Morphological, Cytochemical and Ultrastructural Aspects of Blood Cells in Freshwater Stingray Species in the Middle Rio Negro Basin, Amazonian, Brazil

Examined the morphology, dimensions, cytochemical staining reactions and ultrastructure of blood cells from three freshwater stingray species, Potamotrygon wallacei, Potamotrygon motoro and Paratrygon aiereba, living in the waters of the middle Rio Negro basin (Barcelos, Amazonas, Brazil). We identified erythrocytes, erythroblasts, thrombocytes and four types of leukocyte (basophils, heterophils, lymphocytes and monocytes) in the blood of these stingray species. In all the freshwater stingrays studied, the shape and dimensions of these cells were similar to those of marine elasmobranchs. A positive PAS reaction occurred in heterophils and thrombocytes, and a weak reaction in lymphocytes and monocytes, while a metachromasia reaction only occurred in basophils. Sudan black staining was positive for thrombocytes and lymphocytes, and only a weak reaction occurred in heterophils. Basophils and heterophils were the only cells stained with bromophenol blue, while no peroxidase reaction was observed in any leukocyte type. This is the first study to establish the dimensions and cytochemical staining reactions of blood cells in Amazonian stingray species. Since these elasmobranch species are exported as ornamental fish to countries worldwide, this study can contribute towards establishing standards for blood constituents that may be helpful in assessing the health and welfare of these fish in artificial systems.

An Underdeveloped Region: the Imperatives of Reindustrialization (on the example of the North caucasian Federal District)

Purpose: the purpose of the study is to develop a methodological toolkit for reindustrialization in the branches of the material sphere of lagging and underdeveloped regions based on the use of information, communication and digital technologies.Methods: the study is based on the use of the methodology of the systems approach, the methodological apparatus of the information society theory, the use of methods of economic and statistical analysis, scientific abstraction, analogies and scientific generalizations. In the course of developing the proposed topic, classical and modern works of domestic and foreign scientists, statistical and empirical material prepared in the process of field research were used.Results: regions with different levels of development function in the country's economy. The greatest problems are associated with underdeveloped and problem regions, which, given their certain potential, cannot yet cope with their difficulties. The situation in which such regions are located requires the search for new mechanisms that will allow us to overcome unfavorable circumstances and embark on the path of highly stable development. Many problems can be solved on the basis of reindustrialization. This requires a transition to continuous digitalization processes, the use of digital technologies and software products that can ensure the development of production systems in the direction of creating a new technological order.Conclusions and Relevance: issues of digital and programmatic reindustrialization of the economy are especially aggravated in lagging and underdeveloped regions, where, due to the poorly diversified sectoral structure of the industry, there is a weak reaction to the formation of investment demand for the production of competitive goods. Such regions, to which the North Caucasian Federal District (NCFD) belongs, can solve problems when using digital and information technologies. The implementation of the proposed measures will allow the region to leave the zone of problems and depression.

Prerequisites for the action of mixed infections of basidiomycetes closed agrobiocenoses

Goal. The study of functional features of pathogens isolated from Agaricus bisporus depending on taxonomic groups. Methods. The subject of the study is isolates of pathogenic bacteria and isolated total RNA from Agaricus bisporus, which manifested themselves as primary infections at the stage of active growth of the fungus and are typical only for mushrooms. Research methods are biotechnological. Biotechnological research methods were used in the work. To identify the isolated cultures of microorganisms, sowing was performed to split carbon sources on synthetic media with the introduction of appropriate sugars. We used biochemical methods to determine the trophic characteristics of pathogenic bacteria in order to develop biotechnologies to control their spread. Results. Isolates 1.5 and 1.6 must have a positive reaction to oxidase. Isolates 1.2 and 13.2 had a weak reaction. Sources of monosaccharides (xylose, dextrose, galactose), polysaccharides and amino acids have been identified as sources of carbon nutrition. The reaction to the breakdown of carbohydrates showed that all isolates had an oxidative type of metabolism. We have proved that chemical contamination of raw materials, substrates, casing layer and monoculture causes mutational processes in bacteria, viruses and microscopic fungi. Conclusions. Champignon double-pore in closed agrobiocenoses (mushroom growing chambers) is affected by microorganisms, forming a complex of infections that cause significant pathologies of fungi. We found that the double-pore champignon inartificial agro biocenoses (tunnels) is affected by microorganisms, forming a complex of infections that cause significant pathologies of mushroom in the course of the experiment. To obtain high-quality mycelium is necessary to introduce technologies of modern methods of diagnostic and identification of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens of different taxonomic groups.

