Search the repository

A+ | A- | | SLO | ENG

Abstract: Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy (PNP) in feet and/or hands and sexual dysfunction are common side effects of cancer therapies. In Nadine Reimer1 Dirk Brodesser1 patients with other diseases, there is evidence of an association Dominik Ratiu2 between peripheral nervous system disorders and sexual dysfunction due to the impact of impaired neuronal control on genital organ sensi- Damir Zubac1 tivity. In cancer patient interviews, it has now been observed that PNP Helmar C. Lehmann3 and sexual dysfunction may be related. The aim of the study was to Freerk T. Baumann1 investigate the potential association between PNP, sexual dysfunction, and physical activity behavior. Methods: Ninety-three patients with PNP of the feet and/or hands were interviewed in August/September 2020 in a cross-sectional study re- 1 University of Cologne, Department I of Internal garding medical history, sexual dysfunction and functionality of the genital organs. Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Results: Thirty-one persons who participated in the survey provided Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf, seventeen evaluable questionnaires (four men, thirteen women). Nine University Hospital of women (69%) and three men (75%) reported sensory disorders of the Cologne, Germany genital organs. Three men (75%) had erectile dysfunction. All men who 2 University of Cologne, Clinic had sensory symptoms of the genital organs received chemotherapy, and Polyclinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Cologne, Germany and one man also received immunotherapy. Eight women were sexually active. Five (63%) of them reported genital organ symptoms and mainly lubrication disorders. Four (80%) of the five sexually inactive women 3 University of Cologne, Clinic reported genital organ symptoms. Eight of the nine women with sensory and Polyclinic for Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Germany symptoms of the genital organs received chemotherapy, and one woman received immunotherapy. Discussion: Our limited data suggest genital organ sensory symptoms in chemotherapy and immunotherapy patients. Genital organ symptoms do not appear to be directly related to sexual dysfunction, and the association between PNP and genital organ symptoms appears to be more pronounced in sexually inactive women. Chemotherapy could cause sensory symptoms of the genital organs and sexual dysfunction by damaging genital organ nerve fibers. Chemotherapy and anti-hormone therapy (AHT) could trigger a disturbance of the hormone balance, which in turn could be causative for sexual dysfunction. It remains open whether the cause of these disorders is the symptomatology of the genital organs or the altered hormone balance. The significance of the results is limited due to the small number of cases. To our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind in cancer patients and allows a better understanding of the association between PNP, sensory symptoms of the genital organs, and sexual dysfunction. Conclusion: In order to be able to narrow down the cause of these initial observations in cancer patients more precisely, larger studies are needed that can relate the influence of cancer therapy-induced PNP, physical activity level and hormone balance to sensory symptoms of the genital organs and sexual dysfunction. The methodology of further studies should take into account the frequent problem of low response rates in surveys on sexuality.
Keywords: peripheral neuropathy, genital organs, sexual disfunction, oncology, exercise therapy, physical activity
Published in DiRROS: 05.11.2025; Views: 189; Downloads: 97
Full text (1,62 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Climate is a primary, but non-stationary, driver of tree growth. Climate change is altering the sensitivity of forest growth to water availability and temperature over time. It is considered that pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) will cope with the changing climatic conditions in Europe in the near future. However, while species distribution models project expansion zones, they also identify reductions in occurrence at the dry and warm distribution margins. Whereas species distribution models primarily rely on occurrence data, tree rings—given their long-term perspective and their use in empirical models—can provide a mechanistic view of forest growth dynamics, including temporally changing climate responses. Increased climate sensitivity and growth synchrony are key dendroecological indicators of tree stress. Here, we used an unprecedented network of 150 Q. robur sites (over 3300 trees), covering the full projected range of contracting to persistent areas across Europe, to assess the dendroecological indicators over recent decades in relation to species distribution model predictions. We reveal that oaks in areas projected to experience range contraction exhibited greater sensitivity to current growing season climatic conditions, whereas those in persistence areas responded more strongly to previous season conditions. Growth synchrony among trees was higher in the contraction areas, but showed no significant increasing trend over the last 70 years, as expected from ecotone theory. Temporal shifts in climate sensitivity were stronger for temperature and vapor pressure deficit in the persistence areas, whereas the climatic water balance gained importance in the contraction zones. These findings suggest that Q. robur growth is not yet being severely affected by climate change, and that the species is currently coping well with the climate changes, even in regions with projected range contractions, thereby challenging statistically derived scenarios of range shift based on species distribution models.
Keywords: climate change scenarios, climate–growth relationships, climatic water balance, growth synchrony, range contraction, vapor pressure deficit
Published in DiRROS: 04.11.2025; Views: 213; Downloads: 94
Full text (4,35 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: The Circular Economy (CE) has become a foundation of the European Union’s sustainability strategy, aiming to dissociate economic growth from resource use. This article examines the legislative and monitoring frameworks underpinning the European Union’s CE transition, with a particular focus on Slovenia. A systematic review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, EU-level policy analysis, and national indicator evaluation, this article explores the alignment between Slovenia’s national strategies and EU objectives. While Slovenia has demonstrated policy ambition and performs well in municipal recycling, it underperforms in circular material use and domestic material consumption. Governance fragmentation, limited sectoral integration, and monitoring challenges are key barriers. The study contributes to CE research by offering a country-level perspective on policy translation and performance. Recommendations are proposed to strengthen governance, data systems, and sector-specific roadmaps. These conclusions offer valuable insights for scholars and policymakers involved in implementing CE across multi-level governance systems.
Keywords: circular economy, EU legislation, Slovenia, policy implementation, governance, monitoring indicators, sustainability transition
Published in DiRROS: 04.11.2025; Views: 187; Downloads: 107
Full text (2,98 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Keywords: varstvo gozdov, morfološke analize
Published in DiRROS: 04.11.2025; Views: 140; Downloads: 0
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: severe drought events and increasingly frequent large-scale forest disturbances can lead to a significant and irreversible decline in the natural regeneration of various forest tree species. extensive research is being carried out to develop strategies to help plants cope with the increasing stress. however, most of these technologies are costly and time-consuming, so the application of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PgPms) appears to be an easy-to-use and efficient method to alleviate abiotic and biotic stress in plants. PgPm inoculants are a sustainable alternative strategy to not only alleviate stress through various mechanisms, but also to promote plant growth and development. Previous studies have revealed a wide range of PgPm genera that colonise plant roots and enhance the ability of plants to cope with abiotic and biotic stress in agriculture. however, records on the potential benefits of PgPms in forest seedlings are still sparse, with only a few reports and mostly isolated strains from the genera Pinus, Quercus, Abies and Picea. this review addresses the current knowledge on plant growth-promoting mechanisms and provides an overview of isolated microorganisms with proven plant growth-promoting mechanisms from different forest tree species.
Keywords: plant growth promoting microorganisms, reforestation, tree nurseries, forest tree seedling survival
Published in DiRROS: 04.11.2025; Views: 130; Downloads: 120
Full text (244,93 KB)
This document has many files! More...