1. The Superblock model : a review of an innovative urban model for sustainability, liveability, health and well-beingMark J. Nieuwenhuijsen, Audrey De Nazelle, Marta Cirach Pradas, Carolyn Daher, Angel M. Dzhambov, Cynthia Echave, Stefan Gössling, Tamara Iungman, Haneen Khreis, Nicolina Kirby, Jernej Tiran, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction
Current urban and transport planning practices have significant negative health, environmental, social and economic impacts in most cities. New urban development models and policies are needed to reduce these negative impacts. The Superblock model is one such innovative urban model that can significantly reduce these negative impacts through reshaping public spaces into more diverse uses such as increase in green space, infrastructure supporting social contacts and physical activity, and through prioritization of active mobility and public transport, thereby reducing air pollution, noise and urban heat island effects. This paper reviews key aspects of the Superblock model, its implementation and initial evaluations in Barcelona and the potential international uptake of the model in Europe and globally, focusing on environmental, climate, lifestyle, liveability and health aspects.
Methods
We used a narrative meta-review approach and PubMed and Google scholar databases were searched using specific terms.
Results
The implementation of the Super block model in Barcelona is slow, but with initial improvement in, for example, environmental, lifestyle, liveability and health indicators, although not so consistently. When applied on a large scale, the implementation of the Superblock model is not only likely to result in better environmental conditions, health and wellbeing, but can also contribute to the fight against the climate crisis. There is a need for further expansion of the program and further evaluation of its impacts and answers to related concerns, such as environmental equity and gentrification, traffic and related environmental exposure displacement. The implementation of the Superblock model gained a growing international reputation and variations of it are being planned or implemented in cities worldwide. Initial modelling exercises showed that it could be implemented in large parts of many cities.
Conclusion
The Superblock model is an innovative urban model that addresses environmental, climate, liveability and health concerns in cities. Adapted versions of the Barcelona Superblock model are being implemented in cities around Europe and further implementation, monitoring and evaluation are encouraged. The Superblock model can be considered an important public health intervention that will reduce mortality and morbidity and generate cost savings for health and other sectors. Keywords: urban geography, transport, public health, pollution, sustainable development, Barcelona (Spain) Published in DiRROS: 07.08.2024; Views: 94; Downloads: 114
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2. A framework for the evaluation of biosecurity, commercial, regulatory, and scientific impacts of plant viruses and viroids identified by NGS technologiesSébastien Massart, Thierry Candresse, José Gil, Christophe Lacomme, Lukas Predajna, Maja Ravnikar, Jean-Sébastien Reynard, Artemis Rumbou, Pasquale Saldarelli, Dijana Škorić, Eeva J. Vainio, Jari P. T. Valkonen, Hervé Vanderschuren, Christina Varveri, Thierry Wetzel, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatics have generated huge new opportunities for discovering and diagnosing plant viruses and viroids. Plant virology has undoubtedly benefited from these new methodologies, but at the same time, faces now substantial bottlenecks, namely the biological characterization of the newly discovered viruses and the analysis of their impact at the biosecurity, commercial, regulatory, and scientific levels. This paper proposes a scaled and progressive scientific framework for efficient biological characterization and risk assessment when a previously known or a new plant virus is detected by next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. Four case studies are also presented to illustrate the need for such a framework, and to discuss the scenarios. Keywords: NGS, pest risk analysis, virus diseases, biological characterization, plant health, regulatory agencies Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 124; Downloads: 79
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3. Feasibility of droplet digital PCR analysis of plasma cell-free DNA from kidney transplant patientsBarbara Jerič Kokelj, Maja Štalekar, Sebastian Vencken, David Dobnik, Polona Kogovšek, Matjaž Stanonik, Miha Arnol, Maja Ravnikar, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Increasing research demonstrates the potential of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) as a biomarker for monitoring the health of various solid organ transplants. Several methods have been proposed for cfDNA analysis, including real-time PCR, digital PCR, and next generation sequencing-based approaches. We sought to revise the droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-based approach to quantify relative dd-cfDNA in plasma from kidney transplant (KTx) patients using a novel pilot set of assays targeting single nucleotide polymorphisms that have a very high potential to distinguish cfDNA from two individuals. The assays are capable of accurate quantification of down to 0.1% minor allele content when analyzing 165 ng of human DNA. We found no significant differences in the yield of extracted cfDNA using the three different commercial kits tested. More cfDNA was extracted from the plasma of KTx patients than from healthy volunteers, especially early after transplantation. The median level of donor-derived minor alleles in KTx samples was 0.35%. We found that ddPCR using the evaluated assays within specific range is suitable for analysis of KTx patientsʼ plasma but recommend prior genotyping of donor DNA and performing reliable preamplification of cfDNA. Keywords: kidney transplantation, droplet digital PCR, plasma cell-free DNA, minor allele quantification, assay evaluation, graft health monitoring Published in DiRROS: 19.07.2024; Views: 131; Downloads: 67
