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The paper reviews the visualisation problems of genetic sequences and of their analysis results as well as other related problems. A possible formulation of the problem based on similarity, complexity measure (distance) between DNA sequences is proposed. It is solved by making use of multidimensional scaling (MDS) of principal component analysis (PCA) methods.

In this paper DNA sequents are modelled as discrete-state Markov chains. Statistical data is presented in contingency tables form. The generalized logit model is used to test the first-order Markov property for all coding and non-coding subsequences of DNA.

The present study evaluated genetic diversity of Lithuanian populations of Lythrum salicaria in relation to parameters of riparian environment. Growing along Nemunas, Seaside and Lielupė river basins, 15 populations were examined using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Molecular data were related to the river basins, type of land use and cover, natural vice versa regulated fragments of the rivers. Population mean genetic diversity parameters were as follows: percentage of polymorphic loci (57.2), expected heterozygosity (0.183), polymorphismc information content (0.218). Mantel test revealed correlation (R2 = 0.0986, p = 0.01) between genetic and geographic distance of populations. Greater genetic diversity within, rather than among populations (ΦPT = 0.213) was observed. According to the Bayesian clustering, studied populations are admixtures of two gene pools. Analysis of molecular variance revealed significant differentiation between populations belonging to distinct river basins, between populations from natural vs. regulated fragments of the rivers.

The climbing cucurbit Echinocystis lobata, native to North America and alien to many European countries, was assessed for its genetic diversity and differentiation across its introduced range of populations by applying markers of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Various tests, including an evaluation of the intrapopulation diversity, principal coordinate, and molecular variance analyses, showed that the Central and Eastern European populations differing in geography and arrival history are also distinct in the genetic parameters. Genetic diversity, defined as the percentage of polymorphic AFLP loci, ranged within 28–62% (on average 51%) at the regional scale (in Romanian, Baltic State, and Central Russian populations), and was very similar to this parameter at the local scale (on average 52% for Lithuanian populations). The differentiation was significant among the populations of the regions (Ф = 0.125, p = 0.001) and at the local scale (among the Lithuanian populations of the different river basins, Ф = 0.058, p = 0.010). The Bayesian results suggested the presence of three genetic clusters among the 29 sites, with populations from Romania, Latvia, Estonia, and the northern part of Lithuania comprising one prevailing cluster, populations from the Nemunas river basin of Lithuania comprising either the former mentioned cluster or the second cluster, and populations of Central Russia comprising the third genetic cluster. Overall, E. lobata in Europe has probably originated from multiple introductions. The intentional anthropogenic seed dispersal by marketing accompanied by hydrochory might have an impact on such a profile of genetic clusters.

Data on alien species show that plant invasions are caused by a complex combination of characteristics of invasive species (invasiveness) and characteristics of invaded environment (invasibility). Impatiens parviflora is one of Europe’s top invasive species. The present study aimed to evaluate molecular diversity of populations of highly invasive in Lithuania I. parviflora by applying several DNA markers and relating genetic parameters to abiotic and biotic environment. For sampling, urban forests, riparian forests, and agrarian shrublands were selected. Three different DNA-based techniques, Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR), Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers, and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), were used for detecting genetic variation between 21 populations. All population individuals were monomorphic and homozygotic for four loci and heterozygotic for one locus by SSR analysis. Hierarchical analyses of molecular variance at ISSR and RAPD loci revealed significant differentiation of populations depending on geographic zones of the country. Bayesian Structure analyses of molecular data demonstrated existence of many genetic clusters and this finding is in support to multiple introduction of the species. The polymorphism extent at ISSR loci was positively correlated with the total coverage of herbaceous plant species. The coverage by I. parviflora was negatively correlated with the total number of herbaceous species and light in the sites. Our results indicate that Lithuanian sites with I. parviflora might be distinguished by high soil nutrient levels. According to the principal component analysis, the coverage by I. parviflora was a more important variable of populations compared to molecular data or parameters of abiotic environment. In conclusion, complexity of invasibility and invasiveness factors determine the variability of I. parviflora sites, including genetic traits, coverage of invasive species and conditions of environment that were significant and interrelated.

