Procter & Gamble (United Kingdom)
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Genetic differentiation of Yellow-Necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) in the urbanised forests of Belgrade, Serbia
No full textUrbanisation transforms natural environments into urban landscapes. Habitat fragmentation, degradation, and loss threaten native populations, reducing their size and making them more vulnerable to stochastic processes. Limited gene flow and increased genetic drift become particularly pronounced in species ecologically tied to these fragmented habitats. The yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), inhabiting forest ecosystems, is a suitable model organism for studying the effects of habitat fragmentation in a large city. We used ten microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of A. flavicollis populations affected by urbanisation. Between 2019 and 2024, 303 individuals were sampled in Belgrade, from four urban and four peri-urban forest sites and one non-urban (natural) forest. We hypothesised that urban populations would be more isolated and have reduced genetic diversity and that populations on the opposite sides of the Sava River (natural barrier) would show greater genetic differentiation. Our results revealed high levels of heterozygosity (0.726-0.853) across populations. Pairwise Fst values ranged from 0.0047 to 0.032, and although low, they were significant among all population pairs. The Mantel test did not reveal significant correlation between the genetic and geographic distance, suggesting that observed differentiation might be result of urbanisation, rather than distance. Bayesian clustering analysis identified five genetic clusters. Four clusters corresponded to urban populations closest to the city centre, while the fifth encompassed all peri-urban and the non-urban populations. Despite the significant influence of urban barriers on genetic differentiation, the Sava River, as a natural barrier, did not significantly restrict gene flow and had no detectable impact on genetic diversity in A. flavicollis. These findings highlight the significant role of urbanisation in shaping population genetic structure and underscore the resilience of A. flavicollis to natural barriers in contrast to anthropogenic fragmentation.Mitsainas GP, Borowski Z, Georgiakakis P, Henttonen H, Lymberakis P, Schley L, Youlatos D, editors. Book of abstracts: IX European Congress of Mammalogy (ECM9); 2025 Mar 31 - Apr 4; Patras, Greece. European Mammal Foundation; 2025. p. 311
Novel pyrimidine-artesunate hybrids overcome multidrug-resistance in non-small cell lung carcinoma through collateral sensitivity
No full textA series of hybrid compounds based on artesunic acid and pyrimidine were synthesized and tested for their anticancer activity against non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), specifically targeting multidrug resistance mediated by P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Preliminary screening showed that artesunate and the hybrid compounds exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity towards resistant NCI-H460/R cells at 5 μM, indicating collateral sensitivity. Dose-response analysis identified compounds 15h and 17a with the most substantial effect, displaying collateral sensitivity indexes (CSI) 4 and 5, respectively, while 15d, 15f, and 15i showed remarkable selectivity for cancer cells with selectivity indexes (SI) above 10. Mechanistic studies revealed that some hybrids effectively inhibited P-gp activity, outperforming the benchmark inhibitor tariquidar (TQ). Co-treatment of 15h and 17a with P-gp inhibitors indicated that the type of P-gp inhibition matters. Substrate inhibitor dexverapamil (Dex-Ver) lowered cytotoxicity of 15h and 17a, while non-substrate inhibitor TQ, increased it. Computational docking study showed that 17a binds the verapamil-binding pocket of P-gp with greater affinity than dexverapamil (Dex-Ver). The P-gp mechanism and the difference in redox balance between sensitive and resistant NSCLC cells drive collateral sensitivity achieved by 15h and 17a. Overall, the study demonstrates that pyrimidine-artesunate hybrids selectively target MDR cancer cells, highlighting their potential to overcome drug resistance in cancer treatment.This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Koračak L, Ajdačić V, Selaković M, Pajović M, Novaković M, Lupšić E, Podolski-Renić A, Zlatović M, Pešić M, Opsenica IM. Novel pyrimidine-artesunate hybrids overcome multidrug-resistance in non-small cell lung carcinoma through collateral sensitivity. in Bioorganic Chemistry. 2025;168:109307. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.109307
Srodnost životinja u stadu izračunata na osnovu različitih formula: Trioml, wang, lynchli, lynchrd, ritland, quellergt, dyadml
