Search

In the latest version of the climatic model of river flow formation, water transport along the river network to the mouth was carried out for each section of the Lena River and its tributaries at its constant rate. This paper presents two approaches to routing surface runoff with time-varying flow rates. The use of these approaches may allow the model to represent not only average multi-year flow rates, but also the ability to simulate floods and short-term fluctuations in river flow. Two numerical experiments were conducted: simulations of river flow with constant and variable velocities.

Mineral substances are necessary for the human body. Iodine deficiency is a global problem at the moment. One of the ways to solve this problem is functional foods enriched with iodine. This paper presents the results of an organoleptic evaluation of a new functional product – a vanilla milkshake enriched with iodine. Objective: to evaluate the quality of the milk vanilla iodized cocktail according to organoleptic parameters.

—The total abundance of bacteria, the number of saprophytic, oligotrophic, and sulfate-reducing microorganisms, the shapes of bacterial cells, the primary and bacterial production, the destruction of organic matter, and the rate of sulfate reduction were studied in small Karelian lakes during the stagnation period. It has been shown that the uneven vertical distribution of light, temperature, oxygen, and hydrogen sulfide creates ecological niches for the development of many various groups of microorganisms. In most lakes, the minimum abundance of microorganisms was found in the surface water layer, while its maximum was in the near-bottom layers. The trophic status of a water body has a great influence on the formation and function of microbial communities. Autochthonic organic matter in the closed forest lakes under study (the local term is “lamba”) was formed due to phytoplankton photosynthesis, but bacterial production exceeded primary production in the hypolimnion of eutrophic lakes. The content of hydrogen sulfide, the abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria, and the rate of sulfate reduction were maximal in the bottom sediments of eutrophic lambas.

—A study of promoter hypermethylation of cell cycle (RASSF1A, p16/INK4A, p14/ARF, p53, АТМ), xenobiotic detoxification (GSTP1), antioxidant defense (SOD3), and estrogen receptor (ESR1) genes in blood leukocytes of 88 nuclear industry workers from the Mayak facility (53–86 years old at sampling) exposed to prolonged external γ-radiation was carried out. Accumulated doses to red bone marrow (RBM) ranged from 0.2 to 2.95 Gy. The time between the end of work with radiation and blood sampling was on average 15.95 ± 1.22 years. Fifty unirradiated residents of Ozyorsk matched by age to the exposed group were enrolled as a control group. Promoter hypermethylation was analyzed using methylation-sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The trend towards dependence of promoter hypermethylation of p14/ARF and RASSFA genes on age rather than radiation exposure (logistic regression: p = 0.072) confirms previous results. The frequency of individuals with promoter methylation of at least one of the following six genes: p16/INK4A, GSTP1, р53, АТМ,SOD3,ESR1, in irradiated group was significantly higher than in the control group (62.5 versus 34%, respectively, p = 0.001, OR = 3.24, 95% CI 1.56–6.69). A significantly elevated frequency of individuals with hypermethylated СpG islands in GSTP1 and SOD3 promoters was revealed among exposed subjects compared to the control group (p = 0.014 and p = 0.021, respectively). A statistically significant association between the cumulative dose and the number of methylated promoters was revealed (r = 0.304, р = 3.2 × 10–4). Therefore, the dose-dependent hypermethylation of CpG islands in gene promoters that is revealed in blood leukocytes long term after external exposure to γ-radiation was found.

The article analyses theoretical approaches and empirical research of the influence of the children’s birth order in the family on their intellectual and creative abilities, achievements in education, personality traits, behaviors and social preferences. It is shown that the results of the studies vary depending on the method of data analysis - the effect of decreasing intelligence while increasing the birth sequence number detected when comparing indicators of large numbers of children with different birth order from different families, and generally not detectable in intra-family analysis data. To explain the differences obtained the authors used three basic theoretical models: a model of merge, the model of resource depletion and impurity model. Due to differences in birth order personality traits have more pronounced differences in the cognitive sphere. Research confirms that according to the results of the personal questionnaire «Big five» firstborns display more pronounced «honesty», and younger children-«kindness» and «openness» to experience. Individual work on features of social interaction of senior and subsequent children demonstrated a great ability of younger children to cooperation. Despite the fact that the prognostic significance of identified effects in large samples is not as great as in individual families, results may have practical significance for the pedagogical and psychological work with children.

