Slovenian Populations Research Articles

Standing genetic variation as a potential mechanism of novel cave phenotype evolution in the freshwater isopod, Asellus aquaticus.

Novel phenotypes can come about through a variety of mechanisms including standing genetic variation from a founding population. Cave animals are an excellent system in which to study the evolution of novel phenotypes such as loss of pigmentation and eyes. Asellus aquaticus is a freshwater isopod crustacean found in Europe and has both a surface and a cave ecomorph which vary in multiple phenotypic traits. An orange eye phenotype was previously revealed by F2 crosses and backcrosses to the cave parent within two examined Slovenian cave populations. Complete loss of pigmentation, both in eye and body, is epistatic to the orange eye phenotype and therefore the orange eye phenotype is hidden within the cave populations. Our goal was to investigate the origin of the orange eye alleles within the Slovenian cave populations by examining A. aquaticus individuals from Slovenian and Romanian surface populations and Asellus aquaticus infernus individuals from a Romanian cave population. We found orange eye individuals present in lab raised surface populations of A. aquaticus from both Slovenia and Romania. Using a mapping approach with crosses between individuals of two surface populations, we found that the region known to be responsible for the orange eye phenotype within the two previously examined Slovenian cave populations was also responsible within both the Slovenian and the Romanian surface populations. Complementation crosses between orange eye Slovenian and orange eye Romanian surface individuals suggest that the same gene is responsible for the orange eye phenotype in both surface populations. Additionally, we observed a low frequency phenotype of eye loss in crosses generated between the two surface populations and also in the Romanian surface population. Finally, in a cave population from Romania, A. aquaticus infernus, we found that the same region is also responsible for the orange eye phenotype as the Slovenian cave populations and the Slovenian and Romanian surface populations. Therefore, we present evidence that variation present in the cave populations could originate from standing variation present in the surface populations and/or transgressive hybridization of different surface phylogenetic lineages rather than de novo mutations.

The Fascist view of the ‘allogeni’ in the border regions

ABSTRACT The Fascist policy towards linguistic minorities has sometimes been compared to that practised in the colonies, using the categories of racism and internal colonialism. According to some interpretations, Fascism considered members of minorities as something foreign, potentially hostile, if not actually inferior, starting from a clear dividing line between who could be considered Italian and who not. It has also been argued that the ‘allogeni’ were the first targets of radical measures to exclude them from Italian citizenship, the forerunners of the later racist laws implemented against colonial subjects and Jews. This article has three aims: to verify whether severe discriminatory actions really were taken against members of linguistic minorities with regard to citizenship rights; to understand whether these persons were perceived as completely alien to the nation on the basis of clear, shared demarcation lines between those who could consider themselves Italian and those who could not; and, finally, to determine whether the view of such minorities was always radically negative and disdainful to the extent that it could justifiably be called racism. The analysis of forms of representation focuses in particular on the German-speaking population of South Tyrol, using various sources (newspapers, institutional correspondence, political speeches, literary accounts). The answer to the first question posed is negative; as regards the other two, in the first place there is a considerable degree of uncertainty on the part of the Fascists in defining the members of the German-speaking minority, who were sometimes presented as being completely outside the perimeter of Italianità, i.e. Italianness, while more often as being on the margins but undoubtedly capable of integration thanks to their unshakably Italian core. This seems to reveal a certain difficulty in defining who could be considered Italian and who could not when clearly drawing the boundaries of Italianness. Secondly, judgements were made about the South Tyroleans that were in no way characterized by a lack of appreciation or by contempt. The descriptions of the South Tyrolean peasant are, to say the least, flattering: full of exaggerated praise for his many virtues, from his religiosity to his obedience to institutions, from his strong ties to the land to his conservatism. The views regarding the Slovenian and Croatian-speaking populations of Venezia Giulia and Istria were very different, expressing and amplifying the most scornful stereotypes of anti-Slavism developed during the national struggles of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

A Systematic Review of Vitamin D Status and Dietary Intake in Various Slovenian Populations.

