1. Fibulin-3 in plasma and pleural effusion as a biomarker of mesotheliomaKatja Adamič, Mateja Marc-Malovrh, Urška Bidovec, Aleš Rozman, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a global health concern linked to asbestos exposure. In Slovenia, regions with high asbestos exposure rates make MPM a significant public health issue. Although thoracoscopic biopsy is the gold standard for MPM diagnosis, its invasiveness highlights the need for reliable, non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. Patients and Methods: This prospective study evaluated the diagnostic potential of fibulin-3 as a biomarker for MPM, focusing on its ability to distinguish MPM from other pleural conditions, its association with disease stage and histological subtype, and its prognostic value for survival. 90 patients who underwent diagnostic thoracoscopic biopsy from January 2013 to October 2014 were included. Fibulin-3 levels in plasma and pleural effusion were measured using ELISA, and clinical data were analysed with statistical tests, including ROC analysis. Results: The study cohort comprised 32 patients with MPM, 24 with metastatic pleural carcinoma, and 34 with benign pleural diseases. Plasma fibulin-3 levels were significantly elevated (p = 0.0132) in MPM patients compared to those with benign pleural effusions due to asbestos exposure, with a cut-off of 12.31 ng/mL showing 100% specificity but low sensitivity (39.39%). Elevated fibulin-3 levels in pleural effusion correlated with advanced disease (p = 0.0463) and aggressive histological subtypes (p = 0.0324). No significant survival correlation was observed. Conclusions: While plasma fibulin-3 is a highly specific biomarker for MPM, its low sensitivity limits its standalone diagnostic utility. Its potential role in risk stratification and early detection in at-risk populations warrants further study. Keywords: fibulin-3, asbestos, pleural effusion, mesothelioma, biomarker Published in DiRROS: 18.06.2025; Views: 138; Downloads: 74
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2. Cold-induced anaphylaxis : new insights into clinical and genetic characteristicsMojca Bizjak, Peter Korošec, Mitja Košnik, Julij Šelb, Urška Bidovec, Manca Svetina, Samo Zver, Dejan Dinevski, Matija Rijavec, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The pathogenesis of cold urticaria (ColdU) and cold-induced anaphylaxis (ColdA) remains poorly understood, and ColdA is underrepresented in anaphylaxis literature. Laboratory features to guide management are largely unknown. This study evaluated basal serum tryptase (BST) and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in ColdU and ColdA, their associations with clinical features, and the utility of testing for the KIT p.D816V variant in blood leukocytes and hereditary a-tryptasemia (HaT). Keywords: anaphylaxis, cold urticaria, hereditary α-tryptasemia, KIT p.D816V, mast cell, total IgE, tryptase Published in DiRROS: 21.05.2025; Views: 290; Downloads: 122
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3. Prospective observational study of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with thoracic malignancies : adverse events, breakthrough infections and survival outcomesUrška Janžič, Andrej Janžič, Abed Agbarya, Urška Bidovec, Katja Mohorčič, Marina Čakš, Peter Korošec, Matija Rijavec, Erik Škof, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Abstract: Due to the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, a preventive tool in the form of vaccination was introduced. Thoracic cancer patients had one of the highest rates of morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 disease, but the lack of data about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines in this population triggered studies like ours to explore these parameters in a cancer population. Out of 98 patients with thoracic malignancies vaccinated per protocol, 60–75% experienced some adverse events (AE) after their first or second vaccination, most of them were mild and did not interfere with their daily activities. Out of 17 severe AEs reported, all but one were resolved shortly after vaccination. No significant differences were noted considering AE occurrence between different cancer therapies received after the first or second vaccination dose, p = 0.767 and p = 0.441, respectively. There were 37 breakthrough infections either after the first (1), second (13) or third (23) vaccine dose. One patient died as a direct consequence of COVID-19 infection and respiratory failure, and another after disease progression with simultaneous severe infection. Eight patients had moderate disease courses, received antiviral therapies and survived without consequences. Vaccination did not affect the time to disease progression or death from underlying cancer. Keywords: thoracic malignancies, cancer therapy, COVID-19 vaccination, adverse events, breakthrough infection Published in DiRROS: 24.03.2025; Views: 341; Downloads: 188
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4. Cellular and humoral response after induction of protection and after finishing Hymenoptera venom immunotherapyAjda Demšar Luzar, Matija Rijavec, Mitja Košnik, Urška Bidovec, Jerneja Debeljak, Mihaela Zidarn, Peter Kopač, Peter Korošec, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy, sting challenge, biomarkers, serology, basophil activation test, follow-up Published in DiRROS: 19.02.2025; Views: 358; Downloads: 199
