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362. Effect of tirzepatide-induced weight loss on adipose tissue in obesity : rationale and design of the randomized placebo-controlled Tirzepatide Brown and Beige Adipose Tissue Activation (TABFAT) trialRok Herman, Mojca Jensterle Sever, Simon Horvat, Luka Ležaič, Žiga Snoj, Igor Pušnik, Katja Goričar, Andrej Cör, Luka Pušnik, Vid Mlačnik, Lara Hanželič, Andrej Janež, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background Obesity is a complex disease marked by excessive, dysfunctional adipose tissue accumulation. Recent research underscores the pivotal role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in metabolic health and its potential as a thera- peutic target for obesity management. Emerging preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that second-generation anti-obesity drugs, especially dual agonists such as tirzepatide, may enhance BAT activity. Additionally, beige adipose tissue, derived from white adipose tissue (WAT), may contribute significantly to whole-body thermogenesis, yet its role remains underexplored. Methods This investigator-initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of tirzepatide on BAT activity and WAT browning in premenopausal women with obesity. Thirty-four participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either tirzepatide or a placebo for 24 weeks. Primary outcomes include changes in BAT volume and activity, assessed using 18F-FDG-PET/CT, MRI, and infrared thermography, as well as the induction of WAT browning, evaluated through changes in mRNA expression patterns and histomorphometric alterations in subcuta- neous adipose tissue samples. Secondary outcomes will involve the assessment of whole-body composition, resting energy expenditure, and various metabolic health markers, correlated with thermogenic adipose tissue changes. Comparative analysis of BAT assessment methods will refine protocols for research and clinical use. Discussion This study is the first to systematically explore the potential of pharmacological obesity management to enhance BAT activity and induce WAT browning. Results may establish thermogenic adipose tissue augmentation as a novel mechanism of action for second-generation anti-obesity medications.
Keywords: brown adipose tissue, beige adipose tissue, pancreas resection, tirzepatide, obesity
Published in DiRROS: 26.11.2025; Views: 124; Downloads: 73
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364. Edge and defect effects on charge distribution in collapsed ▫$MoS_2$▫ nanotubesMatjaž Malok, Janez Jelenc, Anja Pogačnik Krajnc, Maja Remškar, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has emerged as a promising material for next-generation electronics and optoelectronic devices. MoS2 nanotubes (NTs) and their collapsed ribbon-like shapes (collapsed NTs) synthesized via chemical vapour transport (CVT) under chemical equilibrium typically exhibit low structural defect densities. However, defects and surface damage can arise during device fabrication or operation, leading to a significant degradation in performance, stability, and operational lifetime. These imperfections also induce hysteresis, which adversely affects the device switching behaviour. While the influence of charge trapping at the MoS2/substrate interfaces, on the MoS2 surface, and at intrinsic defects, such as sulfur vacancies and dangling bonds, on device performance has been extensively studied, MoS2 NTs, with their unique curved morphology, introduce additional charge-trapping mechanisms not observed in planar MoS2 structures. In this work, a combination of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), and conductive atomic force microscopy (cAFM) was employed to examine how structural irregularities, including terminated layers, surface-grown flakes or NTs, and highly strained areas, affect charge injection, redistribution, and the resulting effects on electrical characteristics in collapsed NTs. The results reveal that structural defects act as charge traps, scattering centres, and transport barriers, giving rise to a reduced carrier mobility, localized charge accumulation, and spatially inhomogeneous charge distribution. These findings underscore the crucial role of structural and electrical characterization with nanoscale resolution in the design of defecttolerant, high-performance devices based on transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs)
Keywords: nanoscale characterization, structural defects, charge trapping, nanotubes
Published in DiRROS: 26.11.2025; Views: 109; Downloads: 32
