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The survey results of testing the Holstein cows for carriage of the fertility haplotype for cholesterol deficiency (HCD) associated with the fetal death detected at various stages of prenatal and early postnatal ontogenesis has been reported. Economically important traits of the animals tested as carrying the defect caused by HCD in their genotypes are examined. The survey sample consisted of the animals (n = 583) born in 2007–2017 on the breeding farm in Leningrad oblast. A comparative assessment of the HCD+-affected animals (tested carriers of a genetic defect caused by cholesterol deficiency) and the HCD–-unaffected animals (tested noncarriers of a genetic defect caused by cholesterol deficiency) was performed based on their milk production and reproductive performance parameters. DNA extracted from animal blood served as the testing material. The genotypes were determined based on the polymerase chain reaction with the use of allele-specific primers. It was found that 35 animals (6.0%) had a mutant allele at the ApoB gene locus present in their genotypes. These cows were not inferior to their genetic defect-free peers in breeding value for milk yields and milk protein and fat percentage. The HCD+-affected cows born in 2014 were characterized by higher values for the milk protein content (3.29 ± 0.05%) when compared to the HCD–-unaffected cows (3.17 ± 0.01%). A smaller number of sperm doses were used to reach effective insemination in the HCD carrier cows born in 2013 (n = 11) and 2014 (n = 11), which significantly affected the terms of the first effective-insemination. The cows born in 2014 carrying a mutant allele at the ApoB gene locus present in their genotypes had less service interval length when compared to their peers. The HCD+-affected cows used in production have no impact on overall herd performance and fertility. However, the animals with the HCD+ status should be identified and registered in a timely manner. The record-keeping system can allow us to reduce the number of carriers of this genetic defect in subsequent generations.

The causative agents of bacterial spot disease infecting pepper are the species X. euvesicatoria and X. vesicatoria common in the typical pepper growing areas (Northern: Black Sea Costal and Central; Southwest; Southern – Upper Thracian valley) in Bulgaria. The pathogens refer to pepper P pathotype (22 strains) and pepper-tomato РТ pathotype (52 strains). The natural population of X. еuvesicatoria is heterogeneous of pathotype and physiological races. Widespread is race P6 in the P of the pathogen, followed by race P1. Single strains are assigned to P3, P9 and P10. In PT, races P0, P1, P4, P5 are differentiated, the dominant race in PT is the P4 race in combination with the tomato race T2. For the first time in Bulgaria in the natural population of X. vesicatoria, are detected strains which infect only pepper, differentiated are races Р0, Р2 and Р3. The population of X. vesicatoria PT prevails in private gardens and vegetable areas near tomatoes. Differentiated races are P1, P3 and P4 in combination with tomato races T1, T2 and T3. Race P3 occurs in P and PT pathotype.

Summary This study aimed to determine the bacterial profile of vaginal samples from pregnant women and the prevalence of identified microorganisms. Materials and methods: A prospective epidemiological study was conducted on 150 pregnant women admitted to the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dr. G. Stranski University Hospital in Pleven. Vaginal secretion samples were collected from all the 150 women. Direct microscopy of native smears prepared by the wet mount method to detect Trichomonas vaginalis and direct microscopy of Gram-stained smears was performed. Aerobic culture studies were conducted to identify pathogenic bacteria and Sabouraud glucose agar (SGA) to detect the presence of Candida spp. Samples were also collected from 107 of the women for PCR tests for mycoplasma detection. Results: The highest relative share in the study was women aged 21 to 35 years 104 (69.33%). Of all the hospitalized and examined pregnant women, 87 (57.99%) had medical problems during the current pregnancy and postpartum complications, and 63 women (42%) gave birth without accompanying complications. In 86 (57.32%) of the women, bacteria were detected by direct microscopy of Gram-stained smears. Of these, 24 (16%) had gram-negative rods, 28 (18.66%) had gram-positive cocci. In 34 (22.66%), we found gram-negative and gram-variable pleomorphic bacteria. The aerobic culture study revealed microbiological growth in 44 (29.33%) of the women investigated. Conclusions: Studies on the profile of the vaginal microbiota in pregnant women and the spread of pathogenic microorganisms are essential for make prognoses for pregnancy outcome, evaluating the risk of developing a maternal-fetal infection, and discussing options for timely treatment.

This database of Phanerozoic occurrences and isotopic characteristics of metastable cold-water calcium carbonate hexahydrate (ikaite; CaCO3⚫6H2O) and their associated carbonate pseudomorphs (glendonites) has been compiled from academic publications, explanatory notes, and reports. Our database including more than 700 occurrences reveals that glendonites characterize cold-water environments, although their distribution is highly irregular in space and time. A significant body of evidence suggests that glendonite occurrences are restricted mainly to cold-water settings; however they do not occur during every glaciation or cooling event of the Phanerozoic. While Quaternary glendonites and ikaites have been described from all major ocean basins, older occurrences have a patchy distribution, which may suggest poor preservation potential of both carbonate concretions and older sediments. The data file described in this paper is available on Zenodo at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4386335 (Rogov et al., 2020).

