić, Luka; Pavković-Lučić, SofijaWe interviewed more than 400 primary school pupils from 5th to the 8th grade (aged 11 to 14 years) from the primary school in Belgrade (Serbia) about their habits concerning nutrition, beverage consumption, and time spend in front of a computer, tablet, playing games on consoles, or using a mobile phone. According to study, high percentage of students showed well-established habit of eating breakfast. Also, the overall water consumption prevailed in all grades, since the school ensures students access to safe and free drinking water, as a healthy alternative to consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. However, we found increasing food consumption from bakery and consumption of carbonated drinks both in boys and girls from senior grades (7th and 8th). Also, they spent considerably more time with a computer, tablet, or mobile phone than the pupils from lower grades. About one-third of all surveyed students have been watching television or using a computer more than 3 hours during the day. We found significant increase of BMI, as an indicator of the increasing risk for weight gain and obesity both in boys and girls in senior grades. In the current curriculum of Biology, the topic of human health is studied in the 7th grade, but presented results show that one-year education in health topics is not sufficient. It suggests the necessity of introducing the topic of health in all grades of elementary school, starting from the lowest age.Item A new collection of Psocodea (Insecta) from Unguja Island (Zanzibar, Tanzania)(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-03-30) Georgiev, DilianThe study presents a new collection of Psocodea (Insecta) from Unguja Island (Zanzibar, Tanzania), conducted during March 3rd to 9th, 2024. Despite recent efforts to explore Psocodea fauna in equatorial and tropical Africa, comprehensive studies in East Africa, particularly along the east coast and inland areas, remain limited. This research contributes to filling these gaps by documenting 16 species, including nine new records for the Zanzibar autonomic region and seven new records for Tanzania. Notably, one species (Nanopsocus sp.) may potentially be new to science.Item A new record of Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-01-28) Velikov, Ilian; Naumov, BorislavA single individual of Hemidactylus turcicus is reported from Sofia, Bulgaria. This is the first reliable registration of this species in the country. It is suggested that the individual observed was accidentally introduced to the site as a result of human activity.Item A novel neutral protease from thermophilic Bacillus strain HUTBS62(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2012-10-15) Aqel, Hazem; Al-Quadan, Farouk; Yousef, Tahani K.A novel neutral highly thermostable protease was detected in the culture medium of thermophilic Bacillus strain HUTBS62 isolated from hot-spring located near to the Dead Sea, Jordan. The enzyme was purified by precipitation with 55-60% ammonium sulfate, gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and DEAE ion exchange chromatography. The enzyme was purified 53-fold with 2% yield. The optimum pH and temperature for catalytic activity of protease was pH 6.8 and 80ºC, respectively, and 31% activity of protease remained even after heat treatment at 100ºC for 60 min. The relative activity of the enzyme was highly stable (90%) at 50ºC for 2 h. The half-life of the enzyme at 90ºC, 80ºC and 70ºC was estimated to be 3, 4 and 6 h, respectively. The activation energy of denaturation of purified enzyme was 21.7 kJmol-1. Iron, sodium, calcium, and manganese increased protease activity. On the other hand, magnesium, cobalt and zinc variably decreased the residual activity. But cadmium and copper drastically inhibited the enzyme activity. The enzymatic activity was highly stable in the presence of 1 and 2 mM EDTA at pH 6.8 and 80ºC. The neutral protease therefore could be defined as a highly thermostable with new properties make the present enzyme applicable for many biotechnological purposes.Item A novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assay for authentication of cell lines or tissues from human, pig and chicken origin(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2012-05-11) Gorenjak, Mario; Trapecar, Martin; Gradisnik, Lidija; Skok, Pavel; Cencic, AvrelijaA polymerase chain reaction based assay was developed for authentication of cell lines or tissues from human, pig and chicken origin. Specificity was achieved by species specific primer design targeting the mitochondrial D-loop sequence. Amplicon sizes were 114 bp, 169 bp and 645-648 bp for chicken, human and pig derived cell lines, respectively. Primers were tested for species specificity and non-specificity between haplogroups of the same organisms using BLAST tool and subsequently for cross amplification DNA extracted from human, chicken and pig venous blood as a positive control. Primers were also amplifying specific products in DNA extracted from individual cell line in both functional cell models and intentionally mixed cell lines consisting functional cell models. The PCR assay developed in this study represents a low-cost species specific end-point PCR based assay of the mitochondrial D-loop