Phylogeographical patterns based on trnH-psbA plastid DNA shed light on evolution within Waldsteinia (Rosaceae)

Waldsteinia Willd. is a small herbaceous genus presumably of Neogene age and formerly wide-distributed around the Northern Hemisphere and now presents the remnants of the tertiary flora. According to the latest taxonomic revision, Waldsteinia is considered a group nested in Geum L. A comparatively low level of morphological divergence together with fuzzy ploidy patterns within Waldsteinia could not be reliable evidence to establish the former distributions and migration pathways of species. In the present study, using plastid DNA (trnH-psbA) data we tried to throw light on Waldsteinia history. Based on our data we believe that the taxonomic decision of nesting Waldsteinia in Geum does not reflect the complex structure of the obtained clade. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the objectivity of previous division Waldsteinia on two subgenera, Waldsteinia and Comaropsis (Rich. ex Nestl.) Teppner, which was based on morphological differences, is becoming controversial. We also suggest an East Asian origin of Waldsteinia and subsequent speciation and taxa distribution in the direction of Europe and North America. W. ternate s.l. (traditionally including W. maximowicziana, W. ternata, and W. trifolia) is appeared to be a polyphyletic group and at least W. maximowicziana should be considered a distinct species.

Soybean Seed Compounds as Natural Health Protectors

Glycine max (L) Merrill, better known as soy or soybean, is a legume of asian origin considered an excellent biotype, given the fact that it contains almost everything the human being needs for the diet. Its cultivation worldwide is one of the most important, and soy itself and its derivatives are highly on demand. The health effects of soy derived foods have been investigated for more than 25 years, and some of them remain controversial. On the other hand, we wondered if soy could be used to ameliorate the toxic effects of heavy metals. Therefore, in this chapter we review general characteristics of soy as well as its nutritional potential, and we compiled the newest information about the health effects of soy. In order to test our hypothesis, we developed a model of animals exposed to cadmium, and we gave them a soy based diet, comparing it with a casein-based diet as control. This allowed us to collect information about its effect on the respiratory and nervous system. Among the results of this review, we show that it reduces the cholesterol level and obesity while also having antidiabetic effects. We enumerate the benefits of soy-based diets on the respiratory system, such as protection against lung cancer and radiotherapy, better lung function in asthma patients and protection against cadmium intoxication. In the cardiovascular system it reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, improves blood pressure, glycemic control, and inflammation while it reduces not all but some of the alterations induced by cadmium exposure on the aorta and heart. It apparently promotes neurogenesis, improves cognitive functions, and reduces the oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by cadmium exposure in the cerebellum. Taken all together, this information let us conclude that soy consumption would exhibit numerous benefits for human health, although future studies should try to elucidate the best outcome considering variables such as gender, age, treatment duration and dosage of soy products consumption in the diet.

PSIX-29 Study of the association of mtDNA haplogroups and Ages of 100 days in pigs

The aim of the work was to determine the mtDNA haplogroups and assess their associations with Days_100 in pigs based on sequencing the D-loop region. The research was carried out on Landrace sows (n = 123). To amplification a fragment of mtDNA D-loop conducted PCR using the following primers: F5 ‘ - TGC AAA CCA AAA CGC CAA GT-3’ and R: 3 ‘ - TTT TTG GGG TTT GGC AAG GC-5. Statistical analyzes were performed using Linear mixed model fit by REML (‘lmerModLmerTest’). The studied group of pigs had the largest number of D haplogroups, which were definitely in 66 sows (53.7%). Haplogroup E was identified in 18 sows (14.6%). Among the haplogroups of Asian origin, which include A, B and C, only genotype C was present. Statistical differences for D100 were established between Hap_C and Hap_E. The presented results indicate the influence of mtDNA haplogroups on Days_100 and pigs of hapogroup E showed the best results compared to analogs of haplogroup E. This may be due to the fact that haplotype E is of European origin, and haplotype C is of Asian origin. Breeding commercial European pigs is focused on increasing the growth rate, and this significantly reduces pig keeping costs and increases production efficiency. It should be noted that changes in growth rate are associated with more intense metabolic processes where mitochondria play a significant role. This may be reflected at the genetic level being determined by the nucleotide sequence of mtDNAs and at the haplotype level in particular. This research was funded by Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (0445-2021-0008).

