BIOREpository (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade)
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Understanding Toxoplasma gondii transmission in an ecological context—the contribution of wild avian species from urban environments
No full textIntroduction: The role of avians in the transmission chain of Toxoplasma gondii,
a zoonotic coccidian parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, is as intermediate
hosts. However, the true contribution and significance of wild species in the
maintenance and spread of the parasite in different ecosystems is not well
understood.
Methods: For this study, heart tissue of 224 individual birds, representing 15
common wild species, and one domestic, Gallus gallus domesticus (backyard
chickens), was collected. Total nucleic acids were extracted and the presence of
T. gondii gDNA was ascertained by amplification of the 529 bp repeat element.
Results: The infection was detected in 24.1% of the wild birds and in 41.4% of
backyard chickens. The occurrence of infection in wild species did not statistically
differ by diet or among urban (22.4%), peri-urban (27.3%) and rural areas (22.7%);
in contrast, a statistically significant difference was observed between peri-urban
(21%) and rural (80%) backyard chickens. Among the 11 city dwelling species,
wood pigeons (Columba palumbus), rooks (Corvus frugilegus) and hooded crows
(Corvus cornix) were the most numerous. The frequency of infection in the two
corvid species was 32.1% and 31.6% in rooks and hooded crows, respectively, and
15.6% in wood pigeons, suggesting that corvids may be good bioindicators for the
parasite in cities. As the majority (84%) of the city dwelling birds originated from
a single residential area, possible local natural reservoirs of T. gondii, rodents and
water, were analyzed additionally. Of the 16 rodents, 56.2% were infected, while
three out of four samples of river water harbored T. gondii gDNA, indicating a fairly
high probability of exposure to the parasite.
Discussion: Collectively, our findings show that diet may not be a primary risk
for T. gondii infection. Instead, the importance of understanding prevalence in
birds in an ecological context and the contribution of environmental factors in
different habitats are highlighted.M21a3.31
Sexual behaviour and morphological variability of gonopods in Pachyiulus cattarensis (Latzel, 1884) (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Julida)
No full textStr. 111M3
REDISCOVERY OF THE LITTLE KNOWN ENDEMIC IRANIAN CENTIPEDE LITHOBIUS DEMAVENDICUS MATIC, 1969 (CHILOPODA: LITHOBIOMORPHA: LITHOBIIDAE)
No full textStr.133M3
Cold Plasma Treatment Alters the Morphology, Oxidative Stress Response and Specialized Metabolite Content in Yellow Iris (I. reichenbachii) Callus
No full textThe application of non-thermal (cold) plasmas is considered an environmentally friendly method that could affect plant metabolism and cellular development or can be used for the commercial production of natural products that cannot be chemically synthesized. In the present study, the non-embryogenic callus of iris (Iris reichenbachii Heuff.) was treated with a Radio Frequency (RF) plasma needle device using He as a working gas. We investigated short-term (up to seven days) and long-term (up to one year) changes on morphological, physiological and biochemical levels. An increased production of O2− and H2O2 was observed in the callus tissue after plasma treatment. The enzymes SOD and CAT represented the frontline in the antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during the first hour of treatment, while POX was the leading antioxidant enzyme seven days after plasma treatment. Significant long-term morphological changes were observed in the calli due to the increased mitotic activity of the plant cells. In addition, three flavonoids (naringenin, apigenin and acacetin) and two isoflavonoids (irisolidone and irilone) were detected only in the plasma-treated tissue even one year after plasma treatment. The present study emphasizes the application of the plasma technique to promote meristematic activity and stimulate the production of specialized metabolites in iris calli.M213.078111
Characterization of the biocontrol potential of species of the genus Bacillus and related genera from different soil types
No full textAbstract book 389.16P, p. 422M3
Early pathological changes in the liver and kidney of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice: involvement of iron accumulation and ferroptosis
No full textDisorders of iron metabolism and ferroptosis play an important role in the development of diabetes and related pathologies. The involvement of ferroptosis in type 1 diabetes has mainly been investigated in animal models with chemically induced diabetes. Our aim was to examine the involvement of iron homeostasis disturbances and ferroptotic events in liver and kidney damage in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice in the early phase of spontaneous development of diabetes (15 days of stable hyperglycemia). We found an accumulation of iron and lipid peroxides in the proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) of the renal cortex and in the liver. This was accompanied by a decrease in the level of proteins involved in the sequestration (ferritin) and export (ferroportin) of iron and an increase in the level of transferrin receptor 1 in both organs. The level of activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 was decreased in both liver and kidney, whereas lower levels of Xc- glutamate/L-cystine antiporter and glutathione peroxidase 4 were detected only in PTECs, demonstrating the proferroptotic events in these cells. In conclusion, although iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation occur in both organs, the kidneys are more susceptible to ferroptosis in early diabetes development.M214.61
Increase in lipid portion of Phycomyces blakesleeanus biomass induced by vanadate uptake and accumulation
No full textFungi are ubiquitous micro-organisms involved in various environmental processes, with a particularly important role in the transformation of metals and minerals, bioremediation and biomining. Filamentous fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus is an interesting model for investigating the interaction of fungi with various ecological factors, such as heavy metals, due to the ease of its cultivation and fast growth. The present study deals with the interaction of increasing vanadate [V(V)] concentrations with the mycelium of P. blakesleeanus in three distinct growth phases: mid-exponential, late exponential and stationary phase. Mid- and late-exponential phase mycelium had a V content of nearly 1% after 24 h incubation with 10 mM V(V), and the uptake of V(V) was accompanied by increased phosphorus uptake with both 5 and 10 mM V(V). Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy showed the increase of lipid portion in biomass compared to proteins and carbohydrates mainly with ageing, but also with vanadate treatment. P. blakesleeanus is tolerant to high V(V) concentrations, and this study suggests its potential as V accumulator. In addition, the increase in lipid content calls for a closer examination of lipid content and fatty acid composition after V(V) treatment and determination of their potential industrial utilization.M220.30171
Application of nonlinear optical imaging and Nile Red staining in microplastic analysis
No full textStrana 67M3
The ground pattern of midgut structure in Julidae (Julida: Juloidea): a study on selected species
No full textM221.92873028
Jaram peat bog (Mt. Kopaonik, Serbia) as a biodiversity hotspot – insights into algae, plants and invertebrates
No full textBook of Proceedings (pp. 621–629)M3