Acta Biologica Slovenica最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of hydrolytic enzymes and antifungal activity of extracellular bioactive compounds of Desmonostoc alborizicum and Neowestiellopsis persica against Plant Pathogenic Fungi","authors":"B. Nowruzi, F. Nemati","doi":"10.14720/abs.66.1.13510","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.66.1.13510","url":null,"abstract":"Agriculture requires the extensive use of chemical pesticides to protect crops against pests and diseases. An important mechanism for the biological control of pathogenic fungi is the breakdown of their cell walls. Cyanobacteria are found commonly growing as blooms which provides a competitive advantage to these organisms. This is one of the critical factors responsible for the production of several hydrolytic enzymes with antifungal activity. However, the role of the hydrolytic enzymes of Neowestiellopsis and Desmonostoc, which are implicated in the fungicidal activity of several biocontrol strains, has not been explored. Therefore in this study, hydrolytic enzymes (chitosanase, protease, FPase, carboxymethyl cellulose, xylanase, cellobiohydrolases and cellobiase) of two cyanobacteria strains were evaluated against a set of phytopathogenic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Verticillium dahliae and Phytophthora). The results of statistical analysis showed that the level of protease, FPase and xylanase activity in Desmonostoc alborizicum cyanobacterial extract has been significantly higher than in Neowestiellopsis. Moreover, IAA hormone activity and soluble protein content were significantly higher in Desmonostoc alborizicum cyanobacterial extract. While CMCase, cellobiohydrolases, cellobiase, and chitosanase activity was significantly higher in Neowestiellopsis persica A1387 cyanobacterial extract in comparison to Desmonostoc alborizicum. Moreover, Neowestiellopsis persica was observed to be highly potent in terms of its fungicidal activity. Comparative evaluation of the activity of hydrolytic enzymes and antifungal activity revealed that such enzymes might contribute to the fungicidal activity of the cyanobacterial strains, besides other bioactive compounds, including IAA, which are established promising traits for biocontrol agents. This study is a first-time report on the production of hydrolytic enzymes by these two cyanobacteria strains, which can be potential candidates for the development of biocontrol agent(s) against selected phytopathogenic fungi.","PeriodicalId":121848,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Slovenica","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125291021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of methodology for grassland restoration and management with practical examples","authors":"M. Grašič, A. Šabić, Branko Lukač","doi":"10.14720/abs.66.1.13230","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.66.1.13230","url":null,"abstract":"Currently, the majority of high nature value Slovenian grasslands have an unfavourable conservation status. Based on the available data from habitat type mappings, the surface of high nature value grasslands (6210(*) – semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates, 6410 – Molinia meadows, and 6510 – lowland hay meadows) at Natura 2000 sites is decreasing. The existing agri-environment measures have been only partly effective in promoting grassland biodiversity. The main threats to biodiversity are driven by various anthropogenic activities, which result in a continuous change in landscape identity, habitat fragmentation, and ecosystem degradation. Therefore, biodiversity restoration became an urgent step in conservation of high nature value grasslands. Multiple pathways may lead to the ecological restoration of grasslands with an altered, uncharacteristic floristic composition, or grasslands with an unfavourable conservation status. In this paper, we present an overview of the methods used in the restoration of grasslands from different parts of Europe. In an adapted form, these methods could also be used for the restoration of Slovenian grasslands. Grasslands may be left to spontaneous succession, which is mainly suitable for small-scale areas, located in the proximity of grasslands with well-preserved biodiversity. However, to re-establish plant communities with specialist species, a more proactive approach is usually required, such as sowing of regional or commercial seed preservation mixtures, transfer of mature plant material, or topsoil transfer from donor sites with appropriate botanical composition. Grassland restoration methods should be carefully thought-out and carried out before the habitat or species is endangered. We conclude that optimally chosen post-restoration management may have an impact that is comparable or even greater than the impact of a suitable restoration method. Nevertheless, maintenance of well-preserved grasslands is still much more cost-effective than restoration of degraded grasslands.","PeriodicalId":121848,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Slovenica","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126124655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mass spectrometry in snake venom research","authors":"A. Leonardi","doi":"10.14720/abs.65.2.12499","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.65.2.12499","url":null,"abstract":"Mass spectrometry allows rapid and reliable identification and characterisation of proteins and peptides in snake venoms. With the increasing availability of transcriptomic and genomic data, there is a growing database of protein sequences that is essential for protein identification. Snake venoms are analysed using a multi-dimensional proteomic approach known as ‚venomics‘. Proteins are first separated by one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis or reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The individual protein spots or fractions are digested enzymatically and the resulting peptides are analysed by mass spectrometry. The proteins are identified by comparing the mass spectra of the peptides with those in the database. High-performance mass spectrometers allow the analysis of venoms even without prior separation of the protein