Key message
Leaf shape in European beech provenances varies geographically, with narrower and longer lamina observed in southern provenances, indicating a direct selection favoring leaf shape that ...likely safeguards trees performances under less favorable growing conditions.
Spatial and environmental patterns of European beech (
Fagus sylvatica
L.) leaf size and shape variations were studied using landmark-based geometric morphometrics. The study involved eight provenances originating from three biogeographic regions (i.e., Alpine, Continental, and Pannonian), spanning across six European countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania and Serbia). All specimens were cultivated in a common garden experiment. The symmetric component of leaf shape variation was analyzed by Procrustes ANOVA and multi‐variate analyses principal component analysis and canonical variate analysis (CVA), whereas MANOVA was used to examine asymmetry. Partial least square (PLS) analysis was used to assess the covariation between leaf shape and size, and geographical position and environmental variables at the sites of provenance origin, respectively. A highly observed phenotypic variation for the shape and size of leaf both within and among provenances, indicates a strong local adaptation of provenances within the species natural range. CVA revealed the existence of two clusters of provenances based on the leaf shape, i.e., the first group included provenances originating from Balkan Peninsula and Central Europe, while the second group consisted of two Romanian provenances and the northernmost provenance from Germany. Likewise, PLS evidenced that leaf shape was spatially structured along latitudinal (− 0.64) and longitudinal (0.60) gradients, with southern provenances having longer and narrower (ovate) lamina compared to the northern ones. In contrast, no correlation was found between centroid size and spatial and environmental variables. Results suggest the presence of direct selection favoring a leaf shape that likely safeguards trees from heat and water loses under less favorable growing conditions.
Multiple positive effects that forests have on human health and overall well-being have been reported widely in the literature. Still, multiple elements of this relationship remain unidentified and ...unexplained. In this study, the composition of leaf volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) content in three common coniferous species: the Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Spruce (Picea abies), was analyzed. The specificity of BVOCs content in the examined species and their genotypes is observed as a plant potential to evaporate these organic compounds and potentially improve human health and well-being. Principal component analysis applied on BVOCs content among species showed significant differences between compounds that have previously been characterized as having positive effects on human health by acting as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial. Variations among genotypes of the investigated species were observed in the content of BVOCs relevant for human health improvement, such as limonene, terpinolene, β-pinene, linalool, camphene, camphor, citronellol and α-cadinol. The observed intra- and inter-species variations in the BVOCs content provide an appropriate base for further research on the forest–human health relationship, breeding and selection of the most suitable genotypes for human health improvement, and could I mpact the sustainable management of forests.
Neural stem cells reside in the subgranular zone, a specialized neurogenic niche of the hippocampus. Throughout adulthood, these cells give rise to neurons in the dentate gyrus, playing an important ...role in learning and memory. Given that these core cognitive processes are disrupted in numerous disease states, understanding the underlying mechanisms of neural stem cell proliferation in the subgranular zone is of direct practical interest. Here, we report that mature neurons, neural stem cells and neural precursor cells each secrete the neurovascular protein epidermal growth factor-like protein 7 (EGFL7) to shape this hippocampal niche. We further demonstrate that EGFL7 knock-out in a Nestin-CreERT2-based mouse model produces a pronounced upregulation of neurogenesis within the subgranular zone. RNA sequencing identified that the increased expression of the cytokine VEGF-D correlates significantly with the ablation of EGFL7. We substantiate this finding with intraventricular infusion of VEGF-D upregulating neurogenesis in vivo and further show that VEGF-D knock-out produces a downregulation of neurogenesis. Finally, behavioral studies in EGFL7 knock-out mice demonstrate greater maintenance of spatial memory and improved memory consolidation in the hippocampus by modulation of pattern separation. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that both EGFL7 and VEGF-D affect neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus, with the ablation of EGFL7 upregulating neurogenesis, increasing spatial learning and memory, and correlating with increased VEGF-D expression.
Halomorphic soils cover a significant area in the Vojvodina region and represent ecological and economic challenges for agricultural and forestry sectors. In this study, four economically important ...Serbian poplar clones were compared according to their biochemical and transcriptomic responses towards mild and severe salt stress to select the most tolerant clones for afforestation of halomorphic soils. Three prospective clones of Populus deltoides (Bora-B229, Antonije-182/81 and PE19/66) and one of hybrid genetic background P. nigraxP. deltoides, e.g., P. x euramericana (Pannonia-M1) were hydroponically subjected to NaCl as a salt stress agent in a concentration range from 150 mM to 450 mM. Plant responses were measured at different time periods in the leaves. Biochemical response of poplar clones to salt stress was estimated by tracking several parameters such as different radical scavenging capacities (estimated by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays), accumulation of total phenolic content and flavonoids. Furthermore, accumulation of two osmolytes, glycine betaine and proline, were quantified. The genetic difference of those clones has been already shown by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) but this paper emphasized their differences regarding biochemical and transcriptomic salt stress responses. Five candidate genes, two putative poplar homologues of GRAS family TFs (PtGRAS17 and PtGRAS16), PtDREB2 of DREB family TFs and two abiotic stress-inducible genes (PtP5SC1, PtSOS1), were examined for their expression profiles. Results show that most salt stress-responsive genes were induced in clones M1 and PE19/66, thus showing they can tolerate salt environments with high concentrations and could be efficient in phytoremediation of salt environments. Clone M1 and PE19/66 has ABA-dependent mechanisms expressing the PtP5CS1 gene while clone 182/81 could regulate the expression of the same gene by ABA-independent pathway. To improve salt tolerance in poplar, two putative GRAS/SCL TFs and PtDREB2 gene seem to be promising candidates for genetic engineering of salt-tolerant poplar clones.
