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The article examines the problem of the teacher’s professional growth due to continuous selfeducation and personal development in the conditions of martial law. The aim of the article is to outline the pathways of self-educational activities for teachers and the approaches to enhancing the professional level of educators, implemented at Alfred Nobel University under martial law conditions. In the course of the research, methods of analogy, retrospective and semantic analysis, SWOT analysis, generalization, and specification of scientific principles and the regulatory framework related to teacher self-education were employed. A SWOT analysis of interpretations of the concept of “self-education” was conducted, and it was found that self-education is a necessary component of professional activity which is determined by social order and is a factor in the personal and professional growth of a specialist. Emphasis is placed on self-education of the teacher as the leading form of improvement of pedagogical skill and professional competence, which consists in assimilation, renewal, dissemination and deepening of knowledge, generalization of experience through purposeful, systematic self-education activities aimed at self-development and self-improvement of the individual, satisfaction of personal interests and objective needs of the educational institution. It was found that the conditions of the martial law in Ukraine and changes in educational orientations made corrections both in the content of teachers’ self-education and in the forms and types of their self-education activities. Some approaches to raising the professional level of a teacher, which were implemented at Alfred Nobel University under martial law conditions, namely acquiring competencies to preserve and restore mental health, providing psychological support to participants in the educational process, improving information competence, implementing effective ways to improve the quality of education in online learning, and mastering new learning/teaching methods, are considered. The content of the developed and implemented comprehensive program of care for human mental health, including a marathon of online meetings with domestic specialists and lecturers from European countries, aimed at mastering the competencies to ensure one’s own psychological health and improve the psycho-emotional state of higher education students in wartime conditions, is disclosed. The expediency of particular directions of development has been substantiated including teachers’ mastering various software, the ability to work on various educational platforms, and the use of interactive applications; cooperation and interaction with domestic and foreign higher education institutions in order to gain experience for the further implementation of the best European practices in the educational process; internships, participation in international projects, thanks to which teachers found and implemented effective ways to improve the quality of education in online learning, and mastered new methods of learning/ teaching. The feasibility of implementing special measures to support the self-educational activities of teachers under martial law conditions has been confirmed, with a focus on the targeted development of key professional competencies related to continuous professional self-development. The conclusions emphasise the need for purposeful self-education of the teacher, thanks to which a new invaluable experience of providing quality education in wartime conditions is formed.

The article examines the problem of the individual style of professional activity of future psychologists. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the essence, the component composition of the individual style of professional activity of future psychologists, the ways of its formation in terms of the educational environment of a higher education institution. It has been shown that an individual style is a factor of professional success, and therefore the specificity of its formation depends on the type of professional activity. The stages of formation of an individual style of activity have been specified. It covers, firstly, the development of professional activity with already worked out schemes and procedures, and secondly, the deviation from normatively approved work samples. The individual style of professional activity of future psychologists is presented as an integral personal formation that determines the individual strategy and tactics of organizing psychological activity and ensures productivity and optimal solution of professional tasks. The components of the individual style of professional activity of future psychologists have been defined. The content of the individual style of future psychologists’ professional activity includes motivational-value (a system of motives, and value attitudes); cognitive (a set of knowledge about the essence and structure of the individual style of professional activity of future psychologists, ways of its formation); personal-active (methods, techniques, procedures, productive technologies, and tools of implementing psychological knowledge in work by specialities); reflective-evaluative components (an ability to professional and personal reflective). It has been emphasized that the individual style of professional activity is not formed by itself, but requires painstaking and systematic work on oneself, performing the function of adaptation to the requirements of professional activity and is a system of individually unique methods that ensure successful performance of the work of a practical psychologist. The methodological aspects of the formation of the individual style of professional activity of future psychologists have been identified. It is a set of systemic, functional, synergistic, axiological, and personally oriented approaches. It has been substantiated that the formation of the individual style of professional activity of future psychologists requires the modelling of the content of each educational component of the educational program in the specialty 053 Psychology according to the logic of the tasks of future professional activity; the use of practically oriented learning technologies (dialogic-discussion, game, training, project, and case ones, as well as training, exercises, web quests, webinars, workshops, etc.). Emphasis is placed on the need to involve students in various practical activities for the implementation of professional initiatives in cooperation with partners of higher education institutions and employers. An interesting experience of acquiring personal professional experience by future psychologists through involvement in end-to-end practice, in particular the practice of the “Supervision Studio”, has been revealed. The prospect of further research is found in the study of the problems of organizing the self-educational activities of future psychologists for the development of the individual style of professional activity

The article examines the current problem of professional training of future IT specialists in the context of forming their strategic competence because it is critical for university graduates in the field of IT to be able to strategically plan actions in different ways for effective implementation in their professional activities. Therefore, the strategy of professional activity is carried out by means of separate tactical actions, which collectively make up strategic activity. Thus, s IT specialists’ shaping strategic competence allows understanding of which actions are the most important for the realization of the goal and the achievement of professional tasks. It has been established that strategic competence of an IT specialist is a personal integrative creation. This represents the unity of professionally significant qualities, knowledge and skills, with the help of which specialists formulate the strategic goal of work, show a value-motivational attitude to strategic changes and flexibility in behaviour depending on the factors of the external environment, make a reasonable choice and implement strategies depending on the situation, while achieving the effectiveness of the professional activity. The importance of shaping strategic competence in three main sections is substantiated including: elemental (a set of components, the interaction between which ensures the implementation of the relevant activity); functional (methodology for adopting strategies); and procedural (technology for developing and implementing a strategy in the existing environment). It has been proved that a high level of IT specialists’ strategic competence ensures the following: determination of the leading goal of professional activity, choosing an effective model of professional behaviour following existing conditions, planning and development of measures for adaptation to conditions of professional activity, implementation of planned professional actions and operations (strategies), etc. The article also presents the main aspects of professional training of future IT specialists. The experience of organizing and implementing university training for future IT specialists shows that a high level of strategic competence makes it possible to choose and prepare the right hardware and software, rational methods for solving professional tasks, allows for the modernization of IT infrastructure, optimization of IT efficiency for innovation. This makes it possible to manage the IT sector, in particular, in the context of IT infrastructure management, IT projects, IT costs, to increase the security and stability of the industry. It is important to define long-term goals, taking into account the phased process of optimizing existing IT systems. A strong emphasis is also placed on the following blocks of scientific knowledge: the use of technologies and algorithms of computational intelligence and intelligent data analysis in the tasks of forecasting, analytics, cluster analysis using software tools to support multidimensional data analysis based on DataMining, TextMining, WebMining technologies, mastering system programming languages and methods of developing online programs, performing parallel and distributed calculations, applying numerical methods and algorithms, etc. The article also provides promising directions for research as a study of the real state of shaping strategic competence of future bachelors in the IT field.

