1. Temporal trends of selected diabetic foot deformities and risk factors : an exploratory analysis from a tertiary diabetes clinicIztok Štotl, Rok Blagus, Vilma Urbančič-Rovan, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Aims: While classical diabetic foot risk factors are well established, their temporal progression remains insufficiently understood, particularly for deformities. Therefore, we aimed to analyze trends in selected diabetic foot risk factors and to design a practical monitoring model for long-term clinical use. Methods: From 51,001 routine foot examinations at tertiary diabetes clinic (1998-2024), we included 14,436 screenings from 3,049 patients with complete data. Using generalized estimating equations, we modelled the temporal trends in the prevalence of six diabetes-related complications. Results: Loss of Protective Sensation (LOPS) significantly increased the odds (adjusted for age at diagnosis, sex, diabetes type, and duration) of five complications: fat pad atrophy (OR = 2.12), toenail deformity (OR = 2.44), toe deformities (OR = 2.57), callus (OR = 3.66), and xerosis (OR = 2.27). Toenail deformity was the most prevalent complication, while fat pad atrophy showed the steepest relative increase over time. Female sex was a risk factor for specific deformities and fat pad atrophy but protective against xerosis (OR = 0.76). Conclusion: The developed models provide clinically actionable risk trajectories, revealing distinct patterns by complication type, LOPS status, and demographic factors. These findings can directly support targeted screening protocols and inform resource allocation. Keywords: diabetes mellitus, deformity, toenail deformity, toe deformity fat, pad atrophy, callus, hallux valgus, xerosis Published in DiRROS: 01.07.2026; Views: 253; Downloads: 199
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2. Factors associated with the outcome of root canal treatment : a cohort study conducted in a private practiceRok Jurič, Gaj Vidmar, Rok Blagus, Janja Jan, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Aim: To investigate the association of various pre-, intra- and post-operative factors on root canal treatment outcome. Methodology: In this cohort study, primary or secondary root canal treatment of mature permanent teeth was performed by a single endodontist in a private practice over 13 years, and followed 1-4 years after treatment. Treatment details and clinical and radiographic data were collected. The proportion of successfully treated teeth and roots based on strict radiographic (periapical index (PAI) ≤2) and clinical criteria (absence of pain, swelling or sinus tract) was estimated. To evaluate joint associations of prognostic factors and treatment success probability, 44 pre, intra- and post-operative factors were investigated using bivariate associations, and a multiple logistic regression model was fitted using Generalized Estimating Equations. Results: 1259 teeth (2445 roots, 3149 canals) were assessed with a recall rate of 91%. The proportion of successfully treated teeth was 79.9% [95% confidence interval 77.7-82.1]. Eleven prognostic factors were identified that significantly reduced the odds ratio (OR) for treatment success at tooth level. Six were preoperative: injury history (OR = 0.05[0.01-0.24]), root PAI (OR = 0.29[0.20-0.42], 0.21[0.13-0.34] and 0.22[0.12-0.42] for PAI = 3, 4 and 5, respectively, against PAI = 1), lesion diameter (OR = 0.30[0.21-0.43] and 0.24[0.16-0.37] for diameters of 1-5 mm and ≥6 mm, respectively, against no lesion), tooth type (OR = 0.51[0.27-0.97] and OR = 0.45[0.24-0.83] for premolars and molars, respectively, against incisors or canines), tenderness to periapical palpation (OR = 0.64[0.43-0.94]) and two canals per root (OR = 0.67[0.54-0.83]). Four factors were intraoperative: root filling of unsatisfactory quality (OR = 0.18[0.08-0.40]) or extending beyond or shorter than 2 mm from the apex (OR = 0.44[0.26-0.75] and 0.62[0.40-0.97] respectively), resin sealer (OR = 0.58[0.39-0.87] against bioceramic sealer) and single visit treatment (OR = 0.40[0.21-0.75] against multiple visits). One factor was post-operative: defective coronal restoration (OR = 0.35[0.21-0.56]). Conclusion: The following factors were associated with unsuccessful root canal treatment: (i) history of injury, apical periodontitis with increased severity (larger lesion, higher PAI, tenderness to periapical palpation), or complicated anatomic conditions (premolar or molar, two canals in a single root); (ii) technically suboptimal root filling (of unsatisfactory quality or not ending within 2 mm of radiographic apex) performed in a single-visit, or use of resin sealer instead of novel bioceramic sealer; (iii) suboptimal quality coronal restoration. Keywords: outcome assessment, periapical periodontitis, root canal therapy, treatment outcome Published in DiRROS: 10.06.2026; Views: 240; Downloads: 250
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3. Deregulation in adult IgA vasculitis skin as the basis for the discovery of novel serum biomarkersMatija Bajželj, Matjaž Hladnik, Rok Blagus, Vesna Jurčić, Ana Markež, Tanya Deniz Toluay, Snežna Sodin-Šemrl, Alojzija Hočevar, Katja Lakota, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) in adults has a variable disease course, with patients often developing gastrointestinal and renal involvement and thus contributing to higher mortality. Due to understudied molecular mechanisms in IgAV currently used biomarkers for IgAV visceral involvement are largely lacking. Our aim was to search for potential serum biomarkers based on the skin transcriptomic signature. Methods: RNA sequencing analysis was conducted on skin biopsies collected from 6 treatment-naïve patients (3 skin only and 3 renal involvement) and 3 healthy controls (HC) to get insight into deregulated processes at the transcriptomic level. 