Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia

Comparing the effectiveness of honey with Rubus fruticosus plant powder from the Algerian farm on wounds and the resultant oxidative stress

Sana Besnaci — 2025-12-20

The use of traditional remedies remains a common therapeutic option for treating burns. In this study, we investigated the healing effect of honey and Rubus fruticosus plant powder, and the combination of these two products in burn treatment and accompanied oxidative stress regulation. Over 30 days, Wistar rats with dorsal burns were divided into five groups. Burns were induced on the dorsal region, and treatments were applied topically: honey, blackberry powder, and a honey-plant powder mixture. Two groups served as controls, while treatments were administered daily. Initially, a morphological study was conducted by following the different stages of wound healing and assessing the most effective treatment. At the end of the treatment, histological sections of the wound sites were made, along with an evaluation of oxidative stress by monitoring the activity of Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), Glutathione-Peroxydase (GPX), and Catalase (CAT) enzymes, biomarkers at the hepatic level. The results indicate that the natural products used are highly effective in treating burns compared to those treated with the marketed healing cream. The combination of honey and blackberry powder showed a synergistic effect in burn healing, and the histological observations support the findings from the planimetric study. The study of biomarkers shows a state of oxidative stress in the control rats through a decrease in GSH levels and an increase in the activity of hepatic GST, GPX, and CAT. In conclusion, the natural products used in our study demonstrate significant effectiveness in treating burns and oxidative stress regulation, particularly when used in combination.

Article history: Received 1 October 2024; Revised 2 December 2024;
Accepted 11 July 2025; Available online 20 December 2025

Photoperiodic influence of light-emitting diode (LED) on vegetative parameters of Spinacia oleracea L. (Spinach)

Musa Saheed Ibrahim — 2025-12-20

This research aims to determine sustainable strategies to optimize crop growth and yield, by testing the possibilities of using light-emitting diode (LED) technique to influence the vegetative parameters of spinach. A speed-breeding chamber was constructed using LEDs as a light source under varying photoperiods (19, 17, 15, and 13 hours). The control was established to be the normal light duration of 11 hours during the study period. Spinach vegetative parameters involving morphological parameters such as stem length, root length, and leaf area as well as physiological parameters such as plant weight and percentage necrosis and chlorosis were investigated for 30 days after transplanting. The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in morphological parameters of spinach with increasing photoperiod. The spinach plant under the long photoperiod was observed to show the highest morphological and physiological properties. About a 30% increase in root length was observed in the speed-breeding chamber with the longest photoperiod duration compared to the control conditions. Significantly improved spinach plant weight was observed for 19-hour photoperiod compared to the shorter exposure (p < 0.05). A lower percentage of necrosis and chlorosis was observed in spinach with longer LED exposure. This research indicated that LED-induced speed breeding is very effective in improving the vegetative properties of spinach. It can be argued that a 19-hour LED-induced photoperiod is the optimum photo duration required by spinach to improve vegetative growth. Future research should be conducted to investigate the influence of similar LED-induced photoperiods on other species of vegetables.

Article history: Received 05 October 2025; Revised 09 December 2025;
Accepted 11 December 2025; Available online 20 December 2025

Antifungal activity of lactic acid bacteria against Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum

Houda Ouazzani — 2025-12-20

Many fungi are viewed as contaminants in nearly all food products. This contamination can be affected by various pollutants, including natural toxins. Among these toxins are mycotoxins produced by mold pathogens that affect plants. Combating these pathogens is essential in the agri-food industry, and the development of innovative strategies like biopreservation presents a promising solution. This study aims to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from fermented cow’s milk and examine their antifungal properties against Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum. The LAB were identified through morphological, biochemical, and MALDI-Tof analyses. Five strains of LAB sourced from fermented cow’s milk were evaluated for their antifungal activity using both the streak method and the double-layer method. The LAB isolates displayed inhibitory effects against Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum, showing a significant reduction in mean fungal diameter in comparison to the control, with these isolates categorizing under the Lactobacillus genus. The Fusarium oxysporum strain exhibited greater sensitivity to LAB compared to the Aspergillus niger strain. No decrease in antifungal activity was noted after subjecting the inhibitory metabolites in LAB supernatants to temperature treatments (4℃, 45℃, 60℃, and 100℃). After treatment with the proteolytic enzyme (chymotrypsin), no alterations in inhibition zones were observed. Inhibition was noted at an acidic pH for all strains. Investigating the nature of the inhibitory metabolites of LAB through thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and following their characterization allowed us to conclude that the antifungal properties of this LAB are attributed to the production of lactic and acetic acids.

