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Contains fulltext : 248376.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) For many traits, males show greater variability than females, with possible implications for understanding sex differences in health and disease. Here, the ENIGMA (Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) Consortium presents the largest-ever mega-analysis of sex differences in variability of brain structure, based on international data spanning nine decades of life. Subcortical volumes, cortical surface area and cortical thickness were assessed in MRI data of 16,683 healthy individuals 1-90 years old (47% females). We observed significant patterns of greater male than female between-subject variance for all subcortical volumetric measures, all cortical surface area measures, and 60% of cortical thickness measures. This pattern was stable across the lifespan for 50% of the subcortical structures, 70% of the regional area measures, and nearly all regions for thickness. Our findings that these sex differences are present in childhood implicate early life genetic or gene-environment interaction mechanisms. The findings highlight the importance of individual differences within the sexes, that may underpin sex-specific vulnerability to disorders.

Special Issue: The ENIGMA Consortium: the first 10 years., Delineating the association of age and cortical thickness in healthy individuals is critical given the association of cortical thickness with cognition and behavior. Previous research has shown that robust estimates of the association between age and brain morphometry require large-scale studies. In response, we used cross-sectional data from 17,075 individuals aged 3–90 years from the Enhancing Neuroimaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium to infer age-related changes in cortical thickness. We used fractional polynomial (FP) regression to quantify the association between age and cortical thickness, and we computed normalized growth centiles using the parametric Lambda, Mu, and Sigma method. Interindividual variability was estimated using meta-analysis and one-way analysis of variance. For most regions, their highest cortical thickness value was observed in childhood. Age and cortical thickness showed a negative association; the slope was steeper up to the third decade of life and more gradual thereafter; notable exceptions to this general pattern were entorhinal, temporopolar, and anterior cingulate cortices. Interindividual variability was largest in temporal and frontal regions across the lifespan. Age and its FP combinations explained up to 59% variance in cortical thickness. These results may form the basis of further investigation on normative deviation in cortical thickness and its significance for behavioral and cognitive outcomes., European Community's Seventh Framework Programme, Grant/Award Numbers: 278948, 602450, 603016, 602805; US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Grant/Award Numbers: RO1HD050735, 1009064, 496682; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and the Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland; ICTSI NIH/NCRR, Grant/Award Number: RR025761; European Community's Horizon 2020 Programme, Grant/Award Numbers: 667302, 643051; Vici Innovation Program, Grant/Award Numbers: #91619115, 016-130-669; NWO Brain & Cognition Excellence Program, Grant/Award Number: 433-09-229; Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (Netherlands) (BBMRI-NL); Spinozapremie, Grant/Award Number: NWO-56-464-14192; Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure, Grant/Award Numbers: 184.033.111, 184.021.007; Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMW), Grant/Award Numbers: 480-15-001/674, 024.001.003, 911-09-032, 056-32-010, 481-08-011, 016-115-035, 31160008, 400-07-080, 400-05-717, 451-04-034, 463-06-001, 480-04-004, 904-61-193, 912-10-020, 985-10-002, 904-61-090; NIMH, Grant/Award Number: R01 MH090553; Geestkracht programme of the Dutch Health Research Council, Grant/Award Number: 10-000-1001; FP7 Ideas: European Research Council; Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Grant/Award Numbers: NWO/SPI 56-464-14192, NWO-MagW 480-04-004, 433-09-220, NWO 51.02.062, NWO 51.02.061; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Grant/Award Number: UL1 TR000153; National Center for Research Resources; National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health, Grant/Award Numbers: NIH 1U24 RR025736-01, NIH 1U24 RR021992; NIH Institutes contributing to the Big Data to Knowledge; U.S. National Institutes of Health, Grant/Award Numbers: R01 CA101318, P30 AG10133, R01 AG19771; Medical Research Council, Grant/Award Numbers: U54EB020403, G0500092; National Institute of Mental Health, Grant/Award Numbers: R01MH117014, R01MH042191; Fundación Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla, Grant/Award Numbers: API07/011, NCT02534363, NCT0235832; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Grant/Award Numbers: PI14/00918, PI14/00639, PI060507, PI050427, PI020499; Swedish Research Council, Grant/Award Numbers: 523-2014-3467, 2017-00949, 521-2014-3487; South-Eastern Norway Health Authority; the Research Council of Norway, Grant/Award Number: 223273; South Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, Grant/Award Numbers: 2017-112, 2019107; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013), Grant/Award Number: 602450; National Institutes of Health, Grant/Award Numbers: R01 MH116147, R01 MH113619, R01 MH104284; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

Background In almost all metazoans examined to this respect, the axial patterning system based on canonical Wnt (cWnt) signaling operates throughout the course of development. In most metazoans, gastrulation is polar, and embryos develop morphological landmarks of axial polarity, such as blastopore under control/regulation from cWnt signaling. However, in many cnidarian species, gastrulation is morphologically apolar. The question remains whether cWnt signaling providing the establishment of a body axis controls morphogenetic processes involved in apolar gastrulation. Results In this study, we focused on the embryonic development of Dynamena pumila, a cnidarian species with apolar gastrulation. We thoroughly described cell behavior, proliferation, and ultrastructure and examined axial patterning in the embryos of this species. We revealed that the first signs of morphological polarity appear only after the end of gastrulation, while molecular prepatterning of the embryo does exist during gastrulation. We have shown experimentally that in D. pumila, the direction of the oral-aboral axis is highly robust against perturbations in cWnt activity. Conclusion Our results suggest that morphogenetic processes are uncoupled from molecular axial patterning during gastrulation in D. pumila. Investigation of D. pumila might significantly expand our understanding of the ways in which morphological polarization and axial molecular patterning are linked in Metazoa. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Holosporales are an alphaproteobacterial lineage encompassing bacteria obligatorily associated with multiple diverse eukaryotes. For most representatives, little is known on the interactions with their hosts. In this study, we characterized a novel Holosporales symbiont of the ciliate Paramecium polycaryum. This bacterium inhabits the host cytoplasm, frequently forming quite large aggregates. Possibly due to such aggregates, host cells sometimes displayed lethal division defects. The symbiont was also able to experimentally stably infect another Paramecium polycaryum strain. The bacterium is phylogenetically related with symbionts of other ciliates and diplonemids, forming a putatively fast-evolving clade within the family Holosporaceae. Similarly to many close relatives, it presents a very small genome (

Relevance. Miscarriage is one of the most common obstetric pathologies that determine the spontaneous death of the fetus. The role of changes in the microbiome of various biotopes is considered as a risk factor of this disease.Aim of the research is to assess the microbiocenoses structure of the reproductive system and the intestine associated with the development of spontaneous miscarriages in early pregnancy.Materials and methods. A case-control study was conducted and organized. The group of «cases» included 23 women with spontaneous miscarriage at 5–14 weeks of pregnancy and the control group included 23 women with normal pregnancies Based on the data of metagenomic sequencing of V3–V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene, a comparative assessment of the structure of the vaginal and intestinal microbiome in these groups was carried out.Results. As a result of the study, a number of taxonomic groups of microorganisms in the vagina and intestines associated with miscarriage. It was found that the decrease in the proportion of Lactobacillus spp. in the structure of the vaginal microbiome, less than 90% of the total number of identified taxa is associated with this pathology (OR = 5.28 (95% CI = 1.2-23.2)). The gut microbiocenoses of women with spontaneous miscarriage are characterized by less taxonomic diversity than the gut microbiome of women with advanced pregnancy. At the same time, some representatives of the intestinal microbiome (Akkermansia sp., Faecalibacterium sp., Bifidobacterium sp., Methanobrevibacter sp., Lactococcus sp.) predominate in women with a normal pregnancy.Conclusion. The study demonstrated a significant role of changes in microbiocinosis of the reproductive tract and intestines in miscarriage. There is a potentially protective function of lactobacilli. The obtained data substantiates the need for active use of molecular genetic methods focused on the assessing the structure of the vaginal and intestinal microbiota in assessing the risks of reproductive failures.