Purpose: to characterize the main sources of irrigation water in the steppe zone of the Crimea and to assess the prospects for their further use. Materials and methods. Statistical information on water resources use in the irrigated agriculture of the Crimea and the results of monitoring observations over the resource composition of main water sources of the steppe part of the peninsula are considered. To assess the feasibility of using limitedly suitable waters in agriculture, phytotesting on radish and corn seeds conducted. Results. The main sources of water in the steppe zone of Crimea are the system of the North Crimean Canal (more than 30 million cubic meters of water were used for irrigation in 2022) and the wells. However, the resources of the wells in some cases belong to the category of limited use, as their use in the agricultural sector can lead to a deterioration in the reclamation situation and a decrease in crop yields. An analysis of statistical data on crop production on the territory of one of the farms in Pervomaysky district, where limited suitable groundwater has been used for more than 5 years, did not show a significant change in the level of productivity in comparison with the average data for irrigated lands of the republic. The results of phytotesting confirmed that an increase in the irrigation water mineralization to 3 g/l did not form an inhibitory effect on the radish and corn seeds germination. Conclusions. When justifying the choice of a source of irrigation water in the steppe zone of Crimea, besides the results of phytotesting and analysis of statistical information on yields, a preliminary assessment of the suitability of water resources for irrigation, it is necessary to take into account climatic and soil conditions, drainability of the territory, water content of the source, proposed irrigation methods and a list of crops. In the case of using the limited suitable waters, it is necessary to conduct mandatory monitoring observations of soil condition in order to identify and prevent timely the deterioration of the reclamation situation.

The article deals with the problem of forming the value attitude of future socionomic specialists to their professional activity in the process of professional training. The purpose of the article is to define the phenomenon of “the value attitude of future specialists in the socionomic sphere to their professional activity”, to present new aspects of its formation in the educational process of higher education and the results obtained. The objectives of the study are as follows: 1) to analyze the theoretical foundations of the scientific understanding of the essence of the value attitude to the professional activity; 2) to substantiate the structure of the value attitude of future specialists in the socio-economic sphere to their professional activity; 3) to identify the directions of forming the value attitude of future specialists in the socio-economic sphere to their professional activity in the process of professional training; 4) to experimentally test the effectiveness of the identified directions of forming the value attitude of future specialists in the socioeconomic sphere to their professional activity in the process of professional training. The value attitude to the professional activity is considered as a component of the value-content sphere of the personality of the future specialists in the socio-economic sphere, which positively reflects their system of values of professional knowledge. The structure of the value attitude of future socionomic specialists to their professional activity is presented in the unity of cognitive-evaluative, motivational, activity-transformative and reflective components. In accordance with the identified components, indicators and levels of their formation (stable communicative-reflective, situational profession-oriented, and inert subject practical ones) are determined. We consider the process of forming the value attitude of future specialists in the socio-economic sphere to their professional activity in the process of professional training as a process whose main directions include identifying professionally oriented information from the content; modeling students’ own value judgments; ensuring the cognitive activity of students and forming the skills of independent cognitive activity; actualization of personal values of students; active involvement of students in research work; inclusion of students in various practical activities. The study was conducted in 2020–2022 at Alfred Nobel University. 97 future bachelors in psychology and social work were involved (EG1 – 35, EG2 – 32, KG – 30). The following research methods were used: questionnaires, modified diagnostic methods of A. Rean; the method of involving students in life situations by systematically changing the conditions of the same task; methods of modeling professional situations in solving communicative and reflective tasks; and analysis of written tasks. The experimental study confirmed that the presented variety of directions, means of forming the value attitude of future specialists in the socio-economic sphere to their professional activity allows students to “launch” internal mechanisms of self-development, self-realization and self-improvement in various types of professional activities, as well as realize the need for personal restructuring and their own responsibility for the quality of professional growth.

The article is devoted to the formation of communicative competence. It considers the importance of communicative competence in the content and structure of professional training of future doctors of philosophy in the specialty 015 “Vocational Education (by specializations)” in graduate school. The commu- The communicative competence of a teacher of higher education is considered by the authors as an integral personal education that ensures the effectiveness of communication in the system of professional relations and provides a conscious understanding of the value of communication for professional activities, mastery of culture and communication technologies, verbal, nonverbal and computer communication, updating one’s own communicative experience. The structural components of a certain competence are characterized: motivational-value (set of motives, adequate to the goals and objectives of communicative activity (motivation for communicative activity, focus on humanistic communication, the need for communicative self-improvement)); cognitive (a set of knowledge about the nature and features of communication in general and professional, in particular, fields, knowledge about communication styles, in particular, about the features of one’s own communicative style); activity (set of communicative skills (organizationalmanagerial, perceptual-reflexive, expressive)); personal-emotional (a set of personal qualities that determine the position and orientation of graduate students as subjects of communicative activity, as well as the emotional manifestation of these qualities (ability to reflect, empathy, contact, observation, stress resistance)). The principles (contextual learning, communicative interaction, individual support by the teacher of educational activities of each postgraduate student, internal freedom of a person, joint activities of subjects of the educational process and reliance on experience of the student, critical self-assessment) and pedagogical conditions of formation of communicative competence of future doctors of philosophy are substantiated. conditions of postgraduate study (achievement of communicative orientation in teaching all disciplines provided by the curriculum of third (educational) level) in stimulating postgraduate students to acquire communicative competence, ensuring their self-realization in various communications, creating an atmosphere of partnership between teachers and graduate students interactive learning technologies). The article describes and analyzes the results of experimental verification of the effectiveness of the application of pedagogical conditions for the formation of communicative competence of future doctors of philosophy in graduate schools. The conclusion about the efficiency of application of certain pedagogical conditions and expediency of their introduction into the process of professional training of future doctors of philosophy studying in the educational-scientific program “Professional education” (specialty 015 “Professional Education (by specializations)”) is made

