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A comparative interspecific assessment of the leukocyte profile of young Elaphe dione, Natrix natrix and N. tessellata is given. Juvenile snakes were obtained in captivity from females captured, being pregnant, from Volga populations. Eosinophils and basophils predominated in the blood of young E. dione, the total content of mononuclear cells (agranulocytes) was lower compared to the young of N. tessellata and N. natrix. At the same time, the species of the genus Natrix differed in the content of all three types of mononuclear cells, namely: the proportion of azurophils and monocytes was higher in N. tessellata, and that of lymphocytes was higher in N. natrix. The main contribution to the balance of mononuclear cells was made by lymphocytes. The leukocyte composition of young snakes had no pronounced lymphocytic profile, the contribution of the specific reactivity of the organism to the overall adaptive response of the body of young snakes to environmental conditions was small. According to the content of lymphocytes, the studied species were arranged in descending order in the following row: N. natrix (Me – 60.00, IQR – 2.50) → N. tessellata (52.00, 6.00) → E. dione (40.00, 5.00). The increased value of the leukocyte shift index in E. dione young testified to the predominant role of granulocytes in the immune response with some lag of lymphocyte-monocyte cells and later activation of the effector link of the immune response (lymphocytes) compared with young of N. natrix and N. tessellata. While the specific reaction of the immune system decreased, a compensator activation of the nonspecific protective blood system was observed in the organism of E. dione. The increase in the content of granulocytes in the blood of young snakes was a characteristic indicator of an increase in environmental stress, assessed by the integral leukocyte index (the ratio of heterophiles and lymphocytes). Integral leukocyte indices reflected an imbalance of the adaptive response of the blood system in young snakes kept in captivity in relation to adult males and females from natural populations.

Data on the leukocyte blood composition of two co-habiting species of freshwater turtles, Emys orbicularis and Mauremys caspica, from the Republic of Dagestan (Russia) are provided. Lymphocytes are the predominant cells in the blood of females and males of both species. Heterophils predominated among granulocytes. Two-way multivariate analysis of variance showed a statistical significance of the influence of two factors on the leukocyte formula of freshwater turtles, namely: species (λWilks = 0.459, p < 0.001), sex (λWilks = 0.809, p = 0.019) and their interaction (λWilks < 0.001, p < 0.001). The blood formula (WBC) of E. orbicularis females showed higher levels of eosinophils (z = 3.040, p = 0.001) and basophils (z = 5.394, p < 0.001) and reduced levels of heterophils (z = 3.579, p < 0.001) and lymphocytes (z = 3.391, p < 0.001) compared to M. caspica females. Males of E. orbicularis differed from those of M. caspica by increased levels of eosinophils (z = 2.716, p = 0.003) and basophils (z = 4.829, p < 0.001) and a reduced level of heterophils (z = 3.474, p < 0.001). With general adaptive responses, interspecific differences were clearly expressed: the variability in the parameters of the white blood cell system of E. orbicularis was associated with rearrangement of the ratio of granulocyte cells (heterophils, eosinophils and basophils). The predominance of a specific component of the immune system (lymphocytes) was found in the immune responses of M. caspica. Changes in the leukocyte profiles of freshwater turtles were associated with a change in the agranulocyte–granulocyte ratio, which was confirmed by statistically significant differences in the integral leukocyte indices. The leukocyte profile of Emys orbicularis testified to the insufficient resource of adaptive mechanisms in specific environmental conditions. On the other hand, the blood formula (WBC) showed the possibility of an active response, more pronounced in M. caspica than in E. orbicularis.