The frequency of structural chromosomal transpositions can range from 1.8 to 8% among patients with reproductive disorders. There are several types of the rarest chromosomal abnormalities: insertion (insertion of a chromosomal region) and inversion (rotation of a chromosome region). This article describes a clinical case of the infertility treatment using assisted reproductive technologies in a woman with a rare chromosomal abnormality: simultaneous insertion and inversion of chromosomes 46, XX, ins (13;4)(q34;p14p15.3), inv(4)(p14q12). The structure and frequency of chromosomal aberrations were determined by high-throughput sequencing in preimplantation embryos. The result of the sequencing analysis showed that unbalanced variants for a known pathology were detected in 9 (56.3%) out of 16 observations, while in 6 (37%) only for a pathology known in the karyotype and in 3 (19%) they were presented simultaneously with the pathology of other chromosomes or with mosaicism. According to the results of the study, in preimplantation embryos, where one of the parents had chromosomal abnormalities, in addition to unbalanced variants, there is aneuploidy of other chromosomes not involved in the known pathology. They are described in 3 (21%) out of 14 observations of all identified pathology. In this regard, patients with aberrations in the karyotype are recommended, whenever possible, to carry out preimplantation genetic testing of structural rearrangements by methods allowed to analyze all chromosomes simultaneously. For example, high-throughput sequencing on the Illumina platform may become an alternative for prenatal diagnostics, which is performed in fertile couples with high risk of having a child with hereditary or congenital disorders. In the case of detection of chromosomal changes in the fetus, patients are faced with a number of ethical issues related to the necessity for medical abortion, which may contradict their religious and moral convictions.

Powdery mildew caused by the parasitic fungus Blumeria graminis (DC.) Golovin ex Speer f. sp. hordei Marchal is one of the most common diseases of barley. Growing resistant varieties can significantly minimize harmful effects of the pathogen. The specificity in the interaction between the fungus and its host plant requires a continuous search for new donors of the resistance trait. The powdery mildew resistance of 264 barley accessions from Dagestan and genetic control of the trait in resistant forms were studied under field and laboratory conditions. Forty-seven barley lines carrying previously identified powdery mildew resistance genes were also examined. During three years, the experimental material was evaluated under severe infection pressure at the Dagestan Experiment Station of VIR (North Caucasus, Derbent). Juvenile resistance against the Northwest (St. Petersburg, Pushkin) pathogen population was evaluated in a climatic chamber. The genetic control of B. graminis resistance in the selected accessions was studied with the application of hybridological and molecular analyses. The level of genetic diversity of Dagestan barley for effective resistance to powdery mildew is very low. Only two accessions, VIR-23787 and VIR-28212, are resistant against B. graminis at both seedling and adult plant stages. The high-level resistance of breeding line VIR-28212 originating from barley landrace VIR-17554 (Ep-80 Abyssinien) from Ethiopia is controlled by the recessive gene mlo11. Accession VIR-17554 is heterogeneous for the studied trait, with the powdery mildew resistant genotypes belonging to two varieties, dupliatrum (an awnless phenotype) and nigrinudum (an awned phenotype). In accession VIR-23787, a recessive resistance gene distinct from the mlo11 allele was identified. This accession is supposed to be protected by a new, effective pathogen resistance gene.

This paper presents the experimental results of rare earth element and yttrium (REY) biosorption in natural surface waters and groundwater in the presence of different concentrations of living and inactivated organotrophic bacteria (Curtobacterium sp., Ralstonia sp., Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Brevibacterium sp., Microbacterium sp.,) under different environmental pH conditions. We found that the biosorption process is mainly regulated by two factors: the pH of the aqueous solution and the species of bacteria. The acidity significantly affected the sorption capacity of bacteria for all of the studied strains. We found a decrease in REY sorption with an increase in pH due to lower absorption of REY on the cell walls of bacteria. The process of REY biosorption was more intensive in the living bacteria than inactivated microorganisms. At neutral pH values, all studied bacterial strains more actively adsorbed light REYs (lanthanum, praseodymium, and neodymium), in more acidic solutions (pH 2), an increase in Kd values ​​for heavy REY (lutetium and europium) was observed. The effect of bacterial biomass concentration on REY biosorption was demonstrated. The REY sorption decreased with an increase in the concentration of the live and inactivated bacteria.

Novel porphyrin compounds containing benzothiazole, benzoxazole, and benzimidazole moieties have been prepared and their structures have been confirmed. Molecular docking of non-symmetric hetaryl-substituted porphyrins and chlorin e6 with SARS-CoV-2 helicase has been carried out. The affinity of hetaryl-substituted porphyrins to this protein has been found significantly higher than that of the drugs approved by the FDA and chlorin e6. The structure of the complexes of SARS-CoV-2 helicase with the considered macroheterocyclic compounds has been analyzed. Possible ways to inhibit and photoinactivate SARS-CoV helicase have been suggested basing on the localization of porphyrins and chlorin e6 in the helicase domains.

The chromatin remodeler SWI/SNF is an important participant in gene activation, functioning predominantly by opening the chromatin structure on promoters and enhancers. Here, we describe its novel mode of action in which SWI/SNF factors mediate the targeted action of an enhancer. We studied the functions of two signature subunits of PBAP subfamily, BAP170 and SAYP, in Drosophila. These subunits were stably tethered to a transgene reporter carrying the hsp70 core promoter. The tethered subunits mediate transcription of the reporter in a pattern that is generated by enhancers close to the insertion site in multiple loci throughout the genome. Both tethered SAYP and BAP170 recruit the whole PBAP complex to the reporter promoter. However, we found that BAP170-dependent transcription is more resistant to the depletion of other PBAP subunits, suggesting that BAP170 may play a more critical role in establishing enhancer-dependent transcription.

