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The data on the first confirmed detection of the micromycete Cryptostroma corticale (a causative agent of the sooty bark disease of maples, which is also dangerous to humans) on the territory of Russia are presented. The data on the symptoms of the disease and the first information on its spreading in Russia are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi are among the key sources of biotic inducers of plant immunity, with the largest number of phytopathogens being know in this group of microorganisms as well. The paper reports the results of a 2-year study of the dynamics of the composition and structure of the fungal community and the agrochemical characteristics of young intensive type apple orchard soil. The analysis of the fungal pool in the control (a no plants background) showed that the content of soil saprotrophs and cellulolytic fungi was two times higher there than in the root zone of young apple trees. The important role of plant exudates in the formation of the root zone mycobiota and the participation of mycobiota in soil microbial community differentiation and the formation of the "phytogenic area," where root secretions affect the activity and distribution of the ecotrophic fungi groups, were demonstrated. A sharp decrease in the content of macroelements (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) was observed in the zone of intensive root growth within the 10–20 cm soil layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of isoalantolactone with primary amines or piperazine proceeds under mild conditions with high stereoselectivity to give 11,13-isoalantolactone dimers connected by an alkyldiamine or piperazine linker. The reaction of isoalantolactone with propargylamine hydrochloride afforded the corresponding 13-propargylamino-11,13-dihydroisoalantolactone or 13-propargylamino-N-bis(11,13-dihydroisoalantolactone). The synthesized propargylamines showed high activity in the Cu-catalyzed cycloaddition with organic azides. The newly synthesized compounds with a bis-eudesman structure were found to exhibit antibacterial activity against strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproducibility of body fat (BF) and fat-free mass (FFM) measurements obtained by two indirect methods (bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and ultrasound scanning (US)) was performed in a group of young adults. To evaluate reproducibility, the repeated body composition measurements obtained using an ABC-02 Medas bioimpedance analyzer and BodyMetrixTM ultrasound scanner were carried out in the group of adult men and women. The study indicates the reliability of both individual and group estimates, as well as high reproducibility of measurements obtained with BIA and US. Strong positive significant correlations were found between the body composition measurements obtained with an ABC-02 Medas and BodyMetrixTM, as well as between repeated measurements of each of the devices. The analysis carried out for the ABC-02 Medas and BodyMetrixTM devices indicates good reproducibility of BF and FFM measurements in young men and women. The highest reproducibility was shown for the results of FFM measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-coupling of 8-bromocaffeine, 8-bromo-1-butyltheobromine, or 8-bromo-7-butyltheophylline with α-, β-, or ω-amino-acid methyl or t-butyl ester hydrochlorides in toluene in the presence of the catalytic system Pd(OAc)2·XantPhos and Cs2CO3 with microwave activation led to the formation of xanthine derivatives containing amino-acid fragments in the C-8 position. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Associations between the C/T polymorphism of the UCP2 gene (AlaVal55, rs660339) and aerobic and anaerobic components of physical fitness of athletes were studied. The study involved 168 athletes (46 women and 122 men) engaged in various sports and 98 nonathletes (35 women and 63 men). The athletic performance testing program included the ramp test on a treadmill and the Wingate anaerobic test on a bicycle ergometer. The group of athletes exhibited a tendency towards a higher frequency of carriers of two alleles of "mitochondrial efficiency" (UCP2*TT) (χ2 = 2.53, p = 0.28). Val55 allele associations (T*UCP2) with higher values of functional indicators characterizing the aerobic abilities of athletes were demonstrated, whereas athletes carrying two original Ala55 alleles (UCP2*CC) had better anaerobic abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review summarizes the current knowledge about the molecular genetic markers associated with athletic performance in various sports. Some variations in DNA sequences are associated with specific phenotypes involved in the athletic performance, including endurance capacity, muscle performance, body mass composition, body morphological characteristics, and susceptibility to injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large number of studies have shown that the EPAS1 gene may serve as a possible predictor of success in sports because of its influence on the processes of oxygen transportation and consumption. However, the data concerning the impact of EPAS1 polymorphisms on sports achievements in the contemporary research literature are very scarce and contradictory. The aim of the present paper is to study the genetic selection for