Article
Infectious Diseases
Sebastien Lalanne, Francois Guerin, Erwan Flecher, Vincent Cattoir, Nicolas Nesseler, Matthieu Revest, Marie-Clemence Verdier
Summary: This study assessed the distribution of amoxicillin in infected heart valves and the achievement of related pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets in IE patients undergoing heart valve surgery. The results showed significant penetration of amoxicillin into the infectious site and supported the need for combination antibiotic therapy for enterococcal IE.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carly Boye, Sezgi Arpag, Michael Francis, Scott DeClemente, Aislin West, Richard Heller, Anna Bulysheva
Summary: Gene therapy has a wide range of applications but viral delivery methods have safety concerns. By using smaller plasmid DNA backbones, gene expression levels can be significantly increased using non-viral methods, as shown in rat tenocytes and myocardium. Delivery to the skin showed more moderate improvements.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Jean Carlos dos Santos da Luz, Fernanda Antunes, Maria Alejandra Clavijo-Salomon, Emanuela Signori, Nayara Gusmao Tessarollo, Bryan E. Strauss
Summary: Reversible electropermeabilization is a technique that transiently increases membrane permeability by applying electrical pulses, widely used in various fields from medicine to food processing. In oncology, it is applied for intracellular transport of chemotherapeutic drugs and delivery of genetic material, serving as important cancer therapies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Bulysheva, Loree Heller, Michael Francis, Frency Varghese, Carly Boye, Richard Heller
Summary: A novel monopolar electroporation system and methodologies were developed for in vivo electroporation, showing enhanced gene expression through targeted electroporation and gene transfer achieved by an asymmetric anode/cathode electrode applicator geometry.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reginald M. Atkins, Timothy J. Fawcett, Richard Gilbert, Andrew M. Hoff, Richard Connolly, Douglas W. Brown, Mark J. Jaroszeski
Summary: The research in this publication was primarily supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and in part by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Additional support was provided by various departments at USF, with approximately 80% of the study costs financed with federal money.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Katarzyna Rakoczy, Monika Kisielewska, Mikolaj Sedzik, Laura Jonderko, Julia Celinska, Natalia Sauer, Wojciech Szlasa, Jolanta Saczko, Vitalij Novickij, Julita Kulbacka
Summary: Electroporation enables the transport of molecules into the cytoplasm by forming transient pores in the cell membrane with electric pulses, offering novel possibilities in medicine, especially in cancer treatment and gene delivery.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monika Savarin, Urska Kamensek, Katarina Znidar, Vesna Todorovic, Gregor Sersa, Maja Cemazar
Summary: The study successfully constructed a novel plasmid DNA without antibiotic resistance genes, targeting two specific endothelial cell markers simultaneously. The functionality and therapeutic potential of this plasmid were demonstrated in vitro through gene electrotransfer and irradiation, showing promising results for future in vivo testing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tina Vindis, Anja Blazi, Diaa Khayyat, Tjasa Potocnik, Shaurya Sachdev, Lea Rems
Summary: In this study, a localized electroporation method based on commercially available cell culture inserts and porous substrates was designed to enhance gene electrotransfer efficiency while preserving cell viability. The device tested in mammalian cell lines showed similar transfection efficiencies to conventional bulk electroporation, but with lower voltage pulses and without the need for expensive electroporators.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carly Boye, Kyle Christensen, Kamal Asadipour, Scott DeClemente, Michael Francis, Anna Bulysheva
Summary: This study optimized gene electrotransfer and bioprinting techniques to accelerate tendon healing, showing that the combination of collagen scaffolds and angiogenic GET therapy can improve angiogenesis and biocompatibility of implants, potentially enhancing graft biocompatibility in tendon repair.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberta Vadeikiene, Baltramiejus Jakstys, Rasa Ugenskiene, Saulius Satkauskas, Elona Juozaityte
Summary: Electroporation is an effective method to transfer molecules into non-adherent cells. However, the viability of transfected cells should be carefully considered as increasing cell membrane permeability can lead to higher cell death. This study evaluated the distribution of hard-to-transfect UT-7 cells among different sub-populations and found that plasmid concentration played the most significant role in gene electrotransfer efficacy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberta Fusco, Giacomo Perazzolo Gallo, Elio Di Bernardo, Valeria D'Alessio, Mattia Ronchetti, Matteo Cadossi, Ruggero Cadossi
Summary: The aim of this document is to provide an overview of gene electrotransfer in ophthalmological disorders. Several electronic databases were considered and studies published between January 1998 and December 2021 were analyzed. The results showed that electrotransfer could be very efficient for plasmid DNA transfection. The optimization of electric field setting seems to be important for future gene therapy technologies in the treatment of human eye diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carly Boye, Sezgi Arpag, Nina Burcus, Cathryn Lundberg, Scott DeClemente, Richard Heller, Michael Francis, Anna Bulysheva
