New data on chromosomes of parasitic wasps of the subfamily Ichneumoninae (Hymenoptera,Ichneumonidae)

The new data on chromosomes of parasitic wasps of the subfamily Ichneumoninae: Centeterus major (2n = 22), Diadromus troglodytes (2n = 22), D. varicolor (2n = 22), Tycherus infimus (2n = 22), Cratichneumon rufifrons (2n = 26), Eristicus clarigator (2n =.26), and Ctenichneumon funereus (2n = 16) were obtained. Some aspects of the chromosomal variability of Ichneumoninae are discussed.     

Chromosomes of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera): New results and conclusions

New data were obtained on the karyotypes of 12 parasitic wasp species of the family Ichneumonidae: Scambus detritus (2n = 28), S. vesicarius (2n = 28), Pimpla contemplator (2n = 36), Theronia atalantae (2n = 24), Stenomacrus sp. 2 (n = 18, 2n = 36), Phygadeuon sp. 3 (2n = 32), Ichneumon memorator (2n = 24), I. vorax (2n = 22), Lymantrichneumon disparis (2n = 26), Orthopelma mediator (n = 15, 2n = 30), Lissonota buccator (2n = 22), and Trichionotus flexorius (2n = 16). Chromosomes of Anomaloninae were studied for the first time. The data on the karyotype structure of the subfamily Orthopelmatinae were revised. Various aspects of chromosome variability in Ichneumonidae are discussed.     

The role of visual information in maintaining postural stability after the maximum exercise for the upper and lower limb muscles

The postural stability on a seesaw generating anterior–posterior instability with the eyes open (EO) and then the eyes closed (EC) in young healthy subjects (n = 28) before and 6 min after the maximum bicycle exercise (Wingate test) performed using lower limbs (“leg exercise”) or upper limbs (“hand exercise”) was investigated. It was found that “hand exercise” caused the same increase in average velocity (V, mm/s) and in the average range of sway of the centre of pressure (Qy, mm) as “leg exercise.” However, the duration of V recovery (EC: 2 min 30 s and 50 s; EO: 60 s and 40 s after “leg exercise” and “hand exercise,” respectively) and Qy (EC: 1 min 10 s and 30 s after “leg exercise” and “hand exercise,” respectively; EO: no changes from baseline) was shorter after “hand exercise.” In the presence of visual information, the increment in V decreased more than 2 times after “leg exercise” (+100.5% and + 40.5%, p < 0.01 for EC and EO, respectively) and after “hand exercise” (+73.0% and +30.3%, p < 0.01 for EC and EO, respectively). Moreover, Qy after both exercises remained at the initial level under EO conditions but significantly increased under EC conditions (+42.8%, p < 0.01 after “leg exercise” and +40.3%, p < 0.01 after “hand exercise”). Thus, the maximum exercise for the muscles of the upper limbs causes the same reduction in postural stability as analogous exercise for the muscles of the lower limbs, but the recovery period after “hand” exercise was shorter. The presence of visual information allows the baseline maintenance of postural stability and significantly reduces the strain of postural regulation while standing on a movable support after the maximum “leg exercise” and “hand exercise.”     

Robot-assisted therapy using the MOTOmed letto 2 for the integrated early rehabilitation of stroke patients admitted to the intensive care unit

