31. Circular RNAs and their emerging roles in muscular immune-related diseasesFelicita Urzi, Anja Srpčič, Katja Lakota, 2025, review article Abstract: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently emerged as a highly stable and versatile class of non-coding RNAs that play critical roles in gene regulation, yet their involvement in immune-mediated muscle disorders remains largely underexplored. This review synthesizes how circRNAs influence key processes in both skeletal muscle and immune cells, from myogenesis, regeneration, and muscle stem cell function to inflammatory signaling and muscle wasting. Our aim was to identify circRNA insights across muscle immune-mediated diseases. However, we found no idiopathic inflammatory myopathy-focused circRNA studies, only a limited body of work in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and predominantly peripheral blood mononuclear cell-based evidence in myasthenia gravis. These gaps highlight clear priorities: subtype-resolved circRNA atlases for idiopathic inflammatory myopathy; paired muscle–biofluid and cell-type–resolved profiling (including infiltrating immune populations); rigorous in vivo functional validation beyond correlative expression; fuller mechanistic delineation beyond miRNA competition (e.g., RNA binding protein interactions, translation, epigenetic regulation); and longitudinal cohorts linking circRNA dynamics to disease activity and treatment response. We particularly noted lack of in-depth studies addressing the interplay between muscle and immune cells in these conditions. Furthermore, we examine pioneering efforts to engineer circRNAs as therapeutic agents, capable of either neutralizing pathogenic pathways that drive muscle atrophy or restoring dystrophin expression in genetic disease models. Finally, we outline future directions for circRNA profiling in patient tissues and biofluids, rigorous functional validation in vivo, and the development of circRNA-based diagnostics. This positions circRNAs at the forefront of next-generation strategies for understanding and combating immune-related muscular disorders.
Keywords: circular RNA, skeletal muscle, immune cells, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis
Published in DiRROS: 16.12.2025; Views: 14; Downloads: 8
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32. Toll-like receptor 1 polymorphism is associated with impaired immune tolerance, dysregulated inflammatory responses to Borrelia burgdorferi, and heightened risk of post-infectious Lyme arthritisMorgan A. Williams, Sergio A. Hernández, Sheila Arvikar, Katherine B. Sulka, Franc Strle, Christopher C. Wells, Tanja Petnicki-Ocwieja, Allen C. Steere, Klemen Strle, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: Clinical presentation of Lyme disease is largely due to host immune response to infection. Previously, we identified a variant (1805GG) in the TLR1 gene, a key immune sensor for Borrelia burgdorferi, which was associated with excessive inflammation and severe disease. Herein we examined the mechanism by which this variant leads to dysregulated immunity. Methods: We found that patients with post-infectious Lyme arthritis, a condition characterized by marked persistent synovitis in joints, have a higher frequency of TLR1-1805GG compared to those whose arthritis resolves with antibiotics. To explore the possibility that this genotype-phenotype association was due to excessive inflammation, we then tested the functional impact of TLR1-1805GG on inflammatory responses and immune tolerance in PBMCs with or without this SNP and in THP-1 cell lines lacking TLR1. Results: In response to B. burgdorferi stimulation, PBMCs with TLR1-1805GG had greater transcriptional upregulation of ~1200 immune-related genes and significantly higher cytokine levels in supernatants compared to cells without this variant. Moreover, repeat B. burgdorferi stimulation, which mimics tolerogenic conditions during the infection, failed to induce innate immune tolerance in PBMCs with TLR1-1805GG, or in THP-1 cells lacking TLR1, resulting in seemingly unabated immune activation consistent with marked inflammation in Lyme arthritis joints. Conclusions: These results suggest that excessive inflammation in patients with TLR1-1805GG variant appears to be due to immune dysregulation and inability to induce immune tolerance. The findings help explain how early events during the infection may contribute to sustained immune activation after antibiotics and point to the role of TLR1 signaling in immune regulation.
