1101. Tracking a mass mortality outbreak of pen shell Pinna nobilis populations : a collaborative effort of scientists and citizensMiguel Cabanellas-Reboredo, Maite Vázquez-Luis, Baptiste Mourre, Elvira Álvarez, Salud Deudero, Ángel Amores, Piero Addis, Enric Ballesteros, Agustín Barrajón, Stefania Coppa, Borut Mavrič, 2019, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: A mass mortality event is devastating the populations of the endemic bivalve Pinna nobilis in the Mediterranean Sea from early autumn 2016. A newly described Haplosporidian endoparasite (Haplosporidium pinnae) is the most probable cause of this ecological catastrophe placing one of the largest bivalves of the world on the brink of extinction. As a pivotal step towards Pinna nobilis conservation, this contribution combines scientists and citizens’ data to address the fast- and vast-dispersion and prevalence outbreaks of the pathogen. Therefore, the potential role of currents on parasite expansion was addressed by means of drift simulations of virtual particles in a high-resolution regional currents model. A generalized additive model was implemented to test if environmental factors could modulate the infection of Pinna nobilis populations. The results strongly suggest that the parasite has probably dispersed regionally by surface currents, and that the disease expression seems to be closely related to temperatures above 13.5 °C and to a salinity range between 36.5–39.7 psu. The most likely spread of the disease along the Mediterranean basin associated with scattered survival spots and very few survivors (potentially resistant individuals), point to a challenging scenario for conservation of the emblematic Pinna nobilis, which will require fast and strategic management measures and should make use of the essential role citizen science projects can play. Ključne besede: mass mortality, endoparasites Objavljeno v DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Ogledov: 238; Prenosov: 198 Celotno besedilo (2,86 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
1102. Comparison of different methodologies and cryostat versus paraffin sections for chromogenic immunohistochemistryVashendriya V. V. Hira, Annique Loncq de Jong, Klea Ferro, Mohammed Khurshed, Remco J. Molenaar, Cornelis J. F. van Noorden, 2019, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) specifically localizes proteins in cells and tissues, but methodologies vary widely. Therefore, we performed a methodological IHC optimization and validation study. First, we compared advantages and disadvantages of cryostat sections versus paraffin sections. Second, we compared and optimized antigen retrieval in paraffin sections using citrate buffer and Tris/EDTA buffer. Third, aminoethyl carbazole (AEC) and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) were tested as horseradish peroxidase (HRP) substrates to obtain a water-insoluble coloured end product to visualize antigens. Fourth, secondary antibodies conjugated with either mono-HRP or poly-HRP were compared. The study was performed using serial sections of human tonsil. IHC was performed with primary antibodies against endothelial cell marker CD31, smooth muscle actin (SMA), chemokine stromal-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and its receptor C-X-C receptor type 4 (CXCR4), macrophage marker CD68 and proliferation marker Ki67. DAB rather than AEC, and cryostat sections rather than paraffin sections gave optimum staining at highest primary antibody dilutions, whereas tissue morphology in paraffin sections was superior. Loss of antigenicity in paraffin sections by formaldehyde fixation, heat and/or masking of epitopes was counteracted by antigen retrieval but not for all antigens. Two out of six antigens (CD31 and CD68) could not be retrieved irrespective time and type of retrieval. Tris-EDTA was superior to citrate buffer for antigen retrieval. The use of mono-HRP or poly-HRP depended on the affinity of the primary antibody for its antigen. We conclude that IHC methodology optimization and validation are crucial steps for each antibody and each research question. Ključne besede: immunohistochemistry, chromogens, aminoethyl carbazole, AEC, 3, 3'-diaminobenzidine, DAB, antigen retrieval, tonsil Objavljeno v DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Ogledov: 235; Prenosov: 174 Celotno besedilo (13,71 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
1103. Fifty Aureobasidium pullulans genomes reveal a recombining polyextremotolerant generalistCene Gostinčar, Martina Turk, Janja Zajc, Nina Gunde-Cimerman, 2019, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans is a textbook example of a generalistic and ubiquitous fungus thriving in a wide variety of environments. To investigate whether A. pullulans is a true generalist, or alternatively, whether part of its versatility can be attributed to intraspecific specialization masked by cryptic diversification undetectable by traditional phylogenetic analyses, we sequenced and analysed the genomes of 50 strains of A. pullulans from different habitats and geographic locations. No population structure was observed in the sequenced strains. Decay of linkage disequilibrium over shorter physical distances (<100 bp) than in many sexually reproducing fungi indicates a high level of recombination in the species. A homothallic mating locus was found in all of the sequenced genomes. Aureobasidium pullulans appears to have a homogeneous population genetics structure, which is best explained by good dispersal and high levels of recombination. This means that A. pullulans is a true generalist that can inhabit different habitats without substantial specialization to any of these habitats at the genomic level. Furthermore, in the future, the high level of A. pullulans recombination can be exploited for the identification of genomic loci that are involved in the many biotechnologically useful traits of this black yeast. Ključne besede: black yeast, genome Objavljeno v DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Ogledov: 209; Prenosov: 146 Celotno besedilo (1,09 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