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367. Genotypic, functional, and phenotypic characterization in CTNNB1 neurodevelopmental syndromeNina Žakelj, David Gosar, Špela Miroševič, Stephan Sanders, Alicia Ljungdhal, Sayeh Kohani, Shouhe Huang, Roman Jerala, Duško Lainšček, Vida Forstnerič, Petra Sušjan, Jasna Oražem, Damjan Osredkar, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: CTNNB1 neurodevelopmental syndrome is a rare disorder caused by de novo heterozygous variants in the CTNNB1 gene encoding β-catenin. This study aims to characterize genetic variants in individuals with CTNNB1 neurodevelopmental syndrome, systematically assess the spectrum of clinical phenotypes using standardized measures and explore potential genotype-phenotype correlations. In this cross-sectional cohort study, individuals diagnosed with CTNNB1 neurodevelopmental syndrome underwent structured interviews using standardized scales to evaluate motor skills, speech, communication, feeding abilities, visual function, neurodevelopment, and psychopathology. Genetic variants were analyzed, and in a subset of cases, the impact of β-catenin variants on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was assessed. Across the 127 included participants (mean age: 70 months; range: 7–242 months) from 20 countries, we identified 88 different variants of the CTNNB1 gene, 87 of which were predicted to lead to loss of CTNNB1 function. Functional assays demonstrated reduced Wnt signaling activity, including 11 variants that also exhibited a dominant-negative effect. One missense variant demonstrated a gain-of-function effect. Dominant-negative variants were not clearly associated with a distinct phenotype, however, those with missense variants presented a milder phenotype, including earlier achievement of independent walking, fewer motor impairments, better conceptual and social skills, improved communication, and fewer feeding difficulties. This study describes genetic, functional, and phenotypic characteristics in individuals with CTNNB1 neurodevelopmental syndrome. Further investigation into the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of this syndrome and their interrelationships is essential to deepen our understanding of the disorder and inform the development of targeted therapies.
Keywords: CTNNB1 neurodevelopmental syndrome, β-catenin, genotype, phenotype, genotype-phenotype correlations
Published in DiRROS: 26.11.2025; Views: 167; Downloads: 68
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368. Wild and globally traded ornamental aquatic plants harbor diverse plant viruses, including notable crop pathogensLana Vogrinec, Katarina Bačnik, Martina Bačič, Nataša Mehle, Aimee R. Fowkes, Živa Lengar, Valerie Harju, Ian Adams, Adrian Fox, Denis Kutnjak, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background Aquatic plants play key roles in ecosystems, serving as primary producers and providing habitat for other aquatic life. While many are ecologically important, some invasive species, often introduced through the ornamental plant trade, pose threats to various aquatic ecosystems. Although viral infections have been documented to some extent in aquatic crops, the viral diversity in wild and ornamental aquatic plants remains largely unexplored. Investigating the viral communities of aquatic plants is important, as their direct contact with water allows for the potential long-distance transmission of stable viruses released from infected individuals. Invasive aquatic plants exacerbate this issue by introducing novel microbes, including viruses, to new regions, increasing the potential threat to native plant populations. Results Here, we investigated the viral communities of diverse aquatic plants by mining publicly available transcriptome data of 79 wild aquatic species and sequencing the RNA from 14 plant species (some of them of different ornamental varieties), sourced from hobby aquascaping stores. Plant viruses from various families were detected in taxonomically diverse aquatic plants, ranging from algae to angiosperms. Alongside sequences of known crop pathogens, such as turnip yellows virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and lettuce chlorosis virus, we identified contigs of putative novel viral species belonging to several plant-infecting viral families. Most notably, we discovered sequences of known and novel begomoviruses, which may be causing observed ornamental phenotypes in two different aquatic plants. Further, we identified a novel potyvirus that appears to be globally present in multiple ornamental plants from the genus Sagittaria. We detected it in three plants sourced from online stores in Slovenia, as well as six plants intercepted during the import process into the UK. Conclusions Our findings expand on the so far limited knowledge of aquatic plant viruses, revealing known and putative novel plant viral species across diverse aquatic plant taxa. The detection of crop viruses, including regulated pathogens, in ornamental aquatic plants highlights the risks associated with their unregulated global trade. Further research into viruses of aquatic plants may provide insights into their role in ecosystems as well as their potential impact on agriculture.
Keywords: aquatic plants, macrophytes, viromes, high-throughput sequencing, data mining, virology
Published in DiRROS: 26.11.2025; Views: 114; Downloads: 53
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