Article history: Received 15 January 2025; Revised 28 October 2025;
Accepted 28 October 2025; Available online 20 December 2025

Overexpression of HSFA4A and RAP2.12 transcription factors in Arabidopsis thaliana confers tolerance to various abiotic stresses

Norbert Andrási — 2025-12-20

Transcription factors are part of stress-signaling pathways, controlling activation of stress-responsive target genes. Heat shock factors and ethylene response factors can regulate responses to extreme temperature, salinity, drought, heavy metals, oxidative damage and anoxia. Arabidopsis HEAT SHOCK FACTOR A4A (HSFA4A) is part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and was previously shown to regulate responses to salt, oxidative and heat stresses as well as their combinations. The RELATED TO APETALA2.12 (RAP2.12) factor was shown to be involved in anoxia, oxidative and osmotic stresses, and to modulate sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA). Here we show that overexpression of HSFA4A and RAP2.12 can increase the survival rate of Arabidopsis plants exposed to heat, salt or osmotic stresses and combinations of high temperature with salt or osmotic stresses. Moreover, overexpression of these factors improved photosynthetic activity in such adverse conditions. Photosynthetic performance of the hsfa4a and rap2.12-2 mutants was variable in plantlets stressed in sterile conditions and less affected in soil-grown mutants when exposed to drought stress. Our data clearly indicate that these factors are implicated in stress response control, although their precise function remains to be elucidated.

Article history: Received 18 February 2025; Revised 11 November 2025;
Accepted 15 November 2025; Available online 20 December 2025

Evolutionary patterns of structural disorder and post-translational modifications in the 18.5 kDa myelin basic protein

Ilka Koszorus — 2025-12-20

Myelin basic protein (MBP, 18.5 kDa isoform) is a key structural component of the myelin sheath, where it drives multilayer compaction through electrostatic interactions and dynamic conformational transitions. Despite its functional importance, a comprehensive understanding of MBP’s evolutionary patterns of intrinsic disorder, post-translational modifications (PTMs), and sequence-derived properties across vertebrates have been lacking. Here, we analyzed MBP consensus sequences from six major vertebrate clades (Chondrichthyes, Teleostei, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, Mammalia) using an integrated bioinformatic framework combining intrinsic disorder predictions, Shannon entropy-based complexity profiling, hydrophobic moment (μH) analyses, net charge per residue (NCPR) patterns, and experimentally supported PTM mapping.

Our results reveal that MBP maintains a highly conserved intrinsically disordered architecture characterized by long N- and C-terminal IDRs and several clade-specific central IDRs. Teleosts exhibit a truncated N-terminal, lacking the first 15 residues, but compensate through additional positively charged residues downstream, preserving membrane-binding potential. Amphibians show unique insertions enriched in basic residues, leading to the longest MBPs and potentially enhanced lipid interactions. Shannon entropy and μH profiles demonstrate alternating conserved α-helices and flexible IDRs that overlap with PTM hotspots, particularly phosphorylation and citrullination sites, suggesting dynamic regulatory roles. NCPR analyses highlight a conserved electrostatic topology composed of alternating basic clusters and acidic/neutral dips, balancing reversible membrane adhesion with controlled aggregation. Together, these findings demonstrate that MBP combines strong structural conservation with lineage-specific adaptations in intrinsic disorder, charge distribution, and PTM patterning. This evolutionary flexibility likely underpins MBP’s ability to support functional diversity in myelin architecture while maintaining its essential role in vertebrate nervous system evolution.

Article history: Received 31 August 2025; Revised 4 December 2025;
Accepted 05 December 2025; Available online 20 December 2025

From instinct to experience: understanding feeding behaviour in Python regius (Shaw, 1802)

Octavian Craioveanu — 2025-12-20

Research on the cognitive abilities and behaviour of reptiles is quite limited, largely due to the challenges in accurately quantifying and interpreting observations made in both natural and controlled settings. This limitation is particularly notable in the study of snakes, where investigations into the cognitive skills of this suborder are scarce.

In this study, we focused on the feeding behaviour of young Python regius specimens to explore whether these behaviours are purely instinctual or if they involve learning and/or using previously acquired knowledge. We observed eight naive juvenile individuals to analyse their feeding behaviour. Our hypothesis proposed that as these snakes gained experience in the first month of their lives, their feeding efficiency would improve. We recorded and analysed the time allocated to various stages of their feeding behaviours during their initial four feedings.

The findings we obtained were unexpected and partially contradicted our initial assumptions. Ultimately, we concluded that the feeding efficiency in these reptiles presents a complex interplay of instinct, past experiences, and certain factors that remain challenging to explain within the framework of existing specialised literature.