The diversity of weed-field communities of sunflower crops within the forest-steppe zone of the Orenburg Region (Abdulinskiy, Matveevskiy, Oktyabrskiy, Aleksandrovskiy, Sharlykskiy districts) was studied. The communities in the system of ecological-floristic classification units are assigned to the new variant Orobanche cumana of the Amarantho blitoides – Lactucetum tataricae Khasanova et al. 2019. In the core of the cenoflora of communities juvenile weed species prevail. The most active of them are late spring annuals ( Amaranthus blitoides , Panicum miliaceum , Amaranthus retroflexus , Setaria viridis ) and early spring annuals ( Chenopodium album , Fallopia convolvulus , Camelina microcarpa ). Root perennials such as Lactuca tatarica , Convolvulus arvensis , Euphorbia virgata , Cirsium arvense have also a high proportion. A distinctive feature of the communities is the participation in their floristic composition of a dangerous quarantine species – Sunflower broomrape ( Orobanche cumana ). Modeling the area of the association under a moderate scenario of climate change shows that the distribution of communities by 2050 can cover almost the entire territory of the Cis-Urals (within the Republic of Bashkortostan). It is necessary to organize a monitoring system for the range of these communities in the Southern Urals.

International audience; Two millets, Panicum miliaceum and Setaria italica, were domesticated in northern China, around 6000 BC. Although its oldest evidence is in Asia, possible independent domestication of these species in the Caucasus has often been proposed. To verify this hypothesis, a multiproxy research program (Orimil) was designed to detect the first evidence of millet in this region. It included a critical review of the occurrence of archaeological millet in the Caucasus, up to Antiquity; isotopic analyses of human and animal bones and charred grains; and radiocarbon dating of millet grains from archaeological contexts dated from the Early Bronze Age (3500-2500 BC) to the 1 st Century BC. The results show that these two cereals were cultivated during the Middle Bronze Age (MBA), around 2000-1800 BC, especially Setaria italica which is the most ancient millet found in Georgia. Isotopic analyses also show a significant enrichment in 13 C in human and animal tissues, indicating an increasing C 4 plants consumption at the same period. More broadly, our results assert that millet was not present in the Caucasus in the Neolithic period. Its arrival in the region, based on existing data in Eurasia, was from the south, without excluding a possible local domestication of Setaria italica. Today, there are many genetic, archaeobotanical or biochemical resources to track the domestication processes and diffusion of plants and animals. Among them, the millets, Panicum miliaceum and Setaria italica, are two species that have their origins in China, but their path to Europe has been the subject of numerous studies for several years. Across Asia, researchers have looked at millets to describe the dispersal of peoples and languages 1 , to address the concept of food globalization 2 , to understand how these cereals have adapted to different environments 3,4 and to investigate the sedentary, semi-nomadic, or nomadic lifestyles of the early agropastoral communities 5,6. This article focuses on the Caucasus, a region that has hitherto not yet been explored

Choosing optimum conditions for plants of the Pedicularis genus to productively germinate and undergo the initial stages of development is currently a relevant problem in the search of solutions to successfully grow these taxa. For the experiments, seeds of Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum L. (Lamiales, Orobanchaceae) were collected in the first decade of September in the vicinity of Chashnitskoe Lake. The study of specifics of germination of seeds and the initial stages of the development of P. sceptrum-carolinum was carried out in controlled laboratory conditions in a climate chamber with illumination (1,200–1,500 lux, photoperiod of 9/15, temperature of 23–25 °С). After a month-long storage of seeds in their fruit capsules in the laboratory conditions, the greatest germination (83.3–93.3%) was achieved after their subsequent dry maintenance (taken out of the fruits) in a refrigerator at the temperature of +2…+3 ºС for 3 or 6 months. Lower values of final germination were obtained after maintaining dry seeds at the temperature of –24…–28 ºС for 3 months. Increasing periods of such storage up to six months led to decrease in the final germination and energy of germination. After-ripening lasting different periods provided lower values of the two most important parameters – final germination and energy of germination, even in cases of quite long periods of dry storage in the laboratory. The initial stages of the development of plants from seeds of P. sceptrum-carolinum, which had undergone 3-month stratification in a refrigerator, were studied during the period of 2.0 (2.5) months in different conditions: Petri dishes on moistened filter paper, and in glass vessels with settled tap water, in soil in a plastic container (pure groups of sowed seeds) and also in soil sown together with seeds of Avena sativa L., with seeds put singly into a plastic block of 9 cassettes. The study revealed morphological differences in plants that had developed over the two-months growth, in each variant of the experiment. We recorded fragmentary development of haustorial hairs on the lateral roots of the plants in the pure sown group and also the haustorium in the group sown together with common oat. We achieved no further development and the plants died. The plants grew for a longer period (2.5 months) in the pure sown groups, which then died as well. The study we performed may be a basis for preparing successful introduction and cultivation of P. sceptrum-carolinum, which would be an important source of preservation of a species that raises concerns on account of the rapid decreases in its populations, narrowing of its range and rare occurrence.

COVID-19, an infection caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is associated with a number of pathophysiological mechanisms, mobilizing a wide spectrum of biomolecules, mainly, cytokines.The purpose of this study was to evaluate levels of multiple cytokines in blood plasma from the patients with COVID-19 during acute phase of the disease, and upon complete recovery. Samples of peripheral blood plasma of 56 patients with COVID-19, 69 convalescents and 10 healthy individuals were examined. Concentrations of 46 molecules, such as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-9, IL-12 (p40), IL-12 (p70), IL-13, IL-15, IL-17A/CTLA8, IL-17-E/IL-25, IL-17F, IL-18, IL-22, IL-27, IFNα2, IFNγ, TNFα, TNFβ/ Lymphotoxin-α (LTA), CCL2/MCP-1, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β, CCL7/MCP-3, CCL11/Eotaxin, CCL22/MDC, CXCL1/GROα, CXCL8/IL-8, CXCL9/MIG, CXCL10/IP-10, CX3CL1/Fractalkine, IL-1ra, IL-10, EGF, FGF-2/FGF-basic, Flt3 Ligand, G-CSF, M-CSF, GM-CSF, PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB/ BB, TGF-α, VEGF-A were measured via xMAP multiplexing technology. Significantly increased levels of 18 cytokines were found in blood plasma from COVID-19 patients during acute phase of the disease (as compared to control group), i.e., IL-6, IL-7, IL-15, IL-27, TNFα, TNFβ/Lymphotoxin-α (LTA), CCL2/MCP-1, CCL7/MCP-3, CXCL1/GROα, CXCL8/IL-8, CXCL10/IP-10, CXCL9/MIG, IL-1rа, IL-10, M-CSF, GM-CSF, VEGF-A. We found a significant decrease of nearly all the mentioned cytokines in recovered patients, in comparison with those who had moderate, severe/extremely severe disease. Moreover, we revealed a significantly decreased level of 8 cytokines in plasma from convalescents, as compared with control group, i.e., IL-1α, IL-2, IL-9, IL-12 p40, IL-18, CCL22/MDC, Flt3 Ligand, TGF-α. Immune response caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection involves multiple cytokines, mostly, with pro-inflammatory effects. We have shown for the first time that the convalescence phase is characterized by significantly lower levels of cytokines which regulate cellular differentiation and hematopoiesis (in particular, lymphocytes, T-cells and NK-cells). Over acute phase of the disease, the levels of these cytokines did not change. We revealed a significant decrease of most plasma cytokines upon recovery as compared to acute phase. On the contrary, acute phase of the disease is accompanied by significant increase of both pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines in blood plasma.

