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Exploring new biodiversity hotspots in Tuber aestivum natural distribution
Get PDFTuber aestivum is associated with a wide range of tree species and is the most widespread edible truffle. Its capability of colonizing many different areas along with a long reaping period, increased in the last decades scientific studies and commercial interest.
A number of large- and fine-scale population genetics studies have been conducted to explore its genetic diversity and genetic structure.
Recent investigations based on ITS sequence analyses revealed a strong phylogenetic pattern and a higher level of genetic diversity in Turkish and southern European populations than in northern European populations, suggesting that Turkey and southern Europe may have acted as glacial refugia for this species.
Despite these findings, the southernmost distributional range of the species is not yet fully explored. With the aim of evaluating other potential diversity hotspots in this study we expand previous investigation, extending the sampling to other southernmost natural T. aestivum areas, such as Moroccan mountainous regions (Middle Atlas), Serbia and several Spanish regions.
The ongoing analyses based on haplotypes alignment of the ITS region of the rDNA, reveal as preliminary result a pronounced genetic variability among Moroccan T. aestivum populations, suggesting a possible phylogeographic differentiation also in these new areas of investigation. Additional analyses are underway to better trace natural populations of T. aestivum according to their geographic origin.
These aims could be critical both for truffle industry interest in selecting well-adapted inoculum for the production of mycorrhizal seedlings or traceability of truffles provenance, and for the establishment of programs devoted to biodiversity conservation
Environmental and biological specificities of the lowland alluvial soils in Central Serbia
Get PDFLowlands of Central Serbia are mostly covered by alluvial soils, while the natural vegetation types are various alluvial forests differentiated by the distance from the river bad (dynamics of soil water potential regimes) and gradients of soil structure, nutrient availability and soil pH (Marjanovic et al 2020). These forests have been heavily exploited for timber throughout the human history, but what has remained still represent significant hotspots of above and belowground biodiversity. The rare specificity of these ecosystems is the high diversity of truffles, fungi producing belowground fruiting bodies, among which the most prised white Piedmont truffle holds a special attention (Bragato and Marjanovic, 2016).
In order to describe these special habitats of Balkan Peninsula, we have conducted various experiments, mostly concentrated on soils that support the fructification of this ecologically and economically important species. In this contribution we will summarize results on soil structure, soil water content dynamics, nutrient availability, seasonality of soil processes as well as seasonality of root associated mycobiomes of selected alluvial forests. We focus on connecting the fructification of white truffle to different soil factors (Marjanovic et al 2015), as well as on defining the differentiation factors that have been shaping root associated mycobiomes (Marjanovic et al 2020). The contribution was set to uncover as many soil traits as possible to reveal the answer to the question of what are the ideal conditions of soil/vegetation /climate combination that is suitable for such specific fungal communities.https://wcss.speak.co.uk/
Link ka projektu https://www.imsi.bg.ac.rs/en/evaluation-of-the-microplastic-in-the-soils-of-serbia-emiplast-sos-2
Methanol extract of strawberry cultivar 'Aprika' increases glucose uptake in 3T3-F442A adipocytes
No full textInsulin resistance is a state where a normal amount of insulin can’t provoke an appropriate metabolic response. Insulin promotes membrane trafficking of the glucose transporter GLUT4 from the storage vesicles to the plasma membrane in white adipose tissue. Adipocytes use glucose for lipogenesis and store the energy as lipid droplets. If adipocytes are unable to uptake glucose, a chronic state of hyperglycemia is developed, with severe health consequences. Polyphenols are natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Food rich in polyphenols has been suggested to exert an ameliorative effect on restoring insulin sensitivity, with the main identified target being AMPK1,2, one of the key sensors of intracellular energy. Here, we tested the effect of methanol extracts from three newly introduced strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa, Duch.) cultivars – 'Aprika', 'Sandra' and 'Quicky' on glucose metabolism in 3T3-F442A adipocytes. It was determined that 'Aprika' has the highest total phenolic content, relative to