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The present study deals with the gel formation tendency in the ternary TeO2-TiO2-ZnO system. Depending on the TiO2 amount, the gelation occurred at different times and subsequently several gel formation regions have been determined. Homogeneous, transparent and monolithic gels were obtained using combination of organic and inorganic precursors during the synthesis. Using XRD analysis it was established that upon the heating composites were obtained which contain an amorphous phase and different crystalline phases: TiO2 (anatase), TiO2 (rutile), α-TeO2 and ZnTeO3, depending on composition. The IR results showed that the short range order of the amorphous phases which are part of the composite materials consist of TiO6, ZnO4 and TeO4 structural units. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy it was established that the absorption edge of the gels varied from 330 nm to 364 mm and the increase in TiO2 content caused a red shifting of the cut-off. The calculated Eg values are in the range 3.41–3.75 eV higher than that of pure TiO2, TeO2 and ZnO oxides. The XPS results showed that the Te atoms in the surface layers of the samples studied exist in several chemical states as Te2+, Te0, but Te6+ dominates. Octahedrally coordinated Ti4+ ions are observed in the gels and in the samples annealed at 200 °C but a small amount of tetrahedrally coordinated Ti4+ is also detected, which indicates the incomplete polymerization of TiO6 units.

Introduction: Neurofibromatosis includes a group of genetic diseases that cause tumors affecting nerve tissue. They are primarily benign, but in certain cases (3–5%) may undergo malignant transformation. Both the central and peripheral nervous systems can be affected. This results in their extremely diverse clinical manifestation—from mild cases to dramatic conditions. Three types of the disease have been described—neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), type 2 (NF2), and type 3—schwannomatosis.Aim: The aim of this article is to pay attention to a rare disease with a variety of symptoms and course, which due to its progressive course in some patients can lead to severe functional deficits and even amputation.Materials and Methods: Two patients are presented: a 4-year-old girl with a newly discovered disease with spinal localization, as well as a 53-year-old woman who underwent repeated surgery for newly emerging tumor formations in the area of the right forearm and arm.Results: Six years after the removal of the tumor from the spinal area, the child has no complaints, no evidence of local recurrence or involvement of other organs. Three years after the operation, the patient with localization of the tumor in the upper limb has significantly improved blood supply and functional condition of the arm.Conclusion: Neurofibromatosis is a disease with a variety of clinical manifestations. Limb surgeries should be planned and performed with extreme care and individual approach due to the high risk of additional vascular damage as well as potential malignant transformation. Introduction: Neurofibromatosis includes a group of genetic diseases that cause tumors affecting nerve tissue. They are primarily benign, but in certain cases (3–5%) may undergo malignant transformation. Both the central and peripheral nervous systems can be affected. This results in their extremely diverse clinical manifestation—from mild cases to dramatic conditions. Three types of the disease have been described—neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), type 2 (NF2), and type 3—schwannomatosis.Aim: The aim of this article is to pay attention to a rare disease with a variety of symptoms and course, which due to its progressive course in some patients can lead to severe functional deficits and even amputation.Materials and Methods: Two patients are presented: a 4-year-old girl with a newly discovered disease with spinal localization, as well as a 53-year-old woman who underwent repeated surgery for newly emerging tumor formations in the area of the right forearm and arm.Results: Six years after the removal of the tumor from the spinal area, the child has no complaints, no evidence of local recurrence or involvement of other organs. Three years after the operation, the patient with localization of the tumor in the upper limb has significantly improved blood supply and functional condition of the arm.Conclusion: Neurofibromatosis is a disease with a variety of clinical manifestations. Limb surgeries should be planned and performed with extreme care and individual approach due to the high risk of additional vascular damage as well as potential malignant transformation.

The surface morphology and structure of zinc oxide thin films play a key role in many applications such as chemical sensors and photocatalysts. In this study, ZnO thin films are prepared on Si/SiO2 substrates by spin-coating sol–gel technique. New element in the films preparation is the application of drying with hot air flow (Th= 90–95 °C), as first step of the drying procedure, followed by furnace drying as second step. It is shown that hot air drying has significant influence on the films properties. It reduces the internal stress, strongly affects the films surface morphology, gives assistance to the effusion of organic remains and results in a better crystallinity and lower defect density in the as-prepared films when compared with the films prepared by furnace drying only. Besides, first data on the modification of sol–gel ZnO films by post-deposition irradiation with a nanosecond infrared laser are obtained, giving an alternative to the standard furnace annealing. They indicate that laser irradiation of as-prepared ZnO films gives rise to certain improvement in crystal structure and slight increase in crystallite size, followed by the increase of micro-strain. It also reduces the number of defects playing role of non-radiative recombination centers, as well as the size and density of small cracks and pores on the surface of as-prepared films.

