25 results on '"Safner T"'
Search Results
2. Small-scale spatial genetic structure of Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) in Northern Dinarides
- Author
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Safner, T., Buzan, E., Rezic, A., and Šprem, N.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
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3. Past, present and future of chamois science
- Author
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Corlatti, L., primary, Iacolina, L., additional, Safner, T., additional, Apollonio, M., additional, Buzan, E., additional, Ferretti, F., additional, Hammer, S. E., additional, Herrero, J., additional, Rossi, L., additional, Serrano, E., additional, Arnal, M. C., additional, Brivio, F., additional, Chirichella, R., additional, Cotza, A., additional, Crestanello, B., additional, Espunyes, J., additional, Fernández de Luco, D., additional, Friedrich, S., additional, Gačić, D., additional, Grassi, L., additional, Grignolio, S., additional, Hauffe, H. C., additional, Kavčić, K., additional, Kinser, A., additional, Lioce, F., additional, Malagnino, A., additional, Miller, C., additional, Peters, W., additional, Pokorny, B., additional, Reiner, R., additional, Rezić, A., additional, Stipoljev, S., additional, Tešija, T., additional, Yankov, Y., additional, Zwijacz‐Kozica, T., additional, and Šprem, N., additional
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Past, present and future of chamois science
- Author
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Corlatti, L., Iacolina, L., Safner, T., Apollonio, M., Buzan, E., Ferretti, F., Hammer, S. E., Herrero, J., Rossi, L., Serrano, E., Arnal, M. C., Brivio, F., Chirichella, R., Cotza, A., Crestanello, B., Espunyes, J., Fernández de Luco, D., Friedrich, S., Gačić, D., Grassi, L., Grignolio, S., Hauffe, H. C., Kavčić, K., Kinser, A., Lioce, F., Malagnino, A., Miller, C., Peters, W., Pokorny, B., Reiner, R., Rezić, A., Stipoljev, S., Tešija, T., Yankov, Y., and Šprem, T. Zwijacz-Kozica and N.
- Published
- 2022
5. Promjene sastava ihtiofaune rijeke Save u Hrvatskoj tijekom posljednjeg desetljeća (2003.‐2013.)
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M. Piria, T. Tomljanović, N. Šprem, D. Matulić, I. Aničić, R. Safner, T. Treer and Göran Klobučar, Nevenka Kopjar, Marija Gligora Udovič, Žaklin Lukša, Dušan Jelić
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monitoring ,Ponto kaspijski glavoči ,nCPUE ,multivarijatna analiza ,diverzitet - Abstract
Tijekom redovitog monitoringa rijeke Save na pojedinim lokacijama primijećeno je znatno organsko opterećenje, kao i uzvodno širenje Ponto kaspijskih glavoča (P‐C glavoča). Navedeno upućuje na pretpostavku da su ovi elementi mogli utjecati na sastav ihtiofaune rijeke Save. Stoga je napravljena analiza ihtiofaune od 2003. do 2013. za gornji tok rijeke i 2010. do 2013. za donji tok rijeke Save. Korišten je nCPUE (broj jedinki ulova po jedinici napora) 41 vrste prikupljenih riba za analize. Posebno je testirana lokacija Medsave jer su primijećene antropogene promjene u svrhu obrane od poplave. Korištena je RDA i CCA multivarijatna analiza ovisno o duljini testiranog gradijenta. Kvaliteta vode rijeke Save nema utjecaj na sastav ribljih vrsta, čak niti na lokaciji najvećeg organskog opterećenja (Ivanja Reka). Sastav vrsta gornjeg toka (Medsave i Zagreb) se znatno razlikuju od nizvodnih lokacija. Širenje P‐C glavoča utječe na smanjenje raznolikosti vrsta, a pretpostavka je da utječu i na ugrožene riblje vrste kao što su Sabanejewia balcanica i Zingel streber. U posljednje dvije godine u cijelom toku rijeke Save uočen je manji diverzitet ihtiofaune nego ranije. Na lokaciji Medsave se u posljednjih 10‐tak godina promijenio sastav vrsta i smanjio diverzitet. Nastavak monitoringa rijeke se preporuča što bi moglo doprinijeti rasvjetljavanju ekoloških interakcija koje određuju uspješnost invazije P‐C glavoča u različitim vodenim sustavima te njihovom utjecaju na nativne riblje populacije.
