[Cytokines and antibodies in experimental infection of wild and laboratory rodents (rodentia) with tick-borne encephalitis virus].

Persistence modeling was performed by means of infection of the wild rodents: northern red-backed vole Myodes rutilus (Pallas, 1779) and striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771), as well as of laboratory mice with the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in tick suspensions with subsequent detection of the TBEV, hemagglutination inhibition and virus-neutralizing antibodies, as well as expression of cytokine genes during 4 months. Detection rate of the TBEV RNA and antigen E remained high during the whole period of observations; however, virus pathogenic for laboratory suckling mice was isolated mainly during a period of 8 days post infection. At the late stages of the persistent infection (1-4 months) the TBEV RNA detection rate in northern red-backed voles and laboratory mice remained high, whereas in striped field mice it significantly declined (p < 0.001). The viral loads were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the wild rodents compared to the laboratory mice. Average frequencies of Th2 cytokine gene expression were similar for M. rutilus (50.0 ± 8.5%) and A. agrarius (50.0 ± 9.6%) during the whole period, but Th1 cytokine mRNA detection rate after transcription activation in 2 days post infection and subsequent return to the original values were different (22.2 ± 5.0% and 38.1 ± 7.6%, respectively (p > 0.05)). Meanwhile, a part of animals with interleukin 1ß mRNA was significantly higher among A. agrarius than among M. rutilus (p < 0.05), which might cause low levels of spontaneous TBEV infection of field mice compared to red voles. Hemagglutination inhibition and virus-neutralizing antibodies were revealed in wild rodents in 30 days post infection and remained at detectable levels during 4 months. Thus, the TBEV persistence in small rodents was accompanied by the detection of the pathogenic virus in the early period, the viral RNA and antigen E during 4 months with high viral loads in wild animals exceeding the values in laboratory mice. Changes in the proinflammatory cytokine gene expression frequencies and the TBEV-specific antibodies pointed at immunomodulation as the possible mechanism of the TBEV persistence.

[Experience of the treatment of gunshot wounds and pancreas traumas during domestic armed conflict in the North Caucasus (1994-1996, 1999-2002)].

Experience of the treatment of gunshot wounds and pancreas traumas during domestic armed conflict in the North Caucasus (1994-1996, 1999-2002). The paper presents our own experience of surgical treatment of gunshot wounds, and pancreatic damage. Pathophysiological mechanisms of development of fire pancreatitis are presented. Tasks for surgery and their solutions are defined. The reasons for reoperation are analysed. It was found that the surgical approach depends on the nature and localization of pancreatic damage. The features of the surgical intervention are shown.

[Activation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway in S2 Drosophila melanogaster cell culture].

JAK/STAT signaling pathway plays a critical role in different ontogenesis processes of higher eukaryotes. Fruit fly drosophila is a handy model system used to study this pathway since major components of the pathway are represented by unique factors. This article describes the usage of Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells in studies of the pathway's target genes activation. We showed that S2 cells contain plenty of STAT protein which migrates into nucleus under cells treatment with pervanadate. Then we demonstrated that under pervanadate action STAT protein along with other transcription factors is recruited onto regulatory sequences of target genes and activates their transcription.

[Biological functions of Jak/Stat signaling pathway in Drosophila].

The basic biological processes under the control of the Jak/Stat signaling pathway in Drosophila are reviewed. As shown, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a very convenient model organism for investigation of Jak/Stat functions in various aspects of ontogenesis.

[Peculiarities of delivery of specific surgical assistance to wounded during counter-terrorist and peacemaking operations on North Caucasia].

The organization of surgical care for the wounded in various local wars and armed conflict has its own characteristics, the study of which is necessary to optimize the planning of medical evacuation support of troops. It is based on the concept on an early specialized surgical care. The paper discusses the problematic issues of medical care to the wounded in past peacekeeping operations, and analyze features of specialized surgical care.