15 analytes were selected and measured based on the transcriptome analysis (adiponectin, lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1), C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 19, kallikrein-5, CCL3, leptin, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 5, osteopontin, interleukin (IL)-15, CXCL10, angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), SERPIN A12/vaspin, IL-18 and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4)) in sera of 59 IgAV and 22 HC. Machine learning was used to assess the ability of the analytes to predict IgAV and its organ involvement. Results: Based on the gene expression levels in the skin, we were able to differentiate between IgAV patients and HC using principal component analysis (PCA) and a sample-to-sample distance matrix. Differential expression analysis revealed 49 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in all IgAV patient's vs. HC. Patients with renal involvement had more DEGs than patients with skin involvement only (507 vs. 46 DEGs) as compared to HC, suggesting different skin signatures. Major dysregulated processes in patients with renal involvement were lipid metabolism, acute inflammatory response, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related processes. 11 of 15 analytes selected based on affected processes in IgAV skin (osteopontin, LBP, ANGPTL4, IL-15, FABP4, CCL19, kallikrein-5, CCL3, leptin, IL-18 and MMP1) were significantly higher (p-adj < 0.05) in IgAV serum as compared to HC. Prediction models utilizing measured analytes showed high potential for predicting adult IgAV. Conclusion: Skin transcriptomic data revealed deregulations in lipid metabolism and acute inflammatory response, reflected also in serum analyte measurements. LBP, among others, could serve as a potential biomarker of renal complications, while adiponectin and CXCL10 could indicate gastrointestinal involvement. Keywords: acute inflammatory response, adults, IgA vasculitis, lipid metabolism, machine learning, RNA sequencing, serum biomarkers Published in DiRROS: 04.06.2026; Views: 316; Downloads: 218
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4. Nutrition of patients with severe neurologic impairmentAnija Orel, Matjaž Homan, Rok Blagus, Evgen Benedik, Rok Orel, Nataša Fidler Mis, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Commercial enteral formulas are generally recommended for gastrostomy feeding in patients with severe neurologic impairment. However, pureed food diets are still widely used and even gaining popularity among certain groups. We tried to compare the effectiveness of gastrostomy feeding for treatment of severe malnutrition with either enteral formulas or pureed feeds. Patients and methods. A 6-month nutritional intervention was made with 37 malnourished children, adolescents and young adults (2%26 years old) with severe neurologic impairment (Gross Motor Function Classification system [GMFCS] grade V). The individual needs were calculated. Participants were fed by gastrostomy with either enteral formulas (n = 17) or pureed food (n = 20). Measurements to assess nutritional status were made at the beginning and at the end of intervention. Results. The Z scores for weight-for-age and for the body-mass index increased more in enteral formula than in pureed food group (2.07 vs. 0.70, p = 0.0012; and 3.75 vs. 0.63, p = 0.0014, respectively). Fat mass index increased more in enteral formula than in pureed food group (1.12 kg/m2 vs. 0.38 kg/m2; p = 0.0012). Patients in the enteral formula group showed increase in lean body mass expressed as fat-free mass index (0.70 kg/m2), while those in pureed food group did not (-0.06 kg/m2) (p = 0.0487). Conclusions. The results suggest that even professionally planned pureed food diet is less effective than commercial enteral formula for nutritional rehabilitation of malnourished patients with severe neurologic impairment. However, larger and if possible randomised clinical studies should be made to confirm our findings. Keywords: malnutrition, severe neurologic impairment, gastrostomy Published in DiRROS: 11.06.2024; Views: 1353; Downloads: 472
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5. Early cardiotoxicity after adjuvant concomitant treatment with radiotherapy and trastuzumab in patients with breast cancerTanja Marinko, Simona Borštnar, Rok Blagus, Jure Dolenc, Cvetka Bilban-Jakopin, 2018, original scientific article Keywords: radiotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy, cardiotoxicity, breast cancer Published in DiRROS: 10.06.2024; Views: 1303; Downloads: 523
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6. Breast cancer risk prediction using Tyrer-Cuzick algorithm with an 18-SNPs polygenic risk score in a European population with below-average breast cancer incidenceTjaša Oblak, Petra Škerl, Benjamin J. Narang, Rok Blagus, Mateja Krajc, Srdjan Novaković, Janez Žgajnar, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Goals: To determine whether an 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) polygenic risk score (PRS18) improves breast cancer (BC) risk prediction for women at above-average risk of BC, aged 40-49, in a Central European population with BC incidence below EU average. Methods: 502 women aged 40-49 years at the time of BC diagnosis completed a questionnaire on BC risk factors (as per Tyrer-Cuzick algorithm) with data known at age 40 and before BC diagnosis. Blood samples were collected for DNA isolation. 250 DNA samples from healthy women aged 50 served as a control cohort. 18 BC-associated SNPs were genotyped in both groups and PRS18 was calculated. The predictive power of PRS18 to detect BC was evaluated using a ROC curve. 10-year BC risk was calculated using the Tyrer-Cuzick algorithm adapted to the Slovenian incidence rate (S-IBIS): first based on questionnaire-based risk factors and, second, including PRS18. Results: The AUC for PRS18 was 0.613 (95 % CI 0.570-0.657). 83.3 % of women were classified at above-average risk for BC with S-IBIS without PRS18 and 80.7 % when PRS18 was included. Conclusion: BC risk prediction models and SNPs panels should not be automatically used in clinical practice in different populations without prior population-based validation. In our population the addition of an 18SNPs PRS to questionnaire-based risk factors in the Tyrer-Cuzick algorithm in general did not improve BC risk stratification, however, some improvements were observed at higher BC risk scores and could be valuable in distinguishing women at intermediate and high risk of BC. Keywords: early breast cancer, polygenic risk score, risk prediction Published in DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Views: 1986; Downloads: 619
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