Revisiting the use of Iprodione and Trichoderma in the integrated management of onion white rot

The biocontrol properties of Trichoderma species are well documented, but their effectiveness in antagonism of the problematic Sclerotium cepivorum, the causal agent of white rot in Allium species, appears limited with reports of significant control only relating to deliberately-mutated strains of Trichoderma. Our previous studies have indicated the possibility of using selected naturally-occurring strains of the antagonist in the suppression of other diseases; now in vitro and controlled environment in vivo studies have indicated that a degree of control of Onion White Rot is possible, and that the selected antagonist strains can be used in integrated treatments with Iprodione to good effect. The possible value of such treatments is considered in light of other approaches to the suppression of this continuing problem.     

Scientific Bases for Enuring Productive Longevity of Agrolandscapes in Russia

Biology Bulletin - V.V. Dokuchaev’s ideas are the foundation of modern ideas about rational nature-usage methods in our steppes in order to ensure productive longevity of agro-ecosystems and...     

Segment duplications in the human genome

The review considers the structure, evolution, and possible mechanisms of spreading of intrachromosomal and interchromosomal segment duplications (SD), which account for more than 5% of the human genome. Most SD are mosaic and consist of multiple modules, which occur in several copies in different genome regions. SD are preferentially located in pericentric and subtelomeric regions, which are least studied on the human chromosomes. Homologous recombination between SD results in various chromosome rearrangements, contributing to the genome instability and the origin of several human hereditary disorders.     

Effect of pineal peptide on parameters of the biological age and life span in mice

Female CBA mice were injected with s.c. synthetic tetrapeptide Epithalon from a 6-month age until death. The drug failed to affect the body weight or food consumption, physical activity or behavioural parameters. However, it slowed down the age-related switching off of the estrus function, decreased body temperature, decelerated free redical processes, prolonged the mice life span with an accompanying drop in spontaneous tumour incidence.     

A web server to locate periodicities in a sequence

Summary : FT is a tool written in C++, which implements the Fourier analysis method to locate periodicities in aminoacid or DNA sequences. It is provided for free public use on a WWW server with a Java interface. Availability : The server address is http://o2.db. uoa.gr/FT Contact : shamodr@atlas.uoa.gr      

Identification of proteins with altered expression in colorectal cancer by means of 2D-proteomics

Modern proteomic techniques make it possible to identify numerous changes in protein expression in tumors as compared to normal tissues. Although proteomics is currently widely used, identification of proteins differentially expressed in particular types of cancer remains a challenging task. The goal of our study was to detect novel protein markers of colorectal cancer using comparative proteomics of protein extracts obtained from primary tumors and adjacent normal tissues. Coloreetal cancer is nearly asymptomatic at the early stages, which calls for development of fast and sensitive methods for molecular diagnostics. Proteomes of 11 paired specimens of primary colorectal tumors and adjacent histologically normal tissues were studied using comparative 2D PAGE. Altogether, 16 proteins with altered expression levels were detected, including 13 proteins with increased levels and three proteins with decreased levels in tumor tissues. These proteins were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The proteins GPD1, RRBP1 (increased levels), HNRNPH1, and SERPINB6 (decreased levels) have been associated with colorectal cancer for the first time.     

Statistical Analysis of the Influence of a Disturbance Factor on Formation of the Spatial Structure of the Great Bustard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Otis tarda</Emphasis> L.) (Otididae,Aves) Population in the Trans-Volga Region

This paper examines the influence of the location of settlements, railroads, and highways on the spatial structure of the Otis tarda population in the Trans-Volga region that was studied in the years 1998–2016 in a model area of 12000 km² that is located in the southern part of the Saratov Trans-Volga region. The zone of the impact made by our estimated disturbance factor due to the movement of people and a variety of ground vehicles along various-purpose roads on the territorial distribution of bustards in autumn can be denoted as a 300–500 m width band on both sides of the transport communications. Shelterbelts that were created along transport communications render a beneficial effect on the distribution of O. tarda and reduce the influence of the disturbance factor. Furthermore, crop rotation fields with side sizes of more than 1 km can be considered a factor that compensates for the anxiety of birds. We have found that in the Saratov Trans-Volga region, because of the large size of crop rotation fields and significant development of roadside and shelter belts, no special measures are required to protect O. tarda such as restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles over the territory where this species lives.