BIOREpository (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade)
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Phenolic compounds in dietary target the regulation of gut microbiota: Role in health and disease
No full textMechanisms of interaction between phenolic compounds (PCs) and gut microbiota have received widespread attention. Excluding individual differences in absorption and metabolism, the bioavailability and stability of PCs depend on the composition of the gut microbiota and the short-chain fatty acid content, producing a series of enzymatic hydrolytic, splitting and reduction reactions. Meanwhile, PCs can be used as prebiotics, and alter the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, reduce harmful bacteria and enrich short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, thereby protecting and regulating the intestinal barrier and immune system. In various diseases, such as metabolic disease, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases and cancer, PCs can reduce clinical symptoms and reverse the disease through different pathways, such as facilitating metabolic inflammation mainly through the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/Toll-like receptor 4/Nuclear Factor Kappa B signaling pathway. SCFAs and LPS can be also used as two major biomarkers for the interaction PCs and gut microbiota. Based on recent findings, a comprehensive review of PCs biotransformation and gut microbiota interaction mechanisms is summarized. It will provide some perspective on selecting and consuming PCs with probiotic activity.M215.21051076
Synergistic Influence of Melatonin-Hydrocolloid Coating on Decay and Senescence of Nectarine (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) during Supermarket Storage Conditions
No full textNectarines have remarkable nutritional value, low caloric content, and are rich in antioxidants. However, despite substantial local and global demand, their susceptibility to rapid spoilage during peak summer harvest is limited. To address this issue, the current study investigated the potential benefits of using melatonin (MLT), an antioxidant biomolecule, in combination with edible hydrocolloid coatings like carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and gum Arabic (G.A.) on 'Snow Queen' nectarine fruits. The nectarines were treated with various combinations of coatings, including 1% and 1.5% CMC, 8% and 10% G.A., and 0.1 mM melatonin. These coated and non-coated samples were stored under standard supermarket conditions (18 ± 1 °C, 85-90% R.H.) for 16 days. The outcomes demonstrated that the most effective treatment was the combination of 1% CMC with 0.1 mM melatonin. This treatment significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced the rate of respiration, curbed fruit decay by approximately 95%, minimized weight loss by around 42%, and maintained approximately 39% higher levels of total phenol content and roughly 30% greater antioxidant (AOX) activity. These positive effects were accompanied by preserved firmness and overall quality attributes. Moreover, the treatment extended the shelf life to 16 days through retarding senescence and suppressing the activities of lipoxygenase (LOX) and pectin methylesterase (PME), all without compromising the functional qualities of the nectarine.M214.582213
Effect of sex isolation on the reproduction of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.) submitted to the cycle shift from outdoor to fully controlled conditions
No full textThe present study aimed to evaluate the effect of sex isolation on the off-season gamete quality in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) upon the transport of fish from outdoor to indoor conditions and the shift of their cycle for six months in comparison to natural. In total 128 three-year-old fish (1.4 ± 0.3 kg) were transferred from an in-pond raceway to recirculation aquaculture system and submitted to one-year-long examination. At the time of transport, the fish were in the stage of late vitelogenesis/spermatogenesis. Three tanks were stocked with either males only (ISO males), females only (ISO females), or combined both sexes within each tank (MIX). Further on, fish were submitted to fully controlled photo-thermal conditions, composed of a period of constant temperature and photoperiod (resorption), followed by stable temperature and decreasing photoperiod (regeneration), continued photoperiod reduction with slow cooling (vitellogenesis) and finished with constant low temperature and increasing photoperiod (maturation). Finally, once becoming ready for hormonal stimulation, fish were warmed to a spawning temperature of 12 °C, and ovulation induction took place. Next to the main parameters of gamete quality, the physiology of the sex steroids and histopathology of gonads, respectively, were monitored over the entire course of the study. Both males and females from the MIX group showed better gamete quality, best witnessed in significantly higher embryo survival (71.4 ± 10.8 % vs. 46.0 ± 26.8 %) and sperm curvilinear velocity (120.3 ± 11.8 μm/s vs. 94.6 ± 20.4 μm/s). Although characterized with a higher final maturation stage at the time of injection, latency time in ISO females was shorter. Both histological and physiological examinations showed undisturbed gonadogenesis in both genders upon reproductive cycle shift. The paper suggests broodstock maintenance in a mixed-gender manner and describes solutions for utilizing novel method for high gamete quality and reduced energy costs.M21a4.574190359
Automation of Species Monitoring: Convolutional Neural Network and Computer Vision as Tools for the Identification of Aquatic Insects Relevant to Bioassessment
No full textBook of Abstracts, p. 86M3
Molecular analysis of canine distemper virus H gene in the golden jackal (Canis aureus) population from Serbia
