1331. Ecotoxicity of disinfectant benzalkonium chloride and its mixture with antineoplastic drug 5-fluorouracil towards alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitataTina Eleršek, Maja Ženko, Metka Filipič, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Background
Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is one of the most common ingredients of the disinfectants. It is commonly detected in surface and wastewaters where it can interact with the residues of pharmaceuticals that are also common wastewater pollutants. Among the latter, the residues of antineoplastic drugs are of particular concern as recent studies showed that they can induce adverse effect in aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Methods
Ecotoxicity of BAC as an individual compound and in a binary mixture with an antineoplastic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was determined towards alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, a representative of primary producers. The toxicity of the BAC+5-FU binary mixture was predicted by the two basic models: concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA), and compared to the experimentally determined toxicity. Additionally combination index (CI) was calculated to determine the type of interaction.
Results
After 72 h exposure to BAC a concentration dependent growth inhibition of P. subcapitata was observed with an EC50 0.255 mg/L. Comparing the predicted no effect concentration to the measured concentrations in the surface waters indicate that BAC at current applications and occurrence in aquatic environment may affect algal populations. The measured toxicity of the mixture was higher from the predicted and calculated CI confirmed synergistic effect on the inhibition of algal growth, at least at EC50 concentration. The observed synergism may have impact on the overall toxicity of wastewaters, whereas it is less likely for general environments because the concentrations of 5-FU are several orders of magnitude lower from its predicted no effect concentration.
Discussion
These results indicate that combined effects of mixtures of disinfectants and antineoplastic drugs should be considered in particular when dealing with environmental risk assessment as well as the management of municipal and hospital wastewaters.
Keywords: ecotoxicity, benzalkonium chloride, algae, 5-fluorouracil, synergistic inhibition
Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 352; Downloads: 396
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1332. The pattern of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase induction in the tomato leaf petiole abscission zone is independent of expression of the ribonuclease-LX-encoding LeLX geneMarko Chersicola, Aleš Kladnik, Magda Tušek-Žnidarič, Amnon Lers, Marina Dermastia, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: The abscission of tomato leaves occurs in the petiole abscission zone, and its late stage includes two spatially divided processes: cell separation and programmed cell death (PCD). Both of these processes are regulated by ethylene. The last step in ethylene biosynthesis is conversion of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid to ethylene, which is catalysed by the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO); however, the location of ACO in the leaf petiole abscission zone is not known. The tomato gene LeLX encodes ribonuclease LX, which is a marker for PCD and is induced by ethylene during abscission, but its association with ACO has not been explored.
In a tomato transgenic line 1-7 with inhibited expression of LeLX showing delayed leaf abscission, the morphology and ultrastructure of the leaf petiole abscission zone was examined. In this zone of the cv.’VF36’ and of a transgenic line 1-7, spatiotemporal differences in expression of LeACO1 and LeACO4 were analysed and ACO protein was detected immunohistochemically.
In comparison to wild-type plants, there were no obvious morphological and ultrastructural features in the abscission zone of plants of a transgenic line 1-7 before and after abscission induction. LeACO1 expression was low before abscission induction, and increased 24 h after induction, although with no apparent spatial pattern. In contrast, LeACO4 was expressed before abscission induction, and its transcript level declined 24 h after induction on the distal side of the abscission zone fracture. In the LeLX-inhibited transgenic line, there were no significant differences in LeACO1 and LeACO4 expression in the petiole abscission zone, in comparison to wild-type plants. In addition, the ACO protein was immunolocalised to the vascular tissues that traverse the petiole abscission zone in plants of wild type and of a transgenic line 1-7; and additionally in the plane of future abscission zone fracture of transgenic-line plants.
The results suggest temporal differential expression of the LeACO genes in tomato leaf petioles and vascular localisation of ACO1 protein. Additionally, the results indicate that expression of LeACO genes is not affected by suppression of the LeLX expression.
Keywords: abscission, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase, ethylene, gene expression, localization, RNase LX
Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 357; Downloads: 193
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1335. 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: 336; Downloads: 276
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1337. 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: 508; Downloads: 206
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1338. 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: 322; Downloads: 135
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1339. 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: 351; Downloads: 274
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1340. 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: 321; Downloads: 223
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