Unusual congenital polydactyly in mini-pigs from the breeding group of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics (Novosibirsk, Russia).

The article describes a new phenomenon in the breeding group of mini-pigs at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics (ICG, Novosibirsk): polydactyly (extra digits), which is unusual because the additional digits are situated at the lateral surface of legs or at the lateral and medial ones. This anomaly was f irst found here in 2017 in adult animals intended for culling due to incorrect positioning of the legs caused by f lexor tendon laxity and resulting in weight-bearing on the palmar surface of the proximal phalanges ("bear's paw"). Therefore, the polydactyly of mini-pigs has a pronounced negative selection effect. A visual survey of the livestock was conducted, and a description of the detected anomaly was compiled. The polydactyly in mini-pigs is a stand-alone trait and is not part of any syndromes. Individuals with polydactyly may have extra digits either on pectoral or on pectoral and pelvic limbs. On thoracic limbs, there may be either one lateral digit or a lateral digit and a medially located rudimentary hoof let. On pelvic limbs, only lateral extra digits can occur. Anatomical and morphological analyses showed that the lateral extra digit is an anatomically complete ("mature") structure, whereas the medial rudimentary digit consists of only a hoof let without other structures characteristic of normal digits. Cytological examination revealed no specif ic karyotypic features, except for Robertsonian translocation Rb 16;17 previously reported for the mini-pigs of the same livestock. Cytological f indings indicated that the polydactyly and Robertsonian translocation are not linked genetically. Genealogical analysis and results of crosses are consistent with a working hypothesis of recessive inheritance of the trait. Overall, the study shows that this type of polydactyly is anatomically and morphologically unique and not typical of Sus scrofa. In this species, only polydactyly types with medial accessory toes have been described and are usually inherited as a dominant trait with incomplete penetrance. In our case, the results of test crosses indicate recessive inheritance of the trait with varying expression and incomplete penetrance, because of which poorly expressed phenotypes are not visually detectable.

[Prediction of Protein Conformational Mobility and Evaluation of Its Reliability Using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering].

The "coarse-grained" model of protein conformational mobility is presented. We compared the trajectories of conformational motions predicted for five proteins using this model with the motion obtained by the method of the "nearest neighbor", based on small-angle X-ray scattering data. It is shown that for all studied proteins the sequence of conformations calculated on the basis of "coarse-grained" model and on the basis of the "nearest neighbor", coincides well, although there are exceptions. Some separate consideration should be given to each protein to discern the causes of these exceptions.

Major histocompatibility complex typing of dogs from Russia shows further dog leukocyte antigen diversity.

Blood samples from 85 Russian dogs and wolves were collected as dried blood spots on paper and transported to the UK by mail. We obtained partial or complete three-locus canine major histocompatibility complex [dog leukocyte antigen (DLA)] class II haplotypes on 81 of these samples. Six new alleles were identified: three DLA-DRB1 and three DLA-DQB1. These alleles occurred in haplotypic combinations not previously seen in other European dogs. One haplotype appeared to lack a DQB1 allele. Two of the new haplotypes segregated through a family of dogs that was investigated.

Canine DLA diversity: 1. New alleles and haplotypes.

The aim of this component was to establish the range of DLA diversity in as many dog breeds as possible. In particular, we wanted to collect breeds that had not previously been studied. Data were submitted of 937 dogs of over 80 different breeds, and these included 17 'new' breeds. Twenty-eight new alleles were identified including 21 DLA-DRB1, 2 DLA-DQA1 and 5 DLA-DQB1 alleles. These occurred in many new haplotype combinations. One haplotype was identified that appeared to lack DQB1. Two other haplotypes carry two DQB1 genes. It was clear that each dog breed has a restricted range of DLA alleles and haplotypes, and no breed had all 88 haplotypes identified in this study.

Two isostructural carboranes: 3-phenyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) and 1-phenyl-1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12).

Two phenyl-substituted carboranes, 3-phenyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12), C8H16B10, (I), and 1-phenyl-1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12), C8H16B10, (II), were found to be isostructural. Comparison of the bond angles at the ipso-C atoms of the phenyl substituent for (I) and (II) [117.71 (3) and 118.45 (10) degrees, respectively] indicates that electron donation of the carborane cage for B- and C-substituted carboranes is different.