BioRisk最新文献

{"title":"Anthropogenic disturbance produces divergent effects in the community structure and composition of tropical semi-evergreen forests in the Eastern Himalaya","authors":"D. C. Nautiyal, Kumar Manish","doi":"10.3897/biorisk.22.120802","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.22.120802","url":null,"abstract":"Studies documenting anthropogenic disturbance-driven changes in forest communities of the Eastern Himalaya, a global biodiversity hot spot, are largely lacking. We studied six forest sites of tropical semi-evergreen forests in Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalaya to understand the effects of varying disturbance intensities on the forest community structure and composition. Based on the magnitude of disturbance, forest sites were classified as experiencing low, moderate and high disturbance. Mean species richness (SR) of trees and shrubs decreased from low disturbance to high disturbance. Mean SR of herbs was maximum in moderately disturbed forest sites. Maximum values of the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (SD) were recorded for trees at sites with low disturbance, for shrubs at sites with high disturbance and for herbs in moderately disturbed forests. Pilelou Evenness Index (EI) values were maximum for trees at sites with high disturbance, while maximum EI values for shrubs and herbs were recorded in the forest sites with low disturbance. The number of tree families decreased from 18 to 13 in the forests with low and high disturbance, respectively. Moderate disturbance led to increased herb species richness and diversity, while increasing disturbance produced contrasting effects on trees. High anthropogenic disturbance led to low species richness, but high diversity amongst shrubs. Our investigations suggest that the magnitude of disturbance elicits differential responses in different physiognomic classes in the forest ecosystems and further our understanding of the effects of disturbance in tropical forest ecosystems of a global biodiversity hotspot.","PeriodicalId":38674,"journal":{"name":"BioRisk","volume":"102 38","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140985976","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":"Prospects and possibilities of using Raman spectroscopy for the identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from turtle Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) skin","authors":"A. Petjukevičs, Inta Umbraško, N. Škute","doi":"10.3897/biorisk.21.111983","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.21.111983","url":null,"abstract":"This study describes an express method for identifying microorganisms: Pseudomonas aeruginosa by standard Raman spectroscopy, without surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The short-wavelength 514 nm Ar-Ion laser was used for P. aeruginosa spectral identification in the Raman shift range from 3200 cm−1 to 200 cm−1. The research results showed a high analytical and diagnostic sensitivity of the technology to the express identification of P. aeruginosa and can be used as one of the reliable methods. The proven technology is promising for further research of other microorganisms due to several significant advantages of the method. It does not require long-term cultivation of bacteria and special sample preparation, additional expensive reagents or consumables.","PeriodicalId":38674,"journal":{"name":"BioRisk","volume":"60 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139262756","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":"Biomonitoring with bryophytes in managed forested areas. Three examples from the southern Italian Apennines","authors":"Carmine Colacino","doi":"10.3897/biorisk.21.108551","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.21.108551","url":null,"abstract":"Three sites in the southern Italian Apennines were selected to assess correlation between forest structure and bryophyte flora. In two of the sites, the Index of Air Purity (IAP)–based on cover data of epiphytic bryophytes–was evaluated. The results show that bryophyte populations–and consequently IAP–are affected by forest structure and development, and that studies including different sites require a precise assessment of silvicultural characteristics to allow comparisons. Indicator values of mosses and liverworts were also taken into consideration in characterizing ecologically the three sites.","PeriodicalId":38674,"journal":{"name":"BioRisk","volume":"BC-24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136261664","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":"Potential risk resulting from the influence of static magnetic field upon living organisms. Numerically simulated effects of the static magnetic field upon model complex lipids","authors":"Wojciech Ciesielski, Henryk Kołoczek, Zdzisław Oszczęda, Wiktor Oszczęda, Jacek A. Soroka, Piotr Tomasik","doi":"10.3897/biorisk.21.101171","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.21.101171","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Recognising effects of static magnetic field (SMF) of varying flux density on flora and fauna is attempted. For this purpose, the influence of static magnetic field is studied for molecules of five complex lipids i.e. such as β-carotene, sphingosine, ceramide, cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine.\u0000 Methods: Computations of the effect of real SMF 0.0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 AMFU (Arbitrary Magnetic Field Unit; here 1AMFU > 1000 T) flux density were performed in silico (computer vacuum), involving advanced computational methods.\u0000 Results: SMF polarises molecules depending on applied flux density. Only β-carotene survives exposure to SMF of 10 and 100 AMFU without radical splitting of some valence bonds. Molecules of remaining lipids suffered radical cleavage of some bonds on exposure to SMF of 10 and 100 AMFU. Manipulation with applied flux density provides either inhibition or stimulation of biological functions of the lipids under study.\u0000 Conclusions: SMF destabilises complex lipids to the extent depending applied flux density. Biological functions of β-carotene are fairly sensitive to SMF, whereas only slight response to the effect of SMF is observed in case of sphingosine, ceramide and cholesterol. Enzymatic hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine is stimulated by SMF regardless of the catalysed enzyme employed.","PeriodicalId":38674,"journal":{"name":"BioRisk","volume":"205 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135396412","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":"Comparative study of metal concentration determination in albumen of hen eggs originating from industrial poultry farms, backyard and free-range hens using ICP-OES technique","authors":"Plamen M. Kirov, M. Karadjov, Hristo K. Hristov, R. Alexandrova","doi":"10.3897/biorisk.20.97322","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.20.97322","url":null,"abstract":"There have been multiple types of research focusing on the relationship between feed ingredients and metal content in the egg white due to their role in human nutrition. The aim of the present study is to determine the metal concentration in hens’ eggs and, in particular, to compare the metal concentration in egg albumen originating from industrial poultry farms with that of backyard and free-range hens. All samples were collected in Romania from five separate counties and 10 different farms, over a period of two weeks and, as a result, a total of 50 were collected, 10 from each housing system (batteries/cages, litter/soil, free-range, organic and backyard). The measurements of the metals were taken by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), with a wide range of elements reported. For the essential elements, we measured Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn; Al, Cd, Ni and Pb for the heavy metals and, in addition, we measured B, Ba, Sr, Ca and Mg. The present study revealed that the metals in eggs from free-range hens are richer in essential elements with mean concentrations as follows: 1.528 mg/kg for Fe, 3.278 mg/kg for Zn, 0.058 mg/kg for Mn and 1.362 mg/kg for Cu. We concluded that the egg quality is closely connected with the housing system and nutrition. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that eggs from backyard housing are no better than those from free-range hens in terms of essential metal composition. The heavy and non-essential metal contents, present in the albumen of all the examined eggs, were much lower than the maximum allowed concentration and, therefore, egg consumption does not pose any risk to human health.","PeriodicalId":38674,"journal":{"name":"BioRisk","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45422772","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":"Genotype differences towards lead chloride harmful action","authors":"T. Todorova, P. Parvanova, K. Boyadzhiev, M. Dimitrov, S. Chankova","doi":"10.3897/biorisk.20.97598","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.20.97598","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of the study was to throw more light on the PbCl2 mode of action (MoA) depending on the genotype by the application of three model organisms and microbiological, biochemical, and molecular approaches.\u0000 Three model systems – Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strain 137C – wild type (WT), Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain D7ts1, and Pisum sativum L. cultivar Ran1 and two experimental schemes – short- and long-term treatments were used. C. reinhardtii and S. cerevisiae cell suspensions (1×106 cells/ml) at the end of the exponential and the beginning of a stationary phase of growth were treated with various PbCl2 concentrations (0.45–3.6 mM) for 2 hours. Lower PbCl2 concentrations (0.03–0.22 mM) were also tested on C. reinhardtii 137C. Short-term treatment for up to 2 days with PbCl2 concentrations in the range of 0.45–3.6 mM and long-term treatment for up to 10 days with concentrations in the range of 0.45–2.7 mM was performed on P. sativum L. seeds and plants, respectively. Long-term treatment with a PbCl2 concentration of 3.6 mM was not tested because of the very strong toxic effect (plant death). The following endpoints were used – for C. reinhardtii: cell survival, “visible” mutations, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), malondialdehyde (MDA), intracellular peroxides (H2O2), and photosynthetic pigments; for S. cerevisiae – cell survival, gene conversion, reverse mutation, mitotic crossing-over, DSBs, superoxide anions, MDA and glutathione (GSH); P. sativum L. – germination and root length (short-term treatment), pro-oxidative markers – MDA, H2O2 and photosynthetic pigments (long-term treatment).