FIRST RECORD OF THE MITE GENUS RACKIA (ACARI: HETEROSTIGMATINA: NEOPYGMEPHORIDAE) FROM ARCTIC RUSSIA WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES

The genus Rackia Mahunka, 1975 (Acari: Pygmephoroidea: Neopygmephoridae) is recorded from Russia for the first time. A new species, Rackia curculionoides sp. n. is described from soil of the arctic Vaigach Island, the north of Eastern Siberia. A key to species of the genus Rackia is provided. It was suggested that the elongated gnathosomal capsule in Rackia curculionoides sp. n. and other species of Rackia is a result of homoplasy

FIRST DATA ON AQUATIC MITES (ACARI) OF INLAND WATER BODIES OF WEST SPITSBERGEN, SVALBARD

This paper presents the first results of a study on the aquatic mites (Acari) from the inland water bodies of West Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Six mite species have been found: namely, the oribatids Camisia foveolata Hammer, 1955 and Ameronothrus lineatus (Thorell, 1871); the gamasid mite Halolaelaps sp.; as well as the halacarids Halacarellus sp., Isobactrus levis (Viets, 1927) and Rhombognathides spinipes (Viets, 1933). The latter two species are new to the fauna of Svalbard. No true freshwater mites (Hydrachnidia) have been identified. A preliminary comparison of the inland aquatic acarofauna of Svalbard with the fauna of other Arctic regions has been conducted. The entire halacarid mite fauna of Svalbard (13 species), including both inland water species and true marine ones from the surrounding seas, can be characterized as rather regionally specialized and mainly cryophilic. DOI: 10.21684/0132-8077-2017-25-2-181-18

FOOD ALLERGY PREVENTION IN INFANCY

The article deals with new data about food tolerance induction among the children, belonging to the high risk groups disposed to atopy. Authors show the role of gut microflora in formation of child immune system, effect of breast feeding on activation of local immune response, growth stimulation of bifid bacteria and lactic acid bacilli. The present work gives the randomized research findings, which confirm the effectiveness of prolonged breast feeding, use of highly or partially hydrolyzed mixtures and timely introduction of supplemental feeding in food allergy prevention.Key words: prevention, food allergy, children, breast feeding, hypo allergic mixtures, milk protein hydrolysates, supplemental feeding, gut microflora, probiotics

EFFECT OF MACROPLASTIC ON SOIL INVERTEBRATES: A CASE STUDY USING MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR APPROACHES

Soil contamination by plastic is a global problem. Most experimental studies focus on microplastics, but large fragments, such as a variety of packaging and plastic bags, make up a significant component of plastic pollution. The effects of large fragments of household plastic debris on soil invertebrate communities are largely unexplored. The use of metabarcoding can greatly simplify the assessment of the taxonomic composition of soil invertebrates as well as their symbionts and parasites. However, the method is still underdeveloped and requires verification by classical approaches. We used metabarcoding and the traditional approach based on the morphological identification of invertebrates in assessing the effect of macroplastics on soil animal communities. Fragments of transparent or black polyethylene film measuring 40 × 40 cm were fixed on the soil surface in four forest ecosystems. After 9 months, the total abundance of mesofauna in general and individual groups of invertebrates (Collembola, Mesostigmata) was significantly reduced in the soil under the film compared to the control plots. The presence of the film did not affect the abundance of macrofauna, but in some biotopes the abundance of Isopoda, Hemiptera and Chilopoda increased and the number of Coleoptera and Diptera larvae decreased under the plastic film. The applied modification of metabarcoding revealed a significantly lower diversity of invertebrates (66 families, 105 genera) compared to the morphological method of identification (95 families, 127 genera). Wolbachia and Rickettsia, typical endosymbionts of invertebrates, but not other common parasites, were noted. In contrast to the morphological method of determination, metabarcoding revealed no significant differences in the taxonomic composition of invertebrates in the soil under the film and in the control soil. However, the significant correlation between the results of morphological identification and metabarcoding confirms the ability of metabarcoding to detect even small changes in the taxonomic composition of soil invertebrate communities

СEREAL LURE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF INTESTINAL MICRO FLORA COMPOSITION IN CHILDREN IN INFANCY

Authors analyzed a data on composition of modern industrially produced paps. The terms «pro and prebiotical products» was defined. It was shown, that these products influenced on composition of intestinal micro flora, functional state of gastrointestinal tract, and opportunity of prophylaxis of alimentary allergy in children in first year of life. This article describes good tolerance and significant effectiveness of milk free pap «Pomogayka» containing oats, wheat and prunes, enriched with sinbiotics: oligofructose, inulin, and bifidobacterium.Key words: children in infancy, probiotics, prebiotics, alimentary allergy, intestinal disbiosis.(Voprosy sovremennoi pediatrii — Current Pediatrics. 2009;8(3):99-103