Shrubs of Vladivostok: Percentage in green plantings and resistance in urban ecosystems

Many years of study were devoted to fructicose flora of plantings in the city of Vladivostok. Species diversity bearing on the type of planting has been studied. Contribution of each species to the city’s landscaping has been assessed quantitatively. The vitality of shrubs has been diagnosed and their stability in the conditions of urban ecosystems has been estimated.     

Some regularities in the accumulation of lead in urban plants (by example of Vladivostok)

The ability of plants to accumulate lead is studied for 128 plant species from 44 families and 28 genera of the Far Eastern flora. A significant variation in the content of lead in the assimilation organs of plants is observed; the variation is within 0.81–25.67 mg/kg of air-dry matter. The main regularities in the accumulation of metals by plants of different systematic taxa and biomorphological groups are revealed. The groups of plants according to the intensity of lead accumulation and the types of metal-concentrating species are identified. The species promising for phytoremediation and phytoindication in an urban environment are recommended.     

The influence of calcineurin gene polymorphism on morphofunctional characteristics of cardiovascular system of athletes

The aim of the study was to investigate allelic distribution of calcineurin gene (CNB; 5I/5D polymorphism) in athletes of cyclic sports (n = 673) and controls (n = 1073), and to find interrelation between genotypes and risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and physical performance of athletes. Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Echocardiography was performed by ultrasound scanner Aloka-3500. Physiological parameters were evaluated by spiroergometry using MetaMax 3B Gas Analyzer. The frequency of CNB D allele was significantly lo- wer in athletes than in controls (5.5 vs. 8.8 %; p = 0.0005), and decreased with the growth of skills. We found that CNB D allele was associated with increased left ventricular mass index and low values of physical performance (when maximal power production capacity and maximal oxygen consumption were measured). Thus, CNB gene 5I/5D polymorphism is associated with the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and physical performance of athletes.