1. The glomerulus in bloom - ultrastructural tapestry of collagenofibrotic glomerulopathyŽeljka Večerić-Haler, Jerica Pleško, Nika Kojc, 2026, other scientific articles Abstract: We highlight an ultrastructural image of collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy, a rare disorder marked by mesangial and subendothelial type III collagen deposition, and place it within the current consensus on diagnostic criteria and clinical implications. The fibrils show a woven, thread-like pattern of delicate interlacing bundles, reminiscent of fine flowering twigs in a tapestry, highlighting the beauty of highquality electron microscopy visualization in nephropathology.
Keywords: collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy, type III collagen, deposition, fibrils, electron microscopy, non-immune glomerulopathy
Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2026; Views: 274; Downloads: 229
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2. Investigation of ceramic powders using piezoresponse force microscopyNejc Suban, Silvo Drnovšek, Hana Uršič Nemevšek, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is a widely used technique for probing the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of ceramic materials at the nanoscale. However, its application to ceramic powders remains challenging due to the irregular non-flat shape of the powders. In this study, an approach for PFM analysis of ceramic powders is presented, where ceramic powders are embedded in polymer resin and polished to achieve flat surface for PFM imaging. The approach is demonstrated on ferroelectric PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (PZT) and 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.35PbTiO3 (PMN-35PT) powders. PFM imaging reveals the piezoelectricity within the powder particles and localises the ferroelectric domains within them, while the PFM switching spectroscopy experiment is used to observe the domain switching behavior.
Keywords: ceramic powder, piezoresponse force microscopy
Published in DiRROS: 17.02.2026; Views: 483; Downloads: 333
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3. Microalgal communities in mucilage aggregates (Northern Adriatic Sea, summer 2024) based on microscopy and metabarcodingMarika Ubaldi, Francesca Neri, Giorgia Montali, Tiziana Romagnoli, Aurora Tomasini, Federica Cerino, Timotej Turk Dermastia, Patricija Mozetič, Janja Francé, Camilla Spoto, Stefano Accoroni, Cecilia Totti, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: The mucilage phenomenon consists of the appearance of large gelatinous aggregates floating in the water column. In summer 2024, this event has reappeared in the Northern Adriatic Sea (NAS) on a large scale. This study provides an integrated characterization of the microalgal community within mucilage aggregates and surrounding waters in two NAS areas (Gulf of Trieste and Conero Riviera) using light microscopy (LM), metabarcoding (MB) based on ribosomal 18S V4 and V9 markers, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for selected taxa identification. Mucilage aggregates acted as dynamic microbial hotspots, hosting a rich diatom community, with abundances 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than in the surrounding water. Dominant diatom species were Cylindrotheca closterium, Nitzschia spp., Nitzschia gobbii, and Thalassionema nitzschioides. Some phytoflagellates (e.g., Tetraselmis spp.) and dinoflagellates (e.g., Karlodinium veneficum, Pseliodinium fusus, and Wangodinium sinense) were detected exclusively by MB, while LM and SEM revealed species missed by other approaches. Gonyaulax fragilis, one of the species indicated as an important mucus producer, was present at the onset and throughout the phenomenon, as detected by LM and MB. The integrated approach improves knowledge of microalgal communities in NAS mucilage.
Keywords: mucilage, Northern Adriatic Sea, phytoplankton, microalgae, metabarcoding, microscopy, Gonyaulax fragilis, Harmful Algal Blooms
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Views: 546; Downloads: 449
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4. Enhancing wood sample preparation for SEM imaging : a detailed study of epoxy resin impregnation, cutting, sanding, and polishing for fragile and heterogeneous samplesRožle Repič, Maks Merela, Andreja Pondelak, Andrijana Sever Škapin, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Accurate characterization of wood microstructure requires high-quality sample preparation, especially for degraded, mineralized, or embedded samples. Through a detailed and systematic investigation, we suggest a simple, fast, and cost-effective method for preparing transverse surfaces of wood for scanning electron microscopy. The methodology used is easily accessible and simple. We compare traditional microtome cutting using both disposable blades and a fixed knife with sanding and polishing techniques. The choice of method is determined by the physical condition and structural characteristics of the sample. Disposable blades, when used with continuous moistening, yielded the best results for reference wood, while the fixed knife proved to be more effective for mineralized or epoxy-embedded samples due to their rigidity and resistance to deflection. Maintaining blade sharpness and surface moisture were critical in all cutting techniques. Polishing proved to be a particularly effective technique for the preparation of degraded, mineral-rich, or heterogeneous samples. In combination with epoxy embedding, it offers a practical alternative to microtome cutting, ensuring the protection of fragile structures, the long-term stability of samples, and the possibility of re-polishing. Epoxy impregnation was easy for degraded wood, while sprucewood required vacuum-pressure treatment. Care must be taken when polishing to avoid reaching non-embedded regions beneath the surface.
