Species composition and ecological structure of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities as biological indicators of the agro-environmental sustainability.

Intensification of crop cultivation can have detrimental environmental consequences that however can be prevented by monitoring of the specific biological indicators sensitive to changes in the ambient environment. In this study the impact of crop type (spring wheat and corn) and cultivation intensity on the community of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia was investigated. A total of 39 species from 15 genera were collected. Ground beetles' community was characterized by a high evenness of species distribution across the agroecosystems. The average Jaccard's similarity index for species presence/absence was 65%, and for abundance it was 54%. The significant difference in the distribution of predatory and mixophytophages ground beetles in wheat crops (U test, P < 0.05) can be justified by the constant suppression of the weed component and the use of insecticides that lead to the dominance of the predators. Fauna of wheat crops was more diverse than that in corn (Margalef index, U test, P < 0.05). No significant differences in biological diversity indexes, except for the Simpson dominance index (U test, P < 0.05, wheat), were found in ground beetle communities in crops at different levels of intensification. A certain differentiation of predatory species was caused by the selective occurrence of the litter-soil species, especially abundant in the row-crop. The specificity of the ground beetle community of corn crops may have been caused by repeated inter-row tillage, which influenced the increase in porosity and topsoil relief and contributed to the creation of favorable microclimatic conditions. In general, the applied level of agrotechnological intensification had no significant effect on the species composition and ecological structure of beetle communities in agrolandscapes. The use of bioindicators made it possible to assess the environmental sustainability of the agricultural environment and also creates the prerequisites for the development of ecologically directed correction of agrotechnological operations in agroecosystem management.

[Hybrid interventions for tandem occlusions in acute phase of ischemic stroke]. / Gibridnye vmeshatel'stva pri lechenii tandemnykh okklyuzii v ostreishei faze ishemicheskogo insul'ta.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of hybrid interventions, i.e. endovascular mechanical thrombectomy from intracranial arteries combined with open thrombectomy or carotid endarterectomy from extracranial internal carotid artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 16 patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy/thrombaspiration combined with open surgery between January 2014 and March 2021. All patients had occlusion of extracranial and intracranial segments internal carotid artery or initial segments of the middle cerebral artery. Baseline data, diagnostic algorithm, timing and results of treatment were analyzed. Study endpoints were technical success of revascularization, clinically significant hemorrhagic transformation, NIHSS and modified Rankin score of neurological impairment, as well as outcome of disease within 90 days. RESULTS: We restored patency of ICA and intracranial arteries in 13 out of 16 patients. In 9 patients, we obtained a positive effect with significant regression of neurological symptoms (mRS <2). In 3 patients, severe neurological deficit persisted throughout the entire follow-up period. Four patients died. Thus, effectiveness of technique was 56.2% (t=3), mortality rate was 25% (t=2.3). There was a relationship between the timing of interventions and outcomes of disease. Indeed, all dead and most of disabled patients underwent surgery later than 6 hours from the onset of disease. CONCLUSION: Hybrid interventions for tandem occlusions of carotid arteries can significantly increase efficiency and accelerate recanalization of great extracranial vessels in patients with tandem lesions in acute phase of ischemic stroke. Moreover, hybrid interventions significantly reduce the cost of reperfusion procedure. In case of severe atherosclerotic stenosis, simultaneous open endarterectomy from common and internal carotid arteries has a significant advantage over stenting due to no need for antithrombotic therapy.

[Interpopulation variability of endocrine-metabolic reaction to cold stress in northern red-backed vole (Myodes rutilus)].