The results of experiments on seed germination and the initial stages of ontogenesis of the hygrohelophyte Oenanthe aquatica under laboratory conditions are presented. The features of fruit germination and the initial stages of ontogenesis of Oenanthe aquatica (L.) Poir were studied. It was revealed that mature fruits of O. aquatica do not have a dormant period. Germination of both freshly harvested fruits and those subjected to various storage conditions for 4 months (in laboratory conditions, refrigerator and freezer), showed a high percentage of laboratory germination from 90.6 to 100%. At the same time, storage of fruits in the freezer and in the refrigerator led to a decrease in the lag-time and germination period (in comparison with those of freshly picked fruits and fruits stored at room temperature). It was revealed that the fruits of O. aquatica germinate without a dormant period. It was shown that the development of O. aquatica seedling under laboratory conditions lasts about 30 days. The transition of a plant to a juvenile ontogenetic state occurs when the cotyledon leaves die off and is accompanied by the appearance of all the main plant organs. The sprout is a monopodially growing rosette shoot with main and adventitious roots. The juvenile plant is also represented by a uniaxial monopodial and anisotropic rosette shoot. The transition to an immature age-related state is characterized by the preservation of the rosette form of growth and the appearance of axillary buds on the shoot. In juvenile and immature age states, plants usually hibernate. It was revealed that already at the seedling stage, the polyvariance of ontogenesis is traced according to the rates of development of plants (growing in Petri dishes and floating on the surface of the water in beakers), associated with different rates of plant transition from the seedling phase to the juvenile age state.

Purpose: The intertidal and supratidal coastal zone challenges the osmoregulatory capacity of aquatic inhabitants. Four new species of Gyrodactylus ectoparasites on two intertidal fishes from Chile are described based on molecular and morphological analyses. Methods: Monogeneans were found from two fish species, the clingfish Sicyases sanguineus Müller & Troschel, 1843 and the combtooth blenny Scartichthys viridis Valenciennes, 1836. The morphology was described by drawings, and minimal measurements. The parasites were barcoded via the sequencing of the ribosomal DNA over ITS1–5.8S–ITS2. Results: The air-breathing clingfish S. sanguineus carried Gyrodactylus amphibius sp. nov., hiding in the ventral sucker formed by the modified pectoral fins of the fish. The intertidal combtooth blenny S. viridis carried three other new species: Gyrodactylus scartichthi sp. nov., Gyrodactylus viridae sp. nov., and Gyrodactylus zietarae sp. nov. Conclusion: The four new species were all phylogenetically related with the previously described G. chileani Ziętara et al. 2012 on triplefin Helcogrammoides chilensis Cancino, 1960 in the same habitat. Thus, the five Chilean Pacific Gyrodactylus species formed a statistically well-supported (100%) monophyletic clade together with three geographically distant species recorded in Europe. The Chilean Pacific parasites are not related to G. salinae and G. magadiensis, parasites described in extreme osmotic stress environments earlier.

The article is focused on the increased interest of the Russian people to the natural food products for preventive purposes, which has led to the development of new generation com-bined products with an extended spectrum of action. The method of processing combined fish and vegetable products with antiviral properties has been analyzed for the first time in technological practice. In-depth study has been carried out and proved the innovative nature of the developed food products with antioxidant and antiviral properties. Formulations have been made up and the chemical composition of multicomponent fish-vegetable pates has been determined. The pates have a high nutritional value and comply with the latest safety standards.

The results of the international multicenter study EMPEROR-REDUCED were reviewed the on-line scientific meeting of Moscow experts on October 30, 2020. Some proposals and recommendations for further study of the cardiovascular and renal effects of empagliflozin and its use in clinical practice in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction were accepted.

Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), which induce the expression of specific plant genes to promote infection, are the main pathogenic determinants of various Xanthomonas bacteria. However, investigation of TALEs from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, which causes black rot disease of crucifers, received little attention. In this study, we used PCR-based amplification followed by SMRT amplicon sequencing to identify TALE genes in several X. campestris pv. campestris strains. Computational prediction in conjunction with quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis was used to find their targets in the Brassica oleracea genome. Transcription factor ERF121, from the AP2/ERF family, was identified as target gene for the conserved TALEs from multiple X. campestris pv. campestris strains. Several members of this family from diverse plants were previously identified as targets of TALEs from different Xanthomonas species. We propose that TALE-dependent activation of AP2/ERF transcription factors promotes susceptibility to Xanthomonas through the misregulation of plant defence pathways.

Quality control of recombinant interferon (rIFN) products with the help of modern analytical methods, including those used for identification, is becoming increasingly relevant nowadays. Identification is especially challenging in the case of Russian rIFN products that contain not only interferon (IFN) alpha-2b, but also other active ingredients and excipients that hinder the use of physical and chemical methods. Manufacturers of such products use IFN neutralization assay with mono- and/or polyclonal antibodies for identification. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of using different types of antibodies in the identification test based on neutralization of IFN antiviral activity in IFN alpha-2b products containing other active ingredients and excipients in addition to IFN. Materials and methods: the following materials were used in the study: MDBK cells, vesicular stomatitis virus, samples of IFN alpha-2b products with different composition and by different manufacturers, mono- and polyclonal antibodies by different manufacturers. Identification of rINFs was carried out by a biological method based on neutralization by specific antibodies of IFN ability to suppress the cytopathic effect of the indicator virus in a cell culture using a reference standard for comparison. Results: both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were shown to neutralize the activity of the tested IFN alpha-2b substances. Polyclonal antibodies interact with all products containing the same active ingredients, irrespective of their composition. Monoclonal antibodies interact selectively with some products. Conclusions: polyclonal antibodies can be used for identification of any product containing IFN alpha-2b. The use of monoclonal antibodies for this purpose is limited and depends on the composition of the product.

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are one of the most effective ways in fighting infertility, but their effectiveness is influenced by various factors. Our study focuses on examining importance of risk factors underlying ART failure related to altered microbiome pattern in the female reproductive system. The case-control study was based on conducting a laboratory examination of 129 infertile couples applied to the Department of Assisted Reproductive Technologies due to failure of in vitro fertilization (IVF), whereas control group consisted of females with successful progressive pregnancy after ART. Chlamydia, herpes virus and cytomegalovirus were assessed by using PCR and ELISA, whereas culture method was used to detect Trichomonas vaginalis in vaginal swabs and ejaculate applying Trichomonas Modified CPLM Medium (HiMedia, India) followed by microscopy. In addition, the qualitative and quantitative composition of the vaginal biocenosis was studied with multiplex RT-PCR by using Femoflor-16 kit (DNA-technologies, Russia). Serological tests were based on measuring IgG and IgA antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis in ELISA (diagnostic kits purchased from Vektor Best, Russia; NovaTec, Germany; ImmunoComb, Israel) as well as antibodies against immediate early HSV-1/2 proteins (BioService, Russia) and immediate early HHV-5 proteins (Vector Best, Russia). C. trachomatis and herpesvirus DNA was measured by using PCR diagnostic kits Amplisens (Interlabservice, Russia). It was found that sexually transmitted infection agents were highly prevalent in infertile couples applying to the hospital for IVF. Significant factors for non-pregnancy were vaginal dysmicrobiocenosis (OR = 7.5 (95% CI 1.04—54.1), p = 0.02) and detected T. vaginalis (OR = 2.6 (95% CI 1.12—6.4), p = 0.01). Dysbiosis of the reproductive system, including those occurring due to trichomonas infection is associated with lowered ART effectiveness. It is evident to timely detect urogenital infections and dysbiosis while preparing infertile couples for IVF cycles.