In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of early robot-assisted rehabilitation using the MOTOmed letto 2 on neurological recovery, disease severity, the rate and severity of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and the rate of venous thromboembolism in acute stroke patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), including patients requiring mechanical ventilation. This case-control study included 66 patients (49 men and 17 women; median age, 59 years) with acute ischemic stroke and cerebral hemorrhage admitted to the ICU. Patients were divided into two comparable groups, the intervention group (n = 33) and the control group (n = 33), and monitored from admission to day 21. After admission, both groups received standard rehabilitation, and patients in the intervention group also received robot-assisted arm and leg therapy. The groups had similar median Glasgow coma scale (GCS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), APACHE II, and multiple organ dysfunction scale (MODS) scores on admission. There were no significant differences in neurological and medical outcomes on day 21 between the intervention and control groups (median GCS: 15 vs. 15, p = 0.32; median NIHSS 11 vs. 15, p > 0.05; median APACHE II: 6 vs. 9, p > 0.05; median MODS: 0 vs. 1, p > 0.05). The prevalence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) on day 21 was also similar in the intervention and control groups (60% vs. 67%, p > 0.05, and 58% vs. 45%, p > 0.05, respectively). However, the prevalence of severe multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, the incidence of pulmonary embolism, and the mortality rate were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (14% vs. 41%, p < 0.05; 12% vs. 33%; p < 0.05; 12% vs. 39%, p < 0.05, respectively). Our results indicate that early robot-assisted therapy in patients with severe stroke admitted to the ICU reduces the rate of pulmonary embolism, the incidence of severe multiple organ dysfunction, and mortality on day 21, but does not influence neurological outcomes or the rate of deep vein thrombosis.     

Use of foreign genetic variability to improve the quality of wheat grain

Foreign genetic variability, which is represented by different wild-growing relatives of wheat such as Ae. umbellulata (UU, 2n = 14), Ae. cylindrica (CCDD, 2n = 28), Ae. tauschii (DD, 2n = 14), Ae. ventricosa (DDUnUn, 2n = 28), Ae. variabilis (UUSS, 2n = 28), and T. palmovae (AADD, 2n = 28) is used in interspecies crossings with the wheat cultivar T. aestivum for the purpose of transferring exotic Gli/Glu alleles into the genome of the crop. As a result, a series of new exotic Gli/Glu alleles is introgressed into the genome of wheat cultivar. An essential negative as well as positive influence of the wild exotic alleles on the baking quality indicators of the flour and the consistency of the wheat endosperm is discovered in the course of the study. The new genetic material with the improved grain quality indicators is recommended for use in wheat selection.     

Differentiation of the pollen size in five representatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taraxacum</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Palustria</Emphasis>

Measurements of the pollen size in 5 species of Taraxacum sect. Palustria at three levels of ploidy: 2n = 3x = 24 (T. paucilobum), 2n = 4x = 32 (T. vindobonense, T. trilobifolium), 2n = 5x = 40 (T. mendax) and one taxon of unknown number of chromosomes 2n = ? (T. portentosum) are presented in this paper. Obtained results indicate a lack of distinct positive correlation between the pollen size and ploidy in the studied group of plants. Distinct relationship was, however, found between ploidy and the range of pollen size and shape variability. Most variable were the pollen grains of triploid T. paucilobum and the least — those in pentaploid T. mendax. Ranges of pollen variability in tetraploid T. trilobifolium and T. vindobonense and in T. portentosum of unknown number of chromosomes showed intermediate values.     

Analysis of 5S rDNA changes in synthetic allopolyploids <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops</Emphasis>

Changes of 5S rDNA at the early stage of allopolyploidization were investigated in three synthetic allopolyploids: Aegilops sharonensis × Ae. umbellulata (2n = 28), Triticum urartu × Ae. tauschii (2n = 28), and T. dicoccoides × Ae. tauschii (2n = 42). Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed quantitative changes affecting separate loci of one of the parental genomes in S₃ plants of each hybrid combination. Southern hybridization with genomic DNA of the allopolyploid T. urartu × Ae. tauschii (TMU38 × TQ27) revealed a lower intensity of signals from Ae. tauschii fragments compared with those derived from T. urartu. This confirmed the signal reduction revealed for chromosome 1D of this hybrid by FISH. Neither Southern hybridization nor PCR testing of 5–15 plants of the S₂-S₃ generations revealed an appearance of new 5S rDNA fragments or a complete disappearance of parental fragments from the allopolyploids under study. No changes were found by aligning nine 5S rDNA sequences of the allopolyploid TMU38 × TQ27 with corresponding sequences of the parental species. The similarity between one of the synthetic allopolyploids examined and a natural allopolyploid with the same genome composition points to an early formation of the 5S rDNA organization unique for each allopolyploid.     