Influenza pathogenesis comprises a complex cascade of impaired cellular processes resulting from the viral replication and exaggerated immune response accompanied by reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst and oxidative stress, destructing membranous structures and tissues. By classical virological and biochemical methods we compared and evaluated the therapeutic effects of 2.5mg/kg/day of the antiviral drug - oseltamivir (OS), 500mg/kg/day of the immune modulator - isoprinosine (IP) and 500mg/kg/day of the antioxidant agent ellagic acid (EA) with a focus on their combined activities in influenza H3N2 virus-infected mice. The survival, lung pathology and titers, as well as the oxidative stress biomarker thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the lungs, liver and blood plasma, correlated to the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) were assessed. We found that the viral inhibitor applied together with the immune modulator and the antioxidant exhibited strong therapeutic effects on the survival of the influenza-challenged mice. That effect was mostly pronounced for the triple combination - protection index (PI) of 75.2%, mean survival time (MST) extended by 5.8 days compared to the PBS control and significant reduction of the lung titers by 1.38 Δlg; 2.3 scores lower lung pathology and 8 times reduction of the accumulated TBARS in the lungs and liver on the 5-th day p.i. The enzymatic assays revealed that this combination demonstrated very good protection against the damaging superoxide radicals (83% efficiency of SOD, in comparison to healthy controls 100%). The double combinations of OS with IP and EA also showed protective effects according to the virological analysis - PI of 53.1% and 54.5%. Ten times higher GR activity was observed when the combination EA+OS and monotherapy of EA were applied (96% in comparison to healthy controls 100%). The best antioxidant effect in blood plasma was observed in the EA+IP group - 4 times reduction in the TBARS-content compared to infected controls but it did not have any efficacy on the survival and lung injury.

This dissertation examines the manner of speaking in the compact community of Banat Bulgarians in Old Beshenov, Romania. Banat Bulgarians are a fascinating linguistic object of study due to a number of circumstances. They have settled the Banat area close to three centuries ago and in that period of time they have managed not only to preserve their speech, but to develop it to a degree that is recognized today as a form of literary Bulgarian language. This paper studies lexical markers, which illustrate the influence both of Bulgarian and Romanian language, as well as others which Banat Bulgarians have been or are still exposed to, due to mixed population in the area. In addition we were motivated to explore the morphologic and phonetic variants that would manifest in Old Beshenov’s speakers. They could also shed some light on the developed tendencies in the local manner of speaking. This research of the speech in a contemporary aspect aims to establish changes that have occurred in Banat speakers for the interval between Stoiko Stoikov’s studies in the 1960s and present day. The second purpose is to track orrelations between linguistic and socio-demographic variables, which could provide an understanding for their appearance in multiple generations of Banat Bulgarians. The study also examines to what degree literary Bulgarian language affects the modern day inhabitants of Old Beshenov, who unlike their ancestors have a more pronounced interaction with Bulgarians., Дисертацията разглежда говора на компактната общност от банатски българи в с. стар Бешенов, Румъния. Банатските българи са интересен лингвистичен обект на изследване поради редица обстоятелства. Те са се заселили в областта Банат преди близо три века и за това време са успели не само да опазят говора си, но и да го развият до степен, в която днес е признат за друга норма на българския книжовен език. В работата са изследвани лексикални маркери, които да онагледят влиянието не само на българския и румънския език, но и на други езици, с които банатските българи са били или все още са в досег поради смесения характер на населението в цялата област. В допълнение бяхме мотивирани да проучим и морфологичните и фонетичните варианти, които биха се проявили в речта на бешеновци, и които също могат да хвърлят светлина върху развойните тенденции в говора. Това проучване и описание на съвременния облик на говора има за цел да установи промените, настъпили в речта на носителите му за периода от проучванията на Стойко Стойков от 60-те години на XIX век до наши дни. Другата цел се състои в проследяването на корелациите между лингвистичните и социално-демографските променливи, които да дадат ясна картина за причините за проявата им у различните поколения банатски българи. Изследването хвърля светлина и до каква степен съвременният български книжовен език оказва влияние върху днешните бешеновци, които, за разлика от предците си, днес имат по-интензивни контакти с България и българския език.