- Published
- 2015
6. Effect of slope position on soil properties and soil moisture regime of Stagnosol in the vineyard
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Magdić Ivan, Safner Toni, Rubinić Vedran, Rutić Filip, Husnjak Stjepan, and Filipović Vilim
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hillslope ,agriculture ,stagnosol ,soil properties ,soil water content ,bg horizon ,Hydraulic engineering ,TC1-978 - Abstract
Hillslope hydrology in agricultural landscapes is complex due to a variety of hydropedological processes and field management possibilities. The aim was to test if there are any differences in soil properties and water regime along the hillslope and to compare vineyard rows (vine) with inter-rows (grass) area for those properties. The study determined that there are significant differences in the contents of soil particle fractions, pH, and humus content along the slope (P < 0.0001), with lower confidence level in bulk density (P < 0.05). Differences between row and inter-row space were significant for the pH, humus, and silt content, but for sand and clay content, and bulk density differences were not determined. The study determined differences in soil water content among five slope positions (P < 0.0001), and between row and inter-row vineyard space (all with P < 0.05). Where in the upper slope positions (e. g., P1) soil water content was higher than on lower slope positions. Higher soil water content was observed at higher slope positions, associated with clay content. However, it can be concluded that the retention of moisture on the slope is more influenced by local-scale soil properties (primarily soil texture) and variability of the crop (row/inter-row) than the position on the slope.
- Published
- 2022
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7. FRUIT QUALITY OF 'LOVRANSKA' SWEET CHERRY
- Author
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Ljubicic, I., primary, Duralija, B., additional, Jemric, T., additional, Safner, T., additional, and Brajan, M., additional
- Published
- 2008
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8. Efficiency of alpha designs in Croatian variety trials.
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Gunjaca, J., Renka, H., Jambresic, I., Sindrak, Z., Safner, T., Liovic, I., and Pecina, M.
- Published
- 2005
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9. In vitro introduction of healthy and virus-infected genotypes of native Croatian grapevine cultivars
- Author
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Marković Zvjezdana, Preiner Darko, Bošnjak Anita, Safner Toni, Stupić Domagoj, Andabaka Željko, Maletić Edi, Chatelet Philippe, Engelmann Florent, and Kontić Jasminka
- Subjects
grapevine ,croatian autochthonous cultivars ,in vitro inoculation ,growth parameters ,infected genotypes ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Published
- 2014
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10. Efficiency of alpha designs in Croatian variety trials
- Author
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Gunjaca, J., primary, Renka, H., additional, Jambresic, I., additional, Sindrak, Z., additional, Safner, T., additional, Liovic, I., additional, and Pecina, M., additional
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11. How we look: European wild mouflon and feral domestic sheep hybrids.
- Author
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Šprem N, Buzan E, and Safner T
- Abstract
Hybridization between wild animals and feral individuals from closely related domestic species can occur when they share the same habitat. Such events are generally regarded as a threat to the genetic integrity and survival of established wild populations. The aim of this study is to confirm a hybridization between European mouflon and feral sheep on the Adriatic island Dugi Otok, where a group of individuals phenotypically indicative of a possible introgression was photographed. Using an ovine medium-density SNP array genotypes, we provided genetic evidence of recent gene admixture between the two species. The ADMIXTURE analysis suggests that two hybrid individuals had 82.2% and 94.1% of their ancestry attributable to feral sheep, respectively, with the rest of the mouflon in origin. NEWHYBRIDS analysis estimated the combined probabilities for the putative hybrid individuals belonging to one of the hybrid classes at 87.0% and 90.1%, respectively. The main phenotypic differences in the hybrids were observed in the shape of the horns, a stronger horn circumference than in the mouflon and weaker than for the sheep, pronounced horn rings, a shorter tail, and intermediate color. We therefore recommend constant monitoring of the purity of the mouflon population to maintain its genetic integrity. In addition, all feral sheep should be removed from the wild, and released sheep raised in semi-wild conditions should be better controlled., Competing Interests: On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Editorial Office, Current Zoology.)
- Published
- 2023
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12. Study of High-Temperature-Induced Morphological and Physiological Changes in Potato Using Nondestructive Plant Phenotyping.
