First American stand of Paramecium novaurelia and intra-specific differentiation of the species

A stand of Paramecium novaurelia was found in Boston Massachusetts, USA, the first on this continent. Molecular studies (RAPD and sequencing ofrRNA [3'SSUrRNA-ITS1, 5' LSU rRNA] and COI mtDNA fragments) of P. novaurelia strains show intra-specific polymorphism within the species as strain clusters characterized by variable relationships.     

Strains of Paramecium decaurelia (Ciliophora, Protozoa) from Russia with molecular characteristics of other known strains of the species

The presence of Paramecium decaurelia from the Paramecium aurelia species complex was demonstrated in Yaroslavl, Russia, (European part, northwestern Russia) and in the Altai Mts (Asiatic part of Russia, western Siberia). RAPD-PCR fingerprints of the newly identified strains of P. decaurelia, rare throughout the world, were compared to those characteristic for the other known strains ofthe species. P. decaurelia strains show some polymorphism within species, strains from Russia have 60% similarity of band patterns, and strains from USA and Japan about 70% similarity of band patterns.     

Occurrence of Paramecium species in Western Siberia, Russia

Paramecium strains collected in Central Russia, Western Siberia (the West Siberian Lowland and the Altai Mountains in the south) were studied. The presence of P. caudatum, P. bursaria, P. multimicronucleatum, P. polycaryum, and four species of the P. aurelia complex, i.e. P. primaurelia (in Omsk), P. biaurelia (in Krasnoyarsk and the Altai Mountains), P. triaurelia (in Krasnoyarsk), and P. pentaurelia (in Novosibirsk, Altai Foreland, and Altai Mountains) was revealed. P. triaurelia and P. pentaurelia were found for the first time in Asia.     

Molecular polymorphism of strains within Paramecium septaurelia (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea)

RAPD-PCR fingerprinting and ARDRA riboprinting revealed polymorphism within P. septaurelia strains from Russia (4 strains from Lower Volga Basin), and one strain from USA, Florida. However, the first method showed the existence of four RAPD genotypes while the second revealed only two groups of strains with different band patterns. All studied strains had a high percentage of surviving hybrid clones in the inter-strain crosses, with little differentiation of strains within species. Intra-species differentiation of strains in RAPD band patterns may be connected with the degree of inbreeding for the studied species. Species of the P. aurelia complex can be arranged according to the degree of inbreeding characteristic for each, which is correlated with the degree of DNA polymorphism revealed by the RAPD method from extreme inbreeders (e.g. P. sexaurelia), moderate inbreeders (e.g. P. triaurelia) to weak inbreeders (e.g. P. pentaurelia). P. septaurelia of the P. aurelia complex should be included in the group of extreme inbreeder.     

Species of the Paramecium aurelia complex in the middle Sudeten of Czecho-Slovakia.

On the investigated territory three species of the complex were identified, namely Paramecium biaurelia, P. triaurelia, and P. novaurelia. P. novaurelia dominated over the other species with regard to the number of clones established from nature as well as to habitats.     

First European record of Paramecium septaurelia and the discovery of new European habitats of P. pentaurelia and P. sexaurelia in Russia (Astrakhan and Volgograd regions)

The presence of several species of the P. aurelia complex was revealed in the studied regions. In the Volgograd region P. primaurelia, P. biaurelia, P. triaurelia, and P. novaurelia were recorded. In the Astrakhan Nature Reserve P. primaurelia, P. pentaurelia, P. sexaurelia, and P. septaurelia were identified. Among these species, P. septaurelia was recorded for the first time in Europe, known before only from the territory of the USA, P. pentaurelia and P. sexaurelia are species rare in Europe. The studied regions are very rich in species of the P. aurelia complex and worthy of future studies.     

Paramecium novaurelia in the Gorgany Mts (Eastern Carpathians) in Ukraine

In the samples collected on the territory of the recently studied region of the Eastern Carpathians, i.e. in the Gorgany Mts, the presence of P. novaurelia was recorded in the samples collected from the bog situated on the Jablonica Pass at an altitude of 100 m. This is the first record of the presence of P. novaurelia in the Gorgany Mts.     

Species of the Paramecium aurelia complex (Protozoa, Ciliophora) in the Middle Sudetes of Poland

Four species of the Paramecium aurelia complex were found in the studied territory (Klodzko Basin) of the Middle Sudetes in Poland, i.e. Paramecium primaurelia, P. biaurelia, P. tetraurelia and P. novaurelia . Of these, P. biaurelia and P. novaurelia appeared with greater frequency than P. primaurelia . Both species dominated over P. primaurelia in the number of determined habitats, as well as in the number of examined clones. Paramecium tetraurelia was rare in the area, being found in only one habitat.     

