BIOREpository (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade)
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DISTRIBUTION OF THE ALIEN SLUG BOETTGERILLA PALLENS SIMROTH, 1912 IN BULGARIA AND SERBIA (MOLLUSCA: GASTROPODA: BOETTGERILLIDAE)
No full textWe present the first records of the family Boettgerillidae, and the species Boettgerilla pallens Simroth, 1912 in the gastropod fauna of Serbia. The history of the discovery of B. pallens in Bulgaria is summarized, and new faunistic records from the country are provided. The anatomy of Bulgarian specimens is described, compared with specimens from Switzerland, and the general details of the habitus and anatomy of the species are discussed. We comment on the habitat preferences and invasive potential of the species.M24536734
A review of the Helicoidea of Serbia (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora)
No full textThe superfamily Helicoidea is represented by the largest European land snails. In the present paper, the Helicoidea of Serbia are reviewed (altogether 47 species). Photographs of shells and genital anatomy are provided for 44 and 33 species, respectively. Characters important for identification are discussed and distribution maps are provided for each species (based on both literature and new data). Notes on habitat preferences and distribution in Serbia are given. The latest checklist of Serbian land snails is revised. Six species are reported for the first time from the territory of Serbia: Monacha cf. oshanovae I. Pintér & L. Pintér, 1970, Hygromia cinctella (Draparnaud, 1801), Pseudotrichia rubiginosa (Rossmässler, 1838), Cernuella cisalpina (Rossmässler, 1837), Cattania haberhaueri (Sturany, 1897), and Eobania vermiculata (O. F. Müller, 1774). The following nine species are excluded from the previous checklist, considering the lack of samples or relevant literature data: Liburnica setosa (A. Férussac, 1832), Macularia sylvatica (Draparnaud, 1801), Helix cincta O. F. Müller, 1774, H. secernenda Rossmässler, 1847, Theba pisana (O. F. Müller, 1774), Candidula unifasciata (Poiret, 1801), Perforatella vicina (Rossmässler, 1842), Trochulus striolatus (C. Pfeiffer, 1828), and Urticicola umbrosus (C. Pfeiffer, 1828). The presence of Campylaea ljubetenensis (A. J. Wagner, 1914) and Liburnica hoffmanni (Rossmässler, 1836) is doubtful and still has to be confirmed.M24+47263271
Pioneering approaches in ex situ propagation and conservation physiology of the rare moss Podperaea krylovii (Amblystegiaceae)
No full textBook of Abstract, p. 106M3
Synthesis of novel DDSA-modified levans and comparison study of environmental and biological evaluation with OSA-modified levans
No full textHydrophobic modification of polysaccharides enhances their potential as emulsion stabilizers and encapsulating agents, but their biocompatibility and biodegradability must be assessed first. In this study levan polysaccharide was modified by dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DDSA) for the first time, and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). The mentioned methods confirmed the grafting reaction and showed that the modification increases the roughness of the polysaccharide film, while thermostability and porosity of the levan stays preserved. Environmental behaviour and biocompatibility were compared for modified levans with a degree of substitution in the range of 0.032 to 0.048 prepared by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) or DDSA treatment at concentrations of 5 to 10 % (w/w). In a 28-day soil biodegradation test, the overall degradation of modified levans was in the range of 63–78 %. Modified levans at a concentration of up to 40 mg/mL had no adverse effects on A. fischeri bioluminescence. Also, in a test with a normal foetal lung fibroblast MRC-5 cell line, no cytotoxicity was measured for OSA- and DDSA-modified levans at concentrations up to 1 mg/mL.M21a10.712373036
Copper-enhanced TiO2 nanostructured thin films: Structural, chemical, and antibacterial properties
No full textIn this study, titanium was evaporated via e-beam glancing angle deposition in order to obtain nanostructured thin films. Additionally, copper (Cu) nanoparticles (NPs) were electrochemically deposited on top of them. Comprehensive structural analysis showed that the thin film, with a thickness of around 370 nm, consists of slanted columns with an average diameter of 7 nm, while copper nanoparticles range in size from 19 nm to 180 nm. A detailed chemical examination revealed that the deposited thin film contained TiO2, Ti2O3, and TiO phases, where TiO2 is identified as the dominant phase in the sample, while the Cu nanoparticles are composed of metallic Cu and Cu2O. This research intended to evaluate the effect of Cu NPs on the antibacterial activity of TiO2 thin films. Antibacterial tests were carried out on gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The obtained results show that copper nanoparticles improve the inhibition of gram-positive bacterial growth.M21a6.316374770
Synthesis, antimicrobial, anticancer activity, 3D QSAR, ADMET properties, and in silico target fishing of novel N,N-disubstituted chloroacetamides
No full textThe recent FDA approval of afatanib, ibrutinib, and osimertinib, which covalently bind to specific cysteine residues in target kinases, has renewed interest in covalent drug discovery. Besides α,β-unsaturated carbonyls, chloroacetamides have emerged as popular warheads for designing targeted covalent inhibitors. In this study, we synthesized thirteen N,N-disubstituted chloroacetamides (1–13) by acylating secondary amines with chloroacetyl chloride, selecting substituents to provide a wide range of lipophilicity. We evaluated their anticancer and antimicrobial activity, finding five compounds with significant cytotoxicity against HeLa, K562, and A549 cell lines (IC50 <10 μM). Notably, compound 10 activated caspases 3, 8, and 9, promoting both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, while compounds 9–12 were strong apoptosis inducers. A 3D QSAR model showed that aromatic substituents on nitrogen atoms reduced HeLa potency, whereas the overall molecular shape had a positive effect. ChemBL and pharmacophoric similarity searches suggested potential anticancer targets, including alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and calmodulin. Docking studies indicated that chloroacetamides bind to ADH and ALDH via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Pharmacokinetics predictions suggest that chloroacetamides are druglike molecules with promising ADMET properties.M224.0140075132
Could the traditional medicinal plants Gentiana lutea and Achillea millefolium be useful to combat Listeria monocytogenes biofilm?
