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Query: "author" (Marija Us-Krašovec) .

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1.
Importance of habitat context in modelling risk maps for two established invasive alien plant species : the case of Ailanthus altissima and Phytolacca americana in Slovenia (Europe)
Maarten De Groot, Erika Kozamernik, Janez Kermavnar, Marija Kolšek, Aleksander Marinšek, Andreja Nève Repe, Lado Kutnar, 2024, original scientific article

Abstract: Forests are important ecosystems that face threats from climate change and global environmental shifts, with invasive alien plant species being a significant concern. Some of these invasive species have already become established, while others are in the process of naturalisation. Although forests are a relatively stable ecosystem, extreme weather events increase their vulnerability to change, and clearings left after natural disturbances are particularly susceptible to invasion by alien plant species (IAPS). We created risk maps of two species that have spread rapidly in the last decade: American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) and the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). We prepared a generalised linear model based on the occurrence data collected within the LIFE ARTEMIS project. Eleven environmental variables were used to determine habitat characteristics. We constructed two models for each species: one covering the entirety of Slovenia and the other specifically for the forested areas in Slovenia, with the latter incorporating forest-specific variables (such as forest sanitation felling and monocultures). We observed the presence of both species at lower altitudes and in close proximity to water sources. American pokeweed tends to occur nearer to railways, while the presence of the tree of heaven is associated with areas lacking carbonate parent material and influenced by land use patterns. In forested areas, the occurrence of American pokeweed is influenced by forest habitat characteristics, such as disturbances caused by extreme weather events or the prevalence of Norway spruce monocultures. In contrast, the occurrence of the tree of heaven is influenced by more general environmental variables, such as altitude and proximity to railways. Consequently, we have generated risk maps for the entirety of Slovenia and separately for forested areas, both of which indicate similar levels of risk, particularly for the tree of heaven. The risk map for American pokeweed highlights numerous vulnerable areas, especially forest edges, which are highly susceptible to invasion. Furthermore, there is a higher likelihood of this species occurring in areas that have undergone sanitation felling. This study suggests that the production of risk maps of IAPS could be improved by focussing on habitat types and taking into account habitat-specific variables. This approach could enhance the early detection and management of these invasive species.
Keywords: American pokeweed, tree of heaven, species distribution modelling, forests, forest disturbance, habitat suitability
Published in DiRROS: 26.03.2024; Views: 29; Downloads: 11
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The prognostic and predictive value of human gastrointestinal microbiome and exosomal mRNA expression of PD-L1 and IFNγ for immune checkpoint inhibitors response in metastatic melanoma patients : protocol trial
Ana Erman, Marija Ignjatović, Katja Leskovšek, Simona Miceska, Urša Lampreht Tratar, Maša Omerzel, Veronika Kloboves-Prevodnik, Maja Čemažar, Lidija Kandolf Sekulović, Gorazd Avguštin, Janja Ocvirk, Tanja Mesti, 2023, original scientific article

Abstract: Background: Immunotherapy has been successful in treating advanced melanoma, but a large proportion of patients do not respond to the treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Preclinical and small cohort studies suggest gastrointestinal microbiome composition and exosomal mRNA expression of PD-L1 and IFNγ from the primary tumor, stool and body fluids as potential biomarkers for response. Methods: Patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors as a first line treatment for metastatic melanoma are recruted to this prospective study. Stool samples are submitted before the start of treatment, at the 12th (+/−2) week and 28th (+/−2) week, and at the occurrence of event (suspected disease progression/hyperprogression, immune-related adverse event (irAE), deterioration). Peripheral venous blood samples are taken additionally at the same time points for cytologic and molecular tests. Histological material from the tumor tissue is obtained before the start of immunotherapy treatment. Primary objectives are to determine whether the human gastrointestinal microbiome (bacterial and viral) and the exosomal mRNA expression of PD-L1 and IFNγ and its dynamics predicts the response to treatment with PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors and its association with the occurrence of irAE. The response is evaluated radiologically with imaging methods in accordance with the irRECIST criteria. Conclusions: This is the first study to combine and investigate multiple potential predictive and prognostic biomarkers and their dynamics in first line ICI in metastatic melanoma patients.
Keywords: gastrointestinal microbiome, mRNA expression of PD-L1 and IFNγ, immune checkpoint inhibitors, metastatic melanoma
Published in DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Views: 56; Downloads: 26
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High-resolution structure of RNA G-quadruplex containing unique structural motifs originating from the 5′-UTR of human tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2)
Maria Toplishek, Janez Plavec, Vojč Kocman, 2024, original scientific article

Published in DiRROS: 20.03.2024; Views: 58; Downloads: 32
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With computed tomography confirmed anterolateral left ventricular pseudoaneurysm in patient with dilatative alcoholic cardiomyopathy
Mitja Letonja, Marija Šantl-Letonja, 2011, original scientific article