Summary: This study aimed to optimize cardioporation parameters to increase gene expression efficiency by reducing vector size and minimizing ventricular fibrillation. The results demonstrated that the optimized pulsing conditions significantly increased gene expression levels and reduced tissue damage, leading to improved survival rates.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
T. Komel, M. Bosnjak, S. Kranjc Brezar, M. De Robertis, M. Mastrodonato, G. Scillitani, G. Pesole, E. Signori, G. Sersa, M. Cemazar
Summary: The study demonstrated the high antitumor efficacy of combined IL-2 and IL-12 gene electrotransfer protocols in low-immunogenicity murine B16.F10 melanoma, resulting in significant tumor growth delay and 71% complete tumor regression through the activation of immune cells and inflammatory signals.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tjasa Potocnik, Damijan Miklavcic, Alenka Macek Lebar
Summary: High-frequency bipolar pulses have been shown to be efficient for membrane permeabilization and irreversible electroporation, with successful gene electrotransfer (GET) achieved using these pulses. Transfection efficiency increased with higher pDNA concentrations, and overall GET obtained through HF-BP pulse protocols was comparable to longer monopolar pulse protocols. However, the number of pDNA copies successfully transferred into cells seemed to be higher with longer monopolar pulses.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
T. Bozic, G. Sersa, S. Kranjc Brezar, M. Cemazar, B. Markelc
Summary: The study indicates that gene therapy can alter the distribution of inflammatory cells in the tumor microenvironment and enhance immune system activation. However, further optimization of dosing schedule is needed to achieve better treatment outcomes.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shaurya Sachdev, Tjasa Potocnik, Lea Rems, Damijan Miklavcic
Summary: Gene therapies have revolutionized medicine by curing previously incurable diseases. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, gene-based vaccines are being developed and distributed at record speeds. Gene electrotransfer (GET) is a non-viral technique that uses pulsed electric fields to overcome barriers and is currently being evaluated for therapeutic benefits in various indications. This review summarizes the current understanding of GET and discusses the mechanisms by which electric fields aid in overcoming barriers.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter Kramar, Damijan Miklavcic
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the effects of different cholesterol concentrations on the behavior of planar lipid bilayers under an electric field. The results showed no statistical difference in capacitance but a significant impact on breakdown voltage with the addition of cholesterol.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Vitalij Novickij, Austeja Baleviciute, Veronika Malysko, Augustinas Zelvys, Eivina Radzeviciute, Bor Kos, Aukse Zinkeviciene, Damijan Miklavcic, Jurij Novickij, Irute Girkontaite
Summary: This study focuses on the use of high repetition frequency unipolar nanosecond pulses for bleomycin electrochemotherapy. It was found that the efficacy of sub-microsecond electrochemotherapy can be manipulated solely by the time delay between pulses.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Helena Cindric, Gorana Gasljevic, Ibrahim Edhemovic, Erik Brecelj, Jan Zmuc, Maja Cemazar, Alenka Seliskar, Damijan Miklavcic, Bor Kos
Summary: This study investigated electroporation in the liver using a numerical mesoscale tissue model. The results showed that liver microstructure does not significantly affect the electric field distribution, but major hepatic vessels and portal spaces do have a significant impact, which should be considered in treatment planning.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aleksandra Cvetkoska, Alenka Macek-Lebar, Peter Trdina, Damijan Miklavcic, Matej Rebersek
Summary: This study is the first to examine pain sensation in humans using biphasic high-frequency electroporation pulses. The results confirm that biphasic high-frequency pulses with a pulse width of 1 or 2 microseconds reduce muscle contraction and pain sensation compared to longer monophasic pulses. Additionally, the interphase and interpulse delays play a significant role in reducing muscle contraction and/or pain sensation. These findings are important for optimizing the pulse parameters of electroporation treatments.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sebastien Chaigne, Daniel C. Sigg, Mark T. Stewart, Meleze Hocini, Tina Batista Napotnik, Damijan Miklavcic, Olivier Bernus, David Benoist
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of a monophasic single electric pulse on the contractility, Ca2+ homeostasis, and recovery of cardiac myocytes. Results showed that electroporation increased intracellular Ca2+ levels immediately, leading to changes in myocyte contraction and Ca2+ homeostasis. Sublethal electric pulses also affected cell contractions and Ca2+ levels, with lethal thresholds depending on cell orientation relative to the electric field.