No full textPirotska pramenka je varijetet pramenke, rase ovaca autohtone za balkansko poluostrvo, koji spada u najugroženiji varijetet ove rase u Srbiji. U selekciji je samo 129 jedinki čiji broj opada usled smanjenog interesovanja uzgajivača da održe ovu autohtonu rasu. Radi formiranja pravilne strategije upravljanja ovim važnim genetičkim resursom potrebno je okarakterisati postojeću populaciju na molekularno genetičkom nivou. Genotipizacija postojećih grla u populaciji omogućiće utvrđivanje srodstva među jedinkama i adekvatno planiranje daljeg toka selekcije i ukrštanja kako bi se izbeglo ukrštanje u srodstvu i zadržale osobine od interesa koje su važne za uzgajivače i karakterišu navedeni varijetet pramenke
Toksični efekti litijuma, bora, arsena i čestičnih materija na vodozemce u vodenim i suvozemnim ekosistemima
No full textIzlaganje vodozemaca litijumu, boru ili arsenu, prevashodno u vodenim ekosistemima, u velikoj meri dovodi do niza štetnih efekata, kako po jedinke na različitim stupnjevima razvića, tako i po populacije. Kod mladunaca je zabeleženo smanjeno preživljavanje, a uočena je i smanjena plodnost odraslih jedinki pojedinih ispitivanih vrsta. Zajednički efekat svih navedenih promena jeste opadanje veličine lokalnih populacija.Излагање водоземаца литијуму, бору или арсену, превасходно у воденим екосистемима, у великој мери доводи до низа штетних ефеката, како по јединке на различитим ступњевима развића, тако и по популације. Код младунаца је забележено смањено преживљавање, а уочена је и смањена плодност одраслих јединки појединих испитиваних врста. Заједнички ефекат свих наведених промена јесте опадање величине локалних популација.Kataranovski M, Rakić T, Paunović E, Simonović P, editors. Projekat Jadar - mogući štetni uticaji na živi svet i zdravlje čoveka. Beograd: Univerzitet u Beogradu, Biološki fakultet; 2025. p. 124-40
Experiencing Novelty in Adolescence and the Influence of Prior Novelty-Related Experiences on Adult Behavioral Outcomes in Wistar Han Rats
No full textAcquiring new experiences, especially in adolescence, shapes behavioral responses to life’s challenges. The absence of novelty-related experiences in laboratory rats raises concerns about their behavioral development and the reproducibility of research. This study examined changes in behavioral responses to novelty from early and late adolescence to adulthood, as well as the long-term effects of prior novelty exposure. To assess maturational differences, seven early adolescent, nine late adolescent, and seven adult male Wistar Han rats were tested once in a behavioral battery consisting of the novel arena, novel object exploration, light/dark box, and elevated plus maze. To evaluate the influence of prior experience, early and late adolescent groups were retested once more in adulthood. Late adolescents showed consistent patterns across spatial tasks, displaying increased anxiety-like behavior and reduced exploratory and risk-assessment activity. Early adolescents exhibited variable behaviors, resembling adult or late adolescent profiles depending on the task. Novelty exposure during adolescence produced subtle long-term effects, including reduced discomfort in mildly aversive environments, while late adolescent experience increased thigmotaxis in adulthood. Overall, adolescent responses to novelty were influenced more by spatial than nonspatial environmental features. These findings highlight stage-specific sensitivity to novelty, the influence of adolescent experience, and the potential reuse of experienced animals
Fermented dairy product consumption and blood lipid levels in healthy adults: a systematic review
No full textCardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of global mortality, with diet
recognized as a key factor influencing cardiovascular risk biomarkers such as
blood lipids. Emerging evidence suggests fermented dairy products may offer
cardioprotective benefits via fermentation-derived bioactive metabolites. This
systematic review, conducted within COST Action CA20218 Promoting Innovation
of ferMENTed fOods (PIMENTO), evaluated the relationship between consumption
of conventional fermented dairy products and blood lipid levels and cardiovascular
diseases in healthy adults. Data were qualitatively summarized and synthesized
narratively, following the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) scientific guidance
for health claim applications, including food characterization, bioavailability of
relevant compounds, mechanisms of action, and safety. Sixty-eight studies were
included: 14 controlled interventions (PICO), 37 non-controlled interventions
(PIO), and 17 observational studies. Findings from intervention studies were
largely inconsistent, with most trials reporting no significant changes in lipid
markers following fermented dairy intake. However, a few studies reported modest
reductions in total cholesterol and LDL-c or improved LDL/HDL ratios, particularly
with yoghurt and kefir. Observational studies also yielded mixed and inconclusive
results. Overall, study quality, result consistency, and mechanistic evidence were
deemed “neither convincing nor sufficient” per EFSA criteria. Key limitations included
high risk of bias, heterogeneous designs, inadequate product characterization, and limited mechanistic data. More rigorous, well-controlled human studies with appropriate comparators are needed to clarify whether conventional fermented dairy products have any lipid-lowering effects