Modern methods of education make greater use of the opportunities provided by information technologies. This, in turn, contributes to the emergence of new forms of organizing the learning process. Distance learning allows you to take into account the needs and characteristics of each student in the learning process. For distance learning of a foreign language, high motivation and hard work of the student are necessary. The use of English-language songs in learning English helps to increase the interest of students in the educational process and increases their motivation. Distance education makes it possible to successfully overcome the limitations in opportunities and time. Learning English is important for the training of modern specialists in the field of metallurgy, The specialist's knowledge of foreign languages allows him to increase the level of his competitiveness in the labor market To improve the effectiveness of distance education, it is advisable to develop and implement new methods of organizing the educational process.

The article presents the results of comprehensive analysis of water management situation at the water storage facilities of the Simferopol city. The study included digitization of reservoirs, survey of these water bodies and their coastal zones, determination of accumulated water composition and properties in field and laboratory conditions, assessment of their environmental sustainability. In the course of the work a list of ponds was identified, primarily in need of measures, aimed at improving their level of environmental safety and maintaining a comfortable urban environment.

The present publication attempts to substantiate the peculiarities of the preparation of future engineer and pedagogues for the use of communicative technologies in the terms of the vocational education institution. The results of the survey on the degree of self-education and the level of communicative culture among engineer and pedagogues and masters of industrial training in the system of vocational education are collected and analyzed. It is concluded the engineer and pedagogues, in accordance with the acquired knowledge of the essence of communicative learning technologies, should be prepared to solve complex and innovative problems within of vocational education institutions. The structural components of the communicative culture of the future engineer and pedagogue are presented, a namely: humanistic orientation, knowledge of the fundamentals of the theory of pedagogical communication, communicative and creative abilities, the character and effectiveness of professional communication. It is found out that the abilities of engineer and pedagogue to the purposeful planning of educational work, to rational combination of different forms of work, to the appropriate selection and provision of a comprehensive educational impact on the pupil’s personality, the establishment in the vocational institution an atmosphere of creative pedagogical activity contribute the formation of the future worker of one or the other professionally significant features. It is noted it is the complex of educational influences that can activate, make the process of formation and development communicative culture of an engineer and pedagogue a bright, effective and indicative. The methods of organization classroom and extracurricular work of puples in vocational education institutions are presented and classified. Several groups of these methods are expedient for use by a qualified engineer and pedagogue. These include research methods and ones of pedagogical diagnosis; methods of goal setting and planning; methods of persuasion and formation of consciousness of the person; methods of organization of pupils’ life activity and formation of professional behavior experience; methods of motivation and stimulation; control and evaluation ones. It is concluded the main professional qualities of the personality of the engineer and pedagogue. They must have professional knowledge, spiritual and communicative culture, emotional sensitiveness, pedagogical tact, empathy, good organization, enthusiasm, ability to arrange and interest their pupils. The feature of his/her behavior, his/her emotional state, the ability to assess pedagogical situations, to find a positive emotional form of relationships, to choose the words and means to influence the pupil are essentially characterizes the communicative culture of the engineer and pedagogue. The technological methods of forming a communicative culture of an engineer and pedagogue are shown; they could be realized while implementing various forms and techniques of organizing classroom and extracurricular work, during solving and simulating communication tasks and situations, elaborating methods for managing their own mood, state of health and behavior.

A significant shift is taking place at higher educational institutions and emphasizes group or teamwork during the academic process. This article introduces incorporating teamwork into pedagogical courses. The application of the teamwork pedagogy is relevant due to a strong necessity to find a successful educational technology of professional teachers' competencies development required by the modern international labor market. Sufficient results have been achieved with the use of theoretical and empirical research methods as analysis, generalization, and systematization of scientific papers, observation, reflectivity, and social intelligence diagnosis, pedagogical modeling, questioning, and collecting data. The scientific novelty of the theoretical part is highlighted through the importance of applying teamwork as a more successful educational technology, proving effective tools, and strategies for designing the new teamwork-based educational process of master's degree students in Pedagogy. On the practical side, this new pedagogy has been applied in two universities, and it is concluded that teamwork can enhance problem-solving and creativity, generates understanding, support, commitment, acceptance, and bring out the best of the future university teacher.

The article identifies one of the components of professional competence, social and communicative competence - the quality of a trainers of higher education, which is defined as complex integrative professionalpersonal formation, which determines the electiveness of interpersonal and professional interaction, allows a specialist to orient in any professional and social situation, to evaluate it adequately, to make the right decisions and achieve set goals and provides a pedagogue with personal comfort, professional electiveness and social demand in all spheres of life. The following structural components of socio-communicative competence of higher education establishment teachers are identified: motivation-valuable, cognitive, operational-active, personal, as well as a set of criteria and their indicators: motivational (presence of motivation to achieve, determination to interact, necessity in communication, self-actualization); cognitive (completeness and strength of assimilation of socio-communicative knowledge); active the level of mastery of skills (speech, nonverbal, interactive, social, information and communication); personal (social intellect, ability to empathize and reflexivity), which correlate with specified components of socio-communicative competence of higher education establishment trainers. The dissertation defined the levels of development of investigated competence (low, acceptable and high) and revealed their content. Despite the variety of solutions for its development, the higher education system needs to find new ways in this direction. The complex of education-methodological materials for HEE trainers were developed in regard to the development of the future trainers of higher education establishment in the process of Master's degree acquiring, which contains the bank of theoretical and practical lessons, educational cases, projects, exercises, trainings, role and business games; selected and adapted package of diagnostic materials for defining the level of development of socio-communicative competence of future trainers of HEE; and developed the special course program, “Socio-communicative competence of a trainer of higher education establishment”. The article presents the results of an experimental study of the level of formation of social and communicative competence of trainers of higher education establishment.

