Genetic profile of domestic cat (Felis catus L.) population of Aoshima Island (Japan).

The paper analyzes the genetic profile of the domestic cat population of the Aoshima Island. The population has been established in the middle of the last century, after a small group of animals was imported for rodent control. Based on three photographs, the genotypes of the cats in three overlapping groups (75, 56, and 70 individuals) were determined.

Effects of prolonged isolation in a confined space on status of oxidative stress and prothrombogenesis: In preparation for possible future manned space expedition to Mars.

Introduction: Apart from inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, other key components in the development of atherogenesis include prothrombogenesis and oxidative stress. The effects of long-term confinement and isolation, exposure to radiation and different gravity forces during space travel could potentially increase the long-term risk of atherosclerosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study determining the status of prothrombogenesis and oxidative stress in six cosmonauts subjected to the longest duration of confined isolation period of 520 days in preparation for prospective undetermined manned space travel to Mars.

[New data on coat color mutant gene frequencies in domestic cats of the European part of Russia (the City of Kamyshin)].

Frequencies of mutant alleles that control coat color of domestic cats were determined in population of the city of Kamyshin, Volgograd oblast. Intermediate position of the population with respect to the O and t(b) mutant gene frequencies was demonstrated. These data were consistent with the idea on the existence of the so-called corridor of low frequencies of the first gene and the zone of absence of the second gene.

[Coat color mutation frequencies in domestic cat populations of Primorskii krai, Russia].

The frequencies of mutant coat color genes have been estimated in the cat populations of five settlements in Primorskii krai, Russia: two cities (Partizansk and Spassk-Dal'nii), a town (Khorol'), and two villages (Dmitrievka and Brovnichi). The genetic profiles of these populations have been found to be relatively homogenous and to correspond of the cat population of the city of Vladivostok studied earlier. No considerable differences in gene frequencies have been found between urban and rural cat populations.

[Parasites of the introduced Amur sleeper, Perccottus glenii (Osteichthyes): alpha-diversity of parasites and age of the host].

Three age groups of the Amur sleeper have been studied: underyearlings (0+), two-year-olds (1+), and three- and four-year-olds (2+ and 3+). The long-cycle parasites prevalent in all three age groups are the merocercoids of Ophiotaenia europaea, third-instar larvae of Spiroxys contortus, and metacercaria of Isthmiophora sp. and Prohemistomidae gen.