We aimed to assess the preoperative rectal cancer angiogenesis with Endorectal Power Doppler Ultrasonography by using the Power Doppler Vascularity Index (PDVI) calculated by imaging analysis software, and to compare it with the microvessel density (MVD) in surgical specimens PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 110 patients (39 females; mean age 61.5 years) with rectal cancer. Immunohistochemical staining of surgical specimens with anti-CD-31 antibody was used for MVD evaluation. The PDVI of each tumor was calculated using Endorectal Power Doppler with computer-assisted quantification of colour pixels.Mean MVD - 163 ± 69 microvessels/mm2 (50-328) was used as a cutoff point, differentiating two groups of tumors with high (160 mm2) and low (≤ 160 mm2) angiogenic activity. Mean PDVI of 8.9 ± 6.0% (0-27.3) was used as a cutoff point, dividing two groups of tumors with high (8%) and low (≤ 8%) PDVI. The MVD and the PDVI showed a good positive correlation (r = 0.438, p = 0.002). Patients with low PDVI had 25 months longer overall survival (p0.05) than patients with high PDVI. Patients with low MVD had 36 months longer survival (p0.05).Endorectal Power Doppler Ultrasonography is a reliable and noninvasive method for assessment of the extent of rectal cancer angiogenesis. Tumor angiogenesis assessed by the PDVI correlated with histological MVD determination and could predict survival rates. Endorectal Power Doppler examination is a useful and reproducible method for in vivo preoperative quantitative assessment of tumor vascularization.

Zinc oxide thin films are prepared by spin-coating sol-gel method. Warm air flow is used as a first step in the drying procedure during the preparation of a part of the films. Post-deposition irradiation of some films with infrared pulse laser is also applied. Spectroscopic ellipsometry, X-ray diffraction and conductivity measurements are used to get information about the influence of the laser irradiation and the usage of the warm air flow on the properties of the films. It is shown that all films are nanocrystalline and the treatment with warm air flow and laser beam irradiation improves films crystallinity and reduces their conductivity. The results are related to lower porosity and smaller amount of defects in treated films.

The aim of this paper is to study the gel formation tendency in the TiO2–TeO2–SeO2 system. Telluric acid (H6TeO6), selenous acid (H2SeO3) and titanium butoxide were used as precursors dissolved in ethylene glycol. Transparent monolithic and bright yellow colored gels are situated between 40–100 mol% TiO2, up to 20 mol% SeO2 and 65 mol% TeO2. The phase transformations of the as-prepared gels heat-treated up to 700 °C are investigated by XRD. The chemical states of C, Ti, Se and Te are characterized by means of XPS. Organic and OH groups participate in the amorphous organic–inorganic structure up to 250–300 °C. The structure of the inorganic amorphous phases above 300 °C consists of SeO3, TiO6 and TeOn structural units. The UV–Vis spectra of the binary and three-component gels exhibited a redshift of the cutoff in comparison with those of Ti butoxide gel due to the presence of selenium and tellurium units. Gel formation region in the ternary TiO2–TeO2–SeO2 system

Introduction Synovial lipomatosis, also called lipoma arborescens, is an extremely rare chronic, benign disease. Less than 100 cases have been reported in the available literature. It is characterized by substitution of the sub-synovial connective tissue with mature fat cells and villous proliferation of the synovium. The etiology in most cases remains unknown, although some authors attribute it to trauma, degenerative changes in the joint, septic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, chikungunya viral disease, etc. The most common locations of synovial lipomatosis are the knee, shoulder, elbow and bracelet, exceptionally affecting the hip and ankle joints, etc. Locations in the foot region are extremely rare. The patient described in this article has a unique location. Aim The aim of this article is to draw attention to a rare disease, with an even rarer localization. Material s and M ethod s The presented patient is a man at the age of 53 with synovial lipomatosis on the plantar side of the left foot. Results Up to this moment, three and a half years after the operation, the patient has no complaints and no recurrence data. The functional condition of the limb is excellent. Conclusion Synovial lipomatosis, especially that located in the foot area, is extremely rare, almost casuistic. However, it should not be excluded from the differential diagnosis.