The article looks into the issue of developing methodical requirements for the structure and content of online courses. The study is dedicated to the analysis of peculiarities of developing the content of online systems and developing methodical recommendations to educational materials for online courses of training higher school mathematics teachers. The research considers the experts’ experience in preparing, structuring and developing the content for online courses and answers to volunteers who have agreed to test the educational materials of the course. The answers given by the participants have allowed estimating the quality of the developed course and detecting its insignificant drawbacks. The article discusses general requirements to the structure and content of the online course, means for the implementation of a testing subsystem, peculiarities of developing educational video content and educational materials in PDF format, issues of implementing forum and survey subsystems, as well as means of estimating learning outcomes. We have grounds to conclude that the quality of the course is determined by the range of factors, among which we point out the course organization based on weekly planning, implementation of a testing subsystem under conditions of extended functionality, creation of abilities to organize feedback.

Ukraine, as a state striving to join on the parity basis the international community of developed and democratic countries, lacks some important prerequisites for achieving this goal. Besides several economic and political factors making obstacles for the desired achievement, of no lesser importance are the humanitarian factors, such as the monolingualism and monoculturalism of a substantial part of Ukrainian population. They preclude unimpeded mutual understanding and mutual acceptance, as well as free unimpeded contacts, between many Ukrainian citizens and their European counterparts. In this aspect, the solution for Ukraine can be found in sustained foreign language lingua-cultural education of the broadest strata of Ukrainian population that could open for the people a way out in what concerns their ability to communicate freely and fluently all through the Western European space sharing with the people living there not only the language of international communication but also the cultural approaches and beliefs. The article discusses the ways of developing such sustained (life-long) English lingua-cultural education for the young generation of new Ukraine. It analyzes the section of that education to be implemented at Ukrainian nonlinguistic tertiary schools with the aim of designing its efficient model.

The article deals with the issues of the content, assessment of the current state and the main tendencies in the development of the so-called “soft skills”. At present soft skills are essential to have good job opportunities and university curriculum should be focused on developing and mastering them. The article analyses the results of the research of the soft skills development among post graduate students majoring in Professional Education of Alfred Nobel University, Dnipro. These data prove that postgraduate students realize the importance of mastering soft skills to make a successful career. Moreover, innovative teaching methods and techniques aimed at mastering soft skills are to be introduced into the educational process.

Screening of 11 strains of Beauveria fungi based on their colonization rate (endophytic activity) on bean plants showed that all the cultures tested belonging either to Beauveria bassiana or Beauveria pseudobassiana are able to colonize the plants. Significant differences were revealed between the strains in their endophytic activity. Three strains of fungi with the highest endophytic activity were found and a slight growth-stimulating effect was revealed for the four strains. The relative increase in plant height was significantly higher compared to both control and other fungal cultures.

The article considers modern trends in the development of the global economy, the dynamics of the activity of the domestic economy. The statistical data of the share of loss-making enterprises on the domestic market are analyzed. The importance of competitiveness and financial stability of enterprises in modern conditions is considered, the relationship between competitiveness and financial stability is indicated. The notion of financial competitiveness is formulated. Financial competitiveness is analyzed from the point of view of enterprise management and on the parameters for assessing the financial stability of enterprises. Methods for assessing the financial competitiveness of enterprises have been identified. The primary calculation of financial competitiveness indicators for PJSC “SF Almaz” was carried out based on the selected methods. The analysis of the obtained calculation results is carried out. Methods are proposed to ensure financial competitiveness of Russian companies.

This microstructural model deals with simulation both of the reversible and irreversible deformation of a shape memory alloy (SMA). The martensitic transformation and the irreversible deformation due to the plastic accommodation of martensite are considered on the microscopic level. The irreversible deformation is described from the standpoint of the plastic flow theory. Isotropic hardening and kinematic hardening are taken into account and are related to the densities of scattered and oriented deformation defects. It is supposed that the phase transformation and the micro plastic deformation are caused by the generalized thermodynamic forces, which are the derivatives of the Gibbs’ potential of the two-phase body. In terms of these forces conditions for the phase transformation and for the micro plastic deformation on the micro level are formulated. The macro deformation of the representative volume of the polycrystal is calculated by averaging of the micro strains related to the evolution of the martensite Bain’s variants in each grain comprising this volume. The proposed model allowed simulating the evolution of the reversible and of the irreversible strains of a stressed SMA specimen under thermal cycles. The results show a good qualitative agreement with available experimental data. Specifically, it is shown that the model can describe a rather big irreversible strain in the first thermocycle and its fast decrease with the number of cycles.

Background/objectives: For genomic selection to enhance the efficiency of broiler production, finding SNPs and candidate genes that define the manifestation of main selected traits is essential. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for growth and meat productivity traits of roosters from a chicken F 2 resource population ( n = 152)., Methods: The population was obtained by crossing two breeds with contrasting phenotypes for performance indicators, i.e., Russian White (slow-growing) and Cornish White (fast-growing). The birds were genotyped using the Illumina Chicken 60K SNP iSelect BeadChip. After LD filtering of the data, 54,188 SNPs were employed for the GWAS analysis that allowed us to reveal significant specific associations for phenotypic traits of interest and economic importance., Results: At the threshold value of p < 9.2 × 10 -7 , 83 SNPs associated with body weight at the age of 28, 42, and 63 days were identified, as well as 171 SNPs associated with meat qualities (average daily gain, slaughter yield, and dressed carcass weight and its components). Moreover, 34 SNPs were associated with a group of three or more traits, including 15 SNPs significant for a group of growth traits and 5 SNPs for a group of meat productivity indicators. Relevant to these detected SNPs, nine prioritized candidate genes associated with the studied traits were revealed, including WNT2 , DEPTOR , PPA2 , UNC80 , DDX51 , PAPPA , SSC4D , PTPRU , and TLK2 ., Conclusions: The found SNPs and candidate genes can serve as genetic markers for growth and meat performance characteristics in chicken breeding in order to achieve genetic improvement in broiler production.

