Study of peptide fractions from hemolymph of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Galleria mellonella</Emphasis>

Changes in the peptide composition of hemolymph of Galleria mellonella larvae induced by their immunization have been studied, and some new peptides have been found. The composition of fractions exhibiting antibacterial activity was investigated. Known antibacterial peptides have been found in the hemolymph of control larvae and those immunized with bacteria.     

Physicochemical Properties and Biological Activity of the Peptide–Protein Complex from Bovine Scleral Tissue

The peptide–protein complex from bovine sclera was studied. It is shown that it contained a protein with a molecular weight of 66387 Da with the partial N-terminal amino acid sequence DTHKSEIAHRFKDLG-, which is homologous to the mature molecule of bovine serum albumin, and polypeptides with molecular weights of 1300–5080 Da. With a model of the organotypic cultivation of posterior eye tissues of the newt Pleurodeles waltl in vitro, it was shown that the effect of this peptide–protein complex in low doses increased the viability of scleral fibroblasts.     

Transformation of the ground cover after surface fires and estimation of pyrogenic carbon emissions in the dark-coniferous forests of Central Siberia

Ground fuel loads and structure in dark-coniferous forests with the dominance of Siberian pine have been studied in the Central Siberian State Nature Biosphere Reserve located in the central-taiga zone of Central Siberia. The impacts of surface fires of various forms and severity on the living ground cover are examined. It is found that fires of low to moderate severity reduce ground fuel loads from 35–49 t/ha to 26–28 t/ha, while fires of moderate to high severity reduce them to 17–18 t/ha. Consumption of down woody debris varies from 3 to 29 t/ha, depending on the prefire fuel characteristics and fire form and severity. Steady fires spreading with the fire danger index PV-1 of 3919 ± 482 result in carbon emissions of 14.0 tC/ha from fires of low to moderate severity and 24.6 tC/ha from fires of moderate to high severity. The lowest carbon emissions (10.1 tC/ha) are noted for fast-moving fires spreading with PV-1 of 1167 ± 386.     

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric identification of novel intercellular space peptides

We performed the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation, time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) analysis of the peptides entering into the composition of not yet explored bioregulators derived from the extracellular matrix of the tissues of the various organs of the mammals, and also plants and fungi. The study included 15 different mammalian tissues, 13 species of plants, and 2 species of fungi. Exploring the bioregulators derived from eye tissues, we demonstrated that their composition includes peptide components with the same values of the molecular weight. The composition of the bioregulators derived from the tissues of various organs of mammals or different species of plants and fungi includes the peptides with different values of molecular weight. Obtained data indicate the growing evidence of the assumptions about the major function of the bioregulators of this group—their involvement in the regulation of tissue-organ homeostasis in the biological systems.     

Satellite monitoring of the state of forest vegetation after fire impacts in the Zabaikal region

Based on the MODIS radiometer data, the level of disturbance of forest lands by fires has been estimated for southwestern areas of the Zabaikal region. A combined analysis of vegetation indices calculated by measuring reflected radiation in the near and mid-infrared wave ranges and the data of on-ground studies allowed us to identify sites with successful and poor reforestation. Based on the instrumental data, it is found that repeated fires prevent successful reforestation. An analysis of seasonal dynamics indicates that summer fires result in greater damages of forest vegetation than those caused by spring fires. Larch stands prevailing in the region cover the largest portion of fire-disturbed lands (and the largest area, where reforestation processes are hampered), while pine and deciduous stands are characterized by a higher frequency of fires.     

Studies on the structure of the bioregulator purified from the rat brain

From the brain tissue of Wistar rats, we purified a bioregulator, which is active at ultralow doses. Using reversed-phase HPLC, we prepared a homogenous polypeptide with a molecular weight of 4749 ± 2 Da, which is responsible for the biological activity of the bioregulator. Using the CD spectroscopy method, we calculated the percentage of canonical elements of the secondary polypeptide structure in a solution. Using the methods of proteomics, we revealed that the structure of the investigated polypeptide was similar to the N-terminal sequence of a fragment of guanine-nucleotide binding G₀-protein subunit α-1.     

Structural-functional characteristics of a new bioregulator isolated from bovine pigmented epithelium tissue

A new bioregulator operating in ultralow doses corresponding to 10^?17 mg/ml has been isolated from tissue of pigmented epithelium of bovine eyes. It has been established that the functional basis of this bioregulator is a complex of a low molecular weight regulatory peptide (4372 Da) and a modulator consisting of a mixture of proteins with molecular weights of 14.980–66.283 kDa. It has been shown that the regulatory peptide is responsible for membranotropic activity of the bioregulator, and the modulator proteins are responsible for biological action in ultralow doses. The data demonstrate an interrelation between nanocondition of the bioregulator and its ability to show activity in ultralow doses.     

Current Trends in the Condition of Bottom Fish Communities from the West Kamchatka Shelf

Based on the data of two summer surveys carried out in 2002, the biomass of bottom fishes of the West Kamchata Shelf was assessed. The obtained results were considered within the series of similar annual assessments conducted since 1996. It was displayed that against the background of some increase in the total biomass of bottom fishes, the biomass of the plaices prevailing there, which had previously been the two dominating species had decreased. As a result of the quantitative variations that occurred, the present community structure differs considerably from that observed over the past twenty years.