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Abstract: Introduction: IgA vasculitis (IgAV) can present as skin-limited or systemic disease, which can be severe in adults. Predictive markers for visceral involvement are suboptimal. Considering haptoglobin's role as an acute phase reactant, we evaluated whether its differential expression in IgAV patients' skin and leukocytes is also reflected systemically in a larger cohort of adult IgAV patients. Additionally, soluble form of haptoglobin scavenger receptor CD163 was measured in IgAV patient serum. Methods: We re-analyzed RNA sequencing data from leukocytes and skin biopsies of treatment-naïve adult IgAV patients: (1) IgAV nephritis (n = 3), (2) skin-limited IgAV (n = 3), and healthy controls (n = 3). Haptoglobin serum level was measured in 178, and haptoglobin genotyping was performed in 91 treatment-naïve adult IgAV patients. Serum sCD163 was measured in 60 IgAV patients and 22 HC. Results: Transcriptomic data of leukocytes and skin of IgAV nephritis patients identified haptoglobin as a hub gene, based on protein-protein interaction network. Haptoglobin serum level was elevated in IgAV patients with nephritis or gastrointestinal involvement compared to other IgAV patients. Patients who relapsed during follow-up had decreased haptoglobin serum level at disease presentation compared to non-relapsing patients. Haptoglobin genotyping did not show differences between genotype groups regarding clinical presentation and laboratory parameters. Serum sCD163 was significantly higher in IgAV nephritis patients compared to HC. Conclusion: We identified haptoglobin as a novel marker of visceral involvement and relapse in adult IgAV, while sCD163 is linked to renal involvement. Further studies will confirm the clinical utility of haptoglobin as biomarker in IgAV. Key Points • Haptoglobin expression is upregulated in leukocytes and skin of adult IgAV with renal involvement. • Haptoglobin serum level is elevated in IgAV patients with visceral involvement. • Patients with IgAV relapse have lower haptoglobin at disease presentation.
Keywords: hepatoglobin, IgA vasculitis, transcription data, biomarker
Published in DiRROS: 01.12.2025; Views: 132; Downloads: 60
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Abstract: We present the Global Impacts Dataset of Invasive Alien Species (GIDIAS), a global dataset of 22865 records including impacts of invasive alien species on nature, nature’s contributions to people, and good quality of life. Records include positive and negative impacts, neutral impacts (studies were carried out, but no impacts were documented), non-directional impacts (i.e., change without detriments or benefits for native species or people), and finally, some records of alien species where no studies were found that assessed their impacts (indicating data gaps). Records cover 3353 invasive alien species from all major taxa (plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, microorganisms) and all continents and realms (terrestrial, freshwater, marine). The data were compiled to serve as robust evidence for chapter 4 “Impacts of invasive alien species on nature, nature's contributions to people, and good quality of life” of the global assessment report on invasive alien species by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES; available on Zenodo at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7430731). The dataset is provided in a machine-readable CSV file (file name GIDIAS_20250417_machine_read.csv), with special language characters retained where used (UTF-8 format). The dataset is also provided in Excel format (file name GIDIAS_20250417_Excel.xlsx). Metadata is provided in Excel format, including descriptors for each variable (file name GIDIAS_metadata_20250417.xlsx). Additional explanations for GIDIAS is stored in Microsoft Word format (docx) and contains (1) a short description of the principles of Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT, SEICAT), (2) a description of the variables included in the Global Impacts Dataset of Invasive Alien Species GIDIAS, and (3) a compilation of the search strategies and datasets included in the Global Impact Dataset of Invasive Alien Species (GIDIAS).
Keywords: invasive alien species, research data
Published in DiRROS: 01.12.2025; Views: 151; Downloads: 63
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Abstract: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with various adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is usually diagnosed via microscopy. Semi-quantitative relative culture (SRC) was investigated as a complementary diagnostic method to determine the prevalence of BV and its association with preterm birth and preterm, premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) in pregnant women in Slovenia. We examined 3437 consecutive vaginal swabs from pregnant women during the five-year period and were able to link the results to 2531 pregnancy outcomes. The isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF, and the results were assessed by the relative amounts of Gardnerella vaginalis and lactobacilli according to two stringency criteria. The prevalence of BV was 6.5% via microscopy and was higher for SRC, 9.9% or 11.1%, depending on the stringency criteria. The association with adverse pregnancy outcomes was better when SRC was used, resulting in adjusted odds ratios of 1.76 (1.30 to 2.37) and 1.97 (1.38 to 2.82) for preterm birth and PPROM, respectively, with more stringent interpretation. Microscopically detected BV was not associated with either outcome. The clinical validity of SRC was demonstrated by its better correlation with adverse pregnancy outcomes in a large cohort of pregnant women. SRC with MALDI-TOF identification is a promising advancement of vaginal culture.