Breeding improvements and quantitative trait genetics are essential to the advancement of broiler production. The impact of artificial selection on genomic architecture and the genetic markers sought remains a key area of research. Here, we used whole-genome resequencing data to analyze the genomic architecture, diversity, and selective sweeps in Cornish White (CRW) and Plymouth Rock White (PRW) transboundary breeds selected for meat production and, comparatively, in an aboriginal Russian breed of Ushanka (USH). Reads were aligned to the reference genome bGalGal1.mat.broiler.GRCg7b and filtered to remove PCR duplicates and low-quality reads using BWA-MEM2 and bcftools software; 12,563,892 SNPs were produced for subsequent analyses. Compared to CRW and PRW, USH had a lower diversity and a higher genetic distinctiveness. Selective sweep regions and corresponding candidate genes were examined based on Z F ST , hapFLK, and ROH assessment procedures. Twenty-seven prioritized chicken genes and the functional projection from human homologs suggest their importance for selection signals in the studied breeds. These genes have a functional relationship with such trait categories as body weight, muscles, fat metabolism and deposition, reproduction, etc., mainly aligned with the QTLs in the sweep regions. This information is pivotal for further executing genomic selection to enhance phenotypic traits.

The search for SNPs and candidate genes that determine the manifestation of major selected traits is one crucial objective for genomic selection aimed at increasing poultry production efficiency. Here, we report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for traits characterizing meat performance in the domestic quail. A total of 146 males from an F 2 reference population resulting from crossing a fast (Japanese) and a slow (Texas White) growing breed were examined. Using the genotyping-by-sequencing technique, genomic data were obtained for 115,743 SNPs (92,618 SNPs after quality control) that were employed in this GWAS. The results identified significant SNPs associated with the following traits at 8 weeks of age: body weight (nine SNPs), daily body weight gain (eight SNPs), dressed weight (33 SNPs), and weights of breast (18 SNPs), thigh (eight SNPs), and drumstick (three SNPs). Also, 12 SNPs and five candidate genes ( GNAL , DNAJC6 , LEPR , SPAG9 , and SLC27A4 ) shared associations with three or more traits. These findings are consistent with the understanding of the genetic complexity of body weight-related traits in quail. The identified SNPs and genes can be used in effective quail breeding as molecular genetic markers for growth and meat characteristics for the purpose of genetic improvement.

The aim of the current study was to assess the female metabolic rate and test the hypothesis that there is a relationship between the egg productivity of Japanese quails from eight breeds and their morphometric, or growth, parameters. Parameters measured were body weight ( B ), volume ( V ), and surface area ( S ), as well as the metabolism level expressed by the ratio S / V . The collected egg performance traits were as follows: the number of eggs produced ( N ), the average egg weight ( W ), and the total egg mass ( M ) (i.e., N multiplied by W ). To measure the S and V values, a novel technique was developed that takes into account the similarity of the quail's body to an ellipsoid. An analysis of the relationships between productivity indicators allowed us to introduce a new index called the metabolic index , B·S / V , based on all three main growth parameters in quails. Using the values of this index, we were then able to judge indirectly the level of quails' egg productivity. We went on to assess the N , W, and M values, not only depending on the size of the bird's growth parameters but also according to the degree of their changes during quail growth. These changes were expressed as the slope angles of trend lines describing the growth process data. This approach produced more accurate results for predicting the egg productivity in terms of W and M .

Traces of long-term artificial selection can be detected in genomes of domesticated birds via whole-genome screening using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. This study thus examined putative genomic regions under selection that are relevant to the development history, divergence and phylogeny among Japanese quails of various breeds and utility types. We sampled 99 birds from eight breeds (11% of the global gene pool) of egg (Japanese, English White, English Black, Tuxedo and Manchurian Golden), meat (Texas White and Pharaoh) and dual-purpose (Estonian) types. The genotyping-by-sequencing analysis was performed for the first time in domestic quails, providing 62,935 SNPs. Using principal component analysis, Neighbor-Net and Admixture algorithms, the studied breeds were characterized according to their genomic architecture, ancestry and direction of selective breeding. Japanese and Pharaoh breeds had the smallest number and length of homozygous segments indicating a lower selective pressure. Tuxedo and Texas White breeds showed the highest values of these indicators and genomic inbreeding suggesting a greater homozygosity. We revealed evidence for the integration of genomic and performance data, and our findings are applicable for elucidating the history of creation and genomic variability in quail breeds that, in turn, will be useful for future breeding improvement strategies., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

A study for genomic variation that may reflect putative selective signaling and be associated with economically important traits is instrumental for obtaining information about demographic and selection history in domestic animal species and populations. A rich variety of the Russian chicken gene pool breeds warrants a further detailed study. Specifically, their genomic features can derive implications from their genome architecture and selective footprints for their subsequent breeding and practical efficient exploitation. In the present work, whole genome genotyping of 19 chicken breeds (20 populations with up to 71 samples each) was performed using the Chicken 50 K BeadChip DNA chip. The studied breed sample included six native Russian breeds of chickens developed in the 17th-19th centuries, as well as eight Russian chicken breeds, including the Russian White (RW), created in the 20th century on the basis of improving local chickens using breeds of foreign selection. Five specialized foreign breeds of chickens, including the White Leghorn (WL), were used along with other breeds representing the Russian gene pool. The characteristics of the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the native breeds of chickens were represented in comparison with foreign breeds. It was established that the studied native breeds demonstrate their own genetic structure that distinguishes them from foreign breeds, and from each other. For example, we previously made an assumption on what could cause the differences between two RW populations, RW1 and RW2. From the data obtained here, it was verified that WL was additionally crossed to RW2, unlike RW1. Thus, inherently, RW1 is a purer population of this improved Russian breed. A significant contribution of the gene pool of native breeds to the global genetic diversity of chickens was shown. In general, based on the results of a multilateral survey of this sample of breeds, it can be concluded that phylogenetic relationships based on their genetic structure and variability robustly reflect the known, previously postulated and newly discovered patterns of evolution of native chickens. The results herein presented will aid selection and breeding work using this gene pool.

