Theory of V.A. Dogiel on polymerization and oligomerization as a general integration concept

The theory of V.A. Dogiel on the significance of polymerization and oligomerization processes in the evolution of Protozoa and Metazoa is compared with the paper of I.I. Schmalhausen (1972) on factors and steps of aromorph evolution. Dogiel’s theory is considered as a general integration conception. Four steps are distinguished in the evolution of biological systems: (1) formation of morphofunctional system by units of the lower structural level, (2) polymerization of morphofunctional units of a system, (3) oligomerization of morphofunctional units of system by means of their reduction, uniting, or differentiation, (4) integration and stabilization of a system owing to development of morphofunctional connections between its parts.     

The origin of the eukaryotic cell. III. Principles of the morphofunctional organization of the eukaryotic cell

The eukaryotic plasmalemma, eukaryotic cytoplasm with its usual cytomembranes, and eukaryotic nucleus are obligatory components of the eukaryotic cell. All other structural elements (organelles) are only derivates of the aforesaid cell components and they may be absent sometimes. There are protozoans having simultaneously no flagelles, mitochondria and chloroplasts (all the representatives of phylum Microspora, amoeba Pelomyxa palustris, and others). The following five general principles play the main role in the morphofunctional organization of the cell. The principle of hierarchy of block organization of living systems. Complex morphofunctional blocks (organelles) specific for the eukaryotic cell are formed. The compartmentalization principle. The main cell organelles (nuclei, flagellae, mitochondria, chloroplasts, etc.) undergo a relative morphological isolation from each other and other cell organelles by means of the total or partial surrounding by membranes; this may ensure the originality of their evolution and function. The principle of poly- and oligomerization of morphofunctional blocks. It permits the cell to enlarge its sizes and to raise the level of integration. The principle of heterochrony, including three subprinciples: conservatism of useful signs; a strong acceleration of evolutionary development of the separate blocks; simplification of the structure, reduction or total disappearance of some blocks. It explains a preservation of prokaryotic signs in the eukaryotic cell or in its organelles. The principle of independent origin of similar morphofunctional blocks in the process of evolution of living systems. The parallelism of the signs in unrelated groups of cells (or protists) arises due to this principle.     

Structural models of “simple” sense organs by the example of the first Metazoa

Basic variants of the evolutionary program of formation of simple sensory systems-structural models of gravitation receptor, organ of sight, chemoreceptor organ as well as of the nervous system at early stages of the Metazoan phylogenesis—are considered using results of our own morphofunctional studies and of literature data.     

Approaches to the resolution of contradictions between phylogenetic reconstructions based on morphofunctional and genetic data

Essential differences between genetic and morphofunctional characteristics as sources of information about evolutionary development are discussed using examples of mammal taxa. The approaches to combined analysis of data characterizing different levels of biological organization in phylogenetic reconstructions are considered using examples of certain mammalian taxa.     

An elaboration of the evolutionary morphological basis for the systematics of the Plathelminthes

Compared with Hennig's phylogenetical systematics which has as its aim the retracing of genealogical relations between taxonomic groups, evolutionary morphological systematics is equally justified. Classifications of basic plans, morphological types, and morphofunctional systems of organisms serve as the foundation of evolutionary morphological systems. They are constructed on the basis of thorough understanding and further iteration of morphological transformation in phylogenetical branches based on the constructional pecularities of the morphofunctional systems. The evolutionary morphological approach in systematics is important especially for elaborating macrosystems dealing with vastly divergant groups where it is impossible to trace their real genealogy. The general principles of evolutionary morphological systematics are considered. A variant of the classification system of the Plathelminthes is suggested.     

A quantitative validation of the patterns determining the changes in higher nervous activity after irradiation with heavy charged particles under conditions of the influence of stress factors

The major regularities that govern the alteration of the higher nervous activities after irradiation with heavy charged particles have been grounded quantitatively. The influence of the environmental factors on the exposed organism acquires a stress nature and is accompanied by the alteration of the central-central and central-peripheric relationships in major nervous processes whose pathogenesis is determined, to some extent, by a change in the homeostatic level of the synaptic energy transfer rate that depends quantitatively on the response of the irradiated organism at different stages of the development of radiation damage. The rate of the synaptic transfer at early periods of radiation damage development is 11.6, 9.7, and 12.4 (relative units) corresponding to the stages of radiation affection by heavy charged particles which permits to compare qualitatively and quantitatively the reactions of final acceptors of various executive morphofunctional structures after irradiation with heavy charged particles.     

