Levels of dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and their metabolites in the striatum of rats of various strains receiving a high-calorie diet

The aim of this work was to study the effect of a high fat and carbohydrate diet (HFCD) and quercetin supplementation on the levels of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites in Wistar, DA transporter knockout (DAT-KO) and obese Zucker fa/fa rats. Animals received a control diet or HFCD for 62 days. Wistar and Zucker fa/fa rats received quercetin. The contents of DA, 5-HT, norepinephrine (NE), dioxyphenyl acetate (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindolyl acetate (5-HIIA) in the striatum were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). DAT-KO homozygotes had lowered DA and increased HVA and DOPAC compared to Wistar rats. HFCD did not affect the content of NE and 5-HT. 5-HT was increased in DAT-KO homozygotes compared with Wistar receiving a control diet. 5-HIIA accumulated in larger amounts in DAT-KO compared to Wistar with the exception of those receiving quercetin with a control diet. Quercetin did not affect the levels of DA, 5-HT and their metabolites.

Hemocyte proteome of the Lake Baikal endemic Eulimnogammarus verrucosus (Crustacea: Amphipoda) sheds light on immune-related proteins

Hemocytes are cells circulating in the hemolymph and playing an important role in crustacean immunity. These cells not only function as phagocytes but also express immune compounds to the hemolymph. Here we obtained hemocyte proteome of the endemic amphipod (Amphipoda, Crustacea) Eulimnogammarus verrucosus from Lake Baikal, the first hemocyte proteome of an amphipod, using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 1152 unique proteins were discovered with LC-MS/MS. We discovered both proteins directly involved in the immune response, such as pattern recognition proteins (C-type lectins), and compounds with antimicrobial activity (ctenidin and anti-lipopolysaccharide factor/scygonadin). Moreover, hemocyanins which may act as a phenoloxidase and C-type lectins were among the most diverse protein groups in the hemocyte proteome. The obtained data can be useful for further studies of immune components and mechanisms in Baikal amphipods.

Proliferation activity in the polyps of Cassiopea xamachana: where the planuloid buds grow

Polyps of the Cassiopeidae family possess a unique type of asexual reproduction by producing free-swimming buds — planuloids. The process of planuloid development and transformation to polyp has been described earlier, however, the source of tissue formation is still poorly studied. Using the method of EdU incorporation we have analyzed DNA synthesis activity during planuloid formation and growth in Cassiopea xamachana. We revealed the active proliferation zone at the early stage of bud formation. This zone continued to function during planuloid growth, providing the formation of polyp structures, and preserved in polyp calyx after metamorphosis. Its proliferation activity varied at different growth stages, whereas the localization remained relatively the same.

Nitrogen use by plants and nitrogen flows after application of standard and biomodified nitrogen fertilizers on barley

The aim of our study was to assess the efficiency of application of biomodified nitrogen fertilizers for barley, to reveal the sources of nitrogen used for biomass formation with the use of the 15N stable isotope, and to study nitrogen flows in the system of fertilizers–soil–plants–atmosphere. We demonstrated in a model experiment the ability of the plant growth-promoting bacteria Bacillus subtilis Ch-13 to move from the granules of mineral fertilizers to plant roots and to colonize them effectively. The effectiveness of biomodified nitrogen fertilizers for barley, Nur variety, was assessed in a microfield trial. After the application of biomodified nitrogen fertilizers, the accumulation of 15N in the plants increased by 2–5 %, its incorporation in the soil decreased and gaseous losses were decreased by 7 % as compared with the use of the usual forms of fertilizers. The application of biomodified nitrogen fertilizers can be used in agricultural practice as a novel technology to regulate nitrogen flows in the system of fertilizers–soil–plants–atmosphere.

Agaricoid and boletoid fungi of Russia: the modern country-scale checklist of scientific names based on literature data

The authors of this paper summarize the majority of published data on the distribution of agaricoid and boletoid fungi recorded in Russia, covering the period from 1824 through 2020. A comprehensive list of 6867 scientific names based on 954 publications was compiled for the first time for the whole territory of Russia. All records have been checked through Index Fungorum. The work consists of a review section and five appendices. The review section discusses the intensity of field research and accumulation of data on the distribution of agaricoid and boletoid fungi in Russia, both historically and in its current state. The authors discuss the current state of knowledge on the biodiversity of regions of Russia and point out blank spots, thus providing a reference and an “action plan” for the future. Appendix A presents a list of 6142 taxa unambiguously ascribed to 3246 accepted current names. Appendix B contains 727 names that cannot be ascribed to any accepted current names unequivocally, with reasons given (e.g., no current name, wrong authors’ citations, absence from Index Fungorum). Names from both checklists are supplemented with data on the distribution of these taxa within the Russian Federation and references to published records. Appendix C contains a list of accepted current names reported from only one region. Appendix D is an overview of the nearly 200 years of research of agaricoid and boletoid fungi for all regions of Russia. Appendix E is a list of references used for checklists and study history preparation.

