Histomorphological changes in the rat pancreas after methionine administration

The effectiveness of using various methionine preparations for activating pancreatic function is ambiguous; the reasons may include differences in dosage and duration of methionine administration. The question remains, in what extent the methionine application is efficacious for increasing functional activity of a healthy pancreas. The aim of our study was to investigate morphological changes in pancreas after prolonged administration of methionine. The experiments were carried out on 24 males of Wistar rats at the age of 15 months. During 21 days, the experimental animals received methionine at a daily dose of 250 mg/kg of body weight in addition to the standard diet. Histological preparations were made from pancreatic tissue according to standard method. Morphometry was performed using the computer program «Image J». The rats were taken out of the experiment under ether anesthesia. The studies were carried out in accordance with the provisions of the "European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes" (Strasbourg, 1986). Upon completion of the experiment, histomorphological sings of an increase in functional activity were registered in both exocrine (enlarged acini’s areas and their epithelium height, higher nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio of exocrinocytes, and higher number of nucleoli in cell nuclei) and endocrine (enlarged sizes of the Langerhans islets and increased number of endocrinocytes in the islets) parts of the rat pancreas. In the experimental rats, the relative area of ​​the connective tissue and the stromal-parenchyma index of the pancreas, as well as the width of the interlobular and interacinus layers of connective tissue decreased. A decrease in the mass of connective tissue in the pancreas can be considered as one of the signs of its function activation, an improvement in metabolism between acini, and an increase in regenerative capabilities. Thus, additional administration of prophylactic doses of methionine to healthy animals results in distinct morphological signs of increased pancreatic activity.

Analysis of Drosophila melanogaster reproduction and preadult mortality after the influence of microwave radiation

A new type of anthropogenic impact – low-intensity electromagnetic radiation of extremely high frequencies (EHF EMR) demonstrates various genetic effects. The questions of the organism adaptive response formation to short-term exposure of EMR that depends on the individual’s genotype are of particular interest. The objective of this study was to analyze the reproductive ability and preadult mortality in Drosophila melanogaster with whiteapticot mutation after the influence of microwave radiation. We used D. melanogaster stocks that carry whiteapticot mutation, but differ in the genetic background on which this mutation is located: wa(C-S), wa(Or) and wa. Virgin flies were irradiated. The parameters of the external influence were power flux density W=10 μW/cm2, frequency F=65 GHz, exposure time t=5 minutes. The stages of embryo death, number of adult offspring, and mortality rate at the pupal stage were analyzed. The results of the study showed that the effect of electromagnetic radiation on virgin imagoes of Drosophila with an impaired tryptophan metabolism modifies the survival rate of the offspring at the preimaginal stages of ontogenesis. In the offspring of young flies (at the age of 3–8 days) the frequency of embryonic mortality decreases during the 0–5.5 hours period (initial stages of cleavage and blastoderm formation) and 5.5–17 hours period (stage of gastrulation and embryo segmentation, histogenesis) of embryogenesis. The total number of offspring at the adult stage does not differ from the control values; the mortality rate at the pupal stage also does not change in the offspring of young parents after exposure to EMR. An increase in the age of parental couples that were exposed to short-term EMR on the first day after eclosion from pupae (20–25 days aged) leads to a decrease in the embryonic mortality rate of offspring during the 17–22 hours of embryogenesis (organogenesis stage and larval exit from chorion). The total embryonic mortality rate is determined solely by the age of the parents. The strength of this factor for the stocks is h2wa=69.7 %, h2wa(C-S)=52.2 % and h2wa(Or)=64.9 % respectively. The impact of EMR affects the embryonic mortality rate only for the wa(Or) (h2EMR=18.3 %). External exposure does not change the number of imago offspring in individuals aged 0–5 days; the number of adult offspring increased by 1,2 times in individuals aged 20–25 days in the stock wa(C-S). A decrease in the number of dead individuals at the pupal stage in the descendants of 20–25-day-old parents after exposure to EMR EHF on average by three times was shown.

