Invertebrate hydrobiont fauna transformation in the Dombrovskyi pit lake during the period of 2014-2018

The aquatic invertebrate community of Dombrovskyi pit lake was investigated during 2014–2018. 25 species were recorded there. The only permanent component of plankton in the community is rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Müller, 1786; of benthos and neuston is hemipteran Sigara lateralis (Leach, 1817), beetle Hydrobius fuscipes (Linnaeus, 1758), flies Aedes sp., Ochlerotatus lepidonotus (Edwards, 1920), Culicoides salinarius Kieffer, 1914, Ephydra glauca Meigen, 1830 are permanent components of benthos and neuston. The main diversity of invertebrates is concentrated in littoral zone up to 2 m of depth. This is primarily due to the desalination of these areas by surface runoff. Over the last decade the mineralization of the surface water layer has decreased from 120–138 to 25–28 g/l. Combined with the desalination of water, the increase of species diversity of aquatic invertebrates was noticed in spring seasons (from 7 to 17 taxa). The freshwater taxa, which are not tolerant even to low water salinity, appeared in the community in 2018 (7–25 % of the species diversity), among them Hydrometra stagnorum (Linnaeus, 1758), Rhyacophila tristis Pictet, 1834, Coelambus impressopunctatus (Schaller, 1783), Enochrus coarctatus (Gredler, 1863), Hydrophilus caraboides (Linnaeus, 1758). The role of freshwater taxa, which are tolerant to low water salinity (up to 5 g/l), increased from 0–10 % of the species diversity in 2014–2015 to 22–35 % in 2018. Among them Eucyclops serrulatus (Fischer, 1851), Candona sp., Cypris pubera O. F. Müller, 1776, Cloeon dipterum (Linnaeus, 1760), Libellula depressa Linnaeus, 1758, Sympecta fusca Vander Linden, 1820, Paracorixa concinna (Fieber, 1848) was noted in 2018 for the first time. On the contrary, the number of saltwater taxa decreased from 20–29 % (2014–2015) to 5–14 % (2018). The saltwater aquatic invertebrate community of this pit lake has transformed into brakish-freshwater one over time. 83 % taxa of aquatic invertebrate communities from freshwater puddles near reservoir coast are noted in the Dombrovska reservoir. The introduction of species from protective canals of the reservoir is unlikely, as only 5 % of taxa from there are marked in it. The main way of the forming communities of invertebrates in this reservoir is the periodical flooding of freshwater coastal puddles.

The mia mutants of Streptomyces albus J1074 are prone to translational errors and susceptible to certain stressors

Streptomyces albus J1074 has been established by us as a convenient model to study different aspects of tRNALeuUAA-dependent regulatory mechanisms, that take place in genus Streptomyces. These mechanisms are important for proper morphological and physiological transitions of streptomycete colonies, such as the onset of antibiotic production in stationary phase of growth. The genes for post-transcriptional modification of adenosine residue in 37th position of tRNAXXA family (so called mia genes) were shown to be important for the aforementioned processes, most likely because they impact tRNALeuUAA among other tRNAs. Our results were largely consistent with what is known about mia mutations in the other model systems, such as yeast and enterobacteria. Nevertheless, we also revealed several differences from the model systems, such as decreased susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide. This prompted us to look deeper into the behavior of the mia mutants, particularly their response to different stress factors. Here we report that S. albus mia mutants exhibit increased mistranslation rate as compared to their parental strain. These mutants are more susceptible than the parental strain to disulfide stress inducer diamide and DNA repair stressor caffeine. In summary, although the deficiency in certain tRNA modification appears to cause identical or very similar response (such as elevated mistranslation) across all so far studied bacterial systems, it also induces species- or genus-specific effects (such as disparate effects on H2O2 susceptibility). These differences could be attributed to the peculiarities of organization/function of regulatory pathway governing the response to a given stress. The observed results are further discussed in the wider context of the role of tRNA modification pathway in bacterial biology.

