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Promising antifungal potential of selective polyphenols compounds, essential oils and fungicides against Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. (1912)
No full textSince pathogenic fungi are among the main causes of plant diseases and yield losses worldwide,
their accurate isolation and identification remain essential for sustainable agricultural practices.
Among them, Alternaria spp. are globally distributed, non-host-specific pathogens that affect
more than 250 cultivated plants. Because infections caused by these fungi are often linked to
mycotoxin accumulation and reduced plant quality, this study aimed to evaluate the antifungal
efficacy of essential oils in comparison with chemical treatments. To this end, Alternaria
alternata, isolated from the leaves of Pelargonium sp. (Geraniaceae), was tested for
susceptibility to two essential oils (Salvia officinalis and Lavandula angustifolia), three
polyphenolic compounds (caffeic acid, ellagic acid, and tannic acid), and two fungicides
(Signum and Tebuconazole). Symptoms on infected leaves appear as numerous small necrotic
spots, often surrounded by a chlorotic halo. The phytopathogenic fungus was isolated from
diseased leaf tissue using a standard method of surface sterilization and cultivation on PDA
medium, and pure cultures obtained through successive hyphal transfers were used for
identification. Utilizing the microdilution method, the antifungal activities (MIC/MFC) were
proven. The essential oil of L. angustifolia exhibited the highest activity, with MICs of 0.60
µg/mL and MFCs of 1.20 µg/mL. Fungicides exhibited activations in the range of MIC 10-60
µg/mL and MFC 20-120 µg/mL, but ellagic acid was the sole polyphenol to have antifungal
action. In order to combat plant pathogenic fungi like those caused by A. alternata, new plantbased therapies can be developed using the observed antifungal properties of the natural
products under study.Golub D, editor. Book of asbtracts: V Symposium of biologists and ecologists of Republic of Srpska SBERS2025; 2025 Nov 13-25; Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Banja Luka: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka; 2025. p. 122
Modularity in four morphotypes of the salamandrid skull – conserved or not?
No full textThe salamandrid cranial morphology is largely conserved. A series of four recognized
skull morphotypes ranges from a complete frontosquamosal (FS) arch (A), a partially
reduced (B), a largely reduced (C) to a completely reduced FS arch (D). Character state
changes as here studied are found scattered over the salamandrid phylogeny. The
species investigated for skull static modularity are Paramesotriton hongkongensis (A),
Calotriton asper (B), Ichthyosaura alpestris (debatedly Mesotriton alpestris) (C),
Salamandra salamandra and Triturus cristatus (D). The static allometry is only
significant in C. asper and I. alpestris, so allometric corrections were not applied for
the entire sample. The four hypotheses of modularity based on developmental and/or
functional criteria here considered are: i) somite derived occipital region vs. the
remainder of the skull, ii) idem for the naso-orbito-otic, iii) maxilopalatal vs. skull roof,
and iv) the thyroxine induced development hypothesis. The modularity hypothesis with
the strongest signal is the naso-orbito-otic one, whereas T. cristatus has the strongest
signal for the maxilopalatal vs. skull roof hypothesis. The naso-orbito-otic hypothesis
is functional/developmental, related to the growth of the brain and the sensory organ
capsules, whereas the maxilopalatal vs skull roof hypothesis is functional, related to
the feeding aparatus. Static modularity in the salamandrids appears to be conserved,
mostly influenced by functional constraints while the role of allometry in shaping
modularity patterns remains somewhat inconclusive. Future studies should include
more species and explore the evolutionary component of the skull moduarity and
morphological integration.Abstract booklet: Oral & Poster presentations: 23rd European Congress of Herpetology: SEH2025; 2025 Sep 8-12; Bonn, Germany. Societas Europaea Herpetologica; 2025. p. 143
Is oxidative stress a physiological cost of parental care in Scolopendra cingulata Latreille, 1829 (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha)?