Diversity and distribution patterns of antennal sensilla in Hydropsychidae (Insecta, Trichoptera)

Structure and distribution of antennal sensilla were studied in males of 19 species of the caddisfly family Hydropsychidae by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Eleven types of sensilla were found: long trichoid, chaetoid, thick chaetoid, curved trichoid, coronary, basiconic, styloconic and four types of pseudoplacoid sensilla (mushroom-like, auricillic, ribbed, and T-shaped). Thick chaetoid, ribbed pseudoplacoid, and T-shaped pseudoplacoid sensilla were found only in Macronematinae. The great diversity of pseudoplacoid sensilla originated from a mushroom-like type, which also has a variable structure. Basal flagellomeres in the majority of studied species are equipped with ventrally positioned sensory fields of curved trichoid sensilla. In contrast to Arctopsychinae and Hydropsychinae, the increased number of these sensilla in the fields was noted for Diplectroninae and Smicrideinae. Most Macronematinae show a reduction of sensory fields and a strongly decreased average number of curved trichoid sensilla on distal segments. The great differences found in the studied family probably indicate a rapid function-related evolution of the antennal sensory surface structures in the caddisfly family Hydropsychidae.

Diet affects body color and energy metabolism in the Baikal endemic amphipod Eulimnogammarus cyaneus maintained in laboratory conditions

Proper diet is critical for laboratory-reared animals, as it may affect not only their welfare, but also experimental results. Amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda) play important roles in ecosystems and are often used in environmental research. Endemic amphipods from the ancient Lake Baikal are promising for laboratory bioassays; however, there are currently no laboratory cultures. In this work, we determine how different diets affect the color and metabolism of a laboratory-reared Baikal amphipod, Eulimnogammarus cyaneus. We found that in freshly collected blue-colored animals, body color correlated with total carotenoid content. Total carotenoid levels did not differ after long-term (two months) feeding with a close to natural carotenoid-enriched, or even a carotenoid-depleted diet. Nevertheless, antennae color was closer to red in the natural-like diet group. It is likely that the carotenoids from the commercial diet are not properly metabolized in E. cyaneus. The animals fed commercial diets had a higher glycogen content, which may signify a higher metabolic rate. Overall, we show that a carotenoid-enriched diet optimized for decapods is not optimal for amphipods, likely due to different carotenoid compositions, and the diet for long-term rearing of E. cyaneus and other Baikal amphipods requires supplementation.

Species- and age-dependent distribution of retinol and α-tocopherol in the Canidae family during the cold season

Vitamins A and E are known as nutrients involved in metabolic processes and facilitating the adaptation of animals. The metabolism of these vitamins is closely related to lipid metabolism, which has seasonal variations in animals inhabiting northern latitudes. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations of retinol (vitamin A) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) in the cold season (October to February) in tissues of Canidae species that have different ecological characteristics: the blue fox (Vulpes syn. Alopex lagopus), silver fox (Vulpes vulpes), their interspecific hybrids (Vulpes×Vulpes), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and grey wolf (Canis lupus). In addition, age-related differences in the levels of these vitamins were determined. Results showed the distribution of retinol and α-tocopherol in the body of the canids was similar, with larger amounts being found in the liver and kidney cortex, which play a regulatory role in the metabolism of these nutrients. The higher retinol level in the liver of wolves and interspecific hybrids of blue fox and silver fox, as compared to the retinol level in the liver of other species, might be species-specific and could also be attributed to dietary differences. The blue fox and raccoon dog both have a higher capacity for α-tocopherol accumulation in the cold season, apparently due to their ability to store substantial fat reserves. Retinol and α-tocopherol levels were generally higher in the tissues of mature animals.

Sexual dimorphism patterns of the White Sea threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Sexual dimorphism (SD) in the threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus reflects the different roles of the sexes in reproduction and their adaptations to different ecological niches. We quantified SD in one population of marine stickleback from the White Sea, collected during the spawning period from three spawning grounds, each at a distance of 5 km or less from the others. We used a landmark-based approach to quantify variation in 44 morphometric linear traits. In total, 749 females and 693 males were analyzed. In males, anterior body parts are larger — the base of the caudal fin and armor structures such as the first and second dorsal spines and the pelvic spine. Females have larger posterior bodies — the abdomen, pelvic girdle and the third dorsal spine. The SD of caudal body parts exhibits complex patterns. In White Sea threespine stickleback, SD patterns are generally similar to other populations of the species, but more often show male-biased patterns. Female-biased size SD may be associated with the female biased sex ratio of White Sea stickleback.

Protein glycation and drought response of pea (Pisum sativum L.) root nodule proteome: a proteomics approach

Because of ongoing climate change, drought is becoming the major factor limiting productivity of all plants, including legumes. As these protein-rich crops form symbiotic associations with rhizobial bacteria — root nodules — they readily lose their productivity under drought conditions. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms might give access to new strategies to preserve the productivity of legume crops under dehydration. As was shown recently, development of drought response is accompanied by alterations in the patterns of protein glycation and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that might be a part of unknown regulatory mechanisms. Therefore, here we address the effects of moderate drought on protein dynamics and AGE patterns in pea (Pisum sativum) root nodules. For this, plants inoculated with rhizobial culture were subjected to osmotic stress for one week, harvested, the total protein fraction was isolated from root nodules by phenol extraction, analyzed by bottom-up LC-MS-based proteomics, and AGE patterns were characterized. Surprisingly, despite the clear drought-related changes in phenotype and stomatal conductivity, only minimal accompanying expressional changes (14 rhizobial and 14 pea proteins, mostly involved in central metabolism and nitrogen fixation) could be observed. However, 71 pea and 97 rhizobial proteins (mostly transcription factors, ABC transporters and effector enzymes) were glycated, with carboxymethylation being the major modification type. Thereby, the numbers of glycated sites in nodule proteins dramatically decreased upon stress application. It might indicate an impact of glycation in regulation of transport, protein degradation, central, lipid and nitrogen metabolism. The data are available at Proteome Xchange (accession: PXD024042).