Introduction Liposarcoma is a heterogeneous group of adipocyte tumors in which cells differentiate into lipoblasts and lipocytes. Tumor localized in the extremities affects men more often. It rarely occurs before age 20. Diseases such as obesitas, gout, psoriasis, etc. seem to predispose to the development of this type of tumor. Lipomas (liposarcoma) are considered "giant", if they exceed 10 cm in one dimension or weigh at least 1000 grams. The thigh liposarcoma described in this article is the biggest reported in Bulgaria and one of the largest excised in the world practice. A im The aim of this article is to draw attention to the difficulties associated with the surgical removal of a giant de-differentiated femoral liposarcoma, as well as the late metastases of such tumors. Patients and methods The patient presented is a 74-year-old male with a giant thigh liposarcoma weighing 7.65 kg, which has been subjected to an en bloc tumor excision. Results Up to now, a year and a half after surgery, no recurrence or metastases have been detected. The functional state of the limb is very good. Conclusion Giant thigh liposarcomas are a real surgical challenge. They are always located near the femoral vesels, engaging muscles and vessels, often growing proximal to lig. inguinale .

Fibrohistiocytic tumors of the skin comprise a large range of lesions. One such tumor is the atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), which is widely considered as a "pseudomalignant" tumor. It is derived from fibroblasts and expresses a variety of histiocytic markers. We present a case of AFX, localized in the right temporal region of the scalp, successfully treated with surgical excision. Immunohistochemical staining helps differentiate this tumor from others in the clinical differential diagnosis, including malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other nonmelanocytic spindle cell tumors such as leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, angiosarcoma, liposarcoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Historically, AFX was believed to be a superficial variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). However, MFH is now considered a more generalized term for a sarcomatous neoplasm of the subcutaneous tissue. The histopathology of MFH shares features with some malignant mesenchymal neoplasms such as liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and angiosarcoma, but can be differentiated using immunohistochemistry and/or electron microscopy. More recently, the examples of MFH that do not exhibit a more specific line of differentiation have been reclassified as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). Many authors currently cannot draw a distinction between AFX and UPS. The clinical and histopathological differences between AFX and UPS are often difficult to delineate. It is probable that they represent two poles of the same disease. Surgical excision in the patient we describe resulted in excellent aesthetic results with lack of recurrence in the 7-month postoperative period.

Abstract The present study is a continuation of our previous investigations on the ZnO-TiO2 system. By applying different sol-gel methods we proved that the type of precursor and the order of adding the components influence the microstructure of the final product. This study focuses on the combustion sol-gel synthesis and photocatalytic properties of nanosized (∼7-20 nm) ZnO-TiO2 powders. The photocatalytic tests were performed toward two model organic dyes, Malachite Green and Reactive Black 5, in the UV and Vis region. For synthesis of ZnO/TiO2 powders, different precursors such as Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O, Ti(OC2H5)4 and Ti(OC4H9)4 were used. During the combustion process various phases (ZnO, TiO2 — anatase and rutile, ZnTiO3) were obtained. The structure and morphology of the resulting particles were characterized by XRD and SEM analysis. All samples exhibited a good photocatalytic activity in both UV and Vis regions. Graphical abstract

The combined effect of rimantadine and oseltamivir in a prophylactic context (therapy beginning 4 h pre-virus infection) and therapeutic context (therapy started at 24 h post-viral inoculation) course on influenza H3N2 virus infection in mice was studied. In the prophylactic course 5 and 10 mg/kg/day rimantadine with 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg/day (25:1 dose ratio) oseltamivir showed a protection index (PI) of 79.6% and 75%, respectively and a mean survival time (MST) of 13.1 and 12.9 days. The individual effects of the same doses ranged from 0% to 33.3% PI and 8.2 to 10.3 days MST, respectively. Lung virus titers were decreased 630-fold in the combination-treated groups as compared to monotherapy and placebo groups. The reduction of surface lung pathology in combination-treated groups demonstrated a protective effect for the combination of both antivirals. In the therapeutic course 5 and 10 mg/kg rimantadine combined with 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg oseltamivir showed no beneficial effect. At higher dosage (0.8, 1.6, 3.2 mg/kg oseltamivir and 20, 40, 80 mg/kg rimantadine) preserving the 25:1 ratio, the resultant PI ranged from 57.6% to 80.5% and the MST was 12.8-13.4 days. Used alone at the same doses the compounds' protection varied between 10.7% and 71.8% PI, MST 9.8-12.8 days (8.7 days in PBS control). Compared to vehicle and individual treatment, a decrease in infectious viral titers of up to 1000-fold and other viral pneumonia parameters were also recorded. The therapeutic effect of the drugs' optimal effective doses combinations was characterized as synergistic. Survival of animals was 81.2-100% and MST was extended by 5-7 days compared to placebos. Monotherapy protection was from 9.1% to a maximum of 56.5%, MST being prolonged only by 1.3-4.2 days compared to 7.5 days in the PBS control group. Lung viral titers were decreased 1445-fold for the most efficacious combination groups and a significant reduction in lung parameters was observed. These data emphasize that prophylactic and therapeutic courses using a combination of oseltamivir and rimantadine have a significant protective effect in mice experimentally infected with drug-sensitive influenza virus A (H3N2).