Mutational analysis of hemophilia B in Russia: Molecular-genetic study

Hemophilia B is a hereditary X-linked coagulation disorder. This pathology is caused by various defects in the factor IX gene, which is, being about 34 kb long and consisting of eight exons, localized in the Xq27 locus of the X-chromosome long arm. Mutations were revealed in 56 unrelated patients with hemophilia B in this study by using direct sequencing of factor IX gene functionally important fragments. Forty-six mutations were found with prevailing missense mutations (n = 30). The rest of the mutations were nonsense (n = 4) and splicing (n = 4) mutations, large deletions (n = 3), microdeletions (n = 2), microinsertions (n = 2), and promoter mutations (n = 1). Eleven of 46 mutations were previously unknown for human populations.     

Molecular-Genetic,Karyological, and Morphological Variability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hadropareia middendorffii</Emphasis> Schmidt, 1904 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magadanichthys skopetsi</Emphasis> (Shinohara,Nazarkin et Chereshnev, 2004) (Actinopterygii: Zoarcidae)

The suggestion that the fish specimens caught in the littoral zone off Nedorazumeniya Island, Taui Bay, Sea of Okhotsk, belong to the eelpout species Magadanichthys skopetsi [23] and Hadropareia middendorffii Schmidt, 1904 has been confirmed by the analysis of their molecular-genetic and morphological characters. Their karyotypes have been studied for the first time: M. skopetsi, 2n = 48 (2 meta-, 26 subtelo-, and 20 acrocentric chromosomes), NF = 50; H. middendorffii, 2n = 48 (2 meta-, 36 subtelo-, and 10 acrocentric chromosomes), NF = 50. As a result of a comprehensive study, the levels of interspecific differentiation of these species has been established, the degree of intraspecific variability has been determined, and the lack of the population-geographical subdivision of H. middendorffii has been shown.     

The use of molecular genetic methods for prognosis of aerobic and anaerobic performance in athletes

The distribution of genotypes and alleles of ACE (I/D polymorphism), ACTN3 (R577X), NOS3 (5/4), UCP2 (Ala55Val), and UCP3 (-55C/T) genes, as well as the correlation between the genotype and physiological parameters, was studied in rowers (n = 230) and in a control group (n = 855). The genotypes were determined by analyzing restriction fragment length polymorphism. Physiological parameters were determined with a PM 3 rowing ergometer and a MetaMax 3B gas analyzer. The frequency of the ACE II genotype was significantly higher in elite rowers (n = 107) than in the control subjects. The frequency of the ACTN3 XX genotype, unfavorable for development of speed and strength qualities, was twofold lower in all rowers than in the control subjects. The frequencies of the ACE I, ACTN3 R, UCP2 Val, and UCP3 T alleles increased in the athletes along with an increase in skill, which suggested natural sports selection. In addition, ACE I, NOS3 5, UCP2 Val, and UCP3 T alleles correlated with a high aerobic performance. Thus, the ACE I, NOS3 5, UCP2 Val, and UCP3 T alleles may be regarded as genetic markers associated with enhanced aerobic performance and may be included in a diagnostic system for prognosis of human physical performance.     

Revision of Jaegeria (Compositae-Heliantheae)

The genusJaegeria consists of a diploid-polyploid complex of eight species found in moist habitats from Mexico to South America. The distributions, habitats, generic affinities, and tribal placement are discussed. Chromosome numbers were determined for all species exceptJ. axillaris, which is known only from Colombia.J. glabra andJ. pedunculata are diploid (2n = 18) ;J. hirta, J. macrocephala, J. gracilis, andJ. crassa are tetraploid (2n = 36) ;J. bellidiflora is octoploid (2n = 72). One Galápagos Island endemic,J. gracilis, is quite similar to the common mainland species,J. hirta, but the other endemic,J. crassa, is quite distinct from any other species.J. bellidijlora is most similar morphologically toJ. glabra;J. macrocephala is allied toJ. pedunculata. J. axillaris is somewhat distinct from the other species.     