- Author
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Lazarević B, Carović-Stanko K, Safner T, and Poljak M
- Abstract
Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) is vulnerable to high temperatures, which are expected to increase in frequency and duration due to climate change. Nondestructive phenotyping techniques represent a promising technology for helping the adaptation of agriculture to climate change. In this study, three potato cultivars (Agria, Bellarosa and Desiree) were grown under four temperature treatments: 20/15 °C (T1), 25/20 °C (T2), 30/25 °C (T3), and 35/30 °C (T4). Multispectral and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, 3D multispectral scanning, and gas exchange analysis were used to study the effect of moderate heat stress on potato morphology and physiology and select phenotypic traits most responsive to increased temperatures. The most responsive morphological traits to increased temperatures are related to decreased leaf area, which were detected already at T2. Increased temperatures (already T2) also changed leaf spectral characteristics, indicated by increased red, green, and blue reflectance and decreased far-red reflectance and anthocyanin index (ARI). Regarding chlorophyll fluorescence, increasing temperatures (T2) caused an increase in minimal fluorescence of both dark-adapted (F
0 ) and light-adapted (F0 ') plants. Stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, photosynthetic rate, instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE), and intrinsic water use efficiency increased from T1 to T3 and decreased again in T4. Using recursive partitioning analysis, the most responsive potato phenotypic traits to increased temperature were leaf area projected (LAP), ARI, F0 , and WUE. These traits could be considered marker traits for further studying potato responses to increased temperatures.- Published
- 2022
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13. Traces of past reintroduction in genetic diversity: The case of the Balkan chamois (Mammalia, Artiodactyla).
- Author
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Rezić A, Safner T, Iacolina L, Bužan E, and Šprem N
- Abstract
The translocation of wild animal species became a common practice worldwide to re-establish local populations threatened with extinction. Archaeological data confirm that chamois once lived in the Biokovo Mountain but, prior to their reintroduction in the 1960s, there was no written evidence of their recent existence in the area. The population was reintroduced in the period 1964-1969, when 48 individuals of Balkan chamois from the neighbouring mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina were released. The main objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of the existing historical data on the origin of the Balkan chamois population from the Biokovo Mountain and to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of the source and translocated populations 56 years after reintroduction. Sixteen microsatellite loci were used to analyse the genetic structure of three source chamois populations from Prenj, Čvrsnica and Čabulja Mountains and from Biokovo Mountain. Both STRUCTURE and GENELAND analyses showed a clear separation of the reintroduced population on Biokovo from Prenj's chamois and considerable genetic similarity between the Biokovo population and the Čvrsnica-Čabulja population. This suggests that the current genetic composition of the Biokovo population does not derive exclusively from Prenj, as suggested by the available literature and personal interviews, but also from Čvrsnica and Čabulja. GENELAND analysis recognised the Balkan chamois from Prenj as a separate cluster, distinct from the populations of Čvrsnica and Čabulja. Our results thus highlight the need to implement genetic monitoring of both reintroduced and source populations of endangered Balkan chamois to inform sustainable management and conservation strategies in order to maximise the chances of population persistence., (Andrea Rezić, Toni Safner, Laura Iacolina, Elena Bužan, Nikica Šprem.)
- Published
- 2022
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14. Classification of high-throughput phenotyping data for differentiation among nutrient deficiency in common bean.
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Lazarević B, Carović-Stanko K, Živčak M, Vodnik D, Javornik T, and Safner T
- Abstract
The development of automated, image-based, high-throughput plant phenotyping enabled the simultaneous measurement of many plant traits. Big and complex phenotypic datasets require advanced statistical methods which enable the extraction of the most valuable traits when combined with other measurements, interpretation, and understanding of their (eco)physiological background. Nutrient deficiency in plants causes specific symptoms that can be easily detected by multispectral imaging, 3D scanning, and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. Screening of numerous image-based phenotypic traits of common bean plants grown in nutrient-deficient solutions was conducted to optimize phenotyping and select the most valuable phenotypic traits related to the specific nutrient deficit. Discriminant analysis was used to compare the efficiency of groups of traits obtained by high-throughput phenotyping techniques (chlorophyll fluorescence, multispectral traits, and morphological traits) in discrimination between nutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe)] at early and prolonged deficiency. Furthermore, a recursive partitioning analysis was used to select variables within each group of traits that show the highest accuracy for assigning plants to the respective nutrient deficit treatment. Using the entire set of measured traits, the highest classification success by discriminant function was achieved using multispectral traits. In the subsequent measurements, chlorophyll fluorescence and multispectral traits achieved comparably high classification success. Recursive partitioning analysis was able to intrinsically identify variables within each group of traits and their threshold values that best separate the observations from different nutrient deficiency groups. Again, the highest success in assigning plants into their respective groups was achieved based on selected multispectral traits. Selected chlorophyll fluorescence traits also showed high accuracy for assigning plants into control, Fe, Mg, and P deficit but could not correctly assign K and N deficit plants. This study has shown the usefulness of combining high-throughput phenotyping techniques with advanced data analysis to determine and differentiate nutrient deficiency stress., (Copyright © 2022 Lazarević, Carović-Stanko, Živčak, Vodnik, Javornik and Safner.)
