1. Sarcopenic obesity in cancerMihaela Jurdana, Maja Čemažar, 2024, review article Abstract: Sarcopenic obesity is a relatively new term. It is a clinical condition characterized by sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and function) and obesity (increase in fat mass) that mainly affects older adults. As the incidence of sarcopenia and obesity increases worldwide, sarcopenic obesity is becoming a greater problem also in cancer patients. In fact, sarcopenic obesity is associated with poorer treatment outcomes, longer hospital stays, physical disability, and shorter survival in several cancers. Oxidative stress, lipotoxicity, and systemic inflammation, as well as altered expression of skeletal muscle anti-inflammatory myokines in sarcopenic obesity, are also associated with carcinogenesis. Conclusions. Reported prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in cancer varies because of heterogeneity in definitions and variability in diagnostic criteria used to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and obesity. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe the definitions, prevalence, and diagnostic criteria as well as the mechanisms that cancer has in common with sarcopenic obesity.
Keywords: sarcopenia, obesity, cancer, inflammation
Published in DiRROS: 24.06.2026; Views: 265; Downloads: 107
 Full text (443,36 KB) |
2. Radiation-induced impairment of skeletal muscle regenerationMaja Čemažar, Mihaela Jurdana, 2025, review article Abstract: Background. Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of treatment for various cancers, but often causes collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissue, including skeletal muscle. Ionizing radiation leads to oxidative stress and inflammation, which impairs the regenerative capacity of muscle tissue. Irradiation reduces the number and functionality of satellite cells and disrupts the tightly regulated processes of myogenesis and tissue remodelling. In addition, irradiation alters the muscle microenvironment by promoting fibrosis and vascular damage, which further impedes effective regenera-tion. Cytokine signalling pathways are also dysregulated following irradiation, contributing to impaired activation and differentiation of satellite cells. Conclusions. There is evidence that factors such as melatonin and growth factors can improve muscle regenera-tion. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the impairment of muscle regeneration after radiotherapy is crucial for the development of targeted strategies to mitigate side effects and improve patients’ qual-ity of life. Overall, the preservation and restoration of muscle function in irradiated tissue remains a critical challenge that requires multidisciplinary approaches
Keywords: skeletal muscle, radiotherapy, muscle regeneration, melatonine
Published in DiRROS: 17.06.2026; Views: 319; Downloads: 203
Full text (170,90 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
3. The usefulness of a body shape index in assessing muscle function and strength in older adults hemodialysis patientsBojan Knap, Boštjan Žvanut, Lucija Brezočnik, Mihaela Jurdana, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Objective: This study investigates the relationship between a new anthropometric measure, the Body Shape Index (ABSI), and body composition and biochemical parameters in hemodialysis patients and, for the first time, the correlation between ABSI and muscle strength and function in these patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 80 patients who were regularly treated in the hemodialysis unit of a single medical center of the University Hospital of Ljubljana, Slovenia. General anthropometric parameters body mass index (BMI) and ABSI=(WC/(BMI2/3x height½) as well as body composition data (fat mass FM, fat-free mass FFM, fat-free mass index FFMI, skeletal muscle index SMI) were determined in 25 women (aged 74.5 ± 7.5 years) and 55 men (aged 70.1 ± 6.6 years) with overweight (25 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Muscle strength was determined using a hand grip strength test, while muscle performance was assessed using the sit-to-stand test. Results: ABSI was significantly negatively associated with muscle strength, functional tests and SMI only in men. Based on the median ABSI value (0.090273 m11/6·kg−2/3 in women and 0.090893 m11/6·kg−2/3 in men), women with a higher ABSI had a significantly higher glucose concentration than those with a lower ABSI. Men with a lower ABSI obtained significantly better results in the hand grip test, sit-to-stand test and waist circumference (WC). In conclusion, our findings suggest an inverse association between ABSI and muscle strength and function in male hemodialysis patients, indicating that higher ABSI may reflect poorer physical condition in this population. Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the clinical significance of this relationship.
Keywords: hemodialysis, muscle strenght, sarcopenia
Published in DiRROS: 13.04.2026; Views: 335; Downloads: 213
Full text (634,95 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
4. |
5. Povezava med neprespanostjo in delazmožnostjo zaposlenih v zdravstveni negiMelita Peršolja, Anamarija Mišmaš, Mihaela Jurdana, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Uvod: Spanje je aktivni proces, ki pomembno vpliva na kakovost delovnega življenja. V ta namen je bila izvedena raziskava o odnosu med neprespanostjo in delazmožnostjo zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi. Metode: V kvantitativni opisni raziskavi so bili v letih 2014 in 2015 obravnavani zaposleni iz ene splošne bolnišnice in dveh domov upokojencev v Sloveniji. Z enostavnim slučajnostnim izborom je bilo v stratificiran vzorec vključenih 21,26 % (n = 81) v zdravstveni negi zaposlenih žensk iz teh treh zavodov. Podatki, pridobljeni z anketo (Cronbach % = 0,624), so bili analizirani z deskriptivno statistiko in s korelacijsko analizo. Rezultati: Večina anketirank opravlja od tri do sedem nočnih izmen mesečno (x = 3,76, s = 2,51). Vse anketiranke imajo težave z nespečnostjo (n = 81, 100 %), večina jih s težavo ostaja budnih na delovnem mestu (n = 52, 64,2 %). Težave z budnostjo na delovnem mestu se povezujejo s slabšim splošnim počutjem (r = 0,236, p = 0,034) in so pogostejše ob večjem številu nočnih izmen v mesecu (r = %0,322, p = 0,003). Anketiranke so mnenja, da neprespanost povečuje verjetnost napak pri delu (n = 60, 74,1 %), upočasnjuje hitrost odzivanja na nepričakovane urgentne situacije na delovnem mestu (n = 58, 71,6 %) ter slabo vpliva na njihovo komunikacijo s pacienti (n = 48, 59,2 %). Diskusija in zaključek: Podobno kot druge tuje raziskave o zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi tudi ta potrjuje, da se neprespanost zaradi nočnega dela povezuje s slabšim počutjem, utrujenostjo in zmanjšano delazmožnostjo.
