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Šimon M, Mikec Š, Atanur SS, Konc J, Morton NM, Horvat S, Kunej T. Whole genome sequencing of mouse lines divergently selected for fatness (FLI) and leanness (FHI) revealed several genetic variants as candidates for novel obesity genes. Genes Genomics 2024; 46:557-575. [PMID: 38483771 PMCID: PMC11024027 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-024-01507-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Analysing genomes of animal model organisms is widely used for understanding the genetic basis of complex traits and diseases, such as obesity, for which only a few mouse models exist, however, without their lean counterparts. OBJECTIVE To analyse genetic differences in the unique mouse models of polygenic obesity (Fat line) and leanness (Lean line) originating from the same base population and established by divergent selection over more than 60 generations. METHODS Genetic variability was analysed using WGS. Variants were identified with GATK and annotated with Ensembl VEP. g.Profiler, WebGestalt, and KEGG were used for GO and pathway enrichment analysis. miRNA seed regions were obtained with miRPathDB 2.0, LncRRIsearch was used to predict targets of identified lncRNAs, and genes influencing adipose tissue amount were searched using the IMPC database. RESULTS WGS analysis revealed 6.3 million SNPs, 1.3 million were new. Thousands of potentially impactful SNPs were identified, including within 24 genes related to adipose tissue amount. SNP density was highest in pseudogenes and regulatory RNAs. The Lean line carries SNP rs248726381 in the seed region of mmu-miR-3086-3p, which may affect fatty acid metabolism. KEGG analysis showed deleterious missense variants in immune response and diabetes genes, with food perception pathways being most enriched. Gene prioritisation considering SNP GERP scores, variant consequences, and allele comparison with other mouse lines identified seven novel obesity candidate genes: 4930441H08Rik, Aff3, Fam237b, Gm36633, Pced1a, Tecrl, and Zfp536. CONCLUSION WGS revealed many genetic differences between the lines that accumulated over the selection period, including variants with potential negative impacts on gene function. Given the increasing availability of mouse strains and genetic polymorphism catalogues, the study is a valuable resource for researchers to study obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Šimon
- Chair of Genetics, Animal Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, 1230, Slovenia.
| | - Špela Mikec
- Chair of Genetics, Animal Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, 1230, Slovenia
| | - Santosh S Atanur
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Janez Konc
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Nicholas M Morton
- The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Simon Horvat
- Chair of Genetics, Animal Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, 1230, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Kunej
- Chair of Genetics, Animal Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, 1230, Slovenia.
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2
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Rozman K, Ghysels A, Janežič D, Konc J. An exact algorithm to find a maximum weight clique in a weighted undirected graph. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9118. [PMID: 38643335 PMCID: PMC11032405 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59689-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
We introduce a new algorithm MaxCliqueWeight for identifying a maximum weight clique in a weighted graph, and its variant MaxCliqueDynWeight with dynamically varying bounds. This algorithm uses an efficient branch-and-bound approach with a new weighted graph coloring algorithm that efficiently determines upper weight bounds for a maximum weighted clique in a graph. We evaluate our algorithm on random weighted graphs with node counts up to 10,000 and on standard DIMACS benchmark graphs used in a variety of research areas. Our findings reveal a remarkable improvement in computational speed when compared to existing algorithms, particularly evident in the case of high-density random graphs and DIMACS graphs, where our newly developed algorithm outperforms existing alternatives by several orders of magnitude. The newly developed algorithm and its variant are freely available to the broader research community at http://insilab.org/maxcliqueweight , paving the way for transformative applications in various research areas, including drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kati Rozman
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška Ulica 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia
| | - An Ghysels
- IBiTech - BioMMedA Group, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Entrance 36, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Dušanka Janežič
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška Ulica 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia.
| | - Janez Konc
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška Ulica 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia.
- Theory Department, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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3
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Kosec T, Leban MB, Ropret P, Finšgar M. The impact of urban rain on the changes of bare and artificially patinated bronze during 9-year exposure. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-33369-9. [PMID: 38641690 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33369-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Atmospheric pollutants in the air form acid rain which interacts with bronze surfaces exposed in urban outdoor environment. In this study, different types of patinas on bronze were investigated during and after 9 years of exposure to urban environment in moderately polluted continental city. Natural bronze patina and artificial brown sulphide, green chloride, and green-blue nitrate patinas were investigated. Visual assessment was carried out at defined periods. After 9 years of exposure, an electrochemical study was performed to investigate the electrochemical activity of the patinas in artificial urban rain. Additionally, the patinas were characterised using a variety of techniques, including metallographic examination, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray-photoelectron spectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry to analyse the surface morphology, chemical composition, and stratigraphic features of the patinas. Evolution of the patinas was shown to be a result of both, the composition of the acid rain and the hydrophobicity of the patinated surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadeja Kosec
- Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Dimičeva ulica 12, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Mirjam Bajt Leban
- Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Dimičeva ulica 12, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Polonca Ropret
- Research Institute, Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Poljanska cesta 40, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Večna Pot 113, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Finšgar
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia
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4
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Schlaich A, Daldrop JO, Kowalik B, Kanduč M, Schneck E, Netz RR. Water Structuring Induces Nonuniversal Hydration Repulsion between Polar Surfaces: Quantitative Comparison between Molecular Simulations, Theory, and Experiments. Langmuir 2024; 40:7896-7906. [PMID: 38578930 PMCID: PMC11025125 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Polar surfaces in water typically repel each other at close separations, even if they are charge-neutral. This so-called hydration repulsion balances the van der Waals attraction and gives rise to a stable nanometric water layer between the polar surfaces. The resulting hydration water layer is crucial for the properties of concentrated suspensions of lipid membranes and hydrophilic particles in biology and technology, but its origin is unclear. It has been suggested that surface-induced molecular water structuring is responsible for the hydration repulsion, but a quantitative proof of this water-structuring hypothesis is missing. To gain an understanding of the mechanism causing hydration repulsion, we perform molecular simulations of different planar polar surfaces in water. Our simulated hydration forces between phospholipid bilayers agree perfectly with experiments, validating the simulation model and methods. For the comparison with theory, it is important to split the simulated total surface interaction force into a direct contribution from surface-surface molecular interactions and an indirect water-mediated contribution. We find the indirect hydration force and the structural water-ordering profiles from the simulations to be in perfect agreement with the predictions from theoretical models that account for the surface-induced water ordering, which strongly supports the water-structuring hypothesis for the hydration force. However, the comparison between the simulations for polar surfaces with different headgroup architectures reveals significantly different decay lengths of the indirect water-mediated hydration-force, which for laterally homogeneous water structuring would imply different bulk-water properties. We conclude that laterally inhomogeneous water ordering, induced by laterally inhomogeneous surface structures, shapes the hydration repulsion between polar surfaces in a decisive manner. Thus, the indirect water-mediated part of the hydration repulsion is caused by surface-induced water structuring but is surface-specific and thus nonuniversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Schlaich
- Stuttgart
Center for Simulation Science (SC SimTech), University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute
for Computational Physics, University of
Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jan O. Daldrop
- Fachbereich
Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bartosz Kowalik
- Fachbereich
Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matej Kanduč
- Department
of Theoretical Physics, Jožef Stefan
Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Emanuel Schneck
- Institut
für Physik Kondensierter Materie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstrasse 8, Darmstadt 64289, Germany
| | - Roland R. Netz
- Fachbereich
Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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5
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Purić E, Nilsson UJ, Anderluh M. Galectin-8 inhibition and functions in immune response and tumor biology. Med Res Rev 2024. [PMID: 38613488 DOI: 10.1002/med.22041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Galectins are among organisms' most abundantly expressed lectins (carbohydrate-binding proteins) that specifically bind β-galactosides. They act not only outside the cell, where they bind to extracellular matrix glycans, but also inside the cell, where they have a significant impact on signaling pathways. Galectin-8 is a galectin family protein encoded by the LGALS8 gene. Its role is evident in both T- and B-cell immunity and in the innate immune response, where it acts directly on dendritic cells and induces some pro-inflammatory cytokines. Galectin-8 also plays an important role in the defense against bacterial and viral infections. It is known to promote antibacterial autophagy by recognizing and binding glycans present on the vacuolar membrane, thus acting as a danger receptor. The most important role of galectin-8 is the regulation of cancer growth, metastasis, tumor progression, and tumor cell survival. Importantly, the expression of galectins is typically higher in tumor tissues than in noncancerous tissues. In this review article, we focus on galectin-8 and its function in immune response, microbial infections, and cancer. Given all of these functions of galectin-8, we emphasize the importance of developing new and selective galectin-8 inhibitors and report the current status of their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edvin Purić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ulf J Nilsson
- Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marko Anderluh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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6
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Majcen Rosker Z, Rosker J. Cervicocephalic kinaesthesia reveals novel subgroups of motor control impairments in patients with neck pain. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8383. [PMID: 38600120 PMCID: PMC11006834 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cervical-spine sensorimotor control is associated with chronicity and recurrence of neck pain (NP). Tests used to measure sensorimotor impairments lack consistency in studied parameters. Interpretation is often based on either a handful or numerous parameters, without considering their possible interrelation. Different aspects of motor-control could be studied with different parameters, but this has not yet been addressed. The aim of this study was to determine if different parameters of cervical position (JPE) and movement (Butterfly) sense tests represent distinct components of motor-control strategies in patients with chronic NP. Principal component analysis performed on 135 patients revealed three direction-specific (repositioning from flexion, extension or rotations) and one parameter-specific (variability of repositioning) component for JPE, two difficulty-specific (easy or medium and difficult trajectory) and one movement-specific (undershooting a target) component for Butterfly test. Here we report that these components could be related to central (neck repositioning and control of cervical movement) and peripheral sensorimotor adaptations (variability of repositioning) present in NP. New technologies allow extraction of greater number of parameters of which hand-picking could lead to information loss. This study adds towards better identification of diverse groups of parameters offering potentially clinically relevant information and improved functional diagnostics for patients with NP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jernej Rosker
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia.
