1. Artificial biomimetic electrochemical assembliesTanja Zidarič, Matjaž Finšgar, Uroš Maver, Tina Maver, 2022, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: Rapid, selective, and cost-effective detection and determination of clinically relevant
biomolecule analytes for a better understanding of biological and physiological functions are becoming increasingly prominent. In this regard, biosensors represent a powerful tool to meet these
requirements. Recent decades have seen biosensors gaining popularity due to their ability to design
sensor platforms that are selective to determine target analytes. Naturally generated receptor units
have a high affinity for their targets, which provides the selectivity of a device. However, such
receptors are subject to instability under harsh environmental conditions and have consequently low
durability. By applying principles of supramolecular chemistry, molecularly imprinted polymers
(MIPs) can successfully replace natural receptors to circumvent these shortcomings. This review summarizes the recent achievements and analytical applications of electrosynthesized MIPs, in particular,
for the detection of protein-based biomarkers. The scope of this review also includes the background
behind electrochemical readouts and the origin of the gate effect in MIP-based biosensors. Ključne besede: MIP-based biosensors, MIP, biosensors, molecularly imprinted polymer, biomolecules, electroanalysis Objavljeno v DKUM: 15.05.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 0
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2. Synergistic effect of supercritical and ultrasound-assisted ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) extractsTaja Žitek Makoter, Nika Kučuk, Vesna Postružnik, Maja Leitgeb, Željko Knez, Mateja Primožič, Maša Knez Marevci, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Proper processing of natural material is crucial to obtain an extract with high content of
biologically active components. Dried, grinded ginger roots were extracted by ultrasonic method
and supercritical extraction with CO2
. The aim of the study was to determine if a mixture of the two
types of extracts attained by different methods and solvents exhibits better bioavailability than each
extract itself. Therefore, both extracts were analytically evaluated and then mixed in a ratio of 1:1.
The supercritical extract (SCG extract) and the mixed extract (mixG extract) had high antioxidant
activity (78% and 73%) and total phenols (827 mg/g ext. and 1455 mg/g ext.), which is also consistent
with the levels of gingerol (303 mg/g ext. and 271 g/g ext.) and shogaol (111 mg/g ext. and 100 g/g
ext.) in the extracts. In comparison to both pure extracts higher levels of total phenols were found
in the extract mixG. This could be the reason for the significant inhibition of melanoma cells and
antimicrobial potential (against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans). The
combination of the extracts resulted in a significant increase in the inhibition of selected microbial
and melanoma cells WM-266-4 compared to the control. Cell viability decreased below 60% when
mixG extract was applied. Antimicrobial activity has been confirmed. Ključne besede: ginger, supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, antimicrobial activity Objavljeno v DKUM: 09.05.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 0
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3. Optimisation of the green process of industrial hemp - preparation and its extract characterisationTaja Žitek Makoter, Petra Kotnik, Teo Makoter, Vesna Postružnik, Željko Knez, Maša Knez Marevci, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Natural medicines and products are becoming increasingly important in the pharmaceutical
and food industries. The most important step in obtaining a natural remedy is the processing of
the natural material. This study offers the separation of the industrial hemp plant into fractions by
mechanical treatment, which has a significant impact on the selectivity of the obtained fractions. This
study also offers a solution to reduce waste by fractionating industrial hemp, focusing on the fraction
with the highest cannabinoid content (49.5% of CBD). The study confirmed the anticancer potential
of the extract, which prevents further division of WM-266-4 melanoma cells at a concentration of
10−3 mg/mL. However, application of the extract (c = 10−3 mg/mL) to normal human epidermal
melanocytes proved to be insignificant, as the metabolic activity of the cells was the same as in the
control cell group. Ključne besede: supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasonic extraction, melanoma cells, extraction, WM-266-4 Objavljeno v DKUM: 09.05.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 1
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4. Effect of green food processing technology on the enzyme activity in spelt flourMaja Leitgeb, Željko Knez, Gordana Hojnik Podrepšek, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: In this research, a new approach to enzyme inactivation in flour was presented by supercritical
technology, considered a sustainable technology with lower energy consumption compared
to other technologies that use ultra-high temperature processing. Total protein concentration and
the activity of enzymes -amylase, lipase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and protease were determined
in flour pre-treated with scCO2. During the study, it was observed that the activity of enzymes
such as lipase and polyphenol oxidase, was significantly reduced under certain conditions of scCO2
treatment, while the enzymes -amylase and protease show better stability. In particular, polyphenol
oxidase was effectively inactivated below the 60% of preserved activity at 200 bar and 3 h, whereas
-amylase under the same conditions retained its activity. Additionally, the moisture content of the
scCO2-treated spelt flour was reduced by 5%, and the fat content was reduced by 58%, while the
quality of scCO2-treated flour was maintained. In this regard, the sustainable scCO2 process could be
a valuable tool for controlling the enzymatic activity of spelt flour since the use of scCO2 technology
has a positive effect on the quality of flour, which was verified by the baking performance of spelt
flour with the baked spelt bread as an indicator of quality. Ključne besede: food treatment, spelt flour, proteins, supercritical carbon dioxide, enzyme inactivation, defatted flour, carbon dioxide solubility Objavljeno v DKUM: 17.04.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 1
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5. Participation in youth sports influences sarcopenia parameters in older adultsKaja Teraž, Miloš Kalc, Boštjan Šimunič, Uroš Marušič, Primož Pori, Saša Pišot, Rado Pišot, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background: The degree of deterioration in sarcopenia parameters may be affected by a person’s level of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB). Our study focused on examining the PA and SB of active older adults including those with and without history of sports in youth.