In our study, we estimated the frequency of haplotype for cholesterol deficiency (HCD) carriers in the Russian Holstein cattle population. We studied 1817 random samples of cows born in 2010-2017 from ten herds and 331 cows and heifers from the other three herds born in 2016-2019, fathers or fathers of mothers of which were HCD carriers. The method of AS-PCR was used for animals genotyping. In the first group of animals, the incidence of HCD carriers was 8.09%, and in the second one - 23.26%. Our results demonstrated the necessity to test cows for the carriage of the HCD genetic defect in the Russian population of Holstein cattle.

Powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera xanthii and Golovinomyces cichoracearum, is an economically important disease in melon worldwide. Genetic resistance is one of the most suitable strategies to control powdery mildew. During the last few years several races of the pathogens have been reported. The need to develop resistant varieties is a challenge for each breeding program. Leaf disc assay was used in phytopathology and breeding programs as a rapid and reliable method for evaluation of disease resistance in a large number of plant materials. The purpose of this study was to establish species and races of powdery mildew in Plovdiv region, South Central Bulgaria; to develop a suitable system of pathogen isolation and cultivation; to determine the resistance levels in different melon genotypes available in Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute (MVCRI) - Plovdiv collection by the leaf disc assay. Fifty-three melon genotypes, including lines, varieties, hybrids and ten differential lines were tested. The data showed that causal agent of powdery mildew was race 1 of P. xanthii in Plovdiv region. Our experimental results indicated that for the long-term storage of powdery mildew it is preferable to keep a whole plant under in vitro conditions. This allows the preservation of powdery mildew for two months before transferring on a new tissue. Thirty-four of the tested melon genotypes reacted as immune or resistant and nineteen as susceptible. Resistant melon genotypes are a suitable source in initiating a new breeding program aimed to increase resistance to powdery mildew.

Development of a living organism, including periods of its development, follows certain laws. All mammals have a pre-weaning period. In calves, the pre-weaning period lasts 6 months. This period is known to be one of the most important, since at this time the body, firstly, adapts to new environmental conditions, and secondly, starts to live on typical feeds. The calf growth depends on many factors, including genetic ones. The study of the dynamics of live weight in calves in the pre-weaning period with regard to their genetic background is of practical relevance. The farm uses bulls of both Holstein black-motley cattle of domestic selection and Holstein breed of foreign selection. A general pattern in monthly live weight increase has been found for descendants of all the bulls. At the same time, the growth rate in groups of calves sired by different bulls differed by months of rearing. In calves sired by the bull Mers, the absolute weight gain by months of rearing ranged from 10.0 kg (4 months) to 36.0 kg (6 months), that is, the growth failure in the previous period was compensated for by increased growth rate in the next month. At the same time, calves sired by the bulls Gavano, Cassio and Bentley showed a uniform absolute weight gain by months of rearing. In general, calves sired by the bulls Cassio and Gavano grew better. They were superior to other calves in the absolute weight gain over the entire period, which attained 138.5 and 132.2 kg, and it was higher by 6.3–20.9 and 5.3–14.6 kg or 4.5–15.1% and 4.0–11.0%, respectively.

The goals of the study were: (1) to explore the communication between human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and rat cardiac myocytes resulting in differentiation of the stem cells and, (2) to evaluate the role of mitochondria in it. Light and fluorescence microscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy revealed that after co-cultivation, cells formed intercellular contacts and transient exchange with cytosolic elements could be observed. The transport of cytosolic entity had no specific direction. Noticeably, mitochondria also could be transferred to the recipient cells in a unidirectional fashion (towards cardiomyocytes only). Transmission electron microscopy revealed significant variability in both the diameter of intercellular contacting tubes and their shape. Inside of these nanotubes mitochondria-resembling structures were identified. Moreover, after co-cultivation with cardiomyocytes, expression of human-specific myosin was revealed in MSC. Thus, we speculate that: (1) transport of intracellular elements to MSC possibly can determine the direction of their differentiation and, (2) mitochondria may be involved in the mechanism of the stem cell differentiation. It looks plausible that mitochondrial transfer to recipient cardiomyocytes may be involved in the mechanism of failed myocardium repair after stem cells transplantation.

Pharmacological preconditioning with insulin and lithium ions prevented the death of renal cells under conditions of ischemia/reperfusion. Preincubation of cells with insulin or lithium ions decreased production of reactive oxygen species after ischemia/reoxygenation. These agents also prevented the development of mitochondrial dysfunction in renal cells induced by ischemia/reoxygenation. It was hypothesized that the protective effects of these agents are related to inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3(. This enzyme is inactivated upon phosphorylation of serine residue in position 9. We found that in vivo administration of lithium ions to animals before renal ischemia prevents the development of kidney failure.

