1. Bisphenol A in the urine : association with urinary creatinine, impaired kidney function, use of plastic food and beverage storage products but not with serum anti-müllerian hormone in ovarian malignanciesMateja Sladič, Špela Smrkolj, Gorazd Kavšek, Senka Imamović-Kumalić, Ivan Verdenik, Irma Virant-Klun, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high-production-volume industrial chemical and component of commonly used plastic products. However, it is also an endocrine-disrupting chemical that can negatively affect human health. It is not yet known whether it is associated with the development of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), a severe and highly fatal human disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of BPA in the urine of women with EOC or epithelial borderline ovarian tumors (EBOTs) using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and find their possible associations with kidney function at the molecular level, urine and blood biochemical parameters related to metabolism, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) (a marker of ovarian reserve/fertility), and lifestyle habits determined via a questionnaire in comparison to healthy controls. The results suggest that the unadjusted or urine-specific-gravity-adjusted BPA levels were significantly increased in women with EOC/EBOT. The unadjusted BPA was significantly positively associated with urinary creatinine (p = 0.007) in all women with EOC/EBOT after adjustment for age, body mass index, and pregnancy using multiple linear regression analysis. This may be related to kidney injury. However, no association was found between urinary BPA and serum AMH levels in women. Women with ovarian malignancies were more exposed to plastic products for storing foods and drinks. Some lifestyle habits, including refilling plastic bottles, correlate with higher urinary BPA levels across the entire cohort of women. When considering EOC or EBOT, it is necessary to consider the potential higher exposure of women to BPA, as reflected in their urine and lifestyle habits.
Ključne besede: anti-Müllerian hormone, kidney function, lifestyle habits, ovarian cancer, thrombocytes, urine, female exposure
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 03.12.2025; Ogledov: 48; Prenosov: 21
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2. The new occurrence of antiphospholipid syndrome in severe COVID-19 cases with pneumonia and vascular thrombosis could explain the post-COVID syndromeMirjana Zlatković Švenda, Melanija Rašić, Milica Ovuka, Slavica Pavlov Dolijanović, Marija Atanasković Popović, Manca Ogrič, Polona Žigon, Snežna Sodin-Šemrl, Marija Zdravković, Goran Radunović, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Introduction: The classification of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) comprises clinical criteria (vascular thrombosis or obstetric complications throughout life) and laboratory criteria (antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) positivity, confirmed at least twice at 12-week interval). Methods: In 100 patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 pneumonia, thrombosis and pregnancy complications were recorded during the hospital stay and in personal medical history. They were tested for nine types of aPLs at four time points (admission, deterioration, discharge, and 3-month follow-up): anticardiolipin (aCL), anti-β2-glycoproteinI (anti-β2GPI), and antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) isotypes IgM/IgG/IgA. Results: During hospitalization, aPLs were detected at least once in 51% of patients. All 7% of deceased patients tested negative for aPLs upon admission, and only one patient became aCL IgG positive as his condition worsened. In 83.3% of patients, intrahospital thrombosis was not related to aPLs. One patient with pulmonary artery and cerebral artery thrombosis was given an APS diagnosis (triple aPLs positivity on admission, double on follow-up). Personal anamnesis (PA) for thromboembolism was verified in 10 patients, all of whom tested negative for aPLs at admission; however, transition to aPLs positivity at discharge (as the disease subsided) was seen in 60% of patients: three of six with arterial thrombosis (at follow-up, two did not appear, and one was negativized) and three of four with deep vein thrombosis (one was confirmed at follow-up and diagnosed with APS, one was negativized, and one did not appear). At admission, the majority of the aPLs were of the aCL IgG class (58.8%). Unexpectedly, as the COVID-19 disease decreased, anti-β2GPI IgG antibodies (linked with thromboses) became newly positive at discharge (14.9%), as confirmed at follow-up (20.8%). Conclusion: The incidence of APS in our cohort was 2.0%, whereas in the general population, it ranges from 0.001% to 0.002%. The incidence might have increased even more if the four aPLs-positive patients with intrahospital thrombosis/history of thrombosis had attended follow-up. Recommendation: All patients with severe COVID-19 or post-COVID syndrome should be evaluated for current/previous thrombosis and tested for aPLs at least twice: at admission to the hospital and at discharge, then retested 3 months later in positive cases in order to be given the appropriate therapy.
