521. Metabolic consequences of anabolic steroids, insulin, and growth hormone abuse in recreational bodybuilders : implications for the world anti-doping agency passportFilippo Giorgio Di Girolamo, Chiara Biasinutto, Alessandro Mangogna, Nicola Fiotti, Pierandrea Vinci, Rado Pišot, Filippo Mearelli, Boštjan Šimunič, Chiara Roni, Gianni Biolo, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Background Hormonal doping in recreational sports is a public-health concern. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) promoted the creation of the Athlete Biological Passport, aiming to monitor athlete’s biological variables over time to facilitate indirect detection of doping. Detection tests for anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and growth hormone (GH) are available while insulin abuse cannot be revealed. We have determined in recreational bodybuilders the metabolic effects associated with different patterns of hormone abuse. All analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.0 software (SPSS Chicago, IL). Results We have assessed plasma concentrations of selected metabolic markers and fatty acid content in erythrocyte membranes of 92 male bodybuilders and in 45 healthy controls. Hormonal abuse was identified by anonymous questionnaires. 43% (%) of recruited bodybuilders regularly abused hormones, i.e., anabolic androgenic steroids (95%) often associated with GH (30%) and/or insulin (38%). HDL-cholesterol was lower in insulin and/or GH abusers. Alanine (ALT) and aspartic (AST) transaminases were greater in hormone abusing bodybuilders than in non-doping bodybuilders and controls. Insulin doping was selectively associated with increased plasma ALT-to-AST ratio. In erythrocyte membranes, elongase activity (i.e., stearic-to-palmitic ratio) was lower in insulin and/or growth hormone doping, whereas increased Δ-9 desaturase activity (i.e., palmitoleic-to-palmitic ratio) was selectively associated with insulin doping. Conclusions In conclusion, our study demonstrates that insulin and GH abuse are characterized by multiple alterations of specific metabolic markers. Although further studies are needed to test whether longitudinal monitoring of selected metabolic marker such as muscle contraction time, HDL levels, ALT-AST ratio as well as the activities of selected enzymes (e.g. Δ-9 desaturase and elongase), could contribute to the detection of insulin and GH abuse in sport.
Keywords: bodybuilders, doping, drug abuse, matabolism
Published in DiRROS: 03.04.2024; Views: 205; Downloads: 74
 Full text (1,38 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
522. Poročilo o preskusu št.: LVG 2024-020 : vzorec št. 2024/00055Barbara Piškur, Špela Hočevar, Maarten De Groot, Nikica Ogris, 2024, expertise, arbitration decision Keywords: varstvo gozdov, morfološke analize, Armillaria, evropski macesen, Larix decidua, razkroj skorje, vlažno rastišče, mraznice, saprofit, trohnoba
Published in DiRROS: 02.04.2024; Views: 214; Downloads: 59
Full text (1,12 MB) |
523. Characterization and Mechanical Properties of Sintered Clay MineralsSara Tominc, Vilma Ducman, Jakob Koenig, Srečo D. Škapin, Matjaž Spreitzer, 2024, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The need to reduce energy consumption and the carbon footprint generated by firing ceramics has stimulated research to develop sintering processes carried out at lower temperatures(ideally not above 300 °C) and high pressures (up to 600 MPa), the so-called cold sintering process (CSP) (Grasso et al., 2020, Maria et al., 2017). To evaluate the applicability of CSP to clays, we focused on two representative clay minerals, kaolinite and illite, and on the natural clay material obtained from a Slovenian brick manufacturer. The selected clay materials were characterized on the basis of mineralogical-chemical composition (XRD, XRF) and particle size distribution (SEM analysis, PSD, BET). The powders of clay minerals and natural clay material were first sintered in a heating microscope to determine the sintering conditions and then in a laboratory furnace at 1100 °C for 2 hours and additionally at 1300 °C for kaolinites. The effect of compression of the initial powders on their final properties was also investigated.
Keywords: conventional sintering, cold sintering, clay minerals, characterization, mechanical properties
Published in DiRROS: 29.03.2024; Views: 226; Downloads: 94
Full text (681,81 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
524. |
525. Transcriptome-informed identification and characterization of Planococcus citri cis- and trans-isoprenyl diphosphate synthase genesMojca Juteršek, Iryna Gerasymenko, Marko Petek, Kristina Gruden, Špela Baebler, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Insect physiology and reproduction depend on several terpenoid compounds, whose biosynthesis is mainly unknown. One enigmatic group of insect monoterpenoids are mealybug sex pheromones, presumably resulting from the irregular coupling activity of unidentified isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs). Here, we performed a comprehensive search for IDS coding sequences of the pest mealybug Planococcus citri. We queried the available genomic and newly generated short- and long-read P. citri transcriptomic data and identified 18 putative IDS genes, whose phylogenetic analysis indicates several gene family expansion events. In vitro testing confirmed regular short-chain coupling activity with five gene products. With the candidate with highest IDS activity, we also detected low amounts of irregular coupling products, and determined amino acid residues important for chain-length preference and irregular coupling activity. This work therefore provides an important foundation for deciphering terpenoid biosynthesis in mealybugs, including the sex pheromone biosynthesis in P. citri.
