The increased population of the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.) in Europe

In this paper the recent population changes of the Wild Boar in different European countries is analysed through the study of hunting statistics. A simultaneous increase in numbers is observed throughout the whole area during the period 1965–1975. From 1975 onwards the population stabilizes itself apart from in peripheral areas like Finland. Potentially favourable factors which play a part in this process are discussed and certain reproductive and dispersive characteristics which favour its invasive behaviour are discussed.     

Phenylalanine hydroxylase of human embryos: its homology with the enzyme from the liver of adults

Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PH) activity was discovered in the liver of 7-12 week old human embryos. Embryonic and adult PHs were identical, as shown by immunoelectrophoresis. Unlike the adult liver PH, the PH content of the extract of cytoplasmic proteins of embryonic liver was reduced but the specific activity was increased more than by one order of magnitude. H (57,000 D) and L (55,000 D) subunits were detected by immunoblotting. The L subunit predominates in the extract of membrane proteins of embryonic liver. Hence, the major part of phenylalanine oxidizing activity in the embryonic liver is related to the enzyme immunochemically identical with the PH of adult liver but differing from it in some structural and functional properties.     

Nucleotide sequence of the Clostridium thermocellum laminarinase gene.

The sequence presented (1022 bp) shows the Clostridium thermocellum laminarinase gene (lam1) and its flanking regions. The gene lam1 comprises an open reading frame of 726 nt, encoding a 242-aa protein with predicted Mr 27661. The ORF startswith the translation initiation codon ATG. This ATG codon is preceded at a spacing of 7 bp by a potential ribosome binding site (GGAGGT). A putative signal peptide was identified (the potential cleavage site is between position 27-28 aa). The comparison of the primary protein sequence with other beta-1, 3-1, 4-glucanases showed extensive homology for Bacillus amyloliqefaciens and Bacillus subtilis glucanases (identity-46.7%; similarity-57.0%).     

Broiler chicken cecal microbiocenoses depending on mixed fodder

Molecular genetic techniques (NGS sequencing and quantitative PCR) were used to determine the composition of the cecal bacterial community of broiler chickens fed with different mixed fodder. The cecal microbiome exhibited taxonomic diversity, with both typical inhabitants of avian intestine belonging to the families Clostridiaceae, Eubacteriaceae, and Lactobacillaceae and to the phylum Bacteroidetes, and new unidentified taxa, as well as bacteria of the families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, which were previously considered restricted to the rumen microbiota. Contrary to traditional concepts, enterococci and bifidobacteria were among the minor components of the community, lactate-fermenting species were absent, and typical avian pathogens of the genus Staphylococcus were detected but seldom. Members of the family Suterellaceae and the genus Gallibacterium, which are responsible for avian respiratory infections, were also detected. Significant fluctuations of abundance and composition of microbial groups within the cecal community and of the parameters of broiler productivity were found to occur depending on the feed allowance. Cellulose content in the feed had the most pronounced effect on the composition and structure of bacterial communities. Decreased cellulose content resulted in a decrease of bacterial abundance by an order of magnitude and in increased ratios of members of the phylum Bacteroidetes and the family Clostridiaceae, which possess the enzymes degrading starch polysaccharides. Abundance of the normal inhabitants of avian intestine belonging to the genus Lactobacillus and the order Bacillales decreased, while the share of Escherichia and members of the family Sutterellaceae increased, including some species capable of causing dysbiotic changes in the avian intestine. No significant change in the abundance of cellulolytics of the families Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Eubacteriaceae was observed.     

Mathematical model of proliferative activity in epidermis of the normal skin and of the skin afflicted by psoriasis

A mathematical model of the mitotic activity of epidermis in norm and psoriasis is presented, which consists of a system of two autonomous nonlinear differential equations. A qualitative analysis of the model was done, and numerical solutions at the parameter values corresponding to these state were obtained. It was shown that, in norm, the system can exist only in one stationary equilibrium state of the "focus" type, and in psoriasis, due to an increase in the growing fraction, hyperproliferation, and enhanced migration of keratinocytes, a stable limiting cycle arises from the state of an unstable focus. The existence of two stable states (focus and the limiting cycle) is regulated by a parameter that describes the inhibition of division of maturing cells of suprabasal epidermal layers by the intrinsic tissue-specific transmitters of mitosis of G1-keilon type. The model is consistent with experimental data on the kinetics of cell proliferation in the epidermis in norm and psoriasis and the clinical course of the disease.     

Synchronization of oscillations of proliferation of keratinocytes in psoriatic skin by external periodic force: a mathematical model

A mathematical model of mitotic activity of epidermis in normal skin and skin afflicted with psoriasis is presented as a system of two autonomous nonlinear differential equations. Its qualitative analysis was carried out and numerical solutions were obtained at the parameter values corresponding to these states. It was shown that in the norm, a single stable equilibrium of a "focus" type exists in the system; whereas in psoriasis, owing to an increase in the growing fraction, hyperproliferation, and enhanced migration of interacting keratinocytes, a stable limit cycle arises from the state of unstable focus. In this paper we also report on the results of computer modeling of synchronization of self-excited oscillations of keratinocyte population density in psoriatic lesions by an external periodic force. This synchronization is viewed as a possible mechanism of the clinically observed dependence of psoriasis course on some natural factors of cyclic nature.     

Identification of the membrane form of phenylalanine hydroxylase from the human liver and characteristics of its subunit composition

Phenylalanine hydroxylase was detected among human liver bioptats and autoptats extracted with 0.4% Triton X-100 from the 105,000 g homogenate fraction. In contrast to the membrane form of the rat liver enzyme, human liver phenylalanine hydroxylase is detected both by its enzymatic activity and immunochemically under non-denaturating conditions. The enzymatic activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase makes 5-15% of that of the cytoplasmic fraction and 20-30% of the amount of antigen in the cytoplasmic fraction and 20-30% of the amount of antigen in the cytoplasmic fraction as can be evidenced from rocket immunoelectrophoresis data. Immunoblotting of proteins performed after denaturating electrophoresis of the membrane and cytoplasmic fractions revealed an antigen band with a similar electrophoretic mobility. The subunit composition of the enzyme in both fractions was characterized by two-dimensional electrophoresis with subsequent immunoblotting. It was found that the membrane fraction of the enzyme is represented only by the L-subunit with Mr of 55 kD, whereas the cytoplasmic fraction, besides the predominant L-subunit, also contains 2H-subunits of the enzyme with Mr = 57 kD. These 2H-subunits differ between themselves as well as from the L-subunit by the pI value.