Fifteen riparian populations of Lithuanian Lythrum salicaria were assessed for leaf macronutrient, micronutrient and non-essential element concentrations and compared to the former obtained molecular data at amplified fragment length polymorphism (PLP.AFLP) loci. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to profile the contents of 12 elements in the leaves. The leaf nutrient concentrations were within normal ranges for growth and development and heavy metal concentrations did not reach toxic levels. The concentrations of macroelements such as nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium were in the range of 23,790–38,183; 7327–11,732; 7018–12,306; and 1377–3183 µg/g dry mass (d. m.), respectively; the concentrations of micronutrients such as sodium, iron, zinc and copper varied in the ranges of 536–6328; 24.7–167.1; 10.88–26.24; and 3.72–5.30 µg/g d. m., respectively, and the concentrations of non-essential elements such as lead, nickel, chromium, and cadmium were in the intervals of 0.136–0.940; 0.353–0.783; 0.207–0.467; and 0.012–0.028 µg/g d. m., respectively. When comparing the maximum and minimum values for site elements of L. salicaria, the concentration of N varied by 1.6, K—1.6, Ca—1.8, Mg—2.3, Na—6.1, Fe—6.8, Zn—2.4, Cu—1.5, Pb—6.9, Ni—2.2, Cr—2.2, and Cd—2.3 times. The coefficient of variation (CV) of element concentrations in sites was moderate to large: N—15.4%, K—14.3%, Ca—18.6%, Mg—24.8%, Na—50.7%, Fe—47.0%, Zn—24.9%, Cu—14.5%, Pb—57.1%, Ni—30.11%, Cr—26.0%, and Cd—38.6%. Lythrum salicaria populations growing near regulated riverbeds were characterized by significantly (p < 0.05) lower concentrations of Ca and Mg, and significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentrations of N, K, Fe, Na, Ni, Cr and Cd. The PLP.AFLP was negatively correlated with concentrations of N, Na, Fe, Ni, Cr, and Cd. The L. salicaria population with the lowest leaf N and Na concentration showed the highest genetic polymorphism (PLP.AFLP = 65.4%), while the least polymorphic population (PLP.AFLP = 35.0%) did not show extreme concentrations of either element. In conclusion, our elemental analysis of L. salicaria populations showed that ionomic parameters are related to genomic parameters, and some habitat differences are reflected in the ionomes of the populations.

For the study of the ionomic parameters of Juniperus communis needles, fourteen sites covering most of the territory of Lithuania and belonging to distinct habitats (coastal brown dunes covered with natural Scots pine forests (G), Juniperus communis scrubs (F), transition mires and quaking bogs (D), subcontinental moss Scots pine forests (G), and xero-thermophile fringes) were selected. Concentrations of macro-, micro-, and non-essential elements were analyzed in current-year needles, sampled in September. According to the concentrations of elements in J. communis needles, the differences between the most contrasting populations were as follows: up to 2-fold for Mg, N, K, Ca, and Zn; 2- to 7-fold for P, Na, Fe, Cu, Al, Cr, Ni, and Pb; and 26- to 31-fold for Mn and Cd. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Ni in needles of J. communis did not reach levels harmful for conifers. When compared to all other habitats (B, F, G, and E), the populations from transition mires and quaking bogs (D) had significantly lower concentrations of main nutritional elements N (12176 µg/g d. m.), P (1054 µg/g d. m.), and K (2916 µg/g d. m.). In Juniperus communis scrubs (F), a habitat protected by EUNIS, the concentration of K in the needles was highest, while Zn and Cu concentrations were the lowest. Principal component (PC) analyses using concentrations of 15 elements as variables for the discrimination of populations or habitats allowed authors to distinguish F and B habitats from the E habitat (PC1) and F and D habitats from the G habitat (PC2). Discriminating between populations, the most important variables were concentrations of P, N, Mg, Ca, Cu, and K. Discriminating between habitats, the important variables were concentrations of N and P.

The paper analyses whether arterial hypertension, overweight, excessive drinking, smoking andinsufficient sports activity have an impact on the behaviour and emotional well-being of young people aged17–18. A questionnaire of Achenbach is used for investigating teenagers’ psychological difficulties. Categoricalvariables are analysed using logistic regression and log-linear models.

The paper examines Lithuanian texts of different authors and genres. The main points ofinterest – the number of words, the number of different words and word frequencies. Structural type distributionand Zipf’s law are applied for describing the frequency distribution of words in the text. It is obvious that thelexical diversity of any text can be defined by different words that are used in the text, also called vocabulary.It is shown that the information contained in a reduced vocabulary is enough for dividing the texts analyzedin this article into groups by genre and author using a hierarchical clustering method. In this case, distancesbetween clusters are measured using the Jaccard distance measure, and clusters are aggregated using the Wardmethod.

After an introduction to genetic basics three problems are briefly discussed: microarray data analysis, a definition of noninformative DNA sequence, and genetic sequence alignment. More atention is paid to DNA sequence visualization and regularization of a genome signature.

Many publications in bio-informatics deal with long-range correlation of nucleotides in DNA sequences, which implies that such sequences are complicated systems with hierarchical structure. Applying the method of simulation, this work reveals that long-range correlation might develop in the course of evolution of a sequence under very general rules.

