1. New records of introduced species in the Mediterranean Sea (April 2023)Ana Fortič, Reem Al-Sheikh Rasheed, Zouhair Almajid, Ali Badreddine, José Carlos Báez, Ángel Belmonte-Gallegos, Nicola Bettoso, Diego Borme, Federica Camisa, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: This Collective article reports 17 introduced species and 22 new locations for these species in the Mediterranean Sea. The reports are from three different Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) subregions (Aegean-Levantine Sea, Adriatic Sea and Western Mediterranean Sea) and the Sea of Marmara and cover ten different countries. The goal of consistent and detailed reporting of introduced species is to complement the existing species inventories and serve as a basis for establishing monitoring strategies and other conservation measures. Some of the reports from this article are the first species records for the Mediterranean Sea, namely the green alga Udotea flabellum from the Aegean Sea (Turkey) and the deepbody boarfish Antigonia capros from the Balearic Sea (Spain). In addition, new records of introduced species are included for different seas, namely the moon crab Matuta victor for the Aegean Sea (Greece), the whale shark Rhincodon typus and the lionfish Pterois miles for the Alboran Sea (Spain), the almaco jack Seriola rivoliana for the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy), and the hound needlefish Tylosurus crocodilus for the Adriatic Sea (Italy). Furthermore, reports on first country records are included: the red alga Colaconema codicola from Slovenia, the nudibranch Melibe viridis from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the lionfish Pterois miles from Montenegro, and the goldstripe sardinella Sardinella gibbosa from Syria, which also represents a second record for the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, the occurrence of the scleractinian coral Oculina patagonica was noted in Gulf of Lion (France). Four polychaete species, namely Leodice antennata, Timarete punctata and Branchiomma bairdi, are reported from the vermetid reef habitat and two of them (L. antennata and B. bairdi) are also recorded for the first time in Lebanon. Evidence for established populations of the Asian date mussel Arcuatula senhousia in the Sea of Marmara (Turkey) and the rayed pearl oyster Pinctada radiata around the island of Sardinia (Italy) is provided.
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 6; Downloads: 0
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2. Evaluation of DNA extraction methods for reliable quantification of Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosaAlexandra Bogožalec Košir, Dane Lužnik, Viktorija Tomič, Mojca Milavec, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Detection and quantification of DNA biomarkers relies heavily on the yield and quality of DNA obtained by extraction from different matrices. Although a large number of studies have compared the yields of different extraction methods, the repeatability and intermediate precision of these methods have been largely overlooked. In the present study, five extraction methods were evaluated, using digital PCR, to determine their efficiency in extracting DNA from three different Gram-negative bacteria in sputum samples. The performance of two automated methods (GXT NA and QuickPick genomic DNA extraction kit, using Arrow and KingFisher Duo automated systems, respectively), two manual kit-based methods (QIAamp DNA mini kit; DNeasy UltraClean microbial kit), and one manual non-kit method (CTAB), was assessed. While GXT NA extraction kit and the CTAB method have the highest DNA yield, they did not meet the strict criteria for repeatability, intermediate precision, and measurement uncertainty for all three studied bacteria. However, due to limited clinical samples, a compromise is necessary, and the GXT NA extraction kit was found to be the method of choice. The study also showed that dPCR allowed for accurate determination of extraction method repeatability, which can help standardize molecular diagnostic approaches. Additionally, the determination of absolute copy numbers facilitated the calculation of measurement uncertainty, which was found to be influenced by the DNA extraction method used.
Keywords: nucleic acid, dPCR, DNA extraction methods, Gram-negative bacteria
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 8; Downloads: 0
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3. Combined toxic effects of BPA and its two analogues BPAP and BPC in a 3D HepG2 cell modelMartina Štampar, Tim Ravnjak, Ana-Marija Domijan, Bojana Žegura, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most commonly used substances in the manufacture ofvarious everyday products. Growing concerns about its hazardous properties, including endocrinedisruption and genotoxicity, have led to its gradual replacement by presumably safer analogues inmanufacturing plastics. The widespread use of BPA and, more recently, its analogues has increasedtheir residues in the environment. However, our knowledge of their toxicological profiles is limitedand their combined effects are unknown. In the present study, we investigated the toxic effectscaused by single bisphenols and by the combined exposure of BPA and its two analogues, BPAP andBPC, after short (24-h) and prolonged (96-h) exposure in HepG2 spheroids. The results showed thatBPA did not reduce cell viability in HepG2 spheroids after 24-h exposure. In contrast, BPAP andBPC affected cell viability in HepG2 spheroids. Both binary mixtures (BPA/BPAP and BPA/BPC)decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, but the significant difference was only observedfor the combination of BPA/BPC (both at 40μM). After 96-h exposure, none of the BPs studiedaffected cell viability in HepG2 spheroids. Only the combination of BPA/BPAP decreased cellviability in a dose-dependent manner that was significant for the combination of 4μM BPA and 4μMBPAP. None of the BPs and their binary mixtures studied affected the surface area and growth ofspheroids as measured by planimetry. In addition, all BPs and their binary mixtures studied triggeredoxidative stress, as measured by the production of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde,at both exposure times. Overall, the results suggest that it is important to study the effects of BPsas single compounds. It is even more important to study the effects of combined exposures, as thecombined effects may differ from those induced by single compounds.