Ključne besede: COVID-19, SARS-CoV2, anti-phosphatidylserine-prothrombin (aPS/PT) antibodies, anti-β2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) antibodies, anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs), antiphospholipid syndrome, immunology, post-COVID syndrome, vascular thrombosis
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 01.12.2025; Ogledov: 78; Prenosov: 37
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3. First-line anti-TNF agents, ustekinumab and vedolizumab perform similarly in Crohn' disease, but not in ulcerative colitisEva Supovec, Jurij Hanžel, Gregor Novak, Damjan Manevski, Borut Štabuc, David Drobne, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background: Real-word comparisons between first-line biologicals in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are scarce. Aims: The aim of this study is to compare drug persistence and patient reported outcome-2 (PRO-2) remission rates of first-line biological classes [anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents vs anti-integrin vedolizumab vs IL-12/23 inhibitor ustekinumab] in real life cohort. Methods: Individual level data of 946 adults (588 Crohn's disease and 358 ulcerative colitis) were retrieved from UR-CARE IBD platform. Adjusted drug survival curves using a pooled logistic model and PRO-2 remission rates for each class of biologicals were calculated and compared. Results: In Crohn's disease, no differences in drug survival were observed for anti-TNF agents vs vedolizumab vs ustekinumab as estimated survival with 95% confidence intervals were 0.81 (0.77-0.84) vs 0.89 (0.82-0.96) vs 0.88 (0.79-0.97) at year 1 and 0.52 (0.46-0.58) vs 0.58 (0.37-0.78) vs 0.58 (0.39-0.77) at year 4. In ulcerative colitis, however, anti-TNF agents had shorter drug survival than vedolizumab with estimated drug survival with 95% confidence intervals 0.60 (0.52-0.67) vs 0.76 (0.67-0.84) at year 1 and 0.37 (0.30-0.44) vs 0.50 (0.36-0.64) at year 4. No differences in PRO-2 remission rates were observed between drug classes in Crohn's disease (P = 0.95), but more patients enjoyed PRO-2 remission in ulcerative colitis treated with anti-TNF agents compared to vedolizumab (94.8 vs 78.9%, P = 0.002). Conclusion: Our real-world data suggest similar drug persistence and efficacy of first-line treatments with anti-TNF agents, vedolizumab and ustekinumab in Crohn's disease. In ulcerative colitis, however, drug persistence was higher for vedolizumab compared to anti-TNF agents, but on the cost of lower PRO-2 remission rates.
Ključne besede: anti-TNF agents, ustekinumab, vedolizumab
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 01.12.2025; Ogledov: 71; Prenosov: 41
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4. The effect of dietary intake of coenzyme Q10 on skin parameters and condition : results of a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind studyKatja Žmitek, Tina Pogačnik, Liljana Mervic, Janko Žmitek, Igor Pravst, 2017, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a natural constituent of foods and is also often used in both functional foods and supplements. In addition, it is a common ingredient of cosmetics where it is believed to reduce the signs of skin ageing. However, the existing data about the effect of dietary intake of CoQ10 on skin parameters and condition are scarce. To gain an insight into this issue, we conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment with 33 healthy subjects. Our objective was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of daily supplementation with 50 and 150 mg of CoQ10 on skin parameters and condition. Study was conducted with a water-soluble form of CoQ10 with superior bioavailability (Q10VitalVR ). While the results of some previous in vitro studies showed possible protection in UVB response, we did not observe significant changes in the minimal erythema dose (MED). On the other hand, the intake of CoQ10 limited seasonal deterioration of viscoelasticity and reduced some visible signs of ageing. We determined significantly reduced wrinkles and microrelief lines, and improved skin smoothness. Supplementation with CoQ10 did not significantly affect skin hydration and dermis thickness.
