Search

In recent years, the number of mole species with species status confirmed by genetic methods has been continuously increasing. Unfortunately, cytogenetic data are not yet available for all species. Here, for the first time, a GTG-banded karyotype of the small-toothed mole from Vietnam, Euroscaptor parvidens , a representative of the Eastern clade of the genus Euroscaptor , has been described. Through comparative analysis of available Euroscaptor (Euroscaptor parvidens , Euroscaptor klossi , and Euroscaptor malayana) and Oreoscaptor (Oreoscaptor mizura) karyotypes, we found cytogenetic signatures for each of the studied species. Zoo-FISH with sorted chromosomes of the Siberian mole ( Talpa altaica) on chromosome sets of the small-toothed mole ( E. parvidens) , the small Japanese mole ( Mogera imaizumii ) from the closely related genus, and the Japanese shrew mole ( Urotrichus talpoides) from the tribe Urotrichini made it possible to identify syntenic regions between these species. We propose a possible ancestral karyotype of the tribe and, based on it, traced the features of chromosomal rearrangements accompanying the divergence of moles. The low rates of chromosomal evolution within the species of the genus Talpa-T. altaica and T. europaea -and the high rates of karyotypic reshuffling within the Asian genera of the tribe were confirmed. The karyotype of the Japanese mountain mole O. mizura seems to be the most conserved among the Asian moles. The most frequently occurring types of chromosomal rearrangements in moles are the pericentric inversions and amplification of heterochromatin. The pericentric inversions on four pairs of autosomes are shared between the closely related genera Euroscaptor , Oreoscaptor , and Mogera , while many more apomorphic rearrangements have occurred in each lineage additionally. The highest rate of chromosomal changes, with five rearrangements occurring over approximately 7 million years, was recorded in the lineage of the small-toothed mole.

To date, six hantavirus species have been detected in moles (family Talpidae). In this report, we describe Academ virus (ACDV), a novel hantavirus harbored by the Siberian mole ( Talpa altaica ) in Western Siberia. Genetic analysis of the complete S-, M-, and partial L-genomic segments showed that ACDV shared a common evolutionary origin with Bruges virus, previously identified in the European mole ( Talpa europaea ), and is distantly related to other mole-borne hantaviruses. Co-evolution and local adaptation of genetic variants of hantaviruses and their hosts, with possible reassortment events, might have shaped the evolutionary history of ACDV.

Two dominant species of wild small rodents trapped in Novosibirsk region, South-Western Siberia, Russia differed in their susceptibility to the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection. TBEV RNA average detection rate for Northern red-backed vole Myodes rutilus (Pallas, 1779) (82.2 ± 5.8% blood samples and 63.1 ± 2.7% organ samples) significantly exceeded the corresponding values for the striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771) (47.0 ± 8.7% blood and 24.5 ± 2.8% organ samples) (p <0.001). Innate immunity may be one of possible reasons of the differences. Th1 cytokine gene expression distinguished between M. rutilus (12.5 ± 8.5%) and A. agrarius (66.6 ± 11.4%), whereas Th2 cytokine frequencies were statistically similar (81.8 ± 12.2% and 100.0%, respectively). Polarization indexes (PI) of the innate immunity calculated as ratio of Th2 to Th1 cytokine RNA detection rates for both M. rutilus (6.5) and A. agrarius (1.5) suggested Th2 mainly humoral immune response against persistent TBEV in natural mammalian hosts. Therefore, the TBEV-induced antibodies were analyzed by ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. The TBEV-specific antibodies were detected in 74.8 ± 4.3% sera of M. rutilus and 67.3 ± 6.8% of A. agrarius. Among them HI antibodies were found in 4.8 ± 2.1% of the same analyzed sera of M. rutilus and in 6.0 ± 3.4% blood samples of A. agrarius only. To model the TBEV persistence both M. rutilus and A. agrarius were infected with the suspensions of the TBEV-infected ticks with further observations during 4 subsequent months. Detection rate of the TBEV RNA and antigen E remained high during the whole period, however, pathogenic for laboratory suckling mice virus was isolated up to 8 days postinfection. At late stages of the persistent infection (1-4 months) the TBEV RNA detection rate in northern red-backed voles remained high 70.6 ± 7.9% whereas in striped field mice significantly declined to 26.7 ± 9.2% (p < .001). Comparative analysis of the innate immunity of the wild rodents in 2 months postinfection showed similar frequencies of Th2 cytokine gene expression for M. rutilus (77.8 ± 10.1%) and A. agrarius (71.4 ± 12.5%) (p > .05) but Th1 cytokine mRNA detection rates were different (44.4 ± 12.5% and 85.7 ± 9.7%, respectively) (p < .05). In 2 months PI decreased from 6.5 until 1.75 for M. rutilus and from 1.5 until 0.83 for A. agrarius. Nevertheless, Th2 mainly humoral immune response was confirmed by direct detection of the TBEV-specific antibodies. HI and neutralizing antibodies were revealed in blood sera of the small rodents of both studied species in 30 days postinfection and remained at detectable levels during 4 months of observations. Accordingly, Th2 polarized innate immunity of small rodents might facilitate the TBEV intracellular persistence in the presence of HI and neutralization antibodies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest There are no conflicts to declare., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Despite many studies, the impact of chromosome rearrangements on gene flow between chromosome races of the common shrew ( Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) remains unclear. Interracial hybrids form meiotic chromosome complexes that are associated with reduced fertility. Nevertheless comprehensive investigations of autosomal and mitochondrial markers revealed weak or no barrier to gene flow between chromosomally divergent populations. In a narrow zone of contact between the Novosibirsk and Tomsk races hybrids are produced with extraordinarily complex configurations at meiosis I. Microsatellite markers have not revealed any barrier to gene flow, but the phenotypic differentiation between races is greater than may be expected if gene flow was unrestricted. To explore this contradiction we analyzed the distribution of the Y chromosome SNP markers within this hybrid zone. The Y chromosome variants in combination with race specific autosome complements allow backcrosses to be distinguished and their proportion among individuals within the hybrid zone to be evaluated. The balanced ratio of the Y variants observed among the pure race individuals as well as backcrosses reveals no male mediated barrier to gene flow. The impact of reproductive unfitness of backcrosses on gene flow is discussed as a possible mechanism of the preservation of race-specific morphology within the hybrid zone.

