1. Depth of SCUBA diving affects cardiac autonomic nervous systemMarina Vulić, Branislav Milovanovic, Ante Obad, Duška Glavaš, Igor Glavičič, Damir Zubac, Maja Valic, Zoran Valić, 2024, review article Abstract: The present study investigated the influence of SCUBA dives with compressed air at depths of 10 and 20 m on ECG-derived HRV parameters in apparently healthy individuals. We hypothesized that cardiac sympathetic activity (measured by HRV parameters) adapts proportionally to diving depth, and that both time- and frequency-domain parameters are sensitive enough to track changes in cardiac ANS function during diving activities and subsequently during the recovery period. Eleven healthy middle-aged recreational divers (nine men and two women, age 43 ± 8, all nonsmokers) volunteered to participate in the present study. The participants (all open-circuit divers) were equipped with dry suits and ECG Holter devices and were later randomly assigned to dive pairs and depths (10 m vs. 20 m), and each participant served as his or her own control. No interaction effects (diving depth x time epoch) were found for the most commonly used HRV markers. More precisely, in response to two different diving protocols, a significant post hoc effect of time was observed for HR and SDNN, as these parameters transiently decreased during the dives and returned to baseline after ascent (p < 0.001). The ULF, VLF (p < 0.003), TP, and LF parameters decreased significantly during the dives, while HF significantly increased (p < 0.003). SCUBA diving apparently challenges the cardiac ANS, even in healthy individuals. The observed changes reveal possible underwater methods of influencing the parasympathetic activity of the heart depending on the depth of the dive. These results identify autonomic nervous system markers to track the cardiovascular risk related to diving and point to the possibility of tracking cardiovascular system benefits during underwater activities in selected patients
Keywords: autonomic nervous system, diving, parasympathicus, cardiovascular risk
Published in DiRROS: 09.04.2024; Views: 76; Downloads: 32
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2. 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: 101; Downloads: 31
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3. Effects of governmental data governance on urban fire risk : a city-wide analysis in ChinaZhao-Ge Liu, Xiang-Yang Li, Grunde Jomaas, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The effects of data governance (as a means to maximize big data value creation in fire risk management) performance on fire risk was analyzed based on multi-source statistical data of 105 cities in China from 2016 to 2018. Specifically, data governance was first quantified with ten detailed indicators, which were then selected for explaining urban fire risk through correlation analysis. Next, the sample cities were clustered in terms of major socio-economic characteristics, and then the effects of data governance were examined by constructing multivariate regression models for each city cluster with ordinary least squares (OLS). The results showed that the constructed regression models produced good interpretation of fire risk in different types of cities, with coefficient of determination (R2) in each model exceeding 0.65. Among the indicators, the development of infrastructures (e.g. data collection devices and data analysis platforms), the level of data use, and the updating of fire risk related data were proved to produce significant effects on the reduction of fire frequency and fire consequence. Moreover, the organizational maturity of data governance was proved to be helpful in reducing fire frequency. For the cities with large population, the cross-department sharing of high-value data was found to be another important determinant of urban fire frequency. In comparison with existing statistical models which interpreted fire risk with general social factors (with the highest R2 = 0.60), these new regression models presented a better statistical performance (with the average R2 = 0.72). These findings are expected to provide decision support for the local governments of China and other jurisdictions to facilitate big data projects in improving fire risk management.
Keywords: urban fire risk, fire risk management, big data technologies, data governance, socio-economic factors, city-wide analysis
Published in DiRROS: 09.01.2024; Views: 170; Downloads: 35
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4. Heavy metal signature and environmental assessment of nearshore sediments: Port of Koper (Northern Adriatic Sea)Nastja Rogan Šmuc, Matej Dolenec, Sabina Dolenec, Ana Mladenovič, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Heavy metal abundance and potential environmental risks are reported for surface sediments (n = 21) from the Port of Koper area, Republic of Slovenia. The enrichment factor (EF) indicates minor enrichment in arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), and zinc (Zn), moderately to severely enriched with nickel (Ni). The trace metal chemistries, in the context of sediment quality guidelines (SQG), imply adverse threshold effect concentrations (TEC) and probable effect concentrations (PEC), for Ni only. Sediment sequential leaching experiments demonstrated that the majority of heavy metals were of natural lithogenic origin and low bioavailability. The heavy metals’ potential for “Risk Assessment Code” values exhibited no or low anthropogenic environmental burden, with the exception of Mo.