Methods: Forty-four participants (20 men and 24 women, mean age of total sample 76.1 ± 5.2 years) were included in analysis of PA, SB habits and sarcopenia parameters, determined by skeletal muscle index, hand-grip strength, gait speed, Timed Up and Go tests (TUG). PA and SB were recorded with accelerometers. Our primary aim was to compare participants with (AH) or without a sport history in youth (NAH), in their sarcopenia parameters and PA and SB habits.
Results: When divided participants in two groups (AH and NAH) and adjusting for age, we have detected the differences for skeletal muscle index (p = 0.007) and hand-grip strength (p = 0.004) in favor of participants who were engaged in sports in youth. We did not find any differences in PA and SB habits between the AH and NAH groups. After adjusting for age, participants with a higher number of daily steps, longer moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) bouts, a higher number of MVPA bouts in a day and higher overall MVPA engagement achieved better results in hand-grip strength and TUG. Participants with lower SB had better TUG and gait speed results.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that engaging in sports activities in youth can make a difference with sarcopenia parameters. Although we found no differences in PA and SB habits between participants with AH and NAH, participants with an athlete history performed better results in sarcopenia parameters. Ključne besede: active ageing, muscles, muscle disorder, elderly, exercise, sedentarism Objavljeno v DKUM: 15.04.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 0
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6. MFUM-BrTNBC-1, a newly established patient-derived triple-negative breast cancer cell line : molecular characterisation, genetic stability, and comprehensive comparison with commercial breast cancer cell linesKristijan Skok, Lidija Gradišnik, Helena Sabina Čelešnik, Marko Milojević, Uroš Potočnik, Gregor Jezernik, Mario Gorenjak, Monika Sobočan, Iztok Takač, Rajko Kavalar, Uroš Maver, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a breast cancer (BC) subtype that accounts for
approximately 15–20% of all BC cases. Cancer cell lines (CLs) provide an efficient way to model the
disease. We have recently isolated a patient-derived triple-negative BC CL MFUM-BrTNBC-1 and
performed a detailed morphological and molecular characterisation and a comprehensive comparison
with three commercial BC CLs (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453). Light and fluorescence
microscopy were used for morphological studies; immunocytochemical staining for hormone receptor,
p53 and Ki67 status; RNA sequencing, qRT-PCR and STR analysis for molecular characterisation; and
biomedical image analysis for comparative phenotypical analysis. The patient tissue-derived MFUMBrTNBC-1 maintained the primary triple-negative receptor status. STR analysis showed a stable and
unique STR profile up to the 6th passage. MFUM-BrTNBC-1 expressed EMT transition markers and
displayed changes in several cancer-related pathways (MAPK, Wnt and PI3K signalling; nucleotide
excision repair; and SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling). Morphologically, MFUM-BrTNBC-1 differed
from the commercial TNBC CL MDA-MB-231. The advantages of MFUM-BrTNBC-1 are its isolation
from a primary tumour, rather than a metastatic site; good growth characteristics; phenotype identical
to primary tissue; complete records of origin; a unique identifier; complete, unique STR profile;
quantifiable morphological properties; and genetic stability up to (at least) the 6th passage. Ključne besede: hormonal receptors, MFUM-BrTNBC-1, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453 Objavljeno v DKUM: 10.04.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 3
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7. Addressing the needs of the rapidly aging society through the development of multifunctional bioactive coatings for orthopedic applicationsTinkara Mastnak, Uroš Maver, Matjaž Finšgar, 2022, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: The unprecedented aging of the world’s population will boost the need for orthopedic
implants and expose their current limitations to a greater extent due to the medical complexity of
elderly patients and longer indwelling times of the implanted materials. Biocompatible metals with
multifunctional bioactive coatings promise to provide the means for the controlled and tailorable
release of different medications for patient-specific treatment while prolonging the material’s lifespan
and thus improving the surgical outcome. The objective of this work is to provide a review of several
groups of biocompatible materials that might be utilized as constituents for the development of
multifunctional bioactive coatings on metal materials with a focus on antimicrobial, pain-relieving,
and anticoagulant properties. Moreover, the review presents a summary of medications used in
clinical settings, the disadvantages of the commercially available products, and insight into the latest
development strategies. For a more successful translation of such research into clinical practice, extensive knowledge of the chemical interactions between the components and a detailed understanding
of the properties and mechanisms of biological matter are required. Moreover, the cost-efficiency of
the surface treatment should be considered in the development process. Ključne besede: biomaterials, orthopedic implants, multifunctional coatings, drug delivery, antimicrobial, pain relief Objavljeno v DKUM: 09.04.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 1