Keywords: BP analogues, hepatic in vitro 3D cell model, combined exposure, viability, oxidative stress, toxicology
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 2; Downloads: 0
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4. Plant pathogen detection on a lab-on-a-disc using solid-phase extraction and isothermal nucleic acid amplification enabled by digital pulse-actuated dissolvable film valvesRohit Mishra, Lourdes AN. Julius, Jack Condon, Patricija Pavelskopfa, Philip L. Early, Matthew Dorrian, Katarina Mrvova, Grace Henihan, Faith Mangwanya, Tanja Dreo, 2023, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 7; Downloads: 0
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5. Halimeda tuna (Bryopsidales, Ulvophyceae) calcification on the depth transect in the northern Adriatic Sea; carbonate production on the microscale of individual segmentsYvonne Nemcova, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Jiri Neustupa, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Halimeda tuna (J. Ellis & Solander) J.V. Lamouroux is the only Halimeda species found in the Mediterranean Sea, and it is an important habitat former. In the northern Adriatic, H. tuna is among the ten most abundant seaweeds in the upper-infralittoral belt in spring and autumn. The modular thalli consist of serially arranged calcified segments. Calcification is closely related to photosynthesis, which causes alkalinization of the inter-utricular space and triggers aragonite formation. Understanding of the complex patterns of segment shape plasticity in relation to CaCO3content at different depth levels is still incomplete. Geometric morphometrics was used to investigate H. tuna segment shape variation on the depth transect at Cape Madona Nature Monument in the northern Adriatic Sea. The position on the thallus and the CaCO3 content of each studied segment were recorded, allowing slight changes in mineral content to be detected at the microscale of the segments. Our results showed that shape, size, or asymmetry of H. tuna segments were not significantly affected by depth. On the other hand, plants that grew deeper were generally more calcified. The apical and subapical segments contributed to the increase in CaCO3 content at the deeper sites, whereas the basal segments did not. This indicates that reniform or oval segments positioned apically or subapically play a key role in calcification of H. tuna in Mediterranean ecosystems.
Keywords: calcification, depth transect, geometric morphometrics, green algae, Halimeda tuna, phenotypic plasticity, Ulvophyceae
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 1; Downloads: 0
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6. Evaluation of the rbcL marker for metabarcoding of marine diatoms and inference of population structure of selected generaTimotej Turk Dermastia, Ivano Vascotto, Janja Francé, David Stanković, Patricija Mozetič, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Diatoms are one of the most important phytoplankton groups in the world’s oceans. There are responsible for up to 40% of the photosynthetic activity in the Ocean, and they play an important role in the silicon and carbon cycles by decoupling carbon from atmospheric interactions through sinking and export. These processes are strongly influenced by the taxonomic composition of diatom assemblages. Traditionally, these have been assessed using microscopy, which in some cases is not reliable or reproducible. Next-generation sequencing enabled us to study diversity in a high-throughput manner and uncover new distribution patterns and diversity. However, phylogenetic markers used for this purpose, such as various 18S rDNA regions, are often insufficient because they cannot distinguish between some taxa. In this work, we demonstrate the performance of the chloroplast-encoded rbcL marker for metabarcoding marine diatoms compared to microscopy and 18S-V9 metabarcoding using a series of monthly samples from the Gulf of Trieste (GoT), northern Adriatic Sea. We demonstrate that rbcL is able to detect more taxa compared to 18S-V9 metabarcoding or microscopy, while the overall structure of the diatom assemblage was comparable to the other two methods with some variations, that were taxon dependent. In total, 6 new genera and 22 new diatom species for the study region were identified. We were able to spot misidentification of genera obtained with microscopy such as Pseudo-nitzschia galaxiae, which was mistaken for Cylindrotheca closterium, as well as genera that were completely overlooked, such as Minidiscus and several genera from the Cymatosiraceae family. Furthermore, on the example of two well-studied genera in the region, namely Chaetoceros and particularly Pseudo-nitzschia, we show how the rbcL method can be used to infer even deeper phylogenetic and ecologically significant differences at the species population level. Despite a very thorough community analysis obtained by rbcL the incompleteness of reference databases was still evident, and we shed light on possible improvements. Our work has further implications for studies dealing with taxa distribution and population structure, as well as carbon and silica flux models and networks.
