[Scale invariance of biosystems: from embryo to community].

Abstract-Phenomena having the property of a scale invariance (that is, maintaining invariable structure in certain range of scales) are typical for biosystems of different levels. In this review, main manifestations of the scale-invariant phenomena at different levels of biological organization (including ontogenetic aspects) are stated, and the reasons of such wide distribution of fractal structures in biology are discussed. Almost all biological systems can be described in terms of synergetics as open nonequilibrium systems that exist due to substance and energy flow passing through them. The phenomenon of self-organization is typical for such dissipative systems; maintenance of energy flow requires the existence of complex structures that emerge spontaneously in the presence of the appropriate gradient. Critical systems, which form as a results of their activity scale-invariant structures (that are a kind of distribution channels), are optimal relative to the efficiency of substance and energy distribution. Thus, scale invariance of biological phenomena is a natural consequence of their dissipative nature.

[Multifractal analysis of the species structure of freshwater hydrobiocenoses].

The principles and methods of fractal analysis of the species structure of freshwater phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macrozoobenthos communities of plain water reservoirs and urban waterbodies are discussed. The theoretical foundation and experimental verification are provided for the authors' concept of self-similar (quasi-fractal) nature of the species structure of communities. According to this concept, the adequate mathematical image of species richness accumulation with growing sampling effort is quasi-monofractals, while the generalized geometric image of the species structure of the community is a multifractal spectrum.

[Fractal aspects of the taxic diversity].

Two approaches are suggested for describing taxic diversity as a fractal, or self-similar, object. One of them called "sampling approach" is based on necessity of taking into account the sampling process and on proceeding from the real ecological practice of exploration of the community structure. Verification of this approach is fulfilled using a multifractal analysis of the generic diversity of vascular plants of the National Park "Samarskaya Luka". The previously revealed regularities of multifractal spectrum of the species structure of communities are shown to be true to an extent for the generic structure, as well. The second approach called "topological" one is based on an abstract representation of the results of evolutionary process in form of phylogenetic tree characterized by a non-trivial topological structure. Approbations of this approach is fulfilled by analysis of topological structure of the taxonomic tree of the class Mammalia, our calculations indicating fractal properties of its graph. These results make it reasonable to suppose that the taxic diversity, as a replica of the real diversity of the fractally organized organic world, also possesses self-similar (fractal) structure.

[Application of the group theory to description of biological objects pseudosymmetry].

The application of the group theory to description of biological objects pseudosymmetry is introduced and substantiated by the example of rotatory symmetry of actinomorphic and zygomorphic flowers. Problems of biosymmetrics terminology are considered; point symmetry elements are characterized as being applied to description of flower symmetry; central constructs of the group theory are stated. Application of the Curie principle to biological objects is outlined. Algorithms for quantitative assessment of flower pseudosymmetry are given; the description is made of flower pseudosymmetry in the terms of the group theory, including evolutionary aspect. The conclusion is made that adaptation of the group theory to description of biological objects symmetry (biosymmetrics) is important not only in fundamental respect but also as a tool of inter-disciplinary mutual understanding between biologists, physicists, crystallographers and other specialists whose communicative language is mathematics.

[Power-law species richness accumulation as manifestation of the fractal community structure].

Applications of the fractal to describing the species structure of communities are discussed. Fundamental notions of fractal geometry are explained in the first part. The problem of applying the concept of fractal to describe the spatial allocation of particular species and of community as a whole is reviewed in the second part. In the final part, the usage of the selfsimirity principle for analyzing community organization is substantiated, and evidence of the fractal structure of biocenoses is presented according to Whittaker's concept of alpha diversity. It is shown that community is characterized, as a fractal object, by scale invariance, by power function relationship between the number of structural elements of the community (individuals, populations, species) and the scale (sampling effort), and, finally, by fractional value of the power (fractal dimension). Power function is the formula the takes into account the share of rare species, or species represented by a single individual. providing for no saturation of the function f(x). This formula also does not contradict the A.P. Levich's "rule of ecological non-additivity" and, lastly, allows the application of fractal formalism to characterize the species structure of a community. It is concluded that the mathematical image of species richness is a monofractal, i.e., a set characterised by only one parameter, fractal dimension. Thus, the species structure of a community (as well as the pattern of its spatial allocation) displays self-similarity and is a fractal.

[Structural and bioindicative aspects of fluctuated asymmetry of bilateral organisms]. / Strukturnye i bioindikatsionnye aspekty fluktuiruiushchei asimmetrii bilateral'no-simmetrichnykh organizmov.

