Multimodal optical imaging and label-free sensing on-chip for monitoring intracellular and extracellular cellular processes

Strana 92M3

Seasonal dynamics and agricultural management of soil bacterial communities across distinct soil types, From Genomic Analysis to Functional Models in Microbiomes and Synthetic Consortia

Book of Abstracts, PL3, p.35M3

IS OXIDATIVE STRESS A PHYSIOLOGICAL COST OF PARENTAL CARE IN SCOLOPENDRA CINGULATA LATREILLE, 1829

Str. 123M3

Tiny Colonizers of Frog Skin: Composition and Diversity of Diatoms in the Pelophylax esculentus complex

Diatoms, microscopic algae found in various aquatic environments, have recently been recognised as epibionts on the skin of amphibians, although their diversity and ecological role remain underexplored. In this study, the diatom communities on the skin of frogs of the Pelophylax esculentus complex are investigated at three freshwater sites in southern Banat (Serbia), which differ in the degree of eutrophication and anthropogenic pressure. A total of 59 frogs representing all three taxa of the complex were collected and sampled using standard algological methods: adhesive tape and brush scraping. A total of 203 diatom taxa from 54 genera were identified. Statistical analyses showed that the environmental conditions significantly influenced the structure of the diatom community. A two-way ANOSIM revealed significant differences between localities (R = 0.23, p = 0.03), but not between frog taxa (R = 0.08, p = 0.24). PERMANOVA confirmed a significant effect of locality (F = 1.39, p = 0.03), with no significant effect of frog taxa (F = 12.35, p = 0.11) or their interaction (F = 10.64, p = 0.32). Principal coordinate analysis revealed two environmental gradients: The first separated sites according to trophic state (mesotrophic, eutrophic, hypertrophic), with diatom diversity higher in eutrophic conditions; the second reflected saprobial levels and distinguished oligosaprobic/β- mesosaprobic from α-mesosaprobic/polysaprobic habitats. The weak differences in the diatom communities between the frog taxa indicate that the environmental conditions and not the host taxa characterise these communities. This emphasises the ecological role of amphibian skin as a suitable microhabitat for periphytic algae and highlights the need for further research to determine whether it serves as a transient or stable habitat for diatom colonisation.M3

Life Under Artificial Light in a Unique Habitat: Exploring Lampenflora in Ravništarka Cave, Serbia

The phototrophic component of the lampenflora was studied in two seasons in Ravništarka Cave in Serbia. A distinct and diverse lampenflora developed in the vicinity of artificial lights: green to dark, epilithic to endolithic, dominated by microorganisms to macroorganisms or dominated by Cyanobacteria to green algae. The phototrophic microorganisms studied belong to the Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta (green algae) and Bacillariophyta (diatoms). Diatoms were characterized with highest number of taxa recorded, while green algae were abundant in the biofilms biomass at many sites. Several dominant genera were identified in each group, but the most distinctive diatom genus was Humidophila, while Leptolyngbya stood out among the Cyanobacteria. Stichococcus was the most species-rich green algae, but Chlorella sp. and Bracteacoccus minor were also found at most sampling sites. We found that many of the dominant genera are reported in lampenflora worldwide, while some, such as Sellaphora, are rarely encountered. The ecological parameters were mostly site-specific, and some also depended on the season of sampling. After redundancy analysis, relative humidity and substrate moisture were statistically significant ecological parameters that correlated positively with the Bacillariophyta. The work represents a significant contribution to the knowledge of the phototrophic community of lampenflora and to the understanding of their development in show caves.M222.211

Growth-Promoting Effects of Ten Soil Bacterial Strains on Maize, Tomato, Cucumber, and Pepper Under Greenhouse Conditions

Beneficial interactions between plants and bacteria are crucial in agricultural practices, as bacteria can improve soil fertility, promote plant growth, and protect plants from pathogens. This study aimed to molecularly identify and characterize soil bacterial isolates and evaluate their effect on the growth of maize (Zea mays L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersici L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under greenhouse conditions. Plant growth parameters, including plant height, root length, and fresh (FW) and dry (DW) weights, were measured. Additionally, pigment extraction and element content analysis using leaves were performed. Among the isolates, the most effective strain in the greenhouse experiment was Bacillus safensis SCF6, which significantly enhanced plant height and fresh weight across all tested plants, with the greatest influence observed in maize plant height (439.42 ± 6.42 mm), fresh weight (14.07 ± 0.87 g plant-1 FW), and dry weight (1.43 ± 0.17 g plant-1 DW) compared to the control (364.67 ± 10.33 mm, 9.20 ± 1.16 g plant-1 FW, and 0.92 ± 0.15 g plant-1 DW, respectively). Other strains also demonstrated notable results, with Microbacterium testaceum SCF4, Bacillus mojavensis SCF8, and Pseudomonas putida SCF9 showing the highest plant growth-promoting effects on pepper, tomato, and cucumber, respectively. Pseudomonas putida SCF9 demonstrated strong antifungal activity against Monilinia laxa, with a percentage of mycelial growth inhibition (PGI) of 72.62 ± 2.06%, while Bacillus subtilis SCF1 exhibited effects against Botrytis cinerea (PGI = 69.57 ± 4.35%) and Cercospora sp. (PGI = 63.11 ± 1.12%). The development and application of beneficial bacterial inoculants or their formulated products can contribute to environmentally friendly farming practices and global food security.M214.01874141