1104. Phytoplasmas associated with declining of hazelnut (Corylus avellana) in SloveniaNataša Mehle, Nejc Jakoš, Miro Mešl, Jože Miklavc, Boštjan Matko, Mojca Rot, Alenka Ferlež Rus, Robert Brus, Marina Dermastia, 2019, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) is cultivated on 118 ha and ranks eighth in Slovenian fruit growing production, representing 2.8% of the total area of fruit plantations in the country. However, decline of some of the trees appeared in 2012 in two plantations located in eastern Slovenia. Together these orchards cover 5 ha, with around 1600 trees planted 12 to 15 years ago. By October 2018, ~12% of these trees had died, and an additional 12% showed decay symptoms. The dead and dying trees were scattered throughout both orchards, with no apparent pattern. The most affected cultivar was ‘Istrska dolgoplodna leska’. Using molecular diagnostic methods, we showed infection of symptomatic trees with three unrelated phytoplasmas: ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma fragariae’, of the 16SrXII-E phytoplasma subgroup, and phytoplasma of the 16SrV and 16SrIX groups. In 2018, the presence of ‘Ca. P. fragariae’ and/or phytoplasma of 16SrV group were confirmed in decayed hazelnut trees in eastern, north-eastern, central, south-eastern and western Slovenia. ‘Ca. P. fragariae’ has also been detected in a forest in south-western Slovenia, for Acer campestre, Carpinus betulus, Crataegus laevigata, Fraxinus ornus and Quercus petraea. All infected forest trees showed unusual dense proliferation of sprouts from roots and/or trunks. Molecular characterisations of partial 16S rRNA, secY, map and ribosomal protein genetic locus of hazelnut 16SrV phytoplasma isolates show that they are identical to isolates that can cause grapevine flavescence dorée disease. Here, the results of our recent study and the open questions on this burning issue for hazelnut production are presented. Ključne besede: Corylus avellana, ʼCandidatus Phytoplasma fragariaeʼ, 16SrV phytoplasma group, 16SrIX phytoplasma group, decline Objavljeno v DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Ogledov: 261; Prenosov: 182 Povezava na celotno besedilo Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
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1106. Comparative morphology refines the conventional model of spider reproductionYongjia Zhan, He Jiang, Qingqing Wu, Huitao Zhang, Zishang Bai, Matjaž Kuntner, Lihong Tu, 2019, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Our understanding of spider reproductive biology is hampered by the vast anatomical diversity and difficulties associated with its study. Although authors agree on the two general types of female spider genitalia, haplogyne (plesiomorphic) and entelegyne (apomorphic), our understanding of variation within each group mostly concerns the external genital part, while the internal connections with the reproductive duct are largely unknown. Conventionally and simplistically, the spermathecae of haplogynes have simple two-way ducts, and those of entelegynes have separate copulatory and fertilization ducts for sperm to be transferred in and out of spermathecae, respectively. Sperm is discharged from the spermathecae directly into the uterus externus (a distal extension of the oviduct), which, commonly thought as homologous in both groups, is the purported location of internal fertilization in spiders. However, the structural evolution from haplo- to entelegyny remains unresolved, and thus the precise fertilization site in entelegynes is ambiguous. We aim to clarify this anatomical problem through a widely comparative morphological study of internal female genital system in entelegynes. Our survey of 147 epigyna (121 examined species in 97 genera, 34 families) surprisingly finds no direct connection between the fertilization ducts and the uterus externus, which, based on the homology with basal-most spider lineages, is a dead-end caecum in entelegynes. Instead, fertilization ducts usually connect with a secondary uterus externus, a novel feature taking over the functional role of the plesiomorphic uterus externus. We hypothesize that the transition from haplo- to entelegyny entailed not only the emergence of the two separate duct systems (copulatory, fertilization), but also involved substantial morphological changes in the distal part of the oviduct. Thus, the common oviduct may have shifted its distal connection from the uterus externus to the secondary uterus externus, perhaps facilitating discharge of larger eggs. Our findings suggest that the conventional model of entelegyne reproduction needs redefinition. Ključne besede: spiders, comparative anatomy, genital anatomy Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Ogledov: 445; Prenosov: 229 Celotno besedilo (8,51 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
