BIOREpository (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade)
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Genotoxic Evaluation and Bioindicator Potential of Myotis capaccinii in Serbia: Element Concentrations and DNA Damage as Pollution Markers
No full textBats reflect environmental quality in diverse habitats, from cities to forests. This study aimed to reveal element bioaccumulation and DNA damage in the long-fingered bat (Myotis capaccinii) using non-lethal methods. Twenty-four hair samples and 15 blood samples were taken from bats caught at two locations in Eastern Serbia between July and September of 2024. Hair analysis by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) detected As, Cr, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, and Zn, while Cd, Co, Cu and, Pb were below detection limits. The degree of DNA damage in peripheral blood was determined using the alkaline comet assay. In M. capaccinii, there was a significant difference in element concentrations between sexes, with females having higher concentrations of Cr, Fe, and Mn, and between seasons, with samples from summer having higher concentrations of Ni and Mn. A significant difference in zinc concentration was observed between adults and juveniles. DNA damage was higher in the summer season. Significant correlations were confirmed between element concentrations in hair (Cr–Fe, Cr–Zn, Cr–Mn, Fe–Zn, and Fe–Mn) and between Cr and Zn concentrations and DNA damage in blood cells. The Cr–DNA damage link highlights hair as a marker for sustained environmental exposure. Every significant correlation that included Zn was negative. This is the first genotoxic study of bats in Serbia and of M. capaccinii globally, laying the groundwork for future research in other bat species and the wider Central Balkans. It marks an initial step toward using bats as bioindicators for noninvasive pollution monitoring.M213.
Morphological features of Himantoglossum calcaratum (Beck) Schltr. subsp. calcaratum (Orchidaceae) pollinarium
No full textBook of Abstracts: pp. 254– 255M3
Biodiversity of algae and fungi in freshwater habitats of Serbia, From Genomic Analysis to Functional Models in Microbiomes and Synthetic Consortia
No full textBook of Abstracts, PP19, p.80M3
Culturable mycobiome of nutrient-depleted and overloaded soils in Serbia: from diversity to designed microbial probiotics
No full textAbstract book, 359.17P, p. 502M3
Antioxidant, Enzyme-Inhibitory and Antimicrobial Activity of Underutilized Wheat and Maize Crop Residues
No full textGlobal wheat and maize production, which reached two billion tonnes in 2021, generates significant agricultural waste with largely untapped potential. This study investigates the bioactive properties of ethanol extracts from wheat and maize harvest residues, their ethyl acetate fractions, and their principal compounds. In vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and TRC) revealed variable antioxidant capacities among the samples, with ferulic acid demonstrating the strongest free-radical scavenging and reducing effects, often surpassing those of standard antioxidant controls. Enzyme inhibition assays identified the flavonoid tricin as the most effective inhibitor of α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase, while the flavonolignan mixture of salcolins A and B showed the highest inhibitory activity against α-amylase and tyrosinase. Antimicrobial testing using the broth microdilution method resulted in minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 31.25 µg/mL to >1000 µg/mL. Gram-positive bacteria showed the highest susceptibility, Candida albicans exhibited variable sensitivity, and Gram-negative bacteria were resistant in the tested concentration range. Bioactivity increased in the order of extracts, fractions, and then individual compounds. These findings suggest that wheat and maize residues possess notable bioactive properties, highlighting their potential as sources of valuable and pharmacologically active compounds.M214,034614
Four new cavernicolous species of the genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Anthroleucosomatidae) from Georgia, Caucasus
No full textFour new, presumably troglobiotic species of the chordeumatidan genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 are described from several Georgian caves. Acanthophorella didi sp. nov. and A. gaumarjos sp. nov. were discovered in three
and one cave in the Racha karst massif, respectively, while A. eto sp. nov. and A. spinicoxa sp. nov. are known each from two caves in the Sataplia-Tskaltubo karst massif and Zemo Imereti plateau, respectively. All four species are properly
diagnosed, described, and richly illustrated. Vulvae are described for the first time in Acanthophorella barjadzei Antić & Makarov, 2016, and new records are added for A. valerii Antić in Antić et al., 2023. Notes on the ecology and localities are given for new species. The distribution map and a key to all 10 species of the genus are presented. Distribution and troglomorphism within the genus are briefly discussed.M230.841695609
The anti-feeding effect of different extracts derived from three moss species (Atrichum undulatum, Kindbergia praelonga and Hypnum cupressiforme) against Burgundy snail (Helix pomatia)