Persistence modeling was performed by means of infection of the wild rodents: northern red-backed vole Myodes rutilus (Pallas, 1779) and striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771), as well as of laboratory mice with the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in tick suspensions with subsequent detection of the TBEV, hemagglutination inhibition and virus-neutralizing antibodies, as well as expression of cytokine genes during 4 months. Detection rate of the TBEV RNA and antigen E remained high during the whole period of observations; however, virus pathogenic for laboratory suckling mice was isolated mainly during a period of 8 days post infection. At the late stages of the persistent infection (1-4 months) the TBEV RNA detection rate in northern red-backed voles and laboratory mice remained high, whereas in striped field mice it significantly declined (p < 0.001). The viral loads were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the wild rodents compared to the laboratory mice. Average frequencies of Th2 cytokine gene expression were similar for M. rutilus (50.0 ± 8.5%) and A. agrarius (50.0 ± 9.6%) during the whole period, but Th1 cytokine mRNA detection rate after transcription activation in 2 days post infection and subsequent return to the original values were different (22.2 ± 5.0% and 38.1 ± 7.6%, respectively (p > 0.05)). Meanwhile, a part of animals with interleukin 1β mRNA was significantly higher among A. agrarius than among M. rutilus (p < 0.05), which might cause low levels of spontaneous TBEV infection of field mice compared to red voles. Hemagglutination inhibition and virus-neutralizing antibodies were revealed in wild rodents in 30 days post infection and remained at detectable levels during 4 months. Thus, the TBEV persistence in small rodents was accompanied by the detection of the pathogenic virus in the early period, the viral RNA and antigen E during 4 months with high viral loads in wild animals exceeding the values in laboratory mice. Changes in the proinflammatory cytokine gene expression frequencies and the TBEV-specific antibodies pointed at immunomodulation as the possible mechanism of the TBEV persistence., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Kemerovo virus (KEMV), a member of the Reoviridae family, Orbivirus genus, is transmitted by Ixodes ticks and can cause aseptic meningitis and meningoencephalitis. Recently, this virus was observed in certain provinces of European part of Russia, Ural, and Western and Eastern Siberia. However, the occurrence and genetic diversity of KEMV in Western Siberia remain poorly studied. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence and genetic variability of KEMV in Ixodes ticks from Western Siberia. A total of 1958 Ixodes persulcatus, I. pavlovskyi ticks and their hybrids from Novosibirsk and Omsk provinces, Altai Republic (Russia) and East Kazakhstan province (Kazakhstan) were analyzed for the presence of KEMV and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) RNA. It was observed that the KEMV distribution area in Western Siberia was wider than originally thought and included Northern and Northeastern Altai in addition to the Omsk and Novosibirsk provinces. For the first time, this virus was found in Kazakhstan. The occurrence of KEMV was statistically lower than TBEV in most locations in Western Siberia. KEMV was found both in I. persulcatus and I. pavlovskyi ticks and in their hybrids. Notably, KEMV variants observed in the 2010s were genetically different from those isolated in the 1960s, which indicated the ongoing process of evolution of the Kemerovo virus group. Moreover, the possibility of reassortment for KEMV was demonstrated for the first time., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Experience of the treatment of gunshot wounds and pancreas traumas during domestic armed conflict in the North Caucasus (1994-1996, 1999-2002). The paper presents our own experience of surgical treatment of gunshot wounds, and pancreatic damage. Pathophysiological mechanisms of development of fire pancreatitis are presented. Tasks for surgery and their solutions are defined. The reasons for reoperation are analysed. It was found that the surgical approach depends on the nature and localization of pancreatic damage. The features of the surgical intervention are shown.

