New data on distribution and ecology of Batrachospermum (Rhodophyta) in Serbia

The paper describes the distribution and ecology of populations of the genus Batrachospermum collected in Serbia from 2006 to 2015 at 10 sites, all of which represent new localities of Batrachospermum in Serbia. The records of this genus in the Boračka River and in a spring near Kragujevac (Cerovac) are the first in Central Serbia. Batrachospermum was recorded at altitudes of from 235 to 1600 m at localities mainly in partial or full shade on stone, gravel or concrete substrata in cold water (10.50 - 15.40oC) that was neutral to weakly alkaline (pH 7.2 – 8.65) with conductivity of from 55 to 539 μS/cm. Species of the genus Batrachospermum in Serbia have to date been recorded in clean, well-aerated waters with a low concentration of biogenic salts and in habitats without anthropogenic impact. Any factors altering abiotic parameters of their habitats can lead to changes and the loss of populations of the sensitive species of this genus

Biochemical and ultrastructural changes in the liver of European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) in response to cyanobacterial bloom in the Gruža reservoir

We investigated the biochemical and ultrastructural changes in the liver of the freshwater fish, European perch (Perca fluviatilis), in response to Aphanizomenon flos-aquae bloom in the Gruža Reservoir, Serbia. The activities of total manganese- and copper zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (Tot SOD, Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and biotransformation phase II enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as well as concentrations of total glutathione (GSH) and sulfhydryl (-SH) groups were examined before and during the bloom period. Mn-SOD activity was significantly higher, while the activities of Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT and GSH-Px and the concentration of the -SH groups were significantly lower during the bloom. The ultrastructure of the liver revealed necrotic and apoptotic damage to the hepatocytes during the bloom period. Our work represents the first study to report the influences of an Aphanizomenon flos-aquae bloom in the Gruža Reservoir on antioxidant biomarkers and on histopathological alterations in the liver of the freshwater fish European perch (Perca fluviatilis)

Biochemical and ultrastructural changes in the liver of European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) in response to cyanobacterial bloom in the Gruža reservoir

We investigated the biochemical and ultrastructural changes in the liver of the freshwater fish, European perch (Perca fluviatilis), in response to Aphanizomenon flos-aquae bloom in the Gruža Reservoir, Serbia. The activities of total manganese- and copper zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (Tot SOD, Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and biotransformation phase II enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as well as concentrations of total glutathione (GSH) and sulfhydryl (-SH) groups were examined before and during the bloom period. Mn-SOD activity was significantly higher, while the activities of Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT and GSH-Px and the concentration of the -SH groups were significantly lower during the bloom. The ultrastructure of the liver revealed necrotic and apoptotic damage to the hepatocytes during the bloom period. Our work represents the first study to report the influences of an Aphanizomenon flos-aquae bloom in the Gruža Reservoir on antioxidant biomarkers and on histopathological alterations in the liver of the freshwater fish European perch (Perca fluviatilis).Projekat ministarstva br. 173041 i br. III 4300

Aktivnost superoksid-dismutaze tokom maturacije kulture ćelija b-16 melanoma miša

The C3 clone of B-16 mouse melanoma was cultured for 1, 6 and 9 days and analyzed. The changes which are not directly linked to melanogenesis in the B-16 / C3 cultures during their maturation were characterized. Early (1 day) confluent (6 days) and old (9 days) cell cultures are distinguished by their leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and α-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) isoenzyme patterns. Both quantitative and qualitative changes in LAP and ANAE isoenzyme can be observed during culture maturation. There is an increase in the activity of the enzyme copper, zinc-containing superoxide-dismutase (CuZn SOD). The increaase in the CuZn SOD enzyme activity might be related to B-16/C3 cell melanogenesis and / or to differentiation.C3 klonovi B-16 melanoma miša su gajeni u kulturi 1, 6 i 9 dana i potom analizirani. Izvršena je karakterizacija promena B-16/C3 ćelijskih kultura tokom njihove maturacije koje nisu direktno povezane sa melanogenezom. Pokazano je da se kulture u početnoj fazi (1 dan), konfluentnoj fazi (6 dana) i kasnoj fazi (9 dana) ćelijskog rasta razlikuju na osnovu izoenzimskih spektara leucin-aminopeptidaze i alfa-naftil-acetat-esteraze. Tokom razvitka ćelijskih kultura B-16/C3 zapažene su kvantitativne i kvalitativne promene leucin-aminopeptidaze i alfa-naftil-acetat-esteraze u njihovim izoenzimskim spektrima. Utvrđeno je da postoji porast aktivnosti bakar-cink superoksid-dismutaze tokom starenja kulture. Porast aktivnosti bakar-cink superoksid-dismutaze može biti povezan sa melanogenezom i/ili diferencijacijom B-16/C3 ćelija