Ključne besede: coenzyme Q10, CoQ10, antioxidant, skin health, anti-ageing
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 27.11.2025; Ogledov: 101; Prenosov: 48
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5. Safety, long-term effectiveness, and immunogenicity of varicella vaccination in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis treated with biologic therapyMaša Bizjak, Jakob Peterlin, Tadej Avčin, Miroslav Petrovec, Alojz Ihan, Mojca Zajc Avramovič, Gašper Markelj, Tina Vesel, Veronika Osterman, Jerneja Ahčan, Helena Mole, Katja Dejak Gornik, Alenka Biteznik, Sara Jevnikar, Larisa Janžič, Miha Bajc, Andreja Nataša Kopitar, Nataša Toplak, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Objective: To evaluate safety, long-term effectiveness and immunogenicity of varicella vaccination in children with JIA, treated with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). Methods: This is a prospective case-control study. VZV-naive patients with JIA on selected bDMARDs (TNFi, IL-6 and IL-1 inhibitors), who were at risk for contracting varicella, had stable disease and normal values of immunoglobulins and lymphocyte populations, were vaccinated against varicella. Adverse events (AEs) and disease activity were followed after vaccination. VZV-specific humoral (VZV-IgG) and cell-mediated immunity (VZV-CMI) were measured at predetermined time points after vaccination by Liaison and intracellular cytokine staining, respectively. Two healthy control (HC) groups comprised 52 healthy children after varicella vaccination and 69 healthy children after varicella infection. Results: 17 patients were vaccinated against varicella (12 on TNFi, 4 on IL-6 inhibitors and 1 on IL-1 inhibitor), of whom 14 patients received both the first and second dose on bDMARDs. No vaccine-strain infections or other serious AEs occurred after vaccination. Disease activity increased in 3/17 (18 %) patients following vaccination. Four out of 17 (24 %) patients developed mild breakthrough varicella (BV) 4 months-4.5 years after vaccination, and none of the HC. Fourteen out of 17 (82 %) patients and 50/52 (96 %) vaccinated HC were seropositive after second vaccination and 8/11 (72 %) patients and 42/43 (98 %) vaccinated HC developed VZV-CMI, which persisted longer compared to VZV-IgG. Patients presented lower antibody levels compared to HC. The rate of VZV-IgG decline was comparable between patients and HC after vaccination or infection. Five patients received the third vaccine dose due to primary or secondary vaccine failure, and none of them developed BV. Conclusions: Varicella vaccination was safe and largely immunogenic in our cohort of JIA patients treated with bDMARDs. Although the vaccination was not always fully effective, it prevented severe disease in all vaccinated patients.
Ključne besede: varicella vaccination, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, biologic therapy, anti-cytokine therapy
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 13.11.2025; Ogledov: 146; Prenosov: 62
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6. Establishment of ELISA-comparable moderate and high thresholds for anticardiolipin and anti-β2 glycoprotein I chemiluminescent immunoassays according to the 2023 ACR/EULAR APS classification criteria and evaluation of their diagnostic performancePolona Žigon, Nika Boštic, Aleš Ambrožič, Žiga Rotar, Elizabeta Blokar, Manca Ogrič, Saša Čučnik, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Objectives: Recently published 2023 ACR/EULAR APS classification criteria emphasize the importance of quantifying single-, double-, and triple-antiphospholipid antibody positivity, distinguishing between IgG and IgM isotypes, and delineating moderate/high levels of anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-β2 glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) antibodies. We aimed to establish clinically important moderate/high thresholds for aCL and anti-β2GPI IgG/IgM chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIA), in particular QUANTA Flash, comparable to our in-house ELISAs used for over two decades, and to evaluate their diagnostic performance. Methods: QUANTA Flash CLIA and in-house ELISAs were used to measure aCL and anti-β2GPI IgG/IgM. Moderate thresholds for QUANTA Flash CLIA were determined using a non-parametric approach, calculating a 99th percentile on serum samples from 139 blood donors, and by mirroring the diagnostic performance of in-house ELISA on 159 patient samples. Results: Thresholds for QUANTA Flash CLIA achieving diagnostic performance equivalent to in-house ELISAs were 40 CU for moderate and 80 CU for high levels for aCL and anti-β2GPI IgG and IgM. The assays showed good qualitative agreement, ranging from 76.10 to 91.19 %. When considering in-house ELISA results, 14 out of 80 (17.5 %) patients did not fulfill the new ACR/EULAR laboratory classification criteria, while 27 out of 80 (33.8 %) did not when considering QUANTA Flash CLIA results. Conclusions: We determined moderate and high thresholds for aCL and anti-β2GPI IgG and IgM detected with QUANTA Flash CLIA, aligning with long-established in-house ELISA thresholds. These thresholds are crucial for seamlessly integrating of the new 2023 ACR/EULAR classification criteria into future observational clinical studies and trials.