PSXVI-17 Estimation of inbreeding in local sheep breeds of west Asian and central Asian origin based on high-density SNP-genotypes

Maintaining high levels of genetic diversity is a key factor of successful breeding of resilient, resistant to diseases and productive sheep. Prevention of inbreeding is of special importance in the mountainous hard-to-get habitats where gene flow is limited or absent. An assessment of inbreeding coefficients based only on pedigree information is not always correct. In addition, pedigree information is often missing for flocks of native sheep. In this regard, we performed a genomic assessment of inbreeding in 15 local sheep breeds inhabiting severe environments of Russia and neighboring Asian countries based on estimations of standardized multilocus heterozygosity (sMLH) and runs of homozygosity [F(ROH)]. For this study, we used SNP genotypes of twelve Russian local breeds (n = 316) and three Kyrgyz local breeds (n = 68), which were generated using Ovine Infinium® HD SNP BeadChip (Illumina, CA, USA). The sMLH values were calculated using R package inbreedR and visualized in R package ggplot2. The F(ROH) values were calculated using the R package detectRUNS by applying the consecutive runs method. Mean sMLH values were varied from 0.962 ± 0.006 in the Andean breed to 1.031 ± 0.002 in the Buryat breed and averaged to 1.001± 0.004. The least mean F(ROH) value was detected in the Mongolian breed (0.0043 ± 0.0009) while the greatest ones were observed in the Alai and Andean breeds (0.0364 ± 0.0049 and 0.0357 ± 0.0061, respectively). The strong negative correlations between sMLH and F(ROH) were detected for all of studied breeds (r2 = –0.8496, CI = –0.8752… –0.8192). The obtained data is relevant for control of inbreeding level in the populations and for future sustainable management of native fat-tailed sheep breeds. The study was funded by RSF No. 19-16-00070.

Floristic characteristics of some synanthropic plant communities of the Kobuleti lowland (Adjara, Georgia)

The materials of the field research of synanthropic vegetation in the territory of the Kobuleti in the 2016–2020 years are provided. In particular, 134 taxa belonging to 49 families and 97 genera were revealed in the three different plant communities (Cryptomerietum japonicae, Eucalyptetum-viminali-globulo-cinerei, and Cinnamomo glanduliferae-Cryptomerietum japonicae) in the Kobuleti lowland. The community Cryptomerietum japonicae comprises 66 taxa, 33 of which are native, and 33 have an alien origin. Woody plants in Cryptomerietum japonicae are represented by 15 taxa. The community Eucalyptetum-viminali-globulo-cinerei comprises 91 taxa, 36 of which are native and 55 are alien. Woody plants in Eucalyptetum-viminali-globulo-cinerei are represented with 17 taxa, while the rest 74 taxa are herbaceous. In Cinnamomo glanduliferae-Cryptomerietum japonicae there are discovered 49 plant taxa, including 25 native and 24 aliens. In this community, 16 taxa are represented by woody plants and 33 taxa – by herbaceous ones.Therefore, in the investigated region, 60 taxa (44.77%) were found to be native and 74 taxa (55.23%) alien. Among aliens, 31 taxa have East Asian origin, 16 taxa are from the Mediterranean, 13 taxa originated from Europe, ten taxa originated from North American, and four – originated from Australia.Despite cuttings and artificial planting of alien representatives, some indigenous woody species (i.e., Corylus avellana, Frangula alnus, Vaccinium arctostaphylos, Smilax excelsa, Quercus hartwissiana, Carpinus caucasica, Castanea sativa, and Hedera colchica) still occur in this territory. Both native and alien taxa participate in the formation of the described landscape structure. Successional events have started in the Kolkheti Lowland in ancient times. It is a long-term process, which is still ongoing, as our observations confirmed it.