Keywords: insect pheromones, isoprenyl diphosphate synthase, monoterpenes, phylogenetic analysis
Published in DiRROS: 29.03.2024; Views: 239; Downloads: 104
Full text (2,04 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
526. Fast and accurate multiplex identification and quantification of seven genetically modified soybean lines using six-color digital PCRAlexandra Bogožalec Košir, Sabine Muller, Jana Žel, Mojca Milavec, Allison C. Mallory, David Dobnik, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The proliferation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) presents challenges to GMO testing laboratories and policymakers. Traditional methods, like quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), face limitations in quantifying the increasing number of GMOs in a single sample. Digital PCR (dPCR), specifically multiplexing, offers a solution by enabling simultaneous quantification of multiple GMO targets. This study explores the use of the Naica six-color Crystal dPCR platform for quantifying five GM soybean lines within a single six-plex assay. Two four-color assays were also developed for added flexibility. These assays demonstrated high specificity, sensitivity (limit of detection or LOD < 25 copies per reaction) and precision (bias to an estimated copy number concentration <15%). Additionally, two approaches for the optimization of data analysis were implemented. By applying a limit-of-blank (LOB) correction, the limit of quantification (LOQ) and LOD could be more precisely determined. Pooling of reactions additionally lowered the LOD, with a two- to eight-fold increase in sensitivity. Real-life samples from routine testing were used to confirm the assays’ applicability for quantifying GM soybean lines in complex samples. This study showcases the potential of the six-color Crystal dPCR platform to revolutionize GMO testing, facilitating comprehensive analysis of GMOs in complex samples.
Keywords: digital PCR, dPCR, quantification, multiplexing, genetically modified organisms, 6-color system, virus diagnostics, virology
Published in DiRROS: 29.03.2024; Views: 246; Downloads: 96
Full text (1,83 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
527. Virome analysis of irrigation water sources provides extensive insights into the diversity and distribution of plant viruses in agroecosystemsOlivera Maksimović, Katarina Bačnik, Mark Paul Selda Rivarez, Ana Vučurović, Nataša Mehle, Maja Ravnikar, Ion Gutiérrez-Aguirre, Denis Kutnjak, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Plant viruses pose a significant threat to agriculture. Several are stable outside their hosts, can enter water bodies and remain infective for prolonged periods of time. Even though the quality of irrigation water is of increasing importance in the context of plant health, the presence of plant viruses in irrigation waters is understudied. In this study, we conducted a large-scale high-throughput sequencing (HTS)-based virome analysis of irrigation and surface water sources to obtain complete information about the abundance and diversity of plant viruses in such waters. We detected nucleic acids of plant viruses from 20 families, discovered several novel plant viruses from economically important taxa, like Tobamovirus and observed the influence of the water source on the present virome. By comparing viromes of water and surrounding plants, we observed presence of plant viruses in both compartments, especially in cases of large-scale outbreaks, such as that of tomato mosaic virus. Moreover, we demonstrated that water virome data can extensively inform us about the distribution and diversity of plant viruses for which only limited information is available from plants. Overall, the results of the study provided extensive insights into the virome of irrigation waters from the perspective of plant health. It also suggested that an HTS-based water virome surveillance system could be used to detect potential plant disease outbreaks and to survey the distribution and diversity of plant viruses in the ecosystem.
Keywords: plant viruses, environmental water testing, high-throughput sequencing, agroecosystems, irrigation water, virome
Published in DiRROS: 29.03.2024; Views: 235; Downloads: 101
Full text (1,67 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
528. Keep it simple : improving the ex situ culture of Cystoseira s.l. to restore macroalgal forestsAna Lokovšek, Valentina Pitacco, Domen Trkov, Leon Lojze Zamuda, Annalisa Falace, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Brown algae from genus Cystoseira s.l. form dense underwater forests that represent the most productive areas in the Mediterranean Sea. Due to the combined effects of global and local stressors such as climate change, urbanization, and herbivore outbreaks, there has been a severe decline in brown algal forests in the Mediterranean Sea. Natural recovery of depleted sites is unlikely due to the low dispersal capacity of these species, and efficient techniques to restore such habitats are needed. In this context, the aims of our study were (1) to improve and simplify the current ex situ laboratory protocol for the cultivation of Gongolaria barbata by testing the feasibility of some cost-effective and time-efficient techniques on two donor sites of G. barbata and (2) to evaluate the survival and growth of young thalli during the laboratory phase and during the most critical five months after out-planting. Specifically, the following ex situ cultivation methods were tested: (A) cultivation on clay tiles in mesocosms with culture water prepared by three different procedures (a) filtered seawater with a 0.22 μm filter membrane, (b) filtered seawater with a 0.7 μm filter membrane (GF), and (c) UV-sterilized water, and (B) cultivation on clay tiles in open laboratory systems. After two weeks, all thalli were fixed to plastic lantern net baskets suspended at a depth of 2 m in the coastal sea (hybrid method), and the algal success was monitored in relation to the different donor sites and cultivation protocol. The satisfactory results of this study indicate that UV-sterilized water is suitable for the cultivation of G. barbata in mesocosm, which significantly reduces the cost of the laboratory phase. This opens the possibility of numerous and frequent algal cultures during the reproductive period of the species. Additionally, if the young thalli remain in the lantern net baskets for an extended period of several months, they can grow significantly in the marine environment without being exposed to pressure from herbivorous fish.