\u0000 Genotype differences between C. reinhardtii (0.047 mM) and S. cerevisiae (1.66 mM) were observed by two endpoints: concentrations inducing 50% lethality (LD50) and DSB induction. By contrast, no mutagenic effect was found for both unicellular test models. A slight toxic capacity of PbCl2, measured as inhibition of Pisum sativum L. seed germination and around 20% root length reduction was revealed after the treatment with concentrations equal to or higher than 1.8 mM.\u0000 The variety of stress responses between the two plant test models was demonstrated by comparing MDA and H2O2. A dose-dependent increase in H2O2 levels and a minor increase of MDA levels (around 9–15%) were measured when C. reinhardtii cells were treated with concentrations in the range of LD20–LD80 (0.03–0.11 mM). Analyzing the kinetics of MDA and H2O2 in pea leaves, the most pronounced effect of concentration was shown for 2.7 mM. A decrease in the photosynthetic pigments was detected in the two experimental designs – short-term on C. reinhardtii and long-term on P. sativum treatments. The pro-oxidative potential was also proven in S. cerevisiae based on increased levels of MDA and superoxide anions and decreased GSH.\u0000 New information is gained that PbCl2 can affect the DNA molecule and photosynthetic pigments via induction of oxidative stress. Our study revealed that the magnitude of stress r","PeriodicalId":38674,"journal":{"name":"BioRisk","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43297770","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":"Does overproduction of chaperone proteins favour the repair of DNA injuries induced by oxidative stress? (Mini review)","authors":"S. Chankova, N. Yurina, T. Todorova, P. Parvanova","doi":"10.3897/biorisk.20.97569","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.20.97569","url":null,"abstract":"Genotype resistance to oxidative stress, induced by various physical/chemical stimuli has been the focus of scientists for the last decades, with several aspects – ecological (the formation of the genetic elite of population), agricultural and medical (radio-chemotherapy).\u0000 Genotype resistance to oxidative stress is regarded as the integration of different morphological, physiological, biochemical, metabolic and genetic characteristics. Currently, it is supposed that the mechanisms involved in the formation of genotype resistance to oxidative stress are inter-correlated and inter-dependent, comprising changes in genes, proteins, enzymes, different metabolic pathways and/or biological networks. According to the present state of knowledge, various cellular targets, resulting in genotoxic stress, induction of DNA damage, mutations, genomic instability or apoptosis can trigger different signal transduction pathways, activating DNA repair, antioxidant and chaperone defence systems.\u0000 Till now, a lot of experimental data have been accumulated concerning the contribution of DNA repair to the formation of genotype resistance to oxidative stress. At the same time, genotype resistance of organisms is largely determined by the ability of molecular chaperones to maintain conformational homeostasis of proteins (folding – misfolding – refolding or aggregation – degradation). The role of chaperones in protein homeostasis and cell death, especially in apoptosis, is well discussed in literature, but much less is known about their function in DNA repair. In this regard, here we addressed the question of whether the overproduction of chaperone proteins contributes to the repair of DNA damage caused by oxidative stress.","PeriodicalId":38674,"journal":{"name":"BioRisk","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43368342","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":"Occurrence of marine biotoxins on Bulgarian Black Sea coastal waters in 2021","authors":"Z. Peteva, S. Georgieva, Bernd Knock, Thomas Max, M. Stancheva, Simona Valkova","doi":"10.3897/biorisk.20.97557","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.20.97557","url":null,"abstract":"Marine biotoxins are produced by certain phytoplankton species and used to accumulate in filter-feeding marine organisms. The occurrence of marine biotoxins in all aquatic environments and latitudes is variable in time and space. Thus, it is an essentially natural phenomenon, but the occurrence of toxigenic phytoplankton cannot be completely avoided or eliminated. A serious concern appears if these substances accumulate at high levels in seafood. If it is consumed by mammals including humans, severe illness of consumers of intoxicated seafood may result. The aim of this study is to assess the presence of marine biotoxins in plankton samples taken in 2021 and to compare the determined levels with a previous period. Plankton samples (n = 21) were collected in 2021 along the whole Bulgarian coastline (Black Sea). The presence of hydrophilic (domoic acid (DA)) and lipophilic toxins (okadaic acid, dinophysis toxin – 