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1094. Magnetomechanical detachment of bacterial biofilms using anisotropic magnetic iron oxide nanochainsMatija Šavli, Manca Černila, Maja Caf, Abida Zahirović, Nika Zaveršek, Sebastjan Nemec, Spase Stojanov, Anja Klančnik, Jerica Sabotič, Slavko Kralj, Aleš Berlec, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Bacterial biofilms attach to various surfaces and represent an important clinical and public health problem, as they are highly recalcitrant and are often associated with chronic, nonhealing diseases and healthcare-associated infections. Antibacterial agents are often not sufficient for their elimination and have to be combined with mechanical removal. Mechanical forces can be generated by actuating nonspherical (anisotropic) magnetically responsive nanoparticles in a rotating magnetic field. We have thus prepared anisotropic superparamagnetic nanochains in the size range of 0.5−1 μm by magnetically assembling several iron oxide nanoparticle clusters and coating them with a layer of silica with different shell morphologies: smooth, moderately rough, and highly rough. The silica surface was additionally functionalized with carboxylic groups to increase colloidal stability. The efficacy of the nanochains in biofilm removal was studied systematically with three different model nonpathogenic bacterial species Escherichia coli, Lactococcus lactis, and Pseudomonas fragi; two different magnetic field strengths; two stirring speeds; and two treatment durations. All bacterial species were engineered to express fluorescent proteins to enable quantification of biofilm removal by colony-forming unit count and fluorescence measurements. Nanochains removed >90% of Gram-negative E. coli and P. fragi with a stronger magnetic field, and <90% of Gram-positive L. lactis with a weaker magnetic field. Surface roughness of nanochains, duration, and stirring speed also affected removal, but the effect could not be generalized. In contrast to their effects on biofilms, the functionalized nanochains showed no toxicity to Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells, regardless of whether magnetomechanical force was employed or not. In summary, we demonstrated that remotely controlled spatial movement of nanoparticles can generate sufficient mechanical forces to disperse attached biofilms while retaining safety in an epithelial cell model.
Keywords: bacterial biofilm, magnetomechanical detachment, magnetic nanoparticles, nanochains
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 297; Downloads: 134
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1097. Overcoming biases in opportunistic citizen science for studying life history traits of an invasive leaf-mining tree insect pestNatalia I. Kirichenko, Maria A. Ryazanova, Oksana V. Kosheleva, Stanislav Gomboc, Barbara Piškur, Maarten De Groot, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether opportunistic citizen science can support the detection of life history traits in invasive insects. Using the invasive leaf-mining micromoth Macrosaccus robiniella (Clemens 1859) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) as a model species, we analyzed data from iNaturalist submitted by citizen scientists to assess the variability in its leaf mines on its native host, Robinia pseudoacacia L., 1753 (Fabaceae), across both the moth’s invaded (Europe, North America–Eastern United States) and native range (North America–Southern and Western Unites States, Eastern Canada). We examined 86,489 photographs collected over the past 20 years to compare the occurrence and proportions of different M. robiniella leaf mine types between invaded and native ranges using three search variants: (I) M. robiniella, (II) all endophagous invasive insects associated with R. pseudoacacia, and (III) the host plant itself. The first two datasets revealed differences in the ratio of leaf mine types between Europe and North America (when analyzed separately for native and invaded areas), whereas the third dataset showed no significant differences in either the presence or proportion of mine types between invaded and native ranges. Leaf mine types atypical of M. robiniella, which resemble damage caused by other invasive insects such as Parectopa robiniella Clemens, 1863 (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) and Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman, 1847) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)—also associated with R. pseudoacacia—have been observed in Europe for at least a decade. Our main conclusion is that, when investigating the life history traits of invasive herbivorous insects, focusing data collection on the host plant rather than on the insect species alone can reduce biases associated with opportunistic citizen science and help reveal true ecological patterns.
Keywords: iNaturalist, invasive leaf miner, Macrosaccus robiniella, leaf mine types, Europe, North America
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 260; Downloads: 116
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1098. Physical activity and lifestyle interventions for children at cardiovascular risk : a systematic reviewSebastián Eustaquio Martín-Pérez, Nadia Ximena Cruz-Hidalgo, Alejandro Rubio-Zarapuz, Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, Isidro Miguel Martín-Pérez, 2025, review article Abstract: Introduction: Structured physical activity and lifestyle changes are promising strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents. We hypothesize that programs meeting the minimum thresholds of frequency and duration—particu-larly those combining aerobic and resistance components—can significantly lower the blood pressure in at-risk pediatric populations.Purpose: To synthesize current evidence on the effectiveness of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercise interventions, alongside lifestyle modifications, in reducing car-diovascular risk among children and adolescents.Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42025644256). Searches covered January 2015 to March 2025 across MEDLINE (PubMed), SPORTDiscus (EBSCO), and the Cochrane Library. The included studies were RCTs or quasi-experimental designs integrating exercise with di-etary or behavioral components. The primary outcomes were blood pressure, lipid pro-file, body composition, physical fitness, and health-related quality of life. Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale and Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool.Results: Twenty-six studies (mean PEDro score: 9.9/10) met the inclusion criteria. Combined aerobic and resistance training with nutritional or behavioral support led to reductions in systolic/diastolic BP (–5 to –8 mmHg), body fat (–2 to –4%), and cholesterol (–10 to –15 mg/dL), alongside gains in aerobic capacity. Interventions in-volving families and school personnel showed greater adherence and cardiometabolic improvements.Conclusions: Integrated physical activity and lifestyle programs are effective at reducing cardiovascular risk markers in pediatric populations. Early implementation in supportive environments is essential for long-term health benefits.
Keywords: pyhsical activity, cardiovascular risk, hypertension
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 209; Downloads: 102
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1099. The effect of booster breaks on non-specific low back pain in office workersTajda Uršič, Uroš Marušič, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose: Prolonged sitting has a negative effect on office workers, and non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is one of the most common consequences of an inactive lifestyle and prolonged sitting. Active breaks are a promising intervention to reduce the negative effects of office work.Methods: Forty-two office workers from a Slovenian company were divided into an experimental group (24 office workers who had been taking active breaks for one and a half years) and a control group (N=18, no active breaks). The participants were not randomly allocated to the groups; allocation was based on availability and voluntary participation. An online survey was conducted using the Oswestry Disability Index 2.0 (ODI 2.0) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). This was a non-randomized, two-arm longitudi-nal study. Questionnaires were administered once, 1.5 years after the intervention. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed--rank tests, with the level of significance set at p ≤ 0.05.Results: The results showed that 81% of office workers had experienced NSLBP at least once in their lives. The ODI 2.0 scores were not significantly lower in the experi-mental group (p = 0.155). However, pain intensity was lower in office workers who took active breaks (p = 0.001). All the participants in the experimental group reported that active breaks had a positive effect on their well-being (100%). Furthermore, 37.5% of the participants stated that they had become more physically active outside the office as a result of the active breaks.Conclusion: Introducing active breaks into the daily routine of office workers is a viable and effective intervention to mitigate the risk of NSLBP. Active breaks offer a comprehensive solution: they not only reduce the negative effects of prolonged sitting, but also reduce stress, improve work efficiency and focus, and promote better moods.
Keywords: non-specific low back pain, ergonomics, booster breaks, prolonged sitting, office workers
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 280; Downloads: 127
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