Structure and localization of sensilla on antennas of caddisflies (insecta: trichoptera)

The structures of antennal segments and ultrastructures of antennal sensilla were studied in representatives of 28 families of caddisflies from both extant suborders by the methods of light and scanning electron microscopy. Sixteen types of the sensilla have been found to occur on the antenna in Trichoptera; some of them were found for the first time. Morphological characters of the cuticular structures on the antennal surface demonstrate the significant structural differences both in various families and in the lower taxonomy levels. Specialized sensory fields differing structurally from the rest of the flagellomer surface have been found on the antennas in the suborder Phryganeina. A modified classification of sensilla based on the cuticular structures is proposed.     

Identification of genetically modified vegetable sources in food and feed using hydrogel oligonucleotide microchip

A method of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by the hybridization on a hydrogel oligonucleotide biochip was developed for simultaneous identification of ten different transgenic elements of plant DNA in feed and food products. The biochip contained 22 immobilized probes intended for (i) detection of plant DNA; (ii) plant species determination (soybean, maize, potato, rice); (iii) identification of transgenic elements, including 35S CaMV, 35S FMV, rice actine gene promoters, nos, 35S CaMV, ocs, pea rbcS1 gene terminators, and bar, gus, nptII marker genes. The limit of detection was 0.5% of genetically modified (GM) soybean and maize in analyzed samples. Identification of transgenic DNA in food and feed products using either the developed approach or real-time PCR led to virtually identical results. The assay can be used for selection of GM samples by screening food and feed products for subsequent quantitative determination of the GM component based on the identified transgene.     

Animal in vivo model of arrhythmia for genes target identification for 5-amino-exo-3-azatricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]decan-4-one

The goal of the current work is to study the molecular mechanisms underlay the action of 5- amino-exo-3-azatricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]decan-4-one (P-11) with combined antiarrhythmic, nootropic, anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic activities. The aconitine-induced experimental rat model of cardiac arrhythmia has been used in our study. Aconitine was administered once intravenously in a dose 50 microg/kg whereas experimental animal group received P-11 in a dose 0.3 mg/kg (the compound was injected intravenously 2 min before acute aconitine treatment). Expression macroarray (Atlas Rat cDNA Expression Array, #7738-1; BD Biosciences) was used to identify the target genes for P-11 compound. Comparative analysis of changes in the status of expression of genes in the heart of rats induced by P-11 against the simulated in vivo arrhythmia identified 16 genes that reproducibly alter the level of expression.These genes encode the extracellular matrix proteins (glypican 1, Gpc1; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2, 3, Timp2, Timp 3); intracellular signaling molecules (rho GTPase activating protein 7, Dlc1; protein tyrosine phosphatase 4a1, Ptp4a1; phosphodiesterase 4D, PDE4D; PI3-kinase regulatory subunit alpha, PIK3R1; guanine nucleotide binding protein alpha 12, Gna12) and protein of intermediate junctions (junction plakoglobin, Jup), proteins involved in glycolysis (phosphofructokinase I, Pfk1) and hemostasis (tissue plasminogen activator, Plat), plasma membrane transporters (Solute carrier family 16, member 1, Slc16a1; ATPase, Na+/K+ transporting, Atp1a), and ets. (c-fos protooncogene, c-fos; telomerase protein component 1, tlp; Annexin 1, anxa 1). Thus, the data about the selective effect of P-11 on genes whose products are involved in the aritmogenesys mechanisms, allow us to consider this compound as a promising means of pathogenetically oriented pharmacotherapy of cardiac arrhythmias.     

Microarray analytic system for multiplex analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction with reagents immobilized in microreactors

A microarray analytic system that uses a silicon chip with immobilized in microreactor test-system for multiplex analysis of DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed and optimized. We suggested the method of immobilization of PCR-components of a test-system, chose the stabilizer, and conducted the optimization of the composition of reaction mixture to achieve permanent stability of a microarray. We conducted optimization of preparation of samples using magnetic sorbent and indicated that, with 2.6 x 10(4) copies/ml, 60 min are necessary to obtain positive identification including time for preparation of model probes. The abilities of the created system were demonstrated on the example of microarray analysis of samples with different content of DNA, low absolute limits of identification (20 DNA copies in microreactor), and high reproducibility of the analysis.     