Paramecium biaurelia--relation of strains

Inter- and intra-strain crosses were made in Paramecium biaurelia of the P. aurelia species complex for studying the relation of strains within the species. Altogether ten strains originating from Scotland, Spain, Romania, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Russia, and Poland (two strains) were studied. A high percentage of surviving clones in both generations, F1 (obtained by conjugation) and F2 (obtained by autogamy), was observed in strain crosses, indicating a strong relation between the strains, and absence of genetic barriers between them in P. biaurelia.     

Recent data on the occurrence of species of the Paramecium aurelia complex in Europe

Among 15 species of the Paramecium aurelia complex known world-wide, 10 have been found in Europe, namely: P. primaurelia, P. biaurelia, P. triaurelia, P. tetraurelia, P. pentaurelia, P. sexaurelia, P. septaurelia, P. novaurelia, P. dodecaurelia, and P. tredecaurelia. Recent data on the frequency of occurrence of the species in Europe are given in the paper.     

Paramecium aurelia species complex in the catchment area of the River Raba mountain course (the Carpathians)

In the water bodies of the Beskid Wyspowy Mts three species of the Paramecium aurelia complex have been found, i.e. P. biaurelia, P. tetraurelia and P. novaurelia. P. tetraurelia, which in Europe is a very rare species, was for the first time recorded in this region of the Carpathians.     

A study of the polymorphism of mec dna in methycillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated at permanent stations in different regions of Russia

Polymorphism of the chromosome staphylococcus cassette mec (SCCmec), a mobile and heterological genetic element providing resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics was studied in methycillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated at permanent stations situated in different regions of Russia. Type SCCmec was identified using the PCR method by determining allotypes of 3 different structural genetic complexes incorporated in the cassettes mec. It was found that the isolates studied in this work contained 3 different types of SCCmec: I, III, and IVb. Both isolates containing 2 different copies of SCCmec and isolates containing defective copies of SCCmec were identified. It was demonstrated that determination of the SCC-mec type provided an opportunity to differentiate the isolates studied in this work from one another. The isolates attributed to the same genotype variant (identified by polymorphism of coagulase gene) but isolated at different hospitals located in different regions of Russia were found to contain the same type of the chromosome staphylococcus cassette mec, whereas the isolates of different coagulase groups (i.e., different genotype variants) contained different types of SCCmec. It was found that at least 2 epidemic strains circulated in the permanent hospitals of Russia. The strains differ from one another by the polymorphism of the coagulase gene and the mec DNA polymorphism. According to results of studies of several molecular markers (including mec DNA), these strains proved to be identical to the international strains EMRSA-1 and EMRSA-2. Possible mechanisms of MRSA formation and circulation in Russia and CIS countries are discussed.     

A two-locus molecular characterization of Paramecium calkinsi

Paramecium calkinsi (Ciliophora, Protozoa) is a euryhaline species which was first identified in freshwater habitats, but subsequently several strains were also collected from brackish water. It is characterized by clockwise spiral swimming movement and the general morphology of the "bursaria type." The present paper is the first molecular characterization of P. calkinsi strains recently collected in distant regions in Russia using ITS1-5.8S- ITS2-5'LSU rDNA (1100bp) and COI (620bp) mtDNA sequenced gene fragments. For comparison, our molecular analysis includes P. bursaria, exhibiting a similar "bursaria morphotype" as well as species representing the "aurelia type," i.e., P. caudatum, P. multimicronucleatum, P. jenningsi, and P. schewiakoffi, and some species of the P. aurelia species complex (P. primaurelia, P. tetraurelia, P. sexaurelia, and P. tredecaurelia). We also use data from GenBank concerning other species in the genus Paramecium and Tetrahymena (which used as an outgroup). The division of the genus Paramecium into four subgenera (proposed by Fokin et al. 2004) is clearly presented by the trees. There is a clear separation between P. calkinsi strains collected from different regions (races). Consequently, given the molecular distances between them, it seems that these races may represent different syngens within the species.     

Occurrence and distribution of viruses infecting potato in Russia

Potato viral disease has been a major problem in potato production worldwide including Russia. Here, we detected Potato Virus M (PVM), P (PVP), S (PVS), Y (PVY), and X (PVX) and Potato Leaf Roll Virus (PLRV) by RT-PCR on potato leaves and tubers from the Northwestern (NW), Volga (VF), and Far Eastern (FE) federal districts of Russia. Each sample was co-infected with up to five viruses. RT-PCR disclosed all six viruses in NW, three in VF, and five in FE. Phylogenetic analyses of PVM and PVS strains resolved all PVM isolates in Group O (ordinary) and all PVS isolates in Group O. Seven PVY strains were detected, and they included only recombinants. PVY recombinants were thus the dominant potato virus strains in Russia, although they widely varied among the regions. Our research provides insights into the geographical distribution and genetic variability of potato viruses in Russia.     