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7
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Istenič D, Prosenc F, Zupanc N, Turel M, Holobar A, Milačič R, Marković S, Mihelič R. Composting of recovered rock wool from hydroponics for the production of soil amendment. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-33041-2. [PMID: 38570433 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33041-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Due to its fibrous structure and high water holding capacity, rock mineral wool (RMW) has boosted the development of hydroponics. Consequently, the amount of waste RMW has also increased tremendously, which has stimulated the research and development of RMW reuse options. In this study, composting and degradability of RMW from hydroponics (gRMW) were tested in combination with different ratios of biowaste compost, including physical and chemical properties of the starting and final materials, and potential ecological hazards of the final product. gRMW had high water holding capacity and low organic matter content, which was easily degradable. Limits of toxic elements according to EU regulation were not exceeded. Degraded gRMW mixtures with compost did not exhibit toxicity to plants or aquatic bacteria and showed intermediate or limited habitat function for earthworms, which preferred the sole gRMW not mixed with compost. Overall, degraded gRMW exhibited parameters of safe soil amendment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darja Istenič
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Jamova cesta 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Franja Prosenc
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- BioResource Systems Research Group, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Neva Zupanc
- Knauf Insulation d.o.o, Trata 32, Škofja Loka, Slovenia
| | - Matejka Turel
- ECHO Instruments d.o.o, Zeče 25, Slovenske Konjice, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Holobar
- ECHO Instruments d.o.o, Zeče 25, Slovenske Konjice, Slovenia
| | - Radmila Milačič
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Stefan Marković
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Mihelič
- Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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8
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Menart S, Lužanin O, Pirnat K, Pahovnik D, Moškon J, Dominko R. Design of Organic Cathode Material Based on Quinone and Pyrazine Motifs for Rechargeable Lithium and Zinc Batteries. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:16029-16039. [PMID: 38511931 PMCID: PMC10995900 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Despite the rapid expansion of the organic cathode materials field, we still face a shortage of materials obtained through simple synthesis that have stable cycling and high energy density. Herein, we report a two-step synthesis of a small organic molecule from commercially available precursors that can be used as a cathode material. Oxidized tetraquinoxalinecatechol (OTQC) was derived from tetraquinoxalinecatechol (TQC) by the introduction of additional quinone redox-active centers into the structure. The modification increased the voltage and capacity of the material. The OTQC delivers a high specific capacity of 327 mAh g-1 with an average voltage of 2.63 V vs Li/Li+ in the Li-ion battery. That corresponds to an energy density of 860 Wh kg-1 on the OTQC material level. Furthermore, the material demonstrated excellent cycling stability, having a capacity retention of 82% after 400 cycles. Similarly, the OTQC demonstrates increased average voltage and specific capacity in comparison with TQC in aqueous Zn-organic battery, reaching the specific capacity of 326 mAh g-1 with an average voltage of 0.86 V vs Zn/Zn2+. Apart from good electrochemical performance, this work provides an additional in-depth analysis of the redox mechanism and degradation mechanism related to capacity fading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svit Menart
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Olivera Lužanin
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Klemen Pirnat
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Pahovnik
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jože Moškon
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Dominko
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- ALISTORE-European
Research Institute, 33
rue Saint-Leu, 80039 Amiens, France
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Mrak T, Grebenc T, Friedrich S, Münzenberger B. Description, identification, and growth of Tuber borchii Vittad. mycorrhized Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings on different lime contents. Mycorrhiza 2024; 34:85-94. [PMID: 38236414 PMCID: PMC10998771 DOI: 10.1007/s00572-023-01135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Tuber borchii forms ectomycorrhiza with oaks, hazel, and pines, including Pinus sylvestris. However, its ectomycorrhiza morphotype with P. sylvestris was not comprehensively described so far, and molecular analyses are missing despite a high danger of misidentification of T. borchii ectomycorrhiza with other closely related and less valuable truffle species. We described for the first time the morphology and anatomy of T. borchii-P. sylvestris ectomycorrhiza using differential interference contrast technique and semi-thin sections in combination with molecular confirmation of identity. Color of ectomycorrhiza is reddish to dark brown, and morphotypes are unevenly but densely covered by warts-bearing pin-like cystidia. All layers of the hyphal mantle are pseudoparenchymatous with outer mantle layer formed of epidermoid cells. T. borchii ectomycorrhiza was identified by a molecular comparison with fruitbodies used for inoculation and its respective ectomycorrhizae. T. borchii has a wide ecological amplitude. To get a better insight in mycorrhization requirements, we investigated growth of P. sylvestris and its ectomycorrhiza infection rate with T. borchii in substrate with different lime content. The mycorrhization of P. sylvestris with T. borchii in the mycorrhization substrate and cultivation in greenhouse conditions was successful, with colonization of P. sylvestris varying between 36.5 and 48.1%. There was no significant correlation of mycorrhization to applied lime contents, and consequently to pH in substrate, while the increased levels of lime improved growth of the P. sylvestris seedlings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Mrak
- Department of Forest Physiology and Genetics, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna pot 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tine Grebenc
- Department of Forest Physiology and Genetics, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna pot 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Silke Friedrich
- Truffle Nursery, Schneckleinsberg 5, 91788, Pappenheim, Germany
| | - Babette Münzenberger
- Department of Fungal Interactions, Research Area 1 'Landscape Functioning', Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Strasse 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
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10
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Tarsia M, Zajc Avramovič M, Gazikalović A, Ključevšek D, Avčin T. A clinical perspective on imaging in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Pediatr Radiol 2024; 54:490-504. [PMID: 38015293 PMCID: PMC10984900 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-023-05815-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, imaging has become increasingly important to confirm diagnosis, monitor disease activity, and predict disease course and outcome in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Over the past few decades, great efforts have been made to improve the quality of diagnostic imaging and to reach a consensus on which methods and scoring systems to use. However, there are still some critical issues, and the diagnosis, course, and management of JIA are closely related to clinical assessment. This review discusses the main indications for conventional radiography (XR), musculoskeletal ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), while trying to maintain a clinical perspective. The diagnostic-therapeutic timing at which one or the other method should be used, depending on the disease/patient phenotype, will be assessed, considering the main advantages and disadvantages of each imaging modality according to the currently available literature. Some brief clinical case scenarios on the most frequently and severely involved joints in JIA are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tarsia
- Clinical Paediatrics, Department of Molecular Medicine and Development, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Mojca Zajc Avramovič
- Department of Allergology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Bohoričeva 20 SI-1525, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Gazikalović
- Department of Radiology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Bohoričeva ulica 20, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damjana Ključevšek
- Department of Radiology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Bohoričeva ulica 20, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tadej Avčin
- Department of Allergology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Bohoričeva 20 SI-1525, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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11
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De Barba M, Baur M, Boyer F, Fumagalli L, Konec M, Miquel C, Pazhenkova E, Remollino N, Skrbinšek T, Stoffel C, Taberlet P. Individual genotypes from environmental DNA: Fingerprinting snow tracks of three large carnivore species. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13915. [PMID: 38099394 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Continued advancements in environmental DNA (eDNA) research have made it possible to access intraspecific variation from eDNA samples, opening new opportunities to expand non-invasive genetic studies of wildlife populations. However, the use of eDNA samples for individual genotyping, as typically performed in non-invasive genetics, still remains elusive. We present successful individual genotyping of eDNA obtained from snow tracks of three large carnivores: brown bear (Ursus arctos), European lynx (Lynx lynx) and wolf (Canis lupus). DNA was extracted using a protocol for isolating water eDNA and genotyped using amplicon sequencing of short tandem repeats (STR), and for brown bear a sex marker, on a high-throughput sequencing platform. Individual genotypes were obtained for all species, but genotyping performance differed among samples and species. The proportion of samples genotyped to individuals was higher for brown bear (5/7) and wolf (7/10) than for lynx (4/9), and locus genotyping success was greater for brown bear (0.88). The sex marker was typed in six out of seven brown bear samples. Results for three species show that reliable individual genotyping, including sex identification, is now possible from eDNA in snow tracks, underlining its vast potential to complement the non-invasive genetic methods used for wildlife. To fully leverage the application of snow track eDNA, improved understanding of the ideal species- and site-specific sampling conditions, as well as laboratory methods promoting genotyping success, is needed. This will also inform efforts to retrieve and type nuclear DNA from other eDNA samples, thereby advancing eDNA-based individual and population-level studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta De Barba
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- DivjaLabs Ltd., Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Molly Baur
- Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric Boyer
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, Grenoble, France
| | - Luca Fumagalli
- Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marjeta Konec
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- DivjaLabs Ltd., Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Christian Miquel
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, Grenoble, France
| | - Elena Pazhenkova
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nadège Remollino
- Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tomaž Skrbinšek
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- DivjaLabs Ltd., Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Céline Stoffel
- Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Taberlet
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, Grenoble, France
- UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø Museum, Tromsø, Norway
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12
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Recknagel H, Zakšek V, Delić T, Gorički Š, Trontelj P. Multiple transitions between realms shape relict lineages of Proteus cave salamanders. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e16868. [PMID: 36715250 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In comparison to biodiversity on Earth's surface, subterranean biodiversity has largely remained concealed. The olm (Proteus anguinus) is one of the most enigmatic extant cave inhabitants, and until now little was known regarding its genetic structure and evolutionary history. Olms inhabit subterranean waters throughout the Dinaric Karst of the western Balkans, with a seemingly uniform phenotypic appearance of cave-specialized traits: an elongate body, snout and limbs, degenerated eyes and loss of pigmentation ("white olm"). Only a single small region in southeastern Slovenia harbours olms with a phenotype typical of surface animals: pigmented skin, eyes, a blunt snout and short limbs ("black olm"). We used a combination of mitochondrial DNA and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism data to investigate the molecular diversity, evolutionary history and biogeography of olms along the Dinaric Karst. We found nine deeply divergent species-level lineages that separated between 17 and 4 million years ago, while molecular diversity within lineages was low. We detected no signal of recent admixture between lineages and only limited historical gene flow. Biogeographically, the contemporaneous distribution of lineages mostly mirrors hydrologically separated subterranean environments, while the historical separation of olm lineages follows microtectonic and climatic changes in the area. The reconstructed phylogeny suggests at least four independent transitions to the cave phenotype. Two of the species-level lineages have miniscule ranges and may represent Europe's rarest amphibians. Their rarity and the decline in other lineages call for protection of their subterranean habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Recknagel
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - V Zakšek
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - T Delić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Š Gorički
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Scriptorium biologorum, Murska Sobota, Slovenia
| | - P Trontelj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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13
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Tušar K, Serša I. Use of nonlinear pulsed magnetic fields for spatial encoding in magnetic resonance imaging. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7521. [PMID: 38553559 PMCID: PMC10980706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58229-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examines the use of nonlinear magnetic field coils for spatial encoding in magnetic resonance imaging. Existing theories on imaging with such coils share a complex reconstruction process that originates from a suboptimal signal interpretation in the spatial-frequency domain (k-space). In this study, a new solution to this problem is proposed, namely a two-step reconstruction process, in which in the first step, the image signal is converted into a frequency spectrum, and in the second step, the spectrum, which represents the distorted image, is geometrically and intensity corrected to obtain an undistorted image. This theory has been verified by numerical simulations and experimentally using a straight wire as a coil model for an extremely nonlinear magnetic field. The results of this study facilitate the use of simple encoding coil designs that can feature low inductance, allowing for much faster switching times and higher magnetic field gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Tušar
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Serša
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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14
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Fertő I, Bojnec Š. Empowering women in sustainable agriculture. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7110. [PMID: 38531914 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57933-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The agricultural and rural development policy seeks to facilitate the transition towards environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral agricultural practices, with a focus on human capital, knowledge, and innovation. Gender equality can play a significant role in promoting environmentally sustainable practices in the agricultural sector, particularly through the adoption and implementation of agri-environment-climate schemes (AECS) in the context of farm, agricultural, and rural development. We examine the presence of gender bias in the adoption intensity of AECS by utilising farm-level data from Slovenia. We find that women on Slovenian farms engage in the adoption of AECS and receive subsidies, despite the presence of a gender gap in various agricultural factor endowment variables that typically favour men. The results of this study provide evidence in favour of promoting greater involvement and empowerment of women in the fields of green technology applications and green entrepreneurship, particularly with AECS practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imre Fertő
- HUN-REN Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, Tóth K. u. 4, 1112, Budapest, Hungary.