Keywords: neprespanost, izmensko delo, kakovost življenja, kakovost dela, medicinske sestre
Published in DiRROS: 28.01.2026; Views: 418; Downloads: 174
 Link to file |
6. Physical activity and cancer risk. Actual knowledge and possible biological mechanismsMihaela Jurdana, 2021, review article Abstract: Scientific evidence has shown that an increase in regular physical activity is associated with a decrease in the development of many types of cancer. Potential mechanisms that link physical activity to reduced cancer risk include a decrease in systemic inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), sex hormones, pro-inflammatory leptin and other obesity-related cytokines, and a significant increase in anti-inflammatory adiponectin levels. In addition, physical activity improves immune function and the composition and diversity of the gastrointestinal microbiota. Moderate physical activity is important for cancer protection, but the most significant changes in the inflammatory profile are conferred by physical activity performed at higher intensities. Thus, there is a need for further investigation into the type, intensity, and duration of physical activity for the prevention of some types of cancer and the development of effective recommendations.
Published in DiRROS: 19.07.2024; Views: 1217; Downloads: 650
Full text (361,08 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
7. |
8. Effect of ionizing radiation on human skeletal muscle precursor cellsMihaela Jurdana, Maja Čemažar, Katarina Pegan, Tomaž Marš, 2013, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Background. Long term effects of different doses of ionizing radiation on human skeletal muscle myoblast proliferation, cytokine signalling and stress response capacity were studied in primary cell cultures.Materials and methods. Human skeletal muscle myoblasts obtained from muscle biopsies were cultured and irradiated with a Darpac 2000 X-ray unit at doses of 4, 6 and 8 Gy. Acute effects of radiation were studied by interleukin - 6 (IL-6) release and stress response detected by the heat shock protein (HSP) level, while long term effects were followed by proliferation capacity and cell death.Results. Compared with non-irradiated control and cells treated with inhibitor of cell proliferation Ara C, myoblast proliferation decreased 72 h post-irradiation, this effect was more pronounced with increasing doses. Post-irradiation myoblast survival determined by measurement of released LDH enzyme activity revealed increased activity after exposure to irradiation. The acute response of myoblasts to lower doses of irradiation (4 and 6 Gy) was decreased secretion of constitutive IL-6. Higher doses of irradiation triggered a stress response in myoblasts, determined by increased levels of stress markers (HSPs 27 and 70).Conclusions. Our results show that myoblasts are sensitive to irradiation in terms of their proliferation capacity and capacity to secret IL-6. Since myoblast proliferation and differentiation are a key stage in muscle regeneration, this effect of irradiation needs to be taken in account, particularly in certain clinical conditions.
Keywords: myoblasts, irradiation, proliferation, interleukin 6, muscle regeneration, apoptosis
Published in DiRROS: 03.04.2024; Views: 1600; Downloads: 916
Full text (377,29 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
9. |
10. Cancer cachexia-anorexia syndrome and skeletal muscle wastingMihaela Jurdana, 2009, review article Abstract: Cachexia-anorexia syndrome is a common and important indicator of cancer. It occurs in 30% to 80% of cancer patients. Cachexia means "bad condition" and may be present in the early stages of tumor growth, before any signs of malignancy. Cancer cachexia is a syndrome of progressive body wasting, characterized by loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle mass. In most cancer patients, cachexia is characteriyed by anorexia, which implies a failure of food intake, regulated through a complex system of hormones and neuropeptides. A decline in food intake relative to energy expenditure is a fundamental physiologic derangement leading to cancer associated weight loss. The weight loss in patients with cachexia-anorexia syndrome differs from that in caloric starvation or anorexia nervosa. The pathophysiology of cancer cachexia is not fully understood; however, studies have shown that cytokines are important in the alteration of the carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. Cancer, prolonged bed rest, HIV infection and aging are conditionsin which muscle wasting is a common feature. An intervention that may potentially attenuate the progression of muscle wasting in cancer patientsis resistance exercise training, defined as multiple repetitions of static or dynamic muscular contractions that increase muscle mass. The main components of the pathological state of cachexia are anorexia and metabolic abnormalities such as fat depletion and muscle protein catabolism. Future developments may concentrate on the molecular abnormalities of cachexia and on examination of the functional benefit of resistance exercise training for cancer related muscle wasting.
Keywords: cancer cachexia, muscle wasting, cytokines, muscle
Published in DiRROS: 08.03.2024; Views: 1600; Downloads: 516
Full text (106,86 KB) |