Forms and ultrastructural features of the lateral alae of the helminth Trichostrongylus tenuis Mehlis, 1846 (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae)

Ultrastructural features of the nematode Trichostrongylus tenuis were studied. Helminthological studies were carried out in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 2015–2018. The material from domestic waterfowl was collected by the method of complete parasitological dissection. Along with the fact that this helminth is a specific parasite of domestic waterfowl, it dominates among all the types of helminths noted by us and is the cause of serious changes in the host organism. The study of the ultrastructure of the nematode T. tenuis is important for identifying parasitic-host relationships, clarifying the systematic position of parasites and in preparing measures to combat these parasites. In addition, a wide variety of morphological features of the lateral alae, allows them to be used as one of the main features for identifying helminth species. The article first presents data on the ultrastructural features of the lateral alae of the nematode T. tenuis. As a result of the studies, it was found that, despite the fact that in some parasitic nematodes of the Trichostrongylidae family the morphological structure of the lateral alae of the cuticle is identical over the entire surface of the body, in the nematode T. tenuis belonging to the same family, four forms were revealed during ultrastructural studies, which were represented using diagrams and electron diffraction patterns. Lateral alae consist of cortical, homogeneous, and fibrillary layers differing in size, thickness, and other features. From the front (oral) part of body of the nematode T. tenuis to the beginning of the intestine, the cuticle is smooth; on the body part from the small intestine and behind it, lateral alae begin to be observed, which resemble a “ridge” in shape. When approaching the posterior end of the body, the lateral alae take the form of “hooks”. On the caudal region, the lateral alae become even more complicated and get the form of “spikes”, and relatively small outgrowths are additionally observed on these lateral wings. These signs can be used to clarify the taxonomic position of helminth species.

Dirhenium(III) complex with beta-alanine ligand: anticancer, antioxidant and DNA-binding properties

Earlier we have shown that dirhenium(III) dicarboxylate complex with γ-aminobutyric acid possessed higher antitumor activity, than those of the previously investigated alkylcarboxylates, also may act as a modulator of cisplatin mechanism of action and as a stabilizer of red blood cells in tumor-bearing organisms. Thus, the task of the work was to investigate anticancer activity of the complex cis-[Re2(β-Ala)2Cl6] (I) in the model of tumor growth in vivo and to realize if the amino acid residue influences the DNA-binding activity of the amino acid derivatives of the cluster rhenium(III) compounds. Antitumor properties of the complex I were studied in the model of tumor growth with the use of Wistar rats inoculated by tumor carcinoma Guerink cells. The introduction of the compound alone in free and liposomal forms inhibited the tumor growth by 36 % and 45 % correspondingly, that is more than for dirhenium(III) clusters with alkyl ligands. The combined introduction of I and cisplatin had a significant impact on the tumor growth and showed the disappearance of the tumors in most of the animals. No considerable differences were found between introduction of liposomal and free form of I. The electronic absorption spectra of Calf Thymus DNA (CT-DNA) exhibit hyperchromism in the presence of increasing amounts of I. The DNA band at ~ 260 nm arises from the π-π* transitions of the nucleic acid bases and changes in the intensity and slight wavelength shifts of this characteristic band reflect the corresponding structural modifications of the DNA, which include changes in stacking, disruption of the hydrogen bonds between complementary strands, covalent binding of the DNA bases, intercalation of aromatic rings and others. The binding constant Kb(I) = 2.43 × 103 M-1 to CT-DNA was obtained that was lower than the values reported for the classical DNA intercalators and compares well with the magnitude of the binding constants for other complexes of dirhenium(III); titration of СT-DNA with cisPt and hydrogen peroxide also leads to a hypochromic effect, weak at low concentrations and more significant at high concentrations of I; the DNA binding constants increased in several times when using H2O2 or cisplatin that confirms a mechanism for redox activation of interaction of I with DNA in a cancer cell. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility of application of the amino acid derivatives of dirhenium(III) clusters in antitumor therapy.