the other two cultivars. After 72-h exposure, none of the strawberry cultivars affected adipocyte cell growth significantly. Protein expression analysis of the differentiated adipocytes suggested 'Aprika', but not the other two cultivars, significantly increased the AMPK expression, as well as GLUT4, thus increasing glucose uptake. Strawberry extracts did not significantly affect the differentiation of adipocytes (SIRT1 and PPARγ), nor the fatty acid synthesis (ACC). Conclusively, the 'Aprika' methanol extract with high phenolic content exerts an ameliorative effect on glucose uptake, presumably through activation of the AMPK-dependent mechanism of GLUT4 trafficking. The systemic effects of the ‘Aprika’ cultivar should be further investigated. Implications of the research are decreased hyperglycemia in obese and diabetic patients, by the introduction of the 'Aprika' strawberry cultivar into everyday diet. References 1. Zhao L, Zou T, Gomez NA et al. Raspberry alleviates obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1. Nutr & Diabetes, 2018, 8, 39. 2. Xu W, Luo Y, Yin J, Luo F. Targeting AMPK signaling by polyphenols: A novel strategy for tackling aging. Food & Function. 2023
PREVIEW OF MEDICINAL PLANTS WITHIN LOWLAND PEDUNCULATE OAK FORESTS AND THEIR USEFUL PROPERTIES
Get PDFThe study related to medicinal plants was carried out at the area of Gornji Srem within three
management units: MU „Blata-Malovanci“ (forest type Carpino-Fraxino-Quercetum roboris
caricetosum remotae), MU „Raškovica-Smogvica“ (forest type Fraxino-Quercetum roboris
aceretosum) and MU „Vinična-Žeravinac Puk“ (forest type Carpino-Fraxino-Quercetum
roboris caricetosum remotae). At the area of Gornji Srem in the middle of 30’s last century
protective embankment was built which eliminated flooding influence. As a result, vegetation
is supplied with water mainly from groundwater and precipitation. There were recorded 139
medicinal plants that originate from 43 families. The aim of the paper is to determine useful
properties of medicinal plants. The analysis of mentioned features of medicinal plants was
conducted according to generally accepted methodology (Ranđelović et al., 2002) that all
medicinal herbal drugs classified into 14 groups. Based on obtained results, the largest
number of medicinal plants act on the digestive organs and cardiovascular system, and then
follow drugs that treat problems with the skin, excretory and respiratory organs. Only one
herb belongs to the category of antihistamines, while phytoncide herbs, galactose and drugs
for improving the flavour and taste of various medicines have two representatives each. It
should be noted that certain medicinal taxa have a wide range of useful properties and
simultaneously treat several different health problems
MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF YEW (TAXUS BACCATA L.) SEEDS FROM URBAN TREES
Get PDFTaxus baccata L. je retka vrsta u šumama Srbije i uživa status zaštićene vrste kao tercijarni relikt. Nasuprot njenom prirodnom staništu, u parkovima je zastupljena vrsta. Tisa je dvodoma vrsta koja plodonosi svake ili svake druge godine, a seme
je okruženo mesnatim crvenim omotačem koji je izuzetno atraktivnog izgleda.
Podaci o morfološkim karakteristikama semena tise su ograničeni na mali broj
literaturnih izvora usled retkog sakupljanja semena i značajno češćeg razmnožavanja vegetativnim putem. Sa ciljem da se istraži varijabilnost morfoloških karakteristika semena i diverzitet semena tise u urbanim sredinama, izvršeno je
sakupljanje semena tokom jeseni 2021. godine sa ukupno 13 stabala tise (11 stabala iz Beograda i po jedno iz Novog Sada i Vrdnika). Morfološke karakteristike
semena (dužina i širina semena i prečnik ožiljka na semenu) sa ovih stabala nalaze se u granicama vrednosti koje su prijavljene u literaturi za seme tise. Značajna
varijabilnost u karakteristikama semena između posmatranih stabala je dokazana primenom jednofaktorijalne analize varijanse, a potom je izvršeno grupisanje primenom post-hoc Tukey HSD testa. Pojedina stabla koja se prostorno nalaze blizu
jedno drugom, pokazala su veći stepen sličnosti semena u odnosu na prostorno
udaljena stabla, što je ispitano primenom klaster analize (Tree Clustering, Single
Linkage-Euclidean distances).Taxus baccata L. is a rare species in the forests of Serbia and enjoys the status of a protected species as a tertiary relic. In contrast to its natural habitat, this species
is widespread in the parks. Yew is a dioecious species that bears fruit every year
or every other year, and the seeds are surrounded by a fleshy red covering that is
extremely attractive. Data on the morphological characteristics of yew seeds are
limited to a small number of literature sources due to the infrequent collection of
seeds and significantly more frequent vegetative reproduction. Aiming to investigate the variability of morphological characteristics of seeds and the diversity of yew