INFLUENCE OF AGROMETEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS ON PRODUCTIONAL PROCESS OF THE NORTH ECOTYPE SOYBEAN

Soybean has ecological adaptability caused by deep selection of this culture in terms of particular characteristics of growing zone. In this respect it demands higher standards of warmth and moistness, especially in particular “critical” periods. The research aim is to determine degree of impact of agrometeorological conditions of growing season on productional process of soybean varieties of the north ecotype. The experiments were carried out in 2017–2019 on experimental facilities of ISA FSAC VIM with varieties of Magev, Svetlaya and Georgia. Phenological observations were conducted; temperature- humidity conditions of growing season were measured. Limiting factor in particular critical periods of soybean growing and development in the Ryazan region is moisture problem. Lower threshold of dynamic daily mean temperature up to 15–17оС is formed to mid- May, but hereby drought conditions often take place. Biological temperature minimum keeps throughout growth and development, and if anomalous periods of drought or overwetting don’t begin, north ecotype soybean varieties ripe in August- breaking of September. North ecotype soybean varieties are able to form straight yield in the Ryazan region. In this respect Kasatka variety showed weak reaction on the change of agroclimatic conditions, which had shortest growing season and yield on the level of 1,00 t/ha. Georgia variety responded better to weather condition changes, its yield varied by year of research from 1,24 to 1,72 t/ha. Magev and Svetlaya varieties fall in between.

Morphological-cultural and physiological-biochemical features of isolates of pathogenic bacteria of the Agaricus bisporus

Purpose. The study of the functional features of pathogenic bacteria, which we are isolated from Agaricus bisporus. Methods We used biotechnological research methods. We determined the trophic features of pathogenic bacteria using biochemical methods. This is the development of biotechnology to control their distribution. We determined the oxidase activity of bacteria according to the Kovach method (on a membrane filter that we previously wetted with NN-dimethyl-p-phenylene-diamine sulfate. We determined the catalase activity by adding 10% hydrogen peroxide solution to the culture drop. Results. We determined the sources of carbon nutrition pathogenic bacteria using a test system Isolate 9.4 utilizes sugars such as xylose, dextrose, galactose, which are monosaccharides and melibiosis, L-arabinose, mannose, ONPG (ortho-nitrophenyl-β-galactopyranose), esculin, citrate, m Alonate. Isolate 6.2 showed a positive result for xylose, dextrose during testing. Isolate 6.1 uses the following sugars: dextrose, trehalose, melibiosis, mannose. Isolate 9.5 indicates the presence of ONPG, esculin, citrate and malonate and the absence of catalase. Isolates 11.1 and 9.5 have a positive reaction to oxidase. Isolates 6.2 and 13.2 had a weak reaction. Sources of carbon nutrition revealed sugars of the monosaccharide group (xylose, dextrose, galactose), polysaccharides and amino acids. The reaction to the breakdown of carbohydrates showed that all isolates had an oxidative type of metabolism. Conclusions. We investigated the morphological and cultural features of isolates of pathogenic bacteria of champignon bicuspid isolated from Agaricus bisporus. We studied the physiological and biochemical properties of bacteria and reactions to the breakdown of carbohydrates in a synthetic medium, the oxidase activity of bacteria according to the Kovacs method, and catalase activity. We carried out the identification of the obtained isolates, comparing them with the properties of bacteria of the causative agents of bacteriosis of this fungus, already described in the articles and in the Bergey Bacteria Guide.

DIFFERENTIATION OF THE A1 AND A2 SUBGROUPS OF THE AB0 SYSTEM: BIOLOGICAL BACKGROUND AND SEROLOGICAL STRATEGY

Introduction. The identification of weak variants of the A antigen, as well as their differentiation, is necessary for the proper selection of erythrocyte-containing media for blood transfusions. To this end, selective anti-A1 reagents that react only with the A1 antigen are used in combination with anti-A reagents reacting equally with the A1 and A2 antigens. Given that the expression of the A antigen varies within the subgroups and there is no established standard for reagents and procedures, the interpretation of the obtained results presents difficulties.Aim. To develop a strategy for identifying the variants of the A antigen using available reagents in an agglutination reaction.Methods. We compared the effectiveness of four anti-A1 and two anti-H reagents using 23 blood samples (groups A2 and A2B) and control samples (groups A1 and A1 B). Two types of anti-A1 reagents were employed: Dolychos biflorus lectin and monoclonal antibodies. All of the reagents were designed for direct agglutination reactions. Belonging of the erythrocytes to the A2 subgroup was confirmed using genetic analysis.Results. It is shown that anti-A1 reagents did not interact with A2B red blood cells and often reacted with A2 red blood cells. The strength of the reaction with A2 red blood cells varied greatly and was weaker than with A1 red blood cells; however, it hindered the subgroup identification. Simultaneous tests conducted using an anti-H reagent allowed the authors to draw an unambiguous conclusion about blood belonging to a subgroup: a strong reaction indicated the A2 subgroup, whereas a negative or weak reaction indicated the A1 subgroup. A discrepancy was noted between the results obtained for two donors using serological and molecular methods: the A3 subgroup was identified serologically, whereas genotyping revealed the AB0*A1 allele. In both cases, direct sequencing showed a combination of mutant alleles giving the A3 phenotype. When using commercial kits to perform genotyping analysis through a polymerase chain reaction, it should be taken into consideration that primers are matched to the most common variants and cannot detect all mutations of the AB0 gene.Conclusion. Reliable identification of the A2 subgroup through serological methods is possible when using lectin or monoclonal anti-A1 antibodies in combination with a monoclonal anti-H reagent.Conflict of interest: the authors declare no conflict of interest.Financial disclosure: the study had no sponsorship.