Age-related deterioration in female fertility is mainly associated with a decrease in the number and quality of ovarian follicles, which, in turn, leads to various endocrine disorders. In the present work, the steroidogenic activity of theca and granulosa layers from preovulatory follicles of laying hens of different ages was studied in vitro. Young hens aged 32-33 weeks with a long egg clutch and hens aged 74-76 weeks with a short egg clutch were used in the experiments. The granulosa and theca layers were isolated from the two largest preovulatory follicles F1 and F2 and cultured separately for 18 h. After culture, the concentration of sex steroid hormones in the media was determined by ELISA. The production of progesterone by the granulosa layer was 1.5-2.0 times higher in reproductively aged layers than in young layers. Concurrently, the secretory activity of granulosa cells increased with the development of follicles from the F2 stage to the F1 stage only in aged birds (from 74.0±7.5 to 97.0±10.9 pmol/mg tissue, P At the same time the ability of theca cells to secrete estradiol-17β was 1.6-2.3 times lower (P The findings indicate that the processes associated with ovarian aging modulate the steroidogenic activity of follicular cells in laying hens, with the age-related reduction in the egg clutch being related to an increase in the basal production of progesterone and testosterone in the two largest preovulatory follicles.

It is an urgent task today to seek and implement nature-like technologies in broiler production and obtain biologically complete and safe poultry products, thus refusing from antibiotic use in feed. Feed additives based on natural components can be an effective tool for implementation of preventive and therapeutic veterinary measures. The paper presents research study results of application of betulin-based phytobiotics in broiler farming. The tests were carried out on Ross-308 cross-breed broiler chickens within the production cycle at one of the poultry farms of the Sverdlovsk Oblast. Birds of the experimental group received compound feed supplemented with dry betulin at 2.5 mg/kg of live weight from day 21 to day 35 of growing. The introduction of betulin-based feed additive into the diet contributed to increase in live weight gain and 7.6% pectoralis muscle output as compared with the control group. It was established that the phytobiotic consumption resulted in reduced deposition of subcutaneous and abdominal fat, higher biological value of meat by increasing the ash content, improved technological properties of meat due to increasing water-holding capacity of muscle fiber and intensity of formation and maturation of muscle fiber. Histological studies of pancreatic tissue samples from broiler chickens showed increase in the mass of islets of Langerhans and insulin-producing cell complexes. The pancreas was activated due to effects of the betulin-based feed additive. The results obtained indicate that the use of betulin in broiler production is a promising trend.

The effect of inoculation with endotrophic micromycete Cylindrocarpon magnusianum on the physiological and biochemical parameters of test tomato plants when exposed to heavy metal salts was studied. The experimental scheme included inoculation with a fungal culture (control population) and with populations of this fungus that were previously adapted to this stress factor. The inoculated plants were then grown under control conditions and on substrates with different concentrations of heavy metal salts (zinc, copper, lead, and chromium). No stimulating effect that increases the resistance of plants to heavy metal salts after inoculation of plants by the control population of the fungus C. magnusianum was detected. When using nonbiogenic chemical elements, adaptive plant responses associated with the content of photosynthetic pigments in leaves and the formation of plant biomass were significantly expressed when plants were inoculated with adapted fungal populations of C. magnusianum and when they were further cultivated on substrates introduced with chromium and lead salts. Under these conditions, the fungal infection in plant roots was more intense compared to the use of the control population of the fungus. These facts indicate the more efficient partnership of the fungus C. magnusianum and the root system of plants under conditions that are extreme for plant life.

The interaction of meso-tetra-([Formula: see text]-methyl-3-pyridyl)bacteriochlorin tetra 4-methylbenzenesulfonate, meso-tetra-([Formula: see text]-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphine tetraiodide and meso-tetra-([Formula: see text]-methyl-3-pyridyl)porphine tetraiodide with protein was studied. The localization of macrocycles in the protein and their influence on the processes of protein aggregation were established. The aggregation process is initiated by the transition of alpha structures into beta folds, caused by the binding of porphyrins at the sites of protein IB and IIA. The complexes were irradiated with blue and green light. The data obtained showed that by varying the intensity of the light exposure, one can influence the shift of the aggregation equilibrium, obtaining predominantly monomeric or aggregated structures. Thus, photoexposure can be used as an alternative method of treating diseases caused by amyloidosis and for regulating the state of the protein in the pharmacological preparations.

In this study, the oxidative destruction of bromophenol blue dye with hydrogen peroxide was carried out at pH 4.0-4.1 in the presence of a commercial horseradish peroxidase, as well as peroxidase isolated directly from horseradish roots (Armoracia rusticana). To determine peroxidase activity, a model reaction of the oxidation of phenol to quinone was used. With a dye concentration of 32.7 μM, the optimal concentration of hydrogen peroxide was 0.04 mM at peroxidase concentration of 1.15 nM. The optimal temperature of the enzymatic reaction was determined: at 23 °С for 10 min 90% of the dye was exposed to destruction. When the temperature rises to 50 °С, the reaction rate decreases, and the degree of destruction is 56% for the same time interval. It was shown that the initial rate of peroxidase oxidation of bromophenol blue follows Michaelis-Menten equation. The kinetic parameters of the enzymatic reaction were determined by linearizing Michaelis-Menten equation in Lineweaver-Burk coordinates. It was found that for the peroxidase oxidation reaction of bromophenol blue Michaelis constant and maximum rate were 42.7 μM and 57.5 μM·min–1, respectively. In this work, а high percentage of dye degradation was also achieved when using peroxidase isolated from horseradish roots. The experiments were conducted at a temperature of 30оС and pH 4.1. With the increase in the volume of the extract from 0.1 to 0.2 ml, the percentage decolorization increases from 75% to 90%. The results demonstrate the high degradation efficiency of bromophenol blue with the participation of the commercial horseradish peroxidase and peroxidase isolated from horseradish roots. Enzymatic oxidative degradation can be considered as an alternative to biodegradation.

The study of the role of typological characteristics of higher nervous activity of rats in the neurobiological effects (rat behavior and its neurochemical mechanisms) of combined exposure to a 10-day antiorthostatic suspension, γ-, and high-energy proton and carbon ion (12C) irradiation demonstrated that the 12C ion irradiation caused more marked distortion of the ratio of orientation and exploratory behavior and passive defensive behavior/anxiety in rats of the excitable anxious emotional type. In the experiment with proton irradiation, the differences between typological groups were more smoothed out, though some parameters of passive defensive behavior in the rats of the experimental groups were also increased. These changes were accompanied by decreased monoamine metabolism in the prefrontal cortex.