Keywords: Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, toll-like receptors, innate immune tolerance, inflammation, Lyme arthritis, innate immunology
Published in DiRROS: 16.12.2025; Views: 16; Downloads: 8
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33. Perilous paradigm of graphene oxide and its derivatives in biomedical applicationsZobia Ayreen, Uzma Khatoon, Apoorv Kirti, Adrija Sinha, Abha Gupta, Anu Yadav, Rupali Mohanty, Raghuraj S. Chouhan, 2024, review article Abstract: With advancements in nanotechnology and innovative materials, Graphene Oxide nanoparticles (GONP) have attracted lots of attention among the diverse types of nanomaterials owing to their distinctive physicochemical characteristics. However, the usage at scientific and industrial level has also raised concern to their toxicological interaction with biological system. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing guidelines and recommendations for applications of GONP in various sectors, like biomedicine and environmental technologies. This review offers crucial insights and an in-depth analysis to the biological processes associated with GONP immunotoxicity with multiple cell lines including human whole blood cultures, dendritic cells, macrophages, and multiple cancer cell lines. The complicated interactions between graphene oxide nanoparticles and the immune system, are highlighted in this work, which reveals a range of immunotoxic consequences like inflammation, immunosuppression, immunostimulation, hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, and cellular malfunction. Moreover, the immunotoxic effects are also highlighted with respect to in vivo models like mice and zebrafish, insighting GO Nanoparticles’ cytotoxicity. The study provides invaluable review for researchers, policymakers, and industrialist to understand and exploit the beneficial applications of GONP with a controlled measure to human health and the environment
Published in DiRROS: 16.12.2025; Views: 44; Downloads: 13
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35. Amorphous coordination polymers for versatile Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, and Zn²⁺ cation storageXiaolong Guo, Robert Markowski, Ashley Black, Petru Apostol, Darsi Rambabu, Olivera Lužanin, Tjaša Pavčnik, Damien Monti, Jan Bitenc, 2025, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 16.12.2025; Views: 27; Downloads: 18
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36. Red complex periodontal pathogens and their potential role in colorectal carcinogenesis : a narrative reviewUrša Potočnik, Rok Schara, 2025, review article Abstract: Periodontal disease (PD), a chronic inflammatory condition driven by oral microbial dysbiosis, is increasingly implicated in systemic diseases, including colorectal cancer (CRC). The “red complex” bacteria—Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola—play a central role in PD progression and exhibit virulence factors that promote inflammation, immune evasion, and epithelial colonization. A literature search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect (English and Slovenian, up to September 2025) identified 12 eligible studies. Only original clinical, in vivo, or in vitro research directly addressing red complex pathogens and colorectal cancer was included. The search results showed that most of the literature focuses on the association between Porphyromonas gingivalis and CRC, particularly its role in tumor immune evasion, alteration of the gut microbiota, creation of a pro-inflammatory microenvironment, and promotion of carcinoma cell proliferation. Infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis has also been linked to poorer cancer prognosis. The other red complex bacteria are primarily mentioned in the context of generating a pro-inflammatory microenvironment and contributing to chronic inflammation, which supports tumor growth and survival.
Keywords: periodontal disease, red bacterial complex, colorectal carcinoma, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola
Published in DiRROS: 15.12.2025; Views: 62; Downloads: 23
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37. Case report : agranulocytosis in a child following metamizole use – a diagnostic challengeAljaž Pirnat, Tomaž Prelog, Janez Jazbec, Alenka Trampuš-Bakija, 2025, other scientific articles Abstract: Objective: This case report describes a young female who developed agranulocytosis with blast cells in peripheral blood following prolonged metamizole use after ankle surgery. Case Report: A 17-year-old female patient was admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases due to high fever and sore throat. Initial diagnostics revealed agranulocytosis, followed by occurrence of blast cells and left shifted neutrophils in the peripheral blood, in subsequent days. Extensive further diagnostics were performed due to suspicion of leukaemia, which was excluded after flow cytometry and cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow aspirate. After all tests were completed, the patient disclosed that she had been using metamizole for four months following ankle surgery. Conclusion: In cases of agranulocytosis, involving a prolonged history of metamizole use accompanied by the presence of blast cells and granulocyte precursors in peripheral blood, we would recommend an initial diagnostic approach that includes a complete blood count with differential and flow cytometry of peripheral blood. Bone marrow aspiration may be postponed or deemed unnecessary if peripheral blood flow cytometry shows no aberrant populations and there are no other signs of leukaemia.