- Corvinus University of Budapest, Fővám tér 8, 1097, Budapest, Hungary.
- Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamycka 129, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Štefan Bojnec
- University of Primorska, Izolska vrata 2, 6000, Koper, Slovenia
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15
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Mihevc M, Miroševič Š, Lukančič MM, Potočnik TV, Zavrnik Č, Šter MP, Klemenc-Ketiš Z, Susič AP. Assessing the reliability and validity of the Slovenian version of the Appraisal of Diabetes Scale (ADS-S) in type 2 diabetes patients. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300797. [PMID: 38527033 PMCID: PMC10962803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Managing type 2 diabetes (T2D) effectively is a considerable challenge. The Appraisal of Diabetes Scale (ADS) has proven valuable in understanding how individuals perceive and cope with their condition. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Slovenian version of ADS (ADS-S). We recruited a sample of 400 adult individuals with T2D from three primary healthcare centers in Slovenia, ensuring an average of 57 cases per individual item. The psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and discriminant validity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was additionally performed to evaluate the fit of one- and two-factor models. After excluding incomplete questionnaires, 389 individuals participated, averaging 72.0±7.5 years, with 196 men and 193 women. ADS-S exhibited acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.70) and strong test-retest reliability (interclass correlation = 0.88, p <0.001). Criterion validity was established through significant correlations between ADS-S score and EQ-5D utility score (r = -0.34, p <0.001), EQ-VAS score (r = -0.38, p <0.001), and HbA1c >7.5% (r = 0.22, p = 0.019). Discriminant validity assessment found no significant correlation between ADS-S score and age, but a significant correlation with female gender (r = 0.17, p = 0.001). CFA results supported a two-factor structure (psychological impact of diabetes and sense of self-control) over a one-factor structure, as indicated by model fit indicators. ADS-S stands as a valid and reliable tool for assessing psychological impact and self-control in Slovenian T2D patients. Future research should explore adding items for capturing secondary appraisal of diabetes and studying the influence of female gender on ADS scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matic Mihevc
- Primary Healthcare Research and Development Institute, Community Health Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Špela Miroševič
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Majda Mori Lukančič
- Primary Healthcare Research and Development Institute, Community Health Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Virtič Potočnik
- Primary Healthcare Research and Development Institute, Community Health Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Črt Zavrnik
- Primary Healthcare Research and Development Institute, Community Health Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marija Petek Šter
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Zalika Klemenc-Ketiš
- Primary Healthcare Research and Development Institute, Community Health Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Antonija Poplas Susič
- Primary Healthcare Research and Development Institute, Community Health Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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16
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Zavrtanik U, Lah J, Hadži S. Estimation of Peptide Helicity from Circular Dichroism Using the Ensemble Model. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:2652-2663. [PMID: 38470351 PMCID: PMC10961730 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
An established method for the quantitation of the helix content in peptides using circular dichroism (CD) relies on the linear spectroscopic model. This model assumes an average value of the helix-length correction for all peptide conformers, irrespective of the length of the helical segment. Here we assess the validity of this approximation and introduce a more physically realistic ensemble-based analysis of the CD signal in which the length correction is assigned specifically to each ensemble conformer. We demonstrate that the linear model underestimates peptide helicity, with the difference depending on the ensemble composition. We developed a computer program that implements the ensemble model to estimate the peptide helicity. Using this model and the CD data set covering a broad range of helicities, we recalibrate CD baseline parameters and redetermine helix-coil parameters for the alanine-rich peptide. We show that the ensemble model leverages small differences in signal between conformers to extract more information from the experimental data, enabling the determination of several poorly defined quantities, such as the nucleation constant and heat capacity change associated with helix folding. Overall, the presented ensemble-based treatment of the CD signal, together with the recalibrated values of the spectroscopic baseline parameters, provides a coherent framework for the analysis of the peptide helix content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uroš Zavrtanik
- Department of Physical Chemistry,
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jurij Lah
- Department of Physical Chemistry,
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - San Hadži
- Department of Physical Chemistry,
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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17
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Sanchouli N, Babaei S, Kanduč M, Molaei F, Ostadhassan M. Wetting Behavior of Kerogen Surfaces: Insights from Molecular Dynamics. Langmuir 2024; 40:5715-5724. [PMID: 38453686 PMCID: PMC10956498 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
In this study, the wettability of a kerogen surface, a key component of shale reservoirs, is investigated by using molecular dynamics simulations. Specifically, we examined the impact of droplet size and morphology as well as surface roughness on the water contact angles. The findings highlighted that the contact angle dependency on the droplet size intensifies with increased rigidity of the surface. Conversely, as the surface becomes more flexible and rougher, it gains hydrophilicity. The higher hydrophilicity stems from the ability of water molecules to penetrate the kerogen corrugations and form more hydrogen bonds with heteroatoms, particularly oxygen. Notably, the contact angle of kerogen hovers between 65 and 75°, thereby crossing the transition from an underoil hydrophilic to an underoil hydrophobic state. Consequently, minor alterations in the kerogen nanostructure can dramatically alter the wetting preference between water and oil. This insight is of paramount significance for refining strategies in managing fluid interactions in shale reservoirs such as geological carbon storage or oil extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Sanchouli
- Department
of Petroleum Engineering, Shahid Bahonar
University of Kerman, Kerman 7616914111, Iran
| | - Saeed Babaei
- Civil
Engineering Faculty, K. N. Toosi University
of Technology, Tehran 1969764499, Iran
| | - Matej Kanduč
- Department
of Theoretical Physics, Jožef Stefan
Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Fatemeh Molaei
- Department
of Mining and Geological Engineering, The
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Stantec
consulting company, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Mehdi Ostadhassan
- Institute
of Geosciences, Marine and Land Geomechanics and Geotectonics, Christian-Albrechts
Universität, Kiel 24118, Germany
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18
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Kiraly P, Šuštar Habjan M, Smrekar J, Jaki Mekjavić P. Morphological and Functional Correlations in Acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy. Doc Ophthalmol 2024:10.1007/s10633-024-09969-8. [PMID: 38498077 DOI: 10.1007/s10633-024-09969-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE We evaluate morphological and functional correlations in patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS A prospective study was conducted on 50 patients with an acute CSC episode lasting less than 3 months. At baseline, assessments included optical coherence tomography (OCT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), microperimetry (MP), and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG). A correlation analysis between OCT morphological parameters (maximal subretinal fluid height (SRF), central retinal thickness (CRT), and macular volume (MV)) and functional parameters was conducted on the affected eye for each patient. RESULTS Among the morphological parameters, SRF showed the strongest correlations with functional parameters (r absolute value range = 0.10-0.70). Weak correlations were observed between BCVA and morphological parameters (r absolute value range = 0.14-0.26). Average retinal sensitivity (MP-A) was the functional parameter displaying the most robust negative correlation with morphological parameters (r absolute value range = 0.61-0.70). In contrast, average contrast sensitivity (CS-A) and mfERG average amplitude density in the first (mfERG-A1) and second (mfERG-A2) ring showed weak to moderate (r absolute value range = 0.35-0.56) yet statistically significantly nonzero correlations. CONCLUSIONS SRF and CRT could serve as the most representative morphological proxies for visual function deficit in acute CSC patients. Retinal sensitivity, as measured by MP, may be superior to BCVA in clinical research studies or when an in-depth visual function evaluation is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kiraly
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Šuštar Habjan
- Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jaka Smrekar
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Polona Jaki Mekjavić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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19
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Verbič A, Lebar T, Praznik A, Jerala R. Subunits of an E3 Ligase Complex as Degrons for Efficient Degradation of Cytosolic, Nuclear, and Membrane Proteins. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:792-803. [PMID: 38404221 PMCID: PMC10949250 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Protein degradation is a highly regulated cellular process crucial to enable the high dynamic range of the response to external and internal stimuli and to balance protein biosynthesis to maintain cell homeostasis. Within mammalian cells, hundreds of E3 ubiquitin ligases target specific protein substrates and could be repurposed for synthetic biology. Here, we present a systematic analysis of the four protein subunits of the multiprotein E3 ligase complex as scaffolds for the designed degrons. While all of them were functional, the fusion of a fragment of Skp1 with the target protein enabled the most effective degradation. Combination with heterodimerizing peptides, protease substrate sites, and chemically inducible dimerizers enabled the regulation of protein degradation. While the investigated subunits of E3 ligases showed variable degradation efficiency of the membrane and cytosolic and nuclear proteins, the bipartite SSD (SOCSbox-Skp1(ΔC111)) degron enabled fast degradation of protein targets in all tested cellular compartments, including the nucleus and plasma membrane, in different cell lines and could be chemically regulated. These subunits could be employed for research as well as for diverse applications, as demonstrated in the regulation of Cas9 and chimeric antigen receptor proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anže Verbič
- Department of Synthetic Biology
and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | | | - Arne Praznik
- Department of Synthetic Biology
and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology
and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
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20
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Đukić T, Moriau L, Klofutar I, Šala M, Pavko L, González López FJ, Ruiz-Zepeda F, Pavlišič A, Hotko M, Gatalo M, Hodnik N. Adjusting the Operational Potential Window as a Tool for Prolonging the Durability of Carbon-Supported Pt-Alloy Nanoparticles as Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysts. ACS Catal 2024; 14:4303-4317. [PMID: 38510667 PMCID: PMC10949198 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c06251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
A current trend in the investigation of state-of-the-art Pt-alloys as proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) electrocatalysts is to study their long-term stability as a bottleneck for their full commercialization. Although many parameters have been appropriately addressed, there are still certain issues that must be considered. Here, the stability of an experimental Pt-Co/C electrocatalyst is investigated by high-temperature accelerated degradation tests (HT-ADTs) in a high-temperature disk electrode (HT-DE) setup, allowing the imitation of close-to-real operational conditions in terms of temperature (60 °C). Although the US Department of Energy (DoE) protocol has been chosen as the basis of the study (30,000 trapezoidal wave cycling steps between 0.6 and 0.95 VRHE with a 3 s hold time at both the lower potential limit (LPL) and the upper potential limit (UPL)), this works demonstrates that limiting both the LPL and UPL (from 0.6-0.95 to 0.7-0.85 VRHE) can dramatically reduce the degradation rate of state-of-the-art Pt-alloy electrocatalysts. This has been additionally confirmed with the use of an electrochemical flow cell coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (EFC-ICP-MS), which enables real-time monitoring of the dissolution mechanisms of Pt and Co. In line with the HT-DE methodology observations, a dramatic decrease in the total dissolution of Pt and Co has once again been observed upon narrowing the potential window to 0.7-0.85 VRHE rather than 0.6-0.95 VRHE. Additionally, the effect of the potential hold time at both LPL and UPL on metal dissolution has also been investigated. The findings demonstrate that the dissolution rate of both metals is proportional to the hold time at UPL regardless of the applied potential window, whereas the hold time at the LPL does not appear to be as detrimental to the stability of metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Đukić
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Léonard
Jean Moriau
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
| | - Iva Klofutar
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
| | - Martin Šala
- Department
of Analytical Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
| | - Luka Pavko
- ReCatalyst
d.o.o., Hajdrihova Ulica
19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
| | | | - Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
| | - Andraž Pavlišič
- Department
of Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
| | - Miha Hotko
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
- University
of Nova Gorica, Vipavska
13, Nova Gorica 5000, Slovenia
| | - Matija Gatalo
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
- ReCatalyst
d.o.o., Hajdrihova Ulica
19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
| | - Nejc Hodnik
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1001, Slovenia
- University
of Nova Gorica, Vipavska
13, Nova Gorica 5000, Slovenia
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21
