1. Interval cancers after negative immunochemical test compared to screen and non-respondersʼ detected cancers in Slovenian colorectal cancer screening programmeDominika Novak-Mlakar, Tatjana Kofol-Bric, Ana Lucija Škrjanec, Mateja Krajc, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: We assessed the incidence and characteristics of interval cancers after faecal immunochemical occult blood test and calculated the test sensitivity in Slovenian colorectal cancer screening programme. Patients and methods. The analysis included the population aged between 50 to 69 years, which was invited for screening between April 2011 and December 2012. The persons were followed-up until the next foreseen invitation, in average for 2 years. The data on interval cancers and cancers in non-responders were obtained from cancer registry. Gender, age, years of schooling, the cancer site and stage were compared among three observed groups. We used the proportional incidence method to calculate the screening test sensitivity. Results. Among 502,488 persons invited for screening, 493 cancers were detected after positive screening test, 79 interval cancers after negative faecal immunochemical test and 395 in non-responders. The proportion of interval cancers was 13.8%. Among the three observed groups cancers were more frequent in men (p = 0.009) and in persons aged 60+ years (p < 0.001). Comparing screen detected and cancers in non-responders with interval cancers more interval cancers were detected in persons with 10 years of schooling or more (p = 0.029 and p = 0.001), in stage III (p = 0.027) and IV (p < 0.001), and in right hemicolon (p < 0.001). Interval cancers were more frequently in stage I than non-responders cancers (p = 0.004). Test sensitivity of faecal immunochemical test was 88.45%. Conclusions. Interval cancers in Slovenian screening programme were detected in expected proportions as in similar programmes. Test sensitivity was among the highest when compared to similar programmes and was accomplished using test kit for two stool samples.
Keywords: cancer screening, colorectal cancer, faecal immunochemical test, test sensitivity
Published in DiRROS: 10.06.2024; Views: 13; Downloads: 3
 Full text (288,68 KB) |
2. Ocular changes in metastatic melanoma patients treated with MEK inhibitor cobimetinib and BRAF inhibitor vemurafenibAna Uršula Gavrič, Janja Ocvirk, Polona Jaki Mekjavić, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor cobimetinib and V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) inhibitor vemurafenib have significantly improved the prognosis of BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma. Some ocular symptoms and signs were recently recognized to follow this treatment. The study was aimed to investigate ocular toxicity in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with cobimetinib in combina-tion with vemurafenib.Patients and methods. In the prospective, observational study, patients with BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma treated with cobimetinib in combination with vemurafenib at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana were asked to par-ticipate. Ophthalmic examination was performed including measurement of visual acuity and intraocular pressure, slit lamp examination, funduscopy (CF), infrared-reflectance (IR) imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results. Five out of 7 patients noticed changes in vision few days after starting the therapy with cobimetinib. In all patients, small circular lesions, described as MEKAR lesions, were documented in outer retinal layers demonstrated with OCT, IR, and CF. Changes were in the center and/or scattered over the retina almost symmetrical in both eyes in 6 patients, and asymmetrical in one patient, the latter presented also with unilateral anterior uveitis and cystoid macular edema.Conclusions. Multiple bilateral foveal and extrafoveal small retinal lesions in the outer retinal layers develop in patients treated with MEK inhibitor in combination with BRAF inhibitor. Ophthalmologists and oncologists need to be aware of this common, yet relatively benign and often transient ocular side effect to avoid needless intervention, including the discontinuance of a potentially life-prolonging therapy.
Keywords: metastatic malignant melanoma, eye, MEK inhibitor, MEKAR
Published in DiRROS: 10.06.2024; Views: 12; Downloads: 3
Full text (769,16 KB) |
3. pISA-tree : a data management framework for life science research projects using a standardised directory treeMarko Petek, Maja Zagorščak, Andrej Blejec, Živa Ramšak, Anna Coll Rius, Špela Baebler, Kristina Gruden, 2022, original scientific article Keywords: pISA-tree, ISA model, data management, research data, metadata
Published in DiRROS: 05.06.2024; Views: 70; Downloads: 40
Full text (1,47 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
4. |
5. Compensational role between cathepsinsUrša Pečar Fonović, Janko Kos, Ana Mitrović, 2024, review article Abstract: Cathepsins, a family of lysosomal peptidases, play a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating protein turnover and degradation as well as many specific regulatory actions that are important for proper cell function and human health. Alterations in the activity and expression of cathepsins have been observed in many diseases such as cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, bone remodelling-related conditions and others. These changes are not exclusively harmful, but rather appear to be a compensatory response on the lack of one cathepsin in order to maintain tissue integrity. The upregulation of specific cathepsins in response to the inhibition or dysfunction of other cathepsins suggests a fine-tuned system of proteolytic balance and understanding the compensatory role of cathepsins may improve therapeutic potential of cathepsin's inhibitors. Selectively targeting one cathepsin or modulating their activity could offer new treatment strategies for a number of diseases. This review emphasises the need for comprehensive research into cathepsin biology in the context of disease. The identification of the specific cathepsins involved in compensatory responses, the elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms and the development of targeted interventions could lead to innovative therapeutic approaches.