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8. Optimizing digital image quality for improved skin cancer detectionBogdan Dugonik, Marjan Golob, Marko Marhl, Aleksandra Vučinič Dugonik, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The rising incidence of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, underscores the need for improved diagnostic tools in dermatology. Accurate imaging plays a crucial role in early detection, yet challenges related to color accuracy, image distortion, and resolution persist, leading to diagnostic errors. This study addresses these issues by evaluating color reproduction accuracy across various imaging devices and lighting conditions. Using a ColorChecker test chart, color deviations were measured through Euclidean distances (∆E*, ∆C*), and nonlinear color differences (∆E00, ∆C00), while the color rendering index (CRI) and television lighting consistency index (TLCI) were used to evaluate the influence of light sources on image accuracy. Significant color discrepancies were identified among mobile phones, DSLRs, and mirrorless cameras, with inadequate dermatoscope lighting systems contributing to further inaccuracies. We demonstrate practical applications, including manual camera adjustments, grayscale reference cards, post-processing techniques, and optimized lighting conditions, to improve color accuracy. This study provides applicable solutions for enhancing color accuracy in dermatological imaging, emphasizing the need for standardized calibration techniques and imaging protocols to improve diagnostic reliability, support AI-assisted skin cancer detection, and contribute to high-quality image databases for clinical and automated analysis. Ključne besede: dermoscopy, melanoma, color analysis, color error, spectral power distribution, grey card, digital imaging standards Objavljeno v DKUM: 08.04.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 3
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9. Ranking as a procedure for selecting a replacement variable in the score predicting the survival of patients treated with curative intent for colorectal liver metastasesIrena Plahuta, Matej Mencinger, Iztok Peruš, Tomislav Magdalenić, Špela Turk, Aleks Brumec, Stojan Potrč, Arpad Ivanecz, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background and Objectives: The issue of a missing variable precludes the external validation of many prognostic models. For example, the Liverpool score predicts the survival of patients undergoing surgical therapy for colorectal liver metastases, but it includes the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, which cannot be measured retrospectively.
Materials and Methods: We aimed to find the most appropriate replacement for the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio. Survival analysis was performed on data representing 632 liver resections for colorectal liver metastases from 2000 to 2020. Variables associated with the Liverpool score, C-reactive protein, albumins, and fibrinogen were ranked. The rankings were performed in four ways: The first two were based on the Kaplan-Meier method (log-rank statistics and the definite integral ��
between two survival curves). The next method of ranking was based on univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.
Results: The ranks were as follows: the radicality of liver resection (rank 1), lymph node infiltration of primary colorectal cancer (rank 2), elevated C-reactive protein (rank 3), the American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification grade (rank 4), the right-sidedness of primary colorectal cancer (rank 5), the multiplicity of colorectal liver metastases (rank 6), the size of colorectal liver metastases (rank 7), albumins (rank 8), and fibrinogen (rank 9).
Conclusions: The ranking methodologies resulted in almost the same ranking order of the variables. Elevated C-reactive protein was ranked highly and can be considered a relevant replacement for the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio in the Liverpool score. These methods are suitable for ranking variables in similar models for medical research. Ključne besede: colorectal cancer, liver metastases, inflammation, ranking, survival Objavljeno v DKUM: 07.04.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 4
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10. Perception of personal participation of the nurses in resuscitation procedures : a qualitative studyAnton Koželj, Maja Strauss, Vita Poštuvan, Anže Strauss Koželj, Matej Strnad, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background and Objectives: Resuscitation is one of the most stressful tasks in emergency medicine. The participation of nurses in this procedure can have specific effects on them. In this research, we wanted to find out what these effects are.
Materials and Methods: A qualitative approach by conducting semi-structured interviews was used, and a thematic data analysis of the recorded interviews was carried out. The collected data were transcribed verbatim, with no corrections to the audio recordings. The computer program ATLAS.ti 22 was used for the qualitative data analysis.
Results: Eleven male registered nurses were interviewed, with an average of 18.5 years of experience working in a prehospital environment (max. 32/min. 9). A total of 404 min of recordings were analyzed, and 789 codes were found, which were combined into 36 patterns and 11 themes. As the most stressful situations, the interviewees pointed out the resuscitation of a child, familiar persons, conflicts with the environment, conflicts within the resuscitation team, nonfunctioning or insufficient equipment, complications during resuscitation, and resuscitating a person only for training. As positive effects, the interviewees cited successful resuscitations or their awareness that, despite an unsuccessful resuscitation, they did everything they could.
Conclusions: Participation in these interventions has a specific positive or negative impact on the performers. The interviewees shared the opinion that they can cope effectively with the adverse or stressful effects of resuscitation. Yet, despite everything, they allow the possibility of subconscious influences of this intervention on themselves. Ključne besede: resuscitation, personal experiences, paramedics, prehospital environment Objavljeno v DKUM: 07.04.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 7
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