De Novo Transcriptome Assembly of Nepeta sibirica L. leaf trichomes
No full textAssembled transcriptomes from paired-end RNA sequencing of Nepeta sibirica L. leaf trichomes using DNBSEQ, in FASTA format. The dataset comprises 50631 assembled transcripts in a FASTA file. N. sibirica transcriptome data are a part of phyloNEPETOME data platform
De Novo Transcriptome Assembly of Nepeta stewartiana L. leaf tissue
No full textAssembled transcriptomes from paired-end RNA sequencing of Nepeta stewartiana L. leaf tissue using DNBSEQ, in FASTA format. The dataset comprises 46899 assembled transcripts in a FASTA file. N. stewartiana transcriptome data are a part of phyloNEPETOME data platform
Hydatigera parva population genetics in Iberian rodents provides insights into its introduction from Africa
No full textThis study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of Hydatigera parva in 341 native
rodents in a riparian habitat in the Mediterranean part of Spain. Polycephalic larvae were found
in 32% of wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus; n = 84) and 0.4% of Algerian mice (Mus spretus;
n = 257) examined, with a significantly higher prevalence in the former. No significant differences in infection prevalence in wood mouse were found between sex and age groups, habitats
(agricultural vs natural) or seasons. Genetic analysis of 25 cysts using cox1 sequences revealed
low nucleotide (0.00110) and haplotype diversity (0.380), suggesting limited genetic variation.
Phylogenetic analysis showed that the studied H. parva isolates were genetically distinct from
other species within the genus Hydatigera. The results indicate a lower genetic diversity in
European than in African populations, supporting the hypothesis that H. parva was introduced to Europe from Africa, possibly with its final host, the common genet (Genetta genetta),
an abundant predator in the study area. This study is the first population genetic study of H.
parva in the Iberian Peninsula. It provides insights into the population structure of the parasite and its interaction with rodent hosts, and thereby constitutes an example of the potential
identification of an introduction route of a parasite with its definitive host. It also confirms the
importance of the wood mouse as an intermediate host for the maintenance of the parasite’s life
cycle in Europe and forms the basis for further studies on the distribution and genetic diversity
of H. parva
Are five cryptic species of the lesser blind mole rat Nannospalax leucodon morphologically uniform or not?
No full textCryptic species are defined as morphologically uniform but phylogenetically distinct species. The superspecies of the European lesser blind mole rat Nannospalax leucodon (Spalacidae, Rodentia) is characterised by a pronounced karyotypic variability, representing a complex of more than 20 chromosomal forms. For seven reproductively isolated and genetically distinct, a classification as cryptic species has been proposed, although the literature on their morphological similarities/differences is not particularly extensive. We investigated variation in the ventral and dorsal cranial views of five cryptic N. leucodon subspecies (N. l. hungaricus, N. l. serbicus, N. l. montanoserbicus, N. l. syrmiensis, N. l. makedonicus) by applying two-dimensional geometric morphometric methods and found statistically significant size and shape differences in both cranial views. However, as there is also significant sexual size and shape dimorphism, interspecific comparisons were performed separately for each sex. Statistically significant size differences were observed between the males of the different cryptic species in both cranial views but not between the females. Statistically significant shape differences were found among the cryptic species in both sexes and in both cranial views. However, after the pairwise post-hoc tests, only the dorsal cranium remained informative in terms of shape variation between the cryptic species. In males, only two pairwise comparisons (N. l. montanoserbicus-hungaricus, N. l. montanoserbicus-syrmiensis) were statistically significant, whereas in females all but three pairwise comparisons (N. l. serbicus-hungaricus, N. l. serbicus-makedonicus, N. l. serbicus-syrmiensis) were statistically significant. We found that most of the cryptic N. leucodon subspecies examined here are not morphologically indistinguishable. Moreover, the phenetic relationships among them, inferred from variation in dorsal cranial shape, are largely consistent with their phylogenetic relationships. This also suggests that different parts of the skull exhibit different degrees of morphological variability and lability, i.e. the tendency of morphological structure to evolve.Mitsainas GP, Borowski Z, Georgiakakis P, Henttonen H, Lymberakis P, Schley L, Youlatos D, editors. Book of abstracts: IX European Congress of Mammalogy (ECM9); 2025 Mar 31 - Apr 4; Patras, Greece. European Mammal Foundation; 2025. p. 157