The statistical analysis of oligonucleotide combinations and mathematical modelling of outgoing processes is very successfully used in the research. It present research we applied Markov chainmodel. Using themodel few new methodologies for research of oligonucleotidic composition within DNA sequenceswe created.

Statistical analysis of the ozone concentration data received from the background monitoring stations located in Lithuania is performed. The goal of the study is modelling of ozone background concentration trend-cycle component. The regression models obtained include ozone concentra­tions at foregoing moments, local meteorological factors (such as air temperature, solar activity, wind speed and its direction, ect.), their lags and interactions.

Globalization has greatly expanded the opportunities for plant species to enter new areas through a wide range of pathways. Elucidating the pathways of spread of alien species and the characteristics of organisms that make them invasive is one of the most pressing problems in ecological sciences. Once established, alien species may have serious implications for communities and vice versa. Allelopathy has been proposed as one of the possible invasion mechanisms of exotic plants. Impatiens parviflora and Impatiens glandulifera are among the widely spread invasive plant species in the Baltic region. The aim of the study was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of invasive Lithuanian Impatiens spp. and their neighboring plants (11 pristine species) using parameters of germination and seedling growth of biotest species Lepidium sativum, and to expand this study by determining the content of phenolic compounds and the radical scavenging activity in the leaf extracts of Lithuanian Impatiens spp. populations (20 of each Impatiens species). Leaf extracts of all species examined had an inhibitory effect on Lepidium sativum germination and morphology of the seedlings. In our study, at all leaf extract concentrations, significantly higher allelopathic potential on radicle growth was characteristic of I. glandulifera compared to native species Alnus glutinosa, Calystegia sepium, and Urtica dioica. At all leaf extract concentrations, I. parviflora showed significantly higher allelopathic potential on radicle growth compared to native species Urtica dioica. Impatiens glandulifera had a higher juglone index than Impatiens parviflora. I. glandulifera also had the highest juglone index compared to all neighboring species studied. The differences between the populations in the content of phenolic compounds, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were 2.3, 2.2 and 2.7 times for I. glandulifera and 2.6, 5.2 and 2.7 times for I. parviflora. The mean values of total phenolic content, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity of I. glandulifera populations were 2.1, 2.7 and 3.3 times higher than those of I. parviflora populations, respectively. In general, our results about allelopathic potential and phenolics content, as well as free radical scavenging ability, confirm the supreme competitive ability of I. glandulifera compared to both I. parviflora and to the native co-occurring species.

Objective: Primary arterial hypertension (PAH) – a multifactorial disease. Its etiology, especially in children, still causes a lot of questions and diagnostic tests are not common in clinical practice. Even less is known of the variation in platelet activity in adolescents with PAH, this study was the assessment of platelet activity in healthy subjects and patients with PAH in groups of 17–18 year old girls. Materials and methods: Platelet functional activity was determined by flow cytometry. Platelets used to identify the three antibodies: CD42a (GP IX), CD41a (GP IIb) and CD61 (GP IIIa) and assessing the activity of select PAC-1 antibody that binds specifically to activated GPIIb / IIIa complex. Through 2008–2013 years platelet activity was assessed 31 with primary arterial hypertension 17–18 year old girl (case group) and 33 healthy girls (control group). A statistical analysis was done and the significance assessed by a X-square test. The statistical difference was considered significant if the p value was below 0.05. Results: Teen girls with PAH group hasn‘t statistically significantly more platelets (both percentage and absolute terms) that joined the PAC-1 antibody. We can not say that suffering from PAH girls, have an increased platelet activity. Conclusions: The girls, who have PAH, functional platelet activity has not differ from healthy. But perhaps it should be more research sample, and it should involve risk factors.

Objective: Primary arterial hypertenion for teen has caused a lot of debate today, there is too much uncertainty about platelet functional changes in patients with PAH. The objective was to evaluate platelet activity in healthy and suffering from PAH groups of 17–18 year old boys. Materials and methods: Platelet functional activity was determined by flow cytometry. Platelets used to identify the three antibodies: CD42a (GP IX), CD41a (GP IIb) and CD61 (GP IIIa) and assessing the activity of select PAC-1 antibody that binds specifically to activated GPIIb / IIIa complex. Through 2008–2013 years platelet activity was assessed 38 PAH 17–18 year-old boys (case group) and 41 healthy the same age teenager (control group). A statistical analysis was done and the significance assessed by a X-square test. The statistical difference was considered significant if the p value was below 0.05. Results: In PAH group of teen boys were not found statistically significantly more PAC-1 antibody attaghed platelets. Based on the results of this study we could argue that the platelet functional activity of PAH teens is not higher than in healthy adolescents. Conclusions: PAH teen platelet functional activity does not differ from healthy peers. To obtain accurate results, it should be performed at a higher sample survey.