Background: The genomes of worldwide poultry breeds divergently selected for performance and other phenotypic traits may also be affected by, and formed due to, past and current admixture events. Adaptation to diverse environments, including acclimation to harsh climatic conditions, has also left selection footprints in breed genomes., Results: Using the Chicken 50K&#95;CobbCons SNP chip, we genotyped four divergently selected breeds: two aboriginal, cold tolerant Ushanka and Orloff Mille Fleur, one egg-type Russian White subjected to artificial selection for cold tolerance, and one meat-type White Cornish. Signals of selective sweeps were determined in the studied breeds using three methods: (1) assessment of runs of homozygosity islands, (2) F ST based population differential analysis, and (3) haplotype differentiation analysis. Genomic regions of true selection signatures were identified by two or more methods or in two or more breeds. In these regions, we detected 540 prioritized candidate genes supplemented them with those that occurred in one breed using one statistic and were suggested in other studies. Amongst them, SOX5, ME3, ZNF536, WWP1, RIPK2, OSGIN2, DECR1, TPO, PPARGC1A, BDNF, MSTN, and beta-keratin genes can be especially mentioned as candidates for cold adaptation. Epigenetic factors may be involved in regulating some of these important genes (e.g., TPO and BDNF)., Conclusion: Based on a genome-wide scan, our findings can help dissect the genetic architecture underlying various phenotypic traits in chicken breeds. These include genes representing the sine qua non for adaptation to harsh environments. Cold tolerance in acclimated chicken breeds may be developed following one of few specific gene expression mechanisms or more than one overlapping response known in cold-exposed individuals, and this warrants further investigation., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Negative heterosis can occur on different economically important traits, but the exact biological mechanisms of this phenomenon are still unknown. The present study focuses on determining the genetic factors associated with negative heterosis in interspecific hybrids between domestic sheep ( Ovis aries ) and argali ( Ovis ammon ). One locus (rs417431015) associated with viability and two loci (rs413302370, rs402808951) associated with meat productivity were identified. One gene ( ARAP2 ) was prioritized for viability and three for meat productivity ( PDE2A, ARAP1, and PCDH15 ). The loci associated with meat productivity were demonstrated to fit the overdominant inheritance model and could potentially be involved int negative heterosis mechanisms., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

In recent years, the number of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) carried out for various economically important animal traits has been increasing. GWAS discoveries provide summary statistics that can be used both for targeted marker-oriented selection and for studying the genetic control of economically important traits of farm animals. In contrast to research in human genetics, GWAS on farm animals often does not meet generally accepted standards (availability of information about effect and reference alleles, the size and direction of the effect, etc.). This greatly complicates the use of GWAS results for breeding needs. Within the framework of human genetics, there are several technological solutions for researching the harmonized results of GWAS, including one of the largest, the GWAS-MAP platform. For other types of living organisms, including economically important agricultural animals, there are no similar solutions. To our knowledge, no similar solution has been proposed to date for any of the species of economically important animals. As part of this work, we focused on creating a platform similar to GWAS-MAP for working with the results of GWAS of sheep, since sheep breeding is one of the most important branches of agriculture. By analogy with the GWAS-MAP platform for storing, unifying and analyzing human GWAS, we have created the GWAS-MAP|ovis platform. The platform currently contains information on more than 34 million associations between genomic sequence variants and traits of meat production in sheep. The platform can also be used to conduct colocalization analysis, a method that allows one to determine whether the association of a particular locus with two different traits is the result of pleiotropy or whether these traits are associated with different variants that are in linkage disequilibrium. This platform will be useful for breeders to select promising markers for breeding, as well as to obtain information for the introduction of genomic breeding and for scientists to replicate the results obtained., (Copyright © AUTHORS.)

Benef its and costs of meiotic recombination are a matter of discussion. Because recombination breaks allele combinations already tested by natural selection and generates new ones of unpredictable f itness, a high recombination rate is generally benef icial for the populations living in a f luctuating or a rapidly changing environment and costly in a stable environment. Besides genetic benef its and costs, there are cytological effects of recombination, both positive and negative. Recombination is necessary for chromosome synapsis and segregation. However, it involves a massive generation of double-strand DNA breaks, erroneous repair of which may lead to germ cell death or various mutations and chromosome rearrangements. Thus, the benef its of recombination (generation of new allele combinations) would prevail over its costs (occurrence of deleterious mutations) as long as the population remains suff iciently heterogeneous. Using immunolocalization of MLH1, a mismatch repair protein, at the synaptonemal complexes, we examined the number and distribution of recombination nodules in spermatocytes of two chicken breeds with high (Pervomai) and low (Russian Crested) recombination rates and their F1 hybrids and backcrosses. We detected negative heterosis for recombination rate in the F1 hybrids. Backcrosses to the Pervomai breed were rather homogenous and showed an intermediate recombination rate. The differences in overall recombination rate between the breeds, hybrids and backcrosses were mainly determined by the differences in the crossing over number in the seven largest macrochromosomes. The decrease in recombination rate in F1 is probably determined by diff iculties in homology matching between the DNA sequences of genetically divergent breeds. The suppression of recombination in the hybrids may impede gene f low between parapatric populations and therefore accelerate their genetic divergence., (Copyright © AUTHORS.)

Comparison of genomic footprints in chicken breeds with different selection history is a powerful tool in elucidating genomic regions that have been targeted by recent and more ancient selection. In the present work, we aimed at examining and comparing the trajectories of artificial selection in the genomes of the native egg-type Russian White (RW) and meat-type White Cornish (WC) breeds. Combining three different statistics (top 0.1% SNP by F ST value at pairwise breed comparison, hapFLK analysis, and identification of ROH island shared by more than 50% of individuals), we detected 45 genomic regions under putative selection including 11 selective sweep regions, which were detected by at least two different methods. Four of such regions were breed-specific for each of RW breed (on GGA1, GGA5, GGA8, and GGA9) and WC breed (on GGA1, GGA5, GGA8, and GGA28), while three remaining regions on GGA2 (two sweeps) and GGA3 were common for both breeds. Most of identified genomic regions overlapped with known QTLs and/or candidate genes including those for body temperatures, egg productivity, and feed intake in RW chickens and those for growth, meat and carcass traits, and feed efficiency in WC chickens. These findings were concordant with the breed origin and history of their artificial selection. We determined a set of 188 prioritized candidate genes retrieved from the 11 overlapped regions of putative selection and reviewed their functions relative to phenotypic traits of interest in the two breeds. One of the RW-specific sweep regions harbored the known domestication gene, TSHR . Gene ontology and functional annotation analysis provided additional insight into a functional coherence of genes in the sweep regions. We also showed a greater candidate gene richness on microchromosomes relative to macrochromosomes in these genomic areas. Our results on the selection history of RW and WC chickens and their key candidate genes under selection serve as a profound information for further conservation of their genomic diversity and efficient breeding.

