JournalTOCs

Archives of Biological Sciences
Number of Followers: 0

This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 1821-4339 - ISSN (Online) 1821-4339
Published by U of Belgrade

[9 journals]

Phytochemical composition of Verbascum stachydifolium Boiss & Heldr. var.
stachydifolium growing in Türkiye and in vitro analysis of wound healing
activity
- Authors: Bahar Kaptaner İğci, Zeki Aytaç
  Pages: 5 - 17
  Abstract: Paper description:
  The aim of this study is to support alternative treatment methods that will provide wound healing and to investigate the molecular and phytochemical characteristics of Verbascum stachydifolium
  The scratch assay was used to assess wound healing activity in vitro, qRT-PCR and ELISA were performed to evaluate the expression of selected biomarkers, HPLC was used to determine the phytochemical components of stachydifolium.
  stachydifolium exhibited a wound healing potential by increasing the expression of collagen and cytokines FGF7, TGF-b1 and VEGF. The plant also possesses antioxidant activity.
  stachydifolium emerges as a potential source for plant-based wound healing preparations. : This study aimed to investigate the phenolic content, antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and the in vitro wound healing activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Verbascum stachydifolium Boiss & Heldr. var. stachydifolium. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity were measured using spectrophotometry-based methods. Quantitative analysis of the selected phenolics was performed by HPLC. The cytotoxic effects of the extracts on L929 mouse fibroblast cells were evaluated by the MTT assay. The migration of treated fibroblast cells was assessed by the cell scratch assay. The expressions of type I collagen, FGF7, TGF-β1 and VEGF were evaluated by qRT-PCR and ELISA. The HPLC-based analysis revealed the presence of different phenolic compounds at varying amounts and high antioxidant activities were detected. The cytotoxicity assay results indicated that the methanolic and aqueous extracts did not exhibit any cytotoxic effect on fibroblast cells when used up to 500 µg/mL concentration. Fibroblast migration was stimulated to the highest degree by the aqueous extract obtained by maceration as observed in the scratch assay at 60.4% closure. The molecular mechanism of the wound healing activity involves the upregulation of the analyzed genes.
  PubDate: 2023-04-03
  DOI: 10.2298/ABS221222001K
  Issue No: Vol. 75, No. 1 (2023)
Macromineral consumption by Pleurotus ostreatus var. Florida in different
straws
- Authors: Matheus R. Iossi, Wagner G. Vieira Júnior, Cinthia E. C. Caitano, Lucas da Silva Alves, Isabela de A. Palú, Reges Heinrichs, Arturo Pardo-Giménez, Diego C. Zied
  Pages: 19 - 25
  Abstract: Paper description:
  Understanding mineral dynamics in agricultural wastes is essential for the successful production of Pleurotus
  Yields and N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S contents in rice, brachiaria and wheat straw were evaluated.
  Rice straw produced a greater harvest than wheat and brachiaria straw. Mg correlated with a higher number of mushrooms, while K correlated with a better yield (1st flush).
  These findings will serve as a guide for the management of Pleurotus ostreatus crop supplementation in agricultural wastes. The results will be useful to improve yields and sustainability. : Organic agricultural waste is successfully used in the production of mushrooms as it promotes the reuse of resources and increases food production. For the formulation of the substrate for Pleurotus spp. production, the availability of nutrients must be rigorously analyzed to assess whether supplementation is necessary. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the agronomic behavior of Pleurotus ostreatus var. Florida when grown on different straws and to analyze nutrient dynamics at the beginning and end of cultivation. Straws of rice, wheat and brachiaria were used as substrates without any supplementation. The yields, biological efficiency, number and weights of mushrooms were evaluated in two crop cycles. Rice straw provided a higher yield, better biological efficiency and a greater number of mushrooms in both cultures. Wheat straw showed intermediate results for the same variables. None of the substrates showed a significant difference for mushroom weight. In the first crop, only Mg and the number of mushrooms exhibited a positive correlation; in the second crop, only K and the yield of the 1st flush showed a positive correlation. With this study, it was possible to demonstrate that agricultural residues with higher levels of K increase P. ostreatus yield, and that Mg management affects the number of mushrooms for harvesting. The results will be a useful guide for efficient and sustainable mineral supplementation of the substrate.