Keywords: bacterial vaginosis, culture, microscopy, pregnancy, preterm birth, preterm premature rupture of membranes, Slovenia
Published in DiRROS: 01.12.2025; Views: 114; Downloads: 53
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Abstract: (1) Background: Postpartum anemia is a common maternal complication and is recognized as a cause of impaired quality of life, reduced cognitive abilities, and fatigue. Efficient iron supplementation for the treatment of postpartum anemia is an essential component of high-quality maternal care. The optimal mode of iron supplementation has not been determined yet, whether oral or intravenous. The objective of this study was to compare postpartum anemia treatment with intravenous ferric carboxymaltose, intravenous ferric derisomaltose, and oral ferrous sulfate. (2) Methods: A single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Women with hemoglobin < 100 g/L within 48 h postpartum were randomly allocated to receive intravenous ferric carboxymaltose, intravenous ferric derisomaltose, or oral ferrous sulfate. Intravenous iron was given in one or two doses, while ferrous sulfate was given as two 80 mg tablets once daily. The primary outcome was maternal fatigue measured by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) six weeks postpartum. Hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels were analyzed as secondary outcomes. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used for group comparison (p < 0.05 significant). (3) Results: Three hundred women were included. The MFI score at six weeks postpartum did not differ between groups (median 38 (inter-quartile range (IQR) 29–47) in the ferric carboxymaltose group, median 34 (IQR 26–42) in the ferric derisomaltose group, and median 36 (IQR 25–47) in the ferrous sulfate group; p = 0.26). Participants receiving oral iron had lower levels of hemoglobin (135 (131–139) vs. 134 (129–139) vs. 131 (125–137) g/L; p = 0.008), ferritin (273 (198–377) vs. 187 (155–246) vs. 24 (17–37) µg/L; p < 0.001) and transferrin saturation (34 (28–38) vs. 30 (23–37) vs. 24 (17–37) %; p < 0.001) than those receiving ferric carboxymaltose or ferric derisomaltose. (4) Conclusions: Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose, intravenous ferric derisomaltose, and oral ferrous sulfate had similar impacts on maternal fatigue at six weeks postpartum despite improved laboratory parameters in the intravenous groups.
Keywords: postpartum anemia, fatigue, intravenous iron treatment, oral iron replacement, patient-centered outcome
Published in DiRROS: 01.12.2025; Views: 171; Downloads: 67
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Abstract: Introduction: Universal screening for the detection of group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization in pregnant women was recently introduced in Slovenia. The aim of our study was to determine whether self-collection of rectovaginal swabs is a valid alternative to collection by healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted between June and November 2023. A total of 227 pregnant women (aged 20 to 44 years) from the University Medical Center Ljubljana (n = 136), the Novo mesto Community Health Center (n = 48) and the Trebnje Community Health Center (n = 43) were included. Two swabs were taken: swab A by the HCWs using standard semi-solid Amies transport medium (Meus; current standard) and swab B by the pregnant woman following visual instructions using a commercial LIM Broth (Copan). Swabs were inoculated onto ChromID Strepto B (STRB) agars directly and after overnight enrichment in LIM broth. The NeuMoDx GBS assay was performed from the enrichment broth. A self-assessment questionnaire was completed after sampling. Performance characteristics were calculated and compared between different diagnostics test algorithms using McNemar’s test for paired samples. Results: Overall, GBS was detected in 18% (95% CI 13–23%; n = 40) of swabs A and 19% (95% CI 14–25%; n = 43) of swabs B. PCR was superior in both groups. In the group of swabs collected by HCWs, 4 (40 vs. 36; 11.1% difference; p = 0.046) and 3 (40 vs. 37; 8.1% difference; p = 0.083) additional positives were detected with PCR compared to direct and enrichment culture, respectively; in the group of self-collected swabs, 4 (43 vs. 39; 10.3% difference; p = 0.046) and 6 (43 vs. 36; 16.2% difference; p = 0.014) additional positives were detected with PCR compared to direct and enrichment culture, respectively. Self-collection showed a trend towards a higher diagnostic yield. PCR after enrichment from self-collected samples was found to be the most. sensitive method overall. 58.5% (n = 124/212; 95% CI 52–65%) of women would prefer the swabs taken by HCWs. Discussion: Self-collection of rectovaginal swabs during pregnancy is a good alternative to HCW-collected swabs. PCR from enrichment broth was better for the detection of GBS compared to enrichment culture. Majority of women preferred swabs taken by HCWs.
Keywords: group B streptococcus, self-collection, enrichment culture, PCR, chromogenic agar, pregnancy, screening
Published in DiRROS: 01.12.2025; Views: 106; Downloads: 53
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