Features of Species and Structural Diversity of Artificial Pine Stands on Soddy–Podzolic Loam Soils

The method of ecological transects was used for studying plant-species composition in an aged artificial pine stand created on a composite spruce forest on soddy–podzolic soil (underlain by blanket loams) in the broadleaved–spruce forest subzone (Moscow oblast). The change of edificatory tree species was followed by changes in the ecological conditions and, as a consequence, in the species composition, abundance, and cenotic significance of vegetation. Changes in the pattern of restoration of floristic diversity in different soil-geochemical facies of the transect were observed.     

Permian ammonoids: Biostratigraphic,biogeographical, and ecological analysis

This monograph analyzes all available data on the biostratigraphic and biogeographical distribution of Permian ammonoids and the ecological interpretation of morphological changes in this group. Ammonoid assemblages of various regions at successive stages of the Permian are examined. Four major stages are substantiated in the evolution of Permian ammonoids. The most contentious stages in the Permian evolution of the group are extensively discussed.     

Relative position of nucleolar chromatin and nucleolar components in ciliate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Didinium nasutum</Emphasis> somatic nuclei

According to our computer modeling data obtained earlier, nucleoli in interphase ciliates Didinium nasutum are complex netlike structures, in which the trabeculumor lamella-shaped fibrillar component is located on the periphery, and the granular component in the central part of the nucleolus. Chromatin bodies connected with nucleoli act as the nucleolar organizers in D. nasutum. In the present work, the arrangement of all chromatin bodies, which could correspond to nucleolar organizers by morphological criteria, is studied by means of a 3D-reconstruction. It is shown that all of these chromatin bodies are localized outside the nucleoli, on the fibrillar component’s periphery. Even those chromatin bodies which appeared to be completely surrounded by the fibrillar nucleolar component on single ultrathin sections are actually settled down in nucleolus cavities open to the nucleoplasm. This proves that the RNA processing in D. nasutum nucleoli is directed toward the center of nucleoli, where the granular component is located. The analysis of the nucleolar chromatin distribution made it possible to conclude that different parts of the complex interfase netlike nucleoli of D. nasutum have approximately the same activity.     

Packaging of Subchromosomal-Size DNA Molecules in Chromatin Bodies in the Ciliate Macronucleus

Molecular Biology - A fundamental difference between somatic nuclei (macronuclei) of ciliates and cell nuclei of higher eukaryotes is that the macronuclear genome is a huge number (up to tens or...     

Isolation,purification and de novo sequencing of TBD‐1, the first beta‐defensin from leukocytes of reptiles

A novel peptide with antimicrobial activity was isolated from leukocytes of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis and purified to homogeneity by preparative gel electrophoresis followed by reversed phase chromatography. It was highly active in vitro against Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The isolated peptide was sequenced de novo by tandem mass spectrometry using both collision‐induced and electron‐transfer dissociation in combination with different chemical derivatization techniques. The 40‐residue peptide, called TBD‐1 (turtle β‐defensin 1), represents the first defensin isolated from reptilian leukocytes. It contains three disulfide bonds and shows high structural similarities to β‐defensins isolated from birds and mammals.     

The genotyping of the West Nile virus in birds in the far eastern region of Russia in 2002-2004

Samples from 20 species of trapped and dead birds were collected in the Far Eastern Region in 2002-2004 and were analyzed by the anti-WNV MAb-modified immunoenzyme assay for antigen detection and RT-PCR for viral RNA detection. Five positive samples from cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) and two positive samples from cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) were found in both tests. The sequencing of the 322 bp fragments of protein E gene showed 99-99.67% homology with the strain WNV/LEIV-VlgOO-27924 of the WNV isolated in Volgograd, Russia, 2000. Additionally, five positive samples from birds (Pica pica, Corvus macrorhynchos, Larus crossirostris, Parus minor, Emberiza spodocephala) collected in autumn 2004 were found during screening with anti-WNV MAb-modified ELISA. These results confirm that the WNV is circulating in the Far Eastern Region of Russia and outbreaks of WN fever in humans may be possible. This demonstrates that the genotype 1a of the West Nile virus could spread in the southern regions of the Far East by migrating birds and introduction of the WNV into other southern regions of the Asian part of Russia are probably.     

Changes in the immune status parameters and their correction in various forms of tick-borne encephalitis]

Comparative investigation of immune status indices in patients with fever form of vernal encephalitis (group 1), with inapparent form with prolonged antigenemia (group III) and with short-term antigenemia (group II) was performed for the first time. Total 99 patients were under investigation. It was shown that in group I selective damage of immune system at T-level took place. In patients of group III immune system at all levels was less involved and humoral factor were changes. In patients in group II no significant change in immune system were registered. Activity of different immune correctors (thimalin, 4-iodoantipirine, leukinferon) was investigated in vitro. This preparations had stimulating effect in blood samples of patients with decreased immune status. In the patients with unchanged immune status no effect was demonstrated. The most prominent effect was revealed in the case of 4-iodoantipirine--interferon inducer.     

The oxidative modification of cellular fibrin-stabilizing factor

For the first time, the induced oxidative modification of cellular fibrin-stabilizing factor (cFXIII) has been studied. According to the electrophoresis analysis, the conversion of oxidized cFXIII into FXIIIa resulted in producing the enzyme that significantly lost the initial enzymatic activity. At the same time, FXIIIa subjected to induced oxidation was completely devoid of enzymatic activity. The results of FTIR spectroscopy showed that the oxidation of cFXIII or FXIIIa was accompanied by profound changes both in chemical and spatial structures of the protein. The results of this study are in good agreement with our earlier assumption regarding the antioxidant role of the regulatory subunits B of plasma fibrin-stabilizing factor.     

Chromatin structure in somatic nucleus of ciliate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Didinium nasutum</Emphasis>

The structural organization of macronuclear chromatin of the ciliate Didinium nasutum was studied. The macronuclear genome of D. nasutum is represented by DNA molecules of subchromosomal size. At interphase, macronuclear chromatin is organized into chromatin of 100–200-nm clumps. Some of these clumps form short, thick fibers that consist of several chromatin clumps. Using the differential staining of nucleic acids on ultrathin sections, we revealed perichromatin fibers and granules on the surface of many chromatin clumps. A 3D model of the spatial distribution of chromatin clumps in the macronucleus was built based on serial ultrathin sections and peculiar features of chromatin spatial organization were studied.