Despite their economic value, sheep remain relatively poorly studied animals in terms of the number of known loci and genes associated with commercially important traits. This gap in our knowledge can be filled in by performing new genome-wide association studies (GWAS) or by re-analyzing previously documented data using novel powerful statistical methods. This study is focused on the search for new loci associated with meat productivity and carcass traits in sheep. With a multivariate approach applied to publicly available GWAS results, we identified eight novel loci associated with the meat productivity and carcass traits in sheep. Using an in silico follow-up approach, we prioritized 13 genes in these loci. One of eight novel loci near the FAM3C and WNT16 genes has been replicated in an independent sample of Russian sheep populations ( N = 108). The novel loci were added to our regularly updated database increasing the number of known loci to more than 140.

Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate genes that affect growth intensity is a prerequisite for the marker-assisted selection of economically important traits. The number of QTL studies on sheep is relatively small in comparison to those on cattle and pigs. The current QTL sheep database - Sheep QTLdb - contains information on 1658 QTLs for 225 different traits. A few genes and markers associated with growth, carcass and meat productivity traits have been reported. The information about QTLs from the Sheep QTLdb cannot be directly used in marker-assisted selection due to the lack of essential information such as effective and reference alleles, the effect direction etc., and it requires manual curation and validation. In this study we performed a comprehensive search for QTLs focusing on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with growth and meat traits in sheep. The database contains information about 156 SNP-trait associations (123 unique SNPs) and a list of 165 associated genes. The updated information is freely available at https://github.com/Defrag1236/Ovines&#95;2018 (last access: 18 September 2019). This information can be useful for further association studies and preliminary estimation of genetic variability for economically important traits in different breeds., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2019 Alexander S. Zlobin et al.)

The efficiency of natural and artificial selection is critically dependent on the recombination rate. However, interbreed and individual variation in recombination rate in poultry remains unknown. Conventional methods of analysis of recombination such as genetic linkage analysis, sperm genotyping and chiasma count at lampbrush chromosomes are expensive and time-consuming. In this study, we analyzed the number and distribution of recombination nodules in spermatocytes of the roosters of six chicken breeds using immunolocalization of key proteins involved in chromosome pairing and recombination. We revealed significant effects of breed ( R 2 = 0.17 ; p < 0.001 ) and individual ( R 2 = 0.28 ; p < 0.001 ) on variation in the number of recombination nodules. Both interbreed and individual variations in recombination rate were almost entirely determined by variation in recombination density on macrochromosomes, because almost all microchromosomes in each breed had one recombination nodule. Despite interbreed differences in the density of recombination nodules, the patterns of their distribution along homologous chromosomes were similar. The breeds examined in this study showed a correspondence between the age of the breed and its recombination rate. Those with high recombination rates (Pervomai, Russian White and Brahma) are relatively young breeds created by crossing several local breeds. The breeds displaying low recombination rate are ancient local breeds: Cochin (Indo-China), Brown Leghorn (Tuscany, Italy) and Russian Crested (the European part of Russia)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2019 Lyubov P. Malinovskaya et al.)

Background: Fetoplacental tissues including the early chorion contain stem cells with various morphological and functional characteristics. Cultured chorionic cells may be used in perspective therapies of different pathologies., Objective: To investigate the effect of cryopreservation on proliferation and differentiation potential of chorion cell culture (ChCC)., Materials and Methods: Five freezing programs for ChCC were compared: Program 1, cooling from 25 degrees C down to -30 degrees C at 0.5 degrees C/min; Program 2, cooling from 25 degrees C down to -30 degrees C at 1 degrees C/min; Program 3, cooling from 25 degrees C down to -10 degrees C at 1 degrees C/min with further cooling down to - 80 degrees C at 10 degrees C/min; Program 4, cooling from 25 degrees C down to -5 degrees C at 1 degrees C/min with further cooling down to -80 degrees C at 10 degrees C/min; Program 5, cooling from 25 degrees C down to -6 degrees C at 1 degrees C/min with further crystal seeding by adding the surplus nitrogen into the chamber, and cooling down to -80 degrees C at 10 degrees C/min. Viability, adhesion, proliferation and directed differentiation were examined., Results: Freezing program 5 achieved the best result, with the highest viability, adhesion, proliferation and directed differentiation., Conclusion: The data may help establishing better cryopreservation protocols for perspective chorionic cell lines and their further application in biotechnology.