A comparative estimation of the leukocyte profile of the marsh turtle Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) living in the Ural river basin (Orenburg region, Belyaevsky district, 11 females and 5 males) and in the Volga river basin (Astrakhan region, Krasnoyarsk district, 28 females and 20 males) was made. The blood formula (WBC) of males and females was calculated together with the calculation of integral leukocytal indices (the lymphocyte-granulocyte index, the leukocyte shift index, the heterophile/lymphocyte ratio, the heterophil/eosinophil ratio, and the lymphocyte/eosinophil ratio). Lymphocytes were the predominant leukocyte cells in the peripheral blood of Emys orbicularis (40–45%). Among granulocytes, heterophiles (the population from the Orenburg region) or basophils (the population from the Astrakhan region) predominated. The absence of any differences in the quantitative indicators of the blood formula and integral indices for males and females indicated a comparable level of impact and identity of the physiological adaptation mechanisms occurring in the animals in the Orenburg region. Intersexual differences were manifested in an increased content of monocytes (u = 3.13, p = 0.001), which indicated activation of the natural immunity of males in comparison with females from the Astrakhan region. The leukocyte composition of the Emys orbicularis blood differed in the content of granulocytes and agranulocytes in different populations. The males from the Orenburg region differed from those from the Astrakhan region by an increased proportion of heterophiles and a reduced content of basophils. Females differed in all blood count parameters, except for eosinophils whose fraction was equal (u = 0.71, p = 1.00). In the peripheral blood of females from the Orenburg region, a higher content of heterophiles, monocytes and a lower content of basophils and lymphocytes were found in comparison with those from the Astrakhan region. Quantitative-qualitative changes were detected in the leukocyte composition of the blood during the invasion of hemoparasites. The specific immune response (the content of lymphocytes) decreased, and the nonspecific defense system (the content of heterophiles) increased. The maintenance of the immunological reactivity of the organism under the conditions of invasion was determined by the functional activity of heterophiles, which was confirmed by a higher value of the heterophil/lymphocyte index. The blood formula (WBC) and the dynamics of leukocytal indexes of Emys orbicularis reflected the active response of the organism to a complex of environmental factors, including parasitic invasions.

The state of the grass snake (Natrix natrix) population in the Mordovian State Nature Reserve was assessed using the hematological approach. The leukocyte blood count was estimated together with calculation of the associated leukocyte indices (neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L), eosinophil:lymphocyte (E:L), heterophil:eosinophil (H/E) and heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratios). The surface area of leukocytes (heterophils, basophils, eosinophils, azurophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes) was measured. The leukocyte blood composition of Natrix natrix was characterized by the predominance of agranulocytes, and the granulocyte fraction was 31– 37% (u = 1.99, p = 0.04). The population pattern of the leukocyte blood composition of Natrix natrix was as follows: heterophils – 8.07±0.6%, basophils – 12.33±0.95%, eosinophils – 8.33±0.65%, azurophils – 5.25±0.53%, monocytes – 9.77±0.42%, and lymphocytes – 56.22±1.7%. According to the averaged area, the leukocytes were arranged in the following order: eosinophils – monocytes – azurophils, basophils – heterophils – lymphocytes. The diameter of the largest cells (eosinophils) was (17.5±2.42) μm. The smallest lymphocytes had diameters within (7.22±1.21) μm. The absence of any differences in the quantitative content of all types of granulocytes and agranulocytes in the blood of the grass snake from different parts of the reserve indicated a comparable level of impact and the identity of the physiological mechanisms of adaptation that occur in the body of animals in protected habitat conditions. Most of the leukocyte integral indices revealed the same type of variability in the parameters of the white blood cell system of the Natrix natrix in three areas of the reserve, with the exception of an increased value of the heterophiles/lymphocytes ratio in the sample from the village Pushta. The increase in this indicator made it possible to draw a conclusion about the stress effect on the individuals of this sample. The principal component method was used to differentiate the samples of the grass snake with a more complete quantitative description of the leukocyte composition of the objects of study; the results obtained are presented in a visual, integrated and generalized form. The use of the principal component method made it possible to combine samples of Natrix natrix with similar indicators of leukocyte composition, as well as to identify a population of Natrix natrix that differs in its indicators in the urbanized territory of the Samara region. The blood pattern and the dynamics of blood leukocyte indices reflected the active response of the Natrix natrix body to the complex of environmental factors of the habitat on the territory of the Mordovian State Nature Reserve.

—A differentiated assessment of blood cells and types of micronuclei in the erythrocytes of marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) living in reservoirs of the Nizhny Novgorod region was performed. The water reservoirs differ by origin, morphology, and chemical composition. The specific abiotic conditions (a peat bog) and anthropogenic load resulted in the most pronounced change in the leukocyte differential count, corresponding to the neutrophilic type of leukemoid reaction, and in an increased micronucleus fraction in the erythrocytes. A moderate positive correlation between the increase in the number of disintegrated micronuclei and the content (mg/L) of nitrites in the reservoir was found (r = 0.72, p = 0.0179). The complex action of high concentrations of technogenic chemical pollutants (copper, chromium, and oil products) caused the activation of erythropoiesis and humoral immunity, which was confirmed by the nature of the leukemoid reaction of a lymphatic type. The cellular and humoral types of immune reaction aimed at self–foreign molecule differentiation provided stability of the frog ontogenesis under anthropogenic pressure. Integral leukocyte indexes, such as the blood cell indicator, the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, the lymphocyte–granulocyte index, and the index of leukocyte shift, which reflect the level of the body’s general reactivity, can be considered as population markers of the immune status of amphibians.