Unlabelled: The persistence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in nature is maintained by numerous species of reservoir hosts, multiple transmissions between vertebrates and invertebrates, and the virus adaptation to its hosts. Our Aim: was to compare TBEV isolates from ticks and small wild mammals to estimate their roles in the circulation of the viral subtypes., Methods: TBEV isolates from two species of ixodid ticks, four species of rodents, and one species of shrews in the Novosibirsk region, South-Western Siberia, Russia, were analyzed using bioassay, hemagglutination, hemagglutination inhibition, neutralization tests, ELISA, reverse transcription with real-time PCR, and phylogenetic analysis., Results: TBEV RNA and/or protein E were found in 70.9% ± 3.0% of mammals and in 3.8% ± 0.4% of ticks. The TBEV infection rate, main subtypes, and neurovirulence were similar between ixodid tick species. However, the proportions of the virus that were pathogenic for laboratory mice and of the Far-Eastern (FE) subtype, as well as the viral loads with the Siberian and the European subtypes for the TBEV in Ixodes pavlovskyi Pomerantsev, 1946 were higher than in Ixodes persulcatus (P. Schulze, 1930). Percentages of infected Myodes rutilus, Sicista betulina, and Sorex araneus exceeded those of Apodemus agrarius and Myodes rufocanus. Larvae and nymphs of ticks were found mainly on rodents, especially on Myodes rufocanus and S. betulina. The proportion of TBEV-mixed infections with different subtypes in the infected ticks (55.9% ± 6.5%) was higher than in small mammals (36.1% ± 4.0%) (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Molecular typing revealed mono- or mixed infection with three main subtypes of TBEV in ticks and small mammals. The Siberian subtype was more common in ixodid ticks, and the FE subtype was more common in small mammals (p < 0.001). TBEV isolates of the European subtype were rare. TBEV infection among different species of small mammals did not correlate with their infestation rate with ticks in the Novosibirsk region, Russia.

The basic biological processes under the control of the Jak/Stat signaling pathway in Drosophila are reviewed. As shown, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a very convenient model organism for investigation of Jak/Stat functions in various aspects of ontogenesis.

JAK/STAT signaling pathway plays a critical role in different ontogenesis processes of higher eukaryotes. Fruit fly drosophila is a handy model system used to study this pathway since major components of the pathway are represented by unique factors. This article describes the usage of Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells in studies of the pathway's target genes activation. We showed that S2 cells contain plenty of STAT protein which migrates into nucleus under cells treatment with pervanadate. Then we demonstrated that under pervanadate action STAT protein along with other transcription factors is recruited onto regulatory sequences of target genes and activates their transcription.

The analysis was applied to detect DNA of agents of human granulocytic anaplasmosis and monocytic erlychiosis. The sampling included 109 ticks of Ixodes species from Novosibirsk oblast and Khabarovsk kray and blood samples of 111 mouse-like rodents from Omsk oblast. The used techniques included polymerase chain reaction in real-time operation mode with set of reagents "RealBest DNA Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Ehrlichia muris, ehrlichia chaffeensis" ("Vector-Best" Novosibirsk) and double round polymerase chain reaction. The DNA of A. phagocytophilum, agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis and/or DNA of E. muris, agent of monocytic erlychiosis was detected in 21 ticks and in blood samples of 52 voles. Both techniques were applied. The DNA of A. phagocytophilum was detected in samples of 2 voles and in 1 tick only after polymerase chain reaction in real-time operation mode was applied. It demonstrated that the set of reagents "RealBest DNA Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Ehrlichia muris, ehrlichia chaffeensis" permits to detect the DNA of isolates of A. phagocytophilum subsumed to different genetic groups. The set can be used for fast and effective detection of the DNA of agents of agents of human granulocytic anaplasmosis and monocytic erlychiosis in suspensions of analyzed ticks and blood samples.