Keywords: epoxy resin impregnation, polishing and sanding, sample preparation, scanning electron microscopy, wood
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Views: 904; Downloads: 398
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5. Pollen morphological study of some species of the genus Rubus L. (Rosaceae) of the flora of ArmeniaAlla Hayrapetyan, Marieta Asatryan, Hasmik Sonyan, Karine Balayan, Dmitri Beketovski, 2025, not set Abstract: Pollen morphology of 10 Armenian species of the genus Rubus L. was studied using both light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), including the species R. candicans, R.cartalinicus and R. takhtadjanii investigated for the first time. The data received revealed the significant palynomorphological uniformity in the aperture type: mainly 3-zonocolporate, geniculate, occasionally 4-zonocolp-orate one. In some 4-zonocolporate pollen grains of the species R. armeniacus, additional slit-like or colpus-like areas were also noted at one or both poles. Exine ornamentation was predominantly finely striate-perforate (SEM), sometimes in combination with finely striate-microreticulate one (R. armeniacus and R. caesius). Pollen grains were small, sometimes of medium size also. The smallest pollen grains (according to polar axis length) were observed in the species R. takhtadjanii (on average 14.2 μm), and the largest ones in R. caucasicus (on average 26.3 μm). Our data support the previously held view that pollen grain morphology within the genus Rubus can only be used as an auxiliary feature for the diagnosis of individual species.
Keywords: brambles, pollen aperture, exine ornamentation, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy
Published in DiRROS: 24.01.2026; Views: 390; Downloads: 274
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6. Synthesis of a magnetically heatable ceria–supported ruthenium catalyst via deposition of nanocrystalline ceria on silica-coated magnetic iron–oxide nanoparticlesNina Kosi Križaj, Jakov-Stjepan Pavelić, Miha Grilc, Sašo Gyergyek, Darko Makovec, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: We report the synthesis of a ceria-based catalyst support containing embedded magnetic iron–oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) that enable heating under a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. The ≈11 nm IONPs, synthesized by co-precipitation of Fe2+/Fe3+ ions at room temperature, were coarsened to ≈18 nm through subsequent hydrothermal treatment at 120 ◦C and then coated with a ≈2 nm silica layer. The catalyst support was prepared by depositing nanocrystalline ceria (CeO2) onto the IONPs via controlled precipitation of Ce3+ ions in the presence of hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) in aqueous suspension. When deposited directly on the iron oxide, ceria formed small agglomerates of ≈10 nm octahedral nanocrystallites, whereas deposition on silicacoated IONPs produced a homogeneous 3–6 nm-thick shell composed of ≈3 nm globular crystallites. Special attention was given to elucidating the mechanism of shell formation. The magnetic catalyst was obtained by precipitating Ru nanoparticles (1–2 nm) onto the ceria support. Morpho-structural characterization was performed by XRD, TEM, and aberration-corrected STEM. Static and dynamic magnetization measurements at room temperature were used to assess the magnetic and heating performance. At low field amplitudes (<15 mT), catalysts prepared with IONPs of both sizes exhibited similar specific absorption rates, whereas at higher amplitudes the larger IONPs demonstrated superior heating efficiency. The catalytic performance was demonstrated in the magnetically heated hydrogenation of the bio-based compound 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural to 2,5-bis (hydroxymethyl)furan, showing high activity, 100 % selectivity, and excellent stability upon recycling.
Keywords: nanotechnology, catalyst synthesis, ceria, magnetic nanoparticles, catalysis by magnetic heating, biomass valorisation, transmission electron microscopy
Published in DiRROS: 14.01.2026; Views: 550; Downloads: 352
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7. In vivo confocal microscopy of the cornea in diagnosing small fibre neuropathy : a cross-sectional observational studyDavid Petrovič, Ajla Mujnović, Adela Hammami, Tjaša Krašovec, Mojca Kirbiš, Špela Štunf Pukl, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of corneal in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in the diagnostic process of small fibre neuropathy (SFN) compared to skin biopsy. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was performed at the Eye Hospital and Institute of Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, and included 35 patients with a clinical picture of SFN. All patients underwent a neurological exam that included an SFN questionnaire, standard skin biopsy, and ophthalmological assessment, including corneal IVCM. Results: Skin biopsy confirmed SFN in 14/35 patients (40%). These patients had a significantly shorter corneal nerve fibre length (CNFL) compared to those with negative biopsy (13.67 ± 2.99 mm/mm2 vs. 16.27 ± 3.54 mm/mm2, p = 0.030), as well as reduced corneal nerve branch density (CNBD) (36.68 ± 14.68 branches/mm2 vs. 48.81 ± 17.83 branches/mm2, p = 0.042). CNFL reduction below the 5th percentile was proven in 13/35 patients, yielding 64.3% sensitivity (95% CI: 35.1–87.2%) and 80.9% specificity (95% CI: 58.1–94.6%) compared to skin biopsy. In idiopathic SFN, negative IVCM results aligned with negative biopsies in 90% (95% CI: 55.5–99.8%) of cases. Meanwhile, in secondary SFN, positive IVCM results detected evidence of peripheral neurodegeneration in an additional 27.3% (95% CI: 6–61%) with negative skin biopsy. Conclusion: CNFL reduction in corneal IVCM demonstrated significant diagnostic value for SFN. Since skin biopsy findings do not always correspond with IVCM findings, corneal IVCM could be applied as a complementary tool to standard skin biopsy rather than as a replacement. It might be additionally useful for detecting patchy pattern presentations of SFN, excluding neuropathy in idiopathic SFN, and detecting neuropathy in biopsy-negative secondary SFN. In patients with positive IVCM, it could also be used as a primary tool for follow-up monitoring.