  PubDate: 2023-04-03
  Issue No: Vol. 75, No. 1 (2023)
Direction selectivity of the retinotectal system of fish: findings based
on microelectrode extracellular recordings of the tectum opticum
- Authors: Ilija Damjanović, Alexey Aliper, Paul Maximov, Alisa Zaichikova, Zoran Gačić, Elena Maximova
  Pages: 27 - 45
  Abstract: Paper description:
  Fish are a convenient model for studying the visual system because of the common variety of visual pigments, regularity of the morphology of the retina, and structural plan of the brain’s visual centers.
  An understanding of the mechanisms of the visual system and its development and its evolutionary aspect can be gained by combining data obtained using electrophysiology on adults, Ca2+ imaging on transparent larvae of Danio rerio, behavioral experiments and observations of visually guided behavior in the wild.
  In this review article, our findings are compared with the results of authors examining direction selectivity in the fish retinotectal system. : Vision in fish plays an important role in different forms of visually guided behavior. The visual system of fish is available for research by different methods; it is a convenient experimental model for studying and understanding the mechanisms of vision in general. Responses of retinal direction-selective (DS) ganglion cells (GCs) are recorded extracellularly from their axon terminals in the superficial layers of the tectum opticum (TO). They can be divided into three distinct groups according to the preferred directions of stimulus movement: caudorostral, dorsoventral and ventrodorsal. Each of these groups comprises both ON and OFF units in equal proportions. Relatively small receptive fields (3-8°) and fine spatial resolution characterize retinal DS units as local motion detectors. Conversely, the responses of direction-selective tectal neurons (DS TNs) are recorded at two different tectal levels, deeper than the zone of retinal DS afferents. They are characterized by large receptive fields (up to 60°) and are indifferent to any sign of contrast, i.e., they can be considered as ON-OFF-type units. Four types of ON-OFF DS TNs preferring different directions of motion have been recorded. The preferred directions of three types of DS TNs match the preferred directions of three types of DS GCs. Matching the three preferred directions of ON and OFF DS GCs and ON-OFF DS TNs has allowed us to hypothesize that the GCs with caudorostral, ventrodorsal and dorsoventral preferences are input neurons for the corresponding types of DS TNs. On the other hand, the rostrocaudal preference in the fourth type of DS TNs, recorded exclusively in the deep tectal zone, is an emergent property of the TO. In this review, our findings are compared with the results of other authors examining direction selectivity in the fish retinotectal system.
  PubDate: 2023-04-03
  DOI: 10.2298/ABS221216003D
  Issue No: Vol. 75, No. 1 (2023)
Role of adenosine triphosphate and protein kinase A in the force-frequency
relationship in isolated rat cardiomyocytes
- Authors: Nihal Ozturk, Orhan Erkan, Serkan Uslu, Semir Ozdemir
  Pages: 47 - 56
  Abstract: Paper description:
  There is insufficient information about the force-frequency relationship in isolated cardiomyocytes and the available information is contradictory. We investigated the force-frequency relationship in contraction and the reasons for the conflicting results.
  Contraction and Ca2+ transients were recorded at 1, 2, 4 Hz excitation frequencies.