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4. Managing the deluge of newly discovered plant viruses and viroids : an optimized scientific and regulatory framework for their characterization and risk analysisNuria Fontdevila Pareta, Maryam Khalili, Ayoub Maachi, Mark Paul Selda Rivarez, Johan Rollin, Ferran Salavert Pamblanco, Coline Temple, Miguel A. Aranda, Denis Kutnjak, Maja Ravnikar, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The advances in high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies and bioinformatic tools have provided new opportunities for virus and viroid discovery and diagnostics. Hence, new sequences of viral origin are being discovered and published at a previously unseen rate. Therefore, a collective effort was undertaken to write and propose a framework for prioritizing the biological characterization steps needed after discovering a new plant virus to evaluate its impact at different levels. Even though the proposed approach was widely used, a revision of these guidelines was prepared to consider virus discovery and characterization trends and integrate novel approaches and tools recently published or under development. This updated framework is more adapted to the current rate of virus discovery and provides an improved prioritization for filling knowledge and data gaps. It consists of four distinct steps adapted to include a multi-stakeholder feedback loop. Key improvements include better prioritization and organization of the various steps, earlier data sharing among researchers and involved stakeholders, public database screening, and exploitation of genomic information to predict biological properties. Keywords: plant viruses and viroids, high throughput sequencing (HTS), biological characterization, plant health, regulatory agencies, Pest Risk Analysis (PRA), virus disease Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 135; Downloads: 85
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5. Content of trace elements and human health risk assessment via consumption of commercially important fishes from Montenegrin coastNeda Bošković, Danijela Joksimović, Oliver Bajt, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Muscle tissues of Mullus barbatus and Merluccius merluccius were analyzed for the presence of selected trace elements (As, Hg, Cd, and Pb) to determine the value of the daily intake of trace elements from fish consumption and to assess the risk to human health. The mean concentrations of As in the muscle tissue of M. barbatus and M. merluccius for the entire period were 19.689 mg/kg wet weight (ww) and 8.356 mg/kg ww, Hg 0.497 mg/kg ww and 0.153 mg/kg ww, and Pb 0.031 mg/kg ww and 0.025 mg/kg ww, respectively. The concentrations of Cd in all fish sampled were below the detection limit (<0.02 mg/kg ww). The evaluation of the potential health risk assessments based on the target hazard quotient (THQ) and estimated daily intake (EDI) indicated that the intake of As in both fish species and Hg for M. barbatus could pose an appreciable risk to human health. The calculated hazard index (HI) was higher than 1 for both fish species. The continuous monitoring of trace elements’ concentrations in fish is strongly recommended, as the results demonstrate potential health risks due to the presence of As and Hg. Keywords: trace elements, Mullus barbatus, Merluccius merluccius, human health risk assessment, Montenegro, Adriatic Sea, hydrobiology Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 115; Downloads: 61
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6. Health-related quality of life in Slovenian patients with colorectal cancer : a single tertiary care center studyJan Grosek, Jerica Novak, Katja Kitek, Alta Bajrić, Ana Majdič, Jurij Aleš Košir, Aleš Tomažič, 2019, original scientific article Keywords: health-related quality of life, colorectal cancer, colorectal surgery, Slovenia Published in DiRROS: 05.07.2024; Views: 144; Downloads: 70
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10. Ecotoxicologically relevant cyclic peptides from cyanobacterial bloom (Planktothrix rubecens) - a threat to human and environmental healthBojan Sedmak, Tina Eleršek, Olga Grach-Pogrebinsky, Shmuel Carmeli, Nataša Sever, Tamara Lah Turnšek, 2008, original scientific article Abstract: Background. The information of the overall production of major cyanobacterial cyclic peptides in a water body is essential for risk assessment and for the prediction of future development of the bloom. A procedure that gives a reviewof both toxic and non-hepatotoxic hydrophilic cyclic peptide production is important to evaluate the ecological conditions in the water environment and to predict the release of dangerous toxic and tumour promoting substances.Methods. The cyclic peptides were identified on the basis of their retention times, characteristic spectra, molecular masses and biological activity. The non-hepatotoxic cyclic peptides were characterised by their inhibition of porcine pancreatic elastase, while cytotoxicity to mammalian cells was tested with the MTT test on B16 cell line. Conclusions. The method presented gives a rapid, simultaneous assessment, preliminary identification and estimation of bioactive cyclic peptides. The synthesis of non-hepatotoxic cyclic peptides can mediate the release various toxic and otherwise biologically active substances that induce systemic genotoxicity in mammals. Keywords: tumor promoters, microcystin, anabaenopeptin, planktopeptin, toxic cyanobacterial blooms, environmental health Published in DiRROS: 07.03.2024; Views: 333; Downloads: 90
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