Характеристика популяцій звичайного вужа лісових біогеоценозів Присамар’я

Results of 7-years research of the grass snake population in forest ecosystems of the Samara River area (Dnipropetrovsk province, Ukraine) are presented. The population is of high abundance but have a tendency to decrease. Population’s sex ratio, spatial structure, snakes’ morphometric parameters and pholidosis are described. Those characteristics reflect the population specificity, which was formed by microevolutional processes.Представлены результаты семилетних исследований популяции обыкновенного ужа в лесных биогеоценозах Присамарья (Днепропетровская обл., Украина). Популяция имеет достаточно высокую плотность населения, но с тенденцией к ее снижению. Охарактеризована половая и пространственная структура популяций, основные показатели морфометрии и фолидоза, которые характеризуют популяционную специфичность, сформированную микроэволюционным процессом.Наведено результати семирічних досліджень популяції звичайного вужа у лісових біогеоценозах Присамар’я (Дніпропетровська обл., Україна). Популяція має достатньо високу щільність населення, але з тенденцією до її зниження. Охарактеризовано статеву та просторову структуру популяції, основні показники морфометрії та фолідозу, які характеризують популяційну специфічність, що сформована мікроеволюційним процесом

Transaminases activity in the sand lizard’s serum under influence of industrial pollution

Досліджено вплив забруднення довкілля на активність аланінамінотрансферази та аспартат­амінотрансферази у сироватці крові прудкої ящірки. Амінотрансферази (АЛТ і АСТ) – схожі за механізмом дії ферменти, що беруть участь у метаболізмі амінокислот. Показано підвищення активності трансаміназ в умовах забруднення, що може відбивати процеси ушкодження відповідних органів, а саме печінки.Исследовано влияние загрязнения окружающей среды на активность аланинаминотрансферазы и аспартат¬аминотрансферазы в сыворотке крови прыткой ящерицы. Аминотрансферазы (АЛТ и АСТ) - похожи по механизму действия ферменты, участвующие в метаболизме аминокислот. Показано повышение активности трансаминаз в условиях загрязнения, может отражать процессы повреждения соответствующих органов, а именно печени.Influence of the environmental pollution on the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity in the blood serum of the sand lizard has been studied. Aminotransferases (ALT and AST) are similar by the mechanism of action. These enzymes take part in the amino acids metabolism. The increase of the transaminases activities under conditions of the pollution is found. It may be a proof of a damage of relevant organs: namely, the liver

Характеристика гематологічних показників крові рептилій (Reptilia)

Content of the haemoglobin, erythrocytes, leucocytes and leukogram pattern in six reptile species of the central steppeDnieperregion are studied. Morphological features of the blood cells are described.Вивчено вміст гемоглобіну, еритроцитів, лейкоцитів і склад лейкоцитарної формули шести видів плазунів в умовах центрального степового Придніпров’я. Описано морфологічні особливості клітин крові.Вивчено вміст гемоглобіну, еритроцитів, лейкоцитів і склад лейкоцитарної формули шести видів плазунів в умовах центрального степового Придніпров’я. Описано морфологічні особливості клітин крові

Soluble curcumin ameliorates motility, adhesiveness and abrogate parthanatos in cadmium-exposed retinal pigment epithelial cells

Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential transition metal and one of the most toxic environmental pollutants. Industrial, agricultural and urban activities are the main sources of Cd environmental contamination. Multiple deleterious effects of Cd exposure were reported for different cell types and living organisms in a great number of research papers. Cd bioaccumulation hazard is mediated by the relatively long half-life of this metal in an organism. For example, in mammals its half-life lasts for about 10–30 years. Cd exposure affects many tissues. However, some of them, including the central nervous system and sensory organs, are most susceptible to its toxicity. The harmful effects of Cd could be linked to oxidative stress generation and consequently intracellular signalling disruption. Since Cd induces redox imbalance the antioxidants could be a prospective tool to ameliorate Cd cytotoxicity. In present work, we have studied the protective efficacy of soluble curcumin on Cd-caused retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells viability, reactive oxygen species production, adhesive and extracellular matrix proteins expression, cell migration and parthanatos level. Low dose (5 µM) of soluble curcumin ameliorated all aforementioned indices of Cd-induced cytotoxicity. Curcumin has restored the RPE cells motility as well as fibronectin and E-cadherin expression. Therefore, the modulation of RPE adhesiveness could be regarded as a cytoprotective effect of curcumin. Furthermore, Cd-caused poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) suppression and cleaved PARP-1 upregulation were ameliorated by curcumin exposure. Therefore, the protective effect of soluble curcumin could be related, at least partially, to the modulation of PARP activity and inhibition of parthanatos flux. The observed results have demonstrated that low doses of soluble curcumin are a promising tool to protect RPE cells against Cd-caused retinal injury