  The increase in frequency caused a decrease in the amplitude of contraction, a prolongation of the relaxation time, a slowdown in the relaxation rate, and an increase in the diastolic Ca2+
  Energy deficiency and lack of β-adrenergic system regulation may play a role in these changes. : The physiological heart rate of rodents is around 4-6 Hz, although a stimulus frequency of 1 Hz is generally used in isolated cardiomyocytes to study changes in the contraction-relaxation cycle in cardiac muscle physiology and pathophysiology. Our study investigated the contraction parameters in isolated cardiomyocytes at 1, 2 and 4 Hz stimulation, and the roles of ATP and protein kinase A (PKA) in the force-frequency relationship in isolated cardiomyocytes. The contraction of the cell and intracellular Ca2+ changes were recorded simultaneously during cell stimulation by applying pulses of 6-8 V amplitude with frequencies of 1, 2 and 4 Hz. The increase in stimulus frequency caused a significant decrease in the percentage of shortening, relaxation times, slowing of the relaxation rate, and a significant increase in diastolic Ca2+ levels, but had no effect on the contraction rate and Ca2+ transients. Administration of ATP and N6-benzoyladenosine-3ʹ-5ʹ-cyclic monophosphate (6-BNZ-cAMP) caused an increase in contraction amplitude and speed which were proportional to the stimulus frequency but had no effect on the relaxation times. The experimental results show that the force-stimulus frequency has a negative correlation in isolated myocytes and that energy metabolism and the β-adrenergic system may be responsible for this relationship.
  PubDate: 2023-04-03
  DOI: 10.2298/ABS221213004O
  Issue No: Vol. 75, No. 1 (2023)
Association of rs4646903 and rs1048943 CYP1A1 estrogen-metabolizing gene
polymorphisms with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in Kenyan
women
- Authors: Mary Murithi, Steven Nyanjom, Victor Mobegi, Sayed Shahin, Francis Makokha
  Pages: 57 - 67
  Abstract: Paper description:
  The rs4646903 and rs1048943 polymorphisms in CYP1A1 estrogen metabolizing gene have shown associations with breast cancer in some populations.
  A causal-comparative research design was used. Genotyping of the target single-nucleotide polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism.
  The variant genotypes CC of rs4646903 and AG and GG of rs1048943 showed significant association with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in Kenyan women.
  Different populations with the same polymorphisms exhibit differences in breast cancer risk. Findings from this study inform on the polymorphisms relevant for risk assessment of breast cancer in Kenyan women. : Breast cancer is the most prevalent neoplasm and the second leading cause of death among females in Kenya. Estrogen and its metabolites are known risk factors for breast cancer. Polymorphisms in these genes and breast cancer susceptibility are unique among different populations. This study aimed to determine the probable associations between estrogen-metabolizing gene variations and other risk factors for breast cancer risk in Kenyan women. Buffy coat samples were obtained from patients diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, benign breast disease, and healthy volunteers. Genotyping of target polymorphisms was conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The rs4646903 variant genotype CC was associated with breast cancer in the case-control model (P=0.001); the heterozygous genotype TC (P=0.01) and the luminal B molecular subtype (P=0.02) showed increased odds of late-stage breast cancer. The rs1048943 variant genotype GG was associated with breast cancer in the case-benign model (P=0.04), whereas CG was associated with breast cancer in the case-control model (P=0.02). These findings imply that the rs4646903 and rs1048943 variant genotypes are involved in breast cancer risk in Kenyan women. Hence, they may be explored further as potential markers for the disease.
  PubDate: 2023-04-03
  DOI: 10.2298/ABS230115005M
  Issue No: Vol. 75, No. 1 (2023)
Characterization of soils on consolidated limestone and its relations to
grassland vegetation
- Authors: Jelena Bogosavljević, Aleksandar Đorđević, Urban Šilc, Zora Dajić-Stevanović, Svetlana Aćić, Svjetlana Radmanović
  Pages: 69 - 80
  Abstract: Understanding the relations between soil features and plant responses is of significant importance for agriculture production and nature conservation. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the importance of the soil’s physical and chemical features’ influence on the plant species composition and richness in grasslands studied on the limestone massif in eastern Serbia (Mt. Rtanj). The data set included 22 phytosociological relevés, the same number of corresponding mixed soil samples (0-10 cm depth) and 8 soil profiles. Two vegetation types were distinguished by numerical classification: Saturejion montanae and Festucion valesiacae. The results of the Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) indicated that the most important soil parameters affecting the species composition in the grassland ecosystems were humus, the content of calcium, soil exchange capacity and base saturation, in addition to total acidity, pH and soil depth. The communities of both vegetation types are developed on Leptosols and Phaeozems. Under similar physical and chemical conditions of the soil, the grassland vegetation exhibits differences in floristic composition.