The feasibility of using sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a phytoindicator of anthropogenic load of the environment

The phytoindication properties of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a possible bioindicator of anthropogenic load of the territory are analyzed in the article by means of a technique of estimation of size of fluctuating asymmetry of a leaf plate of plants. The influence of the spatial location of sunflower crops and the influence of genotype on the deve­lopment of morphometric traits of plants were studied. The study was conducted in late July 2019–2020, when the vegetative organs of sunflower reached their maximum development. The material was selected for research at nine points (nine fields) located in the Zapo­rizhzhia region, at different distances and in different directions from the industrial zone of Zaporizhzhia (Zavodsky district). To study the influence of genotype on the morphological characteristics of sunflower, a study of eight hybrids that grew under the same conditions in the demonstration area in Vasylivka district of Zaporizhzhia region was conducted. The integrated index of fluctuating asymmetry of sunflower was in the range of 0.062–0.114, with the largest indicator of fluctuating asymmetry was observed in the area closest to the industrial zone of Zaporizhzhia – north of Zaporizhzhia. The lowest rate was observed in the area – 5 – east of Zaporizhzhia. The integrated index of fluctuating asymmetry of sunflower hybrids grown in the same soil and climatic conditions in the demonstration area ranged from 0.070 to 0.093. Based on research conducted in 2019–2020, we concluded that the species sunflo­wer (Helianthus annuus L.), despite its distribution, is not suitable for use as a bioindication plant in the study of the level of man-made load in the area. We obtained significant diffe­rences in the development of morphometric parameters of sunflower leaves (Helianthus annuus L.) grown in areas far from the industrial zone of Zaporizhzhia. Hybrids, which differed in morpho-economic characteristics, were grown in the same soil and climatic conditions and with the same agricultural techniques, on the demonstration site, also showed significant fluctuations in the integral index of fluctuating asymmetry.

Influence of heavy metal ions on ecotoxicological indicators of planorbarius corneus (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Bulinidae)

The influence of different concentrations of ions of copper, zinc, nickel, manganese of the aquatic environment on the ecotoxicological indicators of the wide range and the most numerous species of malacofauna of Ukraine – Planorbarius corneus (Linnaeus, 1758) was studied. According to the level of toxic effect on the coils, the pollutants studied by us belong to the categories of low-toxic (Mn2+), moderately toxic (Ni2+), highly toxic (Zn2+) and highly toxic (Cu2+) substances. The values of subthreshold, sublethal, chronically lethal, and acute lethal concentrations for each of the used toxicants (mg/dm3) were determined according to the peculiarities of behavior and physiological condition of the experimental animals. As the concentrations of metal ions in the medium increase, the values of the latent period in P. corneus increase. The first signs of poisoning in animals are a weakening of motor activity and increased mucus secretion. At lethal concentrations (LC100) of these toxicants in experimental mollusks develops a rapid pathological process. By the end of the experiment, all individuals in this group die. With increasing concentrations of heavy metal ions, lethal time and lethal mean time decrease. The highest lethal time values were observed for manganese (II) ions, and the lowest for copper ions. The reversibility of mollusk poisoning by different concentrations of these metals was studied. Restoration of functions in the studied animals is carried out in reverse order. Under the action of the same concentrations of heavy metal ions, the duration of the lethal mean time is different. The value of the coefficient of endurance under the influence of heavy metals on the horn extract decreases from high to low concentrations. At subthreshold concentrations, this coefficient cannot be established due to the absence of 100 % death of individuals until the end of the acute experiment. The values of the adaptation coefficient are the highest for highly toxic metal (Cu2+) and the lowest for weakly toxic (Mn2+). Under the action of copper ions, the adaptation of animals to the effects of the toxicant is temporary, followed by depression.

Relationship between the developmental rate and individual vitality in populations of rare plant species in the high-mountains of the Ukrainian Carpathians

The article presents an overview of long-term research and numerous publications on the relationship between developmental rate and individual vitality in populations of rare and endemic plant species in the high-mountain zone of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a case study on Ranunculus thora, Primula halleri, Leontopodium alpinum, Gentiana acaulis, Doronicum clusii, Saussurea alpina, Oreochloa disticha, Pulsatilla alba, Rhododendron myrtifolium, Senecio сarpathicus, Festuca carpatica, Heracleum carpaticum, Phyteuma vagneri etc. Stationary in-situ research was conducted at the study sites founded 5–30 years ago. The greatest impact on the individual and population vitality is caused by the position changes in coenosis of the species of different life forms and strategies. Increasing of the shrub positions accelerates the decreasing of vitality of low shrubs and grasses especially, and vice versa, increasing of the coenotic position of high-growing shrubs and grasses cau­ses the vitality decrease of short-growing heliophytes, including most of the rare species. The individual vitality and population viability determines some influence on the dynamics of their seasonal development. The individual development is faster at higher vitality level. It results in the relatively earlier beginning of phenophases. In the coenoses where the value of population as ecosystem engineer is higher, the accelerated dynamics of pre-flowering phases and longer flowering period is observed. The individual vitality and relative age of vegetatively active species increase significantly under the developmental conditions without vegetative reproduction. The vitality of vegetative diaspores significantly change due to the effect of autonomous development of shoots and ramets in comparison to the original vitality of maternal individuals. The effect of inertia of individual and population vitality consists in the gradual change of their vitality under the changeable conditions of their existence. Only drastic adverse exogenous effects can cause a sudden decrease of their vitality. Processes of the transition of low vitality individuals to the high rank are the slowest ones.