Rodents belong to the group of occasionally economically significant to very significant pests. Some species, especially synanthropic species, cause material damage in various ways. Successful and ...sustainable management of rodent control strategies requires different procedures such as prevention and rodent control measures. The present study gives an overview of the most common rodent species and methods for estimating the rodent population to assess the risk of economic damage that may occur due to rodents feeding in field crops, gardens, orchards, and young forest plantations, as well as contamination of stored food. As a prerequisite for effective integrated control of mice and voles, it is necessary to implement an adequate long-term monitoring system of these species, as they are primary pests. The integrated approach improves the treatment efficacy and reduces the treatment costs but also is considered ecologically friendlier compared to conventional measures. An integrated approach should provide an effective strategy for rodent management and control in all types of rodent habitats, from agricultural and forestry production fields to residential and public areas. By combining different preventive measures, it is possible to prevent the presence of pests, which will therefore result in a reduction of pesticide use.
Although sessile oak is one of the most important deciduous forest tree species in Europe, data on the diversity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi on sessile oaks in the Republic of Serbia are scarce. ...The aim of this study was to provide the first insight into the diversity of ECM fungi on sessile oak in Serbia. Two sites Info center and Brankovac, located in National Park Fruška gora were chosen. ECM fungi were identified combining morphological and anatomical characterization with molecular analysis of nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. All vital ECM root tips were counted, diversity indices were calculated, and ECM fungi were classified into the exploration types. The granulometric and chemical composition of soil were analyzed as well. At both sites, 26 different ECM fungal taxa were recorded in total, 17 taxa were observed at the site Info center and 12 taxa at Brankovac. ECM communities consisted of a few abundant taxa and a larger number of rare taxa.
Lactarius quietus, Cenococcum geophilum,
and
Tomentella sublilacina
were recorded at both sites. High abundance of contact and short-distance exploration types recorded in studied stands suggests that soils are sufficiently rich in total nitrogen and organic matter. Values of diversity indices recorded in studied sessile oak stands from Fruška gora were lower in comparison to those obtained in stands of different oak species across Europe which is likely induced by drought. To get a more thorough insight into the diversity of ECM fungi on sessile oak, research should be continued at more sites and seasonal dynamics should be included.
Hrast kitnjak je jedna od ekonomski i ekološki najvažnijih vrsta listopadnog šumskog drveća u Europi. U većini ekosustava umjerene klimatske zone zasnivanje, rast i preživljavanje stabala ovise o njihovoj zajednici sa ektomikoriznim (ECM) gljivama. Pri tome informacije o strukturi ECM zajednice mogu pružiti dragocjene informacije o funkcioniranju šumskih ekosustava. Međutim, podaci o raznolikosti
ECM gljiva na hrastovima u Republici Srbiji su rijetki. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je pružiti prvi uvid u raznolikost ECM gljiva na hrastu
kitnjaku u Srbiji. Odabrane su dvije lokacije Info centar i Brankovac, smještene u Nacionalnom parku Fruška gora. ECM gljive su identificirane kombiniranjem morfološke i anatomske karakterizacije s molekularnom analizom nuklearne rDNA ITS regije. Prebrojani su svi vitalni ECM korijenski vrhovi, izračunati indeksi raznolikosti i ECM gljive su klasificirane u eksploracijske tipove. Analiziran je i granulometrijski i
kemijski sastav tla. Na obje lokacije zabilježeno je ukupno 26 taksona ECM gljiva, 17 taksona zabilježeno je na lokaciji Info centar i 12 taksona na Brankovcu. ECM zajednice sastojale su se od nekoliko brojnih ECM gljiva i većeg broja rijetkih ECM gljiva. Na obje lokacije zabilježeni su
Lactarius quietus
,
Cenococcum geophilum
i
Tomentella sublilacina
.