mixture. We have analysed the protein composition (proteome) of two European snake venoms of greatest medical interest, the nose-horned viper (Vipera a. ammodytes) and the common adder (Vipera b. berus). The nose-horned viper is the most venomous European snake. Although its bite is rarely fatal, a human wictim often needs to be observed in hospital and treated with an antivenom. The adder is the most widespread European venomous snake and its bite causes milder symptoms than the bite of the nose-horned viper in most cases. To explain the observed differences in the effects of the two venoms at the molecular level, a proteomic study was performed. We also analysed the proteome of the venom of the meadow viper (Vipera ursinii), the most threatened snake species in Europe. It does not pose a threat to humans. In the wild, it feeds mainly on insects, while in captivity it is fed on mice. A comparison of the proteome of the venom of snakes in the wild and snakes in captivity showed clear differences. Thus, the composition of snake venom is diet-dependent. Mass spectrometry is also a very useful tool in the characterisation of antivenoms (antivenomics) to determine their specificity and neutralising power.","PeriodicalId":121848,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Slovenica","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130908190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nikotinski acetilholinski receptor kot farmakološka tarča pri pljučnem raku","authors":"Veno Kononenko, Tadeja Bele, S. Novak, Igor Križaj, Damjana Drobne, Tom Turk","doi":"10.14720/abs.65.1.15941","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.65.1.15941","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 \u0000Rak pljuč je zelo razširjena oblika raka z nizko stopnjo preživetja. Kajenje tobaka predstavlja glavni dejavnik tveganja za razvoj raka pljuč, saj v tobačnem dimu najdemo veliko rakotvornih snovi. Nikotin, ki sicer ni opredeljen kot rakotvoren, je glavna komponenta tobaka odgovorna za zasvojenost, poleg tega pa raziskave nakazujejo, da neodvisno od ostalih komponent tobaka v telesu sproži različne učinke, ki vplivajo na razvoj in napredovanje raka. Kot agonist nikotinskih acetilholinskih receptorjev (nAChR) nikotin spodbuja proliferacijo celic, preprečuje njihovo apoptozo, ter igra pomembno vlogo pri pospeševanju angiogeneze in zasevanju rakavih celic. Antagonisti nAChR, ki bi zavirali proliferacijo rakavih celic ter spodbujali njihovo apoptozo, predstavljajo velik terapevtski potencial. Trenutno je znanih le malo antagonistov nAChR, pri katerih je bila protirakava učinkovitost že raziskana, poleg tega pa po večini tudi niso dovolj selektivni ligandi za podvrste nAChR, ki se prekomerno izražajo v celicah pljučnega raka, zato je pričakovati škodljive stranske učinke. V izogib slednjim, se išče načine za ciljano dostavo antagonista nAChR do rakavih celic. Precej obetajo nanodostavni sistemi, ki omogočajo prednostni vnos aktivne učinkovine v celice raka. V našem članku predstavljamo najnovejše dosežke razvoja zdravil za zdravljenje pljučnega raka na osnovi antagonstov nAChR, dostavljenih na mesto delovanja s pomočjo nanodelcev. \u0000 \u0000 \u0000","PeriodicalId":121848,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Slovenica","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133734426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular characterization of Escherichia coli from dishwasher rubber seals","authors":"M. Starčič Erjavec, J. Ambrožič Avguštin","doi":"10.14720/abs.65.1.15942","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.65.1.15942","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 \u0000In this study 35 Escherichia coli isolates obtained from sampled dishwashers rubber seals were analysed with polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using specific primers for phylogenetic group, multilocus sequence type (MLST) determination the presence of 43 virulence-associated genes (VAGs) linked with intestinal and extraintestinal E. coli infections and the presence of some typical E. coli virulence plasmids’ sequences in order to assess their virulence potential and/or specific genes, associated with the adaption to a specific environment. It was found that all of the 35 E. coli isolates belonged to the commensal non-pathogenic phylogenetic group A and that the diversity of these E. coli isolates, according to MLST analysis, was relatively low. Further, the prevalence of virulence-associated genes among the dishwasher rubber seal E. coli isolates was also low. Only the following VAGs were detected: fimH, crl, fluA, picU, irp, fyuA, sitA, aslA. Of the five plasmid replication regions tested only RepFIA and RepFIIA were detected. The two sequences associated with conjugative plasmids namely traJ and traT, were detected in only one isolate. Based on the obtained results the studied isolates can be designated as commensal E. coli with low pathogenic potential. Due to the low diversity of sequence types, even among isolates obtained from dishwashers from different locations, there is a possibility that strains from certain clonal groups are more adapted to specific habitats outside warm-blooded hosts than strains of other sequence types. \u0000 \u0000 \u0000","PeriodicalId":121848,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Slovenica","volume":"11 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114647822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Status of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Brachyura: Portunidae) in Slovenia","authors":"L. Lipej, M. Rogelja","doi":"10.14720/abs.64.2.15819","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.64.2.15819","url":null,"abstract":"Authors present data regarding the presence of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Brachyura: Portunidae) based on records gathered from local fishermen. This alien species was firstly recorded in Slovenian coastal waters in March 2019 and it was subsequently found in six other cases in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Crabs were collected or sighted in shallow coastal areas along the Slovenian coast. In addition, authors discussed about the status of the blue crab in marine