Abstract: Background. Pseudoaneurysms are rare complications of myocardial infarction with propensity for rupture. There is still a challenge with which diagnostic imaging we performed a final diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm and differentiate it from true aneurysm what is clinically important due to the different treatment. Case report. We presented the unusual case of a 56-year-old man with signs of decompensated heart failure which had worsened a few months before hospitalization. We believed that during worsening of symptoms the patient suffered a silent myocardial infarction complicated by subacute free wall rupture which resulted into left ventricular pseudoaneurysm formation without tamponade. Echocardiography showed dilatativecardiomyopathy which was already present years before and a very rare location of the left ventricular pseudoaneurysm on the anterolateral part of the left ventricle. Pseudoaneurysm was confirmed with CT scan. Due to the severity of contractile dysfunction and no response in treatment for congestive heart failure the directive for the resection was tempered and the patient died due to the progressive heart failure and embolic phenomena. Conclusions. This report shows the importance of non-invasive imaging diagnostic evaluation of acute decompensated heart failure where echocardiography and chest X-ray are the first diagnostic steps. Based on those findings further imaging diagnostic steps must be performed such as CT scan in our case which finally confirms left ventricular pseudoaneurysm with dilatative cardiomyopathy.
Published in DiRROS: 19.03.2024; Views: 46; Downloads: 24
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Morphological and molecular characterization of Micromeria croatica (Lamiaceae), an endemic and potentially valuable horticultural species of the Dinaric Alps
Zlatko Liber, Ivan Radosavljević, Zlatko Šatović, Marija Hodja, Vesna Židovec, Faruk Bogunić, Dalibor Ballian, Danijela Stešević, Sven D. Jelaska, Dario Kremer, 2023, original scientific article

Abstract: Due to climate extremes and limited natural resources, especially water, we can expect increased demand in the future for species that can better tolerate climate extremes such as drought. One potentially valuable horticultural species is the endemic species of the Dinaride Mountains Micromeria croatica (Pers.) Schott (family Lamiaceae). It grows in the crevices of carbonate rocks, extending from an altitude of 150 m to more than 2000 m. This study aims to provide additional insight into the genetic and morphological diversity of this endemic species, focusing on valuable horticultural traits. To achieve this goal, morphological and molecular analyses were performed on ten natural populations. Through STRUCTURE and PCoA analyses, ten M. croatica populations were placed into western and eastern genetic groups, with several individuals from western populations assigned to the eastern group and vice versa. These atypical individuals assigned to the new genetic group by BAPS analysis indicate gene flow between western and eastern populations. Similarly, an analysis of molecular variance revealed fewer genetic differences than within studied populations. Both PCA and CANDISC analysis based on eleven morphological traits largely confirmed the existence of two slightly different genetic groups. Two populations containing plants with the most flowers per shoot, one with white-flowered individuals, one with the roundest leaves, and one with the narrowest leaves proved to be the most horticulturally valuable. The genetic and morphological variability found should be a sufficient basis for the potential selection of M. croatica populations and individuals for horticultural purposes.
Keywords: morphological characterization, molecular characterization, Micromeria croatica (Lamiaceae), Dinaric Alps
Published in DiRROS: 19.03.2024; Views: 54; Downloads: 31
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7.
Duplication cyst of the esophagus
Tanja Šubic, Breda Jamar, Marija Dolenšek, 2006, short scientific article

Published in DiRROS: 15.02.2024; Views: 103; Downloads: 27
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8.
Schedule-dependency of doxorubicin and vinblastine in EAT tumours in mice
Marija Auersperg, Ana Pogačnik, Veronika Kloboves-Prevodnik, Gregor Serša, Maja Čemažar, 2006, original scientific article

Abstract: Background. Antitumour schedule-dependency of the doxorubicin and vinblastine combination was explored. Materials and methods. Intraperitoneal Ehrlich ascites tumours (EAT) syngeneic to CBA mice were treated with vinblastine ar doxorubicin alone, or in combined treatment schedules. Results. Combinations of doxorubicin and vinblasfine administered at 48-h, but not at 24-h interval,regardless of the sequence of drugs, significantly reduced the numberof tumour cells in the ascites in corrtparison with all other treatments. In the combined treatment schedules, the predominant morphologicalchanges as well as DNA distribution pattern were dependent on thefirst drug applied. Regardless of the sequence of the drugs, median survival times of animals did not significantly differ between the treatment groups. Conclusions. The effect of combination of vinblastine and doxorubicin is schedule-dependent. The time interval, but not the sequence of drugs seems to be crucial for the observed effect. The data from preclinical studies are important for planning combined treatment schedules in clinical setting.
Published in DiRROS: 15.02.2024; Views: 78; Downloads: 15
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Antitumor effectiveness of bleomycin on SA-1 tumor after pretreatment with vinblastine
Maja Čemažar, Marija Auersperg, Gregor Serša, 2000, original scientific article

Abstract: In our previous study, vinblastine (VLB) was shown to increase the plasma membrane fluidity. This effect of VLB might be exploited for better transport of drugs through the plasma membrane. The aim of the present study was to determine whether pretreatment with VLB can increase the cytotoxic effect of BLM on intraperitoneal SA-1 tumors in mice. Materials and methods. BLM and VLBwere used as single agents or in various combinations, i.e. BLM injected 24h before VLB or vice-versa, VLB injected 24 h before BLM. Cell and animal survival together with DNA histograms were the end-points used to determine the effect of these combined treatments. Results. Both drugs, either as singletreatment or in different combined therapy schedules reduced significantly the number of cells in peritoneal lavage, compared to control, saline treated animals. The combination of VLB, followed by BLM after 24 h reduced significantly the number of cells in peritoneal lavage, compared to the treatment in which BLM was followed by VLB or to the treatment with singledrugs alone. Median survival time of mice treated with VLB alone, BLM alone and combination of both drugs was significantly prolonged compared to the control untreated mice. When VLB and BLM were combined, both treatment combinations were more effective than monochemotherapies with VLB or BLM. The best results were obtained when VLB was followed by BLM after 24 h. The DNA histogram of cells treated with VLB showed a decreased number of cells in S phase and an increased number of cells with DNA values greater than in G2M compartment compared to the control untreated cells. BLM in the dosage used inthese experiments did not affect the progression of cells through cell cycle. Both combinations of VLB and BLM produced similar cell kinetic effect as VLB alone. Conclusion. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters.)
Published in DiRROS: 23.01.2024; Views: 121; Downloads: 27
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