1. Blood transcriptomics identifies multiple gene expression pathways associated with the clinical efficacy of Hymenoptera venom immunotherapyAjda Demšar Luzar, Peter Korošec, Mitja Košnik, Mihaela Zidarn, Matija Rijavec, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Allergen-specific venom immunotherapy (VIT) is a well-established therapy for Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA). However, the precise mechanism underlying its clinical effect remains uncertain. Our study aimed to identify the molecular mechanisms associated with VIT efficiency. We prospectively included 19 patients with HVA undergoing VIT (sampled before the beginning of VIT, after reaching the maintenance dose, one year after finishing VIT, and after a sting challenge) and 9 healthy controls. RNA sequencing of whole blood was performed on an Illumina sequencing platform. Longitudinal transcriptomic profiling revealed the importance of the inhibition of the NFκB pathway and the downregulation of DUX4 transcripts for the early protection and induction of tolerance after finishing VIT. Furthermore, successful treatment was associated with inhibiting Th2, Th17, and macrophage alternative signalling pathways in synergy with the inhibition of the PPAR pathway and further silencing of the Th2 response. The immune system became activated when reaching the maintenance dose and was suppressed after finishing VIT. Finally, successful VIT restores the immune system’s balance to a state similar to that of healthy individuals. Our results underline the important role of the inhibition of four pathways in the clinical effect of VIT: Th2, Th17, NFκB, and macrophage signalling. Two biomarkers specific for successful VIT, regardless of the time of sampling, were C4BPA and RPS10-NUDT3 and should be further tested as potential biomarkers. Keywords: Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy, longitudinal transcriptomic profiling, tolerance induction, successful venom immunotherapy Published in DiRROS: 19.02.2025; Views: 4; Downloads: 1
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2. Improving lithium-sulfur battery performance using a polysaccharide binder derived from red algaeDóra Zalka, Alen Vižintin, Alexey Maximenko, Zoltán Pászti, Zoltán Dankházi, Kristóf Hegedüs, Lakshmi Shiva Shankar, Robert Kun, Karel Saksl, Andrea Straková Fedorková, Pál Jóvári, 2025, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 19.02.2025; Views: 9; Downloads: 7
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3. A native insect on a non-native plant : the phylogeography of the Leafminer Phyllonorycter populifoliella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) attacking the North American Balsam Poplar in North AsiaNatalia I. Kirichenko, Maria A. Ryazanova, Evgeny N. Akulov, Svetlana V. Baryshnikova, Anton A. Efremenko, Konstantin V. Krutovsky, Victor Ya. Kuzevanov, Andrei V. Selikhovkin, Pathour R. Shashank, Sergey Yu. Sinev, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The trans-Palearctic moth Phyllonorycter populifoliella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is a major pest of the North American Populus balsamifera and its hybrids widely planted as ornamentals in North Asia (i.e., the Asian part of Russia). We DNA barcoded Ph. populifoliella from distant geographical populations in Russia and analyzed them together with the data from eight European countries and India to estimate intraspecific variability and the haplotype richness in the Palearctic, and specifically in North Asia. Furthermore, using next-generation sequencing (NGS, Sequel platform, PacBio), we investigated larval and pupal remnants found in an old herbarium from the Nearctic, where P. balsamifera occurs naturally, to verify if any events of the moth introduction to this biogeographic zone happened in the past. Relatively high intraspecific variability in the COI gene of mtDNA, reaching 3.73%, was recorded in Ph. populifoliella. Overall, 30 COI haplotypes were defined in 83 specimens from the Palearctic, with a noticeable richness in North Asia (21 haplotypes). Using NGS, the remnants of 14 Phyllonorycter specimens dissected from up to 174-year-old herbaria from the Palearctic and Nearctic were sequenced, and four moth species were identified. Among them, there were three Palearctic species, Ph. populifoliella, Ph. pastorella (Zeller), and Ph. apparella (Herrich-Schäffer), and one Nearctic, Ph. nipigon (Freeman). No evidence of Ph. populifoliella introduction to North America was documented based on the examination of the herbarium dated 1850–1974. Three specimens of Ph. populifoliella identified from herbaria from Austria and Poland (dated 1879–1931) represented one haplotype (H7) known from the recent time. Overall, our study clarifies the modern range, provides insights into phylogeography, and defines the haplotype richness of the native leafminer outbreaking on the alien host. Furthermore, it underlines the use of old herbaria to explore the historical distribution of endophagous insect species. Keywords: leafmining moth, alien host plant, DNA barcoding, NGS, intraspecific genetic variability, haplotypes, old herbaria, Asian part of Russia, Palearctic, Nearctic Published in DiRROS: 18.02.2025; Views: 35; Downloads: 20