In natural environment, stresses, when animals happen to be exposed to them, influence the functional activity of adrenal cortex. It can be expected that in animals, living under unfavorable conditions, basal concentration of glucocorticoid hormones would be increased while adrenocortical response to acute stress would be weakened. Since the main function of stress-reaction is resources mobilization meant to compensate an environmental impact, its weakening should lead to reduction of reserve metabolic capacities. To test this hypothesis, we compared energy metabolism, body temperature, and corticosterone concentration in blood plasma measured in northern red-back voles (Myodes rutilus) before and after acute cooling in helium-oxygen mixture. Voles belonged to two populations that deffered in relative abundance. It is found out that voles from a population of low relative abundance inhabiting the recreational forest of Novosibirsk Scientific Center, despite their being more stress-prone and having weakened stress-reaction, have higher maximum metabolic rate than voles from the mountain taiga polulation with high relative abundance. The results obtained suggest that living under unfavorable conditions leads to physiological adaptations which enhance resistance to acute stress, yet increase the risk of chronic stresses that have negative effect on fitness.

[SPECTRUM OF SPONTANEOUS PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN MOLE-VOLES AND THE EFFECT OF MITOCHONDRIA-TARGETED ANTIOXIDANT SkQ1 ON IT].

The mole vole (Ellobius talpinus (Pallas), Rodentia) is the object of interest for cytogenetics, ecology and gerontology research, peculiarly because of partial similarity of this animal to the unique long-living rodent, mole rat. In this work, the mole vole has been found to have very specific spectrum of tumors and non-tumor pathologies which vastly differs from pathological lesions spectrum in mole rat, laboratory mouse, rat and hamster. Mole voles had relatively small tumor incidence (9% totally in the observed population and 16% in animals dead after the achievement of the first tumor development age) and long minimal span of tumor latency (549 days) that is why this species could be categorized as cancer-resistant in compare to laboratory rodents (mice, rats, hamsters). The most common tumors in mole voles were hepatocellular neoplasms. Main non-tumor lesions were pneumonias and other septic and purulent diseases. Non-incapsulated, Gram-positive streptococci have been elucidated to be sole etiological agents in lesioned tissues. It is very important that septic and purulent diseases in mole voles commonly induced the neoplasia-like lesions (leukemoid reaction and "inflammatory pseudotumors"). Sex differences in pathological spectrum and incidences were not found. At last, it has been established that mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 (which prolonged mole vole life span) did not significantly influence on spectrum and incidences of pathologies in mole voles.

[Density-dependent regulation in populations of red-backed voles (Myodes rutilus) in optimal and suboptimal habitats of south-west Siberia].

In a population of red-backed voles (Myodes rutilus) that live in optimal habitats (mountain taiga of North-Eastern Altai) in the years of peak density we have observed total suppression of sexual maturation of young animals which is known to be the main mechanism of density regulation. Increase of voles' local density is accompanied by the increase of glucocorticoids in blood of mature and immature individuals of both sexes that argues for the important role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in density dependent regulation. Another population of red-backed voles from south-west Siberia that live in suboptimal habitats (Novosibirsk city vicinity), had significantly lower density. Here, the dynamics of demographic traits and endocrine status of the individuals did not correlate with interannual fluctuations of abundance and density. Even though, the possibility that in suboptimal conditions local density occasionally reaches the values sufficient for the induction of self-regulation cannot be excluded.

[Frugal strategy as a base of mole-vole (Ellobius talpinus: Rodentia) adaptations to the fossorial way of life].

Interspecies comparison of rodents (Rodentia, Cricetidae) of different ecological specialization has revealed dramatic differences in the most essential physiological life history traits between social fossorial mole vole (Ellobius talpinus) and terrestrial rodents. dwarf hamsters (Phodopus) and voles (Clethrionomys). Mole voles have decreased standard and maximal metabolic rates, reduced ability to maintain constant body temperature. lower rates of growth and sexual maturation, lower reproductive output, declined immune and stress response. These life history traits, shaped by the unique peculiarities of the soil environment, provide effective resource re-allocation towards the costly burrowing activity. Spatial and temporal variability of ecological conditions inevitable for any species additionally participate in re-allocation of internal resources. In cold seasons of the year mole voles increase their metabolic activity and become homeothermic. In the north-eastern periphery of the species range, mole voles are fare more stressed and differ from the individuals inhabit the central part of the range with decreased longevity and increased reproductive output on the level of the entire population.