—A comparative study of marsh and pool frog myelograms showed that the erythropoietic activity of bone marrow was higher in amphibians from conventionally “intact” areas (group 1) than in those from urbanized territories (group 2). The amphibians’ adaptive response to contamination of the aquatic environment involved restructuring of the cellular composition in the bone marrow and myeloid cell activation. Variability of the responses of individual myelopoietic elements reflected the plasticity of the compensatory capacity of the organism. Overall, adaptive reactions were common for two sympatric amphibian species, but interspecific differences were manifested as hematopoiesis activation in pool frogs. A strong statistically significant relationship between the integral index of amphibian myelograms and the content of iron (r = –0.81, p = 0.04), chlorides (r = 0.88, p = 0.01), sulfates (r = 0.88, p = 0.018), and petrochemicals (r = 0.89, p = 0.015) in the water was revealed.

Using vertical and oblique radio-sounding data, we analyze the ionospheric and thermospheric disturbances during the magnetic storm that occurred in northeastern Russia on March 17–19, 2015. We consider the heliospheric sources that induced the magnetic storm. During the main and early recovery phases, the midlatitude stations are characterized by extremely low values of electron density at the F2 layer maximum. Using oblique sounding data, we recorded signals that propagated outside the great circle arc. In evening and night hours, no radio signals were found to pass along the Norilsk–Irkutsk and Magadan–Irkutsk paths. The observed ionospheric effects are shown to be caused by a sharp shift of the boundaries of the main ionospheric trough to the invariant latitude 46° N during the main phase of the magnetic storm. The negative ionospheric disturbance during the recovery phase of the storm, which was associated with significant variations in the composition of the neutral atmosphere, led to a change in the mode composition of received radio signals and a decline in observed maximal frequencies in daytime hours of March 18, 2015 by more than 2 times.

Using the digisonde data observed at ionospheric station Norilsk (Dip lat. 60 degrees N) in 2006, a statistical study on the characteristics of the ionospheric plasma total absorption of radio waves (IPTAR) was performed. In the winter and some months of equinox, the IPTAR mainly occurred in the nighttime and the highest occurrence rate could be up to 90%. In the summer, the occurrence was relatively low and the differences between nighttime and daytime occurrence reduced. The total duration of IPTAR seemed longer around the winter than that around the summer. The occurrence of IPTAR events ascended as the Kp index increased. The frequent precipitation of energetic particles into the ionospheric plasma in the auroral belt may be the main cause of the IPTAR events.

Based on theoretical models of the ionosphere and the plasmasphere, the ion composition variations in the plasmasphere and the plasmapause structure were studied depending on the choice of the distribution model of the magnetospheric convection electric field at low and high geomagnetic activity at the equinox and the December solstice. Based on the model calculations performed, the plasmapause shape and size during an increase and decrease in geomagnetic activity were studied. It was revealed that the size of the plasmasphere mainly depends on the magnetic local time (MLT) sector and the level of geomagnetic activity, and it greatly depends on the maximum universal time during the equinox. The Earth’s plasmasphere asymmetry is manifested in the noon-midnight and morning-evening directions. The analysis results of daily and seasonal variations in the ionic composition of the Earth’s plasmasphere at a moderate solar activity level show that there is a certain increase in the ion concentrations of H+ and He+ in the winter period probably due to an increase in the exospheric density at the summer to winter transition. The data obtained are in good agreement with satellite observations which makes it possible to use the model proposed to study the plasmasphere under different geophysical conditions.

The disturbances of ionospheric radio channel during 17–24 March 2015 magnetic storm are investigated. The heliospheric sources which caused the storm are considered. Based on space-distributed multipurpose chirp ionosonde data effects of geomagnetic disturbances influence on conditions of HF signal propagation are studied.