No full textParental care can be defined as any parental trait that enables the development of the
offspring in suitable conditions or at least increases its chances of survival. In centipedes that
exhibit parental care (Craterostigmomorpha, Scolopendromorpha and Geophilomorpha),
females spend weeks guarding, grooming and moistening clutches of eggs and offspring
without leaving the brood chamber. Post-oviposition parental care is therefore accompanied
by a relatively long period of starvation, which can lead to physiological disorders such
as an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and available
antioxidants, known as oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether
oxidative stress could be a physiological cost of parental care, using the Mediterranean
centipede Scolopendra cingulata Latreille, 1829 as a model.
The centipedes examined in this study were collected by hand with tweezers from under
stones in Bubanj Potok near Belgrade, Serbia, and reared at room temperature in ventilated,
non-transparent 500 ml plastic boxes filled with moist soil. During the 31-day care period, the
guarding females (N = 8) did not consume any food, while the control females (N = 12) ate
mealworms once a week. We analysed the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide
dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR)
and glutathione S-transferase (GST) as well as the concentrations of glutathione (GSH),
sulfhydryl (SH) groups, lipid peroxides (LPO) and protein carbonyls (PCO) in the whole body
of S. cingulata individuals from both groups. Here, the biochemical and statistical analyses
were carried out following our earlier article in this field.
With respect to antioxidant enzymes, our results showed a significant increase in SOD
activity in guarding females compared to control females, suggesting that an increase in the
rate of superoxide formation may have occurred. Although we showed that the activity of
CAT and the concentration of SH groups were reduced in guarding females, a decrease in the
ability to scavenge ROS is not always indicative of oxidative stress — changes in antioxidant
status can serve to maintain the balance between oxidants and antioxidants. However, the
increased concentration of PCO in guarding females suggests that such behaviour leads to
oxidative damage to proteins. The present study provides evidence that oxidative imbalance
in these centipedes is a consequence of parental care and has the potential to affect
investment in other life-history traits such as survival and future reproductive success.Makarov S, Antić D, editors. Abstract Book: 20th International Congress of Myriapodology; 2025 Jul 20-26; Srebrno Jezero, Serbia. Belgrade: Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade; 2025. p. 123
Инвазивни рак Faxonius limosus (Rafinesque, 1817) у централној Србији: Морфометријска и кондициона анализа популације из акумулације Ћелије
No full textInvazivni bodljobradi rak, Faxonius limosus (Rafinesque, 1817), prisutan je u Srbiji više od dve decenije.
Od prvog nalaza (Dunav, Apatin) 2004. godine, brzo se proširio u sve veće pritoke Dunava, a u poslednjoj