  PubDate: 2023-04-03
  Issue No: Vol. 75, No. 1 (2023)
Investigation of the biological diversity of Trichoptera larvae in the
streams of the Kastamonu (Cide)-Sinop (Ayancık) coastal region of
Türkiye
- Authors: Yasemin Özalp, İbrahim Küçükbasmacı
  Pages: 81 - 88
  Abstract: Paper description:
  Aquatic insects are taxonomically diverse and play a critical role in the stability and maintenance of the ecosystem. Because of their diversity and sensitivity to aquatic conditions, Trichoptera larvae are widely used in monitoring programs as bioindicators of organic pollution.
  The biodiversity of the Trichoptera order in the coastal region of Kastamonu and Sinop provinces of Turkey was examined for the first time.
  Morphological diagnosis was made and widely used indices were applied to determine the biodiversity of larvae.
  Habitats exposed to environmental threats exhibit less biodiversity than natural habitats, with taxa dominating in biodiversity similarity rates preferring their habitats. : This study was carried out to determine the biodiversity and densities of Trichoptera larvae at stations in the Kastamonu (Cide)-Sinop (Ayancık) coastal region. Benthic macroinvertebrate samples were collected from each of the 19 stations using the kick-net sampling method with a D-frame net (500-µm mesh). Using the data from collected Trichoptera larvae, the similarity, diversity, dominance and population density relationships among habitats were measured. According to the calculated Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity index results, the station with the highest Trichoptera diversity was determined at S2, and the station with the least diversity was S14. Similar results were obtained for the calculated population density values. Station S2 was the most balanced station in population density. Thus, biodiversity was directly related to habitat structure, anthropogenic impact and geographical conditions, and environmental factors suppress biological species diversity. It was concluded that species diversity is greater in undestroyed habitats and less in heavily destroyed habitats. In addition, the species that dominate in biodiversity similarity rates prefer their habitat.
  PubDate: 2023-04-03
  DOI: 10.2298/ABS230119007O
  Issue No: Vol. 75, No. 1 (2023)
Standard descriptive matrices in the identification of exophytophagous
caterpillars
- Authors: Aleksandra D. Trajković, Maja J. Lazarević, Saša S. Stanković, Miloš A. Popović, Marijana M. Ilić Milošević, Vladimir A. Žikić
  Pages: 89 - 102
  Abstract: Paper description:
  Larvae of the order Lepidoptera display an abundance of macromorphological, autecological and behavioral profiles.
  By defining and coding universal characters, an exhaustive description can be transformed into data matrices suitable for further analytical exploration.
  The process of generating caterpillar identification tools takes phenotypic plasticity in the Lepidoptera order into account.
  Incorporating the matrices into regular data processing, caterpillar specimens can provide the basis for inspecting character relationships and their states at intra- and interspecific levels. : Identification of exophytophagous lepidopteran larvae is a necessity for researchers in biological disciplines ranging from biodiversity inventorying to research in parasitoid evolution and species monitoring. The lack of expertise in the field jeopardizes the outcomes of further investigations and recording of the multilevel plasticity of juvenile Lepidoptera. This paper offers an improvement to the existing haphazard approach by developing 41 simplified characters that include 150 morphological, behavioral and autecological states and their delineation, visual validation, and a descriptive matrix for 83 heterogeneous species. By combining the states into all possible identification scenarios, the matrix revealed 582 morphological, habitat and resource polyphenisms for the mentioned species. The categorical nature of the data implied the use of categorical principal component analysis to visualize the discriminative capacity without character relationship assumptions. The object-point biplot was used to derive the K value for K-mode clustering, while the cluster membership was introduced as a labeling variable to further inspect the grouping pattern. The results of this descriptive-analytic research indicate that descriptive matrices will allow continuous expansion and fine examination of many different species assemblages. From interactive identification keys to machine learning training, the presented framework can make data storage and interpretation significantly more attainable.