Background Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory system. To attack two processes involved in flu pathogenesis—viral replication in the infected body and oxidative damages, we studied the combination effect of neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir and antioxidant α-tocopherol in experimental model of influenza. Methods After inoculation of albino mice with 10 MLD50 (50% mouse lethal dose) of influenza virus A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2), oseltamivir was applied orally at three doses, 2.5 mg/kg, 1.25 mg/kg, and 0.625 mg/kg, for five days post infection. α-Tocopherol (120 mg/kg, in sunflower oil) was administered intraperitoneally. Three schemes of α-tocopherol five-day course were tested: onset five or two days before infection, or on the virus inoculation day. Results Strongly dose-dependent augmented antiviral effect of the combination α-tocopherol and 0.625 mg/kg oseltamivir was demonstrated when α-tocopherol was administered simultaneously with oseltamivir: a pronounced decrease in mortality rate (a 78% protection), and a lengthening of mean survival time by 3.2–4 days. Lung parameters showed a substantial decrease in infectious virus content (Δ logs = 3.8/4.1) and a marked diminishment of lung index and pathology. Combination α-tocopherol with 1.25 mg/kg oseltamivir manifested a marked protective effect, but the effect on lung parameters was less. The combination effect of α-tocopherol with 2.5 mg/kg oseltamivir did not surpass the monotherapeutic effect of oseltamivir. When α-tocopherol was applied in courses starting five or two days before infection, its combination with oseltamivir was ineffective. Conclusions Evidently, α-tocopherol could be considered as prospective component of influenza therapy in combination with oseltamivir.

We studied the combination effect of rimantadine hydrochloride and oseltamivir phosphate on mice infected with influenza A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) virus. Compounds were simultaneously administered in a 5-day-treatment course, starting 4 h before intranasal infection with 10 or 20 viral 50% mouse lethal doses. Initially, we tested combinations of oseltamivir (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg/day) and rimantadine (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg/day). Significant differences were recorded between combinationtreated groups, and groups with separately applied compounds and the placebo group, such as: protection index of oseltamivir with 5.0 or 7.5 mg/kg rimantadine varied between 34–41% and 43–87%, respectively, whereas the individual effects of oseltamivir, 5 mg/kg of rimantadine and 7.5 mg/kg of rimantadine were 0–10%, 0% and 18.7–29.6%, respectively; mean survival time in combination-treated groups was lengthened by 3.1–6.9 days, in oseltamivir groups by 0–1.9 days, and in rimantadine groups by 0.8–1.3 days at 5 mg/kg and 2.6–3.2 days at 7.5 mg/kg. The three-dimensional method of Prichard and Shipman characterized the combination effect as synergistic. Further, we studied the activity of 0.05 mg/kg/day of oseltamivir combined with 5 mg/kg of rimantadine. Lung virus titre in Madin Darby canine kidney cells, lung index and consolidation score proved the high effectiveness of the combination. When compared with the placebo group, a 2.8 log10 lower titre of 50% cell culture infectious dose (CCID50) was recorded in the combination-treated group at 48–60 h post-infection (the peak of lung virus growth). This is in contrast to the 0.1–1.0 log10 and 1.1–1.4 log10 reduction in CCID50 titre observed in the oseltamivir and rimantadine groups, respectively. These data emphasize the high anti-influenza A potential of the combination.

Different epidemiological studies report the protective effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) exerted by vitamin D(3) intake, estrogen replacement therapy, and increase of the risk of microsatellite instability (MSI) in CRC by withdrawal of estrogens. The aim of our study was to search for association between CRC and polymorphisms in estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) and Vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes.We analyzed the PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms from the ER-alpha gene and the BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene in 140 patients with CRC (subsequently divided according to their MSI status) and 94 controls.We have demonstrated that the presence of the PvuII pp genotype increased the risk of developing MSI(+) tumors about three times compared to MSI(-) tumors [odds ratio (OR)=3.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-10.91]. The effect of the XbaI xx genotype was similar (OR=2.08, 95% CI 0.49-8.81). Our results for the VDR BsmI polymorphism showed an increased risk for CRC in bb carriers (OR=1.8, 95% CI 0.81-4.05).We conclude that PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms in the ER-alpha gene were associated with the risk of developing MSI in CRC patients. The BsmI polymorphism in the VDR gene was linked to the risk of developing CRC.

