Assessment and potential of ecosystem services of ornamental dendroflora in public green areas

The green infrastructure of the city of Novi Sad is characterized by a significant presence of ornamental invasive alien species, which might lead to their uncontrolled spread and suppression of autochthonous dendroflora. This study aimed to determine the ecosystem services and disservices of ornamental dendroflora in Novi Sad, as well as how they can affect urban green areas. Of the total ornamental dendroflora in Novi Sad, 88.33% of species with a good adaptation were determined, while 10% had a medium and 1.67% had a very good adaptation. Thirty-four allochthonous species showed very high (38.24%), moderate (47.06%), and low (14.71%) invasive potential according to the conducted invasiveness risk assessment. These species are also characterized by high (2.94%), moderate (67.65%), and low (29.41%) allergenic potential. On the contrary, 26 ornamental autochthonous species are characterized by moderate (38.46%) and low (61.54%) rates of spread on public green areas, while also characterized by high (26.92%), moderate (50%), and weak (23.08%) allergenic potential. Ornamental dendroflora provides many more positive ecosystem services, such as urban afforestation, climate regulation, decorative-aesthetic value, air and water purification, ecotourism and recreation, and other services that are of great benefit to the residents of that city. The highest calculated values of ecosystem services in allochthonous and autochthonous species were 27 and 26.5 (out of possible maximal value 40), while ecosystem disservices accounted down to the value of - 13.5 (out of possible minimal value - 22). Therefore, intrinsic disservices such as the production of large amounts of green waste of ornamental dendroflora can be shifted into a novel ecosystem service-green solutions based on nature, to avoid unsuitable deposition of seeds in the soil and creation of suitable vegetation on public green areas.

Characterisation of subchondral bone repair following transplantation of bioreactor-manufactured autologous osteochondral graft in a sheep model

To date, no single approach to the treatment of osteochondral defects has resulted in satisfactory long-term outcomes, especially in a young and active human population. Emerging innovative tissue engineering strategies, including the use of composite scaffolds, novel cell sources and bioreactors, have shown promising results. However, these techniques need to be validated in translational animal models before they can be implemented in clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to analyse morphological and microarchitectural parameters during subchondral bone repair following transplantation of bioreactor-manufactured autologous osteochondral grafts in a sheep model. Animals were divided into 4 treatment groups: nasal chondrocyte (NC) autologous osteochondral grafts, articular chondrocyte (AC) autologous osteochondral grafts, cell-free scaffolds (CFS) and empty defects (EDs). After 6 weeks, 3 months and 12 months, bone remodelling was assessed by histology and micro-computed tomography (µCT). Although gradual remodelling and subchondral bone repair were seen in all groups across the time points, the best results were observed in the NC group. This was evidenced by the extent of new tissue formation and its best integration into the surrounding tissue in the NC group at all time points. This also suggested that nasal septum chondrocyte-seeded grafts adapted well to the biomechanical conditions of the loaded joint surface.

Proteomic analysis of peritoneal fluid identified COMP and TGFBI as new candidate biomarkers for endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common non-malignant gynecological disease that significantly compromises fertility and quality of life of the majority of patients. The gold standard for diagnosis is visual inspection of the pelvic organs by surgical laparoscopy and there are no biomarkers that would allow non-invasive diagnosis. The pathogenesis of endometriosis is not completely understood, thus analysis of peritoneal fluid might contribute in this respect. Our prospective case-control study included 58 patients undergoing laparoscopy due to infertility, 32 patients with peritoneal endometriosis (cases) and 26 patients with unexplained primary infertility (controls). Discovery proteomics using antibody microarrays that covered 1360 proteins identified 16 proteins with different levels in cases versus the control patients. The validation using an ELISA approach confirmed significant differences in the levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and transforming growth factor-β-induced protein ig-h3 (TGFBI) and nonsignificant differences in angiotensinogen (AGT). A classification model based on a linear support vector machine revealed AUC of > 0.83, sensitivity of 0.81 and specificity of 1.00. Differentially expressed proteins represent candidates for diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers or drug targets. Our findings have brought new knowledge that will be helpful in the understanding of the pathophysiology of endometriosis and warrant further studies in blood samples.