Distribution of the Paramecium aurelia Species Complex (Protozoa,Ciliophora) in the Carpathian Chain of Poland*

Four species of the Paramecium aurelia complex were found in the Carpathian chain: P. primaurelia, P. biaurelia, P. tetraurelia and P. novaurelia. However, variation in the frequency of settlement of these species in the region was observed; P. biaurelia and P. novaurelia appeared with the greatest frequency, P. Primaurelia occurred less frequently. while P. tetraurelia was rather rare being found only in the Tatras.     

Molecular genetic typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, isolated in hospitals of different regions of the Russia and Belarus

The study of the length of the amplification products of the coagulase gene with the subsequent restriction analysis (the method of PCR--restrictive fragment length polymorphism, or RFLP) was used for typing 90 S. aureus strains. Among the strains under study, 78 were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains, including 74 obtained in 1986 - 2002 in hospitals of different cities of the Russia and Belarus, as well as epidemic strains EMRSA-1, -2, -3, -12, obtained from the National Laboratory of Health, London (UK). The use of this method made it possible to type all the strains under study, which were differentiated into 9 groups by means of endonuclease Sfo1 and 7 groups by means of Alu1. Majority of clinical MRSA strains, belonged, according to the type of restriction, to groups 4 and 5. The study of the coagulase gene by the method of PCR - RFLP made it possible: to analyze the epidemic situation in hospitals for a period of several years; to compare the properties of strains isolated in different hospitals; to establish the genetic relationship of strains, isolated in 1998 - 2002, with strains, isolated in 1986 - 1990. The results of the study suggest that at least two epidemic MRSA strains, genetically similar to international strains, circulate in hospitals of Russia.     

Study on the polymorphism of the coagulase gene by the method of sequencing in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, isolated in hospitals in different regions of Russia and Belarus

This method was used for typing of 31 Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains; of these, 27 were clinical isolates obtained in hospitals of different cities of Russia and Belarus and 4 were international epidemic strains EMRSA-1, -2, -3, -12. The sequencing of the variable area, located in the middle part of the coagulase gene between nucleotides 979-1355 and detected with the use of information technologies, was carried out. The results of this sequencing were compared with those of the earlier study on the polymorphism of the area of the same gene between nucleotides 1513-2188, carried out by the method of PCR-restrictive fragment length polymorphism. The sequencing of the part of the coagulase gene made it possible to confirm the presence of essential differences in the nucleotide sequences of the coagulase gene in international strains EMRSA-1, -3, -12, grounds for classifying clinical isolates of MRSA strains with two groups (4 and 5), as well as the genetic relationship of different phage types, isolated in different clinics. The study revealed considerable similarity in the nucleotide composition of strains EMRSA-2 and EMRSA-12 despite the fact that, according to the results of Cfol restriction of the 3'-end, they were classified with different groups; the study also revealed the identity of the nucleotide sequences of the coagulase gene in the cultures of group 5, isolated in hospitals of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Orenburg, and strain EMRSA-2, as well as methicillin-sensitive S. aureus strain 8325-4; in addition, in clinical isolates of group 4 and strain EMRSA-1 a considerable degree of homology was revealed. The study of two different loci made it possible to find out the strain with the recombinant form of the coagulase gene. The approach used in this study permitted the differentiation of the international epidemic strains EMRSA-1, -2, -3 and -12 into individual groups, which coincided with the results of Enright et al. (2002) who used multilocus sequencing.     

Genotypes of rubella viruses circulating in Russia

The phylogenetic analysis of rubella virus gene E1 in 6 strains isolated in Russia in 1967 - 1997 and in 36 isolates obtained from different countries during the period of 1963 - 1997 was carried out. Most of the genotypes were classified with genotype 1--these were strains from Europe, North America, Japan, China. Strains not included into genotype 1 were found to exhibit accelerated evolution in comparison with strains of genotype 1, but this was only seeming acceleration, as the strains of genotype "non-1" formed 3 sharply defined groups, standing quite apart, whose intragroup divergence was less or equal to that within genotype 1. The genetic distance between these 3 groups and genotype 1 was essentially higher than the intragroup divergence and equal to 6.20 - 8.21%. The data obtained in this study made it possible to regard these groups as separate genotypes. The suggestion was made that five strains isolated in Russia should be classified with genotypes IIB or III in contrast to strains of genotype II from India, China, South Korea, Italy.     

Telomere length in a population of long-lived people of the northwestern region of Russia

An interdisciplinary study was carried out of the telomere length and polymorphism of genes of the renin-angiotensin (ACE) and serotonin (5HTR2A and 5HTTLPR) systems in a population of old and very old inhabitants of northwestern Russia, as well as on their relationships to data from clinical and geriatric anamneses and psychological characteristics. By the method of factor analysis, a firm association was revealed between the telomere length and respondents?? age in subgroups of old and long-living respondents.