Sensitized photomodification of DNA with binary systems of oligonucleotide conjugates. IV. Photoinduced electron transfer

The photomodification of single-stranded DNA sensitized to visible light (450-580 nm) by a binary system of oligonucleotide conjugates complementary to adjacent DNA sequences was studied. One oligonucleotide carries a residue of the photoreagent p-azidotetrafluorobenzaldehyde hydrazone at its 3'-terminal phosphate, and the other has a residue of the sensitizer, perylene or 1,2-benzanthracene, at the 5'-terminal phosphate. The rate of photomodification sensitized by the perylene derivative is 300,000-fold higher than the rate of photomodification in the absence of the sensitizer. Since the excitation energy of perylene is lower than the energy necessary for the initiation of azide photodecomposition, it is likely that the sensitization in the complementary complex occurs by electron transfer from the azido group of the photoreagent to the excited sensitizer. The sensitization by the 1,2-benzanthracene oligonucleotide derivative occurs by means of singlet-singlet energy transfer, which enables this sensitizer to act as a unconsumable catalyst each molecule of which is able to initiate the photomodification of more than 20 DNA molecules. By both mechanisms, the photomodification occurs with high specificity on the G11 residue of the target DNA. The degree of sensitized photomodification reaches 72%.     

Physiologo-biochemical properties of a strain of Beijerinckia mobilis 1phi Phn+--a degrader of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Beijerinckia mobilis 1f capable of degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was isolated from a soil contaminated with creosote. Strain 1f could utilize phenanthrene and naphthalene as the sole sources of carbon. The mean rate of phenanthrene degradation during culture growth was 7-8 micrograms/(ml h). After cultivation under nonselective conditions, strain 1f retained its ability to degrade phenanthrene. Cometabolism considerably widened the range of PAHs that could be transformed by strain 1f. The strain was able to grow in a mineral medium with creosote as the sole source of carbon. After 30 days of cultivation in this medium, the total concentration of PAHs decreased from 665.5 mg/l to 170 mg/l.     

Some biochemical indices in chicken skin tissue during ontogenesis and under the effect of ionizing radiation

The research shows some biochemical indices in ontogenesis in broiler hen skin tissues and also its reaction to inner introduction of different doses of radioactive 137Cs. Namely, the irradiation ionizing irradiation influences actively to the indices of nuclein changes with 1 day and 1 week aged chickens. The quantity of phosphorus of nuclein acids is less with the chickens of the third group (500 Bk pr day) than with the second group (3000 Bk/day). The quantity of soluble protein, activity of the estimated fragments, the quantity of inorganic phosphorus, the concentration of ions of magnesium with chickens of the controlled group is larger than in the studied ones. It proves the influence of radionucleid 137Cs on indices which characterize the protein-nuclein change.     

Extension of a set of microsatellite markers for more precise identification of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta Walbaum)

A set often microsatellite loci enabling fairly accurate identification of the chum salmon individuals from geographically distant groups was designed at the Laboratory of Genetic Identification, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences. However, identification of the individuals from closely located basins performed using these loci was not sufficiently precise. The present study was focused on the improvement of the resolution of the method through increasing the number microsatellite loci used. In this study, typing of additional microsatellite loci of chum salmon and evaluation of the change of the degree of identification with the increase of the number ofmicrosatellite loci used is described. It was shown that the identification accuracy permanently increased with the increase of the number of microsatellite markers used.     

EEG correlates of individual differences in performance efficiency of students during examination stress

Performance of cognitive tests and EEG spectral power were evaluated in 39 students aged from 19-21 years in two conditions: during common educational process and immediately before examination (stress condition). Before examination, the performance was better in subjects with low level of spectral density in the delta band (in the occipital, parietal, central and frontal cortical areas) and high level of the alpha-rhythm spectral density in all the cortical areas, A decrease in performance scores before examination was correlated with an increase in the delta activity (in the right frontal and temporal cortical areas) and rise of the anxiety level (tested by Spielberger).