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Quadruple-negative breast cancer (QNBC) presents with negative expression of estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors and of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. This BC subtype has the worst prognosis. In QNBC, there is a greater paucity of prognostic biomarkers than in androgen receptors-positive triple negative BC (TNBC). Absent androgen receptor expression confers a more aggressive QNBC course and correlates with the expression of cancer stem cell phenotype, COX-2, and basal markers such as CK5 and nestin. Basal-like phenotype is significantly associated with adverse prognostic markers including high KI-67, COX-2 expression, and cancer stem cell phenotype. Engrailed-1 expression is associated with unfavorable overall survival in QNBC patients. Non-coding ribonucleic acids play a significant role in BC tumourigenesis by virtue of their oncogenic and tumour-suppressive properties. The identification of QNBC-specific circulating microribonucleic acids may improve tumour detection and prognosis. There is an obvious necessity to intensify the problem-oriented interdisciplinary research on the hot topic of prognostic biomarkers of QNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, breast cancer (BC) continuously ranks first in the incidence rate of malignant neoplasms in women worldwide. Quadruple negative BC (QNBC) is a recently identified subtype of triple negative BC (TNBC) presenting with negative androgen receptor expression. QNBC characterization and treatment is fraught with many challenges. There is cumulative evidence suggesting that QNBC is highly proliferative and immunogenic, rendering it an ideal candidate for cytotoxic chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Several chemotherapeutic agents such as imatinib, cabozantinib, dasatinib, lucitanib, sunitinib, docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide in QNBC patients are highlighted. Some subtypes and related pathway proteins are preferentially expressed in QNBC and may act as effective therapeutic targets such as acyl-CoA synthetase 4, S-phase kinase associated protein 2, immune checkpoint inhibitors, kinesin family member C1, and epidermal growth factor receptor. Several recent investigations comparing the therapeutic approach to QNBC and TNBC are briefly reviewed. Further more intensive and problem-oriented research in this topic of rising socio-medical importance is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fascinating world of lichens draws the attention of the researchers because of the numerous properties of lichens used traditionally and, in modern times, as a raw material for medicines and in the perfumery industry, for food and spices, for fodder, as dyes, and for other various purposes all over the world. However, lichens being widespread symbiotic entities between fungi and photosynthetic partners may acquire toxic features due to either the fungi, algae, or cyano-procaryotes producing toxins. By this way, several common lichens acquire toxic features. In this survey, recent data about the ecology, phytogenetics, and biology of some lichens with respect to the associated toxin-producing cyanoprokaryotes in different habitats around the world are discussed. Special attention is paid to the common toxins, called microcystin and nodularin, produced mainly by the Nostoc species. The effective application of a series of modern research methods to approach the issue of lichen toxicity as contributed by the cyanophotobiont partner is emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Numerous wild edible mushrooms are relatively well-known in Bulgaria and many countries all over the world. The objective of this inquiry study was to analyze some peculiarities of local knowledge of such mushrooms depending on inhabitants' educational level in the Region of Varna, Bulgaria. Materials and methods: We performed a study of 200 adult individuals, 100 males and 100 females, on the territory of the Region of Varna using anonymous inquiry with a set of 12 concrete items dealing with respondents' knowledge of wild edible mushrooms and focusing on the role of their educational level for this knowledge. Statistical data processing was carried out using descriptive, variation and correlation analysis. Statistical significance was considered at the level of p<0.05. Results: There was a prevalence of respondents with higher education. A total of 122 respondents (61% of the cases) could recognize wild edible mushrooms in the Region of Varna. The respondents with secondary education are most informed about these mushrooms. Numerous mushroom nominations of single concrete mushroom species were reported by the respondents. The edible boletus Boletus edulis Bull was the most commonly recognized wild edible mushroom. Respondents' elementary educational level correlated statistically significantly with knowledge acquisition of wild mushrooms (Pearson's coefficient=30.032; p<0.001). Conclusion: This inquiry study demonstrated a satisfactory extent of awareness of these respondents with secondary, elementary, and higher education concerning the wild edible mushrooms in the Region of Varna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of implant related infections after surgical or dental procedures are challenging complications and may have devastating results for patients. The ability of microorganisms to adhere and form biofilm on implant surface is one of the main reasons for treatment failure in infections. When used in human body implants provide a suitable surface for cell attachment and bacterial colonization. One of the most common bacteria that is isolated in hospital-acquired infections is Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant subtype. When a biofilm is formed, bacteria acquire an arsenal of properties that allow them to survive in an adverse environment, increasing their resistance to antimicrobial agents. Recently, as treatment modalities bioactive glass is used in the treatment of infections with multiresistant bacteria types. Its mechanism of action is to stimulate osteogenesis by releasing biologically active ions and at the same time it has antibacterial function on a number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to increasement in osmotic pressure and environmental pH without affecting host tissues. These properties make bioactive glass extremelly suitable for the treatment of infection in bones with destruction and bone loss. The aim of the present study is to review the outcomes reported in the literature on the antimicrobial effectiveness of bioactive glass S53P4 on Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to identify medicinal plants used for decorative purposes by the local population along the Northern Black Sea coast (Bulgaria). A survey was conducted in the period 2014-2020. The interviews with the local population were conducted "face to face" with the help of pre-prepared original questionnaires. The surveyed locals are 709 people from 32 settlements. Respondents were randomly selected. They are of different age groups, gender, ethnicity, education and employment. The folk names of the used medicinal plants are recorded. The results show that a significant proportion of respondents (52.89%) use medicinal plants for decorative purposes. The medicinal plants used for decorative purposes by the locals are 73 species, belonging to 61 genera from 30 families. The present study is part of a larger ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the region of the North Black Sea coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Various factors related to an “in vitro” fertilization (IVF) procedure may influence the rate of small for gestational age (SGA) newborns in such pregnancies. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine neonatal SGA incidence in singleton IVF pregnancies compared to spontaneous ones. Materials and methods: We conducted both a prospective and a retrospective study within the period of January 2013–December 2017, which included 336 patients with a singleton IVF pregnancy at the time of delivery – the study group (SG), and 493 women with a spontaneous conception – the control group (CG). Results: Neonatal SGA rate was significantly higher in the SG as compared to the CG, p < .05, as well as in case of multiple embryotransfer (ET), vanishing twin syndrome (VTS), fresh ET against frozen embryotransfer (FET), female infertility factor. Conclusion: Singleton pregnancies after an IVF technique show a higher neonatal SGA rate compared to spontaneous ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost all transcribed human genes undergo alternative RNA splicing, which increases the diversity of the coding and non-coding cellular landscape. The resultant gene products might have distinctly different and, in some cases, even opposite functions. Therefore, the abnormal regulation of alternative splicing plays a crucial role in malignant transformation, development, and progression, a fact supported by the distinct splicing profiles identified in both healthy and tumor cells. Drug resistance, resulting in treatment failure, still remains a major challenge for current cancer therapy. Furthermore, tumor cells often take advantage of aberrant RNA splicing to overcome the toxicity of the administered chemotherapeutic agents. Thus, deciphering the alternative RNA splicing variants in tumor cells would provide opportunities for designing novel therapeutics combating cancer more efficiently. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive outline of the recent findings in alternative splicing in the most common neoplasms, including lung, breast, prostate, head and neck, glioma, colon, and blood malignancies. Molecular mechanisms developed by cancer cells to promote oncogenesis as well as to evade anticancer drug treatment and the subsequent chemotherapy failure are also discussed. Taken together, these findings offer novel opportunities for future studies and the development of targeted therapy for cancer-specific splicing variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]