No full textCanine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious and often fatal disease affecting wild and domesticated carnivores. The virus is a single-stranded RNA virus from the genus Morbillivirus and the family Paramyxoviridae. While domestic dogs are the most common hosts, the virus poses a significant threat to endangered wildlife due to its broad host range. This study aimed to characterize the CDV Haemagglutinin (H) gene in golden jackals and explore the molecular evolution of the virus in an underrepresented host. A total of 88 brain samples from hunted golden jackals were tested for the presence of CDV viral nucleic acid, and the H gene of positive samples was amplified and sequenced using the Sanger method. Phylogenetic analysis, conducted using maximum likelihood methods, revealed that all Serbian sequences clustered within the Arctic lineage. Notably, the analysis identified a tyrosine (Y) at position 549 of the H protein, a mutation commonly associated with wildlife hosts, instead of the histidine (H) typically found in domestic strains. Additionally, a mutation at position 310 was observed, which could potentially affect the protein's function and virus-host interactions. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of CDV in golden jackals, with broader implications for understanding the virus's adaptability to different hosts. Further research is needed to investigate the functional impact of these mutations, particularly their role in vaccine efficacy and disease transmission across wildlife and domestic species.M212.342620
Examination of the Anti-Biofilm Properties of Lignocellulose-Based Activated Carbon from Black Alder for Water Treatment Applications
No full textNowadays, there is increasing global demand for activated carbon considering its wide usage as an adsorbent of environmental pollutants. Biowaste rich in lignocellulose, like the cone-like flowers of black alder (A_AC), shows promise as a precursor for novel materials. Building upon previous research and this material’s established applicability for removing cyanobacteria cells and cyanotoxins from water, this study investigates the CNOHS composition of A_AC and its potential to inhibit biofilm formation. A comprehensive CNOHS analysis showed the material composition as 64.5%, 1.77%, 28.83%, 2.05%, and 0.12% for C, N, O, H, and S respectively. The material’s efficacy in inhibiting biofilm formation across eight selected bacterial strains was evaluated. The results showed biofilm formation rates of 62.6%, 22.1%, 73.8%, 12.1%, 40.9%, 24.2%, 9.2%, and 7.6% for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Salmonella Typhimurium, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterococcus faecalis, respectively. Biofilm formation is influenced by biotic and abiotic factors, especially the physicochemical properties of the substrate. This study offers insights into the potential of black-alder-derived activated carbon to prevent biofilm formation, highlighting its role in water purification and environmental protection.M223.52383121
Frangula alnus Mill as a source of potential chemotherapeutics effective against colorectal carcinoma
No full textBook of abstracts, 166, 05-07M3
Uncovering the Role of Autochthonous Deteriogenic Biofilm Community: Rožanec Mithraeum Monument (Slovenia)
No full textThe primary purpose of the study, as part of the planned conservation work, was to uncover all aspects of autochthonous biofilm pertaining to the formation of numerous deterioration symptoms occurring on the limestone Rožanec Mithraeum monument in Slovenia. Using state-of-the-art sequencing technologies combining mycobiome data with observations made via numerous light and spectroscopic (FTIR and Raman) microscopy analyses pointed out to epilithic lichen Gyalecta jenensis and its photobiont, carotenoid-rich Trentepohlia aurea, as the origin of salmon-hued pigmented alterations of limestone surface. Furthermore, the development of the main deterioration symptom on the monument, i.e., biopitting, was instigated by the formation of typical endolithic thalli and ascomata of representative Verrucariaceae family (Verrucaria sp.) in conjunction with the oxalic acid-mediated dissolution of limestone. The domination of lichenized fungi, as the main deterioration agents, both on the relief and surrounding limestone, was additionally supported by the high relative abundance of lichenized and symbiotroph groups in FUNGuild analysis. Obtained results not only upgraded knowledge of this frequently occurring but often overlooked group of extremophilic stone heritage deteriogens but also provided a necessary groundwork for the development of efficient biocontrol formulation applicable in situ for the preservation of similarly affected limestone monuments.M21a3.68787
Honey Bee Watch develops participatory monitoring protocol to study free-living Apis mellifera colonies
No full text16–19 September 2024
Tallinn, Estonia
Book of abstracts: pp 354-355
https://eurbee10.eeHoney bees are predominantly perceived as a domesticated animal for agricultural purposes, while their role and importance as a wild species is often overlooked. In contrast to managed populations, wild cohorts are shaped by natural selection, which is why they can potentially cope better with threats like Varroa destructor and a changing environment. However, the IUCN's Red List classification of Apis mellifera in Europe remains Data Deficient, underscoring the knowledge gap about the life of these essential pollinators in their natural habitats and highlighting the urgent need for more comprehensive data about their density, distribution, and survival.
A group of researchers and experts have united to address this data deficiency, aiming to identify self sustaining wild populations through the monitoring of their nests, genomic sequencing, and comparative testing of pests and pathogens against specimens from local managed colonies. Motivated by the lack of reference methods for studying A. mellifera outside of apiaries, a standardized protocol was developed for their monitoring. Designed as an open-access, participatory questionnaire intended for use throughout the year by researchers and citizen scientists, it captures key data about the colonies and their habitats, including bees’ observable activity, survival rates, weather conditions, and other relevant environmental characteristics. Collecting these valuable data throughout Europe (and beyond) is indispensable in addressing their unresolved Red List status and is expected to inspire future studies.
Ultimately, this project represents a successful model of pan-European cooperation that enhances the research toolkit available for studying wild pollinators, which will also answer the crucial question of whether self-sustaining populations of A. mellifera still exist in the wild. The development of this monitoring protocol and overall coalition building has been the mission of Honey Bee Watch, a global citizen-science study focused on better understanding how and why free-living honey bees survive with little to no human intervention.M3435435