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Cvetko M, Knific T, Frangež R, Motaln H, Rogelj B, Alibegović A, Gombač M. Postmortem chondrocyte viability in porcine articular cartilage: Influence of time, temperature, and burial under winter conditions. J Forensic Sci 2024. [PMID: 38491758 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of time, temperature, and burial in a natural environment on the viability of chondrocytes in porcine femoral condyles using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Hind trotters from 10 pigs were buried or left unburied. Samples were collected daily and stained with a combination of vital dyes (calcein-AM and ethidium homodimer-1). The chondrocytes showed an intense staining corresponding to their vitality. In the first 3 days, viability decreased slowly and showed no statistical difference between buried and unburied samples. After the first 3 days, it decreased rapidly, with the viability of the buried samples being 66% on day 4, decreasing to 25% on day 8 and to 16% on day 10, while in the unburied samples it decreased to 43% on day 4, 13% on day 8 and 5% on day 10. Our results indicate a time, temperature, and burial dependent decrease in chondrocyte viability and suggest the use of chondrocyte viability as a marker for estimating PMI in both the natural environment and in animals, as well as its potential use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Cvetko
- Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Knific
- Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Food Safety, Feed and Environment, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija
| | - Robert Frangež
- Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Preclinical Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija
| | - Helena Motaln
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Armin Alibegović
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine and Deontology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mitja Gombač
- Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Korošec P, Sturm GJ, Lyons JJ, Marolt TP, Svetina M, Košnik M, Zidarn M, Kačar M, Frelih N, Lalek N, Luzar AD, Zver S, Škerget M, Czarnobilska E, Dyga W, Grle SP, Samarzija M, Arzt-Gradwohl L, Čerpes U, Porebski G, Pevec B, Schadelbauer E, Kopač P, Šelb J, Rijavec M. High burden of clonal mast cell disorders and hereditary α-tryptasemia in patients who need Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy. Allergy 2024. [PMID: 38477502 DOI: 10.1111/all.16084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients who require venom immunotherapy (VIT), there is a need to identify underlying mast cell (MC) disorders since these may affect the risk and severity of future sting reactions and the long-term effectiveness of VIT. METHODS 1319 individuals with Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) who needed VIT from referral centers in Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, and Poland underwent examination for KIT p.D816V in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) using a highly sensitive PCR test and tryptase genotyping by digital droplet PCR. We also included 183 control individuals with large local reactions (LLRs) to Hymenoptera stings and with asymptomatic sensitization to Hymenoptera venoms. RESULTS 285 of 1319 individuals recommended for VIT (21.6%) were positive for KIT p.D816V in PBL, preferably those who present with severe reaction (33.9% [n = 207 of 610] with Ring-Messmer grade 3-4 vs. 11% [n = 78 of 709] with Grade 1-2; p < .0001), whereas only 1.3% (n = 2 of 152) of controls with LLR and none with asymptomatic sensitization (n = 31) had KIT p.D816V. KIT p.D816V allelic burden was higher in those with severe reaction (median 0.018% [n = 207] in Grade 3-4 vs. 0.001% [n = 78] in Grade 1-2; p < .0001), and the majority had normal baseline serum tryptase levels (69% [n = 196 of 285]). All KIT p.D816V-positive individuals (n = 41) who underwent bone marrow (BM) biopsy were found to have underlying clonal diseases, principally BM mastocytosis. HαT was also associated with severe HVA and symptoms (p < .01), and remarkably, 31.0% (n = 31 of 100) were found to have concomitant KIT p.D816V. Concomitant HαT and KIT p.D816V showed an additive effect, and having both was associated with the highest risk for severe HVA, even higher than having either HαT or KIT p.D816V alone (OR = 3.8; p < .01). CONCLUSIONS By employing prospective universal tryptase genotyping and examination for KIT p.D816V in PBL in large HVA populations, we have demonstrated a high burden of clonal MC disorders and HαT in patients who require VIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Korošec
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Gunter J Sturm
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Allergy Outpatient Clinic Reumannplatz, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jonathan J Lyons
- Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Manca Svetina
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mitja Košnik
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mihaela Zidarn
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mark Kačar
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Frelih
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nika Lalek
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ajda Demšar Luzar
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Samo Zver
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- The Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matevž Škerget
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- The Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ewa Czarnobilska
- Department of Clinical and Environmental Allergology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wojciech Dyga
- Department of Clinical and Environmental Allergology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sanja Popović Grle
- Clinic for Respiratory Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Miroslav Samarzija
- Clinic for Respiratory Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lisa Arzt-Gradwohl
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Urban Čerpes
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Grzegorz Porebski
- Department of Clinical and Environmental Allergology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Branko Pevec
- Clinic for Respiratory Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Eva Schadelbauer
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter Kopač
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Julij Šelb
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matija Rijavec
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Golnik, Slovenia
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Hrvatin I, Rugelj D, Šćepanović D. Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain affects balance in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0287221. [PMID: 38457422 PMCID: PMC10923470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During pregnancy, many changes in the musculoskeletal system and pregnancy-related disorders affect posture and postural stability. Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a common disorder in pregnancy; the cause remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to determine if PPGP affects static postural stability and its relation to the stage of pregnancy. METHODS Sixty-three pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 45 and between the 12th and 38th weeks of gestation were included in the study. They were divided into four groups according on the trimester and the presence of PPGP. Static balance was assessed using a force plate on firm and compliant surfaces with eyes open and closed. RESULTS Pregnant women with PPGP had significantly (p < 0.05) greater centre-of-pressure velocity and sway area compared to pregnant women without PPGP, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. In the second trimester, only two significant differences in COP parameters were observed between pregnant women with and without PPGP. Pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy had significantly (p < 0.05) greater centre-of-pressure velocity and larger postural sway area compared to pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy, regardless of PPGP. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Pregnant women with PPGP had poorer static stability when compared to pregnant women without pain, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. The cause could be found in the poorer ability to stabilise the trunk and pelvis, poorer proprioception, and issues with automatic movement patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Hrvatin
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Rugelj
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darija Šćepanović
- Gynaecological Clinic, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Snoj J, Lapenta F, Jerala R. Preorganized cyclic modules facilitate the self-assembly of protein nanostructures. Chem Sci 2024; 15:3673-3686. [PMID: 38455016 PMCID: PMC10915844 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc06658d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The rational design of supramolecular assemblies aims to generate complex systems based on the simple information encoded in the chemical structure. Programmable molecules such as nucleic acids and polypeptides are particularly suitable for designing diverse assemblies and shapes not found in nature. Here, we describe a strategy for assembling modular architectures based on structurally and covalently preorganized subunits. Cyclization through spontaneous self-splicing of split intein and coiled-coil dimer-based interactions of polypeptide chains provide structural constraints, facilitating the desired assembly. We demonstrate the implementation of a strategy based on the preorganization of the subunits by designing a two-chain coiled-coil protein origami (CCPO) assembly that adopts a tetrahedral topology only when one or both subunit chains are covalently cyclized. Employing this strategy, we further design a 109 kDa trimeric CCPO assembly comprising 24 CC-forming segments. In this case, intein cyclization was crucial for the assembly of a concave octahedral scaffold, a newly designed protein fold. The study highlights the importance of preorganization of building modules to facilitate the self-assembly of higher-order supramolecular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaka Snoj
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry Hajdrihova 19 SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
- Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana Kongresni trg 12 SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Fabio Lapenta
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry Hajdrihova 19 SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry Hajdrihova 19 SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence Trg OF 13 SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
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Degirmenci M, Yuce YK, Perc M, Isler Y. EEG-based finger movement classification with intrinsic time-scale decomposition. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1362135. [PMID: 38505099 PMCID: PMC10948500 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1362135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are systems that acquire the brain's electrical activity and provide control of external devices. Since electroencephalography (EEG) is the simplest non-invasive method to capture the brain's electrical activity, EEG-based BCIs are very popular designs. Aside from classifying the extremity movements, recent BCI studies have focused on the accurate coding of the finger movements on the same hand through their classification by employing machine learning techniques. State-of-the-art studies were interested in coding five finger movements by neglecting the brain's idle case (i.e., the state that brain is not performing any mental tasks). This may easily cause more false positives and degrade the classification performances dramatically, thus, the performance of BCIs. This study aims to propose a more realistic system to decode the movements of five fingers and the no mental task (NoMT) case from EEG signals. Methods In this study, a novel praxis for feature extraction is utilized. Using Proper Rotational Components (PRCs) computed through Intrinsic Time Scale Decomposition (ITD), which has been successfully applied in different biomedical signals recently, features for classification are extracted. Subsequently, these features were applied to the inputs of well-known classifiers and their different implementations to discriminate between these six classes. The highest classifier performances obtained in both subject-independent and subject-dependent cases were reported. In addition, the ANOVA-based feature selection was examined to determine whether statistically significant features have an impact on the classifier performances or not. Results As a result, the Ensemble Learning classifier achieved the highest accuracy of 55.0% among the tested classifiers, and ANOVA-based feature selection increases the performance of classifiers on five-finger movement determination in EEG-based BCI systems. Discussion When compared with similar studies, proposed praxis achieved a modest yet significant improvement in classification performance although the number of classes was incremented by one (i.e., NoMT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Murside Degirmenci
- Department of Biomedical Technologies, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Türkiye
| | - Yilmaz Kemal Yuce
- Department of Computer Engineering, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Alanya, Antalya, Türkiye
| | - Matjaž Perc
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Complexity Science Hub Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Physics, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yalcin Isler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Türkiye
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Corrêa RL, Kutnjak D, Ambrós S, Bustos M, Elena SF. Identification of epigenetically regulated genes involved in plant-virus interaction and their role in virus-triggered induced resistance. BMC Plant Biol 2024; 24:172. [PMID: 38443837 PMCID: PMC10913459 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04866-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant responses to a wide range of stresses are known to be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Pathogen-related investigations, particularly against RNA viruses, are however scarce. It has been demonstrated that Arabidopsis thaliana plants defective in some members of the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) or histone modification pathways presented differential susceptibility to the turnip mosaic virus. In order to identify genes directly targeted by the RdDM-related RNA Polymerase V (POLV) complex and the histone demethylase protein JUMONJI14 (JMJ14) during infection, the transcriptomes of infected mutant and control plants were obtained and integrated with available chromatin occupancy data for various epigenetic proteins and marks. RESULTS A comprehensive list of virus-responsive gene candidates to be regulated by the two proteins was obtained. Twelve genes were selected for further characterization, confirming their dynamic regulation during the course of infection. Several epigenetic marks on their promoter sequences were found using in silico data, raising confidence that the identified genes are actually regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. The altered expression of six of these genes in mutants of the methyltransferase gene CURLY LEAF and the histone deacetylase gene HISTONE DEACETYLASE 19 suggests that some virus-responsive genes may be regulated by multiple coordinated epigenetic complexes. A temporally separated multiple plant virus infection experiment in which plants were transiently infected with one virus and then infected by a second one was designed to investigate the possible roles of the identified POLV- and JMJ14-regulated genes in wild-type (WT) plants. Plants that had previously been stimulated with viruses were found to be more resistant to subsequent virus challenge than control plants. Several POLV- and JMJ14-regulated genes were found to be regulated in virus induced resistance in WT plants, with some of them poisoned to be expressed in early infection stages. CONCLUSIONS A set of confident candidate genes directly regulated by the POLV and JMJ14 proteins during virus infection was identified, with indications that some of them may be regulated by multiple epigenetic modules. A subset of these genes may also play a role in the tolerance of WT plants to repeated, intermittent virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Régis L Corrêa
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) - Universitat de València (UV), Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain.
