1551. Human tooth pulp anatomy visualization by 3D magnetic resonance microscopyDušan Šušterčič, Igor Serša, 2012, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Precise assessment of dental pulp anatomy is of an extreme importance for a successful endodontic treatment. As standard radiographs of teeth provide very limited information on dental pulp anatomy, more capable methods are highly appreciated. One of these is 3D magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy of which diagnostic capabilities in terms of a better dental pulp anatomy assessment were evaluated in the study. Materials and methods. Twenty extracted human teeth were scanned on a 2.35 T MRI system for MR microscopy using the 3D spin-echo method that enabled image acquisition with isotropic resolution of 100 m. The 3D images were then post processed by ImageJ program(NIH) to obtain advanced volume rendered views of dental pulps. Results. MR microscopy at 2.35 T provided accurate data on dental pulp anatomyin vitro. The data were presented as a sequence of thin 2D slices through the pulp in various orientations or as volume rendered 3D images reconstructed form arbitrary view-points. Sequential 2D images enabled only anapproximate assessment of the pulp, while volume rendered 3D images were more precise in visualization of pulp anatomy and clearly showed pulp diverticles, number of pulp canals and root canal anastomosis. Conclusions. This in vitro study demonstrated that MR microscopy could provide very accurate 3D visualization of dental pulp anatomy. A possible future application of the method in vivo may be of a great importance for the endodontic treatment. Published in DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Views: 241; Downloads: 94
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1555. Cathepsin X in serum from patients with colorectal cancer: relation to prognosisTjaša Vižin, Ib Jarle Christensen, Hans Jørgen Nielsen, Janko Kos, 2012, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Up-regulation of lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin X (Cat X) is associated with disorders of the immune system and neurodegenerative diseases, while its role in the development and progression of cancer is less understood. Enhanced secretion of pro-Cat X was observed in malignant processes, and therefore, the level of total serum Cat X rather than the active enzyme may better reflect the tumour status. Patients and methods. Seventy-seven patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) were included in a retrospective study. Blood samples were collected prior to therapy. Using ELISA, the values of total Cat X were measured in serum. Groups of healthy persons (n=77), patients with adenomas (n=77) and patients with non-neoplastic findings (n=77) were included. Results. Significant differences between the group of colorectal patients and the groups of healthy persons, adenoma patients and patients with non-malignant findings could not be shown (p=0.89). Within the group of CRC, higher levels of total Cat X significantly correlated to shorter overall survival (HR=2.08, 95% CI:1.07-4.05, p=0.028). Conclusions. Total serum Cat X could be a useful prognostic indicator for determining survival of patients with CRC. Increased serum levels of total CatX may reflect more aggressive tumour cell phenotypes and suggest the involvement of Cat X in processes involved in later stages of tumour progression. Keywords: cysteine cathepsins, cathepsin X, colorectal cancer, prognosis, serum biomarker Published in DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Views: 277; Downloads: 140
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1557. Assessment of the tumourigenic and metastatic properties of SK-MEL28 melanoma cells surviving electrochemotherapy with bleomycinVesna Todorović, Gregor Serša, Vid Mlakar, Damjan Glavač, Maja Čemažar, 2012, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Electrochemotherapy is a local treatment combining chemotherapy and electroporation and is highly effective treatment approach for subcutaneous tumours of various histologies. Contrary to surgery and radiation, the effect of electrochemotherapy on metastatic potential of tumour cells has not been extensively studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of electrochemotherapy with bleomycin on the metastatic potential of human melanoma cells in vitro. Materials and methods. Viable cells 48 hours after electrochemotherapy were tested for their ability to migrate and invade through Matrigel coated porous membrane. In addition, microarray analysis and quantitative Real-Time PCR were used to detect changes in gene expression after electrochemotherapy. Results. Cell migration and invasion were not changed in melanoma cells surviving electrochemotherapy.Interestingly, only a low number of tumourigenesis related genes was differentially expressed after electrochemotherapy. Conclusions. Our data suggest that metastatic potential of human melanoma cells is not affected by electrochemotherapy with bleomycin, confirming safe role of electrochemotherapy in the clinics. Published in DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Views: 466; Downloads: 133
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1558. Understanding commitment to agroforestry: a crosssectional study among a sample of Nigerian farmersFausat Motunrayo Ibrahim, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Agroforestry is strategic in reconciling food production with forest biodiversity conservation. The methodical investigation of the beneficial and ecological imperativeness that informs smallholder farmers’ commitment to agroforestry is called for. This work is therefore an attempt to examine the relative importance of farmers' attitudes towards forest loss and perceived benefits of agroforestry in farmers' commitment to agroforestry among a group of farmers in Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria. The study is a cross-sectional survey that featured the interview administration of 400 structured questionnaires among crop farmers that were selected through clustered purposive sampling. Respondent’s agreement with sets of relevant statements was elicited and used in the assessment of variables. Independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to examine the significance of the difference in respondents’ commitment to agroforestry across sub-groups of gender and age/education respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between variables. Results indicate that 57.8% exhibited a 'high' commitment to agroforestry. Gender, age and education had main effects on commitment (p < 0.05). There is no significant relationship between attitude towards forest loss and commitment to agroforestry (r = 0.038, p > 0.05) but not perceived benefits (r = 0.426, p < 0.05). Being male, middle-aged and poorly educated are significantly more predisposing to exhibiting lower commitment to agroforestry. There is hardly an ecological or forest restoration motivation for agroforestry in the study area. Ecologically smart agriculture or the restorative importance of agroforestry appears to be poorly entrenched among farmers in the study area. Keywords: forest loss, attitude, perception, agroforestry, commitment, Nigeria Published in DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Views: 540; Downloads: 182
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1560. Results of postoperative radiochemotherapy of the patients with resectable gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in SloveniaAna Jeromen, Irena Oblak, Franc Anderluh, Vaneja Velenik, Marija Skoblar Vidmar, Ivica Ratoša, 2012, original scientific article Keywords: gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, postoperative radiochemotherapy, toxicity Published in DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Views: 355; Downloads: 99
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