dekadi počeo je da se širi ka jugu, osvajajući i manje vodotoke i akumulacije. U avgustu i septembru 2023. godine ulovljene su 63 jedinke ove vrste na akumulaciji Ćelije (sliv Rasine). Zrele jedinke (60–80 mm) činile su 3/4 uzorka, što uz odnos polova 1:1, ukazuje na aktivnu reprodukciju i stabilnu populaciju. Izmerene su 22 linearne morfometrijske karakteristike, težina jedinki i fotografisan je proksimalni deo cefalotoraksa za geometrijsku morfometrijsku analizu. Rezultati t-testa pokazali su da se većina linearnih parametara značajno razlikuje (p < 0,05) između polova, dok je multivarijantna analiza (PCA) ukazala da karakteristike klešta i cefalotoraksa najviše doprinose polnom dimorfizmu. Rezultati geometrijske morfometrijske analize pokazali su da ženke imaju izduženiji zadnji deo rostruma, manje očne duplje i užu glavu u poređenju sa mužjacima. Mužjaci su u proseku bili veći i teži od ženki, a odlikuju ih i više vrednosti Fultonovog kondicioniog faktora. Uzimajući u obzir dobijene rezultate, možemo zaključiti da je jezero Ćelije pogodno stanište sa povoljnim uslovima za održavanje i rast populacije bodljobradog raka. Kontinuirano praćenje stanja populacija neophodno je za efikasno upravljanje invazivnim vrstama. Samo sistematskim prikupljanjem i analizom podataka možemo razviti efikasan sistem upravljanja vodama u naporima da se zaštite, ne samo autohtone vrste, već i slatkovodni ekosistemi u celini.Инвазивни бодљобради рак, Faxonius limosus (Rafinesque, 1817), присутан је у Србији
више од две деценије. Од првог налаза (Дунав, Апатин) 2004. године, брзо се проши-
рио у све већe притоке Дунава, а у последњој декади почео је да се шири ка југу, осва-
јајући и мање водотоке и акумулације. У августу и септембру 2023. године уловљенe
су 63 јединке ове врсте на акумулацији Ћелије (слив Расине). Зреле јединке (60–80
mm) чиниле су 3/4 узорка, што уз однос полова 1:1, указује на активну репродукцију
и стабилну популацију. Измерене су 22 линеарне морфометријске карактеристике,
тежина јединки и фотографисан је проксимални део цефалоторакса за геометријску
морфометријску анализу. Резултати t-теста показали су да се већина линеарних пара-
метара значајно разликује (p < 0,05) између полова, док је мултиваријантна анализа
(PCA) указала да карактеристике клешта и цефалоторакса највише доприносе полном
диморфизму. Резултати геометријске морфометријске анализе показали су да женке
имају издуженији задњи део рострума, мање очне дупље и ужу главу у поређењу са
мужјацима. Мужјаци су у просеку били већи и тежи од женки, а одликују их и више
вредности Фултоновог кондициониог фактора. Узимајући у обзир добијене резултате,
можемо закључити да је језеро Ћелије погодно станиште са повољним условима за
одржавање и раст популације бодљобрадог рака. Континуирано праћење стања попу-
лација неопходно је за ефикасно управљање инвазивним врстама. Само систематским
прикупљањем и анализом података можемо развити ефикасан систем управљања
водама у напорима да се заштите, не само аутохтоне врсте, већ и слатководни екоси-
стеми у целини.Stanković M, Bojović B, Stefanović O, Kosanić M, Milutinović M, editors. Program i izvodi saopštenja: Druga konferencija srpskog biološkog društva "Stevan Jakovljević" Kragujevac; 2025 Sep 17-19; Kragujevac, Serbia. Kragujevac: Srpsko biološko društvo "Stavan Jakovljević"; 2025. p. 77
Importance of gut microbiota for the effectiveness of weight loss – role of glucocorticoids
No full textThe global prevalence of obesity is increasing and there is growing evidence of a
link between the gut microbiota and obesity. However, the specific bacterial strains
and mechanisms involved in the development and treatment of obesity are not fully
understood. We are investigating how probiotics modulate the gut microbiota to
improve metabolic health in animal models of obesity and how dietary
interventions remodel the gut microbiota to support weight loss in children with
obesity. To investigate the role of the gut microbiota in obesity, we analyzed its
composition using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in obese and obesityresistant mice, while therapeutic effect of probiotics were examined in obese mice.