Na lokaciji Info centar dominirale su porodice Thelephoraceae, Russulaceae i Inocybaceae, dok su na lokaciji Brankovac najzastupljenije
familije bile Entolomataceae, Tuberaceae i Russulaceae. Velika brojnost
kontaktnih i eksploracijskih tipova kratkih udaljenosti zabilježena u proučavanim sastojinama sugerira da su tla dovoljno bogata ukupnim dušikom i organskim tvarima. Vrijednosti indeksa raznolikosti zabilježene u proučavanim sastojinama hrasta kitnjaka s Fruške gore bile
su niže u usporedbi s onima dobivenim u sastojinama različitih vrsta hrasta diljem Europe, što je vjerojatno uzrokovano sušom. Da bi se dobio
temeljitiji uvid u raznolikost tipova ektomikoriza na hrastu kitnjaku, trebalo bi nastaviti s istraživanjima na više mjesta i uključiti sezonsku dinamiku.
Aging causes many changes in the human body, and is a high risk for various diseases. Dementia, a common age-related disease, is a clinical disorder triggered by neurodegeneration. Brain damage ...caused by neuronal death leads to cognitive decline, memory loss, learning inabilities and mood changes. Numerous disease conditions may cause dementia; however, the most common one is Alzheimer's disease (AD), a futile and yet untreatable illness. Adult neurogenesis carries the potential of brain self-repair by an endogenous formation of newly-born neurons in the adult brain; however it also declines with age. Strategies to improve the symptoms of aging and age-related diseases have included different means to stimulate neurogenesis, both pharmacologically and naturally. Finally, the regulatory mechanisms of stem cells neurogenesis or a functional integration of newborn neurons have been explored to provide the basis for grafted stem cell therapy. This review aims to provide an overview of AD pathology of different neural and glial cell types and summarizes current strategies of experimental stem cell treatments and their putative future use in clinical settings.
This study contributes to knowledge of ash weevil (Stereonychus fraxini De
Geer) molecular taxonomy, phylogeny and genetic diversity. Adult and larvae
stages of insect were collected from several ...locations covering northern and
central part of Serbia cojoined with homologous sequences with respect to
their different geographic origin and hypothesis of their evolutionary
relationships. Due to its slow rates of evolution the gene region that
covers mitochondrial 16S rDNA, was choice for sequence profiling and
phylogenetic reconstruction of ash weevil in correspondence with sequences
of related tribes Cionini. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrating clear
separation of the native weevil populations and the Cionini tribes. Even
though bioinformatic tools confirm that all native specimens belong to
species Stereonychus fraxini, different profile of the mitochondrial 16S
rDNA in the clade of Serbian specimens indicate intraspecific genomic
rearrangement in one specimen detached it to northern geographic position.
Those particular specimens invade also different Fraxinus species. Genetic
distinctness of other imagos from this particular individual proved by
indels and point mutations found in their sequences. By screening the
mitochondrial 16S rDNA, molecular evidence suggests the existence of the
specimen with rearranged genome that indicate genetic variability in native
populations of ash weevil species.
This paper analyzes the spatial distribution of different soil types and soil
systematic units in MU ?Doroslovacke sume?. The most common soil type is
chernozem, primarily of calcalourus type. ...Research has shown that the soil
types secondary in prevalance are calcalourus gleyed and brownized, which is
a finding that significantly differs from the previously available data.
Calcalourus variety of chernozem, which is characterized by its automorphic
genesis and high content of CaCO3, is a drier site type and therefore offers
less favourable conditions for cultivation of tree species. The analysys of
spacial distribution was followed by study of soil properties.
nema
Understanding intra-specific variation in leaf functional traits is one of the key requirements for the evaluation of species adaptive capacity to ongoing climate change, as well as for designing ...long-term breeding and conservation strategies. Hence, data of 19 functional traits describing plant physiology, antioxidant properties, anatomy and morphology were determined on 1-year-old seedlings of wild cherry (
Prunus avium
L.) half-sib lines. The variability within and among half-sib lines, as well as the estimation of multi-trait association, were examined using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's honestly significant difference test and multivariate analyses: principal component analysis (PCA), canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) and stepwise discriminant analysis (SDA). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate linear correlation between the study parameters. The results of the ANOVA showed the presence of statistically significant differences (
P
< 0.01) among half-sib lines for all study traits. The differences within half-sib lines, observed through the contribution of the examined sources of variation to the total variance (%), had higher impact on total variation in the majority of the examined traits. Pearson’s correlation analysis and PCA showed strong relationships between gas exchange in plants and leaf size and stomatal density, as well as between leaf biomass accumulation, intercellular CO
2
concentration and parameters related to antioxidant capacity of plants. Likewise, the results of SDA indicate that transpiration and stomatal conductance contributed to the largest extent, to the discrimination of the wild cherry half-sib lines. In addition, PCA and CDA showed separation of the wild cherry half-sib lines along the first principal component and first canonical variable with regards to humidity of their original sites. Multiple adaptive differences between the wild cherry half-sib lines indicate high potential of the species to adapt rapidly to climate change. The existence of substantial genetic variability among the wild cherry half-sib lines highlights their potential as genetic resources for reforestation purposes and breeding programmes.
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