AimVitamin D (VitD) is involved in calcium and phosphate homeostasis, bone health, and normal functioning of the immune system. VitD status is monitored using serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) as a biomarker. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations below 30 nmol/L indicate VitD deficiency and below 50 nmol/L indicate insufficiency. VitD can be synthesised endogenously in human skin when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. In the absence of sufficient UVB-light exposure, VitD intake becomes the main source of VitD, with a recommended daily intake of 20 μg. The aim of this study was to conduct a review and meta-analysis on the abovementioned topics, focusing on scientific studies in various Slovenian populations.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published scientific papers, academic theses, or conference contributions reporting serum 25(OH)D status and VitD intake across various Slovenian populations. A search was carried out using Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, and the Slovenian library database.ResultsWe identified 43 pertinent studies that addressed 25(OH)D status and 16 that addressed VitD intake. Serum 25(OH)D status was generally low across all populations, and notable seasonal variability was observed. VitD intakes were below 5 μg in all studies.ConclusionsA general observation is that various population groups across Slovenia are at high risk of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, particularly during wintertime. Regarding vitamin D intake, all included studies reported daily intakes below the recommended level. We also identified key research gaps that need to be addressed to support further public health decision-making.

Kooperation und Konflikt im Bezirk Volosca - Abbazia

The object of this study is the history of the public administration of the district of Volosko in the decades leading up to the First World War. The mild climate of the Liburnian coast had led to the establishment of an extended spa district around Opatija at the end of the 19th century, providing a range of employment opportunities for a population that otherwise relied on agriculture and fishing for its livelihood. This resulted in a massive migration of workers from Italy and from Croatian regions to the area, as well as of tourism-related companies and spa guests from throughout the monarchy. A particular cause for conflict was the use of colloquial language in schools and administrative offices. The political equilibrium in Istria was unstable, the regional government, dominated by Italians with a strong sense of their national identity, being opposed by an ever-growing sense of self-awareness among the Croatian and Slovenian populations, which was also finding expression in the Imperial Council in Vienna. These national interests had their basis in party-political issues and economic reasons. Within Istria, linguistic borders were fluid, and national attributions are therefore primarily indicative of political views. The dominant language was Croatian, with the Italian influence being primarily evident in cultural aspects. Both national groups cooperated in the movement supporting the autonomization of Istria, which, however, met with rejection from Croatian circles with a strong sense of national identity. The liberal national Italian policy was marked by a strong cultural and political sense of mission, and thus challenged the nationally oriented Croatian policy. The state administration favoured clear national attributions, thereby unwittingly contributing to the construction of national narratives. The most important tool for nationalization on both sides was clubs, societies and the press, where local elites dominated, thereby promoting national interpretations.

Explaining the density of post-communist interest group populations\u2014resources, constituencies, and regime change

The article tests the energy–stability–area (ESA) model of interest group population density on a sample of different 2018 Czech, Hungarian, Polish and Slovenian energy, higher education and health care interest organisation populations. The unique context of recent simultaneous political, economic and in the cases of Czechia and Slovenia, national transitions present a hard test for population ecology theory. Besides the area (constituency size) and energy (resources, issue certainty) terms, the article brings the stability term back into the center of analysis. The stability term, that is, the effect of a profound change or shock to the polity is operationalised as Communist-era population densities. As all three policy domains are heavily state controlled and tightly regulated, the effect of neocorporatist interest intermediation is also tested. The article finds strong support for the energy and neocorporatism hypotheses and provides evidence for the effect of communist-era organisational population density on post-transition densities: The size of 2018 organisational populations is found to be dependent on pre-transition densities. The relationship is, however, not linear but curvilinear. Nevertheless, the analysis indicates that the effect of pre-transition population size is moderated by other environmental level factors.

Differentiation of Central Slovenian and Moscow populations of Rana temporaria frogs using peptide biomarkers of temporins family.

