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1022. Tumor blood flow modifying effects of electrochemotherapy : a potential vascular targeted mechanismGregor Serša, Maja Čemažar, Damijan Miklavčič, 2003, original scientific article Abstract: Background. The aim of this study was to determine the tumor blood flow modifying, and potential vascular targeted effect of electrochemotherapy with bleomycin or cisplatin. Materials and methods. Electrochemotherapy was performed by application of short intense electric pulses to the tumors after systemic administration of bleomycin or cisplatin. Evaluated were antitumor effectiveness of electrochemotherapy by tumor measurement, tumor blood flow modifying effect by Patent blue staining technique, and sensitivity of endothelial and tumor cells to the drugs and electrochemotherapy by clonogenicity assay. Results. Electrochemotherapy was effective in treatment of SA-1 tumors in A/J mice resulting in substantial tumor growth delay and also tumor cures. Tumor blood flow reduction following electrochemotherapy correlated well with its antitumor effectiveness. Virtually complete shut downof the tumor blood flow was observed already at 24 h after electrochemotherapy with bleomycin whereas only 50% reduction was observed after electrochemotherapy with cisplatin. Sensitivity of human endothelial HMEC-1 cells to electrochemotherapy suggests a vascular targeted effect for electrochemotherapy in vivo with bleomycin as well as with cisplatin. Conclusion. These results show that in addition to direct electroporation of tumor cells, other vascular targeted mechanisms are involved in electrochemotherapy with bleomycin or cisplatin, potentially mediated by tumorblood flow reduction, and enhanced tumor cell death as a result of endothelial damage by electrochemotherapy.
Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 197; Downloads: 44
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1023. TXM peptides inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, syncytia formation, and lower inflamatory consequencesTea Govednik, Duško Lainšček, Urška Kuhar, Marva Lachish, Sandra Janežič, Malan Štrbenc, Uroš Krapež, Roman Jerala, Daphne Atlas, Mateja Manček Keber, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: After three years of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the search and availability of relatively low-cost benchtop therapeutics for people not at high risk for a severe disease are still ongoing. Although vaccines and new SARS-CoV-2 variants reduce the death toll, the long COVID-19 along with neurologic symptoms can develop and persist even after a mild initial infection. Reinfections, which further increase the risk of sequelae in multiple organ systems as well as the risk of death, continue to require caution. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is an important target for both vaccines and therapeutics. The presence of disulfide bonds in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein is essential for its binding to the human ACE2 receptor and cell entry. Here, we demonstrate that thiol-reducing peptides based on the active site of oxidoreductase thioredoxin 1, called thioredoxin mimetic (TXM) peptides, can prevent syncytia formation, SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells, and infection in a mouse model. We also show that TXM peptides inhibit the redox-sensitive HIV pseudotyped viral cell entry. These results support disulfide targeting as a common therapeutic strategy for treating infections caused by viruses using redox-sensitive fusion. Furthermore, TXM peptides exert anti-inflammatory properties by lowering the activation of NF-κB and IRF signaling pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokines in mice. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the TXM peptides, which also cross the blood-brain barrier, in combination with prevention of viral infections, may provide a beneficial clinical strategy to lower viral infections and mitigate severe consequences of COVID-19.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Disulfides, Thiol-reacting compound, Spike, Anti-inflammatory activity
Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 325; Downloads: 136
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1024. The urokinase plasminogen activator and its inhibitors PAI-1 nad PAI-2 in primary cutaneous melanomaJasmina Markovič Božič, Borut Štabuc, 2003, original scientific article Abstract: Background. We investigated the differences in urokinase plasminogen activator(uPA) and its inhibitors type-1 and 2 (PAI-1/2) concentrations in clinically suspected nevi, primary cutaneous melanoma and normal skin and correlations with histopathological prognostic factors of primary melanoma. Patients and methods. Fifty-one patients were enrolled. The tissue concentrations of uPA, PAI 1 and PAI2 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Mean uPA and PAI-1 concentrations in melanomas were higher than in normal surrounding skin (uPA: 1.08; vs. 0.48 ng/mgp; PAI-1: 14.07 vs. 2.07 ng/mgp; p < 0.001), uPA and PAI-1 concentrationswere higher in melanomas than in nevi, and higher in nevi than in normal surrounding skin (uPA: p > 0.05; PAI-1: p = 0.02). PAI-2 concentration was higher in normal surrounding skin than in nevi and melanomas(p > 0.05). Melanoma uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 concentrations correlated significantly with normal skin (r= 0.73, 0.54, 0.38 respectively). PAI 1 was significantly lower in melanomas of Breslow thickness < 0.75 mm, Clark invasion of O+I, without microscopic ulceration, without vascular invasion (p < 0.01) than in melanomas of Breslow thickness > 0.75 mm, Clark invasion > II,with ulceration and vascular invasion. Conclusions. Determination of uPA and PAI-1 can provide significant additional prognostic information for melanoma patients.
Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 239; Downloads: 60
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1025. The accuracy of chest sonography in the diagnosis of small pleural effusionIgor Kocijančič, 2003, original scientific article Abstract: Background. The aim of the stndy was to evaluate the accuracy of chest sonography in the radiological diagnosis of small pleural effusions. Patients and methods. Patients referred for abdominal and/or chest sonographies for various reasons were examined for sonographic features of pleural effusion. From January 1997 till January 2000, 69 patients were included into the study.Fifty-two patients were found to have pleural effusion not exceeding 15 mm in depth, the rest of them served as controls. Subsequently erect posteroanterior and expiratory lateral decubitus projections were done in all patients. Results. Compared to radiologicai examination chest sonography had apositive predictive value of 92% in the diagnosis of small pleural effusions in our study population. The mean thickness of fluid was 9.2 mrn on ultrasonography and 7.6 mm on expiratory lateral decubitus views (P<0.01). Conclusions. Chest sonography showed a high degree of accuracy for demonstrating small pleural effusions and could repIace lateral decubitus chest radiographs adequately.
Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 223; Downloads: 60
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1027. Cathepsin L in human meningiomasMiha Trinkaus, Andrej Vranič, Vinko V. Dolenc, Tamara Lah Turnšek, 2003, original scientific article Keywords: meningioma-pathology, cathepsin L, reverse transcriptase, polymerase chain reaction, neoplasm invasiveness
Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 259; Downloads: 69
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1028. Surveillance of the banks of reservoirs on the Drava River in Slovenia after extensive floodsPavel Žvanut, 2022, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The Slovenian section of the Drava River is 133 km long, and over this distance it has a descent of 148 m. Eight HPPs are located on this section (six directly in the river course, whereas the other two in derivation channels of the river). Ten concrete gravity dams, with a structural height between 17 and 54 m, created eight reservoirs. In addition to their main use for electricity generation, reservoirs are also used for floods mitigation, irrigation, industrial water use and recreation. At the beginning of November 2012, extremely high flows of the Drava River, which exceeded 100-year flood, caused floods in the middle and lower reaches of the river. Extraordinary visual geotechnical inspections of the banks, in order to determine any instability of them, were carried out immediately after this event. Numerous landslides and landslips were identified, as well as damage to nearby buildings, but also damage and threat to transport infrastructure. Damaged banks of reservoirs and damaged infrastructure were instantly rehabilitated. In the future, it is necessary to perform regular and extraordinary surveillance of the banks of reservoirs, drawing attention to damage that needs immediate rehabilitation, thus preventing the occurrence of eventual disastrous consequences.
Keywords: concrete dams, Drava river, reservoirs, derivation channels, extreme events, extensive floods, extraordinary visual inspection, Formin HPP, levee breach, great damage
Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 318; Downloads: 133
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1029. Quantifying the environmental implication of cotton-fiber-based nanocrystalline cellulose : a life-cycle assessmentKatja Malovrh Rebec, Janez Turk, Matjaž Kunaver, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Considering the increasing demand for nanocrystalline-cellulose in the industry, due to its exceptional physical and biological properties, cheaper and more efficient production processes are sought. Addressing environmental concerns, especially within the framework of EU policies, this study employs Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of a novel nanocrystalline-cellulose production procedure, encompassing biomass depolymerization, rinsing, and bleaching. The LCA aims to identify environmental hotspots, explore mitigation measures, and enables comparisons with other LCA studies on nanocrystalline-cellulose. The results are calculated and reported for 19 environmental impact categories, using the ReCiPe 2016 impact assessment method. The production of 1 kg of dry nanocrystalline-cellulose using the novel process emits 63.7 kg CO2 equivalent, which is lower than the literature average (68 kg CO2 equivalent). The solvent (e.g. diethylene glycol) is the major contributor to the global warming potential and fossil-fuel depletion potential in the product stage of the nanocellulose, while the electricity requirements and glycerin represent environmental hotspots regarding 15 of the 19 impact categories assessed. In terms of the water-consumption potential, the environmental hotspot is production of raw materials (e.g. cotton fibers). Electricity contributes more than 50 % of the burden to the impact categories associated with ionizing radiation, the pollution of aquatic ecosystems and human toxicity related to cancer. It also holds a significant share of the burdens for terrestrial acidification (48 % of the impact), the formation of fine particulate matter (46 % of the impact), and human toxicity related to non-cancer diseases (37 % of the impact). This underscores the importance of optimizing the production process, possibly through upscaling. Additionally, incorporating on-site renewable energy sources and utilizing biomass-derived diethylene glycol can enhance the environmental performance of nanocrystalline-cellulose.