State of antioxidant system of rat blood plasma at the action of quartzetin and histamine in in vitro experiments

The effect of histamine and quercetin, as well as their combined effect on the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and the content of reduced glutathione in the blood plasma of rats was studied. It was found that the addition to the blood of quercetin at a concentration of 0.1; 0.3; 0.5; 1.0; 5.0 mM causes an increase in superoxide dismutase activity. It was found that histamine at concentrations of .01 and 0.1 μm leads to a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity by 31 and 17 %, respectively. Whereas the biogenic amine in the lowest and highest concentrations does not change the activity of superoxide dismutase in plasma. At simultaneous introduction into blood of histamine in the maximum concentration (10.0 μm) and quercetin in concentration of 0,1; 0.5; 3.0 mM normalizes the activity of superoxide dismutase. And only the combined action of histamine of this concentration and quercetin at a concentration of 5.0 mM reduces the activity of the enzyme by 21 %. Histamine at a concentration of 0.01 μm and the simultaneous action of quercetin at a concentration of 0.1; 0.5; 3.0; 5.0 mM increases the activity of superoxide dismutase, which indicates the generation of reactive oxygen species, in particular the superoxide anion radical. It was found that the addition of whole concentrations of quercetin to whole blood causes a decrease in plasma catalase activity. The combined action of quercetin and histamine causes a decrease in catalase activity. It was found that the addition to the blood of quercetin at a concentration of 0.1; 0.3; 0.5; 1.0 mM causes a decrease in the content of reduced glutathione. Quercetin at a concentration of 3.0 and 5.0 mM causes an increase in reduced glutathione by 27 and 14 %, respectively, compared to the reference plasma. Histamine at concentrations of 10.0, 1.0 and 0.01 μm leads to an increase in the amount of reduced glutathione by 24, 26 and 19 %, respectively. And at a concentration of 0.1 μm, the biogenic amine reduces the GSH content by 39 %. With simultaneous introduction into the blood of histamine at a concentration of 10.0 μm and quercetin at a concentration of 0.1; 0.5; 3.0 mM there is an increase in the content of reduced glutathione. And only at a concentration of 5.0 mM quercetin on the background of the action of histamine (10.0 μm), the content of reduced glutathione is slightly reduced. However, with the combined action of histamine at a minimum concentration (0.01 μM) and quercetin at a concentration of 0.1; 0.5; 3.0 and 5.0 mM there is a decrease in the content of reduced glutathione. After performing a dispersion analysis, it was found that the state of the antioxidant system, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic, is significantly affected by histamine. The smallest, but significant share of the effect is on the action of quercetin in the blood plasma of rats. The indirect and significant effect of the simultaneous action of histamine and quercetin on the antioxidant system of rat plasma was revealed.

Assessment of ecotoxical state of technologically modified edaphotopes with waste of oil refinery with the Allium-test method