Skin secretion represents the only means of defense for the majority of frog species. That phenomenon is based on the fact that the main components of the secretion are peptides demonstrating greatly varying types of bioactivity. They fulfill regulatory functions, fight microorganisms and may be even helpful against predators. These peptides are considered to be rather promising pharmaceuticals of future generation as according to the present knowledge microorganisms are unlikely to develop resistance to them. Mass spectrometry sequencing of these peptides is the most efficient first step of their study providing reliably their primary structures, i.e., amino acids sequence and S-S bond motif. Besides discovering new bioactive peptides, mass spectrometry appears to be an efficient tool of taxonomy studies, allowing for distinguishing not only between closely related species, but also between populations of the same species. Application of several tandem mass spectrometry tools (CID, HCD, ETD, EThcD) available with Orbitrap mass analyzer allowed us to obtain full sequence of about 60 peptides in the secretion of Slovenian population of brown ranid frog Rana temporaria. The problem of sequence inside C-terminal cycle formed by two Cys and differentiation of isomeric Leu and Ile residues was done in top-down mode without any derivatization steps. Besides general biomarkers of Rana temporaria species, Central Slovenian population of Rana temporaria demonstrates six novel temporins and one brevinin 1, which may be treated as biomarkers of that population.

Genetic variation study on fifteen STR loci in isolated Slovenian "Inland Island" human populations of the Selška Valley Region.

This study was conducted to confirm preliminary anthropological research indicating the specificity of isolated Selška Valley populations and implement clear mapping of genetic distances between neighboring populations and similar "inland island" populations from the region. The sample consisted of 86 unrelated individuals born in the Selška Valley from the lowland villages (Bukovica, Ševlje, Dolenja Vas, Selca, Železniki and Zali Log) and the mountain villages (Podlonk, Prtovč, Spodnje Danje, Zgornja Sorica and Spodnja Sorica). The for mentioned 15 STR loci (D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51, Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX and FGA) were analyzed and statistical analysis was applied to determine population-genetics and forensic parameters. The frequencies of 15 STR loci from isolated populations of Slovenian villages, Slovenia, Bosnian mountain villages and Bosnia and Herzegovina were analyzed to calculate genetic distances between them. Our results confirmed a similar genetic pattern between the Selška Valley mountain villages and Slovenian general population as well as Bosnian mountain villages and general Bosnian population. Even if the sample size was relatively small and examined populations were geographically isolated, observed genetic variation within the whole population was relatively high and comparable with neighboring populations. Additional analysis proved that the Selška Valley population is genetically closest to the Slovenian and Austrian populations. On the other hand, comparison with similarly patterned populations confirmed that this population could be recognized as "inland island" population in genetic terms.

Genetic Diversity of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1, a Biocontrol Agent of Chestnut Blight, in Croatia and Slovenia.

Transmissible hypovirulence associated with Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) has been used for biological control of chestnut blight, devastating disease of chestnut caused by the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica. The main aims of this study were to provide molecular characterization of CHV1 from Croatia and Slovenia and to reveal its genetic variability, phylogeny, and diversification of populations. Fifty-one CHV1 haplotypes were detected among 54 partially sequenced CHV1 isolates, all belonging to Italian subtype (I). Diversity was mainly generated by point mutations while evidence of recombination was not found. The level of conservation over analyzed parts of ORF-A proteins p29 and p40 varied, but functional sites were highly conserved. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close relatedness and intermixing of Croatian and Slovenian CHV1 populations. Our CHV1 isolates were also related to Swiss and Bosnian hypoviruses supporting previously suggested course of CHV1 invasion in Europe. Overall, this study indicates that phylogeny of CHV1 subtype I in Europe is complex and characterized with frequent point mutations resulting in many closely related variants of the virus. Possible association between variations within CHV1 ORF-A and growth of the hypovirulent fungal isolates is tested and presented.