- Published
- 2022
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15. The de novo assembly of a European wild boar genome revealed unique patterns of chromosomal structural variations and segmental duplications.
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Chen J, Zhong J, He X, Li X, Ni P, Safner T, Šprem N, and Han J
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- Animals, Chromosomes, Genome, Male, Sus scrofa genetics, Swine genetics, Segmental Duplications, Genomic, Sperm Motility
- Abstract
The rapid progress of sequencing technology has greatly facilitated the de novo genome assembly of pig breeds. However, the assembly of the wild boar genome is still lacking, hampering our understanding of chromosomal and genomic evolution during domestication from wild boars into domestic pigs. Here, we sequenced and de novo assembled a European wild boar genome (ASM2165605v1) using the long-range information provided by 10× Linked-Reads sequencing. We achieved a high-quality assembly with contig N50 of 26.09 Mb. Additionally, 1.64% of the contigs (222) with lengths from 107.65 kb to 75.36 Mb covered 90.3% of the total genome size of ASM2165605v1 (~2.5 Gb). Mapping analysis revealed that the contigs can fill 24.73% (93/376) of the gaps present in the orthologous regions of the updated pig reference genome (Sscrofa11.1). We further improved the contigs into chromosome level with a reference-assistant scaffolding method. Using the 'assembly-to-assembly' approach, we identified intra-chromosomal large structural variations (SVs, length >1 kb) between ASM2165605v1 and Sscrofa11.1 assemblies. Interestingly, we found that the number of SV events on the X chromosome deviated significantly from the linear models fitting autosomes (R
2 > 0.64, p < 0.001). Specifically, deletions and insertions were deficient on the X chromosome by 66.14 and 58.41% respectively, whereas duplications and inversions were excessive on the X chromosome by 71.96 and 107.61% respectively. We further used the large segmental duplications (SDs, >1 kb) events as a proxy to understand the large-scale inter-chromosomal evolution, by resolving parental-derived relationships for SD pairs. We revealed a significant excess of SD movements from the X chromosome to autosomes (p < 0.001), consistent with the expectation of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Enrichment analyses indicated that the genes within derived SD copies on autosomes were significantly related to biological processes involving nervous system, lipid biosynthesis and sperm motility (p < 0.01). Together, our analyses of the de novo assembly of ASM2165605v1 provides insight into the SVs between European wild boar and domestic pig, in addition to the ongoing process of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation in driving inter-chromosomal interaction between the sex chromosome and autosomes., (© 2022 The Authors. Animal Genetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.)- Published
- 2022
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16. Optimization and validation of a two-step method for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Croatian house dust samples.
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Jagić K, Dvoršćak M, Jurič A, Safner T, and Klinčić D
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- Chromatography, Gas, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Dust, Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers analysis
- Abstract
Microwave-assisted extraction was applied as a method for extraction of seven polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners (28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183) from house dust samples. Optimization of MAE experimental conditions was achieved using a multivariate design approach, and the results indicated that only the choice of extraction solvent had a statistically significant influence on extraction efficiency. The extract purification step was also investigated in detail with a goal to achieve effective cleaning, with minor solvent consumption. As the final operating conditions, 20 min MAE extraction from 1 g of dust with 20 mL of n-hexane : acetone (1 : 1, v/v) at 80 °C and extract purification on an in-lab prepared column containing 2 g of neutral silica and 4 g of acidified silica, whereby the PBDEs were eluted from the column with 15 mL of n-hexane : dichloromethane (4 : 1, v/v), were selected. The extracts were analyzed on a dual GC-μECD system, and GC-MS/MS was used as a confirmatory method. The performance of the optimized method was validated by analyzing spiked dust samples and a standard reference material (NIST 2585 "Organic Contaminants in House Dust"). Congener specific PBDE recovery ranged from 76% to 90% for the spiked samples (with very good repeatability; RSD < 7%) and the measured mass concentrations of selected PBDEs were in excellent agreement with certified values for a standard reference material. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of targeted PBDEs in house dust samples.