seeds in urban areas, seed collection was carried out during the fall of 2021 from
a total of 13 yew trees (11 trees from Belgrade and one each from Novi Sad and
Vrdnik). Morphological characteristics of seeds (length and width of seeds and
diameter of seed scar) from these trees are within the range of values reported in
the literature for yew seeds. Significant variability in seed characteristics between
the observed trees was proven using one-factor analysis of variance, and then grouping was performed using the post-hoc Tukey HSD test. Individual trees that are spatially close to each other showed a higher degree of seed similarity compared to spatially distant trees, which was examined using cluster analysis (Tree Clustering, Single Linkage-Euclidean distances)
Auxin‑ and pH‑induced guttation in Phycomyces sporangiophores: relation between guttation and diminished elongation growth
No full textGuttation, the formation of exudation water, is widespread among plants and fungi, yet the
underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. We describe the conditions for inducing guttation in sporangiophores of the mucoracean fungus, Phycomyces blakesleeanus. Cultivation on
peptone-enriched potato dextrose agar elicits vigorous guttation mainly below the apical growing
zone, while sporangiophores raised on a glucose-mineral medium manifest only moderate guttation.
Mycelia do not guttate irrespective of the employed media. The topology of guttation droplets
allows identifying the non-growing part of the sporangiophore as a guttation zone, which responds
to humidity and medium composition in ways that become relevant for turgor homeostasis and thus the sensor physiology of the growing zone. Apparently, the entire sporangiophore, rather than
exclusively the growing zone, participates in signal reception and integration to generate a common growth output. Exogenous auxin applied to the growing zones elicits two correlated responses: (i) formation of guttation droplets in the growing and transition zones below the sporangium and (ii) a diminution of the growth rate. In sporangiophore populations, guttation-induction by exogenous control buffer occurs at low frequencies; the bias for guttation increases with increasing auxin concentration. Synthetic auxins and the transport inhibitor NPA suppress guttation completely, but leave growth rates largely unaffected. Mutants C2 carA and C148 carA madC display higher sensitivities for auxin-induced guttation compared to wild type. A working model for guttation includes aquaporins and mechanosensitive ion channels that we identified in Phycomyces by sequence domain searches
Innovative tools for protection and presentation of cultural heritage
Get PDFU radu su predstavljene nacionalne i međunarodne smernice za omogućavanje pristupačnosti, dostupnosti i prezentaciju spomenika kulture uz poštovanje savremenih standarda kao što su digitalizacija i inkluzija. Sveobuhvatni cilj je definisanje pravca koji vodi ka većoj vidljivosti kulturnog nasleđa Republike Srbije, kao i obezbeđivanje kontinuiteta u razvoju digitalnih alata i procedura za interpretaciju, očuvanje, prezentaciju, pristupačnost i dostupnost kulturnog nasleđa i kreiranje javnih politika.The paper presents national and international guidelines for accessibility, availability and presentation of cultural monuments, with respecting the contemporary standards such as digitization and inclusion. The overall goal is to define a direction for ensuring greater visibility of the cultural heritage of the Republic of Serbia, as well as obtaining continuity in the development of digital tools and procedures for the interpretation, protection, presentation, accessibility and availability of cultural heritage and the creation of public policies
The Supply of Macro- and Microelements to Cotton Plants at Different Distances from a Fertilizer Production Factory
No full textEnvironmental pollution from industrial factories via air deposition is an urgent problem worldwide. Phosphate fertilizers, derived from rock phosphate, are characterized by the presence of potentially toxic elements, such as Zn, Co, Pb, Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Cu, which are dispersed in the form of solid dust-like materials from the pipes of the factory. This study aimed to investigate the effects of airborne industrial emissions on the chemical and biochemical compositions of cotton grown in the immediate vicinity of a fertilizer factory in Uzbekistan. The composition of airborne dust deposited on the plants, the chemical composition of the cotton leaves before and after washing, as well as that of above- and below-ground plant organs, and their protein contents were determined. The concentrations of macro- and microelements in the leaves and roots were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The fluorine contents in the