1961. Assessment of atmospheric deposition of potentially toxic elements in Macedonia using a moss biomonitoring techniqueLambe Barandovski, Trajče Stafilov, Robert Šajn, Katerina Bačeva Andronovska, Marina V. Frontasyeva, Inga Zinicovscaia, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This study aims to investigate the changes in atmospheric deposition trends in Macedonia, using a moss biomonitoring technique. This technique has been used to assess the content of potentially toxic elements in Macedonia in 2002, 2005, 2010, and 2015, within the framework of the International Cooperative Program on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops. The content of 42 elements was analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES), and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), on 72 moss samples collected in the summer of 2015. The median values of the elements studied were compared with data from previous years and with median values obtained from comparable studies in Norway and the neighboring countries. Through factor and cluster analysis, three geogenic factors were identified: Factor 1, which includes the elements Al, Ce, Fe, Hf, La, Li, Na, Sc, Sm, Tb, Ti, Th, V, and U; Factor 4, which includes As, Cl, and I; and Factor 5, which includes the elements Ba and Sr. In addition, one geogenic-anthropogenic factor containing Co, Cr, and Ni (Factor 2), was identified, and one anthropogenic factor containing Cd, Pb, Sb, and Zn (Factor 3). The lead and zinc mines near the towns of Kriva Palanka, Probištip, and Makedonska Kamenica in the eastern region of the country, the former lead and zinc smelter in the town of Veles, and the ferronickel smelter near Kavadarci, have continuously had the greatest anthropogenic impact on the atmospheric deposition of potentially toxic elements during the time period of the study. In addition to the human influences, the lithology and the composition of the soil continue to play a significant role in the distribution of the elements. Keywords: moss, biomonitoring, air pollution, potentially toxic elements, Macedonia Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 382; Downloads: 136
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1962. Secondary deposits as a potential REEs source in South-Eastern EuropeRobert Šajn, Jasminka Alijagić, Ivica Ristović, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The main objective of this manuscript is to collect, classify, and compile all available data about secondary mineral sources of REEs in the South-Eastern Europe (SEE). The material is generated from the extracting and processing sector, that might be possibly transformed in the business process becoming an important raw material for another industry. The management inventory guide will strengthen communication and dissemination efforts and simultaneously contribute to Europe’s self-sufficiency and support transitioning to green and digital technology. Identification of the knowledge gaps associated with secondary sources of REEs in SEE will contribute to connections between all partners being involved at the beginning, during the lifetime of products and at the end of the life cycle, represented with deposit owners, technology developers and potential processors, producers, and potential users. At the investigated area it was found 1835 individual landfills, most of them belonging to waste rocks. The total quantity of all material in SRM is about 3.2 billion tons on an area of about 100 km2. The largest 95 individual landfills were selected as potential prospective landfills, containing about 1600 million tons of material. The estimated total potential of REEs (ΣREE) is more than 200 Kt. The largest quantities are found in landfills for coal fly ash and Cu flotation, which correspond to more than 80% of the ΣREE. Most of the promising sites are located in Serbia and North Macedonia. It has been calculated that the valorisation potential and perspectivity of REE2O3 is about 32.5 billion USD (prices from December 2022). According to the average concentrations of REEs, the most prospective are the red mud dams but their total volume is limited compared to massive amounts of coal fly ash landfills. The REEs content in all type of investigated materials, especially in coal fly ash in North Macedonia is twice as high as in other countries. Keywords: secondary raw materials, ESEE, rare elements, economic prospective Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 656; Downloads: 117
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1963. Effect of electroporation on radiosensitization with cisplatin in two cell lines with different chemo- and radiosensitivitySimona Kranjc Brezar, Maja Čemažar, Alenka Grošel, Živa Pipan Tkalec, Gregor Serša, 2003, original scientific article Abstract: Aim. Radiosensitization with cisplatin can be enhanced by electroporation of cells and tumours. The aim of this study was to extend our previous studies ontwo carcinoma tumour models with different chemo-and radiosensitivity in order to evaluate whether this treatment is effective also on less chemo-and radiosensitive tumour cells. Materials and methods. This in vitro study was performed on carcinoma SCK and EAT-E cells. The cytotoxicity of three-modalitytreatment consisting of cisplatin, electroporation and irradiation was determined by the clonogenic assay. Results. The radiosensitizing effect of cisplatin on the two cell lines was greatly enhanced by electroporation. By this combined treatment, less chemo and radiosensitive EAT-E cells were rendered as sensitive as more chemo and radiosensitive SCK cells. Conclusion. The enhancement of cisplatin-induced radiosensitization of cells by electroporation could be beneficially used in the treatment of intrinsically less chemo- and radiosensitive tumours. Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 322; Downloads: 93