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4. Tree species effects on SOC and soil microbial properties : case study from beech and spruce stands in Bohinj Valley, SloveniaPeter Horvat, Anton Govednik, Matija Klopčič, Marjetka Suhadolc, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Climate change and forest management strategies in Central Europe are driving the decline of spruce in forests, while beech is expected to expand its range. Beech is seen as a key species for converting spruce-dominated forests to mixed forests, aiming to improve forest resilience. The objective of our study was to examine the long-term effects of a spruce stand and a beech stand that transitioned from a conifer-dominated stand on soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass and the abundance of total bacteria, archaea and fungi. In contrast to most other studies, we used a horizon-based soil sampling approach, which provides better insights into how changes in soil chemical properties influence microbial community composition, and consequently, microbial-based processes like C-sequestration. Composite soil samples from two depths, corresponding to the A horizon (approx. 0–10 cm) and the B horizon (approx. 10–20 cm), representing the entire shallow soil profile, were collected from a European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand and a Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) stand sharing the same soil group on limestone and dolomite. In the top A horizon, the spruce stand exhibited significantly higher levels of total organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), dissolved organic C and dissolved N compared to the beech stand (11.5% vs. 9.0%; 0.63% vs. 0.52%; 15.3% vs. 9.5 mg C kg−1 dry soil; 2.9 vs. 1.6 mg N kg−1 dry soil; respectively). The beech stand had significantly higher base saturation (84.6%) in the A horizon compared to the spruce stand (43.6%), primarily due to increased levels of exchangeable Ca2+. The soil pH did not show statistically significant differences between the stands, indicating a strong buffering capacity of the soil and its slow response to changes in the composition of tree species in the stand. Microbial biomass C (MBC) in the A horizon was significantly higher in the spruce than in the beech stand (585 vs. 492 mg C kg−1 dry soil, respectively). While the abundance of bacteria and fungi did not differ significantly between the stands, a higher abundance of archaea was observed in the spruce compared to the beech stand. Total SOC stock in the entire soil profile (A and B horizons) was significantly lower in the beech than in the spruce stand (71.20 ± 3.08 t ha−1 and 85.35 ± 2.84 t ha−1, respectively), similar to the total MBC stock (0.42 ± 0.01 t ha−1 and 0.48 ± 0.02 t ha−1, respectively), with no significant differences observed in the B horizon. In conclusion, 20 years after the transition to a beech stand, significant differences in soil properties compared to spruce stand remain limited and confined to the A horizon. This reflects the gradual nature of changes driven by the litter input. The transition from a conifer-dominated to a beech-dominated stand leads to a reduction in SOC stocks. In comparison to beech-dominated stands, mixed forests-including both broadleaf and conifer species-may offer a promising strategy to mitigate SOC loss while enhancing forest resilience to climate change and natural disturbances. Keywords: archaea, bacteria, carbon sequestration, fungi, microbial biomass, soil base saturation, SOC stock Published in DiRROS: 18.02.2025; Views: 50; Downloads: 23
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7. Odnos med posameznimi oblikami nasiljaIgor Peras, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Keywords: vzgoja in izobraževanje, medvrstniško nasilje, šola, telesno, besedno, verbalno, odnosno, spletno, regresijski modeli Published in DiRROS: 18.02.2025; Views: 39; Downloads: 27
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8. On L2 approximation by planar Pythagorean-hodograph curvesRida T. Farouki, Marjetka Knez, Vito Vitrih, Emil Žagar, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The L2 approximation of planar curves by Pythagorean-hodograph (PH) polynomial curves is addressed, based on the distance defined by a metric for planar curves represented as complex valued functions of a real parameter. Because of the nonlinear nature of polynomial PH curves, constructing L2 approximants involves solving a nonlinear optimization problem. However, a simplified method that requires only the solution of a linear system may be developed by formulating the L2 approximation in the preimage space. The extension of the methodology to approximation by PH B-spline curves is also addressed, and several examples are provided to illustrate its implementation and potential. Keywords: L2 approximation, complex polynomial, Pythagorean-hodograph curve, Pythagorean-hodograph spline, preimage Published in DiRROS: 18.02.2025; Views: 51; Downloads: 25
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9. Kvalitativno raziskovanje medvrstniškega nasilja : izhodišča in utemeljitevJanja Usenik, Tanja Špes, Eva Kranjec, Tina Pivec, Igor Peras, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Keywords: vzgoja in izobraževanje, medvrstniško nasilje, fokusne skupine, učenci, učitelji, svetovalni delavci Published in DiRROS: 18.02.2025; Views: 57; Downloads: 18
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10. Practical insights and advances in concrete pumpingDaniil Mikhalev, Ana Brunčič, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This technical letter gives a concise overview of the state-of-the-art in concrete pumping. It outlines the different pump systems, briefly describes the general flow behavior of concrete in pipes, and addresses the main challenges of pumping. It also elaborates upon factors influencing the pumping behavior and how to control the pumping process. Keywords: rheology, quality control, pressure, concrete, pumping, lubrication layer Published in DiRROS: 18.02.2025; Views: 56; Downloads: 24
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