Ključne besede: anti-β2GPI, anticardiolipin, antiphospholipid syndrome, classification criteria
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 10.11.2025; Ogledov: 149; Prenosov: 73
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7. Affective authoritarianism and anti-government protests : Demokracija’s journalistic narratives as acts of “making people feel” in authoritarian waysBarbara Gornik, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: In 2020, the world faced a global state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In Slo-venia, the situation coincided with the formation of Janez Janša’s government in March.Janša’s rise to power—and the rapid introduction of Covid-19 measures that significantlyrestricted public and civic space—prompted widespread resistance, most visibly throughgrassroots initiatives such as the anti-government bicycle demonstrations, also known asthe Friday Protests. During this period, private media outlets closely affiliated withJanša’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), including Demokracija magazine andNova24TV, played an active role in shaping the political discourse, also in relation to theprotests. This paper examines the affective dimensions of journalistic narratives aboutthe anti-government protests as published in Demokracija magazine between 1 March2020 and 28 February 2021. Drawing on qualitative content analysis of 41 articles, thestudy explores journalistic narratives as acts of “making people feel.” It engages with theconcept of affective authoritarianism, understood as a political process that simultaneouslymobilizes and generates specific affective intensities, emotions, and atmospheres thatrender individuals more receptive to authoritarian values, attitudes, and practices. This per-spective contributes to ongoing scholarly debates by highlighting the affective conditionsthat intensify authoritarianism within formally democratic states.
Ključne besede: affective authoritarianism, journalistic narratives, anti-government protests, affective change, authoritarian predisposition, Slovenia
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 08.07.2025; Ogledov: 282; Prenosov: 182
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9. Anti-corrosion and anti-icing properties of superhydrophobic laser-textured aluminum surfacesPeter Rodič, Nina Kovač, Slavko Kralj, Samo Jereb, Iztok Golobič, Matic Može, Ingrid Milošev, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Superhydrophobic surfaces have favorable properties in simultaneously reducing the negative effects of corrosion and ice accumulation. In this study, laser-texturing was employed as a facile and environmentally friendly surface method to prepare a surface with hierarchical roughness for subsequent grafting by immersion in an ethanol solution containing 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FAS-10). Various analytical techniques were utilized to assess the characteristics of the laser-textured aluminum surfaces before and after grafting, such as a contact profilometer, optical tensiometer, scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive spectroscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope. These methods were used to evaluate surface roughness, wettability, morphology, and composition. The corrosion properties were evaluated through potentiodynamic and impedance measurements in a dilute Harrison's solution (DHS) composed of 0.35 wt% (NH4)2SO4 + 0.05 wt% NaCl. Additionally, freezing delay tests at various surface temperatures were performed to assess the surface's ability to prevent the freezing of water droplets on the treated surface. The laser-textured aluminum surface, featuring micro/nanostructures and a grafted nanoscopic perfluoroalkyl silane film, exhibited outstanding superhydrophobicity and enhanced corrosion protection. The developed surface has been shown to significantly delay the onset of ice nucleation and extend the freezing delay.
Ključne besede: aluminum, laser-texturing, corrosion, superhydrophobic surface, anti-icing
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Ogledov: 586; Prenosov: 300
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10. Functionalisation of the aluminium surface by cucl2 chemical etching and perfluoro silane grafting : enhanced corrosion protection and improved anti-icing behaviourPeter Rodič, Matic Može, Iztok Golobič, Ingrid Milošev, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: This study aimed to prepare a facile hierarchical aluminium surface using a two-step process consisting of chemical etching in selected concentrations of CuCl2 solution and surface grafting through immersion in an ethanol solution containing 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane. The goal was to achieve superhydrophobic characteristics on the aluminium surface, including enhanced corrosion resistance, efficient self-cleaning ability, and improved anti-icing performance. The surface characterisation of the untreated aluminium and treated in CuCl2 solutions of different concentrations was performed using contact profilometry, optical tensiometry, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy to determine the surface topography, wettability, morphology, and surface composition. The corrosion properties were evaluated using potentiodynamic measurements in simulated acid rain solution and salt-spray test according to ASTM B117-22. In addition, self-cleaning and anti-icing tests were performed on superhydrophobic surfaces prepared under optimal conditions. The results showed that the nano-/micro-structured etched aluminium surface with an optimal 0.5 M concentration of CuCl2 grafted with a perfluoroalkyl silane film achieved superhydrophobic characteristics, with water droplets exhibiting efficient corrosion protection, self-cleaning ability, and improved anti-icing performance with decreased ice nucleation temperature and up to 545% increased freezing delay.
Ključne besede: superhydrophobic surface, corrosion protection, self-cleaning, anti-icing
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Ogledov: 528; Prenosov: 317
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