Biochemical and ultrastructural changes in the liver of European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) in response to cyanobacterial bloom in the Gruža reservoir

We investigated the biochemical and ultrastructural changes in the liver of the freshwater fish, European perch (Perca fluviatilis), in response to Aphanizomenon flos-aquae bloom in the Gruža Reservoir, Serbia. The activities of total manganese- and copper zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (Tot SOD, Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and biotransformation phase II enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as well as concentrations of total glutathione (GSH) and sulfhydryl (-SH) groups were examined before and during the bloom period. Mn-SOD activity was significantly higher, while the activities of Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT and GSH-Px and the concentration of the -SH groups were significantly lower during the bloom. The ultrastructure of the liver revealed necrotic and apoptotic damage to the hepatocytes during the bloom period. Our work represents the first study to report the influences of an Aphanizomenon flos-aquae bloom in the Gruža Reservoir on antioxidant biomarkers and on histopathological alterations in the liver of the freshwater fish European perch (Perca fluviatilis).Projekat ministarstva br. 173041 i br. III 4300

Studija projekta 'Optimizacija i standardizacija autohtone tehnologije sjeničkog sira sa zaštitom oznake porekla'

Investigations are based on use of natural potentials on the wide region of Sjenica-Pešter highlands. Certain parameters on selected locations are recorded (soil, vegetation, livestock production, technology of milk and cheese production). On selected locations, farms and processing capacities detail researches are carried out relating to soil, artificial and natural grasslands, reproductive and production potential of cattle and sheep, determination of genetic and non-genetic factors affecting milk traits, quantity and quality of milk, proteins, milk fat, lactose, etc., technological and microbiological traits of milk and cheese. Main objectives of this research and development project is to realize scientific -technological solutions in primary livestock production using our own scientific potentials in order to provide increased productivity, increased number of market farmers capable for competitive economy and production on domestic and foreign market with recognized final product with protected geographical origin, in other words - optimization and standardization of native technology of white cheese from Sjenica with protected brand and origin.Istraživanja su zasnovana na korišćenju prirodnih potencijala šireg regiona Sjeničko-pešterske visoravni. U okviru ovih istraživanja obavlja se snimanje i proučavanje određenih parametara na odabranim lokalitetima ( zemljište, vegetacija, stočarstvo, tehnologija mleka i sira). Na odabranim lokalitetima, farmama i preradjivačkim kapacitetima obavljaju se detaljna istraživanja, zemljišta, prirodnih i veštačkih travnjaka i livada, reproduktivnih i proizvodnih potencijala goveda i ovaca, determinacija genetskih i negenetskih faktora na svojstva mlečnosti, kvantitet i kvalitet mleka, proteini, mlečna mast, laktoza i dr.,tehnološka i mikrobiološka svojstva mleka i sira. Osnovni ciljevi ovog istraživačko-razvojnog projekta je da se korišćenjem sopstvenih naučnih potencijala dođe do naučno-tehnoloških rešenja u primarnoj stočarskoj proizvodnji, koja će obezbediti porast produktivnosti, povećanje robnih proizvođača osposobljenih za konkurentnu proizvodnju na domaćem i stranom tržištu sa prepoznatljivim finalnim proizvodom zaštićenog geografskog porekla, odnosno optimizaciju i standardizaciju autohtone tehnologije Sjeničkog sira sa zaštitom oznake porekla

New records and noteworthy data of plants, algae and fungi in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 13