Variants in the 14q32 miRNA cluster are associated with osteosarcoma risk in the Spanish population

Association studies in osteosarcoma risk found significant results in intergenic regions, suggesting that regions which do not codify for proteins could play an important role. The deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been already associated with osteosarcoma. Consequently, genetic variants affecting miRNA function could be associated with risk. This study aimed to evaluate the involvement of all genetic variants in pre-miRNAs described so far in relationship to the risk of osteosarcoma. We analyzed a total of 213 genetic variants in 206 pre-miRNAs in two cohorts of osteosarcoma patients (n = 100) and their corresponding controls (n = 256) from Spanish and Slovenian populations, using Goldengate Veracode technology (Illumina). Four polymorphisms in pre-miRNAs at 14q32 miRNA cluster were associated with osteosarcoma risk in the Spanish population (rs12894467, rs61992671, rs58834075 and rs12879262). Pathway enrichment analysis including target genes of these miRNAs pointed out the WNT signaling pathways overrepresented. Moreover, different single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effects between the two populations included were observed, suggesting the existence of population differences. In conclusion, 14q32 miRNA cluster seems to be a hotspot for osteosarcoma susceptibility in the Spanish population, but not in the Slovenian, which supports the idea of the existence of population differences in developing this disease.

Allele frequencies of 15 STR loci in Bosnian and Herzegovinian population.

AimTo determine newest the most accurate allele frequencies for 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian population, calculate statistical parameters, and compare them with the relevant data for seven neighboring populations.MethodsGenomic DNA was obtained from buccal swabs of 1000 unrelated individuals from all regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genotyping was performed using PowerPlex® 16 System to obtain allele frequencies for 15 polymorphic STR loci including D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51, Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX, and FGA. The calculated allele frequencies were also compared with the data from neighboring populations.ResultsThe highest detected value of polymorphism information content (PIC) was detected at the PentaE locus, whereas the lowest value was detected at the TPOX locus. The power of discrimination (PD) values had similar distribution, with Penta E showing the highest PD of 0.9788. While D18S51 had the highest value of power of exclusion (PE), the lowest PE value was detected at the TPOX locus.ConclusionUpon comparison of Bosnian and Herzegovinian population data with those of seven neighboring populations, the highest allele frequency differentiation was noticed between Bosnian and Herzegovinian and Turkish population at 5 loci, the most informative of which was Penta E. The neighbor-joining dendrogram constructed on the basis of genetic distance showed grouping of Slovenian, Austrian, Hungarian, and Croatian populations. Bosnian and Herzegovinian population was between the mentioned cluster and Serbian population. To determine more accurate distribution of allelic frequencies and forensic parameters, our study included 1000 unrelated individuals from all regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and our findings demonstrated the applicability of these markers in both forensics and future population genetic studies.

Insights into the plastid diversity of Daphne blagayana Freyer (Thymelaeaceae)

AbstractDaphne blagayana is a small decumbent bush from the family Thymelaeaceae with a fragmented distribution range, comprising the Balkan Peninsula and the southern Romanian Carpathians. Due to its rarity it is protected by national legislation in almost all countries within its range. The aim of this work was to assess the plastid diversity of Daphne blagayana from 21 locations throughout its distribution range using the chloroplast intergenic regions psbA‐trnH and trnK–matK with the gene matK. Moreover, we tried to determine with DNA and morphometric characters whether the division of the species into subspecies and varieties, which were mentioned in some literature (subsp. lerchenfeldiana, var. kellereri, subsp. zogovićii), reflects its phylogeographic structure. The results suggest the existence of three clusters: the northwestern cluster (ESU1), including Slovenian and Italian populations, the southern cluster (ESU2), including populations from Macedonia, Montenegro and some populations from southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the central cluster, including the remaining populations (Bulgaria, Romania and rest of the populations from Bosnia and Herzegovina). The results of the genetic as well as morphometric study do not support the existence of subsp. lerchenfeldiana and var. kellereri as distinct infraspecific categories of D. blagayana, thus we suggest that ESU's should be used instead in planning conservation actions.

Differentiation of frogs from two populations belonging to the Pelophylax esculentus complex by LC-MS/MS comparison of their skin peptidomes.