Keywords: port sediments, heavy metals, chemical speciation, risk assessment, Northem Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 12.12.2023; Views: 181; Downloads: 102
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6. Trends and timing of risk-reducing mastectomy uptake in unaffected BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers in SloveniaTaja Ložar, Janez Žgajnar, Andraž Perhavec, Ana Blatnik, Srdjan Novaković, Mateja Krajc, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Objectives. Risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) is one of key prevention strategies in female carriers of germline BRCA pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPV). We retrospectively investigated the rate, timing and longitudinal trends of bilateral RRM uptake and the incidence and types of cancers among unaffected BRCA carriers who underwent genetic counseling at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana in Slovenia. Materials and Methods. Female BRCA carriers without personal history of cancer were included in the study. Clinical data on PV/LPV type, date of RRM, type of reconstructive procedure, occult carcinoma and histopathology results was collected and analyzed. Results. Of the 346 unaffected BRCA carriers (median age 43 years, 70% BRCA1, 30% BRCA2, median follow-up 46 months) who underwent genetic testing between October 1999 and December 2019, 25.1% had a RRM (range 35-50 years, median age at surgery 38 years). A significant difference in time to prophylactic surgery between women undergoing RRM only vs. women undergoing RRM combined with risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy was observed (22.6 vs 8.7 months, p=0.0009). We observed an upward trend in the annual uptake in line with the previously observed Angelina Jolie effect. In 5.7% of cases, occult breast cancer was detected. No women developed breast cancer after RRM. Women who did not opt for surgical prevention developed BRCA1/2-related cancers (9.3%). Conclusion. The uptake of RRM among unaffected BRCA carriers is 25.1% and is similar to our neighboring countries. No women developed breast cancer after RRM while women who did not opt for surgical prevention developed BRCA1/2 related cancers in 9.3% of cases. The reported data may provide meaningful aid for carriers when deciding on an optimal prevention strategy.
Keywords: risk-reducing mastectomy, breast cancer, BRCA
Published in DiRROS: 21.09.2022; Views: 440; Downloads: 150
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7. Risk factors for systemic reactions in typical cold urticaria : results from the COLD-CE studyMojca Bizjak, Mitja Košnik, Dejan Dinevski, Simon Francis Thomsen, Daria Fomina, Elena Borzova, Kanokvalai Kulthanan, Raisa Meshkova, Dalia Melina Ahsan, Mona Al-Ahmad, Jovan Miljković, Dorothea Terhorst, Marcus Maurer, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Cold urticaria (ColdU), i.e. the occurrence of wheals or angioedema in response to cold exposure, is classified into typical and atypical forms. The diagnosis of typical ColdU relies on whealing in response to local cold stimulation testing (CST). It can also manifest with cold-induced anaphylaxis (ColdA). We aimed to determine risk factors for ColdA in typical ColdU. Methods. An international, cross-sectional study COLD-CE was carried out at 32 urticaria centers of reference and excellence (UCAREs). Detailed history was taken and CST with an ice cube and/or TempTest® performed. ColdA was defined as an acute cold-induced involvement of the skin and/or visible mucosal tissue and at least one of: cardiovascular manifestations, difficulty breathing, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Results. Of 551 ColdU patients, 75% (n=412) had a positive CST and ColdA occurred in 37% (n=151) of the latter. Cold-induced generalized wheals, angioedema, acral swelling, oropharyngeal/laryngeal symptoms, and itch of earlobes were identified as signs/symptoms of severe disease. ColdA was most commonly provoked by complete cold water immersion and ColdA caused by cold air was more common in countries with a warmer climate. Ten percent (n=40) of typical ColdU patients had a concomitant chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). They had a lower frequency of ColdA than those without CSU (4% vs 39%, p=0.003). We identified the following risk factors for cardiovascular manifestations: previous systemic reaction to a Hymenoptera sting, angioedema, oropharyngeal/laryngeal symptoms, and itchy earlobes. Conclusion. ColdA is common in typical ColdU. High-risk patients require education about their condition and how to use an adrenaline autoinjector.
Keywords: urticaria, risk factors, epinephrine - therapeutic use, self administration, intramuscular injections - methods, cold urticaria, systemic reactions, adrenaline autoinjector
Published in DiRROS: 31.08.2022; Views: 521; Downloads: 222
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8. Synoptic risk assessment of groundwater contamination from landfillsSonja Cerar, Luka Serianz, Katja Koren, Joerg Prestor, Nina Mali, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Waste management in Europe has improved in recent years, reducing the amount of waste disposed at landfills. However, there are still many landfills in the countries. It is well known that landfills that do not have measures in place to control leachate entering groundwater can contaminate groundwater long after the landfill is closed. Collecting monitoring results from all landfills allows permitting and management agencies to improve action plans. This relies on a synoptic risk assessment that allows prioritization and milestones to be set for required actions. The developed method of synoptic risk assessment is based on a conceptual model of the landfill and the results of chemical groundwater monitoring tested at 69 landfills in Slovenia. The study confirms that most landfills have a direct or indirect impact on groundwater quality. All landfills were classified into three priority classes on the basis of the synoptic risk assessment. The results show that a total of 24 landfills have a clearly pronounced impact on groundwater. A total of 31 landfills have a less pronounced impact due to the favorable natural attenuation capacity of the soil or the technically appropriate design of the landfill itself. A total of 14 landfills have a less pronounced or negligible impact on groundwater.