The reaction of self-fertile alfalfa lines to inoculation with nodule bacteria

Under the conditions of a model pot experiments, the reaction of the self-fertile lines of alfalfa Kishvardy 46, Kishvardy 27, Vertus and Ziguen to inoculation with nodule bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti AC48 and AC88 was studied. As a result of studies, it was found that the intensity of assimilation of N2 by symbiotic systems created with the participation of various genotypes of alfalfa and active strains of S. meliloti is one of the main factors that affects the vegetative mass yield of this important forage crop. Self-fertile lines of Medicago sativa L. plants, inoculated with different strains of rhizobia were characterized by higher rates of the mass formed on the root nodules, compared to the control plants of the alfalfa variety Yaroslavna. The traditional dynamics of nitrogen-fixation activity of root nodules was maintained in all the symbiotic systems studied by us, with low values in the stems formation stage and intensive growth in the budding and flowering stages. The highest level of nitrogen fixation and vegetative growth of plants (values of plants green and dry mass, roots and root nodules mass) was established by inoculation of alfalfa line Kishvardy 46 with strain S. meliloti AC48. During the growing season the indices of the mass of nodules formed on the roots of these plants were higher by 1.8–2.3 times, the green mass by 1.2–1.6 times and the height of the plants 1.2–1.4 times as compared to the control. In the flowering stages the nitrogen-fixation activity of the symbiotic complex of plants of the Kishvardy line 27 and nodule bacteria S. meliloti AC48 exceeded the values in the symbiotic systems formed with the participation of the same strain and plants of the Ziguen and Vertus lines by 13.0 and 39.4 %. The lowest values of nitrogen fixation activity were observed by inoculation of plants of the Vertus and Ziguen lines with active strains S. meliloti AC48 and AC88 compared to the symbioses formed by the plants of the Kishvardy lines 27 and 46, as well as of the control-variety Yaroslavna with the noted strains. A stimulating effect of inoculation of alfalfa seeds of different genotypes on the growth and development of plants was noted, as evidenced by the positive dynamics of the increase in above-ground mass, the accumulation of dry matter and higher than the control values (indicators) of plant height during the growing season.

Mites of the genus Erythraeus Latreille, 1806 (Acariformes: Actinedida: Erythraeidae) in the Greater Caucasus (within Azerbaijan)

Mites of the family Erythraeidae Robineau-Desvoidy, 1828 are distributed worldwide and have been reported as natural enemies of sucking pests. Adults and deutonymphs are predators; larvae of most species are ectoparasites of different arthropods. They can be harmful to beekeeping. Some species cause dermatitis in humans. Erythraeidae of the Caucasus are poorly studied. This article is the first report on mites of the genus Erythraeus Latreille, 1806 of the family Erythraeidae living in Azerbaijan. An annotated list of five species of mites of this genus collected in the Greater Caucasus is provided: Erythraeus phalangoides (De Geer, 1778), E. regalis (C.L.Koch, 1837), E. gorcensis Gabrys, 2016, E. opilionoides (C.L.Koch, 1837), E. adpendiculatus (Schrank, 1781). All of them are recorded from Azerbaijan for the first time. An identification key to imago of the Erythraeus species is given. The original photographs of imago were taken to clarify the determination. Mites were collected in three landscape zones: semi-desert (4 species), mountain-steppe (2 species) and mountain-forest (2 species). The Absheron Peninsula (semi-desert) is studied best; four Erythraeus species were found there. Most of the species were collected in artificial forests with a predominance of Eldar pine (4 species, 12 individuals). In other biotopes, mites of the genus Erythraeus are rare: 2 species (3 individuals) were found in broad-leaved forests of the low mountains, 1 species (1 individual) in a forb steppe, 1 species (1 individual) in an arid open woodland consisted of weeping pear trees, 1 species (1 individual) in a garden. Only four individuals of E. regalis were recorded on plants. The other mites were collected under stones, which will make it possible to attribute them to herpetobionts, and E. regalis to herpeto-hortobionts. Out of 18 individuals found, 17 were adult, and one larva of E. regalis was removed from spittlebug on a blackberry. The most common Erythraeidae genus in the Greater Caucasus is Abrolophus Berlese, 1891 (39 individuals belonging to eight species were collected). This is the only genus of the family Erythraeidae, found in four landscape zones, from semi-desert to subalpine. The genus Erythraeus was not found in the subalpine zone.