No full textBook of abstract page 135M3
Activation of antioxidative metabolism in different growth stages of Phycomyces blakesleeanus mycelia exposed to vanadate
No full textUnderstanding the effect of vanadate (V(V)) on the well-studied filamentous fungus, Phycomyces blakesleeanus, is of great importance for establishing the mechanisms of vanadium internalisation and metabolism. Although P. blakesleeanus is not a soil fungus, its short life cycle and evolutionary basal position in the fungal kingdom makes it an excellent model for studying the interactions of fungi with vanadate and other metals as well as the improvement of their use in vanadium recovery (bioaccumulation)
and the remediation of contaminated soils. In this study, we investigated the effects of vanadate at three concentrations (1 mM,
5 mM, and 10 mM) on both enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of the antioxidant system of mycelia at different growth stages. The production of ROS was highest in the exponential phase, but its reducing capacity was maintained, probably due to
high levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as phenols and glutathione. In the stationary phase, while the reducing capacity of the mycelia was somewhat impaired by vanadate (V(V)), it recovered due to the action of the glutathione system and the activation of peroxidases. In the late exponential/early stationary phase, no significant activation of the antioxidative systems was observed, and the reducing capacity was impaired. When we consider the effects of V(V) on mycelial growth, this was the only phase with reduced viability, while the exponential and stationary phases were unaffected, if not stimulated. This study provides insight into the tolerance of P. blakesleeanus mycelia to vanadate, even at concentrations as high as 10 mM, making this fungus a good candidate for V(V) bioaccumulation.M230.919521049
Tenebrio molitor Could Be an Efficient Pre-Treatment Bioagent for Polystyrene Initial Deterioration and Further Application of Pleurotus eryngii and Trametes versicolor in Microplastic Biodegradation
No full textPlastic is a major organic pollutant globally but has only recently been recognized for its recalcitrant nature and resistance to degradation. Although vast amounts of plastic debris are overwhelming the planet, the search for solutions to its degradation has only recently begun. One of the most well-known agents of plastic biodegradation is the larvae of Tenebrio
molitor, which can alter the structure of polymers like polystyrene. However, while this insect can cause deterioration, its frass, which still consists of polystyrene microplastics, remains a problem. We investigated whether this frass could be further degraded by strains of white rot fungi, specifically Pleurotus eryngii and Trametes versicolor. We introduced two PS derivatives (styrofoam and stirodure) to the fungi in liquid media and evaluated
oxidative metabolism enzymes (laccase, Mn-peroxidase, lignin-peroxidase) activities, and
the phenolic products of the potential aromatic polymer degradation in the media. Finally, we evaluated FTIR spectra to determine if we could detect changes in polystyrene molecule degradation. Both fungi produced high amounts of enzymes, particularly when the polystyrene was present. Large quantities of phenolic substances were simultanously detected, some associated with polystyrene degradation. FTIR spectra of different polystyrene products confirmed species-specific mechanisms for their degradation by experimental fungal strains.M214.71772171
Four seasons of the phototrophic biofilms at the cave entrance zone of Petnica Cave
No full textThis study investigated seasonal variations in phototrophic biofilm communities at the entrance zone of Petnica Cave. Biofilm samples were collected from seven sampling sites over four seasons. Several parameters were measured at each site, including air temperature, relative humidity, light intensity, substrate temperature, and moisture content of both biofilm-covered and bare substrates, to assess their influence on species composition. Cyanobacteria were the dominant group. According to the redundancy analysis (RDA), coccoid and simple trichal Cyanobacteria predominated in winter, while heterocytous Cyanobacteria were more abundant in summer. Chlorophyta exhibited a relatively even distribution across all seasons. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that Cyanobacteria occurrence showed a positive correlation with the moisture content of both the biofilm and the substrate, whereas Chlorophyta demonstrated a negative correlation with these parameters. Despite the presence of core taxa in all seasons, additional taxa appeared seasonally, contributing to increased diversity. These findings highlight the importance of moisture for the composition and resilience of the biofilm and provide insights into the seasonal adaptations of microorganisms in the cave entrance zone ecosystem.M221.711