The ecotoxic state of technologically modified edaphotopes by waste of refinery was investigated with the Allium-test method. Material for the investigations was samples of edaphotopes which were selected at a depth of 15–20 cm from seven research areas of different locations. The last ones were 10–200 m away in relation to the surface storages of oil sludge and other waste of refinery. It has been detected in Allium-test that edaphotopes of the research areas located at a distance of 10–50 m relative to the storages of waste are toxic. Particularly, their aqueous extracts cause a medium and high level of phyto-, cyto- and genotoxic effects on the growing and proliferative activity of Allium cepa Stuttgarter Riesen variety meristem. Test extracts of edaphotopes in growing Allium-test caused darkening of rootlets and blackening of their tips (contrary to the light rootlets with light tips in control). In addition to it the growing activity of A. сepa bulb roots that were grown on the aqueous extracts of edaphotopes was decreased in 1.71–3.5 times depending on the location and measure of remoteness of the research area from the storage of waste of the refinery. Phytotoxicity of aqueous extracts of those edaphotopes regarding to A. сepa is above average and higher levels, and tolerance of onion rootlets to the test extracts decreases up to 29–52 % comparing to control. The mitotic activity of apical meristem of rootlets also decreased. Particularly, mitotic indexes diminished to 51.05–63.57 % (in control – 82.34 %) and cytotoxicity ones were in the range of 22.8–48.0 % that confirms the medial level of cytotoxicity of the investigated edaphotopes. Ana-telophase method and micronucleus test have shown that the chromosome aberrations frequency and appearance of micronuclei in the cells of the apical meristem of the test object A. cepa is higher in 3.34–5.20 times comparing to control. It indicates the average and the high level of genotoxicity of the investigated edaphotopes. The edaphotopes, which are located at the distance of 100–200 m in relation to the surface storages of waste of refinery have a slight phyto-, cyto- and genotoxic effects which are close to the background level.

Content of sialic acids, ATP and superoxide anion-radical in loach embryos under the influence of flurenizyd

It is known that flurenizide is a newly synthesized drug with pronounced antimicrobial, immunomodulatory functions. However, its effect on the functional properties of cells, in particular germ cells, is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of sialic acids as the final components of glycoconjugates, the main macroergic compound - ATP, to evaluate the generation of O2¯ in embryos of lobster (Misgurnus fossilis L.) under the influence of the antibiotic flurenizide. Studies have been performed on embryos of Misgurnus fossilis L. After fertilization, the zygotes were placed in Petri dishes with solutions of flurenizide in concentrations of 0.01; 0.05; 0.15; 1.0; 5.0; 15.0 mM, where allowed to develop. At the development stages, 2 blastomeres, 16 blastomeres, 64 blastomeres, VIII (256 blastomeres) and X divisions (1024 blastomeres) were sampled. In parallel, control studies were performed, where flureniside was not added to the samples. The content of sialic acids, ATP, superoxide anion radical was determined in the selected samples. We found that flureniside at the lowest concentration of 0.01 mM does not cause changes in the content of superoxide anion radical during early embryogenesis. The antibiotic in the maximum concentration causes changes in the content of free radical from the stage of development of 16 blastomeres to 1024 blastomeres, and from the stage of 64 blastomeres there is an increase in its number. Probably flurenizide at a concentration of 15.0 mM is the most reactive. It is known that flurenizide has antioxidant properties, but in its structure there are groups that have a toxic effect, which is most pronounced when exposed to high concentrations. In general, at the stage of development of 16 blastomeres there is a decrease in the amount of О2¯ under the influence of the studied antibiotic. At this time, the content of this free radical in the control increases, compared with other stages of development. Flureniside leads to an increase in the content of superoxide anion radical at development stage 2, 64 blastomeres and is particularly pronounced at concentrations from 0.05 to 15.0 mM at development stages 256 and 1024 blastomeres. 1024 blastomeres are the 10th stage of separation, where desynchronization occurs and the mitotic index decreases. Probably, the changes that take place at this stage of development are related to this. The antibiotic causes an increase in the content of sialic acids in the first stage of crushing (2 blastomeres). In step 16 of the blastomere, flureniside in low concentrations leads to a decrease in the content of sialic acids. However, already at the stage of separation of 64 and 256 blastomeres, the test substance in all concentrations causes a predominant decrease in the amount of sialic acids. At the last stage of synchronous crushing (1024 blastomeres) flurenizide in the maximum investigated concentration (15.0 mM) causes a significant accumulation of sialic acid content. Flureniside at concentrations of 0.15, 5.0 and 15.0 mМ causes a decrease in ATP content in loach embryos at the stage of development of 256 blastomeres by 28, 67 and 38 %, respectively. An increase in ATP content by 33 % occurs under the influence of flurenizide at a concentration of 1.0 mM. The ATP content also increases at the stage of development of embryos of 1024 blastomeres under the influence of flurenizide of all studied concentrations. Analysis of variance has shown that a significant contribution to the growth of ATP, sialic acid and superoxide anion radical, during the early embryogenesis of lobster embryos, is made by the factor of embryo development, while the factor of flureniside has a smaller contribution. Therefore, studies have shown that flurenizide causes increased generation of superoxide anion radical, decreased sialic acid content, as well as changes in ATP content in embryonic cells during early embryogenesis.