[Helminthiasis, metabolic rates and cold resistance in the red-backed vole from a natural population].

Estimation of the standard metabolic rate (SMR), maximal oxygen consumption (MOC) and thermoregulation ability in males of red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus Pallas, 1779) have shown that individuals infected with nematodes Heligmosomum mixtum, regardless of intensity of worm infection, had an increased level of oxygen consumption in the cold exposition, while the individuals infected with the cestodes Arostrilepis horrida, had a lover oxygen consumption than non-invaded individuals. Worm burden of A. horrida correlated negatively with MOC value in the hosts. Thermo-conductance of individuals infected with A. horrida was significantly lower than in ones infected with H. mixtum. Opposite effects of these two helminthes seems to be determined by the specificity of pathogenesis and different body mass of parasites. Total body mass of nematodes are usually less than 0.2% of the host body mass whereas the total body mass of cestodes may exceed 5% of the host body mass.

Seasonal changes of thermoregulation in the mole vole Ellobius talpinus.

Seasonal changes of thermoregulation were studied in mole voles (Ellobius talpinus Pall.) from southern Siberia. Spontaneous fluctuations of body temperature were significantly higher in summer than in autumn. Standard deviations from average daily temperature of individuals were 0.95 (N=212) in summer and 0.57 (N=248) in autumn. Thermoregulatory response to cold exposure and to norepinephrine injection varied in different seasons of the year. In cold seasons, mole voles are able to maintain temperature homeostasis in a wide range of environmental conditions. This ability declined only in summer. Hence, the mole vole's adaptation to the continental climate is based on distinct seasonal variations of thermoregulation. In summer, thermoregulatory mechanisms are similar to those of desert eusocial fossorial species, but in spring and autumn, mole voles share the thermoregulatory strategies of boreal terrestrial rodents.

[The determination of CA-125, CA-19-9 and CEA antigens in gynecologic patients for differential diagnosis and the assessment of the efficacy of surgical treatment and subsequent monitoring]. / Opredelenie antigenov CA 125, CA 19-9 i REA u ginekologicheskikh bol'nykh dlia differentsial'noi diagnostiki i otsenki éffektivnosti operativnogo lecheniia i posleduiushchego monitoringa.

Tumor markers CA 125, CA 19-9, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were measured in the blood sera of 396 inpatients of different age. In 139 patients the measurements were carried out over time. Hoffman La Roche enzyme immunoassay test kits were used. Eight groups of women were tested: controls without gynecological diseases, women in need of plastic repair of the genitals, patients with inflammatory diseases, with cervical endometriosis, internal endometriosis, ovarian endometriosis, uterine myoma, benign ovarian tumors, and malignant tumors of the ovaries. The results indicate a relatively high diagnostic value of measuring CA 125 in gynecological patients, particularly in those with endometriosis. Parallel measurements of three markers in the blood serum (CA 125, CA 19-9, and CEA) are more informative for the differential diagnosis of endometriosis and malignant tumors. Follow-up of CA 125 concentration may be used to assess the efficacy of therapy and help early detect the disease recurrences.

[Features of the endometrial steroid receptor system in habitual abortion with high risk of infectious complications]. / Osobennosti steroidretseptornogo apparata éndometriia pri privychnom nevynashivanii beremennosti s vysokim riskom infektsionnykh oslozhnenii.

Analysis of microbiologic and histologic findings and measurements of estrogen and gestagen receptors in the endometrium have shown manifest shifts in the endometrial steroid receptor system in women with asymptomatic chronic endometritis. The authors claim that disordered reception of steroid hormones may be regarded as one of the causes of spontaneous, abortions.