Роль земноводних і плазунів у створенні екологічного буферу проти техногенного забруднення

It has shown that fossorial activity of common spadefoot Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti, 1768) under conditions of heavy metals pollution of soils is able to reduce the level of the metals in soil. Tropho-metabolic activity (faeces excretion) of amphibians (P. fuscus) and reptiles (sand lizard Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758) decreases the content of heavy metals in soils.Показано, что рийного активность чесночницы обыкновенной Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti, 1768) в условиях загрязнения почв тяжелыми металлами способна положительно влиять на содержание металлов в почве. Трофометаболична активность (выделение екскреций) земноводных (P. fuscus) и пресмыкающихся (ящерицы прыткой, Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758) уменьшает содержание тяжелых металлов в почве.Показано, що рийна активність часничниці звичайної Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti, 1768) в умовах забруднення ґрунтів важкими металами здатна позитивно впливати на вміст металів у ґрунті. Трофометаболічна активність (виділення екскрецій) земноводних (P. fuscus) і плазунів (ящірки прудкої, Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758) зменшує вміст важких металів у ґрунті

Population systems of Eurasian water frogs (Pelophylax) in the south of Ukraine

Ecological and evolutionary consequences of population-genetic processes that occur because of natural cross-species hybridization can show mechanisms of overcoming the reproductive barrier and obtaining the species status by a hybrid taxon. This is clearly seen in the population systems of Eurasian water frogs – Pelophylax esculentus complex. The P. esculentus (E) hybrid usually discards one of the parental genomes of P. lessonae (L) or P. ridibundus (R) and reproduces semi-clonally. The genetic structure and direction of gene flows precisely depend on the type and distribution of mixed or pure population systems of water frogs. Three population systems in the south of Ukraine were identified and confirmed as RR, RE and REL. The populations of P. ridibundus are most common (76.2%). A mixed population systems of P. ridibundus and P. esculentus (20.0%) are concentrated in the floodplains of large rivers where triploids were found and the unisexual hybrids (1.0♂ : 0.1♀) were proved. Parent species populations having different ploidy of P. esculentus such as 3n and for the first time 4n were found. A mixed system of three taxa (REL) is rare (3.8%) and locally concentrated in the lower Danube and Dnieper with the smallest proportion of P. lessonae. We did not find populations of P. lessonae (LL), P. esculentus (EE, very rare system of hybrids only), and two mixed populations of parental species RL and semi-clonal LE in the south of Ukraine, but they are known for northern areas. The high number of P. ridibundus tends to decrease; the scarce P. esculentus and the extremely rare P. lessonae require special conservation measures. P. ridibundus (RR) occupies a wide range of diverse natural, permanent, temporary, coastal, continental, and artificial freshwater bodies, including synanthropic ecosystems. Mixed population systems inhabit willow and poplar forests in the floodplains of large rivers. In the south of Ukraine rare and isolated populations of the water frogs occurring outside the main range can be relict. Biotopic preferences, ratio and number of constituent taxa are crucial for an adequate assessment of biological (taxonomic) diversity and development of an appropriate strategy for the population systems’ conservation. Such characteristics as unisexuality of hybrids, their spreading patterns, specific sex structure and ploidy in different population systems of the P. esculentus complex contribute to the understanding of the hybridogenetic dynamics; produce new tendencies of becoming independent hybridogenous taxa and emergence of new evolutionary relationships