We have proposed and validated a method for quantitative assessment of phenotypic diversity of natural populations. Method is based on the fluctuated asymmetry (FA) indices of bilateral organisms, and it is applicable for biondicative investigations. Convolution of functions was proposed to estimate the mean (population) value of FA complex of features. This function could be written as finit sum [formula: see text] where eta is power of sample invariance (symmetry) for m individuals (i = 1, m). Eta is characterized by n asymmetric characteristics (j = 1, n) for the left (L) and the right (R) sides of the body. We have validated applicability of generalized function of desirability [formula: see text] (where di is partial desirability function [0,1]) for cumulative characterization of environment quality with results of bioindicative investigations. The value of function coincides with the value of symmetry of indicating species in this case.

[Natural toxins in inter- and intraspecies interaction of human being (elements of ethnotoxinology)]. / Prirodnye toksiny v mezh- i vnutrividovykh vzaimodeistviiakh cheloveka (élementy étnotoksinologii).

The author considers the application of natural toxins as arrow poison by Homo sapiens from ancient time till today for hunting and ethnic wars on the example of natives of Asia, Africa, South America and Oceania. Geographic isolation was important determining the spectrum of natural toxin sources and the methods of their application. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of arrow poisons effects are considered in biogeographical context: aconitin and strychnin in Asia, diamphotoxin in Africa, indole alcaloids of plants and steroid alcaloids of amphibian in Central and South America, palytoxin in Oceania islands. High efficiency and selective effect of natural toxins allow to use them as molecular markers in current studies of functional membrane architecture and cellular structures. Great differences in pace of civilization development leads to the co-existence at the beginning of the XXI century ethnic groups that use natural toxins as arrow poison and human beings that use the same toxins in fundamental and applied investigations within international scientific society.

[The stimulation of the delayed hypersensitivity reaction by the venom of the blunt-nosed viper Vipera lebetina and by its liposomal form]. / Stimuliatsiia reaktsii giperchuvstvitel'nosti zamedlennogo tipa iadom sredneaziatskoi giurzy Vipera lebetina i ego liposomnoi formoi.

Native poison of middleasia viper Vipera lebetina has been included into liposomes in order to get an effective preparation for immunotherapy. The preparation reduces the risk of complications taking place during the use of traditional methods. The immunomodulating action of the liposomal form of viper poison has been investigated on the model of reaction of hypersensitivity of delayed type. Together with the stimulation of functional activity T-cells, the absence of suppressive and toxic actions while using the liposomal preparation of poison has been discovered. It is suggested that the observed stimulating effect in connection with immune reactions is due to synergism of action of components of poison liposomal form and activation of T-cells and macrophage, taking part in immune response to the antigenic stimulus.

[Hygienic aspects of the use of liquid wastes from oil-refining and chemical plants]. / Gigienicheskie aspekty utilizatsii zhidkikh otkhodov nefte- pererabatyvaiushchei i khimicheskoi promyshlennosti.

It is established that utilization of pond's acid tar and n-butyl-acrylate vat residue for the binding roadway covering composition and its further application are associated with the release of a significant amount of noxious substances into the air of the work zone and inhabited areas. A set of activities, directed at the reduction of negative influence of the given technology on the sanitary state of the workplace and community air has been developed.

[Disorders of neurohumoral regulation in rats exposed to the poison of the scorpion Buthus eupeus]. / Narusheniia neirogumoral'noi reguliatsii u krys pri vozdeistvii iada skorpiona Buthus eupeus.

The intraperitoneal injection of Buthus eupeus to rats (2,5 mg/kg) results in increasing of catecholamines and cyclic nucleotides content in blood. The hyperinsulinemia is observed simultaneously with the development of hyperglycaemia. It is believed that the activation of the cyclic system is a key mechanism of the neuro-humoral disturbances of homeostasis in case of scorpion venom influence.

[Changes in the levels of 3',5'-cAMP and 3',5'-cGMP in brain and heart tissues after exposure to toxins of Buthus eupeus scorpion venom]. / Izmenenie urovnei 3',5'-tsAMF i 3',5'-tsGMF v tkaniakh mozga i serdtsa pri deistvii toksinov iada skorpiona Buthus eupeus.

Toxins isolated from Buthus eupeus scorpion stimulated the generation of cAMP and cGMP in mouse cerebellar and forebrain slices, as well as in isolated guinea-pig heart. Pharmacological analysis of neurotropic and cardiotropic effects of toxins has ascertained the relationship between the increased level of cyclic nucleotides and catecholaminergic and cholinergic effects of toxins.

[Pharmacology of the venom from the scorpion, Buthus eupeus]. / K farmakologii iada skorpiona Buthus eupeus.

Reactions induced by venom from the scorpion Buthus eupeus and by toxin of the venom have been studied on isolated organs and tissues as well as on intact body. It has been shown that substances interfering with the conduction of nerve excitation, with the mediator storage and interaction of the latter with synaptic receptors prevent the reactions induced by the venom and toxin, whereas ganglion-blocking agents do not affect these reactions. The catecholamine content in rat blood plasma has been found to be increased. It is assumed that the venom and toxin that affect the postganglionic nerve terminals release mediator acetylcholine and noradrenaline.