Moyamoya disease as a possible cause of ischemic stroke in adult patients

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare progressive idiopathic arteriopathy that usually leads to ischemic stroke (IS) in young children, especially of East Asian origin. MMD can cause IS in the Caucasian race, too, but often remains unverified. The diagnosis of MMD relies on diagnostic radiology findings. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in Japan to identify asymptomatic individuals with hereditary predisposition to MMD. There are no official statistics on MMD in Russia. A patient experiencing an acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is hospitalized to a stroke unit, where they undergo a multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scan of the brain. Below, we report the results of a complex radiological examination, which included MRI (T2, FLAIR, SWI, 3D-TOF), cerebral MSCT perfusion imaging, CT angiography of intracranial arteries, duplex ultrasonography of brachiocephalic arteries and was conducted in 4 adult Caucasian patients (3 men and 1 woman aged 38, 39, 51, and 57 years, respectively) with a past IS caused by MMD. We hope that the findings of different imaging techniques may be helpful in establishing the timely diagnosis of MMD and optimizing the treatment strategies.

THE WRITINGS OF LEE YAN PHOU AND JADE SNOW WONG: TRADITION IMITATION VS. SHAPING THE NEW TRADITION

Purpose. The goal is to present the works of the first and second generation of Sino-American writers not as “duplication” and “imitating” the Euro-Atlantic literary tradition, but as creating the premise for the inception of new shapes (forms) of national literatures. Research methods – historical-literary, analytical, comparative. Results. American literature, written by authors of Asian descent, came to the attention of literary scholars when most of the writers whose prose modern literary theorists associate with the genesis of the Asian-American canon were practically forgotten. Some passages of their poetry and prose, written by the first and second generations of Asians in America, were presented only in the first anthologies of Asian-American literature published in the 70s of the 20th century. But a truly profound reevaluation and conceptual-theoretical evaluation of the work of American writers of Asian origin is taking place only now. The main goal of researchers of this motley wing of American literature at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, the implementation of which, by the way, is not always successful at the end, lies in the taxonomy of those features that distinguish its American literature. This segregation occurs through the search for ties – in which their historical and cultural experience is interwoven – with the genre, plot, narrative traditions of the literatures of their countries of origin. At the same time, it emphasizes its “secondariness”, “counterfeitness” in the general context of American literature leads to the fact that the works of American writers of Asian origin find themselves tensed between two universes – the Euro-Atlantic and South-East Asian literary and artistic traditions. Conclusions. This actually leads to the fact that any of the first Asian-American texts cannot be interpreted other than “covering old grounds”. Instead, literature, that, was born at the crossroads of traditions and cultures, should be set apart as one for which these traditions are nourishing sources, and not a model norm. This will make it possible to see in Lee Yan Phou’s as well as in Jade Snow Wong’s writings the beginning of a new tradition through the rethinking and deconstruction of both the Euro-Atlantic and South-East Asian ones.Key words: Asian-American, canon, Bildungsroman, literary tradition, image, templating. Мета – представити твори першого і другого покоління сіно-американських письменників не як «копіювання» і «імітацію» євроатлантичної літературної традиції, а як створення передумов зародження нових обрисів національних літератур. Методи дослідження – історико-літературний, аналітичний, компаративний. Результати. Американська література, написана авторами азійського походження, потрапила в поле зору літературознавців тоді, коли більша частина письменників, прозу яких сучасні теоретики літератури пов’язують з генезисом азійсько-американського канону, були практично забуті. Деякі уривки поезій і прози, написаних першим і другим поколінням азійців в Америці, були представлені лише в опублікованих у 70-х роках XX століття перших антологіях азійсько-американської літератури. Але по-справжньому глибока переоцінка і концептуально-теоретична оцінка творчості американських письмен-ників азійського походження відбувається тільки тепер. Основне завдання дослідників цього строкатого крила американської літератури на зламі XX–XXI століть, виконання якого, до речі, далеко не завжди в результаті успішне, полягає в реєстрації тих особливостей, які виокремлюють азійсько-американську літературу всередині американської літератури. Це виокремлення відбувається через пошук зв’язків, в які вплетений історико-культурний досвід, з жанровими, сюжетними, наративними традиціями літератур країн походження. Одночасно підкреслюється її «вторинність», «підробленість» у загальному контексті американської літератури. У результаті такого підходу твори американських письменників азійського походження виявляються затиснутими між двох всесвітів – євроатлантичної та південно-східноазійської літературно-художніх традицій. Висновки. Зроблено висновки, що це фактично призводить до того, що будь-який з перших азійсько-американських тек-стів не може бути інтерпретований інакше, ніж «повторення пройденого». Замість цього літературу, яка зароджувалася на перехресті традицій і культур, слід виокремлювати як таку, для якої ці традиції є живильними джерелами, а не зразком-нормою. Це дасть можливість побачити в творах Лі Ян Пхоу і Дж. С. Вонг не імітацію чи повторення, а початок нової літературної традиції через переосмислення і деконструкцію вже наявних – євроатлантичної та південно-східноазійської.Ключові слова: азійсько-американський, канон, Bildungsroman, імітація, образ, шаблонізація