The organization of surgical care for the wounded in various local wars and armed conflict has its own characteristics, the study of which is necessary to optimize the planning of medical evacuation support of troops. It is based on the concept on an early specialized surgical care. The paper discusses the problematic issues of medical care to the wounded in past peacekeeping operations, and analyze features of specialized surgical care.

Jak/STAT is an important signaling pathway mediating multiple events in development. We describe participation of metazoan co-activator SAYP/PHF10 in this pathway downstream of STAT. The latter, via its activation domain, interacts with the conserved core of SAYP. STAT is associated with the SAYP-containing co-activator complex BTFly and recruits BTFly onto genes. SAYP is necessary for stimulating STAT-driven transcription of numerous genes. Mutation of SAYP leads to maldevelopments similar to those observed in STAT mutants. Thus, SAYP is a novel co-activator mediating the action of STAT.

In a population of red-backed voles (Myodes rutilus) that live in optimal habitats (mountain taiga of North-Eastern Altai) in the years of peak density we have observed total suppression of sexual maturation of young animals which is known to be the main mechanism of density regulation. Increase of voles' local density is accompanied by the increase of glucocorticoids in blood of mature and immature individuals of both sexes that argues for the important role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in density dependent regulation. Another population of red-backed voles from south-west Siberia that live in suboptimal habitats (Novosibirsk city vicinity), had significantly lower density. Here, the dynamics of demographic traits and endocrine status of the individuals did not correlate with interannual fluctuations of abundance and density. Even though, the possibility that in suboptimal conditions local density occasionally reaches the values sufficient for the induction of self-regulation cannot be excluded.

The role of metazoan coactivator SAYP in nuclear receptor-driven gene activation in the ecdysone cascade of Drosophila is considered. SAYP interacts with DHR3 nuclear receptor and activates the corresponding genes by recruiting the BTFly (Brahma and TFIID) coactivator supercomplex. The knockdown of SAYP leads to a decrease in the level of DHR3-activated transcription. DHR3 and SAYP interact during development and have multiple common targets across the genome.

The specimens of 3552 questing adult Ixodes persulcatus and 1698 blood/tissue samples of small mammals collected in Ural, Siberia, and Far East of Russia were assayed for the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum by nested PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Totally, A. phagocytophilum was detected in 112 tick and 88 mammalian samples. The nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and groESL operon (1244-1295 bp) were determined for A. phagocytophilum samples from 65 ticks and 25 small mammals. Six different 16S rRNA gene variants differing by 1-5 nucleotide substitutions were detected, and only one variant matched the sequences deposited in GenBank. Analysis of groESL sequences allowed the A. phagocytophilum samples to be divided into three groups; moreover, the samples from different groups also differed in the 16S rRNA gene sequences. The A. phagocytophilum sequences from group I were detected in 11 Myodes spp. samples from West Siberia and Far East and in 19 I. persulcatus samples from all examined regions; from group II, in 10 samples of Myodes spp. and common shrews (Sorex araneus) from Ural; and from group III, in four samples of Asian chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus) from West Siberia and Far East; and in 46 I. persulcatus samples from all examined regions. The nucleotide sequences of A. phagocytophilum groESL operon from groups I and II were strictly conserved and formed with A. phagocytophilum groESL sequence from a Swiss bank vole (Myodes glareolus) (GenBank accession no. AF192796), a separate cluster on the phylogenetic tree with a strong bootstrap support. The A. phagocytophilum groESL operon sequences from group III differed from one another by 1-4 nucleotides and formed a separate branch in the cluster generated by European A. phagocytophilum strains from roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Ixodes ricinus ticks.

The role of metazoan coactivator SAYP in nuclear receptor-driven gene activation in the ecdysone cascade of Drosophila is considered. SAYP interacts with DHR3 nuclear receptor and activates the corresponding genes by recruiting the BTFly (Brahma and TFIID) coactivator supercomplex. The knockdown of SAYP leads to a decrease in the level of DHR3-activated transcription. DHR3 and SAYP interact during development and have multiple common targets across the genome.

Field investigations performed in 2009 and 2010 in the Novosibirskiy, Toguchinskiy, and Sovetskiy districts of Novosibirsk Province showed, that at present, Ixodes persulcatus, I. pavlovskyi (subspecies I. pavlovskyi occidentals Filippova et Panova, 1998), and Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) permanently cohabitate in the woodland park of the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, and I. pavlovskyi is the dominating species there. The highest abundance of I. pavlovskyi was recorded in pine forests subjected to intensive recreational load. At the same time, I. pavlovskyi was not found in the Novosibirskiy District and in the plane part of Toguchinskiy District, while the abundance of I. persulcatus is almost three times higher in the above mentioned territories, than in the Akademgorodok.