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5. Art v 1 IgE epitopes of patients and humanized mice are conformationalMaja Zabel, Milena Weber, Bernhard Kratzer, Cordula Köhler, Beatrice Jahn-Schmid, Gabriele Gadermaier, Pia Gattinger, Urška Bidovec, Peter Korošec, Ursula Smole, Rudolf Valenta, Winfried F. Pickl, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Worldwide, pollen of the weed mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is a major cause of severe respiratory allergy, with its major allergen, Art v 1, being the key pathogenic molecule for millions of patients. Humanized mice transgenic for a human T-cell receptor specific for the major Art v 1 T-cell epitope and the corresponding HLA have been made. Objective: We sought to characterize IgE epitopes of Art v 1–sensitized patients and humanized mice for molecular immunotherapy of mugwort allergy. Methods: Four overlapping peptides incorporating surface-exposed amino acids representing the full-length Art v 1 sequence were synthesized and used to search for IgE reactivity to sequential epitopes. For indirect mapping, peptide-specific rabbit antibodies were raised to block IgE against surface-exposed epitopes on folded Art v 1. IgE reactivity and basophil activation studies were performed in clinically defined mugwort-allergic patients. Secondary structure of recombinant (r) Art v 1 and peptides was determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Results: Mugwort-allergic patients and humanized mice sensitized by allergen inhalation showed IgE reactivity and/or basophil activation mainly to folded, complete Art v 1 but not to unfolded, sequential peptide epitopes. Blocking of allergic patients’ IgE with peptide-specific rabbit antisera identified a hitherto unknown major conformational IgE binding site in the C-terminal Art v 1 domain. Conclusions: Identification of the new major conformational IgE binding site on Art v 1, which can be blocked with IgG raised against non-IgE reactive Art v 1 peptides, is an important basis for the development of a hypoallergenic peptide vaccine for mugwort allergy. Keywords: mugwort pollen allergy, IgE epitope, allergen-specific immunotherapy Published in DiRROS: 31.08.2022; Views: 1446; Downloads: 627
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6. Solid cancer patients achieve adequate immunogenicity and low rate of severe adverse events after SARS-CoV-2 vaccinationUrška Janžič, Urška Bidovec, Katja Mohorčič, Loredana Mrak, Nina Fokter Dovnik, Marija Ivanović, Maja Ravnik, Marina Čakš, Erik Škof, Jerneja Debeljak, Peter Korošec, Matija Rijavec, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Background: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in cancer patients is crucial to prevent severe COVID-19 disease course. Methods: This study assessed immunogenicity of cancer patients on active treatment receiving mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine by detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG antibodies in serum, before, after the first and second doses and 3 months after a complete primary course of vaccination. Results were compared with healthy controls. Results: Of 112 patients, the seroconversion rate was 96%. A significant reduction in antibody levels was observed 3 months after vaccination in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors versus control participants (p < 0.001). Adverse events were mostly mild. Conclusion: Immunogenicity after mRNA-based vaccine in cancer patients is adequate but influenced by the type of anticancer therapy. Antibody levels decline after 3 months, and thus a third vaccination is warranted. Keywords: onkološko zdravljenje, imunogenost, osnovno cepljenje mRNA, čvrsti tumorji, anticancer treatment, immunogenicity, mRNA-based vaccination, solid cancer Published in DiRROS: 24.06.2022; Views: 1616; Downloads: 649
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7. Heterogeneous response of airway eosinophilia to anti-IL-5 biologics in severe asthma patientsMaruša Kopač, Matija Rijavec, Peter Korošec, Urška Bidovec, Izidor Kern, Romana Vantur, Sabina Škrgat, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Many questions concerning responders (R) and nonresponders (NR) in severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) after blocking the IL-5 (interleukin 5) pathway are still not clear, especially regarding the early parameters of response to biologics in personalized treatment strategies. We evaluated 17 SEA patients treated with anti-IL-5 biologics (16 patients mepolizumab, one patient benralizumab) before the introduction of biologics, and at a week 16 follow-up. Clinical, cellular and immunological parameters in peripheral blood were measured in R and NR. Sputum induction with the measurement of cellular and immunological parameters was performed at 16 weeks only. There were 12 R and 5 NR to biologics. After 16 weeks, there was a significant improvement in percentages of FEV1 (p = 0.001), and asthma control test (ACT) (p = 0.001) in the R group, but not in NR. After 16 weeks, the eosinophils in induced sputum were 27.0% in NR and 4.5% in R (p = 0.05), with no difference in IL-5 concentrations (p = 0.743). Peripheral eosinophilia decreased significantly in NR (p = 0.032) and R (p = 0.002). In patients with SEA on anti-IL-5 therapy, there was a marked difference in airway eosinophilic inflammation between R and NR already at 16 weeks, after anti-IL-5 introduction. Published in DiRROS: 13.01.2022; Views: 1748; Downloads: 934
