Micro-decomposer communities and decomposition processes in tropical lowlands as affected by land use and litter type.

We investigated how the land-use change from rainforest into jungle rubber, intensive rubber and oil palm plantations affects decomposers and litter decomposition in Sumatra, Indonesia. Litterbags containing three litter types were placed into four land-use systems and harvested after 6 and 12 months. Litter mass loss and litter element concentrations were measured, and different microbial groups including bacteria, fungi and testate amoebae were studied.

What is the optimum sample size for the study of peatland testate amoeba assemblages?

Testate amoebae are widely used in ecological and palaeoecological studies of peatlands, particularly as indicators of surface wetness. To ensure data are robust and comparable it is important to consider methodological factors which may affect results. One significant question which has not been directly addressed in previous studies is how sample size (expressed here as number of Sphagnum stems) affects data quality.

Morphology and phylogeny of the testate amoebae Euglypha bryophila Brown, 1911 and Euglypha cristata Leidy, 1874 (Rhizaria, Euglyphida).

The genus Euglypha contains the largest number of filose testate amoeba taxa which were mainly described based on the morphological characteristics of shells. Despite the increasing amount of molecular data, the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Euglypha remain unresolved. In this work we provide new data on SSU rRNA gene sequences, light and electron microscopy for the two euglyphid species Euglypha bryophilaBrown, 1911 and Euglypha cristataLeidy, 1874.

Isolated populations of the bush-cricket (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) in Russia suggest a disjunct area of the species distribution.

Phylogenetic analysis and assessment of the species status of mostly isolated populations of in south-western Russia occurring far beyond the accepted area of the species distribution in the Carpathian-Balkan region were performed. Using the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene fragment, we found a very low level of genetic diversity in these populations. Phylogeographic reconstruction did not support recent introduction events but rather historical range fragmentation.

Novel Predators Reshape Holozoan Phylogeny and Reveal the Presence of a Two-Component Signaling System in the Ancestor of Animals.

Our understanding of the origin of animals has been transformed by characterizing their most closely related, unicellular sisters: the choanoflagellates, filastereans, and ichthyosporeans. Together with animals, these lineages make up the Holozoa [1, 2]. Many traits previously considered "animal specific" were subsequently found in other holozoans [3, 4], showing that they evolved before animals, although exactly when is currently uncertain because several key relationships remain unresolved [2, 5].

Genetic Determinism vs. Phenotypic Plasticity in Protist Morphology.

Untangling the relationships between morphology and phylogeny is key to building a reliable taxonomy, but is especially challenging for protists, where the existence of cryptic or pseudocryptic species makes finding relevant discriminant traits difficult. Here we use Hyalosphenia papilio (a testate amoeba) as a model species to investigate the contribution of phylogeny and phenotypic plasticity in its morphology. We study the response of H.

DNA analysis of a 30,000-year-old Urocitellus glacialis from northeastern Siberia reveals phylogenetic relationships between ancient and present-day arctic ground squirrels.

In contrast to the abundant fossil record of arctic ground squirrels, Urocitellus parryii, from eastern Beringia, only a limited number of fossils is known from its western part. In 1946, unnamed GULAG prisoners discovered a nest with three mummified carcasses of arctic ground squirrels in the permafrost sediments of the El'ga river, Yakutia, Russia, that were later attributed to a new species, Citellus (Urocitellus) glacialis Vinogr. To verify this assignment and to explore phylogenetic relationships between ancient and present-day arctic ground squirrels, we performed C dating and ancient DNA analyses of one of the El'ga mummies and four contemporaneous fossils from Duvanny Yar, northeastern Yakutia.

[Selenium in food crops].

Biofortification of food crops with selenium is considered to be one of the most effective and economically beneficial way in the human selenium status optimization. At the same time as biologically activity of selenium is determined not only by a dose but also by chemical forms of the element it seems especially important to reveal peculiarities of their biosynthesis by different agricultural crops. The review presents the last data on the chemical forms of selenium in food products including food crops.

Effects of Single Administration of Bupropion on Carboxypeptidase E Activity in Structures of Rat Brain.

Depression is associated with changes in the levels of some neurotransmitters in various brain structures. Being the key enzyme of peptide processing, carboxypeptidase E regulates their levels in various structures of the nervous system. Single injection of bupropion induced long-lasting changes in carboxypeptidase E activity in all brain structures.

[Determining the level of occurrence of the lipid nucleus of atherosclerotic plaques in the abdominal aorta by means of infrared Fourier spectroscopy].

The article deals with the problem of diagnosis of atherosclerotic alterations in abdominal aorta wall in order to reduce atherosclerosis-related mortality. Targeted treatment requires determining the exact mechanism of development of atherosclerosis. Infrared Fourier spectroscopy is suggested as the most rapid and accurate method of diagnosis and analysis of the content of various organic compounds playing a particular role in the development of the atherosclerotic process.

Testate amoeba transfer function performance along localised hydrological gradients.

Testate amoeba transfer functions are widely used for reconstruction of palaeo-hydrological regime in peatlands. However, the limitations of this approach have become apparent with increasing attention to validation and assessing sources of uncertainty. This paper investigates effects of peatland type and sampling depth on the performance of a transfer function using an independent test-set from four Sphagnum-dominated sites in European Russia (Penza Region).

[Silent myocardial ischemia in acute coronary syndrome].