CIRCULATION-ARRHYTHMIA AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Brian Howard, Atul Verma, Wendy S. Tzou, Lars Mattison, Bor Kos, Damijan Miklavcic, Birce Onal, Mark T. Stewart, Daniel C. Sigg
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of electrode-tissue proximity on cardiac lesion formation with a biphasic, bipolar PFA system. The results showed that the dimensions of cardiac lesions decreased with a decrease in electrode-tissue distance. Numerical modeling supported the experimental findings. Therefore, close electrode-tissue proximity is beneficial for achieving transmural lesions.
CIRCULATION-ARRHYTHMIA AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matej Kranjc, Janja Dermol-Cerne, Tjasa Potocnik, Vitalij Novickij, Damijan Miklavcic
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic field (HI-PEMF) for non-viral delivery of genetic material in vitro. The results show that HI-PEMF can cause DNA adsorption to the cell membrane and induce gene electrotransfection. Endocytosis is also identified as a possible mechanism for introducing large molecules into cells by HI-PEMF.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Rok Smerc, David A. A. Ramirez, Samo Mahnic-Kalamiza, Janja Dermol-Cerne, Daniel C. C. Sigg, Lars M. M. Mattison, Paul A. A. Iaizzo, Damijan Miklavcic
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of electric field orientation in anisotropic muscle tissue on irreversible electroporation damage. In vivo experiments were conducted on porcine skeletal muscle, with the electric field applied parallel or perpendicular to the muscle fibers. Results showed that lesions in the parallel group were consistently smaller and narrower than those in the perpendicular group. The study concludes that muscle anisotropy is a significant factor in determining electric field distribution in electroporation applications. Significance: 8/10
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lars Mattison, Atul Verma, Khaldoun G. Tarakji, Tobias Reichlin, Gerhard Hindricks, Kevin L. Sack, Birce Onal, Megan M. Schmidt, Damijan Miklavcic, Daniel C. Sigg
Summary: In this study, it was found that contact force in pulsed field ablation (PFA) had minimal effects on lesion dimensions, with only a small increase in depth, width, and volume of the lesions. The importance lies in achieving tissue contact rather than the force applied.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jessica Genovese, Marko Strucic, Igor Sersa, Vitalij Novickij, Pietro Rocculi, Damijan Miklavcic, Samo Mahnic-Kalamiza, Matej Kranjc
Summary: Using magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography, we investigated the non-uniform effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment on plant tissues such as apple, potato, and carrot. The results showed that the distribution of T2 relaxation times became increasingly inhomogeneous as the complexity of the tissue structure increased. The feasibility and potential of using the T2 mapping technique to analyze the effects of PEF on plant tissue structures were demonstrated.
Article
Microbiology
Larisa Janzic, Jernej Repas, Mojca Pavlin, Spela Zemljic-Jokhadar, Alojz Ihan, Andreja Natasa Kopitar
Summary: This study investigated the impact of 12 different genotyped GBS isolates on the immune response of THP-1 macrophages. The results showed isolate-specific differences in phagocytic uptake, co-stimulatory molecule expression, metabolism, and cytotoxicity, suggesting variations between GBS isolates in their invasiveness and colonization potential.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Andreja Natasa Kopitar, Jernej Repas, Larisa Janzic, Masa Bizjak, Tina Tajnsek Vesel, Nina Emersic, Mojca Zajc Avramovic, Alojz Ihan, Tadej Avcin, Mojca Pavlin
Summary: Although children seem to be less susceptible to COVID-19, some of them develop a rare but serious hyperinflammatory condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The status of convalescent patients in the months after acute MIS-C is still unclear, especially the question of persistence of changes in specific subpopulations of immune cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jernej Repas, Lea Peternel, Harald Sourij, Mojca Pavlin
Summary: Modulation of immune cell metabolism is an important strategy in improving cancer immunotherapies. Metformin, an anti-diabetic drug, has potential anti-cancer effects and can normalize blood glucose levels and inhibit cancer cell proliferation. It also has immunomodulatory effects on anti-tumor immunity. The effect of metformin on T cell functionality is influenced by glucose metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, combining metformin with glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) may improve the anti-tumor T cell response.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Larisa Janzic, Mojca Pavlin, Alojz Ihan, Spela Zemljic Jokhadar, Jernej Repas, Andreja Natasa Kopitar
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)