and coastal habitats of Slovenia","PeriodicalId":121848,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Slovenica","volume":"16 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131769862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Umetni podvodni grebeni in umetnost možnega","authors":"Tom Turk","doi":"10.14720/abs.64.2.15818","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.64.2.15818","url":null,"abstract":"V številnih evropskih državah so umetni podvodni grebeni (UPG) dobro sprejet način za povečevanje lokalne biodiverzitete. Ideja o umestitvi UPG na dno slovenskega morja je stara 25 let. Ta ideja še vedno ni realizirana, kljub jasnim dokazom, da imajo UPG pozitiven vpliv na lokalno morsko okolje in biocenozo, kar nam sporočajo izkušnje z italijanske strani Tržaškega zaliva. Zaradi različnih vzrokov tako na uresničitev postavitve prvega UPG v slovenskem morju še vedno čakamo. Prepričani smo, da bi bile take potopljene strukture pomemben substrat za naselitev (repopulacijo) morskih habitatov z bentoškimi vrstami, ki zaradi občasnih hipoksij in anoksij na morskem dnu množično poginjajo.","PeriodicalId":121848,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Slovenica","volume":"68 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134063221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Short-term changes in microbial communities in the water column around the fish farm in the Bay of Piran","authors":"V. Turk, T. Tinta","doi":"10.14720/abs.64.2.15817","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.64.2.15817","url":null,"abstract":"A multidisciplinary approach was used to study the impact of fish farming on coastal bacterial communities in the inner part of the Bay of Piran (northern Adriatic). Differences in bacterial abundance, production and the occurrence of selected bacterial groups were studied in the water column around the cage and at different distances from the centre of the fish cage towards the open water, i.e., reference marine station. We also examined the effect of fish feeding on the surrounding system in a short-term in situ experiment based on the simultaneous collection of seawater samples from different locations around the fish cage before and after feeding of fish. Our study suggests that fish feeding has a moderate short-term effect on water column parameters, including bacterial abundance and production, only at a limited distance from the fish cages. The nitrifying, ammonia-oxidizing bacterial groups, as determined by the fluorescent in situ hybridization method, were represented at a higher percentage in the seawater samples in the middle and around the fish cages. β- Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria and the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium group were represented to a higher percentage at sampling sites in the middle of the Bay of Piran and at the reference marine station. The Vibrio group was detected at all sampling sites. The accumulation of organically enriched fish food and waste products releasedinto the seawater during the short-term experiment resulted in a significant increase in particulate matter, orthophosphate and ammonium. In response to the increase in inorganic nutrients, we observed a significant increase in bacterial production, whileno significant differences were observed in bacterial abundance in such short time.","PeriodicalId":121848,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Slovenica","volume":"60 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124645220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of sewage discharge on nutrients and community production in a lagoon environment (Lagoon of Strunjan, Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea) – a revisited experiment","authors":"Jadran Fanagelj","doi":"10.14720/abs.64.2.15820","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.64.2.15820","url":null,"abstract":"A specially constructed enclosure in the lagoon environment (Lagoon of Strunjan, Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea) received sewage daily while another was kept clean and used as a reference. Nutrients and community production changes were monitored approximately bimonthly over a year. Nutrients introduced by the sewage discharges and diluted by tides were immobilized by enhanced community production, in particular benthic macroalgae. The dead organic matter afterwards settled and decomposed producing anoxic conditions and high levels of dissolved and suspended organic nutrients in the water and total nitrogen in the sediments. The daily mean gross community production showed no quantitative differences between the two enclosures during the study. Differences arose in the temporal succession of the studied events. An intensive nutrient recycling emerged from this study.","PeriodicalId":121848,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Slovenica","volume":" 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"120829442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Polhova mast in protimikrobno učinkovanje","authors":"Leon Drame, Sara Skok, Janez Mu","doi":"10.14720/abs.64.1.15762","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.64.1.15762","url":null,"abstract":"Polhovo mast se še vedno v ljudskem zdravilstvu uporablja za lajšanje številnih zdravstvenih težav, vendar zaenkrat ne obstajajo sistematične raziskave o njeni vlogi kot protimikrobne učinkovine. V sveži pohovi masti, pridobljeni na tradicionalen način ter tudi v tisti, ki je že bila uporabljena, so bili prisotni mikroorganizmi. Polhova mast v poskusu in vitro ni izkazala inhibitornega učinka na rast indikatorskih bakterij Escherichia coli in Staphylococcus epidermidis. Protimikrobno učinkovitost, o kateri priča ljudsko zdravilstvo, in jo potrjuje njena stalna uporaba, gre najverjetneje pripisati njeni stimulaciji imunskega sistema gostitelja. Potrebne so nadaljnje raziskave, ki bodo potrdile uporabnost polhove masti oziroma njenih aktivnih sestavnih delov pri zdravljenju mikrobnih okužb z večkratno odpornimi sevi.","PeriodicalId":121848,"journal":{"name":"Acta Biologica Slovenica","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123976579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}