The trait-specific collection of large-seeded sunflower at VIR: ba source for breeding cultivars and hybrids

Background. In recent years, an increase has been observed in the share of sunflower seeds in the confectionery and food industries. There are 30 cultivars and only 3 hybrids for confectionery use among 839 zoned sunflower cultivars and hybrids listed in the State Register for Selection Achievements Admitted for Usage in 2023. Thus, the development of source material for breeding large-seeded cultivars and hybrids remains a relevant task.Materials and methods. The studied material included 90 accessions selected for their large seed size from VIR’s sunflower collection. The following characters were assessed: 1000 seed weight, days from sprouting to maturation, plant height, head diameter, cypsela color and size, and resistance to downy mildew. DNA markers were used to identify accessions with the Rf1 gene and CMS.Results. Accessions k-2818 (Primorsky Territory), k-3633, k-3748, k-3782 (China), and k-3578 (Ukraine) were the best in 1000 seed weight. Russian cvs. ‘Alekseyevsky Krupnoplodny 2’ (k-3552), ‘Gyar-Gyar’ (k-1589), ‘SPK’ (k-3426), and ‘Lakomka’ (k-3526) confirmed their large seed size. The sterile type of cytoplasm was identified in 12 accessions. Fourteen accessions with fertile cytoplasm had diagnostic markers of the nuclear Rf1 gene.Conclusion. The large-seeded cultivars developed at VNIIMK, ‘SPK’, ‘Lakomka’, and k-3782 from China were the best not only in their large seed size but also in downy mildew resistance. As a result of long-term studies, a trait-specific collection was established for the large seed size trait. It included 90 accessions that can be used in the development of confectionery cultivars. Large-seeded sunflower accessions carrying the Rf1 gene were identified. Some of them became the ancestors of donor lines for both pollen fertility restoration genes and large seed size

Diagnostic value of <i>Rf1</i> gene molecular markers in sunflower

Background. Modern production of sunflower seeds is currently based on the cultivation of high-yielding heterotic F1 hybrids from crossbreeding of lines with cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) of PET1-type and fertility restorer lines. The paternal parent serves as a donor of the nuclear Rf1 gene functional allele, which is responsible for pollen fertility restoration in F1 plants. The detection of carriers of the Rf1 locus recessive and dominant alleles using diagnostic molecular markers accelerates breeding of female and male parental lines for creating hybrids.Materials and methods. The material for the study included 75 lines of various origins from the VIR sunflower genetic collection as well as hybrids from crosses of VIR 116A sterile line with fertile lines differing in the type of cytoplasm (fertile or sterile) and the presence of molecular markers, most of which were linked to the Rf1 locus. For marker validation, two different approaches were used: either by analyzing associations between the ability of a line to restore pollen fertility and the presence of molecular markers in its genotype, or by estimating recombination frequency between the Rf1 locus and marker loci in four segregating hybrid populations.Results. According to the obtained results, no markers demonstrated 100% efficiency in the analysis of the sample of genotypes. The ORS511 marker was most frequently observed among the lines presumably carrying the dominant allele Rf1. Pollen fertility of F1 hybrids from interline crossings was 89-99%. The segregation for fertility/sterility in F2 fitted the theoretical ratio of 3:1 expected in case of the monogenic control of the trait. The markers HRG01, HRG02 and ORS511 were linked to the fertility restoration trait, with recombination rates between Rf1 locus and markers varying in different cross combinations. The analysis of VIR 116А × VIR 740 and VIR 116А × RIL 130 hybrids showed that among the marker loci studied, the ORS511 was closest to the Rf1 locus Rf1 (recombination frequency of 2.2 and 3.3%, respectively). The recombination rate between the Rf1 and ORS511 loci equaled 7.5% in the cross VIR 116А × VIR 210 and 8.9% in VIR 116 × VIR 195.Conclusion. The markers ORS511, HRG01 and HRG02 are the most efficient for the identification of alleles of the Rf1 gene and for the marker assisted selection in hybrid populations produced involving sunflower lines from the VIR collection

Pharmacological correction of the sequelae of acute alcohol-induced myocardial damage with new derivatives of neuroactive amino acids coupled with the blockade of the neuronal NO synthase isoform