The development of bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and microperiphytic organisms in artificial ecosystems, such as microcosms with aquatic plants, depressing algae (water soldier Stratiotes aloides L.), and plants not possessing a significant impact on them (arrowhead Sagittaria sagittifolia L.), was evaluated. It was shown that the zooplankton biomass did not decrease among water soldiers, despite the fact that the concentration of phytoplankton pigments was 2–3 times lower. The number of euplanktonic Cladocera has not declined, and the number of littoral and phytophilic Cladocera increased, but the number of Diaptomidae was lower. It is assumed that a large zooplankton biomass was produced by the use of bacteria and protozoa as an additional power supply to the algae. The share of zooplanktonic species consuming bacteria increased in microcosms with arrowhead. The number of predators increased and trophic relations between zooplankton and microperiphyton became closer in experimental systems with the plants of both species.

The atmospheric air quality is determined by the concentrations of some gaseous pollutants and mass concentrations of aerosol particles of different sizes. A wide range of atmospheric pollutants in both gaseous and aerosol phases was studied in the vicinity of Gelendzhik in July 2009, simultaneously at several land sites, in the water area of the bay, and at altitudes of up to 2200m. No such complex experiments were carried out in that region before. The following characteristics of the atmospheric aerosol (3 nm–32 μm in size) were studied: elemental composition of particles (23 chemical elements) and concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (14 compounds), unsaturated hydrocarbons, total protein, biotoxins, and culturable microorganisms. The concentration fields of different air pollutants and the complex air pollution index were constructed using mathematical models of pollutant propagation and data on the hydrometeorological conditions during the period of measurements. The sources of aerosols in the region were detected from the study of the chemical composition of airborne particles. The results allowed us to estimate air pollutants and to calculate the complex air pollution index for the Gelendzhik area. The daily average concentrations of all the pollutants were compared to the daily average maximum permissible concentrations. All these concentrations were less than daily average maximum permissible concentrations. The complex air pollution index did not exceed 1. Hence, the air in the vicinity of Gelendzhik did not contain any significant pollutants in the period under study.

We discuss the results from the analysis of the hydrological input data for a model of Siberian river runoff for the 21st century. The INM, CRNM, GFDL, MIROC5, and HadGEM model calculations according to the RCP 8.5 scenario of the IPCC CMIP5 Project were used for the analysis. The calculations show a positive centennial trend for all the models. These data were used for the calculations of Siberian river discharge to the Arctic Ocean. The river runoff calculations in accordance with the data also indicate a positive trend, though with a different runoff magnitude.

At the present time, the search for natural ingredients that improve characteristics of minced meat products, and reduce the amount of synthetic food additives is going on. Plant components are the most popular. Most often they are recommended to be added in the powder form. This helps to improve technological properties of minced systems, as well as reduce the cost of products. In the article the possibility of applying prunes in the composition of minced beef is considered. The effects of prunes on an increase in water-holding capacity of minced meat to 54.4 % in a sample with 20% prune content, a decrease in water loss during 10 days of storage in a frozen state by 4.4 % in the same sample, an increase in the yield of finished products during thermal processing by 8.9 % are shown. It was found out that the color of finished products is within the acceptable range when decreasing the proportion of sodium nitrite to 0.003 % in the recipe, and even at its absence.

The enrichment of food products with natural protein components of plant and animal origin is an important task of the food industry. The problem of lack of protein in the diet is observed among different segments of the population. This is due to the wrong choice of products, commitment to fast food restaurants, metabolic disorders. Bakery products are in high demand. They provide the basis for the energy component of the daily diet due to the high content of carbohydrates. In addition, bread contains B vitamins, essential minerals and fiber. Nutritionists advise giving preference to whole grains and rye bread. However, the popularity of short products remains at a high level. Enrichment of wheat bread with biologically valuable components will increase the level of consumption of nutrients important for humans. The article presents the results of studies of the quality of bakery products when making up to 8% protein peanut mass in the recipe. A technology is proposed for preparing peanut beans before being added to the dough, as well as a sponge method for producing fancy bread. Organoleptic characteristics, acidity and porosity of the crumb were evaluated in the product, the mass fraction of protein was determined, which amounted to at least 12.5% in the experimental samples. The research results prove an increase in the protein content in finished products, as well as the beneficial effect of the additive on the sensory and technological properties of the product. The addition of peanut mass to the composition of bakery products led to an increase in the energy value of the product, which amounted to 325 kcal in the experimental samples.