Koelreuteria paniculata invasiveness, yielding capacity and harvest date influence on biodiesel feedstock properties

Due to Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm., high abundance in Novi Sad (Serbia) and previously confirmed biodiesel feedstock suitability, this study aimed to assess generative potential and yield, assess K. paniculata invasive risk, and investigate the influence of harvesting periods on the oil content and quality. Fifty-five specimens present in the Novi Sad inner-city core exhibited very high scores in the conducted invasiveness risk assessment (score 35/39). Determined good overall adaptability, growth and development, vitality and decorativeness of K. paniculata specimens, as well as the absence of phytopathological and entomological damages, due to lack of natural enemies, provided this species high unhindered yielding. The majority of investigated trees reached 5-10 m in height and canopy volumes from 10.1 to 70 m³, with an estimated more than 130 000-700 000 seeds produced per canopy. Seeds from one representative specimen were collected on different harvesting dates, at the end of August, September and October of 2019, and analyzed for oil content and quality for biodiesel production. With the average oil percentage of 22.8 w%, determined in the representative specimen, investigated 55 seed-bearing K. paniculata trees merely in the inner city core of Novi Sad, could produce 115 kg of oil. Since oil properties (<1 w% of free fatty acids and the acid number <2 mgKOH.g^-1) and fatty acid profile (high content of monounsaturated fatty acids ≈72 w%) fit the requirements set in EN14214 biodiesel standard, regardless of the harvest date, harvest season can be extended to at least three months without compromising the oil quality for biodiesel production. Thus, intrinsic disservice of K. paniculata - high seed yielding can be shifted into a novel ecosystem service - quality biodiesel production. Aiming to avoid viable seed deposition in the ground and formation of the invasive seed bank, early August harvest can be recommended.

Water quality as an indicator of hydrogeological conditions: a case study of the Belgrade Groundwater Source (Sava/Danube confluence area)

The City of Belgrade receives most of its drinking water supply from the alluvial aquifer of the Sava River. The wells are radial, placed in the lower part of the aquifer, so they partly run below the Sava riverbed. However, the groundwater quality of the wells in one part of the source (near the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers) is found to differ somewhat from the groundwater quality of the other wells. The finding gave rise to additional investigations. The results revealed the existence of a deeper, limestone aquifer which is isolated from upper alluvial sediments by a thick layer of clay in most of the terrain. The naturally potential hydraulic contact of the two aquifers was additionally maintained by well operation in this part of the source. According to multiple analyses of groundwater flow using a hydrodynamic mathematical model, a hydrogeological and hydraulic system of groundwater flow was defined. Although the wells are situated adjacent to the river, and some well laterals are below the riverbed, most of the groundwater that flows to the wells is partly from the wider zone of the alluvial aquifer, and partly from the deeper aquifer. The initial results of hydrochemical investigations also showed an unexpected, inverse oxic character of the groundwater in these two aquifers.

The effect of certain biochemical factors on well clogging under suboxic and mildly anoxic conditions

Research conducted at the Belgrade Groundwater Source in Serbia has shown that significant well screen clogging processes take place under reduced oxic and initial anoxic conditions. Criteria for the prevention, or deceleration, of clogging are becoming more relevant to well ageing, compared with classical, mechanical clogging criteria and the permissible entrance velocities derived from them. The research project was later expanded to encompass other alluvial sources, which feature distinct oxic conditions. This paper presents some of the outcomes of this project, which shed light on the correlation between certain important indicators of well screen clogging (such as the redox potential and iron concentration) and the rate of increase in local hydraulic resistance at the wells.