Comparative features of the mucous glands in the gastroduodenal junction in guinea pigs and chinchillas: microanatomy and histochemistry

Background: Mucous glands from the gastroduodenal junction are briefly represented by glandular cells in the stomach and by Brunner’s glands in the duodenum. The aim of the study was to describe the main histological/histochemical features of the gastroduodenal junction in guinea pigs and chinchillas. Results: The material was represented by tissue samples collected from the stomach and duodenum processed by paraffin technique. Histological sections were stained by Goldner’s trichrome stain, while mucous content was identified by Periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) stain (for neutral mucosubstances) and Alcian blue stain (for acid mucosubstances). In guinea pig, the pyloric glands were positive for both mucus types, whereas in chinchillas a low amount of mucin was identified. The Bruner glands, in guinea pigs displayed a weak reaction for the both mucin types. In chinchillas, the Bruner glands showed a significantly higher amount of PAS and Alcian blue-positives mucosubstances types. As observed, a higher amount of neutral mucus was identified in the pyloric glands in guinea pigs comparing to chinchillas. Contrariwise, chinchillas displayed a suggestively higher amount of mucus in Bruner glands comparing to guinea pigs. Conclusions: Concluding, this is the first report describing the comparative features of the mucous glands in the two rodents, with detailed histological and histochemical features.

HARDNESS OF SPRING DURUM WHEAT KERNELS IN THE WEST SIBERIA

There have been presented study results of the spring durum wheat varieties grown in the southern forest-steppe area of the Omsk region on kernel hardness. The objects of research were the varieties of ecological variety testing conducted by various Russian and Ukrainian scientific institutions. The study was conducted in the period from 2003–2015. Experimental plots of 10 m2 were placed in 4 sequences. The varieties were sown in weedfree fallow. The soil of the experimental plot was weakly leached blackearth (chernozem), medium humus (6.2%), and loamy. The sowing date is 14–15 of May, the sowing rate is 4.5 million of germinated kernels per ha. The average hardness index in 2003–2015 was 70.1%. The varieties varied from 66.0 (the variety “Svetlana”) to 74.6% (the variety “Saratovskaya zolotistaya”). The differences between maximum and minimum were 8.6%. The variation through the years was from 51% to 92%, from 21% (the varieties “Angel”, “Omsky korund”) to 34% (the variety “Saratovskaya zolotistaya”). The calculated coefficient of variation showed that the variability degree ranged from little to medium. Coefficients of variation varied from 9.3% (the variety “Angel”) to 14.3% (the variety “Bezenchukskaya 182”). According to S. A. Eberhart, W. A. Russel the stability index indicates a lower variability of the varieties “Angel”, “Omsky korund”, “Altayskaya niva”, “Nik”, “Kharkovskaya 23”, “Tavolga”. The value of the regression coefficient (bi) for kernel hardness ranged from 0.77 to 1.23. The varieties “Voronezhskaya 9”, “Elizavetinskaya”, “Altayskaya niva”, “Omskaya stepnaya” and “Bezenchukskaya stepnaya” turned to be most responsive to the conditions (according to the Eberhart – Russell test). The varieties “Angel”, “Aleyskaya”, “Zarnitsa Altaya” had a weak reaction to the environmental conditions. There has been identified phenotypic correlation between the trait and productivity, 1000-kernel weight, nature weight, gluten quality, pasta color. The correlation between these traits is positive, on average r = 0.30–0.440.

Effects of Experimental Hyperthyroidism on Collagen IV and Laminin-α5 Gene Expression in Balb/C Mouse Seminiferous Tubules

Background: Hyperthyroidism is one of the disorders of the thyroid gland, an organ that controls the cellular and molecular behaviors of the seminiferous tubule basement membrane (BM), and ultimately, influences its evolutionary process. We aimed to investigate the effects of hyperthyroidism on immunohistochemical characteristics and gene expression levels of collagen IV and laminin-α5 in seminiferous tubules BM of Balb/C mice. Materials and Methods: Twenty male Balb/C mice were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 500 mg/l of levothyroxine (L-thyroxine) diluted in drinking water for two months to inducing hyperthyroidism, which was confirmed by radioimmunoassay. At the end of the study, the mice were sacrificed, and their testes were extracted for immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: Although a weak reaction was observed in the experimental specimens, no significant enhancement was noted in color intensity of type IV collagen in the seminiferous tubules BM of the experimental group as compared to the control group (P>0.05). Collagen IV gene expression results in the experimental group were not significantly different from the controls (P>0.05). Thus, there was a significant increase in laminin α5 gene expression compared to the control group (P=0.016). Conclusion: Considering the key role of collagen IV and laminin-α5 in the seminiferous tubule BM in the testes, the results of this study indicated that hyperthyroidism has important effects on both structures and functions of these two components. [GMJ.2019;8:e1369]