Introduction: Acute alcohol intoxication (AAI) induces a number of myocardial disorders, which result in mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes, oxidative stress, and decreased cardiac contractility. Nitric oxide produced by the nNOS is one of the major modulators of cardiac activity. New derivatives of GABA (RSPU-260 compound) and glutamate (glufimet) can be potentially regarded as such agents as the interaction between the NO system and the GABA and glutamatergic systems has been proved. Materials and methods: All the studies were performed on female white Wistar rats, aged 10 months, whose weight was 280–320g AAI intoxication was modeled of 32% ethanol (gavage, 4g/kg). Results and discussion: Glufimet and the RSPU-260 compound caused a significant improvement in myocardial contractility, increased oxygen consumption in the V3 state according to Chance, raised the respiratory control ratio and decreased the intensity of LPO intensity. Their effectiveness exceeded that of mildronate, their comparator. nNOS inhibition resulted in a pronounced aggravation of oxidative stress implicated in MDA accumulation in cardiac mitochondria and decreased activity of SOD; myocardial contractility and mitochondrial function indicators did not show a significant difference from the control group. The compounds under study coupled with nNOS inhibition had a cardioprotective effect. Conclusion: Glufimet and the RSPU-260 compound, derivatives of neuroactive amino acids, have a pronounced cardioprotective effect, restrict LPO processes, enhance SOD activity, improve the mitochondrial respiratory function after acute alcohol intoxication when coupled with neuronal NO-synthase inhibition, the expression of which persists after AAI. Graphical abstract

Role of student scientific society in forming professional motivation of students

The article presents the activities of the student scientific society of the department of propaedeutics of internal diseases. It is shown the contribution of student scientific society to the formation of professional motivation of students during 10 years, besides, some problems are identified, and it is shown the ways to improve the effectiveness of scientific activities for professional and personal growth of students.В статье представлена работа студенческого научного общества (СНО) кафедры пропедевтики внутренних болезней. На основании анализа деятельности СНО кафедры за 10 лет показан его вклад в формирование профессиональной мотивации студентов, выявлены проблемы и определены пути повышения эффективности работы СНО для профессионального и личностного роста студентов

Курительный статус организованного населения промышленного центра

Last decades chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has got particular medical and social importance by virtue of its growing spread and essential contribution to morbidity, disability and the death rate. The purpose of this work was to study the prevalence of tobacco smoking as the most aggressive COPD risk factor in various population groups at a large industrial centre. 2,304 industrial workers (males and females) of Kemerovo city were examined. The prevalence and intensity of tobacco smoking and relationship between basic smoking indexes and occupational factors, age, education, smoking of parents, living conditions, or blood group were evaluated in this research. The prevalence of the tobacco smoking among the workers questioned was 70.1 % of males and 25.7 % of females. Of the men, the absolute leaders of the tobacco smoking considering all the parameters were drivers; differences between other groups were insignificant. The greatest value of the smoking index in males was found in those of 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 years old out of proportion to their occupation, the smoking intensity in older men decreased. Attitude to smoking was provided by setting of the environmental and intrinsic factors: high educated men smoked less; probability of the smoking raised in children whose parents were smokers or ex smokers. The blood group III is thought to contribute to the smoking predisposition.Особую медико-социальную значимость приобретает хроническая обструктивная болезнь легких (ХОБЛ) в силу ее возрастающей распространенности. Цель работы — изучение распространенности табакокурения как наиболее агрессивного фактора риска ХОБЛ в различных популяциях крупного промышленного центра. Обследовали 2 304 мужчин и женщин, работающих на предприятиях г. Кемерово. Определяли частоту и интенсивность табакокурения, связь основных параметров табакокурения с профессиональной деятельностью, возрастом, образованием, курением родителей, жилищными условиями, группой крови. Частота табакокурения среди опрошенных составила 70,1 % у мужчин и 25,7 % у женщин. Среди мужчин по всем характеристикам табакокурения безусловными лидерами оказались водители, в остальных группах различия несущественны. Независимо от профессиональной принадлежности, наибольшие значения индекса курящего человека у мужчин наблюдаются в возрасте 40–49 и 50–59 лет, после чего интенсивность курения снижается. Отношение к курению определяется совокупностью внешних и внутренних факторов: реже курят мужчины с высшим образованием; вероятность курения повышается, если курили или курят родители. Предрасполагающим фактором курения, возможно, является 3-я группа крови

Carvedilol therapy effects on structural and electric remodeling in chronic heart failure