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: brown alga Heribaudiella fluviatilis, red alga Batrachospermum skujae, saprotrophic fungus Gnomonia geranii-macrorrhizi, mycorrhizal fungi Amanita alseides and Russula griseascens, liverwort Ricciocarpos natans, moss Blindia acuta, Leucodon sciuroides var. morensis and Pseudostereodon procerrimus, monocots Allium ampeloprasum, Carex ferruginea and Carex limosa and dicots Convolvulus althaeoides, Fumana aciphylla, Hieracium petrovae, Lamium bifidum subsp. bifidum and Ranunculus fontanus are given within SE Europe and adjacent region

Macroalgae and macrozoobenthos of the Pčinja river

During autumn and spring periods of 1998, 1999 and 2000, 4 taxa of macroalgae (divisions of Cyanophyta, Rhodophyta, Chrysophyta and Chlorophyta) and 78 taxa of macrozoobenthos were found in 10 localities of Pčinja River, in a part of its watercourse through Serbia. Macroalga Cladophora glomerata was the most numerous among representatives. The find of red alga Lemanea sp. which was recorded for the first time at this biotope in Serbia, is significant. From representatives of macrozoobenthos the greatest number of species was found in the groups of Epheromeroptera, Trichoptera and larvae of Diptera. Majority of species of macrozoobenthos have wide geographic distribution, and in relation to ecological factors they are mainly eurivalent forms

Macroinvertebrates and fishes in the part of the Danube flowing through the Iron Gate national park and possibilities of their protection under in situ and ex situ conditions

Comparison of the results of later investigations of the Danube in the part flowing through in the Iron Gate (Đerdap) National Park with those of research conducted earlier (20 to 40 years ago) shows that changes have occurred in regard to the presence and especially the abundance of certain hydrobionts on this sector of the river, a finding that applies to all groups examined. The paper discusses the potential and results of conservation measures realized through both legal regulations and medium-term plans for the advancement of fishing in this region. In addition to in situ study during the period from 1999 to 2003, a large number of species (especially of macroinvertebrates and fish) were also investigated under artificial conditions (in the Kragujevac Aquarium) in order to gain a better understanding of their ecological characteristics, especially their sensitivity to various environmental stress factors. The presented results indicate that weight of specimens and success of culturing under ex situ conditions are correlated with their sensitivity under natural conditions

Morphology, distribution and ecology of the freshwater red algae Paralemanea (Batrachospermaceae, Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) in Serbia

This paper describes the morphology, distribution and ecology of 15 populations of Paralemanea collected from 2004 to 2011 in 12 rivers in Serbia. On the basis of morphological and reproductive characteristics, two species were identified: P. annulata (12 populations) and P. catenata (3 populations). Morphological (presence of a stalk, thalli length, nodal diameter (ND), internodal diameter (ID), node and internode diameter ratio (ND:ID) and reproductive (arrangement of spermatangial sori, length and diameter of carpospores, presence of Chantransia stage) features described in the literature are generally confirmed in the populations from Serbia. True branching was observed in six populations of P. annulata in the gametophyte stage. False branching (whorled branching) occurred in five populations of both species observed. In the Pčinja (P2), Ibar (IB5) and Crnovrška rivers (CR10), the number of whorled branching was 6-11 (P. annulata). For P. catenata the number of such branching was 3-5 in the Nišava River (N8) and Sokobanjska Moravica River (SM12). False branching appears at damaged thalli, somewhat repairing it. Algae belonging to the Paralemanea genus were found at altitudes from 160 to 780 m (P. annulata), and from 240 to 400 m (P. catenata), at water temperatures ranging from 11.5 to 29°C (P. annulata) and from 12.6 to 17.4°C (P. catenata), in neutral and weakly alkaline waters, with a high level of oxygen concentration, with conductivity ranging from 70 to 433 μS/cm for P. annulata, and 260 to 440 μS /cm for P. catenata. It was also observed that P. annulata and P. catenata often grow in oligotrophic conditions and rarely in eutrophic conditions. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 43002 and by the European Communities 7th Framework Program Funding, Grant Agreement No. 603629-ENV-2013-6.2.1-Globaqua