Изменчивость морфометрических признаков водяного ужа Natrix tessellata (Reptilia, Colubridae) Центрального и Южного Приднепровья

The dice snake Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768) is one of the common snake species in the Southern Palaearctic and North Africa. In the Central and Southern Dnieper River basin the dice snake is one of the most numerous and characteristic species. Relative isolation and the varying influence of environmental factors are known to be a motive force behind epigenetic divergence between populations. In populations of N. tessellata this divergence can be manifest in the form of morphometric and phenetic peculiarities. Research into these parameters of  dice snake populations in terms of anthropogenic influence on habitats along a latitude gradient is essential. In the Central and Southern parts of the Dnieper River basin such studies are of great importance for the monitoring of populations and for further indicative purposes. The aim of our study is to characterize the morphometric features of N. tessellata in this area and to determine the variability of these parameters in the snake populations under varying intensities of anthropogenic influence. The snakes were collected in 2013–2016 from the territory adjacent to the Prydniprovska Thermal Power Plant, from the Maiorova gully (Maiorka village, Dnipropetrovsk region) and the National Nature Park “Velykyi Lug” (Zaporizhia region). The following morphometric parameters were recorded: snout-vent length (SVL), tail length (TL), the number of ventral scales (V), and the number of subcaudal scales (SBC), the number of scale rows at mid-body (MBS), the number of supralabial scales (SLS), the number of temporal scales (TS), and the number of postocular scales (POS). All the tested parameters generally correspond to the limits known for this species from the literature. Nevertheless , some geographic peculiarities in variability of the tail length and number of subcaudal scales were identified. According to data from the literature, the southern populations of the dice snake are distinguished by an increase in the number of subcaudal scales . The studied dice snake populations were characterized by some sexual dimorphism in the snout-vent length, tail length and the number of subcaudal scales. A higher percentage of bilateral asymmetry in snakes from the population close to the Prydniprovska TPP was found. Such changes are usually considered to be an indicator of a certain destabilization of the embryogenesis. Для водяного ужа Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768) охарактеризованы восемь морфометрических параметров: длина тела, длина хвоста, количество чешуй вокруг середины тела, количество брюшных, подхвостовых, верхнегубных, височных и заглазничных щитков. Материал собран в 2013–2016 гг. на территории, прилегающей к Приднепровской ТЭС (г. Днепропетровск). В качестве контрольных участков выбраны биотопы Национального природного парка «Великий Луг» (Запорожская область) и Майоровой балки (с. Майорка Днепропетровскрого района Днепропетровской области). Выявлены географические особенности изменчивости показателей длины хвоста и количества подхвостовых щитков. Зарегистрированы достоверные отличия между самками и самцами для длины тела и хвоста, количества подхвостовых щитков. Число щитков, расположенных на теле змей, довольно стабильно. Пределы изменчивости исследуемых признаков соответствуют литературным данным. Отмечены различия в характере изменчивости билатеральных структур. Стабильным является число височных щитков I ряда и верхнегубных щитков, более разнообразно сочетание заглазничных и височных щитков II ряда. Для исследуемых популяций водяных ужей характерен половой диморфизм. Выявлено увеличение билатеральной асимметрии для популяции водяного ужа из Приднепровска, что может свидетельствовать о дестабилизации процесса эмбриогенеза водяного ужа, обусловленной влиянием техногенной нагрузки. Для водяного ужа Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768) охарактеризованы восемь морфометрических параметров: длина тела, длина хвоста, количество чешуй вокруг середины тела, количество брюшных, подхвостовых, верхнегубных, височных и заглазничных щитков. Материал собран в 2013–2016 гг. на территории, прилегающей к Приднепровской ТЭС (г. Днепропетровск). В качестве контрольных участков выбраны биотопы Национального природного парка «Великий Луг» (Запорожская область) и Майоровой балки (с. Майорка Днепропетровскрого района Днепропетровской области). Выявлены географические особенности изменчивости показателей длины хвоста и количества подхвостовых щитков. Зарегистрированы достоверные отличия между самками и самцами для длины тела и хвоста, количества подхвостовых щитков. Число щитков, расположенных на теле змей, довольно стабильно. Пределы изменчивости исследуемых признаков соответствуют литературным данным. Отмечены различия в характере изменчивости билатеральных структур. Стабильным является число височных щитков I ряда и верхнегубных щитков, более разнообразно сочетание заглазничных и височных щитков II ряда. Для исследуемых популяций водяных ужей характерен половой диморфизм. Выявлено увеличение билатеральной асимметрии для популяции водяного ужа из Приднепровска, что может свидетельствовать о дестабилизации процесса эмбриогенеза водяного ужа, обусловленной влиянием техногенной нагрузки.