LC-MS/MS was applied to establish the composition of the skin peptidome of a Slovenian green frog belonging to the Pelophylax esculentus complex. As this was similar to the peptidome of the Moscow population of Pelophylax ridibundus, it allowed us to identify the Slovenian frog from the Pelophylax esculentus complex as Pelophylax ridibundus. The sequences of six new peptides from the brevinin 2 family are reported for the first time on the basis of manual interpretation of their tandem mass spectra. The structural similarity of the brevinin 2 peptides from the Moscow and Slovenian populations of Pelophylax ridibundus enables peptides from this family to be utilized as biomarkers for Pelophylax ridibundus inter- and intraspecies differentiation, and the proposed approach can be used as an analytical tool for differentiating the corresponding species and populations. The potential biological activities of the novel peptides were estimated by 2D mass mapping. The results allowed us to classify all of the available peptides belonging to the brevinin 2 family. Graphical Abstract Intraspecies identification within the green frog complex.

Ringing of White Storks Ciconia ciconia in NE Slovenia during the 1984–2013 period

Abstract In a period of 30 years (1984-2013), 1,535 White Stork pulli were ringed on nest and 1,226 nests examined in NE Slovenia. The ringing was implemented in the regions of Dravsko polje, Slovenske gorice and Pomurje. In each season, from 9 to 85 nests were examined, the great majority of them built on overhead powerline pylons. On average, 51.16 pulli or 16.66% were ringed and 40.86 or 18.91% nests visited compared to the census of fledged pulli and inventoried nests in 1999 in NE Slovenia. A total of 71 finds or 4.6% were registered and 37 rings or 52% finds read. There were 26 (36.62%) local recoveries, while in foreign countries 34 (47.88%) recoveries of Slovenian-ringed storks were made. Two of our recoveries were registered abroad prior to 1984. There were 11 (15.49%) foreign recoveries. Local recoveries (n = 26) indicate breeding relationship (mixing) between the eastern and southern Slovenian breeding populations. The longest distance of breeding was 115 km in a beeline, the shortest 62 km (n = 4). Other 12 local recoveries at 1 to 38 km from the place of hatching concerns the native NE breeding area. Young sexually mature storks search for new breeding sites only in their fourth year of age. No ringed stork returned to the native nest as a young breeder. The oldest was 14 years old. Some of them breed in the wider area of the Pannonian Plain outside Slovenia, e.g. 3 in Austria, 2 in Serbia and 1 in Croatia. One of them bred in Slovakia 463 km away. In view of the presented recoveries it has been ascertained that the storks from NE Slovenia migrate across the Pannonian Plain, the Balkans and Asia Minor, down to the South African Republic of 8,923 km in a beeline (4 recoveries), using the eastern migration route. The western migration route was not ascertained. The majority of recoveries originated from the autumn migration period, with only one recovery known from the spring migration period. No less than 23 ringed storks, particularly young ones, were killed on migration owing to collisions with overhead power lines, which indicates inappropriate system of overhead power lines construction all over Europe.

The lack of association between angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and nicotine dependence in multiple sclerosis.

ObjectiveBlood‐borne angiotensin II is generated from angiotensinogen via cleavage by renin and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), an enzymatic cascade known as the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). Several lines of evidence indicate that ACE, beyond its classical role of mediating blood pressure regulation, might contribute to the etiology of substance addictions by influencing dopaminergic signaling. A functional insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene was associated with risk for being a smoker among individuals with depression and with smoking severity in studies comprising patients with depression and healthy controls. Several reports have described significantly increased ACE activity in cerebrospinal fluid and serum among MS patients. Furthermore, in our previous work with MS patients from Croatian and Slovenian populations, we demonstrated that the ACE‐I/D polymorphism contributes to an elevated MS risk among male patients. Here we investigated whether the ACE‐I/D polymorphism might influence smoking behavior among patients with MS.Patients and MethodsGenotyping was performed in 521 patients (males/females: 139/382) using polymerase chain reaction.ResultsWe revealed no significant differences in ACE genotype and allele frequencies between smokers and nonsmokers and no significant association between the ACE‐I/D polymorphism and either pack‐year smoking history or number of cigarettes smoked daily (p > .05, respectively).ConclusionThe ACE‐I/D polymorphism does not contribute either to risk for nicotine dependence or to smoking severity among MS patients. In the context of reports on the ACE‐I/D polymorphism and nicotine dependence among healthy controls and patients with depression, we may speculate that the mechanism by which this polymorphism influences nicotine dependence risk differs in MS compared to depression, although not compared to a healthy population. In addition to angiotensin II, other potential ACE substrates, such as substance P and neurotensin, which also influence dopaminergic neurotransmission (and are proposed to be associated with MS), may deserve study in future.

