Seasonal changes in feeding and relative condition factors of Arctic grayling (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thymallus arcticus</Emphasis>) in a stretch of the middle reaches of the Yenisei River

The seasonal dynamics of feeding spectra and diet of Arctic graying in a stretch of the middle reaches of the Yenisei River (from the dam of the Krasnoyarsk HPP to the mouth of the Kan River) was studied in 2009–2013. Its connection with the food-supply state and fish growth has been traced. It has been shown that the intensity of fish feeding is relatively stable throughout the year, despite significant fluctuations in zoobenthos biomass. The contribution of groups dominating in diet (amphipods and larvae of caddisflies) changes depending on the month. Amphipods prevail in the diet of fish during the period from June to October and caddisflies prevail in the winter and spring months. Among caddisflies, selective feeding on a small species, Apatania crymophila, has been revealed. The change of the primary diet component during the summer period corresponds to a sharp increase in the coefficients of relative condition factors with a peak in August–September. It has been assumed that changes in the ratio of weight and linear sizes of fish are associated not only with an increase in the water temperature, but also with the grayling switching to the consumption of amphipods with a higher nutrition value.     

Isolation and purification of a preparation possessing leukocytosis-stimulating properties from pertussis bacteria]

A homogeneous protein LSF-2 preparation was extracted from the cultural fluid of Bordetella pertussis strains of the 1.0.3 serological type by means of precipitation with ammonium sulphate and electrofocussing; this preparation proved to produce a marked leukocytosis-stimulating and a weak toxic action of delayed type in experiments on animals. Intraperitoneal administration of 5 mug of the LSF-2 preparation caused a rise of leukocytosis in mice to 100,000 cells per 1 mm3, a delay in the gain in weight beginning from the 3rd day of the administration and a late death of the animals in 5% of cases. The LSF-2 preparation protected the mice in infection with a virulent pertussis strain No. 18323 in the amount of from 12 to 91%, depending on the immunizing dose; its ImD50 was equal to 2.0 -2.4 mug of protein. The results of investigations carried out permitted to assess the role of this substance in the formation of specific immunity in pertussis infection.     

Role of PIP-Aquaporin Phosphorylation in Redox-Dependent Modulation of Osmotic Water Permeability in Plasmalemma from Roots of Pea Seedlings

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - Investigations were directed to study the mechanism based on redox-dependent modulation of osmotic water permeability in plasmalemma from roots of pea (Pisum...     

Subcellular aging markers of retinal pigment epithelium in Japanese quail Coturnix japonica

Age-related changes of retinal pigment epithelium of the Japanese quail, which at present is a promising experimental model of accelerated aging, were studied by electron microscopy using morphometric analysis. It was established that, along with accumulation of lipofuscin granules and ultrastructural changes of the Bruch’s membrane, changes in the shape of nuclei and mitochondria (increase in the portion of ring-shaped and dumbbell-like mitochondria), decrease in the amount of myeloid bodies, and disorganization of basal infoldings are also aging markers of retinal pigment epithelium.     

Determination of isoelectric points of oligomeric forms of mitochondrial creatine kinase

Using isoelectrofocusing in three pH gradients differing in the initial pH value of the ampholyte gel mixture and in gradient pH range, the isoelectric points for the dimeric and octameric forms of mitochondrial creatine kinase from bovine heart and pigeon breast muscle were determined. The isoelectric points for the dimer and octamer are equal to 9.67 +/- 0.01 and 8.93 +/- 0.05 for the heart enzyme and to 9.56 +/- 0.08 and 8.91 +/- 0.23 for the skeletal muscle enzyme. The correctness of identification of the oligomeric forms of mitochondrial creatine kinase was confirmed by ultracentrifugation in a sucrose density linear gradient. Since creatine kinase is known to bind to mitochondrial membrane cardiolipin by electrostatic forces, it can be assumed that both oligomeric forms of the enzymes can bind to the membranes. However, the properties of the creatine kinase dimer suggest its greater ability to bind to mitochondrial membranes.     

Change in the microchromosome number in the process of macrochromosome spiralization in Gallus domesticus

A correlation of mitotic spiralization of macrochromosomes with a change in the number of microchromosomes is detected. A wave character of microchromosomes variability during spiralization of macrochromosomes is suggested to be due to reversible despiralization of microchromosomes, which is probably a result of the colchicin treatment. Metaphase plates where the range of chromosome 1 length is from 10.5 to 12mu are recommended to calculate the number of microchromosomes.     

Molecular characterisation and genetic mapping of candidate genes for qualitative disease resistance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Background  

Qualitative pathogen resistance in both dicotyledenous and monocotyledonous plants has been attributed to the action of resistance (R) genes, including those encoding nucleotide binding site – leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR) proteins and receptor-like kinase enzymes. This study describes the large-scale isolation and characterisation of candidate R genes from perennial ryegrass. The analysis was based on the availability of an expressed sequence tag (EST) resource and a functionally-integrated bioinformatics database.