1081. Temperature effects explain continental scale distribution of cyanobacterial toxinsEvanthia Mantzouki, Tina Eleršek, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: nsight into how environmental change determines the production and distribution of cyanobacterial toxins is necessary for risk assessment. Management guidelines currently focus on hepatotoxins (microcystins). Increasing attention is given to other classes, such as neurotoxins (e.g., anatoxin-a) and cytotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin) due to their potency. Most studies examine the relationship between individual toxin variants and environmental factors, such as nutrients, temperature and light. In summer 2015, we collected samples across Europe to investigate the effect of nutrient and temperature gradients on the variability of toxin production at a continental scale. Direct and indirect effects of temperature were the main drivers of the spatial distribution in the toxins produced by the cyanobacterial community, the toxin concentrations and toxin quota. Generalized linear models showed that a Toxin Diversity Index (TDI) increased with latitude, while it decreased with water stability. Increases in TDI were explained through a significant increase in toxin variants such as MC-YR, anatoxin and cylindrospermopsin, accompanied by a decreasing presence of MC-LR. While global warming continues, the direct and indirect effects of increased lake temperatures will drive changes in the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins in Europe, potentially promoting selection of a few highly toxic species or strains. Keywords: microcystin, anatoxin, cylindrospermopsin, temperature, direct effects, indirect effects, spatial distribution, European Multi Lake Survey Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 273; Downloads: 245 Full text (16,03 MB) This document has many files! More... |
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1083. DNA metabarcoding uncovers fungal diversity of mixed airborne samples in ItalyElisa Banchi, Claudio Gennaro Ametrano, David Stanković, Pierluigi Verardo, Olga Moretti, Francesca Gabrielli, Stefania Lazzarin, Maria Francesca Borney, Francesca Tassan, Mauro Tretiach, Alberto Pallavicini, Lucia Muggia, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Fungal spores and mycelium fragments are particles which become and remain airborne and have been subjects of aerobiological studies. The presence and the abundance of taxa in aerobiological samples can be very variable and impaired by changeable climatic conditions. Because many fungi produce mycotoxins and both their mycelium fragments and spores are potential allergens, monitoring the presence of these taxa is of key importance. So far data on exposure and sensitization to fungal allergens are mainly based on the assessment of few, easily identifiable taxa and focused only on certain environments. The microscopic method used to analyze aerobiological samples and the inconspicuous fungal characters do not allow a in depth taxonomical identification. Here, we present a first assessment of fungal diversity from airborne samples using a DNA metabarcoding analysis. The nuclear ITS2 region was selected as barcode to catch fungal diversity in mixed airborne samples gathered during two weeks in four sites of North-Eastern and Central Italy. We assessed the taxonomic composition and diversity within and among the sampled sites and compared the molecular data with those obtained by traditional microscopy. The molecular analyses provide a tenfold more comprehensive determination of the taxa than the traditional morphological inspections. Our results prove that the metabarcoding analysis is a promising approach to increases quality and sensitivity of the aerobiological monitoring. The laboratory and bioinformatic workflow implemented here is now suitable for routine, high-throughput, regional analyses of airborne fungi. Keywords: fungi, fungal spores, taxonomy, sequence databases Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 448; Downloads: 181 Full text (2,84 MB) This document has many files! More... |
1084. Lack of association between cortical amyloid deposition and glucose metabolism in early stage Alzheimer's disease patientsDaniela Ehrlich, Andreas Dunzinger, Gertraud Malsiner-Walli, Bettina Grün, Raffi Topakian, Marina Hodolič, Elmar Kainz, Robert Pichler, 2022, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 254; Downloads: 113 Full text (2,18 MB) |
1085. Pre-treatment risk assessment of women with endometrial cancer: differences in outcomes of molecular and clinical classifications in the Slovenian patient cohortJure Knez, Monika Sobočan, Urška Belak Magdalenić, Rajko Kavalar, Mateja Zupin, Tomaž Büdefeld, Uroš Potočnik, Iztok Takač, 2022, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 291; Downloads: 233 Full text (602,27 KB) This document has many files! More... |
1086. A model species for agricultural pest genomics : the genome of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)Sean D. Schoville, Yolanda H. Chen, Martin N. Andersson, Joshua B. Benoit, Anita Bhandari, Julia H. Bowsher, Kristian Brevik, Kaat Cappelle, Mei-Ju M. Chen, Anna K. Childers, Kristina Gruden, Marko Petek, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: The Colorado potato beetle is one of the most challenging agricultural pests to manage. It has shown a spectacular ability to adapt to a variety of solanaceaeous plants and variable climates during its global invasion, and, notably, to rapidly evolve insecticide resistance. To examine evidence of rapid evolutionary change, and to understand the genetic basis of herbivory and insecticide resistance, we tested for structural and functional genomic changes relative to other arthropod species using genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and community annotation. Two factors that might facilitate rapid evolutionary change include transposable elements, which comprise at least 17% of the genome and are rapidly evolving compared to other Coleoptera, and high levels of nucleotide diversity in rapidly growing pest populations. Adaptations to plant feeding are evident in gene expansions and differential expression of digestive enzymes in gut tissues, as well as expansions of gustatory receptors for bitter tasting. Surprisingly, the suite of genes involved in insecticide resistance is similar to other beetles. Finally, duplications in the RNAi pathway might explain why Leptinotarsa decemlineata has high sensitivity to dsRNA. The L. decemlineata genome provides opportunities to investigate a broad range of phenotypes and to develop sustainable methods to control this widely successful pest. Keywords: colorado potato beetle, genome Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 270; Downloads: 196 Full text (2,58 MB) This document has many files! More... |