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is an autosomal dominant disease, caused by germline mutations in DNA mismatch-repair genes (MMR). These mutations lead to microsatellite instability (MSI). It has been found that the MSI is not confined to the setting of hereditary disease and may be seen in approximately 12-17% of the sporadic CRCs. In 1998 a National Registry for CRC was instituted in Queen Giovanna Hospital, Sofia. A total of 150 patients have been selected for MSI analysis and 25 tumors showed to be unstable, 14 with loss of heterozygosity (LOH). These tumors were further analyzed for MLH1 promoter hypermethylation and a significant association between this epigenetic change and MSI/LOH sporadic cases. We proposed this method as a step that follows the analysis for MSI and prior to the screening for MMR mutations. The mutation screening detected four known and two novel mutations, one unpublished and four known intronic polymorphisms in both hMLH1 and hMSH2 genes. The use of IHC analysis has been found effective in the investigation of some unclear molecular variations. We developed an efficient diagnostic strategy for HNPCC testing and the mutation status of 80% MSI HNPCC cases could be detected.

The liposarcoma are not rare in the thigh area. Two patients both men, 56 and 39 years of age were operated within a few months because of giant liposarcoma in the left thigh region. The liposarcoma of these patients was strikingly similar. Upon suspicion of malignancy, resection of the tumor without prior diagnostic biopsy is recommended. The early postoperative period of both patients passed smoothly. The full range of movement was achieved in left hip and knee joints. Operative wounds healed per primam intentionem. Up till now, several months after tumors removal, both patients have no data of local or distant metastases.

Submicron ZnO/TiO2 powders were obtained via combustion gel method. The structure, morphology and elemental composition of the obtained samples were characterized by XRD, IR spectroscopy and SEM with EDX analysis. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of Malachite Green and Reactive Black5 in aqueous solutions under ultraviolet light irradiation. The antibacterial properties of samples obtained via combustion sol-gel method were studied in solid media (agar plates) against Gram-negative Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. The inhibition diameter was measured for all investigated samples. No clear zone of inhibition was seen around of blank experiments. Thus, all samples exhibited strong bactericidal action toward both selected bacterial cells.

PROBLEM : To determine if measuring of nonorgan-specific autoantibodies is useful for better understanding and management of unexplained infertility. METHODS : Sera were obtained from 70 infertile couples, 57 rheumatic patients, and 76 fertile donors. Sperm antibodies (SA) were detected by the tests of Kibrick and Friberg, anti-histones, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and RF isotypes by ELISA, antinuclear antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence, and anti-red blood cell antibodies by Capture-R. RESULTS : Multiple autoimmune reactivity (both partners positive and/or more than one type of autoantibody involved), higher than naturally occurring in fertile individuals, was found in 55% of the idiopathically infertile couples. IgA-RF was the dominant autoimmune marker. SA revealed similar rates in patients with rheumatic diseases and in infertiles with or without other autoantibodies. CONCLUSION : Although no single autoimmunity marker could predict occurrence of SA, the coincidence of enhanced polyclonal autoimmunity in both partners of infertile couples might potentiate their negative effect on reproduction.

Tankova Ludmila1, Daniel Kovatchki2, Georgi Stoilov3, Antonina Gegova4 and Ivan Terziev5 1Clinical Centre of Gastroenterology, Clinic of Gastroenterology, University Hospital „Queen Joanna”, Sofia 2Golden Cross Private Clinic, Vienna 3Institute of Mechanics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 4Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University „Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia 5Department of Pathology, University Hospital „Queen Joanna”, Sofia 1,3,4,5Bulgaria 2Austria

A polyphenol-rich extract from the aerial roots of the medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L. (PC) protected mice from mortality in the experimental influenza A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) virus infection. To provide evidence how a maximum therapeutic benefit can be derived of this preparation, it was inoculated by 6 different routes. It was found that the aerosol application of PC was highly effective. In the dose 5.4 mg/ml, applied according to a prophylactic-therapeutic schedule, the extract exhibited a marked protective effect. The protective index reached the value of 70.1% and the mean survival time was prolonged with 2.9-4.9 days. The lung infectious virus titres and the lung consolidation of virus-infected and PC-treated animals were all reduced in comparison with control. The application of PC according to schedules, excluding the pretreatment of mice, proved that this condition was essential for protection.