Features of floristic structure and productivity of dry meadows of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

The article presents the results of study of floristic structure and productivity of the dry meadows preserved in the ravine and gully system in the Zmiiv District of the Kharkiv Region. The research was carried out at the model sites with floral composition and features of use typical for the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. It was established that the total phytocenosis productivity depends on the phytomass fluctuations of two main groups of plants, forbs and grasses. The flora of the studied meadows includes at least 87 vascular plant species. The ten main families altogether number 70 species (80.5 % of the species composition). The families Asteraceae Bercht. & J. Presl (23 species, 26.4 %), Fabaceae Lindl. (11 species, 12.6 %) and Poaceae Barnhart (8 species, 9.2 %) are presented best. This ratio of families is characteristic of herbaceous phytocenoses of the Holarctic floristic realm. The Poaceae family plays the leading role in the formation of meadow phytocenoses, since its members often dominate the main meadow formations. Analysis of the flora ecomorph spectrum revealed prevalence of a xerophilous group that includes meadow, meadow-steppe and steppe species. The obtained data indicate a rather significant xerophytization of the study area, which is typical for the growing conditions of the dry meadows located on the watersheds with atmospheric type of humidification only. Perennial herbaceous meadow-steppe and some ruderal species prevailed in the life form spectrum (77.0 %), which is characteristic of the meadow flora of the Kharkiv Region. Annual segetal weeds, introduced from neighboring fields, contribute significantly to the meadow flora (17.2 %), in particular, such adventive species as Ambrosia artemisifolia L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., and Cyclachaen axanthifolia (Nutt.) Fresen. The research of phytocenose productivity showed that the Poaceae proportion in the meadows with high productivity is usually about 35‒40 %. In the meadows with low productivity, it can exceed 50 % that is explained by the leading role of the family Poaceae in the formation of meadow phytocenoses under high xerophytization of the vegetation cover.

Water and wetland flora of the City of Kharkiv (an annotated list and main parameters)

The long-term floristic research in the City of Kharkiv, as well as analysis of the literature data and CWU herbarium materials recorded 95 species, 65 genera and 38 families of plants in the present water and wetland flora of the city. Of these, 18 species occur in the water bodies, and 77 species in the wetlands. An annotated list of the water and wetland flora is compiled. All species are provided with the data on their distribution within the city, habitat conditions, types of geographic range and conservation status. Geographical analysis revealed the general correspondence of the city flora to the typical flora of the region. The city flora is represented by the groups of species with five regional types; the Circumpolar (35 species, 36.8 %) and the Eurasian (26 species, 27.3 %) types are the most speciose. In terms of conservation importance, 15 recorded species require protection ‒ two species of water vascular plants and 13 species of wetlands. Of these, four species are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (Anacamptis coriophora, Anacamptis palustris, Dactylorchiza majalis, Epipactis palustris); seven species are in the list of plants that require special protection in the Kharkiv Region (Carex pseudocyperus, Nuphar luteum, Parnassia palustris, Ranunculus circinatum, Typha laxmannii, Valeriana officinalis, Vallisneria spiralis); three species are listed in Annex II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES II) (Anacamptis coriophora, Anacamptis palustris, Epipactis palustris); one species (Epipactis palustris) is in the list of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); and two species are in the Red List of Macrophytes (Nuphar lutea and Glyceria arundinacea). One species is also a member of а plant association listed in the Green Data Book of Ukraine, and two species are the members of vegetation groups in the Green List of Kharkiv Region. Five invasive species were found in the city flora: three water species (Pistia stratiotes, Vallisneria spiralis, Elodea canadensis) and two wetland species (Echinocistis lobata and Bidens frondosa).

