Demonstration of afferent connections of the forebrain in Emys orbicularis turtles by the peroxidase method

The transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) out of the injection site in the dorsal ventricular ridge was studied in turtles Emys orbicularis. Labeled cells in the forebrain were observed in the paleostriatum among fibers of the lateral forebrain bundle. In the thalamus most of cells containing the granular HRP reaction product were located in the n. rotundus, n. reuniens and perirotundal nuclei (n. dorso-medialis anterior, n. magnocellularis thalami, n (centralis) lateralis, n. dorso-medialis). Fewer labeled cells were revealed in the n. anterior and n. ventralis. The density of labeled cells in the majority of all thalamic nuclei increased if the HRP was extended from the dorsal ventricular ridge into the neostriatum and the pallial thickening with adjacent general cortex. HRP positive cells in the pretectal area, nuclei of the posterior commissura and mesencephalic ventro-lateral tegmentum were observed only in cases when the enzyme was diffused from the injection site into the neostriatum, while the HRP retrograde transport to n. geniculatus lateralis, pars dorsalis was revealed only when HRP was extended into the pallial thickening and adjacent general cortex. Ascending connections of the paleostriatum, thalamic nuclei and mesencephalic tegmentum with telencephalic structures, mainly with the dorsal ventricular ridge, were discussed.     

Corticalization of two divisions of the visual system during vertebrate evolution

Data on the evolution of the visual system in vertebrate phylogeny are described. Visual projections are demonstrated in the telencephalon of cyclostomata (lampreys). The existence of a retino-thalamo-telencephalic pathway is demonstrated in elasmobranchs (skates). Two visual pathways are present in amphibians (frogs) and reptiles (turtles): retino-thalamo-telencephalic and retino-tecto-thalamo-telencephalic, and these overlap partly at the thalamic level in the lateral geniculate nucleus and completely in the telencephalon. In turtles the earliest visual and tectal impulses relay on their way to the telencephalon in the lateral geniculate body, and later impulses relay in the nucleus rotundus. In mammals (rats) visual tecto-cortical connections are seen; judging from the latent period of potentials arising in the visual cortex in response to stimulation of the superior colliculi these connections have one synaptic relay in the thalamus. The much shorter latent periods of visual evoked potentials recorded in the tectum of the monkey than in turtles (under identical chronic experimental conditions) confirm the views of morphologists on the progressive development of the tectal division of the visual system in vertebrate phylogeny. It is concluded that corticalization of both divisions of the visual system, i.e., the existence of telencephalic representation, appears in the early stages of vertebrate evolution.     

Development of an extended shelf-life,liquid formulation of the biofungicide <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma asperellum</Emphasis>

The formulation of microbial biomass represents a critical step in advancing the commercial development of prospective biological control products. Trichoderma asperellum has demonstrated biological control capability against Fusarium head blight. In the present studies, Trichoderma asperellum was grown in liquid media of differing composition. The effect of various amendments on the preservation of the viability and competitiveness, in vitro, of fungal mycelium and spores in a liquid paste was determined. The amendments with greatest effect were the addition of starch as a food base, reduction of metabolic activity by lowering the pH of the biomass paste and the addition of small amounts of copper. Oxygen availability was also shown to be important in maintaining biomass viability and competitiveness. Optimization of these factors produces a biomass paste formulation of T. asperellum that remains active, in vitro, for at least 6 months at room temperature.     

Aluminum exclusion from root zone and maintenance of nutrient uptake are principal mechanisms of Al tolerance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis> L.

Our study aimed to evaluate intraspecific variability of pea (Pisum sativum L.) in Al tolerance and to reveal mechanisms underlying genotypic differences in this trait. At the first stage, 106 pea genotypes were screened for Al tolerance using root re-elongation assay based on staining with eriochrome cyanine R. The root re-elongation zone varied from 0.5 mm to 14 mm and relationships between Al tolerance and provenance or phenotypic traits of genotypes were found. Tolerance index (TI), calculated as a biomass ratio of Al-treated and non-treated contrasting genotypes grown in hydroponics for 10 days, varied from 30% to 92% for roots and from 38% to 90% for shoots. TI did not correlate with root or shoot Al content, but correlated positively with increasing pH and negatively with residual Al concentration in nutrient solution in the end of experiments. Root exudation of organic acid anions (mostly acetate, citrate, lactate, pyroglutamate, pyruvate and succinate) significantly increased in several Al-treated genotypes, but did not correlate with TI. Al-treatment decreased Ca, Co, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, S and Zn contents in roots and/or shoots, whereas contents of several elements (P, B, Fe and Mo in roots and B and Fe in shoots) increased, suggesting that Al toxicity induced substantial disturbances in uptake and translocation of nutrients. Nutritional disturbances were more pronounced in Al sensitive genotypes. In conclusion, pea has a high intraspecific variability in Al tolerance and this trait is associated with provenance and phenotypic properties of plants. Transformation of Al to unavailable (insoluble) forms in the root zone and the ability to maintain nutrient uptake are considered to be important mechanisms of Al tolerance in this plant species.     

