Via Air or Rhizosphere: The Phytotoxicity of Nepeta Essential Oils and Malus Dihydrochalcones

Many specialized metabolites found in plants have significant potential for developing environmentally friendly weed management solutions. This review focuses on the phytotoxic effects of volatile terpenes and phenolic compounds, particularly nepetalactone, an iridoid monoterpenoid from Nepeta species, and phloretin, a dihydrochalcone predominantly found in the genus Malus. We highlight current findings on their herbicidal effects, including morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses in target plants. These results underscore their potential for developing sustainable herbicides that could control weeds with minimal environmental impact. We also discuss their soil persistence and methods to enhance their solubility, chemical stability, and bioavailability. Additionally, the possible effects on non-target organisms, such as pollinators, non-pollinating insects, and soil microbiota, are considered. However, further research and a deeper understanding of their long-term ecological impact, along with a resistance development risk assessment, is essential for the potential development of bioherbicides that could be applied in sustainable weed management practices

Associating Patient Responses with Drug Sensitivity in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Using an Immunoassay on Patient-Derived Cell Cultures

Abstract Background/Objectives: Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is characterized by its diverse molecular profiles and varying responses to treatment, highlighting the importance of precision medicine in optimizing therapeutic outcomes. A promising approach involves using patient-derived cellular models, which provide insights into the unique biology of individual tumors and their responsiveness to treatment. Methods: We established short-term primary cell cultures from thirteen patients with NSCLC of different subtypes and stages, including both cancer and stromal cells. To evaluate the ex vivo cytotoxicity and selectivity of eight chemotherapeutics and erlotinib, we employed an immunoassay, and the results were analyzed using an automated imaging system. Scoring of the obtained results was also performed. The ex vivo responses to cisplatin, etoposide, and paclitaxel were correlated with the patients’ responses to therapy. We used Kaplan–Meier analysis to assess progression-free survival (PFS) differences among patient groups. Results: NSCLC cells exhibited significant variability in their responses to drugs, with stromal cells demonstrating greater sensitivity. Tumors at stages I-III responded to multiple treatments, whereas stage IV cells showed considerable resistance. Erlotinib effectively reduced cancer cell growth at lower doses but plateaued at higher concentrations. The immunoassay indicated 67% sensitivity and 100% specificity in predicting patient responses to chemotherapy. Sensitivity to etoposide and paclitaxel correlated with progression-free survival (PFS). Conclusions: A personalized treatment strategy, such as our immunoassay based on the ex vivo responses of cancer patients’ cells, can guide treatment decisions and, in some cases, serve as surrogate biomarkers for tumor types that lack actionable biomarkers

Alterations in non-REM sleep and EEG spectra precede REM-sleep deficits in a model of synucleinopathy

Background Sleep disturbances often precede motor symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Neuroinflammation is implicated in PD pathophysiology and may contribute to non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbances. The Thy1-αSyn mouse model, overexpressing human alpha-synuclein (αSyn), mimics key aspects of PD and DLB, making it valuable for studying related sleep disturbances and neuroinflammatory changes. Objective To investigate early-stage alterations in sleep architecture, electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns, and neuroinflammation in Thy1-αSyn mice. Methods We used telemetric EEG/electromyography (EMG) with video surveillance to compare sleep patterns and EEG spectral power between 2.5- and 4.5-month-old male Thy1-αSyn transgenic mice and wild-type littermates. Neuroinflammation was assessed by examining microglial (Iba1) and astrocytic (GFAP) activation in key sleep-regulating brain regions. Results Thy1-αSyn mice showed decreased resting wake time and increased non-REM sleep, with altered sleep bout frequency and length, indicating significant sleep architecture changes. Spectral analysis revealed a shift from higher to lower frequency bands, suggesting early neural circuitry disruptions due to αSyn overexpression. Significant microglial activation was observed at 3 months, with astrogliosis progressing by 5 months in key sleep-regulating regions, indicating that neuroinflammation may contribute to the observed sleep disturbances. Conclusions Early-stage Thy1-αSyn mice exhibit significant sleep architecture changes, EEG spectral shifts, and neuroinflammatory alterations. These findings suggest that neuroinflammation may play a role in the initial pathophysiological changes in PD and related synucleinopathies. Sleep, EEG, and neuroinflammatory changes could serve as early biomarkers for these diseases