- Published
- 2021
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17. Population structure and genetic diversity of non-native aoudad populations.
- Author
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Stipoljev S, Safner T, Gančević P, Galov A, Stuhne T, Svetličić I, Grignolio S, Cassinello J, and Šprem N
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- Alleles, Animals, Czech Republic, DNA, Mitochondrial genetics, Europe, Haplotypes genetics, Microsatellite Repeats genetics, Ruminants classification, Spain, Genetic Variation genetics, Genetics, Population, Mammals genetics, Ruminants genetics
- Abstract
The aoudad (Ammotragus lervia Pallas 1777) is an ungulate species, native to the mountain ranges of North Africa. In the second half of the twentieth century, it was successfully introduced in some European countries, mainly for hunting purposes, i.e. in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Spain. We used neutral genetic markers, the mitochondrial DNA control region sequence and microsatellite loci, to characterize and compare genetic diversity and spatial pattern of genetic structure on different timeframes among all European aoudad populations. Four distinct control region haplotypes found in European aoudad populations indicate that the aoudad has been introduced in Europe from multiple genetic sources, with the population in the Sierra Espuña as the only population in which more than one haplotype was detected. The number of detected microsatellite alleles within all populations (< 3.61) and mean proportion of shared alleles within all analysed populations (< 0.55) indicates relatively low genetic variability, as expected for new populations funded by a small number of individuals. In STRUCTURE results with K = 2-4, Croatian and Czech populations cluster in the same genetic cluster, indicating joined origin. Among three populations from Spain, Almeria population shows as genetically distinct from others in results, while other Spanish populations diverge at K = 4. Maintenance of genetic diversity should be included in the management of populations to sustain their viability, specially for small Czech population with high proportion of shared alleles (0.85) and Croatian population that had the smallest estimated effective population size (Ne = 5.4).
- Published
- 2021
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18. Preliminary results on polybrominated diphenyl ether contamination status in Croatian households and insights into children's exposure.
- Author
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Jagić K, Dvoršćak M, Jurič A, Safner T, and Klinčić D
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- Adolescent, Adult, Child, Preschool, Croatia, Eating, Environmental Exposure analysis, Housing, Humans, Infant, Middle Aged, Risk Assessment, Young Adult, Dust analysis, Environmental Pollutants analysis, Flame Retardants analysis, Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers analysis
- Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners were analyzed in house dust samples collected in Croatian households. ∑PBDEs ranged between 1.1 ng g
-1 dust and 17662.4 ng g-1 dust with BDE-99 being the most dominant congener accounting for approximately 60 %. The estimated daily intake (EDI) for toddlers as the most vulnerable population group ranged from 0.003 to 55.04 and from 0.01 to 110.07 ng kg-1 bw day-1 in the central and worst case scenario, respectively. The EDI calculated for the dominant BDE-99 in the sample with the highest ∑PBDE was in the worst case scenario 68.99 ng kg-1 bw day-1 , which was quite close to the reference dose of 100 ng kg-1 bw day-1 ., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)- Published
- 2021
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19. A Mother's Story, Mitogenome Relationships in the Genus Rupicapra .
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Iacolina L, Buzan E, Safner T, Bašić N, Geric U, Tesija T, Lazar P, Arnal MC, Chen J, Han J, and Šprem N
- Abstract
Although the two species of chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra and R. pyrenaica ) are currently classified as least-concern by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), inconsistencies on the subspecies classification reported in literature make it challenging to assess the conservation status of the single subspecies. Previous studies relying on mitochondrial genes, sometimes in combination with nuclear or Y-chromosome markers, reported the presence of clusters corresponding to the geographic distribution but highlighting ambiguities in the genus phylogeny. Here we report novel de novo assembled sequences of the mitochondrial genome from nine individuals, including previously unpublished R. r. balcanica and R. r. tatrica subspecies, and use them to untangle the genus phylogeny. Our results based on the full mitogenome inferred phylogeny confirm the previously reported genus subdivision in three clades and its monophyletic positioning within the Caprinae. Phylogeny and taxonomy of Rupicapra species thus remain controversial prompting for the inclusion of archeological remains to solve the controversy.