Keywords: lysosomal peptidases, compensation, bone resorption
Published in DiRROS: 23.05.2024; Views: 67; Downloads: 59
 Link to file |
6. |
7. Too hot to handle : effects of water temperature on the early life stages of Gongolaria barbata (Fucales)Ana Lokovšek, Valentina Pitacco, Annalisa Falace, Domen Trkov, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Gongolaria barbata plays a crucial role as a habitat-forming Fucales species in the Mediterranean Sea, thriving in shallow, sheltered coastal regions, where it exhibits optimal growth in a temperature range of 10 to 25 °C. In the northern Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed part of the Mediterranean, there has been a remarkable increase in seawater temperatures in recent decades, often exceeding 28 °C in summer. These high temperatures pose a significant threat to the vulnerable early life stages of G. barbata. This study delves into the effects of four temperatures (15, 18, 24, and 28 °C) on the growth of G. barbata over its first 16 days, closely monitoring mortality, deformities, and overall survival. Our experiments reveal that higher temperatures can result in deformities and increased mortality of germlings. Notably, a temperature of 28 °C resulted in the death of all germlings within the first week, whereas those exposed to 24 °C survived until the second week, albeit with significant deformities prior to death. In contrast, germlings cultivated at 15 and 18 °C exhibited normal development with minimal deformities. These results highlight the susceptibility of the early life stages of G. barbata to temperature-induced stress and provide valuable insights into the potential consequences of rising seawater temperatures in the Mediterranean.
Keywords: sea temperature, early stages of growth, deformations, macroalgae, climate change, Mediterranean Sea
Published in DiRROS: 17.05.2024; Views: 129; Downloads: 233
Full text (2,43 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
8. First report of collar and root rot of lettuce caused by Plectosphaerella cucumerina in SerbiaMilica Mihajlović, Jovana Hrustić, Ana Vučurović, Mila Grahovac, Dragana Budakov, Tatjana Dudaš, Brankica Pešić, 2024, other scientific articles Abstract: In March 2021, unusual plant stuning, collar, and wet root rot of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) during the rosette stage was observed in two commercial fields in Serbia (44°58'N, 20°32'E; 44°45'N, 20°43'E). Disease incidence in the fields (≈ 0.9 ha each) was approximately 15 and 20%, respectively. Initial above-ground symptoms were yellowing and wilting of leaves, while below-ground symptoms were collar, wet root rot, and lesions becoming necrotic. Eventually, whole plants wilted, collapsed, and died. A total of 35 symptomatic plants were collected from the fields, and diseased tissues were cut into small pieces, surface sterilized, and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Isolation resulted in 20 morphologically uniform monoconidial isolates. The isolates formed white to creamy colonies, gradually becoming salmon pink, slimy, or moist in appearance, with sparse aerial mycelia. Numerous hyphal coils with conidiophores and hyaline, smooth-surfaced, ellipsoid to ovoid, septate or aseptate conidia were formed (4.5 to 10.1×1.2 to 3.7 μm (n = 100)). To confirm the species identity, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 region of a selected representative isolate 13-3-c were amplified and sequenced by using primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990) and N1/N2 (O’Donnell and Gray 1995), respectively. The sequences were deposited in GenBank (ITS: OR880564 and D1/D2: OR880567). Sequence analysis revealed 100% nucleotide identity with P. cucumerina isolates from different countries deposited in the NCBI GenBank, including isolate MH860704 (Vu et al. 2019) (ITS region) and isolate KY662256 (Su et al. 2017) (D1/D2 region). Neighbor-joining analysis was conducted based on the combined ITS and D1/D2 regions, and the tree was constructed with the substitution models (1,000 bootstrap). The combined phylogeny confirmed that the sequences shared a common clade with P. cucumerina. Hence, morphological, microscopic, and molecular characterization confirmed the pathogen as P. cucumerina (Palm et al., 1995; Carlucci et al., 2012). In a pathogenicity assay, 10 isolates were tested. Five 30-day-old lettuce plants (cv. Majska Kraljica) per isolate were root-dipped in the conidial suspensions (1×105 conidia/ml). The 10 inoculated plants were transplanted into 1 L pots containing sterile substrate (Floragard, Germany). Plants treated with sterile distilled water were used as controls. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 25 to 28°C under a 12-hour photoperiod (Cai et al., 2021). Four weeks after inoculation, stunting, chlorosis, and wilting of plants were observed, while collars and roots exhibited typical decaying symptoms. No symptoms were observed on the control plants. The pathogen was reisolated from symptomatic tissue as previously described. Koch's postulates were completed by confirming the identity of reisolates based on morphological features. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. cucumerina on lettuce or any other crop in Serbia. P. cucumerina is already known as a pathogen of lettuce and other hosts grown in many countries worldwide, as well as in some European countries (Belgium, England, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland) (Zhang et al. 2019). This emerging pathogen may cause significant economic losses in lettuce production in Serbia and in the entire Balkan region. Our results may help to develop effective management strategies based on accurate and timely identification and regular pathogen monitoring.