After its introduction for scientific investigation in the 1950s, the cypriniform zebrafish, Danio rerio, has become a valuable model for the study of regenerative processes and mechanisms. Zebrafish exhibit epimorphic regeneration, in which a nondifferentiated cell mass formed after amputation is able to fully regenerate lost tissue such as limbs, heart muscle, brain, retina, and spinal cord. The process of limb regeneration in zebrafish comprises several stages characterized by the activation of specific signaling pathways and gene expression. We review current research on key factors in limb regeneration using zebrafish as a model.

The fauna of parasites of Common (Sterna hirundo) and Arctic (Sterna paradisaea) terns obtained during the spring hunting period of 2013–2015 on the coast of Lake Ladoga has been studied. We found 15 species of parasites of various systematic groups: Cestoda (six species), Trematoda (four species), Nematoda (two species), Acanthocephala (two species), and Crustacea (one species). In the Common tern, 11 species of parasites have been registered, and in the Arctic tern, seven species. All parasites identified are typical and widespread helminths of fish-eating birds that are ubiquitous in the Palearctic. For the first time in the territory of Karelia, the species Reighardia sternae Diesing 1864 has been recorded.

Purpose – the systematization of data on the resistance of Helicobacter pylori to clarithromycin in the Russian Federation. Material and methods. Necessary investigations were searched in the electronic databases MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI), published between January and September, 2020. The final analysis included original publications from periodically reviewed foreign and Russian publications, as well as dissertations that used validated H. pylori resistance assessment tests with detailed descriptive statistics that allow the resulting data to be included in the meta-analysis. Results. The final analysis included 16 studies (1227 isolates). The generalized indicator of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin in the Russian Federation was 11.85% (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.315–17.302; I2 = 86.19%). When analyzing papers published over the past ten years, H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin was 10.39% (95% CI 7.103–14.219; I2 = 61.29%). In Moscow and the Moscow Region, the generalized indicator of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin was 10.87% (95% CI 7,280–15,439; I2 = 50.57%), in St. Petersburg – 22.26% (95% CI 9,525–38,470; I2 = 84.75%), Smolensk – 5.74% (95% CI 3,511–8,789; I2 = 0.00%), Kazan – 10.0% (95% CI 5,023–17,355; I2 = 45.22%). Conclusion. The results show that the resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin in Russia does not exceed the 15% threshold regulated by the Maastricht-V Consensus, which allows us to consider a triple regimen of anti-Helicobacter therapy with clarithromycin as a first-line therapy. At the same time, to achieve the maximum effect when using classical triple therapy and to level the risk of further progression of clarithromycin resistance of H. pylori in Russia, it is advisable to use methods of its optimization.

In this work, we studied some ecological and biochemical characteristics (cultural, morphological, physiological and biochemical properties, extracellular enzymatic activity, bacterial growth in various ranges of temperatures, pH, NaCl concentrations, resistance to heavy metals) of 14 strains of thermophilic bacteria taken from thermal waters and microbial mats of Kamchatka Dachnie springs. On selective environment the strains formed mostly transparent, beige, white-gray, brown, yellow and pink colonies. It was shown that the isolates were represented most of all by asporogenic, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive, mobile, gram-negative rods of various sizes. Most of the cultures were capable of forming exozymes, especially amylases and proteinases. The strains grew in a wide range of temperatures (3550C), pH (58), NaCl concentration (15%) and were characterized by increased resistance to a number of heavy metals. 4 strains of thermophilic heterotrophic bacteria exhibited multiple multidrug resistance to metals. They were identified and it was shown that the isolates were represented by bacteria of the genus Bacillus sp. (№ 19), Thermus sp. (№ 40), Pseudomonas sp. (№ 15), Rhizobium sp. (№ 125). The strains with high enzymatic activity and increased resistance to pollutants are promising for use in the field of ecology for cleaning contaminated environmental objects.

It has long been known that there is a link between neuron glial antigen 2 (NG2) surface expression and KMT2A gene rearrangements in acute leukemia (AL). However, the exact levels of NG2 positivity that predict the presence of KMT2A rearrangement are not known. The current study focuses on a cohort of 505 pediatric AL patients who showed any level of positive NG2 expression (greater than 1% of cells) for whom comprehensive genetic data were available. NG2 expression was measured as either the percentage of positive cells or the number of molecules on the cell surface. KMT2A gene rearrangements were identified by FISH. The fusion partner was detected with RT-PCR, LDI-PCR or anchored multiplex PCR followed by high-throughput sequencing. KMT2A-positive samples comprised a substantial proportion of the NG2-positive cohort (180 of 505, 36%), with a total of 19 different types of translocation. Despite its occurrence in other AL genetic subgroups, NG2 expression was significantly increased in AL patients with KMT2A rearrangements in terms of both the cell percentage and number of molecules per cell. The threshold levels (TL) for NG2-positivity were established by ROC analysis of the whole cohort and separately for children less than 1 years old and older with lymphoblastic (ALL) and myeloid (AML) leukemia. The lowest TL was defined in infants with ALL (7%), while in older children, the threshold was higher (12%). In AML patients, the situation was reversed, with 28% NG2-positivity in infants and 14% in patients >1 year old. The defined TLs resulted in improved diagnostic performance compared to the conventional thresholds of 10% and 20% for all patient groups.

Acute leukemias (ALs) are often associated with chromosomal translocations, in particular, KMT2A/MLL gene rearrangements. Identification or confirmation of these translocations is carried out by a number of genetic and molecular methods, some of which are routinely used in clinical practice, while others are primarily used for research purposes. In the clinic, these methods serve to clarify diagnoses and monitor the course of disease and therapy. On the other hand, the identification of new translocations and the confirmation of known translocations are of key importance in the study of disease mechanisms and further molecular classification. There are multiple methods for the detection of rearrangements that differ in their principle of operation, the type of problem being solved, and the cost-result ratio. This review is intended to help researchers and clinicians studying AL and related chromosomal translocations to navigate this variety of methods. All methods considered in the review are grouped by their principle of action and include karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes for whole chromosomes or individual loci, PCR and reverse transcription-based methods, and high-throughput sequencing. Another characteristic of the described methods is the type of problem being solved. This can be the discovery of new rearrangements, the determination of unknown partner genes participating in the rearrangement, or the confirmation of the proposed rearrangement between the two genes. We consider the specifics of the application, the basic principle of each method, and its pros and cons. To illustrate the application, examples of studying the rearrangements of the KMT2A/MLL gene, one of the genes that are often rearranged in AL, are mentioned.

