BIOREpository (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade)
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Dogs as reservoirs of Echinococcus spp. tapeworms and relevance for transmission to humans
No full textObjectives: Dogs are definitive hosts for Echinococcus spp. tapeworms. To assess the
relevance of hunting and stray dogs as reservoirs of Echinococcus spp. eggs, which are
infective for humans, feces samples were collected from several locations in Serbia with
a confirmed presence of Echinococcus spp. in other animals. None of the dogs received
anticestodal treatment prior to feces collection.
Materials and methods: Taeniid eggs were isolated using a combined flotation and
mesh filtration technique. Total gDNA was extracted from the collected eggs and
multiplex nested PCR, based on detection of specific Cox1 sequences of E. multilocularis,
E. granulosus and E. canadensis, was performed.
Results: Thus far, n = 30 samples of hunting dog and n = 120 samples of stray dog feces
were collected. Echinococcus spp. eggs were not present in any of the hunting dog
samples. Further molecular screening for other cyclophillidean tapeworms revealed two
positive dogs.
Conclusion: Despite the absence of regular anticestodal treatment and distinct
possibility of exposure to Echinococcus spp., none of the hunting dogs were shedding
tapeworm eggs. These preliminary findings suggst that hunting dogs may not be relevant
reservoirs of Echinococcus spp. for human infection. Processing of additional samples is
underway.M3419819
Mushrooms: Potential Agents for the Prevention and Slowdown of Alzheimer's Disease: A Review
No full textAlzheimer's disease as a neurodegenerative disorder is characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities that makes it difficult or impossible to perform ordinary tasks. It is the most common form of dementia and its exact causes are still unknown. Approximately 45.0 million people are affected by this disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. Although numerous commercial drugs are available on the world market, many of them have mutagenic, toxic, carcinogenic and other side effects. Therefore, today the world's trend is use of natural products without any harmful effects. Edible and medicinal mushrooms as producers of numerous biologically active compounds, such as polysaccharides, proteins, sterols, terpenoids, etc., could be a safe and effective neuroprotective agents and a promising therapy for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Mushrooms are highly valued functional foods and diet supplementation with them could significantly reduce the risk of apparence of Alzheimer's disease or slow down its development. The results of numerous studies have shown that the addition of mushrooms to the diet not only increases the effectiveness of conventional drugs but also reduces their harmful effects. However, despite numerous studies on mushrooms' medicinal properties, much more in vivo research and clinical trials are still needed to fully understand the potential of mushrooms for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, as well as to determine their optimal administration. Reviewing all the results so far and considering future necessary studies were the main aims of this review article.M231.5719271
First evidence of Ambigolimax parvipenis Hutchinson, Reise et Schlitt, 2022 (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Limacidae) in Serbia and first outdoor records of A. valentianus (A. Férussac, 1822)
No full textWe present the first record of the allochthonous slug Ambigolimax parvipenis Hutchinson, Reise et Schlitt, 2022, from a plant nursery in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia. The species was found syntopically with the congener previously known only indoors in Serbia, Ambigolimax valentianus (A. Férussac, 1822), for which we also provide updated distribution data and the first outdoors record. The identity of all specimens was confirmed by anatomical investigation.M2429529933
Hydration–Dehydration Dynamics in the Desiccation-Tolerant Moss Hedwigia ciliata
No full textThe desiccation tolerant moss Hedwigia ciliata was investigated to assess its early reaction to water stress in controlled conditions. Thus, various photosynthetic parameters and water contents were studied during a selected time frame within 48 h of two main events, namely water loss after full hydration and activity (preparation for anabiosis) and water uptake after the state of anabiosis. The observations of the changes in the photosynthetic efficiency of Hedwigia ciliata in response to fluctuating relative water contents (RWCs) during rehydration and dehydration periods provide valuable insights into the species’ physiological adaptation mechanisms. Hedwigia ciliata rapidly uptakes water upon anabiosis, and despite being poikilohydric, it is able to retain water for a prolonged period compared to the water availability in its immediate environment. The delayed decrease in relative water content (RWC) corresponds to the photosynthetic parameters and preparation for