We also examined the changes in the gut microbiota of children with obesity before
and after a hypocaloric diet. In obesity-resistant mice, increased Lactobacillus
abundance was negatively correlated with blood triglycerides, which, together with
decreased expression of hepatic and intestinal free fatty acid transporters, suggests
a role for the gut microbiota in preventing ectopic lipid accumulation. We have also
shown that oral administration of a specific Lactobacillus strain to obese mice
normalizes their gut microbiota, reduces hepatic steatosis and improves gut barrier
integrity (patent pending), suggesting the gut microbiota as a potential therapeutic
target. In children with obesity, a linear regression model showed that higher
abundance of Blautia and Anaerostipes correlated with greater weight loss, while
higher abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-003 and Faecalibacterium was
negatively correlated with weight loss efficacy. Based on the above findings and our
previous research on glucocorticoids as important mediators in obesity, whose
availability and metabolism may be regulated by the activity of the gut microbiota,
our future research aims to identify glucocorticoid-metabolizing gut bacteria and
elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which they influence gut permeability and
adipose tissue metabolism, thus contributing to the alleviation of obesity.Joint Congress of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) 2025: Connecting Endocrinology Across the Life Course; 2025 May 10-13; Copenhagen, Denmark. Bristol: Bioscientifica; 2025. AW12.2. (Endocrine Abstracts; Vol. 110)
Micro x-ray fluorescence microscopy (µ-XRF) of metals in APP knock-in model of Alzheimer’s disease treated with synthetic neuroactive steroid
No full textThe role of metal ions in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been extensively reported, but the key mechanisms involved in metal dyshomeostasis-induced oxidative stress and/or the kinetics of amyloid-β aggregation are still unclear. Using a state-of-the-art knock in mouse model of AD-like amyloidosis, APPNL-G-F (APP KI) mice, we investigated the disease modifying effects of preventive treatment with the synthetic neuroactive steroid Alfaxalone (ALX). We used synchrotron-based micro X-ray fluorescence microscopy (µ-XRF) to determine the distribution of light elements in the brain of APP KI mice and to identify the changes in element distribution after the treatment with ALX. Eight brain samples were successfully mapped on the TwinMic beamline of the Elettra synchrotron facility, Trieste, Italy: two samples from naïve WT mice, three from naïve APP KI mice and three from ALX-treated APP KI mice. For most samples, maps of a max 250 µm x 250 µm area with included anticipated plaques and surrounding parenchymal tissue were collected. Samples were raster scanned with a step size of 2 μm and with an XRF exposure time of 2ms, and signals of Fe, C, Mg, N, Na and O were detected. These measurements suggest that ALX prevents or restores the accumulation of Fe to control levels. The level of Mg is also generally reduced, but this result mainly comes from disappearing small hot-spot clusters of the element from samples. On the other hand, very similar levels of C, N, Na and O were found in all samples.Marjanović A, Milovanović N, editors. Book of abstracts: Belgrade Neuroscience Next Hub 2025 with international participation; 2025 Feb 27; Belgrade, Serbia. Belgrade: University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine; 2025. p. 33
Oral administration of Crocus sativus tepals extract improves systemic glucose tolerance in mice fed a high-fat diet through changes in gut microbiota composition
No full textThe stigmas of Crocus sativus (Cr), known as saffron spice, are recognized as a
dietary supplement for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes due to their
potent antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential. Recently, the
bioactive components of Cr tepals, which are wasted during saffron production,
have also been shown to have significant hypoglycemic properties. The use of
dietary supplements of herbal origin could affect the composition of the gut
microbiota, which influences host energy homeostasis and in the long run affects
the prevalence of obesity and related metabolic complications. Therefore, we
investigated whether the gut microbiota could play a mediating role in the
beneficial effect of Cr tepals extract on systemic glucose tolerance in an animal
model of diet-induced obesity. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a standard diet (10
kcal% fat) or a high-fat diet (60 kcal% fat) for 14 weeks. Mice on the high-fat diet
were treated orally with Cr tepals extract for the last 5 weeks of the diet.