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8. Usefulness of rapid antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2 screening of healthcare workers : ǂa ǂpilot studyAnja Šterbenc, Viktorija Tomič, Urška Bidovec, Katja Vrankar, Aleš Rozman, Mihaela Zidarn, 2021, other scientific articles Abstract: Background. Identification of infected healthcare workers (HCWs) is an important step in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission control. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are considered an important addition to molecular tests in diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), mainly because of their fast turnaround time, easier analytical procedure and lower price. However, real-life studies on the usefulness of such testing for screening of HCWs are limited. Methods. Physicians, nurses and hospital attendants currently working at the University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik were invited to participate in the pilot study. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained three times per week for two consecutive weeks and tested with a point-of-care RAT and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serum samples were obtained at the beginning of the study and 2 weeks after the last swab was collected to evaluate the serological status. Results. A total of 191 nasopharyngeal swabs from 36 HCWs were obtained. None of the samples tested was positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigen, whereas two HCWs tested positive on RT-PCR. Of these, one HCW had a newly identified SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas RT-PCR probably detected a previous but recent infection in the other HCW. Conclusio.n Based on the results of this pilot study, it is unlikely that RAT will reliably detect novel SARS-CoV-2 infections among asymptomatic HCWs despite serial sampling. Although RT-PCR-based screening of HCWs may not be feasible due to high sample volume, molecular methods may identify SARS-CoV-2-infected HCWs already during the presymptomatic stage. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, health personnel, COVID-19 serological testing, real-time polymerase chain reaction, rapid antigen test, screening Published in DiRROS: 28.05.2021; Views: 1700; Downloads: 590
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9. Chemokines during anaphylaxis : the importance of CCL2 and CCL2-dependent chemotactic activity for basophilsRomana Vantur, Maruša Rihar, Ana Koren, Matija Rijavec, Peter Kopač, Urška Bidovec, Renato Eržen, Peter Korošec, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Background: The role of chemokines in anaphylaxis is unclear. Methods: We prospectively recruited 49 patients presenting to the emergency department with an acute episode of anaphylaxis and 28 healthy subjects. We measured serum levels of the chemokines CCL2, CCL5, CCL7, CCL8, CCL11, CCL13, CCL17, CCL21, CCL22, CCL24, and CCL26, tryptase, the absolute number of circulating basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and PMNs, and whole blood FCER1A, CPA3 and HDC gene expression at two time points: during the anaphylactic episode and in convalescent samples collected approximately 3 months later. We then investigated the in vitro chemotactic activity of chemokines induced during anaphylaxis for the in vitro migration of the corresponding cells. Results: Only CCL2 chemokine levels were signifcantly increased in anaphylaxis samples (median 514 pg/ml) compared to convalescent samples (284 pg/ml, P<0.0001) and healthy subjects (279 pg/ml, P<0.0001); there was no signifcant diference in any of the other chemokines. There was a signifcant positive correlation between the rates of increase of serum CCL2 (median [range]: 106.0% [-44.7% to 557.4%]) and tryptase (133.8% [-6.6% to 893.4%]; r=0.68, P<0.0001) and between the acute concentration of serum CCL2 and the acute concentration of serum tryptase (r=0.77, P<0.0001). The number of circulating basophils, but not other blood cells, signifcantly decreased during anaphylaxis (median 5.0 vs. 19.1 cells/[micro]l in convalescent samples; P<0.0001); a decrease in whole-blood gene expression of basophil markers (P=0.0018) confirmed these changes. Anaphylactic serum enhances the in vitro migration of basophils via CCL2-dependent chemotactic activity; in contrast, no CCL2-dependent chemotactic activity was observed for convalescent samples. Conclusions: Our findings imply an important and specifc role for CCL2-mediated chemotactic activity in the pathophysiology of human anaphylaxis. Keywords: anaphylaxis, chemokines, tryptases, basophils, chemotaxis, CCL2, cell migration Published in DiRROS: 18.01.2021; Views: 2509; Downloads: 892
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10. Glycosylation enhances allergenic activity of major bee venom allergen Api m 1 by adding IgE epitopesPia Gattinger, Urška Bidovec, Mihaela Zidarn, Peter Korošec, Rudolf Valenta, Irene Mittermann, 2020, other scientific articles Keywords: insect venom allergy, Api m 1, allergen, glycosylation, allergenic activity Published in DiRROS: 26.10.2020; Views: 2166; Downloads: 1289
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