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Bacteria and fungi secrete antibiotics to suppress and kill other microbes, but can these compounds be agents of competition against macroorganisms? We explore how one competitive tactic, antibiotic production, can structure the composition and function of brown food webs. This aspect of warfare between microbes and invertebrates is particularly important today as antibiotics are introduced into ecosystems via anthropogenic activities, but the ecological implications of these introductions are largely unknown. We hypothesized that antimicrobial compounds act as agents of competition against invertebrate and microbial competitors. Using field-like mesocosms, we tested how antifungal and antibacterial compounds influence microbes, invertebrates, and decomposition in the brown food web. Both antibiotics changed prokaryotic microbial community composition, but only the antibacterial changed invertebrate composition. Antibacterials reduced the abundance of invertebrate detritivores by 34%. However, the addition of antimicrobials did not ramify up the food web as predator abundances were unaffected. Decomposition rates did not change. To test the mechanisms of antibiotic effects, we provided antibiotic-laden water to individual invertebrate detritivores in separate microcosm experiments. We found that the antibiotic compounds can directly harm invertebrate taxa, probably through a disruption of endosymbionts. Combined, our results show that antibiotic compounds could be an effective weapon for microbes to compete against both microbial and invertebrate competitors. In the context of human introductions, the detrimental effects of antibiotics on invertebrate communities indicates that the scope of this anthropogenic disturbance is much greater than previously expected.

The high demand for conservation work is creating a need for conservation-focused training of scientists. Although many people with postsecondary degrees in biology are finding careers outside academia, many programs and mentors continue to prepare students to follow-in-the-footsteps of their professors. Unfortunately, information regarding how to prepare for today's conservation-based job market is limited in detail and scope. This problem is complicated by the differing needs of conservation organizations in both economically developed and developing regions worldwide. To help scientists identify the tools needed for conservation positions worldwide, we reviewed the current global conservation job market and identified skills required for success in careers in academia, government, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations. We also interviewed conservation professionals across all conservation sectors. Positions in nonprofit organizations were the most abundant, whereas academic jobs were only 10% of the current job market. The most common skills required across sectors were a strong disciplinary background, followed by analytical and technical skills. Academic positions differed the most from other types of positions in that they emphasized teaching as a top skill. Nonacademic jobs emphasized the need for excellent written and oral communication, as well as project-management experience. Furthermore, we found distinct differences across job locations. Positions in developing countries emphasized language and interpersonal skills, whereas positions in countries with advanced economies focused on publication history and technical skills. Our results were corroborated by the conservation professionals we interviewed. Based on our results, we compiled a nondefinitive list of conservation-based training programs that are likely to provide training for the current job market. Using the results of this study, scientists may be better able to tailor their training to maximize success in the conservation job market. Similarly, institutions can apply this information to create educational programs that produce graduates primed for long-term success., (© 2017 Society for Conservation Biology.)

We describe a unique case of a 67-year-old patient with primary uterine rhabdomyosarcoma with a history of breast cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach. Uterine rhabdomyosarcoma was diagnosed in our patient during adjuvant treatment of breast cancer with anastrozole. To the best of our knowledge, the development of primary uterine rhabdomyosarcoma has never been described in patients treated with anastrozole. Due to the suggested causative role of tamoxifen in the development of uterine sarcomas, it is interesting to analyze whether the new drug, anastrozole, exerts any pathogenic effect on the development of uterine sarocomas.

The review of modern ideas concerning the altered states of consciousness is presented in this article. Various methods of entry into the altered states of consciousness are looked over. It is shown that the altered states of consciousness are insufficiently known, but important aspects of human being existence. The role of investigation of the altered states of consciousness for the creation of integrative scientific conception base is discussed.

The information about the peculiarities of the forming the voluntary control of respiration in age aspects is produced in this article. It is shown, that the respiratory tests: voluntary hyperventilation and voluntary breath holding may be the convenient model for researching this problem. The irregular in the ontogenesis forming of the reactions of main physiological systems of the organism on the voluntary hyperventilation is revealed. The phase analysis of the duration of voluntary breath holding showed, that the volitional control of respiration begins to realize at 12 years old. The dynamics of the indexes of cardio-vascular system and CNS indicates of the high reactivity of vegetative nervous system of adolescents and of more distinct alterations in functional state of CNS in children in comparison with adults during voluntary breath holding. The sex distinctions in the mechanism of synchronization the internal rhythmic processes during the voluntary breath holding, especially in adolescents are revealed.

The review of the modern notions about the rhythmic interaction of the respiration, cardiovascular system and CNS is produced in this article. The own data of the authors dedicated to individual, sex and age manifestations of this interaction during the voluntary control of respiration are used. The possible mechanisms of the connection of respiratory rhythms with rhythmic processes of cardiovascular system and CNS are discussed.

The information about the individual peculiarities of the respiratory rhythmics of health people is produced in this article. It is shown, that the functional tests: voluntary hyperventilation, hypoxic hypoxia, their combined influence and natural sleep in normal and hypoxic conditions may be the convenient models for researching this problem. The dependence of the respiratory responses on the individual type of respiration in normal conditions is revealed. The authors concluded that not only the character of normal breathing but also the reactions on functional tests should be taken into account during the prognosis of alterations of the respiratory rhythmics in various conditions.

The presented paper is the review of the theoretical aspects of adaptation as applied to the factors of space flight. The aspects which are used in the professional selection and in the training of cosmonauts are discussed. The theoretical basis of the methods for diagnostics of functional states of the body and for increase of the reserve abilities of cosmonauts is studied. The authors suggest the working of the problem of adaptation to more complicated space flights including interplanetary travels is in sight. The authors conclude that at the present creation of the general conception of adaptation to space flight as to the complex of extreme factors is necessary.

The effect of voluntary breathing (hyperventilation or breath holding) on the cardio-vascular system and the CNS in hypoxic conditions revealed a phasic dynamics of adaptation to hypoxia and intensification of cardio-vascular function on 6000 m. The mechanisms of the responses are discussed.