1, dinophysis toxin -2, azaspiracid-1, goniodomin A, pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2), yessotoxin, spirolide-1 and gymnodimine A) was investigated via liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results indicated the presence of only DA in three samples and PTX2 in two samples. The positive samples were sporadically distributed throughout the study period. During 2016–2019, LC-MS/MS analysis confirmed the presence of DA, PTX2, YTX, SPX-1 and GDA in plankton net samples collected from the same locations reported here. The matching toxins (DA and PTX2) were at comparable levels in both periods of investigation, thus lower than in other European waters where harmful algal blooms are registered. These results show the persistent appearance of some marine biotoxins in Bulgarian waters. Although levels were low in the monitored periods, a constant monitoring is required in order that toxic events by seafood consumption be avoided.","PeriodicalId":38674,"journal":{"name":"BioRisk","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44402734","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":"Forest habitats of Godech Municipality, Western Bulgaria","authors":"B. Grigorov, N. Velev, A. Assenov, M. Nazarov, B. Genova, K. Vassilev","doi":"10.3897/biorisk.20.97534","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.20.97534","url":null,"abstract":"The current study aims at revealing the forest habitat diversity of Godech Municipality, according to the EUNIS habitat classification. Initial data was collected from the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Forestry Management Plans. Subsequently, 418 vegetation plots (relevés) and 3422 verification points were collected during the fieldwork seasons of 2019 and 2020. The research territory is situated in Western Bulgaria in close proximity to the country’s border with the Republic of Serbia. Forests cover a total of 144.85 km2. Their phytocoenoses are dominated by Fagus sylvatica L. (59.22 km2), Quercus cerris L. (14.85 km2), Carpinus betulus L. (4.94 km2), Quercus dalechampii Ten. (2.39 km2), Q. frainetto Ten. (2.99 km2). There are plantations with Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold (20.87 km2), P. sylvestris L. (16.06 km2) and Picea abies H. Karst (11.65 km2) also. Forests are experiencing some major threats, such as logging, pollution and fires.","PeriodicalId":38674,"journal":{"name":"BioRisk","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46752980","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":"In vitro clonal propagation of Tanacetum cinerariifolium and establishment of an ex situ collection of selected clones","authors":"Vladimir Ilinkin, Boryanka Traykova, M. Stanilova","doi":"10.3897/biorisk.20.97566","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.20.97566","url":null,"abstract":"Dalmatian pyrethrum Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae) is a perennial herb endemic to the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. The species is widely cultivated in many countries for its bioactive compounds pyrethrins, which are used as natural insecticides. Plants derived from seeds vary greatly in pyrethrin content; therefore, the vegetative propagation of high-quality individuals is very important for the establishment of agricultural pyrethrum crops. The present study deals with rapid in vitro multiplication of pyrethrum, ex vitro adaptation of selected clones and creation of an ex situ collection, as a first step towards introducing the species into agriculture in Bulgaria. Seeds from a private ex situ collection in Bulgaria and from a natural Croatian population were used as initial material for in vitro cultures initiation. Basal MS medium (Murashige and Skoog 1962) or MS supplemented with different concentrations of kinetin and indole-3-butyric acid were used for seed germination and multiplication of one-seed derived clones by consecutive subcultivations. The propagation effectiveness was evaluated as a number of new plants obtained per initial shoot. Considerable losses were noticed due to both endophytic contaminations and necrosis, especially on media supplemented with plant growth regulators. These problems were overcome by medium optimization: adding an antibiotic and modifying the medium to increase the calcium concentration using CaCO3. In the best medium variant (basal MS + 200 mg/L Medaxone + 75 mg/L Ca) no more infected plants were observed, and the percentage of necrotic plants decreased threefold, which resulted in formation of 38.06±10.11 new plants per initial shoot for a period of 7 months. Three hundred and sixty plants were ex vitro adapted in a phytotron (88% surviving rate), then 16 plants from 4 selected clones were transferred to the ex situ collection and bloomed twice from the very first growing season (June and September). The number of the flower heads increased in the second year of field cultivation and an average of 328±138 capitula per plant were counted for the best clone. The first trials to establish a pilot plantation of pyrethrum are promising.","PeriodicalId":38674,"journal":{"name":"BioRisk","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45364068","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}