A method for searching several hidden point sources of admixtures in the atmosphere is proposed. The sources can have different emission rates and be located at different points in space. The method is based on using the conjugate equation of turbulent diffusion. The effect of the number of test admixture concentration measurement points and inevitable errors in concentration measurements on the accuracy of the sought sources’ parameters is analyzed. Results of test calculations are presented.

The propagation of freshwater anomalies from Siberian rivers in the Arctic Ocean in the 21st century has been simulated using a model developed in Institute of Computational Mathematics and Mathematical Geophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences (ICMMG RAS), based on the output of the ICM RAS model and scenario RPC 8.5, project CMIP-5 IPCC. River runoff has been calculated using a linear reservoir model with 1/3-degree resolution, including nine major drainage basins in Siberia.

Aim. To estimate and compare the features and efficacy of different surgical methods of pelvic organ prolapse correction. Methods. 120 patients with stage 4 of pelvis organ prolapse were included in the study. The different types of surgical procedures were performed («Manchester» surgery, vaginal hysterectomy, sacropexy, laparoscopic ventrosuspension). Surgical method was selected accounting the patient’s age, desire to save the uterus, presence of uterine or adnexal pathology and concomitant diseases. For long-term outcomes evaluation, patients were followed up for 6-36 month after surgery. Results. The long-term outcomes of the different types of surgeries performed in patients with stage 4 of pelvis organ prolapse were comparable. Minimal surgery time, blood loss and the hospital stay were registered in patients, in whom laparoscopic ventrosuspension combined with colpoperineorrhaphy and levatorplasty was performed, compared to «Manchester» surgery, vaginal hysterectomy and sacropexy with colpoperineoplasty. No cases of serious complications were registered. Patients with stress incontinence observed before surgery reported improvement in urination, although 6 patients (10%) still reported rare episodes of incontinence. Conclusion. In elderly patients with stage 4 of pelvis organ prolapse, laparoscopic ventrosuspension of uterus or vaginal stump with further colpoperineorrhaphy and levatorplasty could be performed; this type of surgery is technically simple, not time-consuming, and it’s results are comparable with the effectiveness of sacropexia. Thus, it could be recommended to under-trained young surgeons.

Verifying mathematical models of contaminant propagation in the boundary layer of the atmosphere by an experimental material or by observational data (estimating the adequacy of the model) is an important stage of creating such models. However, the impossibility of repeating an experiment under unchanged meteorological conditions and, as a consequence, the small size of the measurement data sample do not allow one to estimate the adequacy in a correct way. A new integral-transform-based method for estimating the adequacy of mathematical models is proposed. It can be used even in cases when only single measurements of concentration are available (among them, with different distribution functions at each point of the space). Data of individual experiments performed in different meteorological conditions can be combined. The efficiency of the method is illustrated by an example.

The effect of submersed hydrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum L. on the abundance of Daphnia longispina O.F. Muller has been studied. The experiments demonstrated that the hydrochemical characteristics in overgrowths of Ceratophyllum are within the limits of tolerance for D. longispina. The concentrations of waterborne phosphates, chlorophyll a, and bacterial biomass increase in the presence of hornwort. In plant overgrowths, Daphnia is suppressed due to the restriction of its movement. In a medium containing only metabolites of Ceratophyllum, the abundance of Daphnia longispina increases due to the enrichment of food resources.

The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic review of the role of the genetic factors, detoxication systems and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and infertility. Endometriosis and infertility are still both the most uncommon diseases in gynecology. Many aspects of female reproductive function are strongly influenced by genetic factors, and numerous studies have attempted to identify susceptibility genes for disorders affecting female fertility such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, fibroids, cancer (ovarian, vulvar, cervical), premature ovarian failure, recurrent pregnancy loss and pre-eclampsia. The most solid evidence linking specific polymorphisms to endometriosis is showed by the studies investigating a phase II detoxification enzyme. No data were found concerning influences of the genetic factors on the female infertility. Contrary, a lot of studies devoted to the genetic factors of male infertility are presented. It’s known that endometriosis associated with increased systemic oxidative stress. The implication of increased systemic oxidative stress in disease progression or the association with other oxidative stress-related pathologic conditions needs to be addressed in further studies. The majority of studies suggest a reduced antioxidant capacity in infertile women with endometriosis. In the present review we discussed the role of the genetic factors in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and infertility. NAT2 polimorphism, xenobiotic methabolism and exogenous factors are somehow related with these diseases. An altered balance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant activities may have an impact on folliculogenesis and adequate embryo development.

