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Abstract: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a cutaneous malignancy that typically appears in sun-exposed areas. We analyzed data from the Insp-ECT registry of all patients affected by BCC in the head and neck region. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of electrochemotherapy (ECT) on a 5-year basis. Patients and methods A cohort of 132 patients was included. They were treated by ECT according to the current Standard Operating Procedures. The median age was 74 years (range 41–93). There was a median of 1 nodule per patient (range 1–7), and the median size of the lesions was 1.4 cm (range 0.5–5.0 cm). Results Patients tolerated ECT well, and 96% agreed to repeat it if needed. The side effects were mild and temporary. All patients achieved a complete clinical response after 1 to 3 ECT sessions. During the first year of follow-up, 4 (3%) patients experienced recurrence, which was treated (2 with ECT, 1 with surgery, and 1 with a combination of ECT and surgery), after which they remained free of disease until the end of follow-up at 5 years. Five patients reported recurrence thereafter and were treated according to their condition. At the 5-year follow-up, the disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 87%–96%). At that time, 3 patients were alive with disease (2%), and 124 patients were free of disease (98%). Conclusions This study shows the feasibility and efficacy of ECT treatment in elderly patients with BCC tumors in aesthetically and functionally sensitive areas, with negligible toxicity. Comparable efficacy to other treatment modalities was demonstrated at 1 year and 5 years of follow-up in terms of DFS.
Keywords: basal cell carcinoma, electrochemotherapy, preživetje brez ponovitve bolezni
Published in DiRROS: 25.11.2025; Views: 162; Downloads: 75
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Abstract: Incorporating cyclodextrins (CDs) into ionically crosslinked polysaccharide matrices offers a promising strategy for developing well-defined, safe-by-design and biocompatible carrier systems with tunable rheological properties. In this study, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was functionalized with citric acid (CDC) and maleic anhydride (CDM) using solvent-free synthesis to improve compatibility with alginate hydrogels. The modified CDs were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, DLS, zeta potential, and MS, confirming successful esterification (4.0 and 3.4 –OH substitution for CDC and CDM, respectively) and stable aqueous dispersion. Rheological measurements showed that native CD accelerated gelation (within approximately 30 s), while CDC and CDM delayed crosslinking (by 2 to 13 min) and reduced gel strength, narrowing the linear viscoelastic range to 0.015–0.089% strain due to competition between polycarboxylated CDs and alginate chains for Ca2+ ions. Vibrational prilling produced alginate microbeads with diameters of 800–1000 µm and a simultaneous increase in size and CD concentration. Hydrogels demonstrated high CD retention (>80% after 28 h) and slightly greater release of CDC and CDM than native CD. Overall, solvent-free modification of CDs with citric and maleic acids provides a sustainable approach to tailoring the gelation kinetics, viscoelasticity, and release behavior of alginate-based hydrogels, offering a versatile, food- and health-compliant platform for controlled delivery of bioactive compounds.
Keywords: cyclodextrin, alginate, dry modification, solvent-free, hydrogels, viscoelasticity, rheometry, microcarrier design
Published in DiRROS: 25.11.2025; Views: 140; Downloads: 73
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Abstract: Objective: The digital tool REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) was implemented at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana (UMCL) with the goal of digitalising and streamlining research processes. This study aimed to assess the efficiency and transparency of clinical research following the implementation of REDCap. Methods: The implementation of REDCap for funded research began in 2021. It comprised four key steps: (I) the initial creation of Central Research Registry, followed by additional functionalities including (II) the establishment of the Central Database for ’Pre-Contract Activities’ for clinical trials; (III) the integration of Reporting on Research Progress directly into the Central Research Registry; and (IV) the development of a semi-automated Workflow for internal agreements. Results: Between 2021 and 2023, UMCL established a Central Research Registry using REDCap, transitioning from paper-based to digital data collection for over 2,500 research projects. These projects included clinical trials, national and international studies, as well as academic research. In addition to serving as a registry, the central system provided comprehensive data management, streamlined communication, and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders in clinical trial research at UMCL. The implementation of REDCap significantly reduced administrative burden and shortened the time required to finalise clinical trial agreements from 202 to 147 days. It also improved coordination, transparency, and real-time monitoring of research activities, facilitating more efficient research execution. Additionally, the digitalisation of internal agreements processes between researchers and stakeholders within UMCL improved coordination and expedited research execution timelines. Furthermore, REDCap enabled real-time monitoring of research progress, further contributing to the efficiency and transparency of research activities. Conclusion: The digitalisation of research processes using REDCap improved the organisation and execution of research, leading to greater efficiency and transparency, reduced administrative workload, and enhanced collaboration. This approach contributed to higher-quality research outcomes and ultimately benefited patient care.
Keywords: digitalisation, REDCap, clinical research, efficiency, transparency, research registry, data management
Published in DiRROS: 24.11.2025; Views: 172; Downloads: 75
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Abstract: The corpus callosum (CC) is a major nerve bundle that connects the two hemispheres of the brain. Dysgenesis of the CC is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as the CTNNB1 syndrome. We identified that five individuals carrying CTNNB1 mutations displayed CC deficits. To explore CTNNB1/β-CATENIN-dependent mechanisms that regulate CC midline crossing, we examined mice with Ctnnb1 gain-of-function (GOF) or loss-of-function (LOF) selectively targeted to the early embryonic central nervous system midline using an Lmx1aCre driver. We identify that the Lmx1a lineage contributes to midline cell populations known to regulate CC pathfinding: the glial wedge, the indusium griseum glia, and a population of midline glutamatergic neurons. We find that each of these structures are affected in both GOF and LOF embryos, resulting in a profound disruption of CC crossing and formation of Probst bundles. Thus, regulated β-CATENIN function in midline cell populations is critical for CC development and its dysregulation may underlie the CC deficits associated with CTNNB1 syndrome.
Keywords: neurodevelopment, molecular neuroscience, CTNNB1 syndrome, corpus callosum development
Published in DiRROS: 24.11.2025; Views: 169; Downloads: 76
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Keywords: varstvo gozdov, morfološke analize
Published in DiRROS: 24.11.2025; Views: 135; Downloads: 0
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