A Warmer Arctic Compromises Winter Survival of Habitat-Forming Seaweeds

Continuous winter darkness at a latitude of 79°N was simulated in cultures of four species of Arctic seaweeds at 3 and 8°C. The laminarians Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta, and the rhodophytes Phycodrys rubens and Ptilota gunneri were monitored for 4 months in total darkness and after 1 week following light return in early spring, under controlled laboratory conditions. Biomass loss during darkness was enhanced by the high temperature in all species. At 8°C, the two laminarians were unable to resume growth upon re-illumination. Alaria esculenta showed new blade production by the end of the dark period, but only at 3°C. In all species, the photosynthetic ability was sustained, not suspended, during the whole dark period. P. rubens exhibited lower photosynthetic potential at 8°C than at 3°C during the darkness period, but it was able to recover its O2 evolving potential upon re-illumination, as P. gunneri and S. latissima did, but the latter only at 3°C. The reactivation of photosynthesis seemed to involve photosystem II over photosystem I, as 7 d of photoperiod after the prolonged darkness was not enough to fully recover the PAM-related photosynthetic parameters. Only small changes were recorded in the internal chemical composition (total C, total N, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids), but species-specific differences were observed. Unlike subarctic areas with an operating photoperiod along the year, a warmer polar night might pose a limit to the ability of multi-year seaweeds to occupy the new ice-free illuminated areas of the Arctic coasts, so that newcomers will potentially be restricted to the spring-summer season.

The Autonomic Nervous System, Sex Differences, and Chronobiology under General Anesthesia in In Vivo Experiments Involving Rats

The aim was to evaluate the current state of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity under general anesthesia using heart rate variability (HRV) in dependence on the light-dark (LD) cycle in healthy, sexually mature, spontaneously breathing, zoletil-anesthetized (30 mg/kg) Wistar rats of both sexes after a 4-week adaptation to an LD cycle (12 h:12 h). The animals were divided into four experimental groups according to sex and light period (n = 20 each). RR interval duration, spectral power at very-low-frequency (VLF), low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF), total spectral power of HRV, and the LF/HF ratio were analyzed. Sympathetic and baroreceptor activity was decreased, and parasympathetic activity was increased in both sexes and in both light periods. Regarding sex differences, HRV was significantly lower in females versus males in the light period. In the dark period, females exhibited higher HRV than males. Regarding LD differences, in females, HRV was lower in the light versus the dark period, unlike males, in which HRV was higher in the dark versus the light period of the rat regimen day. Sex differences in the activity of the ANS were apparent in rats, persisted under general anesthesia, and were dependent on the LD cycle.

ULTRASTRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF NEURONS OF THE LATERAL PREOPTIC NUCLEUS OF THE HYPOTHALAMUS OF OLD RATS UNDER VARIOUS LIGHT CONDITIONS

Purpose – to study the changes in the ultrastructure of neurons of the lateral preopticnucleus (LPON) of the hypothalamus of old rats under various light conditions.Material and methods. The experiments were carried out on 36 old white male rats.The material was fixed in a 2.5% solution of glutaraldehyde, prepared on the basisof phosphate buffer with a pH of 7.2–7.4. Then, postfixation was performed in a 1%solution of osmium tetraoxide and dehydrated in propylene oxide, after which it waspoured into a mixture of epoxy resins. Ultrathin sections made on an ultramicrotomeLKB-3 were contrasted with uranium acetate and lead citrate according to the Reynoldsmethod and studied under electron microscope TEM - 125 K.Results. Studies of LPON neurons under the standard light mode revealed nuclei withuneven contours. The nucleoli are quite large. The neuroplasm contains well-developedtubules of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and small cisternae of the Golgi complex(GC). Mitochondria are rounded, small, with moderately pronounced cristae. Underconditions of round-the-clock darkness, we have found that the cell nuclei are rounded,less often determined by the nucleoli. In the neuroplasm there are locally dilated tubulesof the ER and cisternae of the GC, mitochondria with enlightened matrix and fragmentedcristae. Under conditions of round-the-clock illumination, the nuclei of the rounded formwith uneven contours of a nuclear membrane forming deep intussusception are revealed.Nucleoli were rarely identified. In the hyaloplasm, locally dilated tubules of the ERare identified. Mitochondria are small in size with an enlightened matrix and reducedcristae.Conclusions. The obtained results of submicroscopic examination of LPON neuronsof the hypothalamus of old rats revealed their relatively increased functional activityin the dark period. Under conditions of round-the-clock lighting, more pronouncedhypertrophic and initial destructive changes of the nuclei and organelles of the neuronsof the LPON of the hypothalamic were revealed, compared with the animals that wereunder the conditions of round-the-clock darkness. This is confirmed by the change in theultrastructure of nerve cells at 2 am the appearance of "dark" cells.