Aim. To assess the effects of combination therapy with ACE inhibitors and carvedilol on cardiac remodeling, cardiac arrhythmias, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure (CHF).Material and methods. The study included 109 patients with mild to moderate CHF, developed in arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, or their combination with diabetes mellitus and obesity. Initial carvedilol dose was 6,25-25 mg/d. At baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months later, physical examination, biochemical assay,  lectrocardiography,QoL and clinical outcome assessment were performed. Doppler echocardiography and 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring were performed at baseline and 6 months later.Results. CHF therapy, including the combination of ACE inhibitor and carvedilol, was associated with reduction in structural left ventricular (LV) remodeling, as well as with systolic and diastolic LV function normalization. According to 24-hour ECG monitoring data, the total number of supraventricular (including paired and grouped) and ventricular (including paired ectopic complexes) extrasystoles significantly decreased. Combination, carvedilol-including CHF therapy resulted in significant QoL and clinical prognosis improvement.Conclusion. In patients with mild to moderate CHF, carvedilol demonstrated its clinical effectiveness, including reduced structural and electric remodeling progression

Statin treatment: myths and reality

Aim. To assess effectiveness and tolerability of rosuvastatin treatment, as a part of primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention, in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk and dyslipidemia.Material and methods. Forty patients received rosuvastatin (starting dose 10 mg/d) for 12 weeks. At baseline, medical history collection, physical and instrumental examination, blood biochemical assay (creatinine, glucose, lipids, aminotransferase, bilirubin, urea levels) and general urine assay were performed. Four and 12 weeks later, complex assessment of rosuvastatin effectiveness and safety took place. If target levels of low- or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (FDF-CH, &lt;2,6 mmol/1; HDF-CH, &gt;1,2 mmol/1) were not achieved, rosuvastatin dose increased up to 20 mg/d. After 4 and 12 weeks, all parameters measured previously were re-assessed, including patients' complaints, therapy compliance, and adverse effects, if any.Results. After 4 and 12 weeks of rosuvastatin treatment, lipid profile normalized in most patients, target FDF-CH, HDF-CH, and triglyceride levels were achieved in 63 %, 65 %, and 68 %, respectively. Mean rosuvastatin dose was 10,6 mg/d. Fhe medication was well tolerated.Conclusion. Rosuvastatin demonstrated not only high lipid-lowering effectiveness, but also good tolerability

Polymorphism of microsatellite markers linked with <i>Rf1</i> and <i>Pl5/Pl8</i> loci in sunflower <i>Helianthus annuus</i> L.

Background. Microsatellite (SSR) markers are an effective tool for certifying collections of plant genetic resources, as well as for identifying genes that determine valuable biological and agronomic traits. The knowledge of their polymorphism is important for characterizing genetic diversity within the sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) collection. The present study was aimed at analyzing nucleotide polymorphism of SSR-markers linked with the genes for fertility restoration (Rf1) and downy mildew resistance (Pl5/Pl8). Materials and methods. The material included 84 self-pollinated lines of VIR sunflower genetic collection, F1 and F2 hybrids from crosses between fertile lines VIR 365 and RIL130, and offspring from test crosses. Polymorphism of SSR markers ORS224, ORS511, ORS799 and НА4011 was studied by means of PCR analysis. To determine the microsatellite structure and variability, the amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced. Results. The unique alleles which differed from the typical ones (characteristic for most genotypes) were revealed in the ORS224 marker locus of four lines, and the unique alleles in the ORS511 locus were observed in 10 lines. The ORS511 unique allele of line VIR 365 included two 161 and 240 bp fragments, while line RIL130 was characterized by a typical 159 bp fragment. The profiles of typical and unique markers were inherited as allelic variants of the same locus in F2 of (VIR 365 × RIL130) and a population from VIR 111A × (VIR 365 × RIL130). The nucleotide sequences of unique alleles differed from typical allelic variants in the length and number of repeat units (GA in ORS224 and AT/GT in ORS511), and also by the presence of indels and nucleotide substitutions. Differences in length of НА4011 marker 240 and 200 bp allele variants were caused by 80, 47 and 44 bp indels. Conclusions. A number of lines in the VIR sunflower genetic collection are marked by the unique alleles of microsatellite loci ORS224 and ORS511, which differ from the frequently occurring variants in the length and number of repeat units, as well as in the presence of indels and nucleotide substitutions. Polymorphism of allele variants of HA4011 microsatellite is associated with the presence of indels of 80, 47 and 4 bp