Diversity of fungi isolated from the carapace of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis, L. 1758) in South Banat, Serbia

This study aimed to isolate and identify a fungal community on the carapace of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and to discuss their potential role as constituents of the turtle mycobiome. The study was conducted during the summer of 2020 within the special nature reserve Deliblato Sands (Deliblatska Peščara), situated in northern Serbia. We used a direct microscopy technique along with culture-based methods and molecular barcoding of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. A plethora of fungal spores were documented as constituents of the biofilm present on the carapace surfaces. A total of 12 fungal isolates from the E. orbicularis carapace were identified, belonging to Alternaria, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Didymella, Microsphaeropsis, Pseudopithomyces, Naganishia, Rhodotorula, and Mucor genera. Ecological analyses showed that the majority of documented fungal species originated from terrestrial and aquatic environments, and many could be regarded as potential chelonian pathogens. The study presents pioneering research on fungal dwellers of E. orbicularis in Serbia.M230.718519577

The Influence of Bacterial Inoculants and a Biofertilizer on Maize Cultivation and the Associated Shift in Bacteriobiota During the Growing Season

Maize (Zea mays L.) relies heavily on nitrogen and phosphorus inputs, typically supplied through organic and inorganic fertilizers. However, excessive agrochemical use threatens soil fertility and environmental health. Sustainable alternatives, such as poultry manure (PM) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), offer promising solutions. This study examines the effects of a phytobiotic bacterial formulation (PHY), composed of Bacillus subtilis and Microbacterium sp., applied alone and in combination with PM, on maize’s rhizosphere bacteriobiome across key growth stages. Field trials included four treatments: a control, PHY-coated seeds, PM, and combined PHY_PM. The results show that early in development, the PM-treated rhizospheres increased the abundance of beneficial genera such as Sphingomonas, Microvirga, and Streptomyces, though levels declined in later stages. The PHY_PM-treated roots in the seedling phase showed a reduced abundance of taxa like Chryseobacterium, Pedobacter, Phyllobacterium, Sphingobacterium, and Stenotrophomonas, but this effect did not persist. In the PM-treated roots, Flavisolibacter was significantly enriched at harvesting. Overall, beneficial bacteria improved microbial evenness, and the PHY_PM treatment promoted bacterial diversity and maize growth. A genome analysis of the PHY strains revealed plant-beneficial traits, including nutrient mobilization, stress resilience, and biocontrol potential. This study highlights the complementarity of PM and PGPR, showing how their integration reshapes bacteriobiome and correlates with plant parameters in sustainable agriculture.M214.01753141

Protective Effects of Rosa canina Fruit Extract against Kidney Damage Induced by CCl4

The study explored the nephroprotective potential of Rosa canina (dog rose) ethanolic fruit extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats, while also analyzing its phytochemical composition using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Male Wistar rats were allocated into five groups: control, R. canina extract alone, CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity, CCl4 with R. canina extract and CCl4 with silymarin. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS revealed 15 compounds in R. canina extract, predominantly anthocyanins, flavonoids, and lycopene. Treatment with R. canina extract significantly ameliorated CCl4-induced kidney dysfunction, abating oxidative stress and inflammation. Enhanced expression of HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) and Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) mRNA in the kidney suggested their involvement in protective mechanisms. Inhibition of HO-1 attenuated R. canina's protective effect against CCl4-induced kidney injury, underscoring the significance of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. For further validation, high throughput molecular docking analysis were performed. The docking analysis revealed the interaction between HO-1 and Nrf2 against Pelarginidin, Malvidin and Petunidin. Among all the three compounds, pelargonidin showed the highest binding score of -9.3kcal/mol and -7.7kcal/mol against Nrf2 and HO-1 respectively. In conclusion, R. canina extract, rich in phenolics, exhibited nephroprotective effects via inflammation and oxidative stress attenuation, potentially mediated through Nrf2/HO-1 pathway modulation against CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity.M21a+3.510591

Antibacterial activity and safety assessment of Agrimonia eupatoria ethanolic–aqueous extract

M3