No full textThe anti-feeding effects of extracts from three bryophyte species, namely Atrichum undulatum (Polytrichaceae), Kindbergia praelonga (Brachytheciaceae), and Hypnum cupressiforme (Hypnaceae) were evaluated against Burgundy snails (Helix pomatia) under laboratory conditions. Ethanol, methanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts and water decoction were used in four concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, and 10% aqueous solutions). All the tested extracts demonstrated a certain level of anti-feeding effect. A positive relationship between extract concentration and anti-feeding effect was observed particularly for ethanol extracts of A. undulatum. Methanol extracts generally exhibited the weakest anti-feeding effects, except for H. cupressiforme, where the ethanol extracts showed the weakest performance. The potential of different bryophyte extracts as biocontrol agents is discussed.M230.9617149
Dynamic Model of Serotonin Presynapse and Its Application to Suicide Attempt in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
No full textSuicide attempts are prevalent among patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Impaired serotonin (5-HT) system in the pathogenesis of suicide attempt is partially heritable. To quantify the combined effects of multiple genetic variants, we developed a dynamic model of the 5-HT presynapse with functionally integrated individual genetic variants. The model includes five genetic variants in 5-HT system genes (TPH2, SLC6A4, MAOA) and quantitatively assesses their influence on 5-HT synthesis, reuptake, and degradation. The model was validated on 140 unaffected individuals and tested on 101 BD patients. Predicted mean concentrations of 5-HT, 5-HT precursor, and degradation product were compared between BD patients with and without a history of attempted suicide, and unaffected individuals. The model consists of eight differential equations that describe the temporal concentration change of model outputs. Calculated concentrations in unaffected control individuals aligned with published experimentally measured values, validating our model. BD patients with a history of suicide attempt showed lower calculated concentrations of 5-HT degradation product 5-hydroxy-3-indolacetic acid (5-HIAA) compared to unaffected individuals (p = 0.044). Additionally, higher calculated concentrations of free cellular 5-HT (p = 0.048) and stored 5-HT (p = 0.047), with the effect size d = 0.35, were observed when comparing suicide attempters to non-attempters.. Our approach illuminated a complex interplay of genetic variants in 5-HT system genes that contributes to the risk of suicide attempt, with quantitative and personalized outputs unattainable through genetic association studies.M214.9408526
Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, and Antineurodegenerative Properties of Gentiana lutea L. Root Extract and Derived Fractions
No full textObjectives
Yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L., Gentianaceae) has long been valued in traditional medicine primarily as a bitter drug. While recent studies have confirmed its pleiotropic properties, the antineurodegenerative potential of its bioactive compounds remains insufficiently studied. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, in vitro antioxidant and neuroprotective activity of the primary 70% ethanol extract of G. lutea roots and its fractions obtained by liquid-liquid extraction.
Methods
Total phenolic content, dominant secoiridoid gentiopicroside and the main xanthone isogentisin were quantified, as well as the correlation among investigated compounds and activities of samples. The antioxidant activity was tested through DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), FRAP (ferric-reducing ability of plasma), and β-carotene bleaching assays, while neuroprotective activity was investigated through testing against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tyrosinase (Tyr) activity.
Results
The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited significantly higher total phenolic and isogentisin contents (4.3 and 17.6 times higher than the primary extract, respectively), while the n-butanol fraction contained the highest amount of gentiopicroside (2.9 times higher than the primary extract). Antioxidant assays indicated that the ethyl acetate fraction had the strongest activity. The primary ethanolic extract demonstrated the highest acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Notably, the primary ethanolic extract showed promising tyrosinase inhibition (50.85% inhibition), comparable to kojic acid used as a positive control (51.81% inhibition) at the same concentration (100 μg/mL).
Conclusions
Therefore, G. lutea roots extract possesses significant potential for further investigation and possible utilization as a component of pharmaceutical or food products with antioxidant and anti-neurodegenerative features.M231.511020
New records and noteworthy data of plants, algae and fungi in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 21
No full textThis paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: lichenised fungus Solorina bispora var. subspongiosa, saprotrophic fungi Geastrum berkeleyi and Marasmius epiphylloides, liverworts Bazzania trilobata and Cephaloziella hampeana, mosses Grimmia meridionalis, Neckera pennata, Rhodobryum ontariense, Sphagnum affine, and Sphagnum papillosum, and monocots Carex elata, Epipactis microphylla, and Ophrys apifera.M230.913114649