Effect of genotype and sex on carcase composition, physicochemical properties, texture and microstructure of meat from geese after four reproductive seasons.

1. The objective of this study was to compare carcase weight and composition and meat quality traits of Landes, Slovak White and Kuban geese after four reproductive seasons. A total of 42 goose carcases (seven males and seven females from each breed) were assessed.2. After four reproductive seasons, the breeds differed in eviscerated carcase weight. Slovak White geese showed more breast muscle with a cooking loss, whereas Kuban geese had a higher percentage of neck and carcase discards compared to the other breeds. The breeds differed in the chemical composition of breast and leg muscles, except for collagen in breast muscles and protein in leg muscles.3. Regardless of breed, males had heavier carcase weight and higher breast muscle, leg muscle, neck and wings and lower percentages of skin with subcutaneous fat and abdominal fat relative to body weight compared to females. Sex had a significant effect on the fat and salt content, meat lightness, most textural characteristics and endomysium thickness of breast muscle. The same differences in leg muscles for chemical composition (except for protein percentage) and lightness were recorded.4. Breed x sex interactions were significant for the proportion of leg muscle, chemical composition of breast and leg muscles (except for leg protein content), muscle fibre cross-sectional area and fibre perimeter of pectoralis major muscle.5. The results showed that the carcases and meat of the goose breeds after four reproductive seasons were suitable for consumers and meat processors, due to favourable composition, high nutritive value and good technological properties.

Forensic dental identification in complicated fractured skull conditions: case report with adapted algorithm for image comparison.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the perspective of using an adapted algorithm for digital images comparison while providing forensic dental identification in complicated fractured skull conditions by ante-mortem and post-mortem radiographical data sets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ante-mortem orthopantomogram and post-mortem peri-apical X-ray images were converted in *.jpeg format with their further import into GIMP 2.10 software (The GIMP Development Team). Segmentation of OPG-image was provided in topographical projections of jaw segments obtained directly from the victim. Comparison of analyzed image segments was provided manually within GIMP 2.10 software using functions of "Layers" and "Opacity" through the proposed algorithm. RESULTS: Considering the fact that 20 positive concordant dental identifiers overall were verified during comparison of AM and PM X-ray datasets, we can conclude that odontological identity was established. All above-mentioned discrepancies could be classified as explainable. Inter-agreement rate between two investigators considering correspondence between AM and PM datasets reached Cohen's kappa level which is equal to 0,97, while positive 100% agreement was reached considering 21 out of 24 analyzed characteristics. CONCLUSION: Available AM and PM radiographical datasets represent a sufficient information for effective forensic dental identification, even if such were obtained by different roentgenological techniques (orthopantomography and periapical radiography). Using of an adapted algorithm for digital images comparison with forensic dental purposes could potentially overcome cognitive bias and observer's effect, speed up the process of analysis and increase the accuracy and inter-agreement rate while referencing AM and PM datasets.

Fundamentals for forage crop breeding and seed production in Russia.

Plant breeding and seed production of new generation fodder crops is the groundwork for creating a fodder base for livestock production in sufficient quantities. The Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production and Agroecology founded in 2018 based on of the All-Russia Williams Fodder Research Institute and other scientific institutions is the largest and most comprehensive center in the field of food production. It develops new techniques and methods for creating initial seed material based on a wide use of genetics, biotechnology, microbiology, immunology, ecology, biogeocenology, and cell selection. During the existence of the Fodder Research Institute and its experimental stations, up to 300 varieties of feed crops were created, which occupied leading positions in the production of fodder in meadows, pastures, and hayfields. Eighty-five modern varieties of fodder crops of the latest generation are widely used and zoned in all regions of Russia. However, the destroyed system of elite and commercial seed production does not allow these varieties to take their rightful place in fodder production, and the market still possesses a large share of non-varietal and mass scale reproduction seeds. In addition, imported seeds brought to the Russian market are often disguised as lawn varieties to reduce the cost and simplify their entry to the market. In this way, 107 varieties of winter ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), 47 varieties of cane fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), 21 varieties of creeping clover (Trifolium repens L.), etc. appeared in Russia. In such circumstances, the attention of the Williams Center is focused on the development of techniques and methods for creating fundamentally new varieties based on its own research in genetics, biotechnology, immunology, and ecological selection. Much attention is paid to expanding the network of research stations throughout Russia in order to revive the system of elite seed growing, especially in the regions with the most favorable climate for growing seeds of particular crops. A seed production center was organized as a branch of the Williams Center at the end of 2020. In the future, it is planned to create a united coordinated interdepartmental complex for the breeding of fodder crops in accordance with the regional needs of animal husbandry.

[Cytogenetic indices for somatic mutagenesis in mammals exposed to chronic low-dose irradiation].

We used cytogenetic analysis in the studies of the biological effects of a radiation factor of natural and artificial origin (under conditions ofthe 30-km exclusion zone ofthe Chernobyl experimental landfills in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia). The studies have been performed on various types of mammals: domestic animals--cows, pigs, horses and rodents--root voles, the Af mouse line, and yellow necked field mouse, bank voles. We found significant changes in the level of MN and chromosomal aberrations in the animals that were exposed to the conditions of chronic low-dose radiation for a long time (bothin the habitat and upon exposure in the Chernobyl zone) regardless of the type of animal and nature of contamination.

[Research on structural and functional characteristics (indicators) of apoptosis of human blood lymphocytes under the influence of carbon monoxide and ultraviolet (UV)-radiation].