Biochemical and physiological parameters and an intraperitoneal glucose
tolerance test were performed to estimate systemic glucose tolerance. The
composition and diversity of gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA
sequencing of bacterial DNA isolated from fecal samples. Gut integrity was
assessed by measuring the level of fluorescently labeled (FITC) dextran in blood
and by quantifying the level of tight junction proteins by Western blot. Oral
administration of Cr tepals extract reduced body mass of obese animals and
lowered glucose and insulin levels, as well as the HOMA index, indicating an
improvement in systemic glucose tolerance. Greater richness and evenness of the
gut microbiota were confirmed by a lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and
increased alpha diversity indices. The composition of the gut microbiota shifted
towards an increased abundance of the genera Odoribacter, Alistipes, Candidatus
Saccharimonas and Intestinimonas, which are negatively correlated with insulin
resistance and inflammation. The level of FITC-dextran was reduced and the
expression of Zonula occludens 1 protein was increased, which led to an
improvement of intestinal integrity. Cr tepals extract has a positive effect on gut
microbiota composition, compromised by a high-fat diet, by increasing the
abundance of bacterial genera that can be associated with the amelioration of
glucose tolerance. This beneficial effect could be the result of improved gut
integrity and reduced permeability. Our results highlight Cr tepals extract as an
effective natural supplement for the treatment of obesity-related metabolic
disorders without side effects.Joint Congress of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) 2025: Connecting Endocrinology Across the Life Course; 2025 May 10-13; Copenhagen, Denmark. Bristol: Bioscientifica; 2025. P764. (Endocrine Abstracts; Vol. 110)
Role of AMPK in preserving metabolic homeostasis in visceral adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in a PCOS rat model
No full textIntroduction
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic
disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Early manifestations of the
syndrome emerge before puberty, often in conjunction with obesity, which, in
the presence of hyperandrogenemia and/or hyperinsulinemia during adolescence, contributes to the full manifestation of PCOS in adulthood. To
elucidate the contributions of prepubertal obesity and hyperandrogenemia to
the development of metabolic disturbances in PCOS, we analysed lipid and
glucose metabolism in the main insulin-responsive tissues (visceral and
subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT), skeletal muscle) in a wellestablished PCOS animal model.
Methods
Female Wistar rats were subjected to postnatal overfeeding via litter size
reduction and treated with 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to induce PCOS-like
features. Systemic insulin sensitivity was assessed alongside the expression of
key markers of glucose and lipid metabolism, and energy sensing, like AMPK
activation, in VAT, SAT, and skeletal muscle.
Results
Litter size reduction led to increase in body mass and visceral adiposity, while
DHT treatment combined with overfeeding resulted in systemic insulin resistance
and hyperinsulinemia. In VAT, both litter size reduction and DHT treatment
contributed to adipocyte hypertrophy, along with a suppression of de novo
lipogenesis (reduced gene expression of lipogenic enzymes) and lipolysis
(decreased hormone-sensitive lipase), while insulin sensitivity was preserved
due to AMPK activation. Conversely, SAT exhibited increased expression of lipogenic and lipolytic markers and reduced AMPK activity, suggesting an
impaired metabolic profile in this tissue as a result of effect of both factors, litter
size reduction and DHT treatment. In skeletal muscle, insulin signalling was
disrupted at key nodes (pIRS1-Ser307, AKT) in overfed animals, while DHT
treatment reduced glucose transport (decreased GLUT4 expression), leading to
diminished glucose uptake and systemic hyperinsulinemia. In this altered energy
landscape, as result of effects of both factors, skeletal muscle preferentially
utilised fatty acids for energy, indicated by enhanced fatty acid uptake and
increased markers of lipolysis and a-oxidation. However, this shift induced
oxidative stress and inflammation, and triggered AMPK activation as a
compensatory mechanism that maintain metabolic homeostasis.