- Department of Genetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Brazil.
| | - Denis Kutnjak
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) - Universitat de València (UV), Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Silvia Ambrós
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) - Universitat de València (UV), Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Mónica Bustos
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) - Universitat de València (UV), Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - Santiago F Elena
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) - Universitat de València (UV), Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
- The Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA
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Gostinčar C, Gunde-Cimerman N. Black yeasts in hypersaline conditions. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:252. [PMID: 38441672 PMCID: PMC10914880 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13052-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Extremotolerant and extremophilic fungi are an important part of microbial communities that thrive in extreme environments. Among them, the black yeasts are particularly adaptable. They use their melanized cell walls and versatile morphology, as well as a complex set of molecular adaptations, to survive in conditions that are lethal to most other species. In contrast to extremophilic bacteria and archaea, these fungi are typically extremotolerant rather than extremophilic and exhibit an unusually wide ecological amplitude. Some extremely halotolerant black yeasts can grow in near-saturated NaCl solutions, but can also grow on normal mycological media. They adapt to the low water activity caused by high salt concentrations by sensing their environment, balancing osmotic pressure by accumulating compatible solutes, removing toxic salt ions from the cell using membrane transporters, altering membrane composition and remodelling the highly melanized cell wall. As protection against extreme conditions, halotolerant black yeasts also develop different morphologies, from yeast-like to meristematic. Genomic studies of black yeasts have revealed a variety of reproductive strategies, from clonality to intense recombination and the formation of stable hybrids. Although a comprehensive understanding of the ecological role and molecular adaptations of halotolerant black yeasts remains elusive and the application of many experimental methods is challenging due to their slow growth and recalcitrant cell walls, much progress has been made in deciphering their halotolerance. Advances in molecular tools and genomics are once again accelerating the research of black yeasts, promising further insights into their survival strategies and the molecular basis of their adaptations. KEY POINTS: • Black yeasts show remarkable adaptability to environmental stress • Black yeasts are part of microbial communities in hypersaline environments • Halotolerant black yeasts utilise various molecular and morphological adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cene Gostinčar
- Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Jožef M, Locatelli I, Brecl Jakob G, Savšek L, Šurlan Popovič K, Špiclin Ž, Rot U, Kos M. Psychometric evaluation of the 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale questionnaire in persons with multiple sclerosis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0294116. [PMID: 38437197 PMCID: PMC10911604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) is a reliable and valid questionnaire for evaluating adherence in patients with asthma, hypertension, and diabetes. Validity has not been determined in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to establish criterion validity and reliability of the MARS-5 in persons with MS (PwMS). Our prospective study included PwMS on dimethyl fumarate (DMF). PwMS self-completed the MARS-5 on the same day before baseline and follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3 and 9 months after treatment initiation and were graded as highly and medium adherent upon the 24-cut-off score, established by receiver operator curve analysis. Health outcomes were represented by relapse occurrence from the 1st DMF dispense till follow-up brain MRI and radiological progression (new T2 MRI lesions and quantitative analysis) between baseline and follow-up MRI. Criterion validity was established by association with the Proportion of Days Covered (PDC), new T2 MRI lesions, and Beliefs in Medicines questionnaire (BMQ). The reliability evaluation included internal consistency and the test-retest method. We included 40 PwMS (age 37.6 ± 9.9 years, 75% women), 34 were treatment-naive. No relapses were seen during the follow-up period but quantitative MRI analysis showed new T2 lesions in 6 PwMS. The mean (SD) MARS-5 score was 23.1 (2.5), with 24 PwMS graded as highly adherent. The higher MARS-5 score was associated with higher PDC (b = 0.027, P<0.001, 95% CI: (0.0134-0.0403)) and lower medication concerns (b = -1.25, P<0.001, 95% CI: (-1.93-(-0,579)). Lower adherence was associated with increased number (P = 0.00148) and total volume of new T2 MRI lesions (P = 0.00149). The questionnaire showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.72) and moderate test-retest reliability (r = 0.62, P < 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.33-0.79). The MARS-5 was found to be valid and reliable for estimating medication adherence and predicting medication concerns in persons with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maj Jožef
- Chair of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Locatelli
- Chair of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Brecl Jakob
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lina Savšek
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital Celje, Celje, Slovenia
| | | | - Žiga Špiclin
- Laboratory for Imaging Technologies, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Uroš Rot
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Chair of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mitja Kos
- Chair of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Celussi M, Manna V, Banchi E, Fonti V, Bazzaro M, Flander-Putrle V, Klun K, Kralj M, Orel N, Tinta T. Annual recurrence of prokaryotic climax communities in shallow waters of the North Mediterranean. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16595. [PMID: 38418391 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
In temperate coastal environments, wide fluctuations of biotic and abiotic factors drive microbiome dynamics. To link recurrent ecological patterns with planktonic microbial communities, we analysed a monthly-sampled 3-year time series of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data, alongside environmental variables, collected at two stations in the northern Adriatic Sea. Time series multivariate analyses allowed us to identify three stable, mature communities (climaxes), whose recurrence was mainly driven by changes in photoperiod and temperature. Mixotrophs (e.g., Ca. Nitrosopumilus, SUP05 clade, and Marine Group II) thrived under oligotrophic, low-light conditions, whereas copiotrophs (e.g., NS4 and NS5 clades) bloomed at higher temperatures and substrate availability. The early spring climax was characterised by a more diverse set of amplicon sequence variants, including copiotrophs associated with phytoplankton-derived organic matter degradation, and photo-auto/heterotrophic organisms (e.g., Synechococcus sp., Roseobacter clade), whose rhythmicity was linked to photoperiod lengthening. Through the identification of recurrent climax assemblages, we begin to delineate a typology of ecosystem based on microbiome composition and functionality, allowing for the intercomparison of microbial assemblages among different biomes, a still underachieved goal in the omics era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Celussi
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, Trieste, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Manna
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, Trieste, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Elisa Banchi
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, Trieste, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Viviana Fonti
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Bazzaro
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Katja Klun
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Martina Kralj
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, Trieste, Italy
| | - Neža Orel
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Tinkara Tinta
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
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Obal M, Zupanc T, Zupanič Pajnič I. Comparison of the optimal and suboptimal quantity of mitotype libraries using next-generation sequencing. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:395-400. [PMID: 37776378 PMCID: PMC10861744 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03099-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Optimizing analysis parameters and sample input is crucial in forensic genetics methods to generate reliable results, and even more so when working with muti-copy mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and low-quality samples. This study compared mitotypes based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) results derived from the same samples at two different sequencing library concentrations-30 pM and 0.3 pM. Thirty femur samples from the Second World War were used as a model for poorly preserved DNA. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) method targeting 113 bp long fragment was employed to assess the quantity of mitogenomes. HID Ion Chef™ Instrument with Precision ID mtDNA Control Region Panel was used for library preparation and templating. Sequencing was performed with Ion GeneStudio™ S5 System. Reference haplotypes were determined from sequencing samples at 30 pM library input. Haplotypes were compared between optimal (30 pM) and suboptimal (0.3 pM) library inputs. Often the difference in haplotypes was length heteroplasmy, which in line with other studies shows that this type of variant is not reliable for interpretation in forensics. Excluding length variants at positions 573, 309, and 16,193, 56.7% of the samples matched, and in two samples, no sequence was obtained at suboptimal library input. The rest of the samples differed between optimal and suboptimal library input. To conclude, genotyping and analyzing low-quantity libraries derived from low-quality aged skeletonized human remains therefore must be done with caution in forensic genetics casework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Obal
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Zupanc
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Irena Zupanič Pajnič
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Elersič K, Banjac A, Živin M, Zorović M. Behavioral sensitization and tolerance induced by repeated treatment with ketamine enantiomers in male Wistar rats. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299379. [PMID: 38427622 PMCID: PMC10906899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Ketamine has gained significant attention as a fast-acting antidepressant. However, ketamine is also associated with undesirable side effects. In our preclinical study, we explored the behavioral effects of ketamine enantiomers at subanesthetic doses. During repeated intermittent treatment, we examined locomotor stimulation and sensitization, ataxia, and expression of natural behaviors (grooming and rearing). Male Wistar rats were subcutaneously treated repeatedly with either 5 mg/kg of R-ketamine or S-ketamine, 15 mg/kg of R-ketamine, S-ketamine or racemic ketamine, 30 mg/kg of racemic ketamine or saline every third day for three weeks (seven treatments overall). After the first treatment, only 15 mg/kg of S-ketamine induced locomotor stimulation, and both 15 mg/kg of S-ketamine and 30 mg/kg of racemic ketamine induced ataxia. Upon repeated administration, doses of 15 mg/kg of R-ketamine, S-ketamine, and racemic ketamine, as well as 30 mg/kg of racemic ketamine, stimulated locomotion. 15 mg/kg of R-ketamine, S-ketamine, and racemic ketamine additionally resulted in locomotor sensitization. The last administration of 15 mg/kg of S-ketamine, 15 mg/kg of racemic ketamine, and 30 mg/kg of racemic ketamine resulted in ataxia. In the case of 15 mg/kg of S-ketamine, ataxic effects were significantly weaker in comparison to the effects from the first administration, indicating tolerance. Natural behaviors were attenuated after 5 and 15 mg/kg of S-ketamine and 15 and 30 mg/kg of racemic ketamine. Neither of the R-ketamine doses produced such an effect. We conclude that S-ketamine has a stronger behavioral effect than R-ketamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Elersič
- Brain Research Lab, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anamarija Banjac
- Brain Research Lab, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Živin
- Brain Research Lab, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Zorović
- Brain Research Lab, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Železnik P, Jelen A, Kalc K, Behm DG, Kozinc Ž. Acute effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on hamstrings muscle stiffness and range of motion: a randomized cross-over study. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024; 124:1005-1014. [PMID: 37803178 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05325-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the acute effects of static stretching (SS) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on hamstrings flexibility and shear modulus. Sixteen recreationally active young volunteers participated in a randomized cross-over study. Participants underwent an aerobic warm-up (WU), followed by either SS or PNF stretching. Range of motion (RoM) during passive straight leg raise and active knee extension, as well as shear modulus of the biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles, were measured at baseline, post-WU, and post-stretching. Both stretching techniques significantly increased RoM, with no differences observed between SS and PNF (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.59-0.68). However, only PNF stretching resulted in a significant decrease in BF shear modulus (time×stretching type interaction: p = 0.045; η2 = 0.19), indicating reduced muscle stiffness. No changes in ST shear modulus were observed after either stretching technique. There was no significant correlation between changes in RoM and shear modulus, suggesting that the increase in RoM was predominantly due to changes in stretch tolerance rather than mechanical properties of the muscles. These findings suggest that both SS and PNF stretching can effectively improve hamstring flexibility, but PNF stretching may additionally reduce BF muscle stiffness. The study highlights the importance of considering individual muscle-specific responses to stretching techniques and provides insights into the mechanisms underpinning acute increases in RoM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Železnik
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, 6310, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Amadej Jelen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, 6310, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Klemen Kalc
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, 6310, Izola, Slovenia
| | - David G Behm
- School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Žiga Kozinc
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, 6310, Izola, Slovenia.