Local industrial pollution induces astrocyte cytoskeleton rearrangement in the dice snake brain: GFAP as a biomarker

The present study was designed to evaluate the responsiveness of modulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) content and its fragmentation in the snake brain as a biomarker of local industrial pollution of aquatic ecosystems. Despite GFAP being a well known cytoskeleton marker of astrocytes’ reactivity in the brain of vertebrates, its expression in the snake brain remains insufficiently described. The GFAP expression and its fragmentation were detected using the immunoblot method in the snake brain. ROS level was determined with dichlorofluorescein diacetate fluorescence. The content of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) of filament (cytoskeleton) and soluble (cytosol) fractions in the brain of dice snake Natrix tessellata from three ecosystems with different rates of industrial pollution were studied (two polluted and one clean control site). Characteristic increase in GFAP fragmentation was noted for the snakes from both the researched polluted sites. Significant increase in the content of the GFAP cleaved polypeptide fragments induced by industrial pollution exposure was confirmed in the snakes’ brains. Meaningful GFAP fragmentation was determined in snake brain astrocytes as an increase in cleaved fragments of 47–35 kDa molecular weight for both soluble and cytoskeletal GFAP fractions. We found significant abnormality in the ratio of the GFAP soluble fraction to the cytoskeletal one in contaminant-exposed dice snakes. It should testify to significant metabolic disturbance in nerve cells of the dice snakes. Furthermore, growth of reactive oxygen species level as the main cause of oxidative stress was determined in brains of the snakes exposed to environmental toxicity. Thus, astrocyte cytoskeleton disorders are associated with pollutant-induced redox imbalance in the snake brain. Despite the limited data on glial cell biology in the reptilian brain, the observed results prove that snake astrocytes can respond to the environmental toxicity using typical astroglial response. The presented results evidence that monitoring of molecular characteristics of glial cytoskeleton in dice snakes could be used as reliable biomarker of neurotoxicity and adverse effects of industrial pollution. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of astrocyte cytoskeleton in the response against neurotoxic contaminants

Fibroblasts from patients with major depressive disorder show distinct transcriptional response to metabolic stressors

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is increasingly viewed as interplay of environmental stressors and genetic predisposition, and recent data suggest that the disease affects not only the brain, but the entire body. As a result, we aimed at determining whether patients with major depression have aberrant molecular responses to stress in peripheral tissues. We examined the effects of two metabolic stressors, galactose (GAL) or reduced lipids (RL), on the transcriptome and miRNome of human fibroblasts from 16 pairs of patients with MDD and matched healthy controls (CNTR). Our results demonstrate that both MDD and CNTR fibroblasts had a robust molecular response to GAL and RL challenges. Most importantly, a significant part (messenger RNAs (mRNAs): 26-33%; microRNAs (miRNAs): 81-90%) of the molecular response was only observed in MDD, but not in CNTR fibroblasts. The applied metabolic challenges uncovered mRNA and miRNA signatures, identifying responses to each stressor characteristic for the MDD fibroblasts. The distinct responses of MDD fibroblasts to GAL and RL revealed an aberrant engagement of molecular pathways, such as apoptosis, regulation of cell cycle, cell migration, metabolic control and energy production. In conclusion, the metabolic challenges evoked by GAL or RL in dermal fibroblasts exposed adaptive dysfunctions on mRNA and miRNA levels that are characteristic for MDD. This finding underscores the need to challenge biological systems to bring out disease-specific deficits, which otherwise might remain hidden under resting conditions