for the authentication of the cell line origin.Item A potential Bio corridor for bears? New data on the occurrence of Ursus arctos (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Eastern Balkan Mountains(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-07-01) Marinova, Pavlina; Kolev, Nikolay; Natchev, NikolayIn the present study we provide data on the presence of a Brown bear specimen in the Eastern Stara Planina (Eastern Balkan). We obtained camera-trap images and photographs of the footprints of bears from the region of Varbishki and Rishki passes (Varbishki Prohod and Rishki Prohod). The locations were positioned at over 100 km from the easternmost border of the core population of bears in the central Stara Planina. Our data indicate a potential bio corridor allowing at least for young bears to migrate east along the mountain.Item A preliminary study of the effect of phytoadditive carvacrol on the trace elements (Cu, Mn and Zn) content in fish tissues(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2014-01-08) Yılmaz, Ebru; Yılmaz, Sevdan; Ergün, Sebahattin; Kaya, Hasan; Kızılkaya, Bayram; Soytaş, NergizPhytoadditives have gained increasing interest as feed additives for fish. The aim of the present study was to determine whether selected dietary phytoadditive can influence the bioavailability of several trace elements (Cu, Mn and Zn), which play an important role in the physiological processes. The experiments were carried out at a commercial trout farm. A total of 420 juvenile rainbow trout (mean weight ± SD = 10.79±0.57), Oncorhynchus mykiss, were randomly allocated into four different treatments with three replicates each. Fish were kept in raceways (3X0.8X0.4 m) at 10±1°C with a natural photoperiod. Proper amount of carvacrol was sprayed on 1 kg of commercial trout diet to prepare four diets with 0 (Control, C0), 1 (C1), 3 (C3) and 5 (C5) carvacrol g/kg diet. Fish were fed to apparent satiation three times per day. The feeding trial lasted four weeks. Then, in different type of fish tissues (muscle, liver and pyloric caeca) from fish fed with diets enriched in carvacrol, beneficial elements (Cu, Mn and Zn) were analysed by atomic adsorption spectrophotometer. Results showed that the levels of Cu, Zn and Mn were especially significantly increase by C1 diet in all tissues (muscle, liver and pyloric caeca) except muscle and pyloric caeca Zn. The results of this experiment indicate that the carvacrol had the ability to potentiate the trace element retention. Although bioaccumulations of Cu, Zn and Mn in the muscle, liver and pyloric caeca are well demonstrated, the exact mechanisms of phytoadditives are still only partially understood. More investigations are required to detail the mechanisms involved in phytoadditives this enhancement.Item A record of import of the invasive snail Theba pisana (O. F. Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda: Helicidae) in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2024-01-03) Georgiev, DilianThis is a short communication of a discovery of the invasive Mediterranean snail species Theba pisana among food products in a market in Bulgaria imported from Spain. A single live juvenile specimen was found among lettuce leaves. Later it was alive kept in a terrarium.Item A review of Sphaeropsis sapinea occurrence on Pinus species in Bulgaria(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2017-07-11) Georgieva, Margarita; Hlebarska, SiannaSphaeropsis sapinea (Fr.) Dyko & Sutton causes shoot blight and canker disease throughout the world on conifers predisposed by stress. The disease is most important to Pinus species that are affected from the seedling stage in nurseries to mature trees in ornamental planting, forest plantations and natural stands. In Bulgaria, the first findings of the disease were noted in 1989 on Pinus nigra plantations in the North-eastern part of the country. Over the past few years, new emergency and severe damages have developed rapidly as a consequence of the prolonged drought periods during the last growing seasons. The high existence of S. sapinea outbreaks contributed considerably to the physiological weakness of pine trees that become more susceptible to attack by aggressive xylophages and other fungal pathogens. Disease occurrence and its pathogenicity are economically important affecting a number of pine trees from all ages. In Bulgaria, S. sapinea has been obtained on six pine species P. nigra, P. strobus, P. radiata, P. ponderosa, P. pinaster and P. halepensis. The aim of this review is to present the available knowledge on distribution, host specificity, biology, ecology, management of the disease, and to discuss its current prevalence and pathogenicity effect on pine species in Bulgaria.Item Aberrant promoter methylation in p53 and ATM genes was not associated with sporadic breast carcinogenesis in Bulgarian patients(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2014-04-02) Krasteva, Maria E.; Antov, Georgi G.; Gospodinova, Zlatina I.; Angelova, Svetla G.; Nacheva, Maria B.; Georgieva, Elena I.; Gavrilov, Ivan G.Epigenetic silencing of gene expression has become an intensively studied topic regarding breast cancer during the last years. Previous investigations have shown that hypermethylation in gene promoters