- University of Primorska, Andrej Marušič Institute, Muzejski Trg 2, 6000, Koper, Slovenia.
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Megía-Palma R, Palomar G, Martínez J, Antunes B, Dudek K, Žagar A, Serén N, Carretero MA, Babik W, Merino S. Lizard host abundances and climatic factors explain phylogenetic diversity and prevalence of blood parasites on an oceanic island. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17276. [PMID: 38243603 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Host abundance might favour the maintenance of a high phylogenetic diversity of some parasites via rapid transmission rates. Blood parasites of insular lizards represent a good model to test this hypothesis because these parasites can be particularly prevalent in islands and host lizards highly abundant. We applied deep amplicon sequencing and analysed environmental predictors of blood parasite prevalence and phylogenetic diversity in the endemic lizard Gallotia galloti across 24 localities on Tenerife, an island in the Canary archipelago that has experienced increasing warming and drought in recent years. Parasite prevalence assessed by microscopy was over 94%, and a higher proportion of infected lizards was found in warmer and drier locations. A total of 33 different 18s rRNA parasite haplotypes were identified, and the phylogenetic analyses indicated that they belong to two genera of Adeleorina (Apicomplexa: Coccidia), with Karyolysus as the dominant genus. The most important predictor of between-locality variation in parasite phylogenetic diversity was the abundance of lizard hosts. We conclude that a combination of climatic and host demographic factors associated with an insular syndrome may be favouring a rapid transmission of blood parasites among lizards on Tenerife, which may favour the maintenance of a high phylogenetic diversity of parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Megía-Palma
- Universidad de Alcalá (UAH), Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Parasitology Unit, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Gemma Palomar
- Universidad de Alcalá (UAH), Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Parasitology Unit, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Martínez
- Universidad de Alcalá (UAH), Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Parasitology Unit, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Bernardo Antunes
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Dudek
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Anamarija Žagar
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
- NIB, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Serén
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel A Carretero
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Wiesław Babik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Santiago Merino
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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Moškon M, Kovač U, Raspor Dall'Olio L, Geršak K, Kavšek G, Bojc Šmid E, Trojner Bregar A, Rozman D. Circadian characteristics of term and preterm labors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4033. [PMID: 38369585 PMCID: PMC10874972 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54490-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The labor is a physiological event considered to have its own circadian (diurnal) rhythm, but some of the data remain conflicting, especially for preterm births. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the circadian trends of labor onset times in the Slovenian birth cohort from 1990 to 2018 with over 550,000 cases of singleton births. The number of term and preterm labor onsets was calculated for each hour in a day and circadian trends were evaluated for each of the study groups by modeling with a generalized Poisson distribution linked with the cosinor regression model using logarithmic link function. The induced labors were taken as the control group since the timing of labor depends mostly on the working schedule of personnel and not on the intrinsic rhythmic characteristics. For induced labors, the main peak in the number of labor cases was observed in the late morning hours (around 10 AM) for all gestational ages. The prominence of this peak becomes smaller in spontaneous premature labors with gradually disrupting rhythmicity in very preterm and extremely preterm cases. Labors starting with spontaneous contractions peak between 6 and 7 AM and lose the rhythmicity at 35 weeks of gestation while labors starting with a spontaneous rupture of membranes peak at 1 AM and lose the rhythmicity at 31 weeks of gestation, suggesting differences in underlying mechanisms. According to our knowledge, this is the first study that shows differences of circadian trends between different types of spontaneous labors, i.e., labors initiated with contraction and labors initiated with a spontaneous rupture of membranes. Moreover, the obtained results represent evidence of gradual disruption of rhythmicity from mild to extreme prematurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miha Moškon
- Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urša Kovač
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lucija Raspor Dall'Olio
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ksenija Geršak
- Research Unit, Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gorazd Kavšek
- Research Unit, Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eva Bojc Šmid
- Research Unit, Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Trojner Bregar
- Research Unit, Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Damjana Rozman
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Nishikawa Y, Watanabe K, Holobar A, Kitamura R, Maeda N, Hyngstrom AS. Sex differences in laterality of motor unit firing behavior of the first dorsal interosseous muscle in strength-matched healthy young males and females. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024:10.1007/s00421-024-05420-7. [PMID: 38366213 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-024-05420-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare laterality in motor unit firing behavior between females and males. METHODS Twenty-seven subjects (14 females) were recruited for this study. The participants performed ramp up and hold isometric index finger abduction at 10, 30, and 60% of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). High-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG) signals were recorded in the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle and decomposed into individual motor unit (MU) firing behavior using a convolution blind source separation method. RESULTS In total, 769 MUs were detected (females, n = 318 and males, n = 451). Females had a significantly higher discharge rate than males at each relative torque level (10%: male dominant hand, 13.4 ± 2.7 pps vs. female dominant hand, 16.3 ± 3.4 pps; 30%: male dominant hand, 16.1 ± 3.9 pps vs. female dominant hand, 20.0 ± 5.0 pps; and 60%: male dominant hand, 19.3 ± 3.8 vs. female dominant hand, 25.3 ± 4.8 pps; p < 0.0001). The recruitment threshold was also significantly higher in females than in males at 30 and 60% MVC. Furthermore, males exhibited asymmetrical discharge rates at 30 and 60% MVC and recruitment thresholds at 30 and 60% MVC, whereas no asymmetry was observed in females. CONCLUSION In the FDI muscle, compared to males, females exhibited different neuromuscular strategies with higher discharge rates and recruitment thresholds and no asymmetrical MU firing behavior. Notably, the findings that sex differences in neuromuscular activity also occur in healthy individuals provide important information for understanding the pathogenesis of various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Nishikawa
- Faculty of Frontier Engineering, Institute of Science & Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan.