Comparison <Emphasis Type="Italic">CCR5del32</Emphasis> Mutation in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">CCR5</Emphasis> Gene Frequencies in Russians,Tuvinians, and in Groups of HIV-Infected Individuals

The 32-bp deletion (CCR5del32 mutation) in the CCR5 (chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5) gene, encoding CCR5 chemokine receptor, is one of the factors determining natural resistance to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. In the present study, the samples of Russians (n = 102), Tuvinians (n = 50), and HIV-infected individuals (n = 107) were examined for the presence of CCR5del32 mutation in the CCR5 gene. The CCR5del32 allele frequency in Russians and Tuvinians constituted 7.84 and 2%, respectively. Among HIV-1 infected individuals, two groups, of macrophage-tropic HIV-1 strain- and T-cell-tropic HIV-1 strain-infected were distinguished. The CCR5del32 allele frequency in the first group (6.45%) was lower than in the second one (8.73%). Statistical treatment of the HIV-1 infected individuals typing data showed that the difference in the CCR5del32 allele frequencies between the groups of sexually (macrophage-tropic) and parenterally (T-cell-tropic) infected individuals observed was within the limit of random deviation.     

Anomalous pinch in the T-11M tokamak in an enhanced-collisionality regime

The formation of a peaked bell-shaped profile of the electron density n _e (r) in the T-11M tokamak (B _t=1 T, R/a = 0.7/0.2 m, I _p = 100 kA, t _shot ≤ 300 ms, Li and C limiters) was observed in Li experiments carried out in the near-plateau collisionality regime (the collisionality parameter at one-half of the minor radius was v* ≥ 0.5) under the conditions of low hydrogen recycling and intense hydrogen influx from the plasma edge. It is well known that peaked n _e (r) profiles are observed in collisionless regimes at v* values as low as 10^?1–10^?2 or in impurity-contaminated discharges, in which this effect can be attributed to the impurity accumulation on the plasma column axis. Moreover, a bell-shaped n _e (r) profile in discharges with low n _e can result from the ionization of hydrogen atoms at the column axis, where they arrive from the plasma edge due to cascade charge-exchange. In quasi-steady lithium discharges in T-11M, however, peaked n _e (r) profiles were observed at a relatively high central electron density n _e (0) and relatively high collision frequency, such that the influence of impurities on the n _e (r) profile could be ignored (Z _eff = 1.1±0.1). To explain this effect, one has to assume that the pinching of hydrogen ions in T-11M is anomalous. The lower estimate of the observed pinch velocity is 4 ± 1 m/s, which is three to five times higher than the velocity of the neoclassical (Ware) pinch, characteristic of these conditions. The work is devoted to the experimental study of this effect.     

Association between serum somatostatin levels and glucose-lipid metabolism in the Jino ethnic minority and Han Chinese population

We aim to investigate the relationship between serum somatostatin(SST) levels and glucose-lipid metabolism at various stages of glucose tolerance in the Jino ethnic minority(n=111) and Han population(n=113) of Yunnan Province, southwest China.Anthropometric parameters and biochemical traits were measured. Serum SST and plasma glucagon levels were tested. Participants were divided into three subgroups: isolated fasting hyperglycemia(IFH), isolated post challenge hyperglycemia(IPH)and normal glucose tolerance(NGT). SST levels were found lower while glucagon levels were significantly higher in the Jino ethnic with IPH(P=0.0026 and P=0.0069, respectively). Fasting glucose and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C)levels were higher(P=0.0055 and P=0.0021, respectively) and fasting insulin levels and homeostasis model assessments β-cell function were lower(P=0.0479 and P=0.0007, respectively) in the Jino population. After adjusting for confounding factors, the serum SST level was associated with glucagon(P0.0001) in both populations. The SST level was correlated with fasting Cpeptide(P=0.0267) in Jino and HDL-C levels in Han(P=0.0079). Our findings suggest that serum SST levels and plasma glucagon levels may vary in subjects with IPH between two ethnics.     