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1964. Early postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels in patients operated for colorectal carcinoma - a new method for following-upBojan Veingerl, 2003, professional article Abstract: Background. The only method of treatment offering a favourable prognosis for colorectal carcinoma is radical resection of the part of the colon or rectum including the pertaining lymph nodes and eventual radical removal of metastases. But even such presumably curative surgery does not warrant full recovery of all operated patients as recurrences are frequent and according tomost analyses 5-year survival is lower than 50%. Therefore, additional treatment is attempted in some patients. Various prognostic factor of disease recurrance are helful. One such prognostic sign is serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level measured soon after surgery. Conclusions. All patients with radical R0 resection, according to their postoperative serum CEA levels and the CEA half-life fall into three groups: CEA R0, CEA R1, and CEA R2 resected patients. A statistically significant difference regarding survival and number of recurrence was noted among patients categorized bz the stage of disease, particularly between the three groups of patients and the group having been undergone presumably curative surgery. Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 317; Downloads: 63
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1965. Dedicated small bowel follow-through - experience of Clinical institute of radiology in LjubljanaMateja Koprivnik, Breda Jamar, 2003, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Small bowell is a difficult part of the alimentary tract to examine. Radiologic modality most commonly used has been the conventional small bowel follow-through (SBFT), which has often been done in a cursory manner, without fluoroscopy and manual palpation. The purpose of our study is to present dedicated SBFT and to assess its sensibility and specificity. Patients and methods. We analysed 35 dedicated SBFT, performed from April to September 2002, in patients. Findings were evaluated according to clinical follow-up, endoscopy and surgery. Results. Our findings were consistent with clinical follow-up, endoscopy and surgery in 33 patients. In 2 patients our findings were false negative. Our results show 89.5% sensitivity and 100% specifity. Conclusions. An adequate per-oral examination remains the most reliable toll for diagnostic evaluation of the small bowel. Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 278; Downloads: 62
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1967. Tumor blood flow modifying effects of electrochemotherapy : a potential vascular targeted mechanismGregor Serša, Maja Čemažar, Damijan Miklavčič, 2003, original scientific article Abstract: Background. The aim of this study was to determine the tumor blood flow modifying, and potential vascular targeted effect of electrochemotherapy with bleomycin or cisplatin. Materials and methods. Electrochemotherapy was performed by application of short intense electric pulses to the tumors after systemic administration of bleomycin or cisplatin. Evaluated were antitumor effectiveness of electrochemotherapy by tumor measurement, tumor blood flow modifying effect by Patent blue staining technique, and sensitivity of endothelial and tumor cells to the drugs and electrochemotherapy by clonogenicity assay. Results. Electrochemotherapy was effective in treatment of SA-1 tumors in A/J mice resulting in substantial tumor growth delay and also tumor cures. Tumor blood flow reduction following electrochemotherapy correlated well with its antitumor effectiveness. Virtually complete shut downof the tumor blood flow was observed already at 24 h after electrochemotherapy with bleomycin whereas only 50% reduction was observed after electrochemotherapy with cisplatin. Sensitivity of human endothelial HMEC-1 cells to electrochemotherapy suggests a vascular targeted effect for electrochemotherapy in vivo with bleomycin as well as with cisplatin. Conclusion. These results show that in addition to direct electroporation of tumor cells, other vascular targeted mechanisms are involved in electrochemotherapy with bleomycin or cisplatin, potentially mediated by tumorblood flow reduction, and enhanced tumor cell death as a result of endothelial damage by electrochemotherapy. Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 276; Downloads: 53
