BIOREpository (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade)
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Enhancing Cross-Linking Efficiency in Gelatin-Based Hydrogels via Incorporation of Tannic Acid, Pluronic F-127, and Phytic Acid
No full textThis study enhanced the gelatin-based hydrogel formulation by incorporating tannic acid, triblock copolymer Pluronic F-127, and phytic acid to improve its physicochemical properties. The swelling behaviour of these hydrogels was evaluated in phosphate buffer solution at selected pH levels. Morphological and thermal properties of the investigated hydrogels were analysed using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to investigate the chemical structure of the optimal hydrogel. Tannic acid was recognised as a key component responsible for significant improvements in the hydrogel’s overall properties, including greater swelling capacity in phosphate buffer solution, a more defined porous structure, enhanced thermal stability (with a melting point above physiological conditions), significantly increased mechanical strength, elasticity, and overall robustness, as well as stability of the hydrogel network structure. These enhancements make the gelatin-based hydrogels more suitable for biomedical applications that demand high durability.M214.71372171
1-Aryl-3-Ethyl-3-Methyl- and 1-Aryl-3-Methylsuccinimides as Drug Candidates for Cancer: Toxicity Prediction, Molecular Docking, and In Vitro Assessment
No full textTwenty-four succinimide derivatives were tested for their antiproliferative effect toward steroid hormone-responsive carcinoma cell lines: estrogen positive human breast carcinoma (MCF-7), lung carcinoma (A549), colon carcinoma (HT-29), and cervix carcinoma (HeLa). In addition, their antiproliferative effect was analyzed against late-stage estrogen and progesterone negative breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231) and for safety were also investigated against normal fetal lung (MRC-5) cell lines. Molecular docking studies were conducted to observe their binding affinity for steroid hormone receptors and BCRP/ABCG2 transporter. All analyzed succinimides exhibited antiproliferative effects on at least one carcinoma cell line and were safe toward normal fetal lung cells. Their safety was confirmed based on in silico predictions. The succinimides were binding through the same π−stock interactions for the same Phe-778 of the progesterone receptor as the proven ligand and the same Phe-439 of the BCRP as the proven substrate and inhibitor. In addition, interactions with crucial amino acid residues for ligand antagonistic effects on estrogen receptors were observed. The QSAR analysis revealed that the succinimides' binding affinity for sex hormone receptors was governed by their flatness, polarity, size, and polarizability, while the affinity to bind for BCRP was lipophilicity dependent. The succinimides antiproliferative effect on A549 cell line given as IC50 was statistically significant associated with their molar refractivity (p = 0.033), and lipophilicity (XlogP3, p = 0.043), respectively. Finally, the most promising drug candidate with the most pronounced anticancer activity was compound D11 against lung carcinoma (A549) cell lines with an IC50 comparable to doxorubicin.M223.
Assessing metal contamination using bumblebees and honey bees – Complementary roles in biomonitoring
No full textMetal pollution poses a significant risk to ecosystems and public health, which is why effective monitoring tools are needed. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are often used as biomonitors due to their large foraging range and ease of sampling. However, as they are domesticated, eusocial insects with perennial colonies, they may not be representative of all bee species. In this study, the bufftailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), a native wild pollinator with distinct ecological characteristics, is evaluated as a complementary or alternative biomonitor. Bumblebees forage over shorter distances and have a more diverse diet, offering the potential for higher spatial resolution in pollution studies. Honey bee and bumblebee colonies were sampled near Aachen, Germany. Bumblebees showed higher concentrations of S, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo and Ba compared to honey bees. Honey bees had higher concentrations of Al, K, Ca, Rb, Cd, Sn and Cs compared to bumblebees. Bumblebees generally collect more nutrient-rich food, which is confirmed by the higher proportion of essential and beneficial elements in bumblebees (S, Cu, Zn and Se) compared to honey bees (K and Ca). Contamination indices showed similar pollution levels for most elements, although bumblebees showed localized pollution sources. Both species are effective biomonitors: honey bees provide broader area assessments, while bumblebees offer finer spatial resolution and operate at lower temperatures. Together, they enable a multi-level monitoring approach, with honey bees indicating general pollution trends and bumblebees detecting local sources.M217.7121917279
The first records of the pollinators of Gymnadenia frivaldii (Orchidaceae) on the Balkan Peninsula
No full textAbstracts p. 83.M3
SR-FTIR Biomolecular Characterization of the Hippocampus: The Role of Tenascin C in Adult Murine Neurogenesis in the Subgranular Zone