Objective: The aim of this work was to study the prevalence and genetic diversity of Babesia in Ixodes persulcatus ticks and small mammals from Ural and Siberia in Russia., Methods: In total, 481 small mammals and 922 questing adult I. persulcatus from North Ural (Sverdlovsk region) and West Siberia (Novosibirsk region) were examined for the presence of Babesia by nested PCR based on the 18S rRNA gene., Results: Babesia microti of the 'Munich'-type was found in 36.2% of blood samples of the small mammals from the Sverdlovsk region and B. microti of the 'US'-type in 5.3% of the animals from the Novosibirsk region. Babesia DNA was not detected in 133 analysed I. persulcatus from the Sverdlovsk region; however, it was found in 24 of 789 ticks from the Novosibirsk region. Three distinct Babesia species were detected in I. persulcatus. B. microti 'US'-type was identified in 10 ticks, Babesia closely related to B. divergens/B. capreoli in 2 ticks, and Babesia closely related to B. venatorum (EU1) in 12 ticks., Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first detection of Babesia sensu stricto in I. persulcatus ticks and of B. microti in I. persulcatus in the Asian part of Russia.

The definition and molecular typing of Borrelia miyamotoi transmitted by the Ixodes persuccatus ticks was based on the partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA, p66, and glpQ genes. All the B. miyamotoi analyzed sequences of the 16S rRNA, glpQ, and p66 gene fragments from I. persulcatus were identical and had 99.9-100% similarity to corresponding genes of the B. miyamotoi strain FR64b isolated in Japan. The analyzed amino acid sequences revealed that the 66 protein B. miyamotoi in the site corresponding to the surface-exposed domain contained considerable difference from the Borrelia hermsii, the typical member tick-born relapsing fever, as from Borrelia lonestari transmitted by the Ixodes ticks.

A total of 3552 Ixodes persulcatus from Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk regions and Khabarovsk Territory were examined on the Ehrlichia and Anaplasma presence by nested PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Both Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia muris DNA were found in I. persulcatus in all studied regions. A. Phagocytophilum was detected in 1.3-6.3% of ticks and E. muris - in 2.0-14.1% of ticks. Moreover, "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" DNA was found in 8 ticks collected in Novosibirsk, Irkutsk Regions and Khabarovsk Territory. Partial nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA gene and groESL operone (1240-1300 bp) were determined for 65 samples of A. Phagocytophilum, 17 samples of E. muris and 4 samples of "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis". Nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA gene and groESL operone of E. muris and "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" were shown to be highly conservative, and nucleotide sequences of groESL operone of both E. muris and "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" differed from the sequences found previously in other species of Ixodid tick. On the basis of analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and groESL operone sequences it was concluded that all revealed samples A. Phagocytophilum could be divided into 2 groups. GroESL operone sequences of A. Phagocytophilum from the first group were identical to each other but significantly differed from the known groESL operone sequences (less than 98.2% of similarity), whereas their 16S rRNA gene sequences were identical to the sequence of widely distributed and pathogenic for human A. Phagocytophilum genetic variant (CAHU-HGEl, GenBank AF093788) or differed from it by a single nucleotide substitution. The nucleotide sequences of groESL operone of A. Phagocytophilum from the second group differed from each other by 1-4 nucleotides and were closely related (99.2-99.4% of similarity) to the sequences of groESL operone ofA. phagocytophilum isolates found in Europe in Ixodes ricinus and roe deer. The nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene of A. Phagocytophilum from the second group were most similar to the sequence of the rare A. Phagocytophilum genetic variant previously found only in China (GenBank DQ342324).

In our study, Borrelia were revealed in the taiga ticks Ixodes persulcatus collected on vegetation by flagging, as well as in the ticks removed from the people who asked for help in the vaccination center located in the Novosibirsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science (NS SB RAS). By the isolation of Borrelia on BSK-H medum, the occurrence of B. garinii, B. afzelii, and B. miyamotoi was established in the territory of NSC. B. miyamotoi isolates were unstable and lost their ability to growth in later passages. DNA of the same three species of Borrelia was detected by PCR in the samples of ticks, both collected on vegetation by flagging and removed from humans. DNA of B. garinii was recorded most often; DNA of B. afzelii was less frequent; and the least number of positive samples was shown for B. miyamotoi. In the ticks collected on vegetation by flagging, DNA of B. garinii was found in 38.6%, B. afzelii in 9.9%, and B. miyamoboi in 3.9% of samples. In the ticks removed from people, number of positive samples was lesser; so, DNA of B. garinii was detected in 24.2%, B. afzelii in 6.9%, and B. miyamotoi in 5.6% of samples. Mixed infection with two Borrelia species was recorded, and DNA of B. mivamnotoi more often detected simultaneously with DNA of B. garinii.