- Published
- 2021
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20. Plant Carotenoids as Pigment Sources in Laying Hen Diets: Effect on Yolk Color, Carotenoid Content, Oxidative Stability and Sensory Properties of Eggs.
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Kljak K, Carović-Stanko K, Kos I, Janječić Z, Kiš G, Duvnjak M, Safner T, and Bedeković D
- Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a supplementation diet for hens consisting of dried basil herb and flowers of calendula and dandelion for color, carotenoid content, iron-induced oxidative stability, and sensory properties of egg yolk compared with commercial pigment (control) and marigold flower. The plant parts were supplemented in diets at two levels: 1% and 3%. In response to dietary content, yolks from all diets differed in carotenoid profile ( p < 0.001). The 3% supplementation level resulted in a similar total carotenoid content as the control (21.25 vs. 21.79 μg/g), but by 3-fold lower compared to the 3% marigold (66.95 μg/g). The tested plants did not achieve yolk color fan values as the control (13.47) or 3% marigold (11.47), and among them, calendula had the highest values (9.73). Despite the low carotenoid content in diets supplemented with basil herb, iron-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was low as for marigold (on average 106.83 vs. 92.68 ng/g after 250 min). The treatments differed in sensory color scores for fresh and hard-boiled yolks and flavor while other sensory properties were similar. In conclusion, the supplementation of plants in a hen diet may result in yolks containing carotenoids and other compounds showing a high antioxidant effect., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.
- Published
- 2021
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21. Is low-level metal exposure related to testicular cancer?
- Author
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Tariba Lovaković B, Živković Semren T, Safner T, Gamulin M, Soče M, and Pizent A
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- Antioxidants, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal, Oxidative Stress, Testicular Neoplasms chemically induced, Environmental Exposure statistics & numerical data, Environmental Pollutants toxicity, Metals toxicity, Testicular Neoplasms epidemiology
- Abstract
Disruption of element homeostasis may contribute to increased susceptibility of men to cancer development. Whether environmental low-level metal exposure could contribute to the pathogenesis of testicular cancer is unknown. Comparison of the level of 18 elements in whole blood, serum and urine and parameters of oxidative stress/antioxidant status between men with testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) and healthy men showed significant difference between the groups in most parameters. The results of linear discriminant analysis with a discrimination rate of 96% indicated whole blood Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na and Zn, serum Ca, Cu, Na and Ni, and urine Cd, Co, Fe and Mn being the strongest predictors of illness. TGCT patients had a significant increase in serum and blood Cu and decrease in serum Fe and blood Zn with cancer progression. Significantly higher concentrations of Al, As, Pb, and Ni in whole blood/serum of men with TGCT confirm the hypothesis that low-level environmental exposure to these elements may contribute to cancer development. Relationship between elements concentrations and treatment outcomes should be carefully monitored during cancer treatment since high concentrations of commonly used platinum-based chemotherapeutics may additionally disturb the homeostasis of elements.
- Published
- 2021
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22. Microsatellite based assignment reveals history of extirpated mountain ungulate.
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Safner T, Buzan E, Iacolina L, Potušek S, Rezić A, Sindičić M, Kavčić K, and Šprem N
- Subjects
- Animals, Conservation of Natural Resources, Evolution, Molecular, Horns, Male, Phylogeny, Sequence Analysis, DNA methods, Skull, Microsatellite Repeats genetics, Rupicapra genetics
- Abstract
During the early 1900s, Northern chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) populations in the northern Dinaric Mountains were extirpated. During the 1960s and 1970s there were several reintroductions of individuals from two Northern chamois subspecies (Alpine chamois, R. r. rupicapra and Balkan chamois, R. r. balcanica) from neighbouring areas in the attempt to re-establish the population. Accurate taxonomic classification, at subspecies level, of the autochthonous extirpated population was not known. To clarify which subspecies was present before reintroduction, we genotyped four male chamois skulls originating from Velebit Mountain, collected around 25 years before the population local extinction. DNA was successfully extracted from middle layer and outer sheath of horns. Assignment based on microsatellite loci, using both Bayesian clustering in STRUCTURE (with q values between 0.55 and 0.73) and DAPC (with individual membership probabilities of 0.99 and 1.00) indicated higher assessed likelihood for the Alpine subspecies.
- Published
- 2020
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23. Contrasting patterns of sexually selected traits in Mediterranean and continental populations of European mouflon.
