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The effects of prostaglandin F2α on the cytoskeleton and membrane organelles of oocytes was investigated by culturing ovulated mouse oocytes in its presence (50 or 100 ng/ml) for 3 h. Tubulin, fibrillar actin, membranes and chromatin were visualized by specific antibodies, phalloidin, lipophilic dye DiOC6 and Hoechst 33342, respectively. Control oocytes were characterized by a meiotic spindle with chromosomes aligned at its equator, and a cortical layer of microfilaments with an actin cap. Intracellular membranes were localized mostly in the central region in metaphase I and in a broader volume, but still excluding the cell periphery, in metaphase II, and were slightly concentrated around the chromosomes. In oocytes treated with 50 ng/ml prostaglandin, cortical actin staining was diminished, the membrane distribution was clustered, and chromosomes showed signs of misalignment despite the apparently preserved spindle. In cells treated with 100 ng/ml prostaglandin, both the spindle and the actin cortex had degenerated or disappeared as microscopic objects. Metaphase plates were on average broader and more disorganized than in the 50 ng/ml group, and the distribution of membrane organelles had become uniform. These effects, to our knowledge observed for the first time, did not require presence of the cumulus during the incubation. They could be regarded as acceleration of the oocyte postovulatory aging, in which cytoskeletal deterioration seemed to have a leading role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allan H Young,1 Mohamed Abdelghani,2 Mario F Juruena,1,3 Viktoriya L Nikolova,1 Ramin Nilforooshan4,5 1Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK; 2Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; 3Maudsley Advanced Treatment Service (MATS), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; 4Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Leatherhead, UK; 5Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UKCorrespondence: Allan H Young, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, PO72, 16 De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK, Tel +44 207 848 0088, Email allan.young@kcl.ac.ukPurpose: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is associated with profound morbidity for patients, placing a significant burden on those affected, the health service and wider society. Despite this, TRD remains chronically underserved in terms of viable treatment options. To address this gap, an advisory panel of psychiatrists and clinical researchers with experience in managing TRD convened to develop best practice statements on the use of esketamine nasal spray, one of the first TRD treatments to be licensed in 30 years.Methods: During a virtual meeting held on 12th November 2020, the advisory panel shared their experiences of using esketamine nasal spray in their clinical practice. The meeting focused on developing and refining recommendations for setting up and running an efficient esketamine nasal spray clinic for patients living with TRD. At the conclusion of the meeting, agreement was reached on all recommendation statements.Results: In setting up an esketamine nasal spray clinic, it is important to consider the logistical requirements involved and put measures in place to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible. Educating patients about the treatment and maintaining their well-being is paramount for preventing discontinuation. Putting in place checklists can be a useful strategy for ensuring treatment appointments run smoothly and safely.Conclusion: Providing additional treatment options for the management of TRD, such as esketamine nasal spray, is likely to be key to improving the long-term outcomes of this underserved patient population.Keywords: depression, TRD, MDD, antidepressant, glutamate

The production of Oriental tobacco has a significant role for the social status of Bulgarian farmers and the economic priorities of the regions. The demand for tobaccos that are truly competitive on the international market has forced the dominant production of Krumovgrad ecotype varieties in the country. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the quality profile of Oriental tobacco of Krumovgrad ecotype (variety Krumovgrad 90), as a significant part of the commodity segment of the Basma variety group. The study was carried out with tobaccos, produced in 10 micro regions of the Nevrokop region, 2019 crop year. Cured leaves were assessed in terms of chemical, visual and sensory quality, and the tobaccos were finally rated according to their complex quality manifestation (based on the achieved “quality index” value). The technological assessment of the quality profile of the studied Oriental tobacco of ecotype Krumovgrad proved that there were significant differences in cured leaf quality between the tobacco samples representing the same variety and crop year but grown in different areas. As a result from the complex quality evaluation procedure, the best rated was the tobacco produced in Godeshevo micro region, followed by those from Kornitsa, Furgovo and Ablanitsa. The data obtained by the study could be useful from the point of view of the technological processing of cured tobacco leaves and the objective of obtaining uniform batches of Krumovgrad ecotype tobacco within the commodity segment.

The production of “marketable” tobacco is decisive in the pReferences of local farmers towards certain varieties of Virginia and Burley tobaccos. The aim of the study was to complete a comparative technological evaluation of the quality potential of introduced and local varieties of Virginia flue-cured and Burley air-cured tobaccos in Bulgaria. The investigation was conducted with tobaccos from 2018 crop year and included 4 varieties of Virginia flue-cured and 2 varieties of Burley tobacco (local and introduced), grown in different regions of Southern and Northern Bulgaria. The complex assessment of tobacco quality was based on leaf and smoke chemical indicators, external leaf quality elements and smoking performance of the studied tobaccos. The final rating was achieved by referring to the value of the calculated “quality indices”. Two of the local varieties, V 0454 from region Parvomay and PVH 19 from Central Northern Bulgaria were rated the best in the complex evaluation of the FCV tobaccos. A better complex expression of quality was found in the introduced (trial) variety Burley N compared to the local Burley 1317 in Southern Bulgaria region.

The aim of the current study was to assess the quality level of Oriental tobaccos from the market sector of the “Basmi” variety group from different production areas in Bulgaria. Tobaccos from Krumovgrad and Greek Basma ecotypes (varieties “Krumovgrad 90”, “Krumovgrad 58”, “Krumovgrad 78”, and “Basma”, respectively) were investigated, all farmer-produced (2019 crop year) in seven tobacco regions. The investigation followed a procedure validated for monitoring the quality of Bulgarian tobaccos, incorporating four evaluation steps – chemical indices of tobacco and tobacco smoke, expert and smoking assessment, and final rating by a complex quality index. Statistically significant differences were observed between the compared tobaccos (variety and region based) within the two ecotypes. For Krumovgrad ecotype, the final rating of the compared tobaccos revealed the best complex quality indicators in varieties “Krumovgrad 78” from Kardzhali (micro-region Patitza), “Krumovgrad 58” from Haskovo-Harmanli (Stambolovo) and “Krumovgrad 58” from Ivaylovgrad (Belopoltzi). With the best quality level within ecotype Basma were the tobaccos produced in Svilengrad (micro-region Raykova mogila) and Momchilgrad (Chorbadzhiysko) regions. The results from the study substantiate the annual monitoring of the quality level of Bulgarian Oriental tobaccos and provide data, which have potential importance for the national tobacco sector.

The current investigation includes technological assessment and interpretation of the profile of tobaccos, tobacco derivatives and smoking products illegally distributed in Bulgaria, as officially provided for expertise in the Tobacco and Tobacco Products Institute (TTPI) by external contractors (legitimate state structures) in 2021. The physical and chemical properties of the tobacco objects, depending on their nature, were determined according to standardized methods. The biggest share in the analyses (139 in total) took the determination of tobacco cut width (39%) and particle size fractionation (37%), which supported the observation that the illicit tobacco market in Bulgaria is recently dominated by cut tobacco for hand-rolled cigarettes. In the cut tobacco predominated long and medium-sized strands, but in widely varying proportions (42.27-81.78% and 9.98-38.46%, respectively), with cut width in 0.59-1.06 mm range. The sieve analysis and the expert examination of the tobacco derivatives revealed that they were undoubtedly technological tobacco waste, and, respectively, that accentuated data must be communicated to consumers about the risks associated with the smoking of such tobacco articles. It was found that all illicitly traded fine-cut tobacco blends produced considerably higher tar (12.25-16.05 mg/cig) and CO (12.74-16.94 mg/cig) emissions than the limits set for conventional cigarettes.