Ecology and some morphological characteristics of the Zootoca vivipara (Reptilia: Lacertidae) on the southern periphery of its range in the steppe zone (Orenburg State Nature Reserve, Russia)

Occurrence of common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) in the steppe zone on the southern border of its range (site «Burtinskaya Steppe» of the Orenburg State Nature Reserve, Russia) is confined to habitat with azonal, predominantly meadow, vegetation on the hydromorphic soils. Habitat and microclimatic conditions supporting the existence of this hygrophilous forest species in the study area are caused by the spring and a rivulet flowing from it. The habitat transformation is caused by fires, construction of tourist routes, and beaver activity. All lizard individuals within study area were captured on two plots with a total area of 0.004 km2. The estimated population density has reached 7.8 individuals/1000 m2. We have found no differences in size of individual's body between studied Zootoca vivipara population and its populations from Penza region and Samara region which are also located at the edge of species range. Among females of this species studied in various parts of species' range, females of the site «Burtinskaya Steppe» differ based on their higher fertility and smaller mass of newborns than in more northern populations. We noted earlier appearance of lizard offspring than in most regions of the Eastern European and Asian parts of the range. We demonstrated similarity of some parameters of reproductive biology (length of female's body, timing of the offspring appearance, fertility, length and mass of newborn lizard) of the studied population with populations located in the Middle Volga Region

Autoclaved Diet with Inactivated Spores of Bacillus spp. Decreased Reproductive Performance of Muc2−/− and Muc2+/− Mice

Within barrier facilities, autoclaved diet and bedding are used for husbandry of laboratory rodents. Bacillus spp. are ubiquitous in nature and some of them are known as probiotics. Inactivation of the Bacillus spores and reduction of the diet nutritional value due to autoclavation could be especially critical for immunodeficient mice. We studied the effect of the autoclaved and non-autoclaved diets on the reproductive performance and the age of prolapse manifestation in Muc2−/− mice with impaired gut barrier function and, therefore, sensitive to change of microbiota. We found that the non-autoclaved diet led to enhancement of the fertility index of Muc2−/− and Muc2+/− female mice. The non-autoclaved diet affected the prolapse of Muc2−/− mice that occurred later in comparison with females eating the autoclaved diet. We showed that Bacillus spp. was present in the non-autoclaved diet and feces of mice on the non-autoclaved diet. Bacterial strains of the non-autoclaved diet and feces belonged to B. amyloliquefaciens, B. thuringiensis, B. subtilis, Lysinibacillus macrolides, B. cereus, and other representatives of Bacillus spp. Moreover, autoclavation of the diet affected on the percent of the blood and spleen immune cells, the bacterial composition of the intestine, and increased the level of methionine in the thigh muscle of mice. Enhanced reproductive performance and delayed prolapse manifestation in Muc2−/− mice could be due to improved digestion, as Bacillus spp. from diet and feces had enzymatic activity

Management of Remuneration: Anti-Corruption Aspect

The article deals with problems of policy-making staff salaries in order to counter corruption in the organization. We consider the agency theory that can explain the emergence of opportunistic behavior of the personnel. The direction of development of motivation for the formation of anti-corruption policy of the organizational environment is suggested

<i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> Spores and Cry3A Toxins Act Synergistically to Expedite Colorado Potato Beetle Mortality

The insect integument (exoskeleton) is an effective physiochemical barrier that limits disease-causing agents to a few portals of entry, including the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts. The bacterial biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) enters the insect host via the mouth and must thwart gut-based defences to make its way into the body cavity (haemocoel) and establish infection. We sought to uncover the main antibacterial defences of the midgut and the pathophysiological features of Bt in a notable insect pest, the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (CPB). Exposing the beetles to both Bt spores and their Cry3A toxins (crystalline δ-endotoxins) via oral inoculation led to higher mortality levels when compared to either spores or Cry3A toxins alone. Within 12 h post-exposure, Cry3A toxins caused a 1.5-fold increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation) within the midgut – key indicators of tissue damage. When Cry3A toxins are combined with spores, gross redox imbalance and ‘oxidation stress’ is apparent in beetle larvae. The insect detoxification system is activated when Bt spores and Cry3A toxins are administered alone or in combination to mitigate toxicosis, in addition to elevated mRNA levels of candidate defence genes (pattern-recognition receptor, stress-regulation, serine proteases, and prosaposin-like protein). The presence of bacterial spores and/or Cry3A toxins coincides with subtle changes in microbial community composition of the midgut, such as decreased Pseudomonas abundance at 48 h post inoculation. Both Bt spores and Cry3A toxins have negative impacts on larval health, and when combined, likely cause metabolic derangement, due to multiple tissue targets being compromised