Conclusion
AMPK emerges as a critical metabolic regulator that acts as a protective
mechanism in VAT and skeletal muscle to counteract metabolic stress and
maintain tissue functionality. The differential regulation of AMPK in VAT and
SAT highlights its tissue-specific role in PCOS-associated metabolic disturbances. Given its pivotal function, targeted activation of AMPK may represent a
promising therapeutic strategy to improve metabolic health in women with PCOS.Joint Congress of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) 2025: Connecting Endocrinology Across the Life Course; 2025 May 10-13; Copenhagen, Denmark. Bristol: Bioscientifica; 2025. P677. (Endocrine Abstracts; Vol. 110)
The influence of microenvironment on the gene expression of Tnf-α, Il-1β and Il-6 in the A53T mouse model of Parkinson's disease
No full textThe differences in social microenvironment (i.e., whether animals are housed in mixed or single genotype environments) could influence the behavioral and molecular outcomes in preclinical research of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the potentially confounding effects of social microenvironment in studies using transgenic animals have not been sufficiently investigated. In this study we explored the influence of microenvironment on mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β and IL6) which are consistently reported to be relevant to PD in clinical and preclinical settings. The Hualpha-Syn(A53T) transgenic mouse line G2-3 (JAX006823 strain) as a model of Parkinson's disease (PD) was used and the brain regions of interest were the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HPP). Five groups of male mice were formed at post-natal day (PND) 30: transgenic hemizygous A53T carriers (A53T+) kept in mixed-genotype housing (MGH) and single genotype housing (SGH); their non-transgenic littermates (A53T-) kept in MGH and SGH; as well as, C57BL/6J animals (used in backcrossing of the colony) which served as controls. On PND 190 (the pre-motor stage) the mPFC and HPP of all animals were extracted for RT PCR analysis. mRNA expression of TNFα, IL-1β and IL6 was assessed. The microenvironment slightly influenced IL-1β mRNA expression in the HPP of A53T+ mice. Specifically, there was a trend (p=0.052) of differences in IL-1β expression between A53T+ mice in SGH and those in MGH, with higher fold-change percentage observed in MGH. The difference in expression of Tnf-α in the mPFC between A53T+ mice in SGH and C57BL/6J controls was statistically significant, while the difference in Tnf-α expression between A53T+ mice in MGH and C57BL/6J controls was marginally significant (p=0.052). Our findings emphasize the need to control housing conditions in studies using transgenic animals considering that certain biochemical characteristics of the model were sensitive to variations in microenvironments. Future studies should explore in depth how other biochemical indicators and neuro-behavioral characteristics of the model can potentially be affected by the social microenvironment.Marjanović A, Milovanović N, editors. Book of abstracts: Belgrade Neuroscience Next Hub 2025 with international participation; 2025 Feb 27; Belgrade, Serbia. Belgrade: University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine; 2025. p. 20
Agmatine modulates metabolism and redox status in Lps-stimulated BV-2 microglia
No full textMicroglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, adopt a pro-inflammatory phenotype in response to harmful stimuli, promoting neuroinflammation. This process involves metabolic reprogramming from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis, and its dysregulation is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and increased production of pro-inflammatory mediators, contributing to the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the potential of agmatine to modulate inflammation-induced metabolic and oxidative disturbances in murine BV-2 microglial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (Lps) as an in vitro model of neuroinflammation. Gene and protein expression analyses, measurements of lactate release, ATP levels, mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide production, as well as tests for oxidative and nitrosative stress, were performed. Lps induced glycolytic shift via PI3K/Akt/mTOR/HIF-1α signalling, impaired mitochondrial function, and increased oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Agmatine suppressed mTOR/HIF-1α signalling, reduced lactate and pro-inflammatory mediators production, and preserved mitochondrial function. Agmatine increased intracellular ATP under both control and inflammatory conditions, decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase and xanthine oxidase activity, reduced superoxide production and lipid peroxidation, and enhanced antioxidant defence through Nrf2 activation, glutathione upregulation, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. These effects were accompanied by decreased NF-κB activity and a phenotypic shift towards an anti-inflammatory state, characterised by increased expression of anti-inflammatory markers arginase 1, mannose receptor, and heme oxygenase-1 and decreased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6. These results suggest that agmatine modulates microglial metabolism and redox status in Lps-stimulated cells, promoting their polarisation towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype.Diva Rankov A, editor. Abstract Book: Belgrade Conference for Early-Career Life Scientists: BeCELS 2025; 2025 Sep 5; Belgrade, Serbia. Belgrade: Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University; 2025. p. 20