  PubDate: 2023-04-03
  DOI: 10.2298/ABS230116008T
  Issue No: Vol. 75, No. 1 (2023)
Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta fabae) of faba bean (Vicia faba L.):
phenotypic and molecular characterization, pathogenicity and in vitro
biological control by Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp.
- Authors: Bouchra Oguiba, Noureddine Karkachi, Francisca Suárez-Estrella, Sadika Haouhach, Mebrouk Kihal, María J. López
  Pages: 103 - 117
  Abstract: Paper description:
  Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta fabae) is a major biotic constraint for faba bean (Vicia faba ) production worldwide. No information is available in the literature on local isolates from Algeria, and no studies on its biological control exist.
  14 strains of fabae were isolated and identified by morpho-molecular characterization and the pathogenicity assay. Isolates were separated into three groups according to their level of aggressiveness.
  Bacillus siamensis B8 and Bacillus mojavensis B31 were the most effective against all isolates. fabae aggressiveness was negatively correlated with susceptibility to biocontrol strains.
  These findings have important implications for epidemiological studies and disease management. : Ascochyta blight is a major biotic constraint of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production and productivity worldwide caused by Ascochyta fabae. No studies have been performed in Algeria to identify A. fabae isolates or to assess their pathogenicity, and therefore information on local isolates is insufficient. Herein, 14 isolates of A. fabae were obtained from faba bean samples and identified based on morphological traits and phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer sequences. All generated sequences have been deposited in GenBank and assigned accession numbers. Pathogenicity tests on faba bean plants revealed that all isolates produced necrotic lesions on aerial parts with variable intensity, classifying them as weakly, moderately, and highly aggressive. The in vitro antifungal activity of Bacillus and Pseudomonas strains against A. fabae isolates showed that Bacillus siamensis B8 and Bacillus mojavensis B31 had the highest suppressive potential against all isolates. Moreover, a negative correlation was found between the aggressiveness of A. fabae isolates and their susceptibility to biocontrol strains. This is the first report on the identification, pathogenicity and in vitro biological control of A. fabae isolates in Algeria. B8 and B31 could be further developed as promising biocontrol agents for the control of the ascochyta blight of faba bean.
  PubDate: 2023-04-03
  DOI: 10.2298/ABS230203009O
  Issue No: Vol. 75, No. 1 (2023)
In Memoriam Professor Đorđe Fira (1959 - 2022)
- Authors: Jelena Lozo, Slaviša Stanković
  Pages: 119 - 120
  Abstract: Professor Đorđe Fira was someone who will be remembered by all who knew him with reverence and respect, whether as a professor, colleague, or friend. He graduated in 1981 from the Department of Molecular Biology and Physiology of the Department of Biological Sciences of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Belgrade and completed his postgraduate studies at the same faculty in 1985 with the defense of his master’s thesis. His interest in science developed at the Research and Development Department of the “PKB-Agroeconomics” Institute in the Laboratory of Microbiological Analysis in the period 1984-1989. As a scholarship holder from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 1987-1988 he studied at the Food Science Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (USA). The Department of Biological Sciences at the Faculty of Natural Sciences became his home institution in 1989 when he was hired as an assistant professor in biochemistry. At that time, he was one of two assistants in the Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He was involved in conducting practical exercises in various courses held by the professors of this Chair. In 1999, after defending his doctoral dissertation, he was elected Assistant Professor and started giving lectures in biochemistry for the then-newly established Ecology and Environmental Protection Study Group at the Faculty of Biology. He adapted the biochemistry course for this study group, bringing it in line with the development of a new direction in education, but also society, in which we are currently experiencing the importance of the issue of ecology and environmental protection today....
  PubDate: 2023-04-03
  Issue No: Vol. 75, No. 1 (2023)