- Author
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Kavčić K, Corlatti L, Safner T, Budak N, and Šprem N
- Abstract
The expression of sexually selected traits in highly dimorphic ungulates may be influenced by environmental quality. Variations in habitat conditions can impose different constraints on the allocation of energy resources to male life-history traits, and possibly alter the female preferences for specific features. Here, we compared the horn growth patterns in male European mouflon Ovis aries musimon living in different habitats (Mediterranean vs. continental) but sharing a common genetic origin. We hypothesized that the expression of sexually selected traits such as horn development should be promoted in more favorable habitat conditions (i.e., Mediterranean). Using linear mixed models on data retrieved from individuals harvested under the same hunting regime, we found longer horns and greater individual variance in horn segment length in the Mediterranean population than in the continental one. Furthermore, Mediterranean rams showed no evidence of compensatory horn growth, as opposed to the continental rams. Unexpectedly, horn base circumference was greater in the continental habitat than in the Mediterranean one. The overall results suggest different patterns of investment in horns in the two populations, with seemingly stronger pressure and consequences of sexual selection on mouflon rams living in more favorable environments. Although the role of hunters' selectivity cannot be excluded a priori, our data suggest that the differences in the expression of sexually selected traits in our study populations may be influenced by environmental conditions. Because sexual selection can impose substantial fitness costs on individuals, further investigations on the trade-offs between reproduction and survival would improve our understanding of the dynamics of mouflon populations living in different environmental conditions., Competing Interests: We have no competing interests., (© 2020 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Published
- 2020
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24. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of urinary volatile organic metabolites: Optimization of the HS-SPME procedure and sample storage conditions.
- Author
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Živković Semren T, Brčić Karačonji I, Safner T, Brajenović N, Tariba Lovaković B, and Pizent A
- Subjects
- Adult, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Humans, Male, Metabolome, Specimen Handling, Temperature, Solid Phase Microextraction methods, Volatile Organic Compounds urine
- Abstract
Non-targeted metabolomics research of human volatile urinary metabolome can be used to identify potential biomarkers associated with the changes in metabolism related to various health disorders. To ensure reliable analysis of urinary volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), parameters affecting the headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) procedure have been evaluated and optimized. The influence of incubation and extraction temperatures and times, coating fibre material and salt addition on SPME efficiency was investigated by multivariate optimization methods using reduced factorial and Doehlert matrix designs. The results showed optimum values for temperature to be 60°C, extraction time 50min, and incubation time 35min. The proposed conditions were applied to investigate urine samples' stability regarding different storage conditions and freeze-thaw processes. The sum of peak areas of urine samples stored at 4°C, -20°C, and -80°C up to six months showed a time dependent decrease over time although storage at -80°C resulted in a slight non-significant reduction comparing to the fresh sample. However, due to the volatile nature of the analysed compounds, more than two cycles of freezing/thawing of the sample stored for six months at -80°C should be avoided whenever possible., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2018
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25. Comparison of Bayesian clustering and edge detection methods for inferring boundaries in landscape genetics.
- Author
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Safner T, Miller MP, McRae BH, Fortin MJ, and Manel S
- Subjects
- Animals, Bayes Theorem, Ecosystem, Genetic Variation, Microsatellite Repeats, Population genetics, Evolution, Molecular, Genetics, Population methods, Models, Genetic, Puma genetics, Rhododendron genetics
- Abstract
Recently, techniques available for identifying clusters of individuals or boundaries between clusters using genetic data from natural populations have expanded rapidly. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate these different techniques. We used spatially-explicit simulation models to compare three spatial Bayesian clustering programs and two edge detection methods. Spatially-structured populations were simulated where a continuous population was subdivided by barriers. We evaluated the ability of each method to correctly identify boundary locations while varying: (i) time after divergence, (ii) strength of isolation by distance, (iii) level of genetic diversity, and (iv) amount of gene flow across barriers. To further evaluate the methods' effectiveness to detect genetic clusters in natural populations, we used previously published data on North American pumas and a European shrub. Our results show that with simulated and empirical data, the Bayesian spatial clustering algorithms outperformed direct edge detection methods. All methods incorrectly detected boundaries in the presence of strong patterns of isolation by distance. Based on this finding, we support the application of Bayesian spatial clustering algorithms for boundary detection in empirical datasets, with necessary tests for the influence of isolation by distance.
- Published
- 2011
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