The role of neuromediators and proteins in genetic and functional organization of animal brain

It was shown that animals that differ in behavioral characteristics (August and Wistar rats) also differ in neurotransmitter and protein metabolism, which can be considered as tests that adequately reflect the functional condition of the central nervous system. These differences are expressed at the level of both subcortical structures (hippocampus and caudate nucleus) and various morphofunctional types of the sensorimotor cortex neurons (layers III and V). Studies on genetically different animals strains have revealed metabolic features that allow determination of individual behavioral features and estimation of individual brain structures in these processes.     

Organization of endogenous rhythms of motor functions (To the 100-Anniversary of A.V. Voino-Yasenetskii)

Two categories of endogenous rhythmical activity of somatic and visceral muscle are considered: the basic rhythms determined by morphofunctional and age-related characteristics of an organ or system and the secondary rhythms characterized by wide spreading in different systems, age-related stability, and many-level organization. In early ontogenesis, both forms of rhythmical activity has the common goal—to provide homeostasis of the growing organism under conditions of limited external afferentation and imperfection of adaptive regulatory mechanisms. Formation of the secondary rhythms is considered as the way and the result of coordination of functions that have endogenous rhythmicity.     

The mast cell reaction to a staphylococcal infection occurring against a background of immunodeficiency after cyclophosphane administration

Materials on the study of the morphofunctional state of mast cells in mouse in experimental staphylococcal infection under the conditions of cyclophosphamide-induced immunodeficiency are presented. As revealed in this study, the infectious process developing in the presence of immunodeficiency is accompanied by the profound and prolonged suppression of the morphofunctional status of mast cells and natural immunity factors at the peak of the disease.     

The Role of Neurotransmitters and Proteins in the Genetic-Functional Organization of the Animal Brain

It was shown that animals that differ in behavioral characteristics (August and Wistar rats) also differ in neurotransmitter and protein metabolism, which can be considered as tests that adequately reflect the functional condition of the central nervous system. These differences are expressed at the level of both subcortical structures (the hippocampus and caudate nucleus) and various morphofunctional types of the sensorimotor cortex neurons (layers III and V). Studies on genetically different animals strains have revealed metabolic features that allow the determination of individual behavioral features and an estimation of individual brain structures in these processes.     

The structural equivalents of the functions in the nervous system]

The article is devoted to the analysis of multiaspect manifestation of morphofunctional interrelation in the nervous system. Significance of morphological data on subcellular, cellular and systemic levels for the creation of physiological conceptions is considered.     

Transgenerational effects of prenatal stress of different etiology

This paper considers the transgenerational effects of prenatal stress of different etiology. The impacts of stress factors on the biochemical and morphofunctional parameters of life of the mother, fetus, and offspring in the first and subsequent generations (F1?CF4) are estimated. Particular attention is paid to assessing changes in the parameters of physical development, the state of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, proinflammatory status, behavioral indicators, cognitive performance, and vegetative balance in the poststress period. Contemporary concepts of possible mechanisms of transgenerational transmission of the effects of prenatal stress are considered.     

Comparison of Bayesian-Utilitarian and Maximin Principle Approaches

The Precautionary Principle implies the adoption of a set of rules aimed at avoiding possible future harm associated with suspected, but not ascertained, risk factors. Several philosophical, economical and societal questions are implied by precaution-based public health decision making. The purpose of the present paper is to specify the scope of the principle examining the notion of uncertainty involved, and the implication of different approaches to the decision making process. The Bayesian-utilitarian approach and the approach based on the maximin principle will be considered, and the different meaning of prudence in the two settings will be discussed. In a Bayesian-utilitarian approach the small number of attributable cases will end up in a low average expected value, easily regarded as acceptable in a cost-benefit analysis. In a maximin approach, on the other hand, the issue will be to consider the high etiologic fraction of a rare disease in the highest category of exposure. In the light of the aforementioned cautions in interpretation, the core difference between the two approaches has to do with the choice between averaging knowledge or equitably distributing technological risks.     

Methodological Aspects of Studies of the Physiology of Child Development

Theoretical prerequisites to the studies of the physiology of child development are considered. The problems of developmental periods and the criteria for their determination are discussed in terms of the concept of the adaptive character of development and the mechanisms of systemic organization of adaptive reactions. The authors suggest that in the determination of developmental periods it is necessary to take into account both the features of the morphofunctional maturity of the organism and the mechanisms, which allow its interaction with the environment. The question of the sensitive and critical developmental periods is discussed in these terms, as well as the biological and social factors, which determine these periods.     

