BIOREpository (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade)
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×Gymnigritella suaveolens (Orchidaceae), a New Natural Hybrid to the Flora of Serbia
No full text×Gymnigritella suaveolens (Orchidaceae), a natural hybrid between Gymnadenia conopsea and Nigritella rhellicani, was found at Mt Kopaonik for the first time in Serbia, representing its single known locality in the Central Balkans. Morphological characteristics, distribution data, habitat and ecological preferences are indicated. The hybrid was found at 1552 m a.s.l., on sericite schists, as a member of the Festuco-Deschampsietum flexuosae grassland community. Two hybrid specimens were recorded at the site where the two parental species grow in sympatry, and where the population size of G. conopsea was larger than the population size of N. rhellicani.M230.3771
SMA – od dijagnostike do genetičke terapije (SMA – from diagnostics to gene therapy)
No full text43(5):743M6
Long-term laboratory evolution experiment: Host shift changes the life-history strategies and the levels of phenotypic plasticity in seed beetle (Acanthoscelides obtectus
No full textMany phytophagous insects are able to exploit a novel food source in their diets. This process, known as the host shift, includes insects’ ability to recognise, utilise and ultimately persist on a new plant host. During the host shift process, insects are faced with many challenges and new conditions can change insects’ behaviour, physiology, life-history strategies and population dynamics. Adaptive phenotypic plasticity could help populations to receive signals from the new environment and constitute a functional phenotype. Using a long-term laboratory evolution experiment in seed beetles (Acanthoscelides obtectus) we have tested how different plant hosts (common beans, chickpeas and mung beans) change life-history strategies over many generations. Furthermore, we have established iso-female lines and conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment in order to test the level of plasticity in life-history traits. We have demonstrated that populations of seed beetles adapted to different hosts not only show changes in life-history traits, but also demonstrate clear differences in the levels of phenotypic plasticity for those traits. This research is discussed in the context of how plant hosts affect populations’ ability to influence long‐term (evolutionary) modes of populations’ change and allow survival and ecological competence of organisms in new conditions.M3
Mitochondrial mutations in genetic biocontrol of pest insects
No full textPest species cause major damage to the natural environments and economies globally. Conventional approaches to their control or eradication, such as the use of insecticides, are temporary in nature and cause undesirable environmental contamination, including detrimental effects on non-target species. In addition, many target species are prone to evolve resistance to the insecticide shortly after its application. Genetic biocontrol approaches that target species’ reproduction provide opportunities for the target specific and long lasting control of pest species. Aiming species’ reproduction is considered a humane approach that doesn’t harm non-targeted species in the same environment. Although the term “genetic biocontrol” refers to techniques that alter the genetic material of an organism, not all of these techniques use genetically modified organisms. Biocontrol techniques that do not use genetic engineering include irradiated organisms, intracellular bacteria (e. g., Wolbachia) and naturally occurring mitochondrial alleles. The first part of this review will consider these three genetic biocontrol approaches and their comparison. The second part focuses on experimental evolution research to develop a method that uses naturally occurring mitochondrial genotypes for biocontrol of the agricultural pest seed beetle (Acanthoscelides obtectus).M3
Charophyte diversity and their habitat conservation perspectives: insights from vegetation versus sediments survey of a small pond in Serbia
No full textMany charophytes are rare and endangered algae species. All charophyte species significantly contribute to the stability and health of the ecosystems they inhabit. Charophytes survive in their habitats thanks to the longevity of the diaspores (oospores and gyrogonites) in the sediment. Many charophyte species have a specific phenology and can sometimes be overlooked in surveys of macrophyte vegetation. We monitored vegetation for three years and collected sediment from a small water body in Serbia to test the hypotheses that (a) Extant charophyte diaspores have promising, yet currently limited application as taxonomic markers, (b) Vegetation data on charophyte diversity may provide different information than data obtained by extracting diaspores from sediments and (c) parallel surveys of vegetation and sediments can provide a more comprehensive view of charophyte diversity compared to traditional annual vegetation monitoring. Diaspores proved to be promising taxonomic characters for charophyte identification. In our study, six taxa could be identified on a species level based on diaspores alone, while one species group (Chara spp.) requires further investigation as it could consist of up to four species. Compared to vegetation, the sediment survey provided different information on charophyte diversity and confirmed the presence of the species Sphaerochara intricata and Sphaerochara prolifera, which were never detected during the vegetation survey. Sediment studies conducted in parallel with vegetation studies provide important insight into the diversity of charophytes and the prospects for their habitat conservation.M213.41413143733
Exploring therapeutical targets and innovative treatments for ischemic stroke: a comprehensive review
No full textThis review focuses on the current advances in the field of therapeutic targets and treatments for stroke. Stroke is a major health problem worldwide, with significant impacts on morbidity and mortality, and a considerable burden on the medical and socio-economic systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on acute treatments and therapeutic targets. Current stroke treatments like recanalization therapies focus mainly on restoring blood flow to the brain, reducing cell death, and preventing further damage, but have limitations in terms of efficacy and long-term outcomes. Besides acute treatments (mobile stroke units, telerehabilitation) and acute therapeutic targets, the review focuses on longer-term therapeutic targets, such as neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. Neuroprotective strategies target the mechanisms underlying energy failure, cellular acidosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, excitotoxicity, calcium channels dysregulation, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, apoptosis, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Neuroregenerative approaches include stem cell therapy, gene therapy, growth factors, and rehabilitation techniques that promote the rewiring of neuronal circuits in the brain. Non-pharmacological treatments like neurostimulation and bioengineering are also presented. Additionally, we highlight the challenges and future directions in translating these therapies into clinical practice. Overall, the treatment of ischemic stroke is a complex and multifaceted process that requires a combination of acute measures as well as longer-term strategies to promote brain repair and recovery. The treatment of ischemic stroke has made significant progress in recent years with the development of new treatments and ongoing research to improve outcomes for stroke patients. However, before these therapies can be successfully integrated into routine clinical practise, further research is needed to establish standardised protocols, overcome methodological limitations, and overcome clinical challenges. By further deepening our understanding of the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke and developing innovative treatments, we can improve outcomes and quality of life for stroke survivors.45948
Recognising the role of ruderal species in restoration of degraded lands
No full textRuderal plants are an important component of plant communities that develop on the range of anthropogenically degraded lands. Yet they were highly neglected and not recognised as desirable for restoration purposes. The aim of this study was to analyse the potential for using ruderal species in restoration processes and to identify preliminary criteria for species selection that could be included in ecological restoration of degraded man-made habitats under future conditions of increased human disturbance and climate changes. The desirable characteristics of the species depend primarily on the type of habitat to be restored, with plant height, specific leaf area, rooting depth and seed characteristics being the most important traits. The recognised ecosystem services of the species analysed show that the provisioning and regulating services are well represented, particularly erosion control, pollination, phytoremediation and other soil quality improvements. Most of the dominant and diagnostic ruderal species from the man-made habitats of the north-western Balkan Peninsula are sensitive to climate change and their potential distribution range is expected to decrease at the European scale. Higher certain ecological indicator values, as well as values for disturbance severity, frequency and soil disturbance indices were found for species that are expected to increase their range. Ruderal species are becoming increasingly important for restoration purposes, as the focus shifts to the significance of early successional species. The inclusion of ruderal species in the restoration of degraded sites should be based on criteria such as: non-invasiveness, plant traits favourable for colonisation (height, SLA, seed traits, rooting depth), values of ecological and disturbance indices, provision of ecosystem services, and change of distribution range under changing climate conditions.M21a9.817310493