A mitochondria-targeted chimeric compound consisting of a rhodamine derivative linked to a plastoquinone molecule (10-(6'-plastoquinonyl)decylrhodamine, SkQR1) was studied under conditions of acute brain or kidney damage. A protective effect of this compound was demonstrated in a model of focal brain ischemia, rat kidney ischemia/reperfusion, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis, or crush syndrome), and pyelonephritis. We found that a single intraperitoneal injection of SkQR1 diminishes the size of the ischemic zone in the brain and improves performance of a test characterizing neurological deficit in ischemic animals. Control substance not containing plastoquinone appeared to be not neuroprotective. The data show that SkQR1 is a nephroprotectant and neuroprotectant, which can be due to the antioxidative action of this Skulachev cation.

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant 10-(6-plastoquinonyl)decyltriphenyl-phosphonium (SkQ1) as well as insulin and the inhibitor of glycogen-synthase kinase, Li+ are shown to (i) protect renal tubular cells from an apoptotic death and (ii) diminish mitochondrial fission (the thread-grain transition) induced by ischemia/reoxygenation. However, SkQ1 and LiCl protected the mitochondrial reticulum of skin fibroblasts from ultraviolet-induced fission but were ineffective in preventing a further cell death. This means that mitochondrial fission is not essential for apoptotic cascade progression.

The signaling function of mitochondria is considered with a special emphasis on their role in the regulation of redox status of the cell, possibly determining a number of pathologies including cancer and aging. The review summarizes the transport role of mitochondria in energy supply to all cellular compartments (mitochondria as an electric cable in the cell), the role of mitochondria in plastic metabolism of the cell including synthesis of heme, steroids, iron-sulfur clusters, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Mitochondria also play an important role in the Ca(2+)-signaling and the regulation of apoptotic cell death. Knowledge of mechanisms responsible for apoptotic cell death is important for the strategy for prevention of unwanted degradation of postmitotic cells such as cardiomyocytes and neurons.

An 8-bit semiflash ADC is reported that uses a single array of 15 comparators for both the coarse and the fine conversion. Conversion is implemented in two steps. First, an estimate is made of the 4 most significant bits, which are then memorized in the output latch. Next, the remaining 4 bits are evaluated by the same array of comparators. The auto-zeroed comparators also perform the function of a sample-and-hold circuit. In the proposed 8-bit semiflash ADC, there are no sample-and-hold circuit, no DAC, no subtraction circuit, and no residue amplifier. As a result, a moderate conversion speed has been combined with a drastically reduced power consumption. The ADC was fabricated in a standard 0.6 μm double-poly, double-metal CMOS process. Experimental results show monotonic conversion with very low integral and differential nonlinearities. These features, combined with the ultra-low power consumption, make the proposed circuit very suitable for low-power mixed-signal applications.

A simple method for synthesis of S-sulfoxides of penicillanic acid and 6 alpha-bromo- and 6 alpha-chloropenicillanic acids is described. The S-sulfoxides were synthesized by the respective oxidation with 30% hydrogen peroxide at 0 degrees C in the absence of solvents. 1 mol of penicillanic acid and 1.5 to 2 mol of 6 alpha-bromo- or 6 alpha-chloropenicillanic acid were required. The yields of S-sulfoxides of 6 alpha-bromo- and 6 alpha-chloropenicillanic acids amounted to 55 and 50%, respectively, based on 6-aminopenicillanic acid. The yield of penicillanic acid S-sulfoxide was 80% based on penicillanic acid. The purity of the compounds was more than 95%.

Reoxygenation following ischemia causes tissue oxidative stress. We studied the role of oxidative stress caused by kidney ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) on the mitochondria of renal tissue slices. I/R caused the mitochondria to be swollen, fragmented, and have lower membrane potential. The mitochondria generated more reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in situ as measu red by fluorescence of ROS- and NO-sensitive probes. Infusion of lithium ion, an inhibitor of glycogen kinase synthase-3, caused phosphorylation of its Ser-9 and restored the membrane potential and decreased ROS production of the mitochondrial fraction. Ischemic kidney and hypoxic rat preconditioning improved mitochondrial membrane potential and lowered ROS production caused by subsequent I/R similar to lithium ion infusion. Preconditioning normalized NO production in mitochondria as well. The drop in the mitochondrial membrane potential was prevented by NO synthase inhibition, demonstrating a strong contribution of NO to changes in mitochondrial energy metabolism during the I/R transition. Mitochondria in the I/R-stressed kidney contained less cytochrome c and more pro-apoptotic Bax, consistent with apoptotic degradation.