Keywords: gojenje ex situ, obnova habitata, izboljšanje metodologije, gozdički rjavih alg, ex situ cultivation, mesocosm, open system, method improvement, brown algal forests restoration
Published in DiRROS: 29.03.2024; Views: 242; Downloads: 138
Full text (2,52 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
529. Increased diversity of citrus tristeza virus in EuropeJelena Zindović, Miroslav Čizmović, Ana Vučurović, Paolo Margaria, Dijana Škorić, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: This study investigated the genetic diversity of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolates from Montenegro and Croatia, European countries with the northernmost citrus growing regions situated on the Eastern Adriatic coast. Fifteen complete or nearly complete CTV genomes were reconstructed from high-throughput sequencing of samples collected in distinct municipalities in Montenegro and Opuzen municipality in Croatia. Phylogenetic analyses assigned some of the sequences to VT and T30 strains, previously recorded in Europe, while remarkably other isolates were placed in S1 and RB groups, which have not been reported in Europe so far. In addition, a new phylogenetic lineage including only isolates from Montenegro was delineated and tentatively proposed as the MNE cluster. Recombination analysis revealed evidence of 11 recombination events in the sequences obtained in this study, between isolates of related strains, within isolates of the same strain, and between distant strains. These findings show that CTV diversity in Europe is higher than reported before and calls for the re-evaluation of management strategies.
Keywords: complete genomes, genotyping, citrus tristeza virus, CTV, non-EU strain
Published in DiRROS: 29.03.2024; Views: 219; Downloads: 117
Full text (1,18 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
530. Recovering high-quality bacterial genomes from cross-contaminated cultures : a case study of marine Vibrio campbelliiNeža Orel, Eduard Fadeev, Gerhard J. Herndl, Valentina Turk, Tinkara Tinta, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Environmental monitoring of bacterial pathogens is critical for disease control in coastal marine ecosystems to maintain animal welfare and ecosystem function and to prevent significant economic losses. This requires accurate taxonomic identification of environmental bacterial pathogens, which often cannot be achieved by commonly used genetic markers (e.g., 16S rRNA gene), and an understanding of their pathogenic potential based on the information encoded in their genomes. The decreasing costs of whole genome sequencing (WGS), combined with newly developed bioinformatics tools, now make it possible to unravel the full potential of environmental pathogens, beyond traditional microbiological approaches. However, obtaining a high-quality bacterial genome, requires initial cultivation in an axenic culture, which is a bottleneck in environmental microbiology due to cross-contamination in the laboratory or isolation of non-axenic strains. Results: We applied WGS to determine the pathogenic potential of two Vibrio isolates from coastal seawater. During the analysis, we identified cross-contamination of one of the isolates and decided to use this dataset to evaluate the possibility of bioinformatic contaminant removal and recovery of bacterial genomes from a contaminated culture. Despite the contamination, using an appropriate bioinformatics workflow, we were able to obtain high quality and highly identical genomes (Average Nucleotide Identity value 99.98%) of one of the Vibrio isolates from both the axenic and the contaminated culture. Using the assembled genome, we were able to determine that this isolate belongs to a sub-lineage of Vibrio campbellii associated with several diseases in marine organisms. We also found that the genome of the isolate contains a novel Vibrio plasmid associated with bacterial defense mechanisms and horizontal gene transfer, which may offer a competitive advantage to this putative pathogen. Conclusions: Our study shows that, using state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools and a sufficient sequencing effort, it is possible to obtain high quality genomes of the bacteria of interest and perform in-depth genomic analyses even in the case of a contaminated culture. With the new isolate and its complete genome, we are providing new insights into the genomic characteristics and functional potential of this sub-lineage of V. campbellii. The approach described here also highlights the possibility of recovering complete bacterial genomes in the case of non-axenic cultures or obligatory co-cultures.
Keywords: whole-genome assembly, non-axenic culture, plasmid, marine bacteria, marine biology
Published in DiRROS: 28.03.2024; Views: 259; Downloads: 127
Full text (5,87 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