A climatic model of river discharge with a resolution of 1/3 degree is presented. It is a linear reservoir model, i.e., a cell of the model is a reservoir or a cascade of reservoirs, the discharge rate of which linearly depends on the inflow and slope of the cells, and is inversely proportional to the distance between the cells. The water flow is divided into the surface discharge, river discharge, and ground water flow specified by a climatic model of the surface. The model takes into account the effect of watersheds and lakes depending on their percentage in a cell. The Siberian region in this model is divided into eight main catchment areas including Ob-Irtysh, Pur, Yenisei, Lena, Anadyr, Indigirka, Kolyma, and Amur. The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data for the Ob-Irtysh basin were used in the calculations. The reference data about the river discharges were taken from the measurement results at the Ob-Salekhard hydrological station.

Genotypic associations were studied for the frequency of chromosome aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cytogenetic analysis (1000 metaphase plate per individual) and genotyping at 19 sites of genes involved in detoxification and DNA repair were performed in a sample of 83 Chernobyl liquidators and a matched control sample of 96 volunteers. In either sample, the frequency of chromosome aberrations was higher in carriers of the minor alleles of the XPD gene (sites 2251T > G and 862G > A) and the positive genotypes of the GSTM1-GSTT1 genes. The highest frequency of chromosome aberrations was observed in carriers of a combined genotype including at least one minor allele of the XPD sites + at least one insertion in the GSTM1-GSTT1 genes. The high-risk genotype, which had a prevalence of 64%, was strongly associated with a higher frequency of chromosome aberrations in both volunteers (OR = 6.9, p = 0.008) and Chernobyl liquidators (OR = 5.6, p = 0.002).

A taxonomic study of 35 cultures of prosthecate bacteria of the genera Brevundimonas and Caulobacter isolated from various soil and aquatic ecosystems of Eurasia was performed by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The most widespread groups of prosthecate bacteria belonging to these genera were revealed; at least two new species belonging to the genus Brevundimonas were found. The genus Brevundimonas includes both prosthecate and non-prosthecate species; however, it is quite possible that some Brevundimonas species may exhibit heterogeneity in such an important taxonomic characteristics as the ability to form prosthecae.

Frequencies of spontaneous and γ-induced (1 Gy in vitro) chromosome aberrations in blood lymphocytes of 99 healthy volunteers were compared with the results of PCR genotyping for eight repair genes: XRCC1, XPD, ERCC1, APEX1, RAD23B, OGG1, ATM, and Tp53 (in all 11 polymorphic sites). The frequency of spontaneous aberrations of the chromosome type additively increased with the number of copies of minor allele variants 2251G and 862A of the nucleotide excision repair gene XPD (p = 0.025). The frequency of γ-induced chromosome aberrations proved to be elevated for the carriers of the minor allele OGG1 977G (p = 0.011). A significantly elevated level of γ-induced chromosome aberrations was also observed for the carriers of the major alleles XRCC1 G1996 and XRCC1 C580 (p = 0.002).

Associations of polymorphism of seven detoxification genes and three genes of oxidative response with the frequency of chromosome aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied. The genotyping data were correlated with the frequencies of spontaneous and γ-induced (1 Gy in vitro) chromosome aberrations estimated for a group of healthy donors (97 males under 25 years of age) by analyzing 500–1000 metaphase cells per individual. The spontaneous level of chromosome-type aberrations was reduced in homozygotes for the GSTM1 locus deletion, and especially in double homozygotes for deletions of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes. The frequency of γ-induced chromosome-type aberrations was reduced in G/G homozygotes for the minor allele of the poorly studied CYP1A1 T606G site: 0.094 ± 0.006 against 0.112 ± 0.002 for T allele carriers (P = 0.004). Linkage of the T606G site with well known and functionally important sites of the CYP1A1 gene (A4889G, T3801C) was analyzed.

The search for the chemical and biomarkers of aerosol originating from the surface microlayer (SML) of water areas of health resort zones at Lake Baikal was performed. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Al, Ba, Pb, Cd, As, naphthalene, acenaphthene, acenaphthilene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, perilene, benz (b) fluoranthene, benz(a) pyrene,1,2,5,6-dibenz anthracene, benz(ghi) perilene, and total protein in aerosols and water samples collected from the region were experimentally studied. A direct close interrelation was revealed between the concentrations of all chemical elements in aerosol and water samples. The highest concentrations were recorded for Ca, Mg, Na, and K. A polymerase chain reaction method was employed to determine the similar interrelation between the genetic materials of microorganisms (bacterioplankton) found in water and aerosol. A completely adequate marker reflecting the presence of aerosol generated by SML of Lake Baikal water was not found.