Genetic diversity of the house mouse <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mus musculus</Emphasis> and geographic distribution of its subspecies-specific RAPD markers on the territory of Russia

Genetic diversity and geographic distribution of taxon-specific RAPD markers was examined in ten local populations of the house mouse Mus musculus (n = 42). The house mice were generally characterized by moderate genetic variation: polymorphism P ₉₉ = 60%, P ₉₅ = 32.57%; heterozygosity H = 0.12; the observed allele number n _a = 1.6; the effective allele number n _e = 1.18; the within-population differentiation ?_s = 0.388; and Shannon index I = 0.19. The degree of genetic isolation of individual local populations was greatly variable. The genetic subdivision index G _st varied from 0.162 to 0.770 at the gene flow of Nm = 2.58?0.149, while the among-population distances D _N varied from 0.026 to 0.178. The largest part of the genetic diversity was found among the populations (H _T = 0.125), while the within-population diversity was twice lower (H _S = 0.06). The samples examined were well discriminated relative to the sets of RAPD markers. The character distribution pattern provided conditional subdivision of the mice into the “western” and the “eastern” groups with the putative boarder along the Baikal Lake. The first group was characterized by the prevalence of the markers typical of M. m. musculus and M. m. domesticus. The second group was characterized by the prevalence of the markers typical of M. m. musculus, M. m. gansuensis, M. m. castaneus, M. m. domesticus, and M. m. wagneri. The genotype of the nominative subspecies M. m. musculus was background for all populations. In the populations examined some of earlier described subspecies-specific molecular markers were found at different frequencies, pointing to the involvement of several subspecies of M. musculus in the process of hybridization.     

Genetic differentiation in the polyploid complex of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Suaeda corniculata</Emphasis> (C.A. Mey.) Bunge in Eastern Siberia

Data on differentiation of the polyploid complex of Suaeda corniculata (C.A. Mey.) Bunge in East Siberia based on variability of morphological characteristics, karyological analysis, and genetic polymorphism in inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were given for the first time. It was established that the samples studied belonged to three cytotypes: diploids (2n = 2x = 18), tetraploids (2n = 4x = 36) and hexaploids (2n = 6x = 54). The analysis of variability of morphological characteristics by the method of principal coordinates showed division of the samples into three separate groups. On the basis of morphological and molecular-genetic methods, a genetically differentiated diploid population was revealed in Yakutia.     

The spectrum of mutations in genes associated with resistance to rifampicin,isoniazid, and fluoroquinolones in the clinical strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. tuberculosis</Emphasis> reflects the transmissibility of mutant clones

To study the transmissibility of drug resistant mutant clones, M. tuberculosis samples were isolated from the patients of the clinical department and the polyclinic of the Central TB Research Institute (n = 1455) for 2011–2014. A number of clones were phenotypically resistant to rifampicin (n = 829), isoniazid (n = 968), and fluoroquinolones (n = 220). We have detected 21 resistance-associated variants in eight codons of rpoB, six variants in three codons of katG, three variants in two positions of inhA, four variants in four positions of ahpC, and nine variants in five codons of gyrA, which were represented in the analyzed samples with varied frequencies. Most common mutations were rpoB 531 Ser→Leu (77.93%), katG 315 (Ser→Thr) (94.11%), and gyrA 94 (Asp→Gly) (45.45%). We found that the mutations at position 15 of inhA (C→T) (frequency of 25.72%) are commonly associated with katG 315 (Ser→Thr). This association of two DNA variants may arise due to the double selection by coexposure of M. tuberculosis to isoniazid and ethionamide. The high transmissibility of mutated strains was observed, which may be explained by the minimal influence of the resistance determinants on strain viability. The high transmissibility of resistant variants may also explain the large populational prevalence of drug-resistant TB strains.     