Population frequency and risk factors for depression in Eastern Ukraine

The research is aimed to analysis of age-specific and gender-based risk factors for affective pathologies. Based on the population of the Kharkiv region, the population frequency of affective disorders was determined. It was calculated as probability for an individual to be affected throughout life and can be used for scientific purposes and genetic counseling. The age-specific cumulative frequencies were calculated, reflecting the risk for an individual to be affected in a specific period of life. They can be reference points in genealogical analysis. It has been shown that, despite a higher frequency in women, depressive disorders manifest earlier and tend to be more severe in men. That is, the female sex is a factor of increased risk, while affected men have a high background of genetic predisposition. To analyze risk factors, statistical material from specialized medical institutions of the Kharkiv region from 2010 to 2016 was used. The data were obtained from 1,199 patients who were hospitalized at the Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry and Narcology of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, that is, they had extremely severe degrees of affective disorder and, probably, had a more significant genetic component in the structure of individual predisposition. The proportion of hospitalized women (74.9 %) was three times higher than the proportion of men (25.1 %) that significantly differs from the population sex ratio and indicates that the female sex is a factor of increased risk for affective pathology. The age of onset for affective disorders was lower in men than in women: bipolar disorder in males manifests 6 years earlier than in females, depressive episode – 2 years, recurrent depression – 5 years, chronic mood disorders – 4 years. On average, the difference between age of onset in women (46.6 years, 95% CI 45.7–47.5) and men (42.7 years, 95% CI 41.0–44.3) is 4 years. The maximum risk of affective disorder in women is between the age of 50 and 60 years, in men there are two peaks – at 20–30 and 45–60 years. The population frequency, that is an indicator of the risk for an affective disorder in the population of the Kharkiv region, is 0.21 %. The probability of affective disorder for men is 0.15 %, for women this indicator is 1.7 times higher – 0.26 %.

The breeding distribution and numbers of the Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) in Kharkiv City, Ukraine

The counts of breeding Jackdaws were made in Kharkiv City, Ukraine in April – early June of 2016–2017. We estimated the breeding density among different habitat types. For such a purpose the city area was divided into 0.25 km² squares (n = 1354) and we estimated the numbers of pairs within the boundaries of 40 squares (QGIS program was used to choose randomly these squares). The surveys were made in April–May (19 squares) and early June (4 squares) in 2016 and April–May (10 squares) and early June (7 squares) in 2017. The surveys were made within main habitat types such as area of residential blocks of flats, residential area (1–2-storey buildings), industrial area, forest zone, park zone and undeveloped urban areas. The data on the area occupied by every major habitat type (in km²) were calculated by QGIS program. The 90 % of the territory of Kharkiv City was analysed, except water reservoirs and traffic way areas. The data of the surveys were extrapolated across areas of the same habitat types. Also we have searched for Jackdaw colonies within the boundaries of Kharkiv City to take these data into account. According to the collected data the Jackdaw prefers to nest in crevices of old 3–5-level buildings at built-up districts or in round cross-sections of posts at blocks-of-flats areas. Thus the mean density here was 22 pairs/km². The mean density of Jackdaw in industrial areas was 15 pairs/km², in undeveloped urban areas – 1.2 pairs/km², and in residential area (1–2-storey buildings) – 0.7 pairs/km². The total number of breeding Jackdaws in Kharkiv City was estimated at 2325 to 2630 pairs. The mean density of Jackdaws was 7.5 pairs/km². Taking into account the moderate decline in the population of the Jackdaws in some European countries (although in general the population trend remains stable within the continent), and the lack of the surveys of the breeding distribution and numbers of Jackdaws in large cities of the Eastern Ukraine, it’s reasonable to use our data as an optimal starting point for the monitoring of the regional population trend of the species. The data of 2016 year survey were used in European Breeding Bird Atlas 2 (EBBA2) programme (square 37UCR2).