Keywords: detection, identification, salat, plant diseases
Published in DiRROS: 17.05.2024; Views: 116; Downloads: 36
Full text (49,45 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
9. Contribution to the knowledge of Gongolaria barbata (Sargassaceae, Fucales) from the Mediterranean : insights into infraspecific diversityAnnalisa Falace, Chiara Manfrin, Giovanni Furnari, Sara D’Ambros Burchio, Alberto Pallavicini, Emmanuelle Patricia Descourvières, Sara Kaleb, Ana Lokovšek, Daniele Grech, Giuseppina Alongi, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Gongolaria barbata (Sargassaceae, Fucales) is a widespread species for which several infraspecific taxa have been described, indicating its polymorphism. This study contributes to the understanding of the molecular, nomenclatural, morphological and ecological aspects of G. barbata in the Mediterranean and sheds light on the infraspecific diversity and its implications for the taxonomy of this species. Molecular analyses were performed using sequencing of the mitochondrial cox1 gene on both haptophytic and pleustophytic forms from different sites in the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas. Vegetative and reproductive morphology was studied on thalli samples from the Adriatic. Our results showed that there are different morphotypes within G. barbata populations related to specific environmental conditions, suggesting infraspecific variation. In contrast, molecular analyses showed no differences between samples, regardless of whether individuals are growing “attached” to a substrate or “unattached”. We also discussed the taxonomic status and nomenclatural issues related to certain infraspecific taxa previously proposed for G. barbata. In particular, the confusion surrounding Cystoseira aurantia is clarified.
Keywords: ecotypes, taxonomy, Northern Adriatic, Cystoseira s.l.
Published in DiRROS: 16.05.2024; Views: 121; Downloads: 78
Full text (218,75 KB) |
10. Red blood cell transfusion and skeletal muscle tissue oxygenation in anaemic haematologic outpatientsMatej Podbregar, Ana Uršula Gavrič, Eva Podbregar, Hugon Možina, Sebastian Stefanović, 2016, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Stored red blood cells (RBCs) accumulate biochemical and biophysical changes, known as storage lesion. The aim of this study was to re-challenge current data that anaemia in chronically anaemic haematology patients is not associated with low skeletal muscle tissue oxygen (StO2), and that RBC storage age does not influence the tissue response after ischaemic provocation, using near-infrared spectroscopy. Patients and methods. Twenty-four chronic anaemic haematology patients were included. Thenar skeletal muscle StO2 was measured at rest (basal StO2), with vascular occlusion testing (upslope StO2, maximum StO2) before and after transfusion. Results. Basal StO2 was low (53% +- 7%). Average RBC storage time was 10.5 +- 3.9 days. Effects of RBC transfusions were as follows: basal StO2 and upslope StO2 did not change significantly; maximum StO2 increased compared to baseline (64 +- 14% vs. 59 +- 10%, p = 0.049). Change of basal StO2, upslope StO2 and maximum StO2 was negatively related to age of RBCs. The decrease of maximum StO2 was predicted (sensitivity 70%, specificity 100%), after receiving RBCs >- 10days old. Discussion. Resting skeletal muscle StO2 in chronic anaemic patients is low. RBC storage time affects skeletal muscle StO2 in the resting period and after ischaemic provocation.
Keywords: skeletal muscle, transfusion, red blood cells
Published in DiRROS: 09.05.2024; Views: 117; Downloads: 85
Full text (958,31 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