Association analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">C242T</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A640G</Emphasis> polymorphisms in the gene for p22<Superscript>phox</Superscript> subunit of NADPH oxidase with the risk of bronchial asthma: A pilot study

Genetic control of free radical oxidation, generation of reactive oxygen species, as well as of preoxidant and antioxidant balance in airway diseases, including bronchial asthma, is an important issue of the research in pulmonology. The present study is the first investigation of association between two common polymorphisms, C242T (exon 4) and A640G (3′ untranslated region), within the NADPH oxidase gene (CYBA) and the risk of bronchial asthma. Samples of asthma patients (n = 209) and healthy controls (n = 210) of Russian nationality were examined. Genotyping of the CYBA C242T and A640G polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. It was demonstrated that the frequency of heterozygous CYBA genotype A640G in bronchial asthma patient group was lower than that in control group (OR = 0.66; 95%CI, 0.45–0.97; P = 0.04). Separate analysis of different clinical pathogenetic variants of the disease showed that homozygous wild-type CYBA genotype 640AA was associated with the increased risk of allergic bronchial asthma (OR = 1.76; 95%CI, 1.07–2.90; P = 0.03), while heterozygous CYBA genotype A640G was associated with the decreased risk of this form of the disease (OR = 0.63; 95%CI, 0.41–0.96; P = 0.03). Thus, a new candidate gene for allergic bronchial asthma was discovered. Possible mechanisms of the involvement of CYBA in the development of asthmatic phenotype are discussed.     

Characteristic of Polysaccharide Complexes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Centaurea scabiosa</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Centaurea pseudomaculosa</Emphasis> Dobrocz.

We characterized polysaccharide complexes from Centaurea scabiosa L. and Centaurea pseudomaculosа Dobrocz. We proposed the technique of sequential selection of water-soluble polysaccharides and pectin substances from the aerial parts of studied objects. We have discovered that the content of water-soluble polysaccharides in the aerial parts of C. scabiosa was 2.8 times higher (2.7 ± 0.3%, n = 3) than in C. pseudomaculosа (0.97 ± 0.50%, n = 3). The content of pectin substances in the aerial parts of C. scabiosa was 2 times higher (7.6 ± 0.4%, n = 3) than in C. pseudomaculosа (3.9 ± 0.3%, n = 3). The residues of D-galacturonic acid, L-rhamnose, D-xylose, D-mannose, D-glucose, and D-galactose are the monomeric units of polysaccharide complexes from C. scabiosa and C. pseudomaculosa. Using ion-exchange chromatography, three polysaccharide fractions (molecular weights 667, 722, and 1027 kDa), whose monomer units are D-galacturonic acid, L-rhamnose, D-galactose, D-xylose, and D-glucose were isolated from the water-soluble polysaccharides of C. scabiosa.     

Effect of cold adaptation of α-and β-adrenergic responses of blood pressure in hindlimb and small intestine in situ and systemic blood pressure in rabbits

Changes in the main parameters of α-and β-adrenergic responses, sensitivity to agonists (EC ₅₀) and maximum response (P _m) of hindlimb and small intestinal blood pressure in situ and systemic blood pressure were studied in rabbits adapted to cold for 1–30 days (daily exposures to ?10°C for 6 h). The responses to phenylephrine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, clonidine (α-agonists), and isopropylnoradrenaline (β-agonist) corresponded to the equation p = (P _m A ⁿ )/(EC ₅₀ ⁿ + A ⁿ ) (1) with n = 1 and n = 2, respectively. Cold adaptation induced reciprocal changes in the response of both EC ₅₀ and P _m to α-agonists and in the response of P _m alone to isopropylnoradrenaline. The significant differences of the parameters from control observed during the first 5 days of adaptation gradually decreased by day 30. After 10 days of adaptation, the efficiency (E = P _m/2EC ₅₀) of response to α-and β-agonists of adrenoceptors significantly increased.