[Pulsed secretion of gonadotropins in polycystic ovary syndrome]. / Izuchenie impul'snogo kharaktera sekretsii gonadotropinov pri sindrome polikistoznykh iaichnikov.

Pulsed secretion of gonadotropins was studied in 8 women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome, aged 23-28. Data on the time course of LH and FSH levels were processes by Santen and Bardin's method and by harmonic analysis. The results evidence that regular ejections of LH at a frequency higher than circahoralian rhythm (about 2 impulses per h) in such patients may be the cause of the development of the polycystic ovarian syndrome. Therapy with norcolut, carried out for 3 months, resulted in development of a trend to normalization of LH secretion, FSH secretion remaining unchanged.

[The hormonal status and steroid receptor system of the endometrium in patients with benign tumors and endometrioid cysts of the ovaries]. / Gormonal'nyi status i steroidretseptornaia sistema éndometriia u patsientok s dobrokachestvennymi opukholiami i éndometrioidnymi kistami iaichnikov.

Plasma concentrations of protein hormones (LH, FSH, prolactin) and steroid hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol) have been assayed during the follicular and luteal phase of the cycle in patients with benign cysts and endometrioid cysts of the ovaries. Endometrial estradiol and progesterone receptors were also examined in these patients in the midluteal phase. These studies described steroid and gonadotropic hormone secretion of both the luteal and follicular phase in the two populations, as well as steroid receptors of the secretory endometrium. The most serious abnormalities were found in the endometrium of the patients with endometrioid ovarian cysts. These disorders suggest their relationship with infertility in the patients with benign ovarian neoplasms.

[Effectiveness of hormonal therapy of endometrioid ovarian cysts]. / Effektivnost' gormonal'noi terapii pri éndometrioidnykh kistakh iaichnikov.

Patients with ovarian endometriosis have been examined during the follicular and luteal phase of the ovulatory and the second phase of the anovulatory cycles. Estradiol and progesterone blood concentrations measured on operation days and during the respective ovulatory phases were in a normal range. Ovulation and endometrial hyperplasia reduced basal progesterone concentrations. Comparison of findings on steroid receptor systems in the endometrium and endometrioid ovarian cysts indicated that they were identical. The findings were different in ovulation and endometrial hyperplasia. These patterns provided criteria for endometrial response to female sex hormones by assaying endometrial intracellular steroid receptor systems in normally ovulating patients with ovarian endometriosis.

[Plasmids of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis]. / Plazmidy Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.

Plasmids with the sizes of 5.7; 51; 70-77; and 120-130 kb were found in six strains among the ten strains collection of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The restriction endonucleases analysis. Southern-blot hybridization and physical maps construction were performed for the plasmids. The 70-77 kb plasmids were found to be analogous to the Ca2(+)-dependence plasmid pYVO19 from Yersinia pestis EV76. The difference between the plasmids of this type is in the insertions or deletions located on the similar fragments of the restriction maps. The 51 kb plasmid has no common fragments with the Ca2(+)-dependence plasmids and does not code for virulence properties of the strain harbouring it. No homology is shared by the 5.7 kb plasmid and the 10 kb plasmid from Yersinia pestis EV76. Replicon of the 5.7 kb plasmid has been used to construct the pVS11 vector plasmid.

[Prospects of the use of neoplasm antigens as markers of gynecologic diseases]. / Perspektivy primeneniia rakovykh antigenov v kachestve markerov ginekologicheskikh zabolevanii.

CA-125 antigen was assayed in 108 patients with the most prevalent gynecologic diseases by enzyme immunoassay. Its blood levels were found to be under 35 U/ml in the patients with inflammatory diseases. In endometriosis and benign ovarian tumors CA-125 concentrations in the blood were elevated. Malignant tumors of the ovaries were detected in 80 percent of the examinees. CA-125 levels reduced after surgical treatment in 72 percent of patients. These data permit a conclusion that CA-125 diagnostic agent may be used to monitor the course of the postoperative period and assess the late results of treatment.