The combination of molecular-genetic techniques used in the study is applied to investigate microorganisms associated with macrophytes. The method of enzymatic lysis with phenol-chloroform extraction is optimal for the total bacterial DNA isolation from both periphyton organisms and enriched cultures. Amplifying the total DNA on conservative primers at the two-step PCR regime is recommended. An analysis of the taxonomic diversity of the microbial community from biofilm on the reed grass and in the enriched cultures propagated on various growth media has been carried out. The results have revealed a high diversity of periphyton microorganisms associated with reed grass, including representatives of such phylogenetic lines as proteobacteria (α, β, γ, and δ subgroups), Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi, Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia, and cyanobacteria. The low diversity of sequences in enriched cultures is represented by dominating genotypes of Cellvibrio with a high percentage of homology and uncultivated bacilla.

The study of aberrant methylation of CpG islands in the promoter regions of genes (P16/CDKN2A, P14/ARF, RASSF1A, GSTP1) in blood leukocytes of liquidators of the Chernobyl accident (n = 83, 38-76 years of age) and control subjects of two groups (n = 48, age ≤ 35 and n = 65, age35) was carried out using methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease analysis followed by PCR. The total number of AciI sites in the analyzed fragments ranged from 2 to 7 for different genes. Only 1 subject (2.1%) from the control group (healthy young individuals, age ≤ 35) has methylation of the studied CpG--dinucleotides of RASSF1A gene. Promoter methylation of at least one of the genes analyzed was observed in 28.92% liquidators and significantly exceeded (p = 0.016) such rate in a one-age (35 years of age) control group (12.31%). A significantly elevated frequency (p = 0.023) of individuals with abnormal methylation of GSTP1 gene in the group of liquidators as compared to the control group was revealed. The occurrence of promoter methylation of RASSF1A gene significantly correlated with aging both in the control group (r = 0.214; p = 0.023) and in the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident (r = 0.230; p = 0.036). No similar trend was found for other genes. Multiple regression analysis showed that the growth in the number of methylated loci of a set of genes p16, p14 and GSTP1 is exclusively due to the fact of exposure (OR = 7.32, 95% CI = 2.49-25.83, p-value = 2.7 x 10(-5)). The results obtained demonstrate for the first time the reality of the radiation-induced aberrant methylation of CpG islands in promoters of genes involved in the basic protective, functions of cells in the human body in remote periods after radiation exposure.

The symbiotic microflora is described that is associated to various degrees with the digestive-transport surfaces of pike and burbot and their parasitic cestodes T. nodulosus and E. rugosum, respectively, as well as of L. intestinalis plerocercoids from the body cavity of bream. Some of these bacteria possess amylolytic and proteolytic activity, which indicates their participation in both the digestion of the host and of the parasite.

Analysis is given of the modern approaches and methods used to assess the quality of bottom deposits based on the conditions of bacterio- and zoobenthos communities. The structural characteristics of bacterio- and zoobenthos communities of small rivers in the Upper Volga basin are studied. The type of substrate is shown to have appreciable effect on the quantitative characteristics of both the communities. The analysis of these data is used to create a generalized classification of the quality of bottom deposits and assess the extent of their pollution in the examined water bodies.

The interactions of zebra mussels, invertebrates, fish, and microorganisms were studied experimentally. Trends in the distribution of total bacterial biomass, the abundance of heterotrophic organisms, and their functional activities in water and grounds were analyzed. The most favorable conditions for development of bacteria developed in June, in the presence of fish and without zebra mussels. In experimental ecosystems with zebra mussels, a decrease in the abundance and activity of microorganisms and a change of dominant yeast forms were observed.

For 12 years, recombination rate was assessed in Drosophila melanogastermales exposed on a thermoelectric power station (TPS) of Moscow. In 1994, experiments were also carried out on another Moscow TPS for comparison. The recombination frequency in exposed males was two- or threefold higher than in the control sample. Recombination frequencies observed in different years did not significantly differ from each other. Likewise, no significant difference was observed for the results obtained on two TPSs. A dramatic increase in recombination frequency in flies exposed on TPS was considered as an adequate response to high concentrations of effective mutagens discharged by TPS.