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1968. TXM peptides inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, syncytia formation, and lower inflamatory consequencesTea Govednik, Duško Lainšček, Urška Kuhar, Marva Lachish, Sandra Janežič, Malan Štrbenc, Uroš Krapež, Roman Jerala, Daphne Atlas, Mateja Manček Keber, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: After three years of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the search and availability of relatively low-cost benchtop therapeutics for people not at high risk for a severe disease are still ongoing. Although vaccines and new SARS-CoV-2 variants reduce the death toll, the long COVID-19 along with neurologic symptoms can develop and persist even after a mild initial infection. Reinfections, which further increase the risk of sequelae in multiple organ systems as well as the risk of death, continue to require caution. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is an important target for both vaccines and therapeutics. The presence of disulfide bonds in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein is essential for its binding to the human ACE2 receptor and cell entry. Here, we demonstrate that thiol-reducing peptides based on the active site of oxidoreductase thioredoxin 1, called thioredoxin mimetic (TXM) peptides, can prevent syncytia formation, SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells, and infection in a mouse model. We also show that TXM peptides inhibit the redox-sensitive HIV pseudotyped viral cell entry. These results support disulfide targeting as a common therapeutic strategy for treating infections caused by viruses using redox-sensitive fusion. Furthermore, TXM peptides exert anti-inflammatory properties by lowering the activation of NF-κB and IRF signaling pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokines in mice. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the TXM peptides, which also cross the blood-brain barrier, in combination with prevention of viral infections, may provide a beneficial clinical strategy to lower viral infections and mitigate severe consequences of COVID-19. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Disulfides, Thiol-reacting compound, Spike, Anti-inflammatory activity Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 480; Downloads: 200
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1969. The urokinase plasminogen activator and its inhibitors PAI-1 nad PAI-2 in primary cutaneous melanomaJasmina Markovič Božič, Borut Štabuc, 2003, original scientific article Abstract: Background. We investigated the differences in urokinase plasminogen activator(uPA) and its inhibitors type-1 and 2 (PAI-1/2) concentrations in clinically suspected nevi, primary cutaneous melanoma and normal skin and correlations with histopathological prognostic factors of primary melanoma. Patients and methods. Fifty-one patients were enrolled. The tissue concentrations of uPA, PAI 1 and PAI2 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Mean uPA and PAI-1 concentrations in melanomas were higher than in normal surrounding skin (uPA: 1.08; vs. 0.48 ng/mgp; PAI-1: 14.07 vs. 2.07 ng/mgp; p < 0.001), uPA and PAI-1 concentrationswere higher in melanomas than in nevi, and higher in nevi than in normal surrounding skin (uPA: p > 0.05; PAI-1: p = 0.02). PAI-2 concentration was higher in normal surrounding skin than in nevi and melanomas(p > 0.05). Melanoma uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 concentrations correlated significantly with normal skin (r= 0.73, 0.54, 0.38 respectively). PAI 1 was significantly lower in melanomas of Breslow thickness < 0.75 mm, Clark invasion of O+I, without microscopic ulceration, without vascular invasion (p < 0.01) than in melanomas of Breslow thickness > 0.75 mm, Clark invasion > II,with ulceration and vascular invasion. Conclusions. Determination of uPA and PAI-1 can provide significant additional prognostic information for melanoma patients. Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 319; Downloads: 76
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1970. The accuracy of chest sonography in the diagnosis of small pleural effusionIgor Kocijančič, 2003, original scientific article Abstract: Background. The aim of the stndy was to evaluate the accuracy of chest sonography in the radiological diagnosis of small pleural effusions. Patients and methods. Patients referred for abdominal and/or chest sonographies for various reasons were examined for sonographic features of pleural effusion. From January 1997 till January 2000, 69 patients were included into the study.Fifty-two patients were found to have pleural effusion not exceeding 15 mm in depth, the rest of them served as controls. Subsequently erect posteroanterior and expiratory lateral decubitus projections were done in all patients. Results. Compared to radiologicai examination chest sonography had apositive predictive value of 92% in the diagnosis of small pleural effusions in our study population. The mean thickness of fluid was 9.2 mrn on ultrasonography and 7.6 mm on expiratory lateral decubitus views (P<0.01). Conclusions. Chest sonography showed a high degree of accuracy for demonstrating small pleural effusions and could repIace lateral decubitus chest radiographs adequately. Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 308; Downloads: 89
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