771. Animal pneuma : reflections on environmental respiratory phenomenologyLenart Škof, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This essay is an attempt to propose an outline of a new respiratory animal philosophy. Based on an analysis of the forgetting of breath in Western philosophy, it aims to gesture towards a future, breathful and compassionate world of co-sharing and co-breathing. In the first part, the basic features of forgetting of breath are explained based on David Abram’s work in respiratory ecophilosophy. This part also introduces an important contribution to modern philosophy by Ludwig Klages. The second part is dedicated to reflections on what I understand as an unfortunate transition from soul and pneuma to spirit and Geist. Based on these analyses, I proceed towards an idiosyncratic thought on the nocturnal mystery of pneuma, with references to ancient Upanishadic and 20th-century phenomenological Levinasian thought. Based on these teachings, I argue that, at the bottom of her existence, the subject is a lung partaking in an immense external lung (Merleau-Ponty). In the fourth part of the essay, I extend my reflections toward comparative animal respiratory phenomenology and argue for the immense compassion for all our fellow breathing beings. Finally, in the concluding, fifth part of this essay, I am arguing for a future biocentric and breathful environment, signifying and bringing a new compassionate-respiratory alliance into the world.
Keywords: pneuma, psyche, breath, animal breath, respiratory phenomenology, environmental philosophy
Published in DiRROS: 07.03.2024; Views: 174; Downloads: 84
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772. Malignant spinal cord compressionMirjana Rajer, Viljem Kovač, 2008, review article Abstract: Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a common and debilitating neurological complication of cancer. Because of the rapid progression of the neurological dysfunction, it is considered a medical emergency that demands a prompt diagnosis and treatment. Almost all of the MSCC are caused by an epidural compression from a tumour or a bony fragment from the collapsed vertebra affected by the metastasis. The most common of the tumours that metastasize to the spinal cord are breast and lung cancer, followed by lymphoma, myeloma, prostate cancer and sarcoma. Conclusions. The most common symptom of MSCC is pain, followed by muscular weakness and autonomic dysfunction. MRI provides the best information regarding MSCC, so all patientsshould have a MRI as soon as possible. If the MRI is contraindicated, patients should have the CT scan done. All patients with newly diagnosed MSCC should receive corticosteroids immediately, even before the definitive diagnosis is made. Other treatment options are surgery with postoperative radiotherapy, radiotherapy only, specific medical therapies according to the tumour type and symptomatic therapy, (mainly opiates). The decision of treatment modalities should be made according to the NOMS (neurological, oncological, mechanical and systemic) principles. In spite of the advances, the treatment is still palliative and many patients with MSCC have a poor prognosis and a short survival.
Published in DiRROS: 07.03.2024; Views: 232; Downloads: 41
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774. Numerical modeling in electroporation-based biomedical applicationsNataša Pavšelj, Damijan Miklavčič, 2008, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Numerous experiments have to be performed before a biomedical application is put to practical use in clinical environment. As a complementary work to in vitro, in vivo and medical experiments, we can use analytical and numerical models to represent, as realistically as possible, real biological phenomena of, in our case, electroporation. In this way we canevaluate different electrical parameters in advance, such as pulse amplitude, duration, number of pulses, or different electrode geometries. Suchnumerical models can contribute significantly to the understanding of an experiment and treatment planning as well as to the design of new electroporation devices and electrodes. Methods. We used commercially available modeling software, based on finite element method. We constructed a model of a subcutaneous tumor during electrochemotherapy (EMAS) and a model ofskin during gene electrotransfer (COMSOL Multiphysics). Tissue-electrode geometries, pulse parameters and currentvoltage measurements from in vivo experiments were used to develop and validate the models. Results. To describeadequately our in vivo observations, a tissue conductivity increase during electroporation was included in our numerical models. The output currents of the models were compared to the currents and the voltages measuredduring in vivo experiments and a good agreement was obtained. Also, when comparing the voltages needed for a successful electropermeabilization assuggested by the models, to voltages applied in experiments and achieving a successful electrochemotherapy or in vivo gene electrotransfer, good agreementcan be observed. Conclusions. Modeling of electric current and electric field distribution during cell and tissue electroporation proves to be helpful in describing different aspects of the process and allowing us to design electrodes and electroporation protocols as a part of treatment planning.
Keywords: electroporation, gene electrotransfer, electrochemotherapy, subcutaneous tumor, finite-element method
Published in DiRROS: 07.03.2024; Views: 285; Downloads: 58
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775. Ecotoxicologically relevant cyclic peptides from cyanobacterial bloom (Planktothrix rubecens) - a threat to human and environmental healthBojan Sedmak, Tina Eleršek, Olga Grach-Pogrebinsky, Shmuel Carmeli, Nataša Sever, Tamara Lah Turnšek, 2008, original scientific article Abstract: Background. The information of the overall production of major cyanobacterial cyclic peptides in a water body is essential for risk assessment and for the prediction of future development of the bloom. A procedure that gives a reviewof both toxic and non-hepatotoxic hydrophilic cyclic peptide production is important to evaluate the ecological conditions in the water environment and to predict the release of dangerous toxic and tumour promoting substances.Methods. The cyclic peptides were identified on the basis of their retention times, characteristic spectra, molecular masses and biological activity. The non-hepatotoxic cyclic peptides were characterised by their inhibition of porcine pancreatic elastase, while cytotoxicity to mammalian cells was tested with the MTT test on B16 cell line. Conclusions. The method presented gives a rapid, simultaneous assessment, preliminary identification and estimation of bioactive cyclic peptides. The synthesis of non-hepatotoxic cyclic peptides can mediate the release various toxic and otherwise biologically active substances that induce systemic genotoxicity in mammals.
Keywords: tumor promoters, microcystin, anabaenopeptin, planktopeptin, toxic cyanobacterial blooms, environmental health
Published in DiRROS: 07.03.2024; Views: 219; Downloads: 41
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778. DNA quadruplex structure with a unique cation dependencyMartin Gajarský, Petr Stadlbauer, Jiří Šponer, Anne Cucchiarini, Michaela Dobrovolna, Vaclav Brazda, Jean-Louis Mergny, Lukáš Trantírek, Martina Lenarčič Živković, 2024, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 07.03.2024; Views: 369; Downloads: 272
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