1087. Decision support for the comparative evaluation and selection of analytical methods : detection of genetically modified organisms as an exampleDavid Dobnik, Kristina Gruden, Jana Žel, Yves Bertheau, Arne Holst-Jensen, Marko Bohanec, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: The selection of the best-fit-for-purpose analytical method to be implemented in the laboratory is difficult due to availability of multiple methods, targets, aims of detection, and different kinds and sources of more or less reliable information. Several factors, such as method performance, practicability, cost of setup, and running costs need to be considered together with personnel training when selecting the most appropriate method. The aim of our work was to prepare a flexible multicriteria decision analysis model suitable for evaluation and comparison of analytical methods used for the purpose of detecting and/or quantifying genetically modified organisms, and to use this model to evaluate a variety of changing analytical methods. Our study included selection of PCR-, isothermal-, protein-, microarray-, and next-generation sequencing-based methods in simplex and/or multiplex formats. We show that the overall result of their fitness for purpose is relatively similar; however, individual criteria or a group of related criteria exposed more substantial differences between the methods. The proposed model of this decision support system enables easy modifications and is thus suitable for any other application of complex analytical methods. Keywords: multicriteria decision analysis, genetically modified organisms, method evaluation, DEXi, decision support system, DSS Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 302; Downloads: 298 Full text (1,63 MB) This document has many files! More... |
1088. Maristem - stem cells of marine/aquatic invertebrates : from basic research to innovative applicationsLoriano Ballarin, Baruch Rinkevich, Kestin Bartscherer, Artur Burzynski, Sebastien Cambier, Matteo Cammarata, Isabelle Domart-Coulon, Damjana Drobne, Juanma Encinas, Uri Frank, Anne-Marie Geneviere, Bert Hobmayer, Helike Löhelaid, Daniel Lyons, Pedro Martinez, Paola Oliveri, Lorena Perić, Stefano Piraino, Andreja Ramšak, Sebastian Rakers, Fabian Rentzsch, Amalia Rosner, Tiago Henriques da Silva, Ildiko Somorjai, Sherif Suleiman, Ana Varela Coelho, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: The “stem cells” discipline represents one of the most dynamic areas in biomedicine. While adult marine/aquatic invertebrate stem cell (MISC) biology is of prime research and medical interest, studies on stem cells from organisms outside the classical vertebrate (e.g., human, mouse, and zebrafish) and invertebrate (e.g., Drosophila, Caenorhabditis) models have not been pursued vigorously. Marine/aquatic invertebrates constitute the largest biodiversity and the widest phylogenetic radiation on Earth, from morphologically simple organisms (e.g., sponges, cnidarians), to the more complex mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, and protochordates. These organisms contain a kaleidoscope of MISC-types that allow the production of a large number of novel bioactive-molecules, many of which are of significant potential interest for human health. MISCs further participate in aging and regeneration phenomena, including whole-body regeneration. For years, the European MISC-community has been highly fragmented and has established scarce ties with biomedical industries in an attempt to harness MISCs for human welfare. Thus, it is important to (i) consolidate the European community of researchers working on MISCs; (ii) promote and coordinate European research on MISC biology; (iii) stimulate young researchers to embark on research in MISC-biology; (iv) develop, validate, and share novel MISC tools and methodologies; (v) establish the MISC discipline as a forefront interest of biomedical disciplines, including nanobiomedicine; and (vi) establish collaborations with industries to exploit MISCs as sources of bioactive molecules. In order to fill the recognized gaps, the EC-COST Action 16203 “MARISTEM” has recently been launched. At its initial stage, the consortium unites 26 scientists from EC countries, Cooperating countries, and Near Neighbor Countries. Keywords: aging, bioactive molecules, blue biotechnology, cancer, cell culture, COST Action, Europe, marine/aquatic invertebrates, regeneration, stem cells Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 499; Downloads: 196 Full text (1015,21 KB) This document has many files! More... |
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1090. Surveillance of human enteric viruses in coastal waters using concentration with methacrylate monolithic supports prior to detection by RT-qPCRJosé Gonçalves, Ion Gutiérrez-Aguirre, Mukundh Narayanan Balasubramanian, Maja Zagorščak, Maja Ravnikar, Valentina Turk, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: This is the first surveillance study using methacrylate monolithic supports to concentrate environmental coastal water samples, prior to molecular target detection by RT-qPCR. Rotaviruses (RoV) and Noroviruses (NoV) were monitored in a polluted area at the Bay of Koper (Gulf of Trieste, Northern Adriatic Sea) and at a nearby bathing area and mussel farm areas.
RoV and NoV are released into the Bay of Koper, with higher rates close to the discharge of the wastewater treatment plant, however, they can be detected at recreational and mussel farming areas. Our results showed that water bodies considered safe based on FC concentrations, can still have low, yet potentially infective, concentrations of human viruses. Keywords: Rotavirus, Norovirus, faecal coliforms, RT-qPCR, methacrylate monolithic columns, enteric virus concentration Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 296; Downloads: 160 Full text (1,12 MB) This document has many files! More... |