anabiosis, including the maintenance of photosystems and general cell integrity. The low values of non-photochemical quenching during desiccation imply limited photoinhibition and effective photoprotective regulation. Conversely, the rather high values of the fluorescence decline ratio during rehydration reflect the efficient recovery of photosynthetic performance. The postponed physiological shutdown while drying and photosynthetic activity in the early dehydration phase suggest anticipatory acclimation to desiccation, i.e., non-active phase anabiosis. Hedwigia ciliata is a desiccation-tolerant moss, with anatomical, morphological, and eco-physiological adaptations, making it a useful model species in drought and abiotic stress studies of bryophytes in a rapidly changing environment.M214,13849142
ONTOGENETIC SHIFTS IN THE COMPOSITION OF CHEMICAL DEFENSES IN TWO JULID MILLIPEDES
No full textStr. 72-73M3
POST-EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE POPULATION OF GLOMERIS AFF. PUSTULATA (DIPLOPODA: GLOMERIDA: GLOMERIDAE) IN EASTERN SERBIA
No full textStr.127M3
Proferroptotic response to nutrient deprivation and sorafenib treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma cells – a microscopic study
No full textPortorož, Slovenia, 7-12. September, 2025M3322222
Assessment of Antioxidant Activity and Dose-Dependent Effect on Genotoxicity/Antigenotoxicity of Pulmonaria officinalis Ethanolic Extract
No full textBackground/Objectives: Pulmonaria officinalis L., commonly known as lungwort, is a medicinal plant traditionally used for respiratory ailments, but its biological activities have not yet been sufficiently researched. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and dose-dependent genotoxic/antigenotoxic properties of a 70% ethanolic extract. Methods: Quantification of polyphenols and GC–MS analysis were performed in order to chemically characterize the extract. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through DPPH, PFRAP, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and ferrous ion chelating assay (FIC). MTT and alkaline comet assay were used for investigation of cytotoxicity and geno/antigenotoxicity on normal fetal fibroblast cells (MRC-5). Results: The chemical analysis of the extract showed that the extract is rich in polyphenolics and that phytol is the most abundant compound, accompanied by terpenoids, fatty acids, alcohols, polyketides, and alkaloids. In addition, notable antioxidant capacity was detected in all tests applied. The extract reduced cell viability only at the highest concentration tested (33.7%). Furthermore, a dual dose-dependent effect was recorded since the genotoxic effect of the tested extract was observed at higher concentrations, while non-genotoxic concentrations showed protective effects against oxidative damage of DNA. Namely, pretreatment with lungwort extract reduced the DNA damage induced by H2O2, with the highest protective effect at the lowest tested concentration, indicating a hormetic mode of action. Conclusions: These results provide a solid foundation for future research into this medicinal plant, with the aim of its potential therapeutic use in the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress.M21a5.5113417
Biophysical profile of the inward inactivating anion current recorded in the native membrane of the sporangiophore and mycelium of Phycomyces blakesleeanus
No full textStrana 90M3
Morphological Variability in Two Populations of Millipede Glomeris hexasticha Brandt, 1833 (Diplopoda: Glomerida: Glomeridae): Traditional and Geometric Morphometric Approaches
No full textEnvironmental factors and human activities can affect the variation (at both inter- and intrapopulation levels) in the shape and size of various morphological traits, which play a role in behaviour, dispersal and reproductive strategies. Although inter- and intrapopulation morphological variation has been investigated in certain millipede species utilising both traditional and geometric morphometric methods, such research has not yet been conducted on glomerids. Therefore, this study aims to investigate morphological variation in specific traits at both mentioned levels in Glomeris hexasticha Brandt, 1833. Analysed individuals were collected from two populations in Belgrade, Serbia. Both traditional and geometric morphometric techniques were employed to assess morphological variability. Landmarks and semilandmarks were placed on the antennae, gnathochilariums, legs, collums, anal shields and telopods. Morphological variability was analysed using ImageJ, CoordGen, MorphoJ, and R program package. No significant interpopulation size differences in the analysed morphological traits were observed; however, significant sexual size differences were noted in both populations, with females being the larger sex. Shape variation was identified in some morphological traits at inter- and intrapopulation levels. The shape of the analysed morphological traits demonstrates greater phenotypic plasticity compared to the size of the same traits in G. hexasticha exposed to varying environmental pressures.M221.