SAYP is a dual-function transcriptional coactivator of RNA polymerase II. It is a metazoan-specific factor involved in different signaling pathways that control normal development. In Drosophila, SAYP is present in the organism from the early stages of development and participates in cell cycle synchronization at the blastoderm stage. SAYP is abundant in many embryonic cells and in imaginal discs of larvae and is crucial for oogenesis in adults. At the molecular level, SAYP serves as a basis for assembling the BTFly nuclear supercomplex consising of the Brahma and TFIID coactivators. We suppose that BTFly and other similar nuclear supercomplexes play an important role in ontogenesis.

Background: Hantaviral antigens were originally reported more than 20 years ago in tissues of the Eurasian common shrew (Sorex araneus), captured in European and Siberian Russia. The recent discovery of Seewis virus (SWSV) in this soricid species in Switzerland provided an opportunity to investigate its genetic diversity and geographic distribution in Russia., Methods: Lung tissues from 45 Eurasian common shrews, 4 Laxmann's shrews (Sorex caecutiens), 3 Siberian large-toothed shrews (Sorex daphaenodon), 9 pygmy shrews (Sorex minutus), 28 tundra shrews (Sorex tundrensis), and 6 Siberian shrews (Crocidura sibirica), captured in 11 localities in Western and Eastern Siberia during June 2007 to September 2008, were analyzed for hantavirus RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction., Results: Hantavirus L and S segment sequences, detected in 11 S. araneus, 2 S. tundrensis, and 2 S. daphaenodon, were closely related to SWSV, differing from the prototype mp70 strain by 16.3-20.2% at the nucleotide level and 1.4-1.7% at the amino acid level. Alignment and comparison of nucleotide and amino acid sequences showed an intrastrain difference of 0-11.0% and 0% for the L segment and 0.2-8.5% and 0% for the S segment, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis, using neighbor-joining, maximum-likelihood, and Bayesian methods, showed geographic-specific clustering of SWSV strains in Western and Eastern Siberia., Conclusions: This is the first definitive report of shrew-borne hantaviruses in Siberia, and demonstrates the impressive distribution of SWSV among phylogenetically related Sorex species. Coevolution and local adaptation of SWSV genetic variants in specific chromosomal races of S. araneus may account for their geographic distribution.

Totally, 2590 questing adult Ixodes persulcatus ticks and 1458 small mammals from Ural, Siberia, and the Far East as well as 53 Haemaphysalis concinna, 136 Haem. japonica, and 43 Dermacentor silvarum ticks--exclusively adults--from the Far East were examined for the presence of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma by nested PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Both Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia muris were found in I. persulcatus and small mammals from all the studied regions. Myodes spp., Microtus spp., Sorex araneus, Apodemus peninsulae, and Tamias sibiricus were naturally infected with An. phagocytophilum and E. muris. Five of the examined I. persulcatus and 5 of the examined wild rodents from Siberia and the Far East were infected with 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis'. The determined 16S rRNA gene sequences of 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' were identical to the sequences of Japanese isolates, while the determined groESL sequences were unique. A new Ehrlichia sp. variant closely related to the Ehrlichia sp. EHf669 found in Haem. flava from Japan was detected in 11% of Haem. japonica ticks. New Anaplasmataceae bacteria genetically distinct from the known species of this family were found in 3 adult Derm. silvarum from the Far East and in 2 I. persulcatus from Siberia and the Far East. In the Far East, about 15% of the captured small mammals were naturally infected with recently discovered Ehrlichia sp. Khabarovsk. Ehrlichia sp. Khabarovsk was found in about 20% of Myodes spp. and S. araneus but was undetectable in any of the 236 studied Ap. peninsulae. A three-year study has demonstrated that An. phagocytophilum and E. muris were detectable in small mammals from the Far East captured only after the beginning of the tick activity season, from May to November. Ehrlichia sp. Khabarovsk was found in mammals trapped in all the examined periods, from February to November., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Totally, 932 small mammals and 458 questing adult Ixodes persulcatus from Sverdlovsk and Novosibirsk regions and Khabarovsk Territory, as well as 128 Haemaphysalis japonica, 34 H. concinna and 29 Dermacentor silvarum from Khabarovsk Territory were examined for the presence of Babesia by nested PCR based on the 18S rRNA gene. Babesia microti DNA was found in samples of small mammals from all the studied regions--in 36.2% of samples from Sverdlovsk region, 5.3% of samples from Novosibirsk region, and 6.7% of samples from Khabarovsk Territory. The determined B. microti 18S rRNA gene sequences from Novosibirsk region (6 sequences) and from Khabarovsk Territory (10 sequences) were identical to each other and to the sequences of pathogenic for human B. microti US-type, while the determined B. microti 18S rRNA gene sequences from Sverdlovsk region (12 sequences) were identical to those of B. microti strain Munich. B. microti were found most frequently in samples of Myodes spp., they were found also in Microtus spp., Apodemus spp., Sorer spp., and Sicista betulinav. It was shown that one of 347 analyzed I. persulcatus from Novosibirsk region and one of 77 I. persulcatus from Khabarovsk Territory contained B. microti US-type DNA. One I. persulcatus from Novosibirsk region contained B. divergens DNA. In this work B. divergens was for the first time determined in I. persulcatus and B. microti in I. persulcatus in Asian part of Russia. Three different genetic variants of Babesia sensu stricto were found in three H. japonica from Khabarovsk Territory. The first genetic variant was closely related to Babesia sp. revealed in a feral raccoon in Japan (99.9% similarity on the basis of 18S rRNA gene sequences). Two others Babesia genetic variants were most similar to the ovine pathogen Babesia crassa (97.1-97.6% similarity on the basis of 18S rRNA gene sequences).