The success of breeding research is in many ways determined by the successful selection of parental forms for hybridization. In recent years, along with traditional approaches, the results of marker-assisted selection (MAS) are actively used for the selection of parental lines, in order to combine valuable alleles of parental genotypes. Such programs are widely used for different crops in many countries, including Russia. The use of MAS is promising both at the initial stage in the selection of parental samples for crosses and at the stages of analysis of segregating hybrid populations. In this work, the selection of parental potato varieties for crosses was carried out based on the results of MAS of initial varieties with markers of R-genes conferring resistance to various harmful organisms as well as based on their economically valuable characters. To increase the efficiency of the selection of promising hybrid genotypes obtained in intervarietal crosses, we used an integrated approach that combines MAS with markers of R-genes for resistance to various diseases and pests with traditional methods for assessing economically valuable traits of hybrid populations. The resulting hybrids of three combinations (Gusar × Charoit), (Gusar × Aliy Parus), (Gusar × Sireneviy tuman) also participated in MAS with 8 markers of 6 R-genes conferring resistance to potato virus Y (Rysto) and potato virus X (Rx1), to golden (H1) and pale (Gpa2) potato cyst nematodes, and race-specific resistance to late blight (R1, R3A). Almost all the hybrids had different combinations of R-gene markers. To identify the allelic composition of the R-genes in the parental varieties, the segregation of DNA markers in each combination was analyzed, which allowed us to determine the level of heterozygosity of the marked loci in the parental varieties. Main economically valuable characters of the hybrids were also evaluated in the field trials. As a result, out of 144 hybrids, 31 genotypes were identified that have one or the other economically valuable traits (yield, marketability, shape of tubers, starch content, field resistance to late blight), and 113 hybrids were rejected. In 23 of the 31 selected hybrids, productivity varied from 600 to 1525 grams per plant. Twelve of these 23 hybrid genotypes combined relatively high productivity and marketability of tubers with various combinations of Rysto, Rx1, H1, Gpa2, R1, and R3A gene markers. Thus, the use of an integrated approach that combines traditional breeding methods and MAS increases the efficiency of the selection of promising genotypes with a given set of traits.The selected hybrid genotypes are of interest for further breeding aimed at creating competitive varieties with complex resistance to various pathogens and pests, including viral and nematode resistance, that will need fewer chemical treatments to protect the crop.

In clinical practice, acute-phase protein measurements during inflammation are usually used to monitor the activity and severity of adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD).Objective: to study the possibility of using the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in complete blood cell count as a marker for the activity and severity of AOSD in clinical practice.Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 48 patients (29 females and 19 males; mean age, 32.8±12.5 years) with active AOSD, who met the criteria devised by M. Yamaguchi et al. Along with standard clinical and laboratory parameters and systemic scores, NLR was calculated in complete blood cell count.Results and discussion. There was a statistically significant correlation of NLR with the level of CRP (r=0.532), ferritin (r=0.43), ESR (r=0.40), and the systemic score reflecting the severity of the disease (r=0.449), which allows NLR to be regarded as a tool that is convenient to assess the activity and severity of AOSD in clinical practice.Conclusion. The findings have shown the good sensitivity and specificity of NLR, which indicates the possibility of using the latter as an available marker for assessing the activity and severity of AOSD in clinical practice.

Abstract Plant developmental processes are very flexible and highly depend on environmental factors. This is largely due to the existence of regulatory mechanisms that systemically control development on the whole plant level. In plants, regulatory peptides produced in the roots have been identified that are activated in response to different factors influencing root system, such as variation in the level of macronutrients (first of all, nitrogen and phosphorus) in the soil, influence of symbiotic microorganisms (soil rhizobial bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi), and water deficiency. Among the systemically acting peptides, the most thoroughly investigated are CLE (CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION-related) and CEP (C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDES) peptides that are capable of travelling through the xylem from the roots to the shoot and triggering responses via binding to specific receptors operating in the phloem of the leaf. This review focuses on the role of these two groups of peptides in molecular dialog between the root and shoot.

Background. Powdery mildew is one of the harmful and destructive foliar diseases of cereal crops, caused by the fungus Вlumeria graminis (DC.) E.O. Speer f. sp. tritici Em. Marchal. Annual harvest losses may reach 10–15%, and up to 30% in an epidemic year. The VIR collection contains rich diversity of wheat, a valuable source of original material for wheat resistance breeding programs.The aim of this study was to generalize the results of long-term field and laboratory investigations on powdery mildew resistance in spring bread wheat of Nordic origin from the VIR collection and search for accessions resistant in all development phases.Materials and methods. Powdery mildew resistance was analyzed in 279 accessions originated from Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. The tests were performed from 1961 to 2019 against a natural population of the fungus in VIR’s experimental field (Pushkin, St. Petersburg). Field and laboratory studies were carried out in accordance with the guidelines developed by VIR.Results. The analysis of the field data on powdery mildew resistance in spring bread wheat accessions against the Pushkin population of the fungus showed that many Nordic accessions were resistant from 1970 till 1990. These data were retested in 2012–2013. One hundred and five accessions of old landraces and modern cultivars of Nordic origin were studied under field and laboratory conditions for their response to a natural population of the fungus. Accessions resistant in all phases of plant development were identified.Conclusion. Swedish cultivars ‘Sunnan’ (k-58177), ‘Canon’ (k-60992), ‘Sober’ (k-61080) ‘Dragon’ (k-61515) and ‘Dacke’ (k-63479) preserved their resistance to the powdery mildew population beginning from 1993. Spring bread wheat cultivars ‘SW Vals’ (k-64436), ‘SW Milljet’ (k-64434), ‘SW Estrad’ (k-64435), ‘SW Vinjet’ (k-64436), ‘Zebra’ (k-64707), ‘SW Kungsjet’ (k-66036), ‘SW Kronjet’ (k-66097) and ‘Boett’ (k66353) demonstrated adult and seedling resistance in the period from 2005 to 2019.

The poultry industry plays a significant role in providing the population with high-quality food products. According to the literature, biostimulants have a beneficial effect on the body of animals and birds. Therefore, the search for effective biological products is relevant. The article presents the results of studies of the use of a biological stimulator nucleostim when growing broiler chickens of the cross POCC-308. Particular attention is paid to morphological characteristics of broiler chicken liver, as well as the effect of the biostimulator nucleostimulator on the liver at the cellular level. Histological and immunohistochemical studies have shown that the biological stimulant nucleostim optimizes the structure of the liver, prevents the development of disorders of cellular metabolic mechanisms in the organ which leads to the development of structural changes.

Poultry farming is one of the most important dynamically developing branches of the agro-industrial complex, providing the population with fullfledged food products. It is necessary to search for new useful biological substances to increase the efficiency of the industry. At the same time, biologically active substances must be not only highly effective but also harmless to animals and humans. To date, significant experimental data on the use of biological stimulants in poultry and animal husbandry have been accumulated. The research aimed to study the influence of the biological stimulator Nucleostim on the development of the thymus and its clinical and morphological structure. 100 ROSS 308 cross broiler chickens were used for the research. Experimental and control groups of animals were kept in the same conditions on a unique, balanced diet with free access to water. In the course of the research, it was found that in 3 experimental groups, the mass of internal organs of broiler chickens is greater than in the control group. The most significant increase in organs was observed in chickens receiving Nucleostim at a dose (10 g/kg of feed). The use of the biological stimulator Nucleostim as a top dressing in broiler chickens preserves the structure of the thymus, with clear visualization and differentiation of the cortical layer and brain matter, increases the mitotic activity of thymocytes, improves blood supply to the organ. As a result of research, it was found that Nucleostim has an immunomodulatory effect, which is expressed in hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the thymus, increasing the number of CD 68 macrophages, slowing down the thymus involution processes in broiler chickens.