Decreased ZO1 expression causes loss of time-dependent tight junction function in the liver of ob/ob mice

Diabetes patients are at a high risk of developing complications related to angiopathy and disruption of the signal transduction system. The liver is one of the multiple organs damaged during diabetes. Few studies have evaluated the morphological effects of adhesion factors in diabetic liver. The influence of diurnal variation has been observed in the expression and functioning of adhesion molecules to maintain tissue homeostasis associated with nutrient uptake. The present study demonstrated that the rhythm-influenced functioning of tight junction was impaired in the liver of ob/ob mice. The tight junctions of hepatocytes were loosened during the dark period in normal mice compared to those in ob/ob mice, where the hepatocyte gaps remained open throughout the day. The time-dependent expression of zonula occludens 1 (ZO1) in the liver plays a vital role in the functioning of the tight junction. The time-dependent expression of ZO1 was nullified and its expression was attenuated in the liver of ob/ob mice. ZO1 expression was inhibited at the mRNA and protein levels. The expression rhythm of ZO1 was found to be regulated by heat shock factor (HSF)1/2, the expression of which was reduced in the liver of ob/ob mice. The DNA-binding ability of HSF1/2 was decreased in the liver of ob/ob mice compared to that in normal mice. These findings suggest the involvement of impaired expression and functioning of adhesion factors in diabetic liver complications.

Polish Police of the General Government in the Occupational Security System of the Third Reich

After the defence war in 1939 was lost, the authorities of the Third Reich forced Polish State Police offi cers to serve in the occupier’s security structures in the General Government. This formation was used to implement various activities directed against the Polish nation. The policy of the Nazi authorities varied depending on the existing priorities in this regard. The Germans carried out brutal pacifi cation operations directed mainly against the Jewish population using Polish police. One should not forget about the harmful actions of Polish policemen against Jews. The tragic part of the occupation history of the Polish police was their participation in operations against the resistance movement. Collaboration in the Polish police was a part of this phenomenon in the General Government. The cooperation of Polish policemen with the resistance movement deserves attention. They made a signifi cant contribution to the preparation and implementation of subversive actions as well as the execution of attacks and sentences. They were present on almost all fronts of underground activity. Knowledge of the role of the Polish police in the dark period of the occupation is not satisfactory and requires further research.

Ginger Rhizome Rot caused by the Enterobacter cloacae in Tangshan, China

Ginger (Zingiber officinale ROSC.) is an important economic crop in China, especially the rhizome tissue has a high medicinal value. In July 2019, the symptom of ginger rhizome rot appeared in Tangshan city of Hebei Province, with incidence rates of 15%. The diseased part of ginger rhizome became soft and presented light brown maceration. Serious internal all erosion, only have epidermis, gray-white juice overflowed the epidermis, and with foul smell. The surface of ginger rhizome was disinfected with 1% NaOCl, and colonies were isolated and purified on nutrient agar (NA) solid medium by streak plate method. Eight isolates were obtained from 15 diseased tissue samples. Further morphological, physiological and biochemical identification of the pure cultured bacteria were carried out. Two isolates of bacteria were picked for further analysis. The bacteria were gram-negative bacilli, which were milky white and round protuberances on NA solid medium. Physiological and biochemical test results showed that isolates were facultatively anaerobic, gelatin liquefaction; negative for indole, methyl red, hydrogen sulfide production and the Voges-Prauskauer test (V-P); positive for D-glucose, sucrose, sorbitol, inositol, mannitol and citrate utilization. A typical hypersensitive reaction was induced on 12-week-old tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) leaves, which were inoculated by injecting suspensions of the isolated strain (108 CFU/mL) at 25℃ after 24-h. These characteristics were consistent with Enterobacter spp. To further assess the identity of the species, the genomic DNA was extracted from one bacterium（SDXJ1）. The partial 16S rRNA gene and specific rpoB and gyrB genes were amplified and sequenced with primers 27F/1492R, CM7/CM31b and UP1f/UP2r (Brady et al. 2013, Mollet et al. 1997, Lane 1991). The obtained 16S and rpoB sequences (GenBank accession MK937637, MZ911902 and MZ911901) of the isolate showed 99.33%, 99.21% and 99.57% identity to the corresponding sequences of Enterobacter cloacae in GenBank (CP055458, AP022228 and AP022519). Maximum likelihood analysis was performed, and the phylogenetic tree clustered with E. cloacae (MEGAX, Bootstrap n=1000). The pathogenicity of the isolates was tested on ginger plants and rhizomes tissue. The bacterial suspensions (108 CFU/mL) of two isolates were injected into the basal stem and rhizomes center of 6 healthy ginger seedlings respectively, and control groups were treated with sterile water. The inoculated plants were kept in a moist chamber (28°C, 16-h light and 8-h dark period) and ginger rhizomes were placed in the incubator (30°C, 16-h light and 8-h dark period). Seven days after inoculation, the ginger tubers showed symptoms of decay, and 20 to 25 days later, the ginger plant leaves browned and died. The pathogenicity test was repeated 4 times and all controls were healthy. The pathogens of symptomatic plants and ginger rhizomes were studied. They were identified as E. cloacae by physiological, biochemical and molecular biological methods, fulfilling Koch's hypothesis. This is the first report of the ginger rhizome rot caused by the Enterobacter cloacae in Tangshan, China. The research results are of great significance for the prevention and control of the disease. Our laboratory has reported that Citrobacter freundii can cause Ginger Rot. (Zhao et al. 2021) Whether the two strains infect alone or compound in the field still needs to be further explored.