The changes in the level of expression of membrane CD95 receptor, the structural state of DNA, parameters of biochemiluminescence of human blood lymphocytes under conditions of exposure to carbon monoxide (60-90 min) and UV-radiation (240-390 nm) at the doses of 151, 453 and 755 J/m2 have been investigated. The decrease in the level of expression of Fas-markers on the surface of immunocytes after incubation in the atmosphere at (60-90 min), the absence of changes in the DNA structure and the decreased intensity of lipid peroxidation processes in the cells were also found. It is established that UV-light (151-755 J/m2) exhibits a proapoptotic action, as evidenced by the increase in the expression of CD95 receptors on the surface of human blood lymphocytes and the decreased electrophoretic mobility of DNA in UV-irradiated cells. However, the process of a programmed cell death is not leaking ("apoptotic ladder" on electrophoregramme in the conditions of the experiment is missing). It is shown that the combined effects of carbon monoxide and UV-light in the cells of the human blood leads to a decrease in the sensitivity of the membrane CD95 receptors to the action of UV-radiation. It is revealed that carbon monoxide can contribute to blocking the processes of peroxide oxidation of lipids (POL) and, as a consequence, activate antioxidant properties of cells. It was concluded that the CO molecule in physiological concentrations is likely to have the antiapoptotic effect in relation to lymphocytes.

[Participation of eicosanoids in the mechanisms of contractile reactions of the portal vein to adrenaline and noradrenaline].

The influence of indometacine (7 x 10(-8)M) on the tonic contractile activity of the isolated rat portal vein (PV) under the action of adrenaline (1 x 10(-5)M) and noradrenaline (5 x 10(-6)M) was studied. Indometacine decreased the amplitude of noradrenaline-induced tonic constriction of PV with intact endothelium and produced no effect on constriction of vessels with denuded endothelial layer. The results suggest that these reactions are mediated by endothelial prostanoids. Inhibition of adrenaline-induced constriction of PV preparations with intact and denuded endothelium suggests that the contractile reactions are mediated by prostanoides derived from both endothelial and smooth muscle cells.

[Effect of dalargin on the bile acid spectrum in human bile]. / Vplyv dalarhinu na spektr zhovchnykh kyslot u zhovchi liudyny.

Effects were studied of dalargin on the bile acids spectrum in the bile of patients with duodenal ulcer. Dalargin has been shown to increase the bile concentration of tauro- and glycochilates, with the concentration of free bile acids remaining unchanged or being on the decrease.

[Species specificity of karyotype instability under conditions of radionuclide contamination (the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant) in the voles, Micrototus oeconomus, Micrototus arvalis, and Clethrionomys glareolus]. / Vidospetsifichnost' destabilizatsii karotipa v usloviiakh radionuklidnogo zagriazneniia (ChAES) u polevok Microtus oeconomus, Micrototus arvalis, Clethrionomys glareolus.

The comparative analysis of frequencies of different type cytogenetic anomalies in voles Microtus oeconomus, Microtus arvalis, Clethrionomys glareolus trapped in territories with different levels of radionuclide contamination inside the 30-km zone of estrangement around the Chernobyl NPP was carried out. Animals with constitutive chromosome abnormalities were not revealed. The frequency of lympocytes with micronuclei was the most universal and sensitive character to chronic low-dose radiation in investigated species. The species-specific relation was observed between level of radionuclide contamination in trapping zone and increase in frequencies of cytogenetic abnormalities: aneuploidy in Microtus arvalis and metaphase plates with asynchronous centromere fission in Microtus oeconomus. Common vole appears to be the most sensitive species of investigated ones to chronic low-dose ionizing irradiation.

[Interactions of human psycho-somato-visceral functions]. / Vzaiemozv'iazok psykhosomatovistseral'nykh funktsii liudyny.

Three typological groups (clusters) of human were picked out by complex of psycho-somato-visceral indexes. The most informaton and suitable for estimation indexes for dividing population of human into typological groups were established. Each group of persons is characterised by combination of properties that differ statistically from other groups. Some of this properties are genetic dependent.

[System for recording heart intervals in man]. / Sistema dlia zapisu kardiointervaliv u liudini.

The equipment for observation and recording of human cardiointervals which is based on arterial pulse wave registration is proposed.

[The relationship between psychophysiological and some anthropometric indexes in men and women]. / Zv'iazok mizh psikhofiziologichnimi ta deiakimi antropometrichnimi pokaznikami u cholovikiv i zhinok.

The relationships between functional mobility of nervous processes (FMNP), brain efficiency, index of successive work, nervous system strength of human and his some anthropometric indexes: mass, height, index mass body and proper basal metabolism were investigated. We showed that men in comparison with women have reliable higher levels of FMNP and also reliable higher levels of mass, height, proper basal metabolism and both in the whole group and in the subgroups with different level of FMNP. It was shown that mass of women is nonlinearly depended on functional mobility of nervous processes. Besides, such psychophysiologycal properties as brain efficiency and index of successive work correlated with mass, index mass body and proper basal metabolism.

[A psychophysiological analysis of the efficiency of instructing schoolchildren]. / Psykhofiziolohichnyi analiz efektyvnosti navchannia shkoliariv.

Examination of 163 schoolboys in higher forms has revealed that strength of the nervous system and functional state of the CNS (functional level of the system, level of functional possibilities, arousal and reaction stability) do not differ in schoolchildren with various progress in learning. The school teaching efficiency correlated with parameters of strength of the nervous system only in excellent and good pupils, the functional state of the nervous system being of importance for their teaching, especially its such parameters as arousal, level of functional possibilities and reaction stability. In pupils with poor progress those correlations were absent.

[Ambiphyra ameiuri--a dangerous parasite of Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque]. / Ambiphyra ameiuri--opasnyi parazit Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque.

A description of the ectoparasitic ciliate of the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, Ambiphrya ameiuri, is given. Various medicinal preparations were tested in order to control A. ameiuri. Potassium permanganate in the dose of 10 g/m3 for 1 hour is most effective.