Vertical transmission of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) between generations of the small rodents-red voles Myodes rutilus Pallas (previously known as Clethrionomys rutilus Pallas) was shown for naturally infected reservoir hosts and after experimental infection with different sublethal doses of the viral strains. For wild red voles and for their progeny born in 240-280 days after experimental infection of their parents the TBEV was detected in up to 90% of samples by RT-PCR, ELISA and bioassays. Small amounts of the TBEV RNA found in embryos, placenta and blood cells could serve as evidence of prenatal transmission. Postnatal transfer of the virus might occur through the rodent milk. Analysis of the TBEV E gene nucleotide sequences of RT-PCR products revealed missense mutations resulting in amino acid substitution K280Q in newborn red vole in comparison with its parent female. Taken together, the data confirmed the TBEV vertical transmission among generations of its adapted mammal reservoir hosts. The virus transfer might occur before, during and/or after birth of the small rodents with high frequencies. In the wild it could provide the TBEV long-term persistence in mammal hosts without an (any) involvement of arthropod vectors thus selecting dangerous mammal-adapted variants.

Detection of DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was performed by PCR in taiga ticks Ixodes persulcatus, in blood samples and skin bioptates of small forest mammals, and in blood and urine samples of humans after attaching of ticks events. In Novosibirsk region both in natural reservoir and in patients with Ixodes ticks-borne borreliosis DNA of Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii are detected. DNA of these borrelia were detected in 8 from 72 of taiga ticks, in 36 from 298 of blood and skin samples of small forest mammals, and in 32 from 102 of human blood and urine samples. In all studied samples DNA of B. garinii from NT29 subgroup was predominated. Borrelia DNA in which sequence of intergenic spacer region was homologous to sequence Chy13p first detected in China has been detected in one blood sample from red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus).

Infestation of small mammals, including common shrews Sorex araneus L., field mice Apodemus agrarius Pallas, and red voles Clethrionomus rutilus Schreber, with immature Ixodes persulcatus ticks and their infection with tickborne encephalitis virus (TBEV) were studied in the forest-steppe habitat in the vicinity of Novosibirsk, Russia. Larval ticks parasitize all three host species, but virtually all nymphs were found only on field mice and red voles. Detection of the viral RNA using reverse transcription (RT) with subsequent nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and of viral antigen using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed a high prevalence of TBEV-positive animals in both the summer and winter. The proportion of small mammals with hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies was significantly lower than with ELISA-detected antibodies. Taken together, the data suggest that small mammals may maintain TBEV as a persistent infection throughout the year.

In this work we have analyzed results of the long-term investigations of the helminthes distribution in the various demography groups of the water vole population (Arvicola terrestris L.) in North Baraba (Novosibirsk region). The data on the dominant parasites of these rodents: trematodes Notocotylus noyeri (Joyeux, 1922), cestodes Limnolepis transfuga Spassky et Merkuscheva, 1967, nematodes Capillaria wioletti Ruchljadeva, 1950, Longistriata minuta (Dujarden, 1845) and Heligmosomum costellatum (Dujarden, 1845) have shown that the number of parasites in biocenosis are connected with different factors, such as the demographic structure of the host population, the alternation of hosts number and conditions of the environment (dry and damp phases of the climatic cycle). In the dry phase the main parasitize load N. noyeri, L. transfuga and C. wioletti connects with the breeding group; in the damp period - with immature rodents. Independently of the phase climatic cycle and the density of the water vole population the great bulk of nematodes L. minuta and H. costellatum was uncovered of the immature individuals. In any case the number of helminthes changed synchronously with such of the its host.