| | - Kohei Watanabe
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of Health and Sport Sciences, Chukyo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Aleš Holobar
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Ryoka Kitamura
- Graduate School of Frontier Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Noriaki Maeda
- Division of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Hrnjić A, Kamšek AR, Bijelić L, Logar A, Maselj N, Smiljanić M, Trputec J, Vovk N, Pavko L, Ruiz-Zepeda F, Bele M, Jovanovič P, Hodnik N. Metal-Support Interaction between Titanium Oxynitride and Pt Nanoparticles Enables Efficient Low-Pt-Loaded High-Performance Electrodes at Relevant Oxygen Reduction Reaction Current Densities. ACS Catal 2024; 14:2473-2486. [PMID: 38384942 PMCID: PMC10877567 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c03883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
In the present work, we report on a synergistic relationship between platinum nanoparticles and a titanium oxynitride support (TiOxNy/C) in the context of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysis. As demonstrated herein, this composite configuration results in significantly improved electrocatalytic activity toward the ORR relative to platinum dispersed on carbon support (Pt/C) at high overpotentials. Specifically, the ORR performance was assessed under an elevated mass transport regime using the modified floating electrode configuration, which enabled us to pursue the reaction closer to PEMFC-relevant current densities. A comprehensive investigation attributes the ORR performance increase to a strong interaction between platinum and the TiOxNy/C support. In particular, according to the generated strain maps obtained via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), the Pt-TiOxNy/C analogue exhibits a more localized strain in Pt nanoparticles in comparison to that in the Pt/C sample. The altered Pt structure could explain the measured ORR activity trend via the d-band theory, which lowers the platinum surface coverage with ORR intermediates. In terms of the Pt particle size effect, our observation presents an anomaly as the Pt-TiOxNy/C analogue, despite having almost two times smaller nanoparticles (2.9 nm) compared to the Pt/C benchmark (4.8 nm), manifests higher specific activity. This provides a promising strategy to further lower the Pt loading and increase the ECSA without sacrificing the catalytic activity under fuel cell-relevant potentials. Apart from the ORR, the platinum-TiOxNy/C interaction is of a sufficient magnitude not to follow the typical particle size effect also in the context of other reactions such as CO stripping, hydrogen oxidation reaction, and water discharge. The trend for the latter is ascribed to the lower oxophilicity of Pt-based on electrochemical surface coverage analysis. Namely, a lower surface coverage with oxygenated species is found for the Pt-TiOxNy/C analogue. Further insights were provided by performing a detailed STEM characterization via the identical location mode (IL-STEM) in particular, via 4DSTEM acquisition. This disclosed that Pt particles are partially encapsulated within a thin layer of TiOxNy origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Hrnjić
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
- University
of Nova Gorica, Vipavska
13, Nova Gorica 5000, Slovenia
| | - Ana Rebeka Kamšek
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Lazar Bijelić
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
- University
of Nova Gorica, Vipavska
13, Nova Gorica 5000, Slovenia
| | - Anja Logar
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
- University
of Nova Gorica, Vipavska
13, Nova Gorica 5000, Slovenia
| | - Nik Maselj
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Milutin Smiljanić
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Jan Trputec
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Natan Vovk
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Luka Pavko
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Marjan Bele
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Primož Jovanovič
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Nejc Hodnik
- Department
of Materials Chemistry, National Institute
of Chemistry, Hajdrihova
19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
- University
of Nova Gorica, Vipavska
13, Nova Gorica 5000, Slovenia
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Bitenc J, Pirnat K, Lužanin O, Dominko R. Organic Cathodes, a Path toward Future Sustainable Batteries: Mirage or Realistic Future? Chem Mater 2024; 36:1025-1040. [PMID: 38370280 PMCID: PMC10870817 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c02408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Organic active materials are seen as next-generation battery materials that could circumvent the sustainability and cost limitations connected with the current Li-ion battery technology while at the same time enabling novel battery functionalities like a bioderived feedstock, biodegradability, and mechanical flexibility. Many promising research results have recently been published. However, the reproducibility and comparison of the literature results are somehow limited due to highly variable electrode formulations and electrochemical testing conditions. In this Perspective, we provide a critical view of the organic cathode active materials and suggest future guidelines for electrochemical characterization, capacity evaluation, and mechanistic investigation to facilitate reproducibility and benchmarking of literature results, leading to the accelerated development of organic electrode active materials for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Bitenc
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Klemen Pirnat
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Olivera Lužanin
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Dominko
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Alistore-European
Research Institute, CNRS FR 3104, Hub de l’Energie, Rue Baudelocque, 80039 Amiens, France
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Mamatkulov S, Polák J, Razzokov J, Tomaník L, Slavíček P, Dzubiella J, Kanduč M, Heyda J. Unveiling the Borohydride Ion through Force-Field Development. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20:1263-1273. [PMID: 38227434 PMCID: PMC10867804 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c01020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The borohydride ion, BH4-, is an essential reducing agent in many technological processes, yet its full understanding has been elusive, because of at least two significant challenges. One challenge arises from its marginal stability in aqueous solutions outside of basic pH conditions, which considerably limits the experimental thermodynamic data. The other challenge comes from its unique and atypical hydration shell, stemming from the negative excess charge on its hydrogen atoms, which complicates the accurate modeling in classical atomistic simulations. In this study, we combine experimental and computer simulation techniques to devise a classical force field for NaBH4 and deepen our understanding of its characteristics. We report the first measurement of the ion's activity coefficient and extrapolate it to neutral pH conditions. Given the difficulties in directly measuring its solvation free energies, owing to its instability, we resort to quantum chemistry calculations. This combined strategy allows us to derive a set of nonpolarizable force-field parameters for the borohydride ion for classical molecular dynamics simulations. The derived force field simultaneously captures the solvation free energy, the hydration structure, as well as the activity coefficient of NaBH4 salt across a broad concentration range. The obtained insights into the hydration shell of the BH4- ion are crucial for accurately modeling and understanding its interactions with other molecules, ions, materials, and interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shavkat Mamatkulov
- Institute
of Material Science of AS, Ch.Aytmatov str.2B, 100084 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Jakub Polák
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry
and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jamoliddin Razzokov
- Institute
of Fundamental and Applied Research, National
Research University TIIAME, Kori Niyoziy 39, 100000 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- School
of Engineering, Akfa University, Milliy Bog Street 264, 111221 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Lukáš Tomaník
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry
and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Slavíček
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry
and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Joachim Dzubiella
- Applied
Theoretical Physics–Computational Physics, Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 3, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matej Kanduč
- Jožef
Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jan Heyda
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry
and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Orehova M, Plavec J, Kocman V. High-Resolution Structure of RNA G-Quadruplex Containing Unique Structural Motifs Originating from the 5'-UTR of Human Tyrosine Kinase 2 (TYK2). ACS Omega 2024; 9:7215-7229. [PMID: 38371751 PMCID: PMC10870306 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) is a member of the JAK family of nonreceptor-associated tyrosine kinases together with highly homologous JAK1, JAK2, and JAK3 paralogues. Overexpression of TYK2 is associated with several inflammatory diseases, including severe complications during the COVID-19 infection. Since the downregulation of JAK paralogues could lead to serious health consequences or even death, it is critical to avoid it when designing drugs to suppress TYK2. To achieve the required specificity only for TYK2, researchers have recently selectively targeted TYK2 mRNA by developing antisense oligonucleotides. In this work, we expand the target space of TYK2 mRNA by showing that the mRNA adopts tetra-helical noncanonical structures called G-quadruplexes. We identified a TYKwt RNA oligonucleotide from the 5'-UTR of TYK2 mRNA, which adopts multiple different parallel G-quadruplexes that exist at equilibrium. Using NMR spectroscopy, we showed that some of the G-quadruplexes adopt unique structural motifs, mainly due to the formation of a stable GA bulge. Using guanine to uridine substitutions, we prepared the oligonucleotide TYK3_U6, which serves as an excellent model for the bulged G-quadruplexes formed by the TYKwt oligonucleotide. NMR structural analysis, including data on the residual coupling constants (RDC) of the loop regions, unveiled that the studied three-quartet parallel G-quadruplex contains many unusual structural features such as a G(U)A bulge, a guanine residue in the syn conformation, A and U residues stacked on the top G-quartet, and a well-defined adenine from a three-residue long propeller loop oriented in the groove, all of which could be valuable targets for future drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Orehova
- Slovenian
NMR centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST
Centre of Excellence, Dunajska 156, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janez Plavec
- Slovenian
NMR centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST
Centre of Excellence, Dunajska 156, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vojč Kocman
- Slovenian
NMR centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST
Centre of Excellence, Dunajska 156, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Sedminek A, Likozar B, Gyergyek S. Electrification of Selective Catalytic Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers: Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation Reactions. ACS Omega 2024; 9:6027-6035. [PMID: 38371759 PMCID: PMC10870301 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The development of efficient, chemical hydrogen-storage materials is one of the greatest technical challenges for the coming hydrogen-based economy. Analyzed liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), which bond, store, and release the H2 molecules through catalytic hydrogenation, cracking, and dehydrogenation cycles, are being considered as an alternative, functional option. The search for a highly industrialized reactive production process, coupled with the use of renewable electrical energy, has encouraged the consideration of characteristic stand-alone methods (such as microwave-assisted surface reactions, an increase in the rates by magnetic heating systems, electrocatalysis, variable photochemical manufacturing, and plasma). This mini review aims to highlight, assess, and critically evaluate these recent advances in the electrification of LOHC-related plant technologies. Besides base storing vectors, such as methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid derivatives, reversible cycling compounds, i.e., benzene, toluene, polycyclic dibenzyl toluene (DBT), carbazole, and indole, are given an overview. These all compete with, for example, ammonia. Specific design methodologies, such as density functional theory (DFT), kinetics, mass-transfer phenomena, etc., are discussed, whether these were studied or the subject of modeling. Lastly, quantitative structure-performance relationships are correlated for activity, selectivity, and stability, where the latter was possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Sedminek
- Department
for Material Synthesis, Jožef Stefan
Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Maribor, Smetanova
17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Blaž Likozar
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Maribor, Smetanova
17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Department
for Catalysis in Chemical Reaction Engineering, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sašo Gyergyek
- Department
for Material Synthesis, Jožef Stefan
Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Maribor, Smetanova
17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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Hâncean MG, Lerner J, Perc M, Molina JL, Geantă M. Assortative mixing of opinions about COVID-19 vaccination in personal networks. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3385. [PMID: 38336858 PMCID: PMC10858210 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53825-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Many countries worldwide had difficulties reaching a sufficiently high vaccination uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given this context, we collected data from a panel of 30,000 individuals, which were representative of the population of Romania (a country in Eastern Europe with a low 42.6% vaccination rate) to determine whether people are more likely to be connected to peers displaying similar opinions about COVID-19 vaccination. We extracted 443 personal networks, amounting to 4430 alters. We estimated multilevel logistic regression models with random-ego-level intercepts to predict individual opinions about COVID-19 vaccination. Our evidence indicates positive opinions about the COVID-19 vaccination cluster. Namely, the likelihood of having a positive opinion about COVID-19 vaccination increases when peers have, on average, a more positive attitude than the rest of the nodes in the network (OR 1.31, p < 0.001). We also found that individuals with higher education and age are more likely to hold a positive opinion about COVID-19 vaccination. With the given empirical data, our study cannot reveal whether this assortative mixing of opinions is due to social influence or social selection. However, it may nevertheless have implications for public health interventions, especially in countries that strive to reach higher uptake rates. Understanding opinions about vaccination can act as an early warning system for potential outbreaks, inform predictions about vaccination uptake, or help supply chain management for vaccine distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian-Gabriel Hâncean
- Department of Sociology, University of Bucharest, Panduri, 90-92, 050663, Bucharest, Romania.