Phylogenetically structured variance in felid bite force: the role of phylogeny in the evolution of biting performance

A key question in evolution is the degree to which morphofunctional complexes are constrained by phylogeny. We investigated the role of phylogeny in the evolution of biting performance, quantified as bite forces, using phylogenetic eigenvector regression. Results indicate that there are strong phylogenetic signals in both absolute and size‐adjusted bite forces, although it is weaker in the latter. This indicates that elimination of size influences reduces the level of phylogenetic inertia and that the majority of the phylogenetic constraint is a result of size. Tracing the evolution of bite force through phylogeny by character optimization also supports this notion, in that relative bite force is randomly distributed across phylogeny whereas absolute bite force diverges according to clade. The nonphylogenetically structured variance in bite force could not be sufficiently explained by species‐unique morphology or by ecology. This study demonstrates the difficulties in identifying causes of nonphylogenetically structured variance in morphofunctional character complexes.     

Geometrical model of spiral-cyclical self-organization of morphofunctional modules with two-dimensional (2D) transfer channels

The general model of spiral-cyclic self-organization of morphofunctional modules has been studied with the help of elliptic Riemannian geometry. Depending on the level of hierarchy cells, groups of cells, macromolecules or subcellular components can function as separate biological units. The hierarchically coordinated morphofunctional modules of biological pattern with two-dimensional (2D) channels of morphogenes transfer are formed in the process of geometric transformation. The width of 2D channel is regulated by module parameters, whereas the direction of transport is controlled by vector of module electrostatic field. The disturbance of morphogenesis in the model is regarded as a change of reciprocal hierarchically coordinated arrangement of morphofunctional modules that causes branching of 2D channels without general power- and mass transfer. The model can be used for constructing concrete analogies of self-organization of morphofunctional modules in onto- and phylogenesis.     

Biomechanical features of the bill and and jaw apparatus of cuckoos,turacos and the hoatzin in relation to food acquisition and processing

A morphofunctional analysis of the feeding apparatus was conducted from an evolutionary perspective on the hoatzin (Opisthocomidae), some cuckoos (Cuculidae) and some turacos (Musophagidae). These goups share a common ancestral adaptation of the bill apparatus linked to starting food processing at base of the bill. The morphofunctional analyses give results different from what is known for the Galliformes and allow the construction of the hypothesis of two trophic adaptive pathways. One followed by the Cuculidae would have led to the consumption of a large range of arthropods, including toxic species; the other, followed by the Musophagidae and Opisthocomidae, would have led to the consumption of plant parts.     

Organs of hearing and equilibrium during ontogenesis of mammals

The peripheral part of acoustic analyzer was studied during pre- and postnatal development of mammals. The main trends of structural evolution of the outer, middle, and inner ear were followed in representatives of different ecological groups during postnatal development. The use of ecologomorphological approach made it possible to establish that specific structural features of the hearing organ in different mammals are determined by adaptation to specific acoustic properties of the environment. It was shown that morphofunctional adaptations directed at optimization of acoustic sensitivity in different environmental conditions were leading in the hearing organ evolution. Comparative-embryological studies of the peripheral part of acoustic system made it possible to determine the stages of formation of individual structures and establish general patterns of prenatal development of the organs of hearing and equilibrium in different mammals.     

Organs of hearing and equilibrium during ontogenesis of mammals

The peripheral part of acoustic analyzer was studied during pre-and postnatal development of mammals. The main trends of structural evolution of the outer, middle, and inner ear were followed in representatives of different ecological groups during postnatal development. The use of ecologomorphological approach made it possible to establish that specific structural features of the hearing organ in different mammals are determined by adaptation to specific acoustic properties of the environment. It was shown that morphofunctional adaptations directed at optimization of acoustic sensitivity in different environmental conditions were leading in the hearing organ evolution. Comparative-embryological studies of the peripheral part of acoustic system made it possible to determine the stages of formation of individual structures and establish general patterns of prenatal development of the organs of hearing and equilibrium in different mammals.     

Neuronal activity in self-stimulation zones of the hypothalamus in motivational and emotional states induced by electrical and natural stimuli

Study of neuronal activity in hypothalamus areas of self-stimulation in rats showed two types of neurones. Some of them had an increased frequency at food and water deprivation and they had maximum activation at current stimulation, eliciting motivational behaviour. Others had maximum activation at current level, eliciting self-stimulation effects, some of these neurones had positive activating relation to satisfaction of food requirements. The obtained data are considered as morphofunctional substrate of motivational and emotional states.