Roles of the main olfactory and vomeronasal systems in the detection of androstenone in inbred strains of mice

We investigated the role of the main olfactory and accessory olfactory systems (MOS and AOS respectively) in the detection of androstenone. We used the following experimental approaches: behavioral, surgical removal of the vomeronasal organ (VNX) followed by histochemical verification and Fos immunohistochemistry. Using a Y-maze paradigm we estimated sensitivity of NZB/B1NJ and CBA/J mice to androstenone. CBA mice were 2,000-fold more sensitive to androstenone than NZB mice. VNX caused a 4- to 16-fold decre...     

Comparison of Influenza Outbreaks in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Russia Induced by 2009 Yearly New Variant of А(H1N1) Influenza Virus

The aim of the work is the comparison of the epidemiology of influenza and acute respiratory virus infections (ARVI) in the Republic of Kazakhstan with the corresponding influenza epidemic in Russia induced by influenza pandemic virus A/California/07/2009 in 2009.Data on influenza and ARVI from the Republic of Kazakhstan and Federal Center of influenza was collected and investigated over the course of several weeks from hospitalized patients with the same diagnosis among all population and in age groups on ...     

The Zinc Transporter SLC39A13/ZIP13 Is Required for Connective Tissue Development; Its Involvement in BMP/TGF-β Signaling Pathways

Background

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element and it is abundant in connective tissues, however biological roles of Zn and its transporters in those tissues and cells remain unknown.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here we report that mice deficient in Zn transporter Slc39a13/Zip13 show changes in bone, teeth and connective tissue reminiscent of the clinical spectrum of human Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). The Slc39a13 knockout (Slc39a13-KO) mice show defects in the maturation of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, odontoblasts, and fibroblasts. In the corresponding tissues and cells, impairment in bone morphogenic protein (BMP) and TGF-β signaling were observed. Homozygosity for a SLC39A13 loss of function mutation was detected in sibs affected by a unique variant of EDS that recapitulates the phenotype observed in Slc39a13-KO mice.

Conclusions/Significance

Hence, our results reveal a crucial role of SLC39A13/ZIP13 in connective tissue development at least in part due to its involvement in the BMP/TGF-β signaling pathways. The Slc39a13-KO mouse represents a novel animal model linking zinc metabolism, BMP/TGF-β signaling and connective tissue dysfunction.     

中国东北古新世乌云植物群：榆科叉脉榆

根据叶结构特征。将黑龙江省古新世乌云植物群中的榆科叶化石确定为叉脉榆（Umus furcinervis(Borsuk)Ablaev)。叶化石二级脉达缘且在叶缘区分叉,三级脉及顶,叶缘锯齿两侧边凸出。重新研究了前人鉴定为小叶普拉榆（Planera cf.microphylla auct.non Newberry)和乌云珍珠梅（Sorbaria wuyungensis Tao et Xiong)的叶化石并将其归入叉脉榆。     

Population response of rodents to control with rodenticides

We summarize theoretical approaches and practice of rodent pest control in Russia and former USSR during last 50 years. We review literature as well as original data to understand mechanisms of rodent populations recovery after chemical control campaigns in urban areas, agricultural lands and natural foci of plague. Laboratory and field experiments indicate that inherent individual variation in behavioural, physiological and life-history traits provides survival of heterogeneous mix of individuals in residual population with increased resistance to poisonous baits and high reproductive potential that leads to fast recovery of a population. In a series of field experiments with various rodent and lagomorph species (Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Meriones unguiculatus, M.meridianus, M.tamariscinus, Ochotona pallasii) we have shown that patterns of recolonization of depopulated area and mechanisms of population recovery vary among species and depend on species-specific social organization. After control territorial and group-living species demonstrated an increase in mobility and affiliative and marking behaviour and a decrease in intraspecific aggression. The rate of recolonization of treated areas was high due to redistribution of survived individuals and immigration by neighbors. Population recovered to original level due to increased breeding performance and fecundity of both survived residents and immigrants. In contrast, socially-independent species exhibited minor changes in behaviour. Recolonization was mainly due to better survival and recruitment of youngs, so the rate of recolonization was low. Species-specificity of behavioural compensation mechanisms to control should be considered when developing ecologically based rodent management strategies[Current Zoology 55(2):81-91,2009].     

An Approach for Searching Insertions in Bacterial Genes Leading to the Phase Shift of Triplet Periodicity

The concept of the phase shift of triplet periodicity (TP) was used for searching potential DNA insertions in genes from 17 bacterial genomes. A mathematical algorithm for detection of these insertions has been developed. This approach can detect potential insertions and deletions with lengths that are not multiples of three bases, especially insertions of relatively large DNA fragments (>100 bases). New similarity measure between triplet matrixes was employed to improve the sensitivity for detecting the TP phase shift. Sequences of 17,220 bacterial genes with each consisting of more than 1,200 bases were analyzed, and the presence of a TP phase shift has been shown in ~16% of analysed genes (2,809 genes), which is about 4 times more than that detected in our previous work. We propose that shifts of the TP phase may indicate the shifts of reading frame in genes after insertions of the DNA fragments with lengths that are not multiples of three bases. A relationship between the phase shifts of TP and the frame shifts in genes is discussed.     

苏联远东地区角微蛛属(蜘蛛目,皿蛛科,微蛛亚科)一新种

The new species Ceratinella kurenshchikovi sp.nov. is described on the basis of the holotype male from Khabarovsk Province. It has a modified carapace, a character unknown in other Ceratinella species. The male palp of the new species is most similar to that of C. brevis.     

哈萨克斯坦中部（Kaydagul Formation）欧洲水松的角质层结构分析

研究了哈萨克斯坦中部上渐新统／下中新统的欧洲水松(Glyptostrobus europaeus(Brongn.)Ung．)的枝叶微彤态结构,并利用扫描电子显微镜和光学显微镜与“现存最近亲缘种”——水松(G.pensilis c.Koch)的表皮特征进行了比较。