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Panduri, 90-92, 050663, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Jürgen Lerner
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
- Human Technology Center, RWTH Aachen University, 52062, Aachen, Germany
| | - Matjaž Perc
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška Cesta 160, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404332, Taiwan
- Community Healthcare Center Dr. Adolf Drolc Maribor, Vošnjakova Ulica 2, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia
- Complexity Science Hub Vienna, Josefstädterstraße 39, 1080, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Physics, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - José Luis Molina
- GRAFO - Department of Social and Cultural Anthtropology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marius Geantă
- Center for Innovation in Medicine, Th. Pallady 42J, 032266, Bucharest, Romania
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Križan P. Flavour physics as a window to new physics searches. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2024; 382:20230088. [PMID: 38104617 PMCID: PMC10765758 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2023.0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Flavour physics is one of the essential elements of the Standard Model (SM). Experimental studies of weak decays of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons at [Formula: see text] factories have, together with the discovery of the Higgs boson at LHC, provided the final confirmation of the validity of the SM. The present generation of precision flavour physics experiments is looking for departures from the SM. We discuss studies of anomalies in [Formula: see text] hadron decays, and studies of rare decays, which are a very promising method for searching for new physics. This article is part of the theme issue 'The particle-gravity frontier'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Križan
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Verovnik B, Vovk A. Semaglutide, suicidal ideation and behaviour: A resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging perspective. Diabetes Obes Metab 2024; 26:782-784. [PMID: 37945545 DOI: 10.1111/dom.15363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Verovnik
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Vovk
- Center for Clinical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Škrjanc A, Jankovič D, Meden A, Mazaj M, Grape ES, Gazvoda M, Zabukovec Logar N. Carbonyl-Supported Coordination in Imidazolates: A Platform for Designing Porous Nickel-Based ZIFs as Heterogeneous Catalysts. Small 2024; 20:e2305258. [PMID: 37797179 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202305258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are a subclass of metal-organic framework that have attracted considerable attention as potential functional materials due to their high chemical stability and ease of synthesis. ZIFs are usually composed of zinc ions coordinated with imidazole linkers, with some other transition metals, such as Cu(II) and Co(II), also showing potential as ZIF-forming cations. Despite the importance of nickel in catalysis, no Ni-based ZIF with permanent porosity is yet reported. It is found that the presence and arrangement of the carbonyl functional groups on the imidazole linker play a crucial role in completing the preferred octahedral coordination of nickel, revealing a promising platform for the rational design of Ni-based ZIFs for a wide range of catalytic applications. Herein, the synthesis of the first Ni-based ZIFs is reported and their high potential as heterogeneous catalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling C─C bond forming reactions is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljaž Škrjanc
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, 1001, Slovenia
- School of Science, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, Nova Gorica, 5000, Slovenia
| | - Dominik Jankovič
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, Ljubljana, 1001, Slovenia
| | - Anton Meden
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, Ljubljana, 1001, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Mazaj
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, 1001, Slovenia
| | - Erik Svensson Grape
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Martin Gazvoda
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, Ljubljana, 1001, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Zabukovec Logar
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, 1001, Slovenia
- School of Science, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, Nova Gorica, 5000, Slovenia
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45
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Babič K, Strojnik L, Ćirić A, Ogrinc N. Optimization and validation of an HS-SPME/GC-MS method for determining volatile organic compounds in dry-cured ham. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1342417. [PMID: 38362102 PMCID: PMC10867123 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1342417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The formation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in dry-cured ham is a result of different biochemical and enzymatic processes. Moreover, accurately quantifying these VOCs is challenging since ham is a complex matrix, which contains compounds from various chemical families and a wide range of volatilities of different molecular masses. In this study, we systematically optimized and validated an analytical method for quantifying VOCs in dry-cured ham using headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Optimal SPME conditions were determined through both an experimental procedure (one-factor-at-a-time) and response surface methodology (RSM), revealing that a 60-min equilibration at 70°C, a 60-min extraction at the same temperature, and a 4-min desorption time at 250°C provided the most favorable results. To enhance quantitation, twelve multiple internal standards (ISTDs) were employed to address and improve the quantitation of the 12 VOCs. Method validation covered aspects of linearity, limits of detection (LOD: 0.03-1.13 mg kg-1), limits of quantitation (LOQ: 0.09-3.41 mg kg-1), and working ranges (0.01-19.1 mg kg-1). The practical application of this optimized method was demonstrated by analyzing dry-cured ham samples (n = 4), sourced from the Slovenian market. The initial statistical evaluation indicates that different types of dry-cured hams can be differentiated (with an 83.1% of accuracy) according to their aromatic profile. However, a larger sample size would be required to provide a more comprehensive assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Babič
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lidija Strojnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrija Ćirić
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nives Ogrinc
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Köry J, Narain V, Stolz BJ, Kaeppler J, Markelc B, Muschel RJ, Maini PK, Pitt-Francis JM, Byrne HM. Enhanced perfusion following exposure to radiotherapy: A theoretical investigation. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011252. [PMID: 38363799 PMCID: PMC10903964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumour angiogenesis leads to the formation of blood vessels that are structurally and spatially heterogeneous. Poor blood perfusion, in conjunction with increased hypoxia and oxygen heterogeneity, impairs a tumour's response to radiotherapy. The optimal strategy for enhancing tumour perfusion remains unclear, preventing its regular deployment in combination therapies. In this work, we first identify vascular architectural features that correlate with enhanced perfusion following radiotherapy, using in vivo imaging data from vascular tumours. Then, we present a novel computational model to determine the relationship between these architectural features and blood perfusion in silico. If perfusion is defined to be the proportion of vessels that support blood flow, we find that vascular networks with small mean diameters and large numbers of angiogenic sprouts show the largest increases in perfusion post-irradiation for both biological and synthetic tumours. We also identify cases where perfusion increases due to the pruning of hypoperfused vessels, rather than blood being rerouted. These results indicate the importance of considering network composition when determining the optimal irradiation strategy. In the future, we aim to use our findings to identify tumours that are good candidates for perfusion enhancement and to improve the efficacy of combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Köry
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vedang Narain
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bernadette J. Stolz
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Laboratory for Topology and Neuroscience, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Kaeppler
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ruth J. Muschel
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip K. Maini
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joe M. Pitt-Francis
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Helen M. Byrne
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Prause E, Malgaj T, Kocjan A, Beuer F, Hey J, Jevnikar P, Schmidt F. Mechanical properties of 3D-printed and milled composite resins for definitive restorations: An in vitro comparison of initial strength and fatigue behavior. J ESTHET RESTOR DENT 2024; 36:391-401. [PMID: 37680013 DOI: 10.1111/jerd.13132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the flexural strength and fatigue behavior of a novel 3D-printed composite resin for definitive restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty disc-shaped specimens were manufactured from each of a nanohybrid composite resin (NHC), polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN), and 3D-printed composite resin (3D) with CAD-CAM technology. Biaxial flexural strength (σin ) (n = 30 per group) and biaxial flexural fatigue strength (σff ) (n = 20 per group) were measured using piston-on-three-balls method, employing a staircase approach of 105 cycles. Weibull statistics, relative-strength degradation calculations, and fractography were performed. The results were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA and Games-Howell post hoc test (α = 0.05). RESULTS Significant differences in σin and σff among the groups (p < 0.001) were detected. The NHC group provided the highest mean ± standard deviation σin and σff (237.3 ± 31.6 MPa and 141.3 ± 3.8 MPa), followed by the PICN (140.3 ± 12.9 MPa and 73.5 ± 9.9 MPa) and the 3D (83.6 ± 18.5 MPa and 37.4 ± 23.8 MPa) groups. The 3D group exhibited significantly lower Weibull modulus (m = 4.7) and up to 15% higher relative strength degradation with areas of nonhomogeneous microstructure as possible fracture origins. CONCLUSIONS The 3D-printed composite resin exhibited the lowest mechanical properties, where areas of nonhomogeneous microstructure developed during the mixing procedure served as potential fracture origins. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The clinical indications of the investigated novel 3D-printed composite resin should be limited to long-term provisional restorations. A cautious procedure for mixing the components is crucial before the 3D-printing process, since nonhomogeneous areas developed during the mixing could act as fracture origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Prause
- Department of Prosthodontics, Geriatric Dentistry and Craniomandibular Disorders, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tine Malgaj
- Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andraž Kocjan
- Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Florian Beuer
- Department of Prosthodontics, Geriatric Dentistry and Craniomandibular Disorders, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jeremias Hey
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, Martin-Luther-University, Halle, Germany
| | - Peter Jevnikar
- Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Franziska Schmidt
- Department of Prosthodontics, Geriatric Dentistry and Craniomandibular Disorders, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Kurtishaj A, Žumer M, Nemanič V, Cvelbar U. Addressing challenges with evaluating hydrogen-selective membrane performance by quadrupole mass spectrometry. J Mass Spectrom 2024; 59:e5001. [PMID: 38305502 DOI: 10.1002/jms.5001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogen separation using nanostructured membranes has gained research attention because of its potential to produce high-purity hydrogen by separating gases at the molecular level. Quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS) is one method to evaluate these membranes' effectiveness in separating hydrogen from gas mixtures. However, quantifying gases in a mixture with QMS is challenging, especially when heavier gas ions interfere with a light gas ion, resulting in lower quantification accuracy. This study addresses this challenge by presenting a detailed calibration procedure that significantly improves hydrogen quantification accuracy up to a factor of 2.5. CO and CO2 were chosen as interfering gases because they are commonly released in conventional hydrogen production processes. By carefully evaluating the performance of these membranes, new opportunities for hydrogen separation may be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ardita Kurtishaj
- Department of Gaseous Electronics (F6), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Žumer
- Department of Gaseous Electronics (F6), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vincenc Nemanič
- Department of Gaseous Electronics (F6), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Uroš Cvelbar
- Department of Gaseous Electronics (F6), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Geri A, Massai L, Novinec M, Turel I, Messori L. Reactions of Medicinal Gold Compounds with Cathepsin B Explored through Electrospray Mass Spectrometry Measurements. Chempluschem 2024; 89:e202300321. [PMID: 37930642 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Medicinal gold compounds, a novel class of potential anticancer drugs, are believed to produce their pharmacological effects mainly through direct gold binding to protein targets at the level of solvent exposed cysteine (or selenocysteine) residues. We have explored therein the reactions of a panel of seven representative gold compounds with the cysteine protease cathepsin B according to an established ESI MS approach. Detailed information on the mode of protein binding of these gold compounds is gained; notably, quite distinct patterns of cathepsin B metalation have emerged from these studies. It is shown that panel gold compounds interact preferentially, often exclusively, with the free cysteine located in the active site of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Geri
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Lara Massai
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Marko Novinec
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Iztok Turel
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Luigi Messori
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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Silviya R, Bhide A, Gupta S, Bhabal R, Mali KH, Bhagat BR, Spreitzer M, Dashora A, Patel N, Fernandes R. Bifunctional Amorphous Transition-Metal Phospho-Boride Electrocatalysts for Selective Alkaline Seawater Splitting at a Current Density of 2A cm -2. Small Methods 2024:e2301395. [PMID: 38282459 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogen production by direct seawater electrolysis is an alternative technology to conventional freshwater electrolysis, mainly owing to the vast abundance of seawater reserves on earth. However, the lack of robust, active, and selective electrocatalysts that can withstand the harsh and corrosive saline conditions of seawater greatly hinders its industrial viability. Herein, a series of amorphous transition-metal phospho-borides, namely Co-P-B, Ni-P-B, and Fe-P-B are prepared by simple chemical reduction method and screened for overall alkaline seawater electrolysis. Co-P-B is found to be the best of the lot, requiring low overpotentials of ≈270 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), ≈410 mV for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and an overall voltage of 2.50 V to reach a current density of 2 A cm-2 in highly alkaline natural seawater. Furthermore, the optimized electrocatalyst shows formidable stability after 10,000 cycles and 30 h of chronoamperometric measurements in alkaline natural seawater without any chlorine evolution, even at higher current densities. A detailed understanding of not only HER and OER but also chlorine evolution reaction (ClER) on the Co-P-B surface is obtained by computational analysis, which also sheds light on the selectivity and stability of the catalyst at high current densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Silviya
- Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India
| | - Aniruddha Bhide
- Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India
| | - Suraj Gupta
- Advanced Materials Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Rinkoo Bhabal
- Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India
| | - Kishan H Mali
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, 390002, India
| | - Brajesh Rajesh Bhagat
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, 390002, India
| | - Matjaž Spreitzer
- Advanced Materials Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Alpa Dashora
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, 390002, India
| | - Nainesh Patel
- Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India
| | - Rohan Fernandes
- Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India
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