Keywords: rbcL, metabarcoding, monitoring, diatoms, population genetics, Pseudo-nitzschia, Adriatic
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 2; Downloads: 0
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8. Impact of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone as single and combined treatment on DNA, cell cycle and cell proliferation in HepG2 cellsAna-Marija Domijan, Klara Hercog, Martina Štampar, Goran Gajski, Marko Gerić, Marijana Sokolović, Bojana Žegura, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The study aimed to investigate toxicity and the mechanism of toxicity of two Fusarium mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA). DON and ZEA were applied to HepG2 cells as single compounds and in combination at low environmentally relevant concentrations. HepG2 cells were exposed to DON (0.5, 1, and 2 µM), ZEA (5, 10, and 20 µM) or their combinations (1 µM DON + 5 µM ZEA, 1 µM DON + 10 µM ZEA and 1 µM DON + 20 µM ZEA) for 24 h and cell viability, DNA damage, cell cycle and proliferation were assessed. Both mycotoxins reduced cell viability, however, combined treatment with DON and ZEA resulted in higher reduction of cell viability. DON (1 µM) induced primary DNA damage, while DON (1 µM) in combination with higher ZEA concentrations showed antagonistic effects compared to DON alone at 1 µM. DON arrested HepG2 cells in G2 phase and significantly inhibited cell proliferation, while ZEA had no significant effect on cell cycle. The combined treatment with DON and ZEA arrested cells in G2 phase to a higher extend compared to treatment with single mycotoxins. Potentiating effect observed after DON and ZEA co-exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations indicates that in risk assessment and setting governments’ regulations, mixtures of mycotoxins should be considered.
Keywords: mycotoxins, comet assay, flow cytometry, co-exposure, food monitoring
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 11; Downloads: 2
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9. Characterization factors to assess land use impacts on pollinator abundance in life cycle assessmentElizabeth M. Alejandre, Laura Scherer, Jeroen B. Guinée, Marcelo A. Aizen, Matthias Albrecht, Mario V. Balzan, Ignasi Bartomeus, Danilo Bevk, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: While wild pollinators play a key role in global food production, their assessment is currently missing from the most commonly used environmental impact assessment method, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This is mainly due to constraints in data availability and compatibility with LCA inventories. To target this gap, relative pollinator abundance estimates were obtained with the use of a Delphi assessment, during which 25 experts, covering 16 nationalities and 45 countries of expertise, provided scores for low, typical, and high expected abundance associated with 24 land use categories. Based on these estimates, this study presents a set of globally generic characterization factors (CFs) that allows translating land use into relative impacts to wild pollinator abundance. The associated uncertainty of the CFs is presented along with an illustrative case to demonstrate the applicability in LCA studies. The CFs based on estimates that reached consensus during the Delphi assessment are recommended as readily applicable and allow key differences among land use types to be distinguished. The resulting CFs are proposed as the first step for incorporating pollinator impacts in LCA studies, exemplifying the use of expert elicitation methods as a useful tool to fill data gaps that constrain the characterization of key environmental impacts.
Keywords: pollinator abundance, ecosystem service, Delphi expert elicitation, agriculture, impact assessment
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 18; Downloads: 2
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10. Artificial intelligence (AI) and strategic planning process within VUCA environments : a ǂresearch agenda and guidelinesRoberto Biloslavo, David A. Edgar, Erhan Aydin, Çağri Bulut, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose – This study demonstrates how artificial intelligence (AI) shapes the strategic planning process in
volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) business environments.Having adopted various domains
of the Cynefin framework, the research explores AI’s transformative potential and provide insights regarding
how organisations can harness AI-driven solutions for strategic planning.
Design/methodology/approach –This conceptual papertheorises the role of AIin strategic planning process
in a VUCA world by integrating extant knowledge across multiple literature streams. The “model paper”
approach was adopted to provide a theoretical framework predicting relationships among considered concepts.
Findings – The paper highlights potential application of the Cynefin framework to manage complexities in
strategic decision-making process, the transformative impact of AI at different stages of strategic planning,
the required strategic planning characteristics within VUCA to be supported by AI and the attendant
challenges posed by AI integration in the uncertain business landscape.
Originality/value –This study pioneers a theoretical exploration of AI’s role in strategic planning within the
VUCA business landscape, guided by the Cynefin framework. Thus, it enriches scholarly discourse and
expands knowledge frontiers.
Keywords: artificial intelligence, strategic planning, VUCA
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 3; Downloads: 2
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