The water shrew population was studied in Ust-Urgulca (Novosibirsk Province) in 1978-1990; abundance, sex and age structure, reproduction rate of this animal and its helminth fauna were examined. It was found that the abiotic factors (in particular the water level of habitat areas) influenced on the water shrew populations. The number of water shrews increased when the high water level increased. In these conditions, the population of the water shrew rejuvenated and the numbers of females increased with some increasing their fertility. In the helminthes fauna associated with the water shrew, predominated the parasite species developing in water invertebrates or ones living near water basins. When water habitats dried out, the number of water shrews decreased and individuals retained only in some areas and the population became old.

We present the data of 12-year survey (1989-2001) of the red vole population in southeastern West Siberia, including estimation of host relative numbers, abundance of immature taiga ticks, and percentage of animals with antigemagglutitnins against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus. We discuss the role of demographic groups of voles as tick's hosts and their participation in the maintenance of TBE causative agent population. The estimation of spontaneous TBE infection rate in summer as well as in winter and early spring seasons, which have been made using a set of molecular-biological, serological and virological methods, demonstrates that a high proportion of red voles maintain non-pathogenic TBE causative agent over a long time, presumably, in the form of persistent infection.

We presented the data on the abundance of immature instars of the taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus Schuize on the common shrews Sorex araneus L. in natural foci of tick-borne encephalitis in the south of Western Siberia. Basing on the results of virological and serological studies we demonstrated a low effectiveness of this host species as a donor of disease agent strains, which are predominant in the territory under study, for ticks feeding on shrews. The analysis of samples taken from the young shrews in winter and spring using reverse RNA transcription with polymerase chain reaction and ELISA revealed occurRence of subvirion components of the tick-borne encephalitis (RNA and capsid protein E) ether in brain, liver or spleen in 90 percent of shrews (n = 42). Neither hemagglutination antigen nor infectious virus have been detected. We discussed a possible epizootic role of the maintenance of non-infectious tick-borne encephalitis virus in overwintering animals.

This paper summarizes a series of studies on chromosomal geography of the common shrew Sorex araneus L. in Siberia and the Southern Urals. Chromosomal races inhabiting the Southern Urals and the Western Siberian Plain sequentially replace each other in the latitudinal direction. In this region, karyotypes of each two adjacent races differ from each other by a single whole-arm reciprocal translocation. In the Eastern Siberian branch, the neighboring races differ mainly in the number or set of metacentric chromosomes. Analysis of the race distribution in the common shrew in the context of paleophysiology of the glacial period allowed us to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the establishment of the present-day structure of the species.

Based on the five-year population study of red voles Clethrionomys rutilus Pallas in southern West Siberia, we analysed the distribution of two predominating species of parasites (tapeworms Hymenolepis horrida and immature instars of ticks Ixodes persulcatus) in different demographic groups of the host, and seasonal changes of their incidence in the population. We assessed primary humoral immune response of the voles (splenic antibody-forming cells) to antigenic challenge (injection of sheep erythrocytes) in respect to occurrence of these parasites. It was revealed that infection with H. horrida significantly reduced the numbers of antibody-forming cells in immature summer-born voles. In contrast, immune responses in immature and mature voles, which where parasitized by I. persulcatus at the moment of capture, were significantly higher as compared to non-infected hosts. The possible mechanisms of influence of parasites on variability of immune reactions of voles in the population under study are discussed.

A Robertsonian fusion polymorphism in the common shrew (Sorex araneus L.), first described in Academgorodok near Novosibirsk (western Siberia) in 1970-72, was re-examined in 1994-95. The polymorphism in the 1970s involved chromosome arm combinations go, jl, mp and qr, i.e. each of these combinations was present in both a metacentric and a twin-acrocentric state in the population at that time. The twin-acrocentric morph for go occurred at low frequency in 1970-72 and was not observed in 1994-95. The polymorphism for arm combinations jl, mp and qr was still observed in 1994-95 and there was no significant difference in metacentric/twin-acrocentric frequencies compared with the previous sample. This is the third well-documented example in which the chromosome polymorphism in the common shrew has been found to be unchanged over a period of 20+ years. Although the polymorphism for qr may be associated with a chromosomal hybrid zone with a cline centre 200 km away, there is no definitive explanation for the other polymorphisms.