Role of rs6313 and rs1799978 variants as pharmacogenomic biomarkers in Greek, Italian and Croatian schizophrenia patients

Introduction Schizophrenia (SZ) is a serious mental disorder that significantly affects patients' quality of life (QoL). Its etiology is still unknown; however, both environmental and genetic factors play important role. Atypical antipsychotics, fight mainly against its psychotic symptoms but can also cause various side effects. Objectives/aims The study was based on a literature review and a meta-analysis which revealed pharmacogenomic biomarkers for the individualization of treatment with atypical antipsychotics. Main aim was to investigate emerging polymorphisms, in Caucasian healthy individuals and schizophrenics. Materials & methods Four hundred and eighty-five schizophrenic patients and 393 matched controls of healthy donors were studied. Patients were of Greek, Italian, Croatian and Slovenian origin. The group of patients was divided into two subgroups; TRS (treatment resistant schizophrenia) and responders in atypical antipsychotics. Genotyping was performed by Sanger sequencing and PCR/BpEI-based method. Results rs6313 and rs1799978 were indicated as potential biomarkers of patients' response on antipsychotics. Experimental results suggest non-correlation of polymorphisms with patients' response to these drugs in Greek, Italian, Croatian and Slovenian populations. Conclusions SZ's etiology is highly complex, however, pharmacogenomic studies can lead to the identification of genetic loci important for disease pathobiology and management as well as patient stratification. Herein, no correlation was evident regarding rs6313 and rs1799978 and drug response in the Caucasian populations studied. Next, sample number will be extended and a more wide cross-population assessment will occur. Knowledge acquired and technology improvement, will lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and will subsequently contribute to the improvement of patients' QoL.

Genotype and Haplotype Analysis of <i>ABCB1</i> at 1236, 2677 and 3435 among Jordanian Population

Purpose: To determine the frequencies of important allelic variants and their haplotype frequencies of the gene among Jordanian population and to compare findings with those reported for other ethnic groups.Methods: Genotyping of ABCB1 (C1236T, G2677T/A and C3435T) was carried out on unrelated healthy Jordanian subjects. Different allelic variants were determined using polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The haplotype frequencies of these three SNPs were analyzed and compared them with those of other reported populations. Haplotype frequencies were calculated using Golden Helix Tree software and Linkage disequilibrium was represented by D”.Results: ABCB1 C3435T allele frequencies for C allele and T allele were 0.57 and 0.43, respectively. For ABCB1 G2677T/A the allele frequencies for G allele, T allele, and A allele were 0.65, 0.32 and 0.0, respectively. As for ABCB C1236T, its allele frequencies were 0.65 for C allele and 0.35 for T allele. C1236T, G2677T/A, and C3435T SNPs were expected to be structured in 8 different haplotypes with GC- C (37.6.0 %), T-T-T (18.6 %), G-C-T (14.3 %) and T-T-C (12 %) that were most prominent. The haplotype frequency distribution of our study group was found to be significantly different from those of Chinese, Indian, Japanese, African and Caucasian (p < 0.0001) and resemble Ashkenazi Jewish and Slovenian populations (p > 0.05).Conclusion: In addition to earlier studies, the findings of the current study provide evidence that suggest the use of genetic polymorphisms of ABCB1 SNPs as markers for ethnicity and ancestral origin. The analysis of haplotype and genotype can be useful in identifying the relation between ABCB1 polymorphism, disease susceptibility and drug disposition.Keywords: Genotype, Allele, MDR1, ABCB1, Polymorphism, Haplotype frequencies