On the base of the space-distributed multipurpose chirp ionosonde effects of solar flare influence on conditions of HF signals distribution in the northeast region of Russia were registered on February 25, 2014. The absorption increase in D – ionosphere areas during flare due to splash in x-ray radiation was shown in disappearance of the signals corresponding to modes with multiple reflections from ionospheric layer both for the ionograms of oblique and vertical sounding. In the period of a magnetic storm on February 27, 2014 on the oblique sounding ionograms on paths Magadan – Irkutsk and Khabarovsk – Irkutsk in evening and night hours of local time, were observed additional signals with abnormally big delay. The amplitude relief of abnormal signals was characterized by strong diffusion, and frequencies exceeded the maximal observed frequencies of standard propagation modes.

The results for modeling of HF radio waves propagation characteristics are given for the periods of solar flares 25.02.2014, 25.10.2013, 13-14.05.2013. The distance–frequency and amplitude-frequency propagation characteristics are calculated on the base of the complex algorithm which includes modules of ionosphere and plasmasphere global models and radio waves propagation model. The results of calculations were compared with experimental data of oblique ionosphere sounding obtained by chirp ionosonde on paths Magadan – Irkutsk, Khabarovsk – Irkutsk and Norilsk – Irkutsk.

The dependence of the origination of G conditions in the ionospheric F region on solar and geomagnetic activity has been determined based on numerical simulation of the ionosphere over points 50° N, 105° E and 70° N, 105° E for summer conditions at noon. It has been found that the threshold value of the Kp geomagnetic activity index (KpS), beginning from which a G condition can originate, is minimal for a low solar activity level at relatively high latitudes during the recovery phase of a geomagnetic storm. On average, KpS increases with increasing solar activity, but G conditions can originate at high solar activity levels and be absent at moderate ones for certain Kp values, which was apparently predicted for the first time. These properties of the origination of G conditions do not contradict the known results of a G-condition statistical analysis performed based on the data from the global network of ionospheric stations.

This paper studies the role of magnetospheric factors, such as convection and energetic electron precipitation during the formation of positive disturbances in the total electron content under the conditions of the summer evening ionosphere. A numerical model of the ionosphere and plasmasphere, where time variations in the magnetospheric convection velocity and electron precipitation parameters correspond to the main phase of a magnetic storm, has been used for this purpose. It has been indicated that the total electron content sharply increases (the “dusk effect”) in the eastern and western sectors at approximately the same geomagnetic latitudes corresponding to the subauroral zone provided that a sudden storm commencement is registered in the morning hours. local time. This peak of the total electron content is formed as a result of joint reconstruction of the magnetospheric convection pattern and energetic electron precipitation during the main phase of a storm. In this case, magnetospheric convection plays the main role, raising the F2 layer by 40–80 km into the region with a lower recombination rate.

We study the possibilities of the Theoretical Ionosphere Model (TIM) developed at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, for calculating the HF-radiowave propagation characteristics. The results of simulation based on the TIM are compared with calculations based on the IRI model and data from experimental observations. Analysis of the results of calculations for the maximum usable frequency (MUF) have shown that with the same input data (coordinates of the receipt and transmission points, the route length, date, and time), the differences in the calculated MUFs (using two different models supplying radio routes with ionospheric information) amount to ∼1% in the daytime and reach 10% at night.

Hematological parameters of green frogs from populations exposed to the influence of urbanization and pollution were studied from 1999 to 2004. Manifestations of an adaptive response to a complex of corresponding ecological factors were observed, including the development of immune response and the enhancement of the protective function of peripheral blood. A negative correlation was revealed between the integrated index of the immune status and the number of T cells in the peripheral blood. This is evidence that parameters of the T-cell subpopulation are most informative and, therefore, have special significance for assessing the balance of immune system components.

Changes of the total number of leucocytes and the leucocytic formula of peripheral blood were studied and stability of development was evaluated by the indicator of fluctuating asymmetry of populations of green frogs Rana lessonae Cam. and Rana ridibunda Pall. inhabiting city reservoirs of Nizhni Novgorod and the Nizhegorodskaya Province. The revealed changes in the amphibians white blood depending on the degree of anthropogenic effects in the studied reservoirs can be divided into two types. In the first type (the level of stability of development of populations is 2 scores according to Zakharov) there were revealed neutropenia, increased content of eosinophils, and total leucopenia. In the second type, a more intensive anthropogenic effect and deviation of the organism state from normal conditions, estimated by 3 scores (Zakharov), the leucograms of frogs were characterized by more pronounced negative alterations. Leucocytosis accompanied by neutropenia, eosinophilia, basophilia, and a decrease of the total number of lymphocytes has been established. In the absence of deviations of the stability of development from the conditionally normal state, there was revealed the balance of leucogram indicators, close to norm. An increase of the number of lymphocytes and young forms of neutrophils in the amphibian peripheral blood indicates stimulation of the processes providing the organism protective reaction. Cross-correlation between the integral indicator of stability of development, the content of eosinophils and lymphocytes has been established in individuals from populations of green frogs inhabiting the studied reservoirs.