[SAYP interacts with DHR3 nuclear receptor and participates in ecdysone-dependent transcription regulation].

The role of metazoan coactivator SAYP in nuclear receptor-driven gene activation in the ecdysone cascade of Drosophila is considered. SAYP interacts with DHR3 nuclear receptor and activates the corresponding genes by recruiting the BTFly (Brahma and TFIID) coactivator supercomplex. The knockdown of SAYP leads to a decrease in the level of DHR3-activated transcription. DHR3 and SAYP interact during development and have multiple common targets across the genome.

[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.

[The application of polymerase chain reaction in real-time operation mode to detect DNA of agents of human granulocytic anaplasmosis and monocytic erlychiosis].

The analysis was applied to detect DNA of agents of human granulocytic anaplasmosis and monocytic erlychiosis. The sampling included 109 ticks of Ixodes species from Novosibirsk oblast and Khabarovsk kray and blood samples of 111 mouse-like rodents from Omsk oblast. The used techniques included polymerase chain reaction in real-time operation mode with set of reagents "RealBest DNA Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Ehrlichia muris, ehrlichia chaffeensis" ("Vector-Best" Novosibirsk) and double round polymerase chain reaction. The DNA of A. phagocytophilum, agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis and/or DNA of E. muris, agent of monocytic erlychiosis was detected in 21 ticks and in blood samples of 52 voles. Both techniques were applied. The DNA of A. phagocytophilum was detected in samples of 2 voles and in 1 tick only after polymerase chain reaction in real-time operation mode was applied. It demonstrated that the set of reagents "RealBest DNA Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Ehrlichia muris, ehrlichia chaffeensis" permits to detect the DNA of isolates of A. phagocytophilum subsumed to different genetic groups. The set can be used for fast and effective detection of the DNA of agents of agents of human granulocytic anaplasmosis and monocytic erlychiosis in suspensions of analyzed ticks and blood samples.

[Characteristics of the distribution of ticks Ixodes persulcatus and Ixodes pavlovskyi at the border between the forest and forest-steppe zones in the territory near Ob River].

Field investigations performed in 2009 and 2010 in the Novosibirskiy, Toguchinskiy, and Sovetskiy districts of Novosibirsk Province showed, that at present, Ixodes persulcatus, I. pavlovskyi (subspecies I. pavlovskyi occidentals Filippova et Panova, 1998), and Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) permanently cohabitate in the woodland park of the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, and I. pavlovskyi is the dominating species there. The highest abundance of I. pavlovskyi was recorded in pine forests subjected to intensive recreational load. At the same time, I. pavlovskyi was not found in the Novosibirskiy District and in the plane part of Toguchinskiy District, while the abundance of I. persulcatus is almost three times higher in the above mentioned territories, than in the Akademgorodok.

[Genetic features of Borrelia miyamotoi transmitted by Ixodes persulcatus].

The definition and molecular typing of Borrelia miyamotoi transmitted by the Ixodes persuccatus ticks was based on the partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA, p66, and glpQ genes. All the B. miyamotoi analyzed sequences of the 16S rRNA, glpQ, and p66 gene fragments from I. persulcatus were identical and had 99.9-100% similarity to corresponding genes of the B. miyamotoi strain FR64b isolated in Japan. The analyzed amino acid sequences revealed that the 66 protein B. miyamotoi in the site corresponding to the surface-exposed domain contained considerable difference from the Borrelia hermsii, the typical member tick-born relapsing fever, as from Borrelia lonestari transmitted by the Ixodes ticks.

[Study of the heterogeneity of 16s rRNA gene and groESL operone in the dna samples of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia muris, and "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" determined in the Ixodes persulcatus ticks in the area of Urals, Siberia, and far east of Russia].

A total of 3552 Ixodes persulcatus from Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk regions and Khabarovsk Territory were examined on the Ehrlichia and Anaplasma presence by nested PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Both Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia muris DNA were found in I. persulcatus in all studied regions. A. Phagocytophilum was detected in 1.3-6.3% of ticks and E. muris - in 2.0-14.1% of ticks. Moreover, "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" DNA was found in 8 ticks collected in Novosibirsk, Irkutsk Regions and Khabarovsk Territory. Partial nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA gene and groESL operone (1240-1300 bp) were determined for 65 samples of A. Phagocytophilum, 17 samples of E. muris and 4 samples of "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis". Nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA gene and groESL operone of E. muris and "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" were shown to be highly conservative, and nucleotide sequences of groESL operone of both E. muris and "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" differed from the sequences found previously in other species of Ixodid tick. On the basis of analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and groESL operone sequences it was concluded that all revealed samples A. Phagocytophilum could be divided into 2 groups. GroESL operone sequences of A. Phagocytophilum from the first group were identical to each other but significantly differed from the known groESL operone sequences (less than 98.2% of similarity), whereas their 16S rRNA gene sequences were identical to the sequence of widely distributed and pathogenic for human A. Phagocytophilum genetic variant (CAHU-HGEl, GenBank AF093788) or differed from it by a single nucleotide substitution. The nucleotide sequences of groESL operone of A. Phagocytophilum from the second group differed from each other by 1-4 nucleotides and were closely related (99.2-99.4% of similarity) to the sequences of groESL operone ofA. phagocytophilum isolates found in Europe in Ixodes ricinus and roe deer. The nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene of A. Phagocytophilum from the second group were most similar to the sequence of the rare A. Phagocytophilum genetic variant previously found only in China (GenBank DQ342324).

Genetic diversity of Babesia in Ixodes persulcatus and small mammals from North Ural and West Siberia, Russia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to study the prevalence and genetic diversity of Babesia in Ixodes persulcatus ticks and small mammals from Ural and Siberia in Russia. METHODS: In total, 481 small mammals and 922 questing adult I. persulcatus from North Ural (Sverdlovsk region) and West Siberia (Novosibirsk region) were examined for the presence of Babesia by nested PCR based on the 18S rRNA gene. RESULTS: Babesia microti of the 'Munich'-type was found in 36.2% of blood samples of the small mammals from the Sverdlovsk region and B. microti of the 'US'-type in 5.3% of the animals from the Novosibirsk region. Babesia DNA was not detected in 133 analysed I. persulcatus from the Sverdlovsk region; however, it was found in 24 of 789 ticks from the Novosibirsk region. Three distinct Babesia species were detected in I. persulcatus. B. microti 'US'-type was identified in 10 ticks, Babesia closely related to B. divergens/B. capreoli in 2 ticks, and Babesia closely related to B. venatorum (EU1) in 12 ticks. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first detection of Babesia sensu stricto in I. persulcatus ticks and of B. microti in I. persulcatus in the Asian part of Russia.

[Detection of Babesia spp. DNA in small mammals and ixodic ticks on the territory of north Ural, west Siberia and far east of Russia].

Totally, 932 small mammals and 458 questing adult Ixodes persulcatus from Sverdlovsk and Novosibirsk regions and Khabarovsk Territory, as well as 128 Haemaphysalis japonica, 34 H. concinna and 29 Dermacentor silvarum from Khabarovsk Territory were examined for the presence of Babesia by nested PCR based on the 18S rRNA gene. Babesia microti DNA was found in samples of small mammals from all the studied regions--in 36.2% of samples from Sverdlovsk region, 5.3% of samples from Novosibirsk region, and 6.7% of samples from Khabarovsk Territory. The determined B. microti 18S rRNA gene sequences from Novosibirsk region (6 sequences) and from Khabarovsk Territory (10 sequences) were identical to each other and to the sequences of pathogenic for human B. microti US-type, while the determined B. microti 18S rRNA gene sequences from Sverdlovsk region (12 sequences) were identical to those of B. microti strain Munich. B. microti were found most frequently in samples of Myodes spp., they were found also in Microtus spp., Apodemus spp., Sorer spp., and Sicista betulinav. It was shown that one of 347 analyzed I. persulcatus from Novosibirsk region and one of 77 I. persulcatus from Khabarovsk Territory contained B. microti US-type DNA. One I. persulcatus from Novosibirsk region contained B. divergens DNA. In this work B. divergens was for the first time determined in I. persulcatus and B. microti in I. persulcatus in Asian part of Russia. Three different genetic variants of Babesia sensu stricto were found in three H. japonica from Khabarovsk Territory. The first genetic variant was closely related to Babesia sp. revealed in a feral raccoon in Japan (99.9% similarity on the basis of 18S rRNA gene sequences). Two others Babesia genetic variants were most similar to the ovine pathogen Babesia crassa (97.1-97.6% similarity on the basis of 18S rRNA gene sequences).

[SAYP--a novel regulator of metazoan development].

SAYP is a dual-function transcriptional coactivator of RNA polymerase II. It is a metazoan-specific factor involved in different signaling pathways that control normal development. In Drosophila, SAYP is present in the organism from the early stages of development and participates in cell cycle synchronization at the blastoderm stage. SAYP is abundant in many embryonic cells and in imaginal discs of larvae and is crucial for oogenesis in adults. At the molecular level, SAYP serves as a basis for assembling the BTFly nuclear supercomplex consising of the Brahma and TFIID coactivators. We suppose that BTFly and other similar nuclear supercomplexes play an important role in ontogenesis.

[Study on the infection of taiga ticks with Borrelia in the territory of Novosibirsk Scientific Center SB PAS].

In our study, Borrelia were revealed in the taiga ticks Ixodes persulcatus collected on vegetation by flagging, as well as in the ticks removed from the people who asked for help in the vaccination center located in the Novosibirsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science (NS SB RAS). By the isolation of Borrelia on BSK-H medum, the occurrence of B. garinii, B. afzelii, and B. miyamotoi was established in the territory of NSC. B. miyamotoi isolates were unstable and lost their ability to growth in later passages. DNA of the same three species of Borrelia was detected by PCR in the samples of ticks, both collected on vegetation by flagging and removed from humans. DNA of B. garinii was recorded most often; DNA of B. afzelii was less frequent; and the least number of positive samples was shown for B. miyamotoi. In the ticks collected on vegetation by flagging, DNA of B. garinii was found in 38.6%, B. afzelii in 9.9%, and B. miyamoboi in 3.9% of samples. In the ticks removed from people, number of positive samples was lesser; so, DNA of B. garinii was detected in 24.2%, B. afzelii in 6.9%, and B. miyamotoi in 5.6% of samples. Mixed infection with two Borrelia species was recorded, and DNA of B. mivamnotoi more often detected simultaneously with DNA of B. garinii.

Vertical transmission of tick-borne encephalitis virus between generations of adapted reservoir small rodents.

Vertical transmission of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) between generations of the small rodents-red voles Myodes rutilus Pallas (previously known as Clethrionomys rutilus Pallas) was shown for naturally infected reservoir hosts and after experimental infection with different sublethal doses of the viral strains. For wild red voles and for their progeny born in 240-280 days after experimental infection of their parents the TBEV was detected in up to 90% of samples by RT-PCR, ELISA and bioassays. Small amounts of the TBEV RNA found in embryos, placenta and blood cells could serve as evidence of prenatal transmission. Postnatal transfer of the virus might occur through the rodent milk. Analysis of the TBEV E gene nucleotide sequences of RT-PCR products revealed missense mutations resulting in amino acid substitution K280Q in newborn red vole in comparison with its parent female. Taken together, the data confirmed the TBEV vertical transmission among generations of its adapted mammal reservoir hosts. The virus transfer might occur before, during and/or after birth of the small rodents with high frequencies. In the wild it could provide the TBEV long-term persistence in mammal hosts without an (any) involvement of arthropod vectors thus selecting dangerous mammal-adapted variants.