The given review considers the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and clinical significance of silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) in individual patient groups. It discusses the problem of SMI in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the possible causes of SMI and the specific features of its diagnosis. It also indicates that there is a need for 12-lead ECG telemonitoring in intensive care unit patients with ACS to intraoperatively correct patient management and treatment policy.

[Effect of reboxetine on activity of carboxypeptidase E in the nerve tissue of rats].

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, but its etiology is not completely understood. It is assumed that peptidergic system components are involved in the formation of this pathology. Neuropeptides play an important role in the regulation of mental and emotional states.

[Efficacy of cytoflavin in the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic lesions of the nervous system in 1-month old children with transient neonatal hypothyroidism].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of cytoflavin in the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic lesions of the nervous system in young infants with transient neonatal hypothyroidism.

Material And Methods: Authors analyzed the efficacy of cytoflavin in the treatment of cerebral ischemia in the combination with transient neonatal hypothyroidism in 89 newborns. The main group comprised 43 children treated with intravenous cytoflavin in dose 2 ml per 1 kg of body weight per day for five days; 46 newborns of the comparison group received basic therapy.

Diversity and community ecology of forest epiphyte testate amoebae from European Russia.

Testate amoebae are an abundant group of microorganisms which make a significant contribution to the diversity of protist life. Most of the world's potential habitats for testate amoebae have been barely studied and when such places are investigated they frequently reveal novel communities and species. Here we consider the testate amoeba communities associated with boreal forest epiphytes (mosses and lichens); an environment which we argue has been under-researched.

[The mechanical properties of the bone tissue from the middle facial region].

The objective of the present work was to study age-related features of the reaction of the maxillary sinus cavity walls to a variety of impacts associated with the surgical interventions. To this effect, a variety of stress-strain conditions were simulated that are known to arise in the maxillary sinus cavity walls under the action of different force vectors taking into consideration the age-specific peculiarities of the mechanical structure of the bone tissue. The 3D model of the maxillary sinus cavity was built up based on the results of spiral computed tomography with the use of the Solid Works 2012 software package (USA).

Testing the Effect of Refrigerated Storage on Testate Amoeba Samples.

Samples for analysis of testate amoebae and other protists frequently need to be stored for many months before microscopy. This storage commonly involves refrigeration, but we know that testate amoebae can live and reproduce in these conditions. This raises the question: do communities change during storage and how might this effect the data produced? We analysed Sphagnum samples over a 16-week period to address this question.

[Variations of clinical and functional characteristics of nasal cavity mucosa in the patients of different age groups presenting with acute rhinosinusitis].

The objective of the present study was to evaluate changes in the functional properties of nasal cavity mucosa during the treatment of the patients of different age groups presenting with acute rhinosinusitis. The following methods were used for the purpose: daily measurement of pH, body temperature, pain sensitivity threshold in the intranasal mucous membrane, mucociliary transport (MCT) time; in addition, joulemetry was performed to examine the patients suffering from acute rhinosinusitis. The study has demonstrated marked differences in the functional conditions of nasal cavity mucosa associated with the treatment.

Implications of hybridization, NUMTs, and overlooked diversity for DNA Barcoding of Eurasian ground squirrels.

The utility of DNA Barcoding for species identification and discovery has catalyzed a concerted effort to build the global reference library; however, many animal groups of economical or conservational importance remain poorly represented. This study aims to contribute DNA barcode records for all ground squirrel species (Xerinae, Sciuridae, Rodentia) inhabiting Eurasia and to test efficiency of this approach for species discrimination. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene sequences were obtained for 97 individuals representing 16 ground squirrel species of which 12 were correctly identified.

Additive partitioning of testate amoeba species diversity across habitat hierarchy within the pristine southern taiga landscape (Pechora-Ilych Biosphere Reserve, Russia).

In order to better understand the distribution patterns of terrestrial eukaryotic microbes and the factors governing them, we studied the diversity partitioning of soil testate amoebae across levels of spatially nested habitat hierarchy in the largest European old-growth dark coniferous forest (Pechora-Ilych Biosphere Reserve; Komi Republic, Russia). The variation in testate amoeba species richness and assemblage structure was analysed in 87 samples from six biotopes in six vegetation types using an additive partitioning procedure and principal component analyses. The 80 taxa recorded represent the highest value of species richness for soil testate amoebae reported for taiga soils so far.

[The state of the great arteries in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

Aim: To evaluate the impact of hyperglycemia concurrent with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on endothelial function (EF) and vessel remodeling in patients with Grade 1-2 hypertension.

Material And Methods: A total of 101 patients with Grade 1-2 hypertension were examined. A study group (SG) consisted of 74 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design of plastic diffractive-refractive compact zoom lenses for visible-near-IR spectrum.

The requirements for selecting the initial scheme for a compact plastic zoom lens are formulated. The main stages of the initial scheme of the transformation, incorporating the diffractive lens and replacement of the lenses' glasses by optical plastics, are presented. The efficiency of the suggested techniques of the optical layout process are demonstrated by using the example of the design and analysis of a zoom lens intended for use in security cameras for day or night vision.

Diffractive-refractive correction units for plastic compact zoom lenses.

A method of designing a plastic zoom lens with a diffractive-refractive hybrid corrector, comprising one diffractive lens and one refractive lens, is described. The efficiency of this method is demonstrated by designing a compact zoom lens for a mobile phone. This zoom design, incorporating lenses made only of two commercial optical plastics (polymethylmethacrylate and polycarbonate), provides high optical performance.