The sharp politicization of the history of science in the USSR erased from its pages the names of scientists who were forced to leave Russia after the October Revolution. Only much later did their names begin to be restored. One of these scientists was an ordinary professor at Kazan University Vasily Nikolaevich Boldyrev. In the available literature, we did not find publications specifically devoted to his life and scientific activity in Russia.

The ionospheric response to a geomagnetic disturbance is a complex set of events caused by both the upper atmosphere and ionosphere parameters and characteristics of the magnetosphere and solar wind. A situation is particularly complicated during the large geomagnetic storm. We present the results derived from investigating of the ionospheric response to large geomagnetic storms with the values of index Dst < (-200 ÷ -300nT) observed during two last cycles of solar activity. Our analysis of the behavior of the ionosphere is based on using the measurements from a network of ionospheric stations located at different latitudes in the longitudinal sector of 60-150°E. Also there are presented the results of numerical modeling of ionospheric parameters during the geomagnetic storm on April, 2000δ which show a good agreement of calculations and measurements. As the results modeling illustrates prolonged negative ionospheric disturbances observed during geomagnetic storms may be produced by the change of thermosphere composition.© (2007) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

in the ionospheric response to a geomagnetic storm are obtained depending on latitude and season. At middle latitudes the most interesting is that the positive and negative phases of ionospheric disturbance prevail in winter and summer, respectively. To interpret the observed variations in the ionospheric structure, modeling is performed, using a theoretical ionospheric model. The analysis of the processes governing the response of the midlatitude ionosphere to a geomagnetic storm showed a good agreement between the results of modeling and measurements and made it possible to detect the determining role of the neutral composition in the observed variations in ionospheric parameters. At auroral and subauroral stations the variability of the electron concentration during a storm is much better pronounced. According to the results of the analysis of the trajectories of the ionospheric plasma convection, this variability is caused by the joint action of the convection and energetic electron precipitations. The disturbances in the neutral composition in this latitudinal region influence the background electron concentration level. INDEX TERMS: 2441 Ionosphere: Ionospheric storms; 2447 Ionosphere: Modeling and forecasting; 2407 Ionosphere: Auroral ionosphere; KEYWORDS: Ionospheric storms; Ionosphere-magnetosphere interactions; Numerical simulations.

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.

The effect of bee venom (0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg) and the venom of Vipera lebetina (0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg) on the reaction of delayed hypersensitivity was studied in experiments on CBA mice. The character and trend of the effect was determined by the zootoxin species. The venom of Vipera lebetina completely suppressed the cell immune reaction in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg and produced an adjuvant effect in a dose of 0.05 mg/kg. Bee venom (0.5 mg/kg) failed to cause a suppressive effect and in a small dose (0.05 mg/kg) stimulated cellular immunity. The adjuvant properties of the venoms were comparable with the effect of Evans' blue dye.

Haptoglobin (Hp) phenotype distribution has been examined in 193 patients with an acute icteric form of hepatitis B (HBsAg+), in 36 chronic HBsAg carriers, and in 317 normal controls. The incidence rates of three Hp types have been virtually the same in the acute patients and in the controls. In chronic HBsAg carriers the Hp 1-1 type has been detected 3 times more frequently than in acute hepatitis B patients and 4 times more frequently than in normal subjects. The authors suppose that the presence of Hp 1-1 type is one of the genetic factors that determine (in case of a hepatitis B infection) the liability to the development of a chronic subclinical infectious process and not of an acute form of this infection.

The rheological properties of blood (viscosity, suspension stability and deformation of red blood cells) have been studied under the influence of zootoxins. It has been shown that the toxins Apis mellifera, Mesobuthus eupeus, Agkistrodon blomhoffii in vitro exert essential effect on haemorheological indexes.