Keywords: LCA, cascade use, cellulose nanocrystals, pilot production, environmental performance
Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 290; Downloads: 130
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1030. Elektronske cigarete, ogrevani tobačni izdelki, nikotinske vrečke in brezdimni tobačni izdelki : kaj o teh izdelkih s tobakom ali nikotinom povedo raziskave?Helena Koprivnikar, Jerneja Farkaš-Lainščak, 2023, review article Abstract: V Sloveniji je kajenje tobaka še vedno med najpomembnejšimi preprečljivimi dejavniki tveganja za smrt in na prvem mestu za izgubljena zdrava leta življenja. V Sloveniji in številnih razvitih državah beležimo zniževanje prevalence kajenja. Industrija je za ohranitev oziroma večanje prodaje in dobička dala na trg različne vrste izdelkov s tobakom ali nikotinom, kot so elektronske cigarete, ogrevani tobačni izdelki in nikotinske vrečke, ki so prisotni tudi v Sloveniji. Vse bolj priljubljeni v Sloveniji postajajo tudi brezdimni tobačni izdelki. V bibliografski podatkovni zbirki PubMed smo poiskali sistematične preglede in metaanalize o vplivih na zdravje pri uporabi teh izdelkov, poiskali poročila mednarodnih organizacij o njihovem vplivu na zdravje in okolje ter uporabili najnovejše dostopne podatke iz slovenskih nacionalnih raziskav za prikaz razširjenosti njihove uporabe v Sloveniji. Ogrevani tobačni izdelki, elektronske cigarete in nikotinske vrečke izpostavijo uporabnika znatnim ravnem zdravju škodljivih snovi. Dolgoročni učinki njihove uporabe na zdravje še niso ustrezno raziskani, saj so v uporabi še prekratek čas, dostopni podatki pa kažejo, da imajo škodljive učinke na zdravje, nekateri že kratkoročno, in da bodo verjetno privedli do pomembnih posledic za zdravje pri dolgoročni uporabi. O manjši škodljivosti teh izdelkov v primerjavi s kajenjem cigaret ni možno govoriti, saj je na voljo premalo kakovostnih raziskav, poznani pa so škodljivi učinki dolgoročne uporabe brezdimnih tobačnih izdelkov. Vsi omenjeni izdelki se pogosto promovirajo tudi kot učinkoviti pripomočki za opuščanje kajenja, a tudi na tem področju ni na voljo zadosti kakovostnih raziskav, da bi lahko sklepali zaključke o njihovi vlogi v opuščanju kajenja, zato se jih v te namene ne priporoča. Vsi omenjeni izdelki vsebujejo nikotin (izjema so elektronske cigarete brez nikotina) in uporabnika zasvojijo. Uporaba izdelkov z nikotinom med mladimi pa je povezana še z dodatnimi pomembnimi tveganji; poleg zasvojenosti, ki se razvije hitreje in močneje kot pri odraslih, so tu še škodljivi učinki na razvoj možganov, pri elektronskih cigaretah in brezdimnih tobačnih izdelkih pa tudi zvišano tveganje za kajenje cigaret v prihodnosti. Podatki za Slovenijo kažejo, da uporaba teh izdelkov med mladimi narašča s starostjo ter da med mladimi odstotki uporabnikov večinoma presegajo odstotek med populacijo, starejšo od 25 let. V zadnjih letih odstotki uporabnikov elektronskih cigaret in brezdimnih tobačnih izdelkov med mladostniki naraščajo izraziteje kot med odraslimi. Ključna je čimprejšnja strožja zakonodajna ureditev teh izdelkov, da preprečimo in zmanjšamo njihovo uporabo, predvsem med mladimi.
Keywords: tobak, nikotin, elektronski sistemi za dovajanje nikotina, tobačni izdelki, mladostniki
Published in DiRROS: 05.02.2024; Views: 359; Downloads: 85
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