Morphological variation of lactuca serriola l. achenes as a function of their geographic origin

Abstract The morphological characteristics of achenes of Lactuca serriola represented by 34 local populations from Slovenia and 12 local populations from Sweden were studied in relation to their eco-geographical conditions. In total, eight quantitative morphological characters were evaluated: length and width of achene body; index length/width of achene body; number of ribs on achene body; length of beak; length of pappus bristles; pappus area and discus diameter. NestedANOVAanalysis indicated significant differences in length and width of achene body, length of pappus bristles, and pappus area between Slovenian and Swedish populations. Achenes from Slovenia were longer, wider and possessed longer pappus bristles than achenes from Sweden. Among geographical factors, latitude had the greatest impact on the morphological characters evaluated. Significant differences in seven parameters were also found between populations within countries and between samples within populations. It is probable that this variation has a genetic basis with sufficient variation within populations to permit continued selection.

Slovenian population data for five new European Standard Set Short tandem repeat loci and SE33 locus

AimTo establish the allele distribution and statistical parameters of forensic interest for the D10S1248, D22S1045, D2S441, D1S1656, D12S391, and SE33 loci in Slovenian population and to compare allele frequencies with those from other populations.MethodsWe analyzed blood and buccal swab samples from 333 unrelated, healthy Slovenian individuals. All samples were genotyped using the AmpFlSTR NGM Kit to obtain the allele frequency data for the loci D10S1248, D22S1045, D2S441, D1S1656, and D12S391. Samples from 113 individuals were also analyzed using the PowerPlex ESX 17 system to obtain the allele frequency data for the SE33 locus. Allele frequencies and statistical parameters of forensic interest were determined and frequency profiles compared between Slovenian and other European Caucasian populations using the Arlequin software, version 3.5.1.3.ResultsThe investigated short tandem repeat (STR) loci in Slovenian population had a great discriminating potential with a combined discrimination power of 0.99999998. The highest discrimination power and polymorphism information content were observed for the SE33 locus, followed by loci D1S1656, D12S391, D10S1248, D2S441, and D22S1045. When Slovenian allele frequency distribution was compared with other European populations, deviations were found only for Spanish and Italian population for D2S441 and D12S391.ConclusionSlovenian population does not differ significantly from other European populations in terms of allele frequency distributions for the six analyzed STR loci. Based on forensic efficiency values, SE33 may be considered the most informative locus, which makes it especially useful in forensic investigations.

P3.152 Prevalence of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Infection in Two Distinct Men-Who-Have-Sex-With-Men (MSM) Populations in Slovenia in 2012

ObjectivesInfection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae represents a serious public health problem. According to the national reported incidence surveillance system in Slovenia, gonorrhoea is disproportionately more common in the MSM population. However,...

Population genetics of chamois in the contact zone between the Alps and the Dinaric Mountains: uncovering the role of habitat fragmentation and past management

The chamois is a habitat specialist ungulate occupying “continental archipelagos” of fragmented rocky habitats which are frequently restricted to high altitudes. It is not clear whether forest habitats separating such population fragments act as barriers to gene flow. We studied the genetic makeup of the chamois in a topographically diverse landscape at the contact zone of two mountain ranges in Slovenia. Based on sequences of mitochondrial DNA, all Slovenian populations belong to a Northern chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) subspecies. The range of chamois in Slovenia encompasses three different regions, each with unique topography, habitat connectivity and abundance of chamois: the Alps, the Dinaric Mts., and the Pohorje Mts. The habitat of the chamois is extensive and more or less continuous in the Alps, but suboptimal and fragmented in the remaining regions. In agreement with neutral genetic theory, large Northern chamois populations tended to have higher allelic richness and observed heterozygosity. Spatial clustering bears the differentiation into four geographically associated clusters within Slovenia and also revealed a strong substructure within all mountain ranges with suboptimal chamois habitat. Surprisingly, some small Dinaric populations have stayed genetically isolated in restricted habitat patches, even if they are geographically very close to each other. The four clusters, each having a unique demographic history, should be regarded as independent units for management purposes.