1371. 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: 296; Downloads: 174
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1373. 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: 432; Downloads: 214
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1374. 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: 293; Downloads: 212
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1375. 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: 253; Downloads: 124
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1376. Content of trace elements and human health risk assessment via consumption of commercially important fishes from Montenegrin coastNeda Bošković, Danijela Joksimović, Oliver Bajt, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Muscle tissues of Mullus barbatus and Merluccius merluccius were analyzed for the presence of selected trace elements (As, Hg, Cd, and Pb) to determine the value of the daily intake of trace elements from fish consumption and to assess the risk to human health. The mean concentrations of As in the muscle tissue of M. barbatus and M. merluccius for the entire period were 19.689 mg/kg wet weight (ww) and 8.356 mg/kg ww, Hg 0.497 mg/kg ww and 0.153 mg/kg ww, and Pb 0.031 mg/kg ww and 0.025 mg/kg ww, respectively. The concentrations of Cd in all fish sampled were below the detection limit (<0.02 mg/kg ww). The evaluation of the potential health risk assessments based on the target hazard quotient (THQ) and estimated daily intake (EDI) indicated that the intake of As in both fish species and Hg for M. barbatus could pose an appreciable risk to human health. The calculated hazard index (HI) was higher than 1 for both fish species. The continuous monitoring of trace elements’ concentrations in fish is strongly recommended, as the results demonstrate potential health risks due to the presence of As and Hg.
Keywords: trace elements, Mullus barbatus, Merluccius merluccius, human health risk assessment, Montenegro, Adriatic Sea, hydrobiology
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 263; Downloads: 140
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1377. Adverse toxic effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on non-target zebrafish liver (ZFL) cellsKatja Kološa, Bojana Žegura, Martina Štampar, Metka Filipič, Matjaž Novak, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: zebrafish liver cells, ZFL, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, cytotoxicity, cell cycle, genotoxicity, environmental hazard
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 537; Downloads: 219
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1378. The role of luxS in Campylobacter jejuni beyond intercellular signalingDina Jug, Blaž Jug, Katarina Šimunović, Magda Tušek-Žnidarič, Urban Kunej, Nataša Toplak, Minka Kovač, Marjorie Fournier, Polona Jamnik, Sonja Smole Možina, Anja Klančnik, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: Campylobacter jejuni, luxS, intercellular signaling, transcriptome, proteome, metabolism, stress response
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 281; Downloads: 224
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1379. Species richness of benthic macrofauna on rocky outcrops in the Adriatic Sea by using Species-Area Relationship (SAR) toolsNicola Bettoso, Lisa Faresi, Valentina Pitacco, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Ida Floriana Aleffi, Lovrenc Lipej, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: rocky outcrops, biodiversity hotspot, epifauna, Species-Area Relationship, northern Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 273; Downloads: 181
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1380. Anti-vimentin nanobody decreases glioblastoma cell invasion in vitro and in vivoAlja Zottel, Metka Novak, Neja Šamec, Bernarda Majc, Sara Colja, Mojca Katrašnik, Miloš Vittori, Barbara Hrastar, Ana Rotter, Andrej Porčnik, Tamara Lah Turnšek, Radovan Komel, Barbara Breznik, Ivana Jovchevska, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumour and one of the deadliest cancers. In addition to late diagnosis and inadequate treatment, the extremely low survival rate is also due to the lack of appropriate therapeutic biomarkers and corresponding therapeutic agents. One of the potential therapeutic biomarkers is the intermediate filament vimentin, which is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of the anti-vimentin nanobody Nb79 on cell invasion in vitro and in vivo. To further our understanding of the mechanism of action, we investigated the association between Nb79 and EMT in GBM and GBM stem cells by analysing the expression levels of key EMT-related proteins. Methods: The expression of vimentin in glioma tissues and cells was determined by RT-qPCR. An invasion assay was performed on differentiated glioblastoma cell line U-87 MG and stem cell line NCH421k in vitro as well as in vivo in zebrafish embryos. The effect of Nb79 on expression of EMT biomarkers beta-catenin, vimentin, ZEB-1 and ZO1 was determined by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Results: Our study shows that vimentin is upregulated in glioblastoma tissue compared to lower grade glioma and non-tumour brain tissue. We demonstrated that treatment with Nb79 reduced glioblastoma cell invasion by up to 64% in vitro and up to 21% in vivo. In addition, we found that the tight junction protein ZO-1 had higher expression on the cell membrane, when treated with inhibitory anti-vimentin Nb79 compared to control. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results suggest that anti-vimentin nanobody Nb79 is a promising tool to target glioblastoma cell invasion.
Keywords: glioblastoma, vimentin, nanobody
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 279; Downloads: 194
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