Variability and phylogenetic relationships of the Cucumis sativus L. species inferred from NBS profiling and RAPD analysis

Genetic variability of the Cucumis sativus species and its phylogenetic relationsips with other species of the genus were studied on the basis of RAPD marking and analysis of intra- and interspecific polymorphism of the nucleotide sequences of the NBS-LRR gene family in species of the genus Cucumis with the use of the NBS profiling method. According to RAPD analysis, cucumber cultivars from different geographic regions are highly similar, except for accessions k-3835 and k-3833 from Afghanistan. NBS profiling analysis revealed phylogenetically most distinct accessions expected to be characterized by specificity of resistance: k-3845 from Uzbekistan, k-3851 from Kyrgyzstan, line 701, k-3835 and k-3833 from Afghanistan, k-2757 and k-3079 from Netherlands, vr.k. 908 from Canada, k-2926 from Bulgaria, Russian cultivars Monastyrskii, Izyashchnyi, and Lel'. Three essentially different groups of species were distinguished, and the C. sativus species (subgenus Cucumis) was found to be distant from the species belonging to the subgenus Melo.     

Variability and phylogenetic relationships of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis> L. species inferred from NBS-profiling and RAPD analysis

Genetic variability of the Cucumis sativus species and its phylogenetic relationsips with other species of the genus were studied on the basis of RAPD marking and analysis of intra- and interspecific polymorphism of the nucleotide sequences of the NBS-LRR gene family in species of the genus Cucumis with the use of the NBS-profiling method. According to RAPD analysis, cucumber cultivars from different geographic regions are highly similar, except for accessions k-3835 and k-3833 from Afghanistan. NBS-profiling analysis revealed phylogenetically most distinct accessions expected to be characterized by specificity of resistance: k-3845 from Uzbekistan, k-3851 from Kyrgyzstan, line 701, k-3835 and k-3833 from Afghanistan, k-2757 and k-3079 from Netherlands, vr.k. 908 from Canada, k-2926 from Bulgaria, Russian cultivars Monastyrskii, Izyashchnyi, and Lel’. Three essentially different groups of species were distinguished, and the C. sativus species (subgenus Cucumis) was found to be distant from the species belonging to the subgenus Melo.     

Studies of Mycofungicid,a Preparation Based on Trichoderma viride,for Plant Infection Control

A technology was designed for manufacturing a preparation based on Trichoderma viride Pers ex S.F. Gray that strongly suppresses the development of causative agents of certain plant diseases and displays a growth-stimulating activity. Cultivation of the strain in a liquid medium for 18–24 h produced up to 60 g dry biomass per liter nutrient medium. A marketable form created in this work conserves the activity of the mycelial preparation for six months. The preparation is compatible with insecticides (carbofos, vismetrin, talstar, and applaud) and certain fungicides (such as baitan). Tests performed with the liquid form of Mycofungicid (seeds were treated with this preparation at a dose of 20–30 g per metric ton before sowing) showed its high efficiency in protecting cereal crops from plant pathogens. The incidence of plant diseases decreased by 65%, and crop yields increased by 15–20%.     

Epizootic situation with the avian flu in Kurgan region

The epizootia on avian flu and a measure on its liquidation are stated. The increase in number of a wild waterfowl in 2005 is marked in comparison with 2002. It is determined, that disease among poultry arose in the facilities which are taking place near of reservoirs at ride out of its contents. The complex of sanitary-and-hygienic measures are carried out with the purpose of the prevention of disease among people. Cases of disease caused by an avian influenza among people it is not revealed.