Ancient West-Coastal Bantu Banana Vocabulary: Testing Linguistic Method for Reconstructing Musa History in Africa

Lexical data has been key in attempts to reconstruct the early history of the banana (Musa sp.) in Africa. Previous language-based approaches to the introduction and dispersal of this staple crop of Asian origin have suffered from the absence of well-established genealogical classifications and inadequate historical-linguistic analysis. We therefore focus in this article on West-Coastal Bantu (WCB), one specific branch within the Bantu family whose genealogy and diachronic phonology are well established. We reconstruct three distinct banana terms to Proto-West-Coastal Bantu (PWCB), i.e. *dɪ̀‑ŋkòndò/*mà‑ŋkòndò ‘plantain’, *dɪ̀‑ŋkò/*mà‑ŋkò ‘plantain’ and *kɪ̀‑túká/*bì‑túká ‘bunch of bananas’. From this new historical-linguistic evidence we infer that AAB Plantains, one of Africa’s two major cultivar subgroups, already played a key role in the subsistence economy of the first Bantu speakers who assumedly migrated south of the rainforest around 2500 years ago. We furthermore analyze four innovations that emerged after WCB started to spread from its interior homeland in the Kasai-Kamtsha region of Congo-Kinshasa towards the Atlantic coast, i.e. dɪ̀‑kòndè ‘plantain’, kɪ̀‑tébè ‘starchy banana’, banga ‘False Horn plantain’, and dɪ̀‑tòtò ‘sweet banana’. Finally, we assess the historical implications of these lexical retentions and innovations both within and beyond WCB and sketch some perspectives for future lexicon-based banana research.

Implementing Mass Rearing of Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on Cold-Stored Host Eggs

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a pest of Asian origin, has been causing severe damage to Italian agriculture. The application of classical biological control by the release of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), an exotic egg parasitoid, appears to be one promising solution. In Italy, releases of T. japonicus in the field were authorized in 2020. In this study, some parameters that could influence the rearing of T. japonicus in insectaries were investigated. A significantly higher production of progeny was observed on host eggs stored at 6 °C (86.5%) compared to −24 °C (48.8%) for up to two months prior to exposure to parasitism. There were no significant differences in progeny production from single females in a vial provided with only one egg mass (83.2%) or 10 females inside a cage with 6 egg masses (83.9%). The exposure of parasitoids to refrigerated (6 °C) egg masses of H. halys for 72 h led to a significantly higher production of progeny (62.1%) compared to shorter exposures for 48 (44.0%) or 24 h (37.1%). A decline in production of progeny by the same female was detected between the first (62.1%) and the second parasitization (41.3%). Adult parasitoids stored at 16 °C for up to 90 days had an 87.1% survival rate, but a significant decrease in progeny production was detected. These parameters could be adjusted when rearing T. japonicus for specific aims such as the production of individuals for field release or colony maintenance.