Keywords: conceptual model, synoptic risk assessment, landfill, groundwater, chemical analysis
Published in DiRROS: 19.07.2022; Views: 569; Downloads: 303
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9. Dietary acid load but not Mediterranean diet adherence score is associated with metabolic and cardiovascular health state : ǂa ǂpopulation observational study from Northern ItalyJuana Maria Sanz, Domenico Sergi, Simona Colombari, Eleonora Capatti, Roberta Situlin, Gianni Biolo, Filippo Giorgio Di Girolamo, Stefano Lazzer, Boštjan Šimunič, Rado Pišot, Angelina Passaro, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Diet plays a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of chronic diseases. In this regard, the Mediterranean diet has been widely shown to exert beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health. On the contrary, the Western diet, which has also been reported to be an acidogenic dietary pattern, elicits detrimental effects on both metabolic and cardiovascular (CV) health. However, the role of dietary acid load (DAL) as a predictor of cardiometabolic prognosis remains to be elucidated. Thus, this study aims to compare Mediterranean diet adherence (MDA) and DAL focusing on their relationship with metabolic and CV prognosis. A total of 448 individuals aged 55–80 years were grouped depending on their MDA, assessed using food frequency questionnaires, or DAL, evaluated using potential renal load acid (PRAL) and net-endogenous acid production (NEAP). Study participants underwent anthropometric and biochemical measurements. The metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence was evaluated according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III. Finally, the CV risk was evaluated using three independent algorithms: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), European Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), and Cuore risk scores. Mediterranean diet adherence was negatively associated with PRAL and NEAP. Individuals in the higher MDA tertile group had higher HDL cholesterol as well as lower homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-IR) and fat mass relative to the lowest MDA tertile. However, in the high-MDA tertile group, there was neither a significantly lower MetS prevalence nor CV risk. Instead, both the MetS prevalence and CV risk were higher in individuals in the higher acid PRAL quartile relative to the lower alkaline PRAL quartile. Dietary acid load, especially assessed using PRAL but not MDA, was associated with indices of metabolic and CV prognosis. Thus, DAL assessed by 24-h dietary recalls may represent a better predictor of cardiometabolic health if compared to MDA evaluated using food frequency questionnaires.
Keywords: Mediterranean diet, dietary acid load, alkaline diet, acidic diet, metabolic syndrome, cradiovascular risk score
Published in DiRROS: 19.05.2022; Views: 690; Downloads: 431
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10. Natural history of the hymenoptera venom sensitivity reactions in adults : study designSimona Perčič, Lidija Bojanić, Mitja Košnik, Andreja Kukec, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Allergic reactions to Hymenoptera stings can have varying levels of severity,
according to the Müller grading system. Methods: By an epidemiological concept, this is a retrospective
cohort study. The observed cohort was represented by patients referred to the University Clinic
Golnik due to Hymenoptera allergic reaction in the period from 1997 to 2015. From the immunological
database of the University Clinic Golnik, we obtained laboratory data (sIgE, skin tests and basophil
activation test). The clinical characteristics of patients were obtained from BIRPIS. With the help of a
questionnaire, which was sent to each patient in the period from May 2019 to April 2021, we obtained
epidemiological data. For the assessment of the association between the severity of allergic reaction
for the observed outcome, the severity of the first allergic reaction after Hymenoptera sting was used.
Other variables were grouped according to risk factors. Discussion: We will identify the risk factors
that could play an important role in a severe systemic reaction: the aetiology of the Hymenoptera
sting, sex, age, history and severity of previous systemic reactions, being re-stung in an interval of
two months, the frequency of re-stings, atopy, genetic predisposition, preventive medication use,
other medication use, beekeeping or living next to beehives and why immunotherapy was not taken.
Laboratory data will also be analysed to determine if there is any association with laboratory tests and
the severity of the allergic reactions after Hymenoptera stings. Conclusions: Several new approaches
are introduced in the study design. The most important is that the protocol covers epidemiological
data gained from the questionnaire, as well as clinical data gained from the Immunological database
and BIRPIS database. We expect to obtain significant results that will explain the risk factors for the
natural history of Hymenoptera sting allergic reactions and will help allergologists, as well as general
doctors, when facing those patients allergic to Hymenoptera venom without immunotherapy.
Keywords: hymenoptera venom allergy, risk factors, epidemiological association
Published in DiRROS: 06.04.2022; Views: 823; Downloads: 364
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