Цель исследования – изучить безвредность корма на основе модифицированной перги, определить влияние корма на биохимические показатели обмена веществ белых мышей. Корм включает гидролизат перги, соты с пергой смешивают с 3–4% раствором гидроксида натрия в соотношении 1:5, выдерживают 30–45 мин при температуре 95–100 °C. Исходя из проведенных исследований и полученных в результате этого данных, можно заключить, что корм не оказывает негативного влияния на изучаемые биохимические показатели функционирования печени белых мышей. Ключевые слова: корм, модифицированная перга, белые мыши, безвредность, биохимические показатели, функциональное состояние печени.

Caves are considered to be extreme and challenging environments. It is believed that the ability of microorganisms to produce secondary metabolites enhances their survivability and adaptiveness in the energy-starved cave environment. Unfortunately, information on the genetic potential for the production of secondary metabolites, such as polyketides and nonribosomal peptides, is limited. In the present study, we aimed to identify and characterize genes responsible for the production of secondary metabolites in the microbial community of one of the deepest caves in the world, Krubera-Voronja Cave (43.4184 N 40.3083 E, Western Caucasus). The analysed sample materials included sediments, drinkable water from underground camps, soil and clay from the cave walls, speleothems and coloured spots from the cave walls. The type II polyketide synthases (PKSs) ketosynthases α and β and the adenylation domains of nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) were investigated using a metagenomic approach. Taxonomic diversity analysis showed that most PKS sequences could be attributed to Actinobacteria followed by unclassified bacteria and Acidobacteria, while the NRPS sequences were more taxonomically diverse and could be assigned to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, etc. Only three putative metabolites could be predicted: an angucycline group polyketide, a massetolide A-like cyclic lipopeptide and a surfactin-like lipopeptide. The absolute majority of PKS and NRPS sequences showed low similarity with the sequences of the reference biosynthetic pathways, suggesting that these sequences could be involved in the production of novel secondary metabolites.

The authors' data on the weed species composition in 8 geographic regions of the Russian Federation were laid at the basis of this survey. The segetal flora comprised weeds of cereals, root crops, and perennial grasses. The composition and taxonomic structure of weed species were analyzed. The total number of weedy plants encompassed 686 plant species. The level of regional weed species diversity was positively related to the area planted. Altai Territory, Udmurtia, and Rostov Province had the greatest weed species diversity, with more than 300 species, while Vologda Province had the lowest diversity (193 species). Most species-rich plant families (Asteraceae Dumort., Poaceae Barnhart, Fabaceae Lindl., Brassicaceae Burnet), genera (Potentila L., Artemisia L., Veronica L., Chenopodium L., Silene L., Trifolium L.), their subsequences, contributions of single-species families (17-39%) and genera (57-74%) were relatively stable systematic structure indicators. Only 18% of the species were common for all the regions. In each region there were region-specific groups of species. Weed species compositions in geographically close regions - the European part of Russia and the Urals - showed the greatest similarity. As for geographically distant regions (Altai Territory and Rostov Province), their weedy species compositions were distant and contained large groups of region-specific species. © 2020 All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources -Federal Research Center. All rights reserved. This work was supported in part by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (projects 17-44-020402 р_а, 19-016-00135), state budget funds (AAAA-A18-118011990151-7), and as part of the implementation of the state task on the topic: “Vascular plants of Eurasia: taxonomy, flora, plant resources” (AAAA-A19-119031290052-1).

—The influence of industrial emissions on the content of ash elements in the biogeochemical food chain “snow cover–soil–willow bushes–willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus L.)” was investigated in the northern Norilsk plateau. A significant enrichment in metal pollutants (Ni, Cu, Co, Fe) and deficiency in Mn was found in the leaves of Salix lanata L. and the browse of the willow ptarmigan, indicating the unbalanced input of these chemical elements into plants and animals. Increased accumulation of copper, nickel, iron, cobalt, and cadmium was revealed in the willow ptarmigan muscles. The high cadmium concentrations were not caused by contamination, but were related to the high content of this metal in the winter forage (end shoots and buds of dwarf willow).

The genes encoding carbonic anhydrase (CA) were found in all anoxygenic purple bacteria. The genes of α- and β-CA were found in purple nonsulfur bacteria of the class Alphaproteobacteria:Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodospirillum fulvum, Rhodoblastus acidophilus, and Rhodopseudomonas palustris. The alphaproteobacteria Rhodomicrobium vannielii, Blastochlorisviridis, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Rhodobacter capsulatus, Rhodobacter veldkampii, Rhodovulumeuryhalinum, and Rhodovulum sulfidophilum possessed only the β-CA genes. Both nonsulfur purple bacteria of the class Betaproteobacteria (Rubrivivax gelatinosus) and purple sulfur bacteria (class Gammaproteobacteria) contained the α- and β-CA. No CA genes were found in green sulfur bacteria Chlorobaculum limnaeum and Chlorobaculum parvum, as well as in filamentous green nonsulfur bacteria Chloroflexus aurantiacus. However, the β-CA gene was revealed in Oscillochloris trichoides, which belonged to the latter taxonomic group. No γ-CA genes were detected in the genomes of the phototrophic bacteria studied in the present work. Although CA genes were present in all purple bacteria, the α- and β-CA activity was observed only in four species of purple nonsulfur Alphaproteobacteria: Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Rhodoblastusacidophilus, and Rhodospirillum fulvum. These bacteria are able to synthesize CA under both photoautotrophic and photoheterotrophic conditions in the media with acetate, malate, or fructose. These bacteria (except for Rhodospirillum fulvum, which is unable to grow under aerobic conditions), also exhibit CA activity when grown under aerobic conditions in the dark.

A new microsporidian species,Globosporidium parameciigen. nov., sp. nov., fromParamecium primaureliais described on the basis of morphology, fine structure, and SSU rRNA gene sequence. This is the first case of microsporidiosis inParameciumreported so far. All observed stages of the life cycle are monokaryotic. The parasites develop in the cytoplasm, at least some part of the population in endoplasmic reticulum and its derivates. Meronts divide by binary fission. Sporogonial plasmodium divides by rosette-like budding. Early sporoblasts demonstrate a well-developed exospore forming blister-like structures. Spores with distinctive spherical shape are dimorphic in size (3.7 ± 0.2 and 1.9 ± 0.2μm). Both types of spores are characterized by a thin endospore, a short isofilar polar tube making one incomplete coil, a bipartite polaroplast, and a large posterior vacuole. Experimental infection was successful for 5 of 10 tested strains of theParamecium aureliaspecies complex. All susceptible strains belong to closely relatedP. primaureliaandP. pentaureliaspecies. Phylogenetic analysis placed the new species in the Clade 4 of Microsporidia and revealed its close relationship toEuplotespora binucleata(a microsporidium from the ciliateEuplotes woodruffi), toHelmichia lacustrisandMrazekia macrocyclopis, microsporidia from aquatic invertebrates.