Keywords: metamizole, agranulocytosis, leukaemia, blast cell, flow cytometry
Published in DiRROS: 15.12.2025; Views: 64; Downloads: 38
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38. Injuries and illnesses during the 54th FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2023 in Planica : a prospective cohort studyTom Kastner, Pierre-Eddy Dandrieux, Dominik Fohrmann, Florian Frohberg, Matjaž Turel, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Objective: To describe the incidence and characteristics of injuries and illnesses that occurred during the 54th Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica (Slovenia) 2023, including the disciplines of cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, national medical teams and the medical team of the local organiser collected data on a daily basis on all new, exacerbated or recurrent injuries and illnesses of the registered athletes using the IOC consensus recommendations. Results: There were 596 registered athletes (250 women, 346 men), all with access to medical services. The national medical teams covered 347 (58.2%) athletes with a response rate of 77.1%. A total of 24 injuries, corresponding to an incidence rate of 4.0 per 100 athletes (95% CI, 2.5 to 5.6), and 15 illnesses, corresponding to an incidence rate of 2.5 per 100 athletes (95% CI, 1.3 to 3.8), were reported. The lower extremities were the most common injury location (58.3%), and every second injury in this category was a knee injury. The predominant injury types were joint sprains/ligament tears (25.0%) and contusions/bruises (25.0%). A total of three concussions (12.5% of all injuries) were reported, all of them in ski jumping. Among the illnesses, infections (73.3%) were the most common aetiology, and the respiratory system (53.3%) was the most frequently affected organ system. Conclusion: Special attention should be given to knee injuries in all disciplines and concussions in ski jumping. A high proportion of the recorded illnesses were of infectious origin. The reduction in hygiene regulations after the COVID-19 pandemic could have contributed to this.
Keywords: surveillance, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, injuries, illnesses
Published in DiRROS: 15.12.2025; Views: 69; Downloads: 21
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39. The impact of an exceptional lung allocation score on organ access of failing pulmonary arterial hypertension patients : a Eurotransplant experienceS. Schwarz, Serge Vogelaar, C. Knoop, F. Dzubur, G. Warnecke, L. Bogyo, Tomaž Štupnik, Matevž Harlander, 2025, other scientific articles Keywords: pulmonary arterial hypertension, waiting time, LAS, Eurotransplant
Published in DiRROS: 15.12.2025; Views: 58; Downloads: 18
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40. Emerging therapies and new directions in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertensionGrzegorz Kopec, Andris Skride, Egle Ereminiene, Iveta Šimkova, Roxana Enache, Miroslav Samaržija, Barbara Salobir, Pavel Jansa, 2025, review article Abstract: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe and progressive disease with limited survival prospects under currently available therapies. Since the 2022 edition of the European Society of Cardiology and European Respiratory Society guidelines on pulmonary hypertension, substantial clinical evidence has emerged, supporting a new treatment algorithm for PAH as presented at the 7th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension 2024 and the following proceeding papers. Key updates include the introduction of sotatercept as a second-line therapy leading to a revised definition of maximal medical therapy now encompassing agents from four therapeutic groups (phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors/soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators, endothelin receptor antagonists, prostacyclin pathway agents, and sotatercept), instead of three (phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors/soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators, endothelin receptor antagonists, prostacyclin pathway agents). Other novelties include the elimination of a distinct pathway for patients with cardiopulmonary comorbidities in favor of an individualized approach, a reduction in the initial patient assessment risk categories from three to two, and a follow-up interval shortened from 3–6 months to 3–4 months post-treatment initiation. This review presents these advancements and emphasizes the need for their widespread implementation in clinical practice. At the end, we present new opportunities and challenges in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in eight Central and Eastern European countries.
Keywords: activin signaling inhibitors, novel therapies, risk assessment, treatment strategy, sotatercept
Published in DiRROS: 15.12.2025; Views: 68; Downloads: 29
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