Article history: Received 08 September 2025; Revised 18 December 2025;
Accepted 18 December 2025; Available online 20 December 2025

The diatom communities from Apuseni Mountains: a first approach on crenic diatom flora

Anca-Mihaela Șuteu — 2025-12-20

The unique geomorphological and hydrological characteristics along with the stable abiotic parameters have shaped springs into suitable aquatic habitats for a high number of microorganisms. Increasing anthropogenic impact, such as groundwater pollution, alteration or destruction of the eucrenal spring area and high demand for pristine water, are affecting the crenic biodiversity. The present study is the first to focus on taxa belonging to the Bacillariophyta phylum and includes diatom samples taken from 30 karstic springs located in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Because diatoms often display distinct preferences for specific substrates, 15 samples were collected from each spring: five from each of the three substrate types (bryophytes, stones, and fine sediments) within the eucrenal area. For qualitative assessment, three mixed samples were subsequently prepared for each substrate type, resulting in a total of 99 analysed samples. A total of 216 taxa were identified in the analysed samples, with 16% found only on bryophytes and 15% occurring only on sand. Two groups of frequent taxa, distinguished by their preferred substrate type and present in at least 25 springs have been observed: Caloneis fontinalis (Grunow) A. Cleve, Cocconeis lineata Ehrenberg and Meridion circulare (Greville) C. Agardh in epibryon, followed by Gomphonema parvulum (Kützing) Kützing and Planothidium dubium (Grunow) Round & Bukhtiyarova in epipsammon; three taxa Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kützing) Czarnecki, Amphora pediculus (Kützing) Grunow and Cocconeis placentula Ehrenberg stand out as a dominant group across all three types of substrates. Moreover, in the epilithon these were the only taxa present in all samples. Microhabitat-specific richness was shaped primarily by light conditions and canopy cover, with oxygen availability contributing as a secondary factor. Gomphonema elegantissimum E. Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot and Caloneis fontinalis, along with other 13 taxa have been identified for the first time in Romania.

Article history: Received 26 November 2025; Revised 07 December 2025;
Accepted 08 December 2025; Available online 20 December 2025

Genetic variation of Lissotriton montandoni from the eastern part of the Slovak Carpathians

Daniel Mihálik — 2025-12-20

This study investigated the extent of genetic variation in Lissotriton montandoni individuals collected from three locations in the eastern Slovak Carpathians using microsatellite DNA markers. The genetic characteristics of these microsatellite loci were confirmed to be suitable for molecular genetic studies in L. montandoni, as indicated by high polymorphic information content values. Furthermore, a high level of genetic variation was detected in this endemic species of amphibian. The fixation index values suggested minimal differentiation among the three analyzed subpopulations, with only 1% of the total genetic variation occurring between subpopulations, 3% between individuals, and 96% within individuals. The presence of a high number of alleles at the same chromosomal loci contributes to genetic variation across the entire population, which is beneficial and essential for the adaptation of both individuals and the population as a whole to current and future environmental changes.

Article history: Received 25 April 2025; Revised 25 August 2025;
Accepted 25 August 2025; Available online 20 December 2025

Waiting for the train that never came: establishing a new Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768) railway population in Romania

Andreea-Maria Lazar — 2025-12-20

Nowadays, man-made structures have become surrogate habitats for various species. Among them, lizards are often capable of using railways. In the autumn of 2024, we identified a new Podarcis muralis railway population on a railway abandoned for 11 years in southwestern Romania, near Voislova locality. On a 100-meter transect, we observed 13 P. muralis and 3 Lacerta viridis. Most wall lizards were subadults, indicating a breeding population on the railway. Probably, the lizards were introduced from the nearby marble quarry in Rușchița, where the species is present. Although P. muralis was mentioned in the mountains surrounding Voislova, the habitats near the railway are not favorable to it.

Article history: Received 29 August 2025; Revised 27 October 2025;
Accepted 1 December 2025; Available online 20 December 2025

Checklist of the genus Cortinarius in Romania: taxonomic and distributional insights

Emerencia Szabó — 2025-12-20

The genus Cortinarius is one of the most diverse ectomycorrhizal lineages of Basidiomycota, yet its diversity in Romania has remained poorly documented. This study presents the first comprehensive checklist of Cortinarius sensu lato in the country, integrating historical records, literature data, field surveys, and molecular data. A total of 231 species is confirmed, including 110 supported by DNA sequence evidence and 121 validated solely based on morphology. Spatial analysis of collection sites highlights two major research hotspots in the Apuseni Mountains and the Transylvanian Basin, reflecting uneven sampling effort. Despite its richness and ecological importance, Romanian Cortinarius remains underrepresented in global sequence repositories. These findings emphasize the need for broader molecular surveys and systematic biodiversity mapping to resolve species boundaries and better integrate Romanian taxa into European and global frameworks.

Article history: Received 1 September 2025; Revised 27 November 2025;
Accepted 27 November 2025; Available online 20 December 2025