1107. Interactive exploration of heterogeneous biological networks with Biomine ExplorerVid Podpečan, Živa Ramšak, Kristina Gruden, Hannu Toivonen, Nada Lavrač, 2019, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Biomine Explorer is a web application that enables interactive exploration of large heterogeneous biological networks constructed from selected publicly available biological knowledge sources. It is built on top of Biomine, a system which integrates cross-references from several biological databases into a large heterogeneous probabilistic network. Biomine Explorer offers user-friendly interfaces for search, visualization, exploration and manipulation as well as public and private storage of discovered subnetworks with permanent links suitable for inclusion into scientific publications. A JSON-based web API for network search queries is also available for advanced users. Ključne besede: biological networks, bioinformatic Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Ogledov: 319; Prenosov: 182 Celotno besedilo (294,66 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
1108. Structural basis for the multitasking nature of the potato virus Y coat proteinAndreja Kežar, Luka Kavčič, Martin Pólak, Jiři Nováček, Ion Gutiérrez-Aguirre, Magda Tušek-Žnidarič, Anna Coll Rius, Katja Stare, Kristina Gruden, Maja Ravnikar, David Pahovnik, Ema Žagar, Franci Merzel, Gregor Anderluh, Marjetka Podobnik, 2019, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Potato virus Y (PVY) is among the most economically important plant pathogens. Using cryoelectron microscopy, we determined the near-atomic structure of PVY’s flexuous virions, revealing a previously unknown lumenal interplay between extended carboxyl-terminal regions of the coat protein units and viral RNA. RNA–coat protein interactions are crucial for the helical configuration and stability of the virion, as revealed by the unique near-atomic structure of RNA-free virus-like particles. The structures offer the first evidence for plasticity of the coat protein’s amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions. Together with mutational analysis and in planta experiments, we show their crucial role in PVY infectivity and explain the ability of the coat protein to perform multiple biological tasks. Moreover, the high modularity of PVY virus-like particles suggests their potential as a new molecular scaffold for nanobiotechnological applications. Ključne besede: plant pathogens, potato virus Y, viral RNA Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Ogledov: 292; Prenosov: 220 Celotno besedilo (4,43 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
1109. The transcriptome of Darwinʼs bark spider silk glands predicts proteins contributing to dragline silk toughnessJessica E. Garb, Robert A. Haney, Evelyn E. Schwager, Matjaž Gregorič, Matjaž Kuntner, Ingi Agnarsson, Todd A. Blackledge, 2019, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Darwin’s bark spider (Caerostris darwini) produces giant orb webs from dragline silk that can be twice as tough as other silks, making it the toughest biological material. This extreme toughness comes from increased extensibility relative to other draglines. We show C. darwini dragline-producing major ampullate (MA) glands highly express a novel silk gene transcript (MaSp4) encoding a protein that diverges markedly from closely related proteins and contains abundant proline, known to confer silk extensibility, in a unique GPGPQ amino acid motif. This suggests C. darwini evolved distinct proteins that may have increased its dragline’s toughness, enabling giant webs. Caerostris darwini’s MA spinning ducts also appear unusually long, potentially facilitating alignment of silk proteins into extremely tough fibers. Thus, a suite of novel traits from the level of genes to spinning physiology to silk biomechanics are associated with the unique ecology of Darwin’s bark spider, presenting innovative designs for engineering biomaterials. Ključne besede: spiders Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Ogledov: 256; Prenosov: 156 Celotno besedilo (937,74 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
1110. Accurate quantification and characterization of adeno-associated viral vectorsDavid Dobnik, Polona Kogovšek, Tjaša Jakomin, Nejc Košir, Magda Tušek-Žnidarič, Maja Leskovec, Stephen M. Kaminsky, Janet Mostrom, Hyunmi Lee, Maja Ravnikar, 2019, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: One of the main challenges in the gene therapy viral vector development is to establish an optimized process for its large scale production. This requires optimization for upstream and downstream processes as well as methods that enable the step-by step analytical characterization of the virus, the results of which inform the iterative refinement of production for yield, purity and potency. The biggest problem here is a plethora of viral vector formulations, many of which interfere with analytical techniques. We took adeno-associated virus (AAV) as an example and showed benefits of combined use of molecular methods and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for viral vectors’ characterization and quantification. Results of the analyses showed that droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) performs better than quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), in terms of robustness and assay variance, and this was especially relevant for partially purified (in-process) samples. Moreover, we demonstrate the importance of sample preparation prior to PCR analysis. We evaluated viral structure, presence of aggregates and impurities with TEM analysis and found that these impacted the differences in viral titers observed by qPCR and ddPCR and could be altered by sample preparation. These results serve as a guide for the establishment of the analytical methods required to provide measures of identity and purity for AAV viral vectors. Ključne besede: absolute quantification, AAV, gene therapy, electron microscopy, digital PCR, real-time PCR Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Ogledov: 330; Prenosov: 162 Celotno besedilo (3,23 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |