[RPS4 and NAD5 sequences evidenced of polyphyly of ditrichaceae and parallelisms in the evolution of haplolepidous mosses].

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 66 representatives of haplolepidous mosses showed polyphylia of Ditrichaceae. According to the data obtained, the structure of the peristome, as well as features of the gametophyte on which a family traditionally allocated, arose independently in different groups of haplolepideous mosses. At least six genera (Distichium, Saelania, Eccremidium, Garckea, Rhamphidium, and Wilsoniella) should be excluded from the Ditrichaceae family, while Saelania and Distichium should be assigned even to another order. The loss of the peristome and forming of cleistocarpous capsules also occurs independently in at least two lineages of Ditrichaceae s. str., and in representatives of several lineages of Pottiaceae, a family derived from this group. Ditrichum, the type genus of Ditrichaceae, is also polyphyletic, species of this genus belong to two clades. It was concluded that parallel lines of the morphological variability in this group of mosses occur and its phylogeny need to be resolved based on molecular data.

Structure of Intergenic Spacer IGS1 of Ribosomal Operon from Schistidium Mosses.

The structure of the intergenic spacer 1 (IGS1) of the ribosomal operon from 12 species of Schistidium mosses was studied. In the IGS1 sequences of these species, three conserved regions and two areas of GC- and A-enriched repeats were identified. All of the studied mosses have a conserved pyrimidine-enriched motif at the 5'-end of IGS1. Species-specific nucleotide substitutions and insertions were found in the conserved areas. The repeated units contain single nucleotide substitutions that make unique the majority of repeated units. The positions of such repeats in IGS1 are species-specific, but their number can vary within the species and among operons of the same specimen. The comparison of IGS1 sequences from the Schistidium species and from representatives of ten other moss genera revealed the presence of common conserved motifs with similar localization. Presumably, these motifs are elements of termination of the pre-rRNA transcription and processing of rRNA.

[The phylogeny of Schistidium (Bryophyta, Grimmiaceae) based on primary and secondary structure study of nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacers].

The phylogeny of Schistidium (Bryophyta, Grimmiaceae) was studied on the basis of nucleotide sequences of internal transcribed spacers ITS1-2 of nuclear DNA and trnT-trnD region of chloroplast DNA. The consistency of phylogenetic trees constructed from nuclear and chloroplast sequences was shown. A basal grade and two large clades were resolved on the phylogenetic trees. Morphological characteristics specific for these clades were described. ITS1 and ITS2 secondary structures of Schistidium species were modeled using thermodynamic criteria. Four different structures of the longest ITS1 hairpin were identified. Possible paths of Schistidium evolution were considered based on the four types of ITS1 secondary structure and phylogenetic trees.

Stimulatory effect of green tea extract on the growth of neurites in the rat spinal ganglion culture.

Addition of green tea extract in concentrations of 0.004-0.006% to the nutrient medium markedly stimulated the growth of spinal ganglion neurites of 1-2-day-old rats.

Baikal skullcap extract stimulates neurite growth in cultures of rat dorsal root Ganglia.

The effect of baikal skullcap extract on the development of dorsal root ganglia from 1-2-day-old rats in organotypic cultures was studied. Baikal skullcap extract produced a dose-dependent stimulating effect on neurite growth in neurons of dorsal root ganglia.

[Search for lectin producers among the yeast of Pichia Hansen emend. Kurtzman genus]. / Poisk produtsentov lektinov sredi drozhzhei roda Pichia Hansen emend. Kurtzman.

Strains (103) of yeast from Pichia genus: P. anomala, P. guilliermondii and P. membranaefaciens species have been investigated. The researchers have found 87 strains (84.5%) capable to form extracellular and surface lectins with activity to 512 hemagglutinating units. The overwhelming number of strains (75.7-92.6%) synthesized lectins of the both forms. Considerably less quantity of lectin producers of some form--extracellular or surface ones--have been found. Availability of producers of extracellular lectins was characteristic to greater extent of the yeast of P. anomala and P. guilliermondii, and producers of surface lectins--mainly of P. guilliermondii. The most active producers of lectins have been isolated from human and animal organisms, soils and wine.

[On the identity of Candida utilis and Pichia jadinii yeast species]. / Ob identichnosti vidov drozhzhei Candida utilis i Pichia jadinii.

Life cycles of Candida utilis (Henneberg) Lodder et Kreger-van Rij imperfect yeast (13 strains) used in industry were the study subject. When the strains were mated, we detected one of the stages of sexual process--conjugation of cells of the opposite mating type. Most of the studied cultures conjugated on the 2d-3d day. No ascospores were formed. Haploidy and heterothallism of the studied C. utilis strains were confirmed by hybridization of auxotrophic mutants. Based on PCR assay results, the yeasts are demonstrated to belong to the ascospore perfect yeast species of Pichia jadinii (A. et R. Sartory. We ill et Meyer, Wickerham) Kurtzman.

[Biological deacidification of wines using lactic-acid bacteria and yeasts]. / Biologicheskoe ponizhenie kislotnosti vin s pomoshch'iu molochnokislykh bakterii i drozhzhei.

Based on a study of 200 lactic-acid bacteria monocultures and 30 associating lactic bacteria and yeasts cultures, a stable association was created formed by Leuconostoc oenos, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts, intended for the biological deacidification of wine. Physiology of microorganisms and their effect on the wine chemical composition was studied. By means of selective association, high quality fine wines were produced from the high-acid wines.

[Search for lectin producers among some yeast species]. / Poisk produtsentov lektinov sredi nekotorykh vidov drozhzhei.

Hemagglutinating properties of culture liquid and cells of 142 yeast strains of species Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces marxianus, K. dobzhanskii, K. lactis var. lactis and K. lactis var. drosophilarum, isolated from various sources have been studied. A capacity of yeast (44% of the studied strains) to synthesize both lectins bound to a cell and extracellular lectins has been established; the latter have been found in yeast for the first time.

[Effect of the preparation baliz-2 on the integrative brain activity and biogenic amine metabolism in rats under stress]. / Vliianie preparata baliz-2 na integrativnuiu deiatel'nost' mozga i obmen biogennykh aminov u stressirovannykh krys.

Effects of balis-2 on exploratory activity in the open field and elevated plus-maze, attention to sensory stimuli of different modalities, elaboration and retention of conditioned reflexes with food reinforcement, were studied in rats under stress. Prolonged treatment of rats with balis-2 seems to normalise integrative activity and metabolism of serotonine and dopamine in the animal brain.

[The yeast flora of blood-sucking mosquitoes]. / Drozhzhevaia flora krovososushchikh komarov.

Yeast flora composition has been studied in natural populations of blood-sucking mosquitoes of genera Aedes. Anopheles and Culex dwelling in the territory of Ukraine. The authors have distinguished 18 yeast species belonging to 7 genera. Species Candida famata, C. (Yarrowia) lipolytica as well as the yeast of genera Rhodotorula and Cryptococcus dominate on the larvae and imago of mosquitoes. The distinguished strains are the components of normal microflora of blood-sucking mosquitoes and take no pathogenic effect on the laboratory culture of mosquitoes Aedes aegypti.

[Yeasts contaminating salmon roe]. / Drozhzhi, kontaminiruiushchie ikru lososia.

Quantitative and species compositions of yeast contaminating eggs, fry and fingerlings of Salmo gairdneri Rich under artificial breeding have been studied. Prevalence of species of genera Candida, Rhodotorula, Cryptococcus and Debaryomyces is noted. Yeast isolated from perished eggs and sick fry do not possess pathogenic properties. Certain strains of yeast make stimulating effect on the studied microorganisms.