is an alternative to mutations cancer-related mechanism for inactivation of tumor suppressor gene function. The present study was designed for evaluation of promoter methylation in p53 and ATM tumor suppressor genes in Bulgarian patients with sporadic breast cancer. Sodium bisulfite conversion and methylation-specific PCR were performed on tumor DNA isolated from 55 patients with sporadic breast cancer. The data showed normal profile of methylation in the promoter region of p53 and ATM genes in all studied patients. Cases with hypermethylation were not observed. Our results did not support the involvement of p53 and ATM promoter hypermethylation in the neoplastic pathways of sporadic breast cancer. The lack of promoter hypermethylation in p53 and ATM is suggestive of a greater share of genetic aberrations in loss of tumor suppressor function of these genes and presumes the involvement of other epigenetic cancer mechanisms. To our knowledge this study provides the first data on promoter hypermethylation status of p53 and ATM genes in Bulgarian patients.Item Aberrant signature patterns of ATM, γ-H2AX and p53 proteins in the patients exposed to methyl isocyanate diagnosed with gallbladder cancer(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2014-04-29) Jatawa, Suresh Kumar; Tiwari, ArchanaCancer of gallbladder is a hidden phenomenon and highly malignant with underprivileged diagnosis and poor survival. Study of cancer patterns amongst victims of Bhopal gas tragedy exposed to methyl isocyanate revealed higher incidence of gallbladder cancer that necessitated a more objective elucidation of the disease at its molecular level. Tissues of 92 cases of gallbladder cancer patients were taken in the study (31 men and 61 women, age range 16–85 years, mean age 45.8±1.50 years). Mutations of ATM, γ-H2AX and p53 were predominantly seen in the methyl isocyanate exposed cohort diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, with 61.4% (43/70), 54.3% (38/70) and 73% (51/70) respectively, involving infiltration into the papillary and mucinous region/cell types of the gallbladder. Out of these, the expression frequency of all the above three genes was higher in moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma in comparison to poorly and well-differentiated ones. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that ATM and p53 mutations provide fundamental genetic signatures influencing tumor behavior across patient subsets and invasiveness of the disease, while γ-H2AX is apparently an ordinary pathway involved in the genesis of tumors.Item Abundance and biomass of Cladocera (Crustacea) in Vaya Lake(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-02-27) Nenova, Elena; Stoichev, StefanThe number and biomass of Cladocera in Vaya Lake during the period 2003 - 2007 was studied under the conditions of increased anthropogenic pressure. The total number of cladocerans by station and by species, as well as their biomass, was determined. A dendrogram of similarity in species and quantitative composition of Cladocera was made. St. 1 and St. 5 are distinguished by the equal and lowest abundance of D. magna, and the very similar and highest abundance of M. micrura. Stations 3, 4, 11, and 12 had the highest Cladocera abundances, which were mainly due to close D. longispina and M. micrura. St. 9, 8, 2 and 7 form one group with more than 83% similarity. They show similar abundances of D. pulex. The dendrogram of similarity in species composition and biomass for the cladocerans showed 75% similarity among all stations except st. 5, which clearly stands out with the lowest total biomass.Item Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Salvia tomentosa Mill. essential oil(Plovdiv University Press “Paisii Hilendarski”, 2015-08-10) Marchev, Andrey; Ivanov, Ivan; Denev, Petko; Nikolova, Milena; Gochev, Velizar; Stoyanova, Albena; Pavlov, Atanas; Georgiev, VasilChemical composition and bioactivity of essential oil from Salvia tomentosa Mill. natively grown in Bulgaria were investigated. GC-MS analysis identified 60 compounds which represented 98% of the oil constituents. The prevalent constituents were monoterpenes with eight dominant compounds being identified: borneol (10.3%), β-pinene (9%), camphor (7.9%), α-pinene (6%), camphene (4%), 1.8-cineole (3.8%), α-limonene (3.5%) and β-caryophyllene (3%). The essential oil showed considerable acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC50=0.28±0.06 μg/mL), comparable with that of galanthamine. Study of antioxidant activity strongly suggested that the hydrogen atom transfer reaction was preferable over the electron transfer (ORAC=175.0±0.40 μM Trolox equivalents/g oil and FRAP=1.45±0.21 mM Trolox equivalents/g oil). The essential oil showed moderate antifungal and antibacterial activities against Candida albicans and Gram-positive bacteria, whereas it was almost inactive against the investigated Gram-negative strains. The results suggested that the essential oil of Bulgarian S. tomentosa could be considered as a prospective active ingredient for prevention of oxidative stress-related and neurodegenerative disorders in aromatherapy. Because of the high antioxidant capacity, the oil could be considered as natural supplement or antioxidant in cosmetics and food products.