[Detection of DNA of borrelia circulating in Novosibirsk region].

Detection of DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was performed by PCR in taiga ticks Ixodes persulcatus, in blood samples and skin bioptates of small forest mammals, and in blood and urine samples of humans after attaching of ticks events. In Novosibirsk region both in natural reservoir and in patients with Ixodes ticks-borne borreliosis DNA of Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii are detected. DNA of these borrelia were detected in 8 from 72 of taiga ticks, in 36 from 298 of blood and skin samples of small forest mammals, and in 32 from 102 of human blood and urine samples. In all studied samples DNA of B. garinii from NT29 subgroup was predominated. Borrelia DNA in which sequence of intergenic spacer region was homologous to sequence Chy13p first detected in China has been detected in one blood sample from red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus).

[Influence of the phase of the number and demographic structure of the water vole population on its infection by helminthes].

In this work we have analyzed results of the long-term investigations of the helminthes distribution in the various demography groups of the water vole population (Arvicola terrestris L.) in North Baraba (Novosibirsk region). The data on the dominant parasites of these rodents: trematodes Notocotylus noyeri (Joyeux, 1922), cestodes Limnolepis transfuga Spassky et Merkuscheva, 1967, nematodes Capillaria wioletti Ruchljadeva, 1950, Longistriata minuta (Dujarden, 1845) and Heligmosomum costellatum (Dujarden, 1845) have shown that the number of parasites in biocenosis are connected with different factors, such as the demographic structure of the host population, the alternation of hosts number and conditions of the environment (dry and damp phases of the climatic cycle). In the dry phase the main parasitize load N. noyeri, L. transfuga and C. wioletti connects with the breeding group; in the damp period - with immature rodents. Independently of the phase climatic cycle and the density of the water vole population the great bulk of nematodes L. minuta and H. costellatum was uncovered of the immature individuals. In any case the number of helminthes changed synchronously with such of the its host.

[The population dynamics of the water shrew Neomys fodiens (Mammalia, Soricidae) and its helminthes fauna in the Northern Baraba]. / Dinamika populiatsii kutory obyknovennoi--Neomys fodiens (Mammalia: Soricidae) i ee gel'mintofauny v Severnoi Barabe.

The water shrew population was studied in Ust-Urgulca (Novosibirsk Province) in 1978-1990; abundance, sex and age structure, reproduction rate of this animal and its helminth fauna were examined. It was found that the abiotic factors (in particular the water level of habitat areas) influenced on the water shrew populations. The number of water shrews increased when the high water level increased. In these conditions, the population of the water shrew rejuvenated and the numbers of females increased with some increasing their fertility. In the helminthes fauna associated with the water shrew, predominated the parasite species developing in water invertebrates or ones living near water basins. When water habitats dried out, the number of water shrews decreased and individuals retained only in some areas and the population became old.

[Interrelations between Ixodes persulcatus ticks and the tick-borne encephalitis virus of the red vole (Clethrionomys rutilis) in western Siberia]. / Vzaimootnosheniia kleshchei Ixodes persulcatus i virusa kleshchevogo éntsefalita s krasnoi polevkoi (Clethrionomys rutilus) v zapadnoi ibiri.

We present the data of 12-year survey (1989-2001) of the red vole population in southeastern West Siberia, including estimation of host relative numbers, abundance of immature taiga ticks, and percentage of animals with antigemagglutitnins against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus. We discuss the role of demographic groups of voles as tick's hosts and their participation in the maintenance of TBE causative agent population. The estimation of spontaneous TBE infection rate in summer as well as in winter and early spring seasons, which have been made using a set of molecular-biological, serological and virological methods, demonstrates that a high proportion of red voles maintain non-pathogenic TBE causative agent over a long time, presumably, in the form of persistent infection.