the polymorphic system of the EPAS1 (rs1867785) gene in a group of male sambo practitioners. The study is carried out on 312 Russian males from 18 to 30 years of age, including 220 professional athletes and 92 non-athletes, who served as the control group. The genotype for a single-nucleotide G/A polymorphism of the EPAS1 gene is determined for each participant of the study. Analysis of the EPAS1 genotype frequencies revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups. The group of professional athletes exhibited an increase of the АА and AG genotype frequencies (χ = 8.68, p = 0.01). Thus, sambo wrestlers of high professional levels are characterized by having the minor А-allele of the EPAS1 gene in their genotypes. The odd ratio (OR) calculated for this group is 1.800 (95% CI 1.227-2.641), demonstrating that the carriers of the А-allele of the EPAS1 gene have some advantage over the carriers of the G-allele. OR for the highest ranked wrestlers is even higher, 1.990 (95% CI 1.195-3.313). These results suggest directed genetic selection in the А-allele carriers of the EPAS1 gene among sambo wrestlers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the polymorphism of uncoupling protein genes ( UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3) and the FTO gene in 28 football players (team of masters) and compared the results with the data obtained in nonathletes. All these genes encode the proteins that are involved in the regulation of body mass. However, we observed an increased percentage of the carriers of 'thrifty' allele of the UCP3 gene; the alleles frequency of other studied genes showed the same tendency. This finding can be partially explained by the fact that the organism of an athlete needs to spare energy. Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that there is a significant correlation between the UCP1 and FTO genes and the elastic component of explosive strength of leg muscles. No correlations were found with the body composition and fat distribution (except for the fat distribution in the pelvic area). The UCP2 gene correlated with the parameters of respiratory functions. The UCP3 gene correlated with the rate of energy production in ramp test and the ergometric parameters of efficiency. It was also found that the high rate of uncoupling of oxidation and phosphorylation in muscles results in an increase in the total energy consumption rate, but also improves the ergometric parameters of efficiency and intensity of muscle work corresponding to the anaerobic threshold. The obtained data were analyzed in the context of the possible role of uncoupling proteins in homeostasis during intense physical activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates associations between G/A polymorphism of the epithelial PAS domain protein 1 ( EPAS1) gene (rs1867785) and the maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO) in male Russian athletes. The study engaged 241 male athletes from different sports; the control group of nonathletes included 92 subjects. Increased frequencies of the AA and AG genotypes of the EPAS1 gene (χ = 14.16, p = 0.03) were found in the cohort of male athletes. The frequencies of these alleles in the subgroups with moderate ( EPAS1* A 38.1% and EPAS1* G 61.9%) and high ( EPAS1* A 41.8% and EPAS1* G 58.2%) VO values significantly differed from those in the control group (χ = 7.53, p = 0.006 and χ = 6.58, p = 0.01, respectively). The higher aerobic capacities are probably associated with the presence of at least one minor A allele of the EPAS1 gene in the genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique approach is developed for determination of along-shore flow rate of drift on beaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction in the system of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution and AB-17 highly basic anion-exchange resins in OH− and Cl− forms were considered, and the distribution coefficients ( Kd) of the substance in the resin-solution ion exchange system were calculated. It was found that Kd decreases with increasing concentration of the initial solution, reaching a maximum value at the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDS. The effective diffusion coefficients of the surfactant in the anion-exchange resin phase were calculated; based on the IR spectroscopy data, the mechanism of SDS absorption was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular genetic aspects of individual differences in thermoregulation and pain sensitivity that may be used to evaluate and predict the physical state of humans under contrast climate conditions, as well as during high physical and psychic loads, are reviewed. In response to abrupt changes in both external and internal temperature, the body activates internal resources that support homeostasis and adapts to the environment. Active movements are often associated with traumas accompanied by a sense of pain whose intensity and suppression depend on individual body characteristics. Understanding the functioning of the systems of thermoregulation and pain sensitivity at the molecular level and study of the polymorphism of genes involved in these processes is important for creation of optimal conditions for both rapid adaptation to the loads of everyday life and high physical activity and for success in sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]