leaves and in the roots were determined using a fluorine-selective electrode. The radius of dispersion of industrial emissions in the air was best described by measuring the fluorine contents in washed and unwashed cotton leaves. The relationships among P, K, Mg, Ca, S, F, and Mn in plant roots and leaves as a function of distance from the pollutant source were analyzed. Based on the fluorine contents in washed and unwashed cotton leaves, the two following zones of technogenic pollution were distinguished: the zone 5 km from the factory, with moderate technogenic pollution. It was found that the resistance of cotton to air pollution from industrial emissions is determined by the ability of cotton plants to neutralize toxic compounds by increasing the influx of alkaline earth metals into the affected tissues. This study showed the possibility of growing cotton at a distance of >5 km from the fertilizer factory. It is strongly recommended to analyze the chemical composition of plants located in a highly polluted zone only after the dust particles have been washed off of the plant’s surface. Despite the resilience of cotton to industrial pollution, the monitoring of areas identified as pollution zones is recommended
Pregled upotrebe POPs pesticida, sa akcentom na sadržaj DDT u mleku
No full textPesticidi su važan faktor u proizvodnji prehrambenih biljaka, kao i smanjenju populacije štetnih insekata i uništavanju glodara. Lipofilni karakter ve©ine pesticida može dovesti do njihovog bioakomulacije u masti, što može imati štetne posledice po zdravlje ljudi i životinja. Cilj ovoga pregled je da predstave saznanja o prisustvu i određivanju pesticida u mleka, sa akcentom na određivanju sadržaja DDT. Razmatraju se rezultati dobijeni pri prvim kontrolama prisustva DDT, kao i oni najnoviji koji su dobijeni poslednjih godina upotrebom novih metoda ekstrakcije i kontrole savremenim tehnikama. I dalje postoje izazovi u samom na«inu određivanja i razvoju jednostavnih tehnika i procedura za kontrolu. Ali su rezultati dobijeni poslednjih godina u svim zemljama ujednačeni i slažu se da je prisustvo DDT u mleku sve manje od prvih kontaminacija sedamdesetih godina prošloga veka.Pesticides are an important factor in the production of food plants, as well as reducing the population of harmful insects and destroying rodents. The lipophilic character of most pesticides can lead to their biaccumulation in fats, which can have harmful consequences for human and animal health. The aim of this review is to present knowledge about the presence and determination of pesticides in milk, with emphasis on the determination of DDT content. The results obtained during the ϔirst controls for the presence of DDT are discussed, as well as the most recent ones obtained in recent years using new methods of extraction and control using modern techniques. There are still challenges in the very way of determining and developing simple techniques and procedures for control. But the results obtained in recent years in all countries are uniform and they agree that the presence of DDT in milk is decreasing since the ϔirst contaminations in the seventies of the last century
A Potential Anthelmintic Phytopharmacological Source of Origanum vulgare (L.) Essential Oil against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Sheep
Get PDFThe development of anthelmintic resistance in sheep gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) requires novel strategies for the sustainable control of these parasites. This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of the Origanum vulgare (L.) essential oil (EO) against sheep GINs and to evaluate the possibility of its use in control practice. The in vitro egg hatch test was conducted at eight different concentrations (50, 12.5, 3.125, 0.781, 0.195, 0.049, 0.025, and 0.0125 mg/mL) of the tested EO. For the in vivo fecal egg count reduction test, the EO of O. vulgare was administrated orally at a mean single dose of 150 mg/kg to sheep from two farms in Southern Italy, whereby potential toxic effects to the hosts were also evaluated. In the egg hatch test, the inhibition of egg hatchability varied from 71.3% to 93.7%, depending on the concentration used. The high anthelmintic potential was confirmed in the fecal egg count reduction test with an average reduction of nematode eggs in feces of 43.2% and 60.1% on days 7 and 14 after treatment, respectively. In addition, no toxic effects were noticed during the clinical examination of sheep or by observing blood count and liver or kidney function test results. The obtained results suggest the strong activity of the O. vulgare EO against sheep GINs, probably due to a high percentage of carvacrol (76.21%), whereby it can be considered safe for sheep at the dose tested in vivo. Therefore, it is suitable for use in veterinary practice as a part of an integrated strategy for the control of sheep GINs