Strain-Dependent Differences in Inflammatory/Immune Activity in Cutaneous Wound Tissue Repair in Rats: The Significance of Body Mass/Proneness to Obesity

Inflammatory/immune cells and mediators are substantial for wound healing because they orchestrate biological activities in this complex process. Among factors that affect wound healing, obesity, and metabolic diseases are among the most significant, particularly because of a relationship between obesity and a prediabetic state with immune reactivity. Using Dark Agouti (DA) and Albino Oxford (AO) rats, which differ in immune responses as well as in proneness to obesity, we examined the impact of these intrinsic factors on cutaneous wound healing. Dynamics of the process were monitored at days 3, 5, and 7 post-wounding parallel in both rat strains by analysis of selected basic aspects of the wound repair process (cytokine and growth factor responses) in granulation tissue. Strain-related differences in the extent of reduction of the wound area were shown, which coincided with differential proinflammatory and immune-regulatory cytokines, as well as growth factors response in these rats. Some of these differences seem related to their dissimilarities in the proneness to obesity. Results in this study extended so far known differences in inflammatory/immune responses to a variety of stimuli between AO and DA rats and showed, for the first time, immune-based differences in wound healing between rats that differ in body mass (BM) and obesity proneness (under ad libitum feeding conditions with normal rodent chow)

Overcoming the challenges in cryptic species recognition – the case of the strictly protected European lesser blind mole rat

Wildlife monitoring can be a challenge when speciation is not always followed by morphological changes, i.e. cryptic species, the recognition of which is the first necessary step. Here, we present the case of the subterranean rodent European lesser blind mole rat (BMR) Nannospalax leucodon supersp. which comprises more than 20 chromosomal forms, five of which occur in Serbia and are strictly protected by law. Despite reproductive isolation and phylogenetic distance confirmed among these five chromosomal forms/cryptic species, they are not officially designated as species due to morphological convergence. From a conservation perspective, it is essential to monitor their populations and describe their distribution areas. Our approach combines karyotyping with molecular genetic species identification and sex determination. Since all known BMR's karyotyping protocols required animal sacrifices, we developed the only possible non-lethal sampling method using finger snips followed by the safe return of animals to their original underground systems. Additionally, standard procedures for mammalian fibroblast growth were not applicable due to the specific cell culture characteristics related to BMR’s resistance to cancer. The composition of the complete medium followed the standard fibroblast protocol, with minor modifications. However, the karyotyping protocol (colchicine, ethidium bromide and the type of hypotonic solution) was significantly changed compared to other rodent species. For rapid and reliable species identification, we developed the Inter Simple Sequence Repeat ˗ PCR profiling technique. Of 11 different ISSR primers tested for the presence of species-specific DNA fragments, three primers provided informative DNA profiles that ensured reliable and unambiguous recognition of analysed cryptic species. Sex of each individual was determined through PCR-based sry determination presented as sry marker presence/absence. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of these methods and provide a reproducible model for monitoring other cryptic species. This research underscores the importance of non-lethal genetic monitoring for biodiversity conservation.Mitsainas GP, Borowski Z, Georgiakakis P, Henttonen H, Lymberakis P, Schley L, Youlatos D, editors. Book of abstracts: IX European Congress of Mammalogy (ECM9); 2025 Mar 31 - Apr 4; Patras, Greece. European Mammal Foundation; 2025. p. 297

Advances in Diclofenac Derivatives: Exploring Carborane-Substituted N-Methyl and Nitrile Analogs for Anticancer Therapy