No full textTo better understand adult neurogenesis, the biomolecular specificity of the subgranular zone should be investigated in comparison to other layers of the hippocampus. Adult neurogenesis occurs at a reduced rate in adulthood compared to the period of development, but it can be increased with exposure to an enriched environment (EE). This can be used to investigate the regulatory role of molecules present in the extracellular matrix, such as tenascin C (TnC). This study, using Synchrotron radiation Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (SR-FTIR), shows that the differences between the hippocampal layers in adolescence are maintained as subtle and significant in adulthood. The main difference in FTIR spectra was observed for nucleic acid and carbohydrate and for the comparison of the subgranular zone (SGZ) with hippocampal CA3. Moreover, we have detected changes in the protein and nucleic acid content of the SGZ that accompany the process of neurogenesis under the influence of an enriched environment. The latter effects are, however, lacking in mice with a gene ablation for tenascin C. Overall, these results show that observed discrete biomolecular differences in hippocampal layers follow the rate of neurogenesis that is enhanced by EE and dependent on TnC.M215.114
Phosphorylated Neurofilament Heavy Chain In CSF And Plasma As A Nusinersen Treatment Response Marker In Childhood-onset SMA
No full textBook of abstracts: 21-22M3
Biocontrol Potential of Native Trichoderma Strains Toward Soil-Borne Phytopathogenic and Saprotrophic Fungi
No full textThe potential of Trichoderma fungi as biocontrol agents has not yet been fully explored, as
there is a large repertoire of inter- and intra-species variation in their phytopathogenic
antagonistic effects due to different adaptations of individual Trichoderma strains. In the
present study, we investigated the biocontrol efficacy of eight native isolates of Trichoderma
spp. against the soilborne phytopathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani and
a representative of the Mucoromycota, Phycomyces blakesleeanus. An in vitro dual culture
test showed a complete (100%) inhibition of S. sclerotiorum and P. blakesleeanus by each
tested Trichoderma strain and a high (80–100%) inhibition of R. solani. The crude chloroform
extracts, whose peptide contents were confirmed by thin-layer chromatography, caused a
concentration-dependent reduction in the growth of the target fungi, with inhibition com-
parable to the effect of the peptaibol standard alamethicin. Despite the differences between
fungi from the phyla Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Mucoromycota, their inhibition by
alamethicin followed the same dose–response dependence. The growth inhibition of P.
blakesleeanus induced by Trichoderma extracts was characterized by a significantly increased
activity of antioxidative defense enzymes. Both variants of biocontrol agents, the native
strains of Trichoderma spp. and their extracts, are efficient in controlling fungal growth
and should be considered for the development of new potent bioformulations applicable
in agriculture.M214.053511
Genome insights into the phyllosphere colonization and biocontrol activity of Bacillus velezensis SS-38.4
No full textBook of abstracts, 54M3
First assessment of environmental genotoxicity using the long-fingered bat Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte 1837) as a bioindicator
No full textBook of Abstracts 78M3
Effects of human presence and anthropogenic food availability on escape behaviour of hooded crows across urban landscape
No full textUrbanization is associated with a range of environmental changes that influence multiple behavioural traits of animals living in cities. Increased tolerance to humans is a common aspect of animal behaviour in urban environments, with animals typically allowing people to approach them more closely than in rural or natural areas. In this study, the effects of urbanization-related habitat features, such as pedestrian density, human population size, impervious surface area and food availability, on the escape behaviour of hooded crows, Corvus cornix, in Belgrade, Serbia, were investigated. Results show that crows’ tolerance to humans varied across urban areas depending on human population density, impervious surface area and the amount of human waste. Pedestrian and human population densities were significant negative predictors of alert distance and flight initiation distance but positive predictors of buffer distance. The percentage of impervious surface area was a significant negative predictor of alert distance and flight initiation distance, but it did not significantly influence buffer distance. The number of rubbish bins per unit area was a significant negative predictor of alert distance, flight initiation distance and buffer distance, whereas the availability of nut trees did not influence any of the escape variables. These results indicate that urban crows responded to humans differently on a fine spatial scale based on human population density and human-modified habitat features, including anthropogenic food availability, indicating that the heterogeneity of urban habitats should be accounted for in studies examining the behavioural responses of animals to urbanization.M21a2.312340223