Nomen “shchur” as the Ukrainian name of mammals from the genus Arvicola: historical and etymological survey

The ancient Ukrainian zoonym “shchur”, which has long been used for various animals, but most often for large burrowing rodents represented in the aboriginal fauna of Ukraine by the genus Arvicola, is considered. At the same time, this name is also used as a synonym for the word “krysa” (= rat), and in this sense is often identified with the genus Rattus (“patsiuk” = rat) to denote various large rodents from distant lands following a principle “ the small = mice, the large = rats”. Therefore, the name “shchur” is often considered ambiguous and thus worth either forgetting or using only for the alien species. Etymological hypotheses are considered, of which the most relevant to zoological specifics is the one that explains the connection with burrows, ground, and night. This set of features determines the general ecomorphological type: large long-tailed underground mouse-like rodents with expressed nocturnal activity, which appearance in human economies is undesirable. The history of use of the name “shchur” in the special literature, mainly in zoological reviews and other zoological studies, in the period from 1874 to 2020 is analysed. The widespread use of the nomen to denote different groups of animals, and especially rodents of the ecomorphological type “large mice”, which are representatives of the genera Arvicola and Rattus, is shown. Analysis of old sources showed that the name “shchur” was originally used as a common “generic” name for all species as well as some intraspecific forms of both genera, with the definition of semantic differences in the species modifier: water, common, ground, nomadic, basement, black, ship, mill, and so on “shchur”. Unambiguous fixation of Ukrai­nian generic names as equivalents to scientific generic names required the typification of all names, which took place in the Ukrainian scientific nomenclature in the late XIX and early XX centuries. As a result, the name “rat” is proposed to be assigned to the genus Arvicola, and for the genus Rattus to be recorded as the Ukrainian equivalent of the nomen “patsiuk” (“rat”). Arguments are presented to recognise the antiquity of the zoonym “shchur” and therefore to recognise its importance for the designation of aboriginal rodent species, and especially of “water shchur” (water vole, Arvicola amphibius) voles of the genus Arvicola in general. The practice of traditional naming of laboratory rats as “shchur”, as well as the use of the name “shchur” with appropriate definitions to refer to other genera, inclu­ding muskrats (“musk shchur” or “musk rat”), nutria (“marsh shchur” or “marsh rat”) and various representatives of distant faunas (bamboo or spiny tree-rats, etc.) in the Ukrainian zoonymics should be abolished.

The effects of ammonia and glutamine on mitochondrial respiration of rat pancreatic acinar cells

During glutamine catabolism is produced ammonia, which can be toxic to cells. In hepatic encephalopathy neuron mitochondria ammonia causes the formation of free radicals, the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, oxidative phosphorylation disruption and swelling. It is still unknown whether the utilization of glutamine in the mitochondria of acinar cells of the pancreas produces toxic concentrations of ammonia. The experiments were performed on male Wistar rats weighing 250–300 g. Pancreatic acini were isolated using collagenase. Cells were incubated for 30 min with glucose (10 mM) in the control and additionally NH4Cl (5 mM) or glutamine (2 mM) in the experiment. Acetylcholine (10 μM) or cholecystokinin (0.1 nM) was used to stimulate secretion. Respiration rate of isolated rat pancreatic acini was measured using a Clark electrode. Maximum respiration rate was stimulated by addition to the FCCP. Statistical significance (P) of difference between the groups was determined with two-way repeated-measures ANOVA followed by a Holm-Bonferroni corrected post-hoc t tests. The secretagogues acetylcholine and cholecystokinin did not affect basal and FCCP-stimulated respiratory rate. The basal respiratory rate of pancreatic acinar cells decreased with NH4Cl compared to the basal respiratory rate with glucose oxidation, and this decrease was observed both at normal condition and under the action of secretagogues. Glutamine did not affect basal respiratory rate. During glutamine oxidation, the maximum respiratory rate increased compared to the control, regardless of the effect of acetylcholine or cholecystokinin. NH4Cl reduced the maximum rate of FCCP-stimulated respiration in rest or upon stimulation with secretagogues compared to glucose control. Therefore, NH4Cl causes a negative effect mitochondrial respiration regardless of secretory stimulation with acetylcholine or cholecystokinin. The toxic amount of ammonia required for inhibition of mitochondrial respiration is apparently not formed due to glutamine oxidation even when stimulated by acinar cells by secretagogues.