Ancient DNA of narrow-headed vole reveal common features of the Late Pleistocene population dynamics in cold-adapted small mammals

The narrow-headed vole, collared lemming and common vole were the most abundant small mammal species across the Eurasian Late Pleistocene steppe-tundra environment. Previous ancient DNA studies of the collared lemming and common vole have revealed dynamic population histories shaped by climatic fluctuations. To investigate the extent to which species with similar adaptations share common evolutionary histories, we generated a dataset comprised the mitochondrial genomes of 139 ancient and 6 modern narrow-headed voles from several sites across Europe and northwestern Asia covering approximately the last 100 thousand years (kyr). We inferred Bayesian time-aware phylogenies using 11 radiocarbon-dated samples to calibrate the molecular clock. Divergence of the main mtDNA lineages across the three species occurred during marine isotope stages (MIS) 7 and MIS 5, suggesting a common response of species adapted to open habitat during interglacials. We identified several time-structured mtDNA lineages in European narrow-headed vole, suggesting lineage turnover. The timing of some of these turnovers was synchronous across the three species, allowing us to identify the main drivers of the Late Pleistocene dynamics of steppe- and cold-adapted species.NWOVI.C.191.070Human Origin

Some Aspects of Formation of a Systemic Inflammatory Response in Critically Ill Patients

Objective: to study the general regularities and pathogenetic significance of changes in primary and secondary inflammatory mediator ratios in the formation of a systemic inflammatory response in critically ill patients. Subjects and methods. Three hundred and eighty-seven critically ill inpatients from intensive care units were examined. Results. The systemic inflammatory response syndrome develops in critical conditions, which is characterized by the increased serum levels of primary (proinflammatory cytokines) and secondary (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen) inflammatory mediators, which was more substantial in infected patients. When the hyperproduction of proinflammatory cytokines was evident, there was no adequate proinflammatory response, as suggested by the negative IL-10 level changes. Correlations were established between the serum content of inflammatory mediators and the indices of external respiration function, respiration rate, and heart rate. Conclusion. The nature of changes in the quantitative (mediator concentrations) and qualitative (mediator ratio) indices enables one to estimate the intensity of a systemic inflammatory response and to predict its further progression. Key words: critical condition, systemic inflammatory response, inflammatory mediators

Ancient DNA of narrow-headed vole reveal common features of the Late Pleistocene population dynamics in cold-adapted small mammals

The narrow-headed vole, collared lemming and common vole were the most abundant small mammal species across the Eurasian Late Pleistocene steppe-tundra environment. Previous ancient DNA studies of the collared lemming and common vole have revealed dynamic population histories shaped by climatic fluctuations. To investigate the extent to which species with similar adaptations share common evolutionary histories, we generated a dataset comprised the mitochondrial genomes of 139 ancient and 6 modern narrow-headed voles from several sites across Europe and northwestern Asia covering approximately the last 100 thousand years (kyr). We inferred Bayesian time-aware phylogenies using 11 radiocarbon-dated samples to calibrate the molecular clock. Divergence of the main mtDNA lineages across the three species occurred during marine isotope stages (MIS) 7 and MIS 5, suggesting a common response of species adapted to open habitat during interglacials. We identified several time-structured mtDNA lineages in European narrow-headed vole, suggesting lineage turnover. The timing of some of these turnovers was synchronous across the three species, allowing us to identify the main drivers of the Late Pleistocene dynamics of steppe- and cold-adapted species