Keywords: small fibre neuropathy, in vivo confocal microscopy, skin biopsy, idiopathic small fibre neuropathy, secondary small fibre neuropathy, corneal nerve fibre density, corneal nerve branch density
Published in DiRROS: 12.01.2026; Views: 503; Downloads: 292
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8. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of shock veins in the meteorite JeseniceBojan Ambrožič, Sašo Šturm, Mirijam Vrabec, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Meteorite Jesenice is a weakly (S3) shocked ordinary chondrite from Slovenia. The shock event was violent enough to cause localized partial melting of the meteorite and the formation of shock veins. Inside the shock veins, metal-sulfide globules were found, which provided evidence for a post-shock cooling rate of 2.2·105 Ks–1 – 7.4·103 Ks–1. From the mineral paragenesis of the shock veins, shock pressure and peak shock temperature were deduced as 2.5–15 GPa and 1500–2150 °C, respectively. We provide evidence that shock veins were formed via a shear and friction mechanism. Furthermore, the confirmed presence of ordered FeNi metal (tetrataenite) found in the matrix indicates that the shock occurred in the parent body of the meteorite Jesenice.
Keywords: chondrite, shock stage, shock veins, metal-sulfide globules, tetrataenite, transmission electron microscopy
Published in DiRROS: 24.12.2025; Views: 1016; Downloads: 224
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9. Unveiling the radiation-induced defect production and damage evolution in tungsten using multi-energy Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy in channeling configurationSabina Markelj, Janez Zavašnik, Esther Punzón Quijorna, Andreja Šestan, Mitja Kelemen, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Radiation-induced defect production in tungsten was studied by a combination of experimental and simulation methods. The analysis of structural defects was performed using multi-energy Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy in channeling configuration (multi-energy C-RBS). To create different microstructures, (111) tungsten (W) single crystals were irradiated with W ions at two different doses (0.02 and 0.2 dpa) at 290 K. Detailed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the samples revealed the presence of dislocation lines and loops of different sizes. The RBSADEC code was used to simulate the measured C-RBS spectra, recorded with four different He beam energies along the <111> direction. For the first time for tungsten, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of overlapping cascades were used as input. The well-known method of randomly displaced atoms (RDA) was applied for comparison. RDA does not provide a satisfactory understanding of the nature of the induced defect structure. With MD, a very good agreement between the simulated and experimental spectra was obtained for the sample prepared at a lower dose, despite the fact that the absolute defect densities are two orders of magnitude higher than those found with TEM. A discrepancy is observed for the high-dose-irradiated sample, which is ascribed to the presence of extended defects such as dislocation lines, which are clearly observed by TEM, but cannot be formed in finite size MD cells. RBSADEC with MD cells as input can describe correctly the response of the RBS signal with analysing beam energy while RDA as input gives the wrong trend.
Keywords: tungsten, defects, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy in channeling configuration, displacement damage, molecular dynamic simulations, transmission electron microscopy
Published in DiRROS: 12.12.2025; Views: 759; Downloads: 420
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10. The Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women in Slovenia, determined via microscopy and semi-quantitative relative culture, and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomesMaja Starc, Miha Lučovnik, Petra Eržen Vrlič, Samo Jeverica, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with various adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is usually diagnosed via microscopy. Semi-quantitative relative culture (SRC) was investigated as a complementary diagnostic method to determine the prevalence of BV and its association with preterm birth and preterm, premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) in pregnant women in Slovenia. We examined 3437 consecutive vaginal swabs from pregnant women during the five-year period and were able to link the results to 2531 pregnancy outcomes. The isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF, and the results were assessed by the relative amounts of Gardnerella vaginalis and lactobacilli according to two stringency criteria. The prevalence of BV was 6.5% via microscopy and was higher for SRC, 9.9% or 11.1%, depending on the stringency criteria. The association with adverse pregnancy outcomes was better when SRC was used, resulting in adjusted odds ratios of 1.76 (1.30 to 2.37) and 1.97 (1.38 to 2.82) for preterm birth and PPROM, respectively, with more stringent interpretation. Microscopically detected BV was not associated with either outcome. The clinical validity of SRC was demonstrated by its better correlation with adverse pregnancy outcomes in a large cohort of pregnant women. SRC with MALDI-TOF identification is a promising advancement of vaginal culture.
Keywords: bacterial vaginosis, culture, microscopy, pregnancy, preterm birth, preterm premature rupture of membranes, Slovenia
Published in DiRROS: 01.12.2025; Views: 747; Downloads: 285
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