This study explores the anticancer potential of N‐methylated open‐ring derivatives of carborane‐substituted diclofenac analogs. By N‐methylation, the open‐chain form could be trapped and cyclization back to lactam or amidine derivatives is inhibited. A small library of carborane‐ and phenyl‐based secondary and tertiary arylamines bearing carboxylic acid or nitrile groups is synthesized and analyzed for their COX affinity in vitro and in silico. The compounds are further evaluated against mouse adenocarcinoma (MC38), human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116), and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29) cell lines and show potent cytotoxicity. Additional biological assessments of the mode of action are performed using flow cytometric techniques and fluorescence microscopy. The data obtained reveal a common antiproliferative effect coupled with the induction of caspase‐independent apoptosis and the specific effects of the compound on the phenotype of MC38 cells, resulting in impaired cell viability of MC38 cells and satisfactory selectivity exceeding the antitumor activity of diclofenac

De Novo Transcriptome Assembly of Nepeta nervosa Royle & Bentham. Leaf Tissue

Assembled transcriptome from paired-end RNA sequencing of Nepeta nervosa L. leaf tissue using Illumina NovaSeq 6000, in FASTA format. The transcripts/unigens had a mean GC content of 40.91%, an average contig length of 807.26 bp, a median contig length of 422.0 bp, and an N50 of 1 473 bp. Nepeta nervosa transcriptome data are a part of phyloNEPETOME data platform

De Novo Transcriptome Assembly of Nepeta grandiflora L. leaf trichomes and trichome-depleted leaves

Assembled transcriptomes from paired-end RNA sequencing of Nepeta grandiflora L. leaf trichomes and trichome-depleted leaves using DNBSEQ, in FASTA format. The dataset comprises 248961 assembled transcripts. N. grandiflora transcriptome data are a part of phyloNEPETOME data platform

Antimicrobial Effect of Boswellia serrata Resin’s Methanolic Extracts Against Skin Infection Pathogens

Frankincense resin (Boswellia serrata), native to arid regions of India, the Mid‑ dle East, and parts of Africa, has been highly valued for its medicinal properties. This study evaluated the antimicrobial potential of methanolic extracts of Boswellia serrata resin against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Listeria monocytogenes. High‑ performance thin‑layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with bioautography identified bioactive zones, while Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC‑MS) quantified the phenolic and terpenoid compounds. The cytotoxicity was assessed on HaCaT hu‑ man keratinocyte cells to evaluate the safety for dermatological applications. The results demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, particularly against S. aureus and L. monocy‑ togenes. The bioautograms revealed that samples from central and southern Serbia showed the highest antimicrobial effect against the tested bacterial strains. The active compounds included 11‑keto‑β‑boswellic acid (up to 3733.96 μg/g), gallic acid (110.93 μg/g), and narin‑ genin (53.13 μg/g). Cytotoxicity assays confirmed non‑toxic effects at 10 μg/mL, with sam‑ ple 6 enhancing the keratinocyte viability by 137%, while higher concentrations (50 μg/mL) showed variable cytotoxicity. These findings highlight the potential of B. serrata resin as a natural antimicrobial agent, particularly against antibiotic‑resistant pathogens. Its ther‑ apeutic applicability in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations is promising provided that dosing ensures a balance between efficacy and safety

Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian Valleys

Crop production in plastic greenhouses is one of the major sources of plastic pollution worldwide. The main hypothesis of this study is that the regular use of mulch film in greenhouses leads to the cumulative accumulation of microplastic particles (MPs) in the soil, which ultimately leads to changes in the soil properties. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to identify the possible changes in the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil in greenhouses in three regions of Serbia. The following chemical parameters were determined: electrical conductivity, soil acidity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total carbon (TC) and nitrogen (TN) content, plant-available phosphorus and potassium content, and trace element content. The following physical parameters were determined: particle size distribution, volumetric mass, specific mass, and porosity; the biological parameters that were determined were microbial respiration and labile carbon. The obtained data were processed using network analysis (NA) to identify the complex relationships between MP content and soil parameters. The NA results support the main findings that the presence of microplastics leads to the destruction of soil structure, which reduces bulk density and increases soil porosity. A strong positive correlation of MPs with soil particles < 0.02 mm and a negative correlation with CEC were found. In the Danube Valley, soil respiration was 78% higher in the open ground compared to a plastic greenhouse. The results contribute to a better understanding of the influence of MPs on soil properties and its ecological functions