DIEL AND INTER-SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF FISH IN WATER AREA OF WINTERING RIVERBED DEPRESSION

To study the dynamics of the spatial distribution of fish under ice cover the research was carried out in the water area of the riverbed depression located in the lower reaches of the Irtysh River (Western Siberia, Tyumen region). The research was conducted by using the hydroacoustic method based on a computerized hydroacoustic software-hardware complex. It was found that, in the diurnal aspect, throughout the entire observation period (December - April), the number of fish in the riverbed increases during the dark period of the day, and during the light period it decreases. The dominant groups of fish change with the change of the period of the day: December - cyprinids prevail in the dark period of the day, in March and April - in the light period of the day, the rest of the time the group of percids predominated. With an increase in water temperature from December to April from 3.7 to 6.5 °C, it was noted that the density of fish decreases from 184 to 8 sp/hect. in the daytime and from 2157 to 91 sp/hect. at night (dark period), respectively. Fish explore the horizons of the water column of the riverbed depression during the day and night from the surface to the bottom with the highest density indicators near the surface, except - the daytime in December. With increasing density of fish at nightfall at the same time, there was an increase used water area of riverbed depression. In the vertical aspect, cyprinids avoid predators (pike, in-connu, burbot) in the diurnal dynamics; the distribution of cyprinids has a significant negative cor-relation with the distribution of the second group of fish. Thus, the features of the vertical and hori-zontal distribution of fish in the diurnal dynamics throughout the entire observation period are the strategy of their survival: for prey - escape from predators, for predators - search for food objects

The Effect Mechanism and Model Optimization of Pulsed Light Dark Duration on Lettuce

Background: Despite its rapid development, the costs of crop artificial light source technology are still high. In addition, both the luminous efficiency and photosynthetic light supplement efficiency of the light source require further improvement. This study aims to improve the photosynthetic light supplement efficiency by altering the luminescence mode of the light source, transforming the conventional continuous supplementary light source into a pulse light source, and exploring how to further reduce energy consumption and improve the light supplement efficiency without influencing the light supplement effect of Lettuce.Results: For this purpose, Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was selected as the experimental material to investigate the effects of varying the duty ratio, frequency and dark duration on the Pn (net photosynthetic rate) of leaves. The results revealed that Pn values under each duty ratio treatment increased with frequency and gradually stabilized to a level similar to that of continuous light. At higher duty ratios, the lettuce leaf Pn under pulse light reached a stable state at a lower frequency, with Pn leveling showing an overall upward trend with the decreasing dark period duration and a large increase in the early stage. For dark period durations lower than a certain value (0.000683594 s), variations in Pn among treatments were minimal, with a gradual increasing trend until no significant differences are observed with continuous light (CK); Under the D3 (weak light) condition, plants were easy to spindling(excessive growth)and exhibited narrow and slender leaves. Plants under the D2 condition (The duration period duration was 0.000465468s) presented the strongest roots and stems, with wide leaves and a compact growth. The following trend in Pn was observed across all duty ratios D2>D1 (0.000046547s)>CK>D3 (0.004654685s). Conclusions: The dominant influencing factor of the plant net photosynthetic rate was determined as the ratio of the frequency and duty ratio (i.e., dark period duration). Compared with continuous light, pulsed light is more beneficial to plant growth and utilization.

Disrupted Sleep Homeostasis and Altered Expressions of Clock Genes in Rats with Chronic Lead Exposure

Sleep disturbance is one of the neurobehavioral complications of lead neurotoxicity. The present study evaluated the impacts of chronic lead exposure on alteration of the sleep–wake cycle in association with changes of clock gene expression in the hypothalamus. Sprague–Dawley rats with chronic lead exposure consumed drinking water that contained 250 ppm of lead acetate for five weeks. Electroencephalography and electromyography were recorded for scoring the architecture of the sleep–wake cycle in animals. At six Zeitgeber time (ZT) points (ZT2, ZT6, ZT10, ZT14, ZT18, and ZT22), three clock genes, including rPer1, rPer2, and rBmal1b, were analyzed. The rats with chronic lead exposure showed decreased slow wave sleep and increased wakefulness in the whole light period (ZT1 to ZT12) and the early dark period (ZT13 to ZT15) that was followed with a rebound of rapid-eye-movement sleep at the end of the dark period (ZT22 to ZT24). The disturbance of the sleep–wake cycle was associated with changes in clock gene expression that was characterized by the upregulation of rPer1 and rPer2 and the feedback repression of rBmal1b. We concluded that chronic lead exposure has a negative impact on the sleep–wake cycle in rats that predominantly disrupts sleep homeostasis. The disruption of sleep homeostasis was associated with a toxic effect of lead on the clock gene expression in the hypothalamus.