BIOREpository (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade)
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    Rumina decollata (Linnaeus, 1758), Decollate Snail (Eupulmonata: Achatinidae), in Serbia: first record of a Mediterranean snail in the country

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    M230.2446146745

    Different Genotypes of the Rare and Threatened Moss Physcomitrium eurystomum (Funariaceae) Exhibit Different Resilience to Zinc and Copper Stress

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    The funarioid moss species Physcomitrium eurystomum, which is threatened with extinction, was the subject of this study. The riparian habitat type of this species is often under the influence of contaminated water, and, therefore, we tested the influence of selected potentially toxic elements (PTEs), namely zinc and copper, on the development, physiological features, and survival of the species on two different accessions (German and Croatian). The results obtained showed the different resilience of the two accessions to the PTEs. Flow cytometry analyses revealed that the two accessions differ significantly in terms of genome size. However, the different amplitude of resilience to the tested PTEs, the divergence in physiological responses, and survival within two accessions of the same species are confirmed, as well as the dissimilarity of their genome size, likely associated with ploidy level difference and possibly distinct hybrid origin.M214.022414

    In silico screening and immunogenic features of putative tick cement protein PA107 from Ixodes ricinus tick

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    Tick salivary proteins are crucial for efficient and successful tick feeding. Most of them are still uncharacterized, especially those involved in the formation of tick cement. Tick salivary protein PA107 is a putative cement protein, which is transcribed in salivary glands during the initial phase of tick feeding. It is a tick-unique protein, with homologs described in several tick genera. In this study, a detailed in silico analysis of its primary and tertiary structure was performed, along with the immunogenicity assessment for the PA107 protein from Ixodes ricinus species. The screening of the primary structure placed it to the glycine-rich protein family, revealing in parallel an overlapping 15mer at the C-terminus and borderline homology to non-tick proteins with antimicrobial activity. The analysis of tertiary structure revealed a high degree of intrinsic disorder for monomeric PA107, in contrast to highly ordered structures for different oligomeric states that might correlate with the putative role in the tick cement formation process. Regarding in silico PA107 immunogenicity inference, obtained results were inconclusive, which aligns with the in vitro findings showing definitely the lack of humoral response induction in experimentally infested rats and persons bitten by the I. ricinus ticks. The results represent new pieces of a huge puzzle depicting a complex tick-host relationship, but also identify PA107 as a possible compound of novel formulations to be used in biomedicine as bioadhesives, and as a target for new anti-tick strategies, by interfering with the cement cone formation and stability, i.e. tick attachment and feeding.M211.83194

    Two new aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) from field crops of South America

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    During two seasons of field sampling in crop fields in Argentina, a total of 2,276 Aphidiinae specimens were collected using Malaise traps positioned in maize, soybean, and wheat fields. Eight known species of aphid parasitoids were identified (Aphidius platensis Brethes, 1913, A. ervi Haliday, 1834, A. rhopalosiphi de Stefani-Perez, 1902, A. uzbekistanicus Luzhetzki, 1960, A. matricariae Haliday, 1834, Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh, 1855), Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson, 1880), and Praon gallicum Starý, 1971). Additionally, two new species of aphid parasitoids were discovered, bringing the total to ten species reported from these crops in the country. Here, we describe and provide diagnoses for Aphidius brethes sp. nov. and Trioxys pampas sp. nov., which is the first record of winged species of the genus Trioxys in South America.M221.43113249

    Nature’s Arsenal: Uncovering Antibacterial Agents Against Antimicrobial Resistance

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    Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant public health threat, leading to increased mortality. The World Health Organization has established a priority list highlighting critical multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens that demand urgent research on antimicrobial treatments. Considering this and the fact that new antibiotics are only sporadically approved, natural antibacterial agents have seen a resurgence in interest as potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics and chemotherapeutics. Natural antibacterials, derived from microorganisms, higher fungi, plants, animals, natural minerals, and food sources, offer diverse mechanisms of action against MDR pathogens. Here, we present a comprehensive summary of antibacterial agents from natural sources, including a brief history of their application and highlighting key strategies for using microorganisms (microbiopredators, such as bacteriophages), plant extracts and essential oils, minerals (e.g., silver and copper), as well as compounds of animal origin, such as milk or even venoms. The review also addresses the role of prebiotics, probiotics, and antimicrobial peptides, as well as novel formulations such as nanoparticles. The mechanisms of action of these compounds, such as terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds, are explored alongside the challenges for their application, e.g., extraction, formulation, and pharmacokinetics. Conclusions: Future research should focus on developing eco-friendly, sustainable antimicrobial agents and validating their safety and efficacy through clinical trials. Clear regulatory frameworks are essential for integrating these agents into clinical practice. Despite challenges, natural sources offer transformative potential for combating AMR and promoting sustainable health solutions.M214.325314

    Scenting Ketones in the Defense Glands of Two Julids From the Caucasus (Arthropoda, Myriapoda, Diplopoda, Julida)

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    Millipedes have developed specialized chemical defenses against predators and parasites. Here we investigated the strong repellent odour emitted by two julids from the Caucasus, Syrioiulus continentalis (Attems, 1903) and Pachyiulus krivolutskyi Golovatch, 1977. By NMR and GC-MS, as well as compound synthesis, we identified the major compound in the secretions of both species as 4-ethylhex-1-en-3-one. A second compound was tentatively identified as the dimer of the main compound as 2-ethyl-1-(6-(pentan-3-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)butan-1-one. Both compounds amounting for more than 95% of the whole secretion. 4-Ethylhex-1-en-3-one was found for the first time as a naturally occurring compound, and due to its identification in millipedes of the order Julida we propose here the trivial name "julidone". Considering current knowledge, the replacement of the juliform quinones by novel components such as ketones appears to be highly derived conditions in the chemistry of Julida, possibly triggered by different environmental challenges arising from the epigeic life-style of the two species.M222.25051

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