Subfamily Dichomeridinae (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae): Phylogeny, classification, and position in the system of gelechiid moths

On the basis of comparative morphological analysis, taking into account the male genital musculature, a cladogram of the tribes and subfamilies of gelechiid moths is proposed. In accordance with the main branches of the cladogram the new system of the family Gelechiidae consisting of 5 subfamilies (Physoptilinae, Anomologinae, Gelechiinae, Anacampsinae, and Dichomeridinae) is developed. The subfamily Physoptilinae is considered as a sister-group to other gelechiids, the monophyly of the latter is supported by a complex of synapomorphies (female retinaculum with anteriorly directed row of scales located on the base of radial stalk; muscles m ₃ running across the longitudinal body axis, connecting the lateral arms of vinculum with margins of juxta; protractors of aedeagus m ₅ divided into two bunches m _5a and m _5b). The subfamilies Anacampsinae and Dichomeridinae are regarded as sistergroups. The monophyly of the subfamily Dichomeridinae is based on the complex of synapomorphies (presence of parategminal sclerites, which are the apodemes for muscles m ₄; presence of distinct ventral wall in tegumen; intrategminal position of the muscles m ₂). The subfamily Dichomeridinae is considered to consist of three tribes, Anarsiini, Chelariini and Dichomeridini, with 34 genera in total. The cladogram for the genera of the subfamily Dichomeridinae is proposed.     

Interaction of 0.1-Hz oscillations in heart rate variability and distal blood flow variability

Biophysical features of 0.1-Hz oscillations of heart rate variability (HRV) and distal blood flow (DBF) variability were compared in healthy subjects and patients after acute myocardial infarction (MI). Patients with acute MI (72 men and 53 women; 125 in total) and healthy subjects (23 men and 10 women; 33 in total) aged 30?C83 and 20?C46 years, respectively, participated in the study. The patients were involved in the study for a year after acute MI. The delay in coupling 0.1-Hz oscillations of HRV and DBF variability was estimated. In healthy subjects, the delay in the heart ?? DBF coupling proved to be less than the delay in the DBF ?? heart coupling. Acute MI results mainly in disruption of the heart ?? DBF coupling, which is partially restored by the end of the first year after acute MI, though it remains lower than in healthy subjects. The DBF ?? heart coupling is rapidly restored to the level of healthy subjects within three weeks after acute MI.     

Therapeutic effect of mbp immunodominant peptides encapsulated in nanovehicles in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in DA rats

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe autoimmune neurodegenerative disease. It attacks mainly young people. The development of new approaches to MS treatment is a challenge to modern immunology and pharmacology. In the present study, a high therapeutic efficacy of immunodominant peptides of myelin basic protein (MBP) incorporated into unilamellar mannosylated liposomes in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is demonstrated in DA rats. MBP is a component of the oligodendrocyte membrane, which forms the axonal sheath. This protein is among the major autoantigens in MS. We have analyzed the binding pattern of anti-MBP autoantibodies from MS patients using a previously designed MBP epitope library. Utilizing the same approach, we have investigated the pool of anti-MBP antibodies from SJL/J and C57BL/6mice and DA rats with EAE. According to the autoantibody binding patterns, the rodent model most closely mimicking MS is EAE in DA rats. We have chosen three immunodominant MBP fragments encapsulated in unilamellar mannosylated liposomes for the treatment of the verified DA rodent model. MBP fragment 46?C62 is the most efficient in mitigating the first EAE attack, whereas MBP 124?C139 and 147?C160 inhibit the development of pathology at the regression stage. Simultaneous administration of these peptides in liposomes significantly reduces the level of antibodies against MBP. The synergistic therapeutic effect of MBP fragments reduces the integral disease score by inhibiting the first EAE attack and mitigating the subsequent relapse. Thus, our findings offer new opportunities for the efficient treatment of multiple sclerosis.     

Low-frequency component of photoplethysmogram reflects the autonomic control of blood pressure

The question of how much information the photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal contains on the autonomic regulation of blood pressure (BP) remains unsolved. This study aims to compare the low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency components of PPG and BP and assess their correlation with oscillations in interbeat (RR) intervals at similar frequencies. The PPG signal from the distal phalanx of the right index finger recorded using a reflective PPG sensor at green light, the BP signal from the left hand recorded using a Finometer, and RR intervals were analyzed. These signals were simultaneously recorded within 15 min in a supine resting condition in 17 healthy subjects (12 males and 5 females) aged 33 ± 9 years (mean ± SD). The study revealed the high coherence of LF components of PPG and BP with the LF component of RR intervals. The high-frequency components of these signals had low coherence. The analysis of the signal instantaneous phases revealed the presence of high-phase coherence between the LF components of PPG and BP. It is shown that the LF component of PPG is determined not only by local myogenic activity but also reflects the processes of autonomic control of BP.     

Regulation of adenosine triphosphatase activity in mitochondria, chloroplasts and erythrocytes by anions, adenosine diphosphate and alcohols

The effects of sulfite, bicarbonate, thiocyanate, methanol, ethanol, glycerol, dimethy sulfoxide and ADP on the ATPase activity of the coupling factor from liver mitochondria (F1) and pea chloroplasts (CF1) and of the anion-sensitive ATPase from rat erythrocytes were investigated. Under steady-state conditions of ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by F1, CF1, and erythrocyte ATPase, three Km values for each of the enzymes, three activation constants for sulfite and three inhibition constants for thiocyanate were determined. The efficiency and direction of the effects of anions, alcohols and ADP strongly depend on temperature and substrate (Mg-ATP) concentration. The mechanisms of modification by anions and alcohols of the ATPase activities are discussed.     

Sinusoids of the bone marrow stroma in the human iliac bone

Results of histological and ultramicroscopic investigations of sinusoid vessels are presented. Interrupted structure of the basal membrane and continuous endothelial lining are revealed. Endotheliocytes of two types are described. At places of blood cells migration functional activity of endothelium is increased and the basal membrane is absent. A suggestion is made that the endothelial cells directly influence hemopoiesis.     

Supposed alderfly larva (Insecta, Megaloptera) from the Jurassic locality Shar-Teg, southwestern Mongolia

The first Mesozoic alderfly larva of Sharasialis fusiformis gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Upper Jurassic Lagerst?tte of Shar-Teg (southwestern Mongolia). In contrast to Cenozoic alderflies, it has a short thick appendage instead of a long terminal filament.