The available evidence points to participation of PRL in regulation of mammalian oocyte maturation. The aim of the present study was to characterize pathways of PRL action on bovine oocytes. We analyzed (1) the presence of the PRL receptor and its mRNA isoforms in oocytes and cumulus cells; (2) the effect of PRL on meiosis resumption and the role of cumulus cells, the NO/NO synthase system, protein kinase C, and tyrosine kinases in this effect; and (3) PRL effects in the presence of gonadotropins on the developmental capacity of cumulus-free and cumulus-enclosed oocytes. The transcript and protein expression of the PRL receptor in the cells were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The nuclear status of oocytes was assessed after culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and denuded oocytes (DOs) with or without PRL (5-500 ng/mL) for 7, 14, or 24 hours. Besides, DOs were incubated for 7 hours in the absence or the presence of PRL (50 ng/mL) and/or L-NAME (an inhibitor of NO synthase), genistein (an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases), or calpostin C (a protein kinase C inhibitor). After IVM in 2 different systems containing PRL (50 ng/mL) and/or gonadotropic hormones, a part of oocytes underwent IVF and IVC and the embryo development was tracked until the blastocyst stage. Messenger RNA of long and short isoforms of the PRL receptor was revealed in both oocytes and cumulus cells. Immunocytochemistry confirmed the presence of the PRL receptor in oocytes and the cumulus investment. In the absence of gonadotropins (system 1), PRL retarded meiosis resumption in DOs but not in cumulus-enclosed oocytes, with this effect being short term, dose dependent, suppressed by L-NAME and genistein, and unaffected by calpostin. In systems containing gonadotropins, PRL did not affect nuclear maturation and the cleavage rate of cumulus-free and cumulus-enclosed oocytes. However, in the case of COCs, it raised the blastocyst yield both in system 2 (from 20.5%-40.9%, P < 0.01) and in system 3 (from 21.7%-33.9%, P < 0.05). The findings show for the first time the functioning of the direct pathway of PRL signaling into bovine oocytes, as confirmed by the expression of receptors of PRL and its direct meiosis-retarding effect involving activation of tyrosine kinases and NO synthase. Furthermore, this is the first demonstration that the beneficial effect of PRL on the oocyte developmental capacity is achieved via cumulus cells containing PRL receptors., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Exposure of human cryopreserved spermatozoa to millimeter-wave electromagnetic radiation of 0.03 mW/cm2 density for 5 min in normozoospermia and for 15 min in asthenozoospermia lead to increase of the fraction of mobile spermatozoa without impairing the membrane integrity and nuclear chromatin status and without apoptosis generation.

The distinguishing feature of self-inactivating (SIN) retroviral vectors is the deletion of the enhancer/promoter sequences in the U3 region of the 3' long terminal repeat. This design is used to overcome transcriptional interference and prevent downstream transcription from the 3' long terminal repeat. SIN vectors were derived from a number of different retroviruses. Studies of SIN vectors show that extensive U3 deletions in HIV-based vectors do not alter viral titers or the in vitro and in vivo properties of the vectors. However, deletion of the U3 sequences in γ- and α-retroviruses correlates with defects in 3' RNA processing and reduces viral titers by >10-fold. Here, we studied the steps in the retroviral life cycle that are affected by the deletion of sequences in the 3' U3 region of Moloney murine leukemia virus-derived retroviral vectors. The results show that the amounts of both full-length and internal RNA transcripts of U3-minus vectors are reduced in the nuclei of transfected cells, an effect that is probably due to a general defect in 3' RNA processing. Furthermore, full-length RNA transcripts were also defective in terms of nuclear export. This defect was complemented by transferring the U3 region to another position within the retroviral vector, indicating that the U3 region contains position-independent cis-acting sequences that are required for the transport of full-length viral transcripts. The results also suggest that the leader region of Moloney murine leukemia virus contains inhibitory/regulatory sequences, which prevent export and mediate nuclear retention of full-length viral RNA., (© 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)

The objective of the present work was to study the possibilities of the combined application of thermography and local thermometry for diagnostics of acute sinusitis, characteristic of dynamics of the clinical course of this pathology, and evaluation of the effectiveness of its treatment. The study included 23 patients presenting with acute rhinosinusitis and 21 ones free from pathology of paranasal sinuses. Contact thermometry was performed with the use of the electronic thermometer applied to the anterior surface of the inferior turbinated bone. An infrared thermovision camera was employed to carry out thermographic measurements. The study demonstrated variations in endonasal and surface temperature under effect of the treatment. Positive dynamics of the patients' conditions was manifested as a drop of endonasal temperature and relatively constant surface temperature. A rise in the surface temperature was associated with the pathological process. In the patients showing slightly positive dynamics of the disease, the surface temperature on the side of the pathological process was lower than on the unaffected side. This difference was interpreted as an indication of the reduced microcirculatory activity in this region. It was hypothesized that dynamics of the inflammatory process is to a large extent determined by the character of blood circulation in the affected region. The authors conclude that the combined application of thermometry and thermography not only improves the quality of diagnostics of acute rhinosinusitis but also facilitates the evaluation of its dynamics and the effectiveness of the treatment.

We studied the possibility of using 3D structures based on carbon catalytic deposits as carriers for human bone marrow stromal cells. It was found that carbon catalytic deposits obtained by gas deposition method using FeCl(3) × 6H(2)O as the catalyst are a biocompatible material for human bone marrow stromal cells promoting adhesion, proliferation, and distribution of cells within the 3D carrier, and therefore can be used for tissue engineering.

We evaluated the effect of "sidedness" of focal stroke induced by pial blood vessel devascularization in sensorimotor cortex of right or left hemisphere on neurological deficit in rats. Animals were preliminary examined for paw preference (hemispheric "dominance") by means of food reaching test. Data of cylinder-test, vibrissae-elicited forelimb placing test and swimming task (forepaw inhibition test) were assessed to monitor functional deficit weekly for 8 weeks after stroke. No difference between rats with right or left cortical damage was observed during the experiment. Rats with ischemia in "dominant" hemisphere performed significantly better than those with "nondominant" hemisphere lesion. The revealed effect of functional brain asymmetry on the neurological rehabilitation after stroke should be considered in design of preclinical investigation of new therapeutic approaches to stroke.

We studied the possibility of population of macroporous agarose cryogel sponges by mesenchymal stromal bone marrow cells with their subsequent adipogenic differentiation. After 7-day culturing of mesenchymal stromal cells in agarose cryogel, the level of cell proliferation was 35%. After 3-week culturing in a medium inducing adipogenesis we observed accumulation of intracellular neutral lipids positively stained with Oil Red O. These findings can be used for the development of bioengineering constructions of the adipose tissue on the basis of spongy carriers.

Background and Aim: Chronic liver failure results in the decrease of the number of functioning hepatocytes. It dictates the necessity of using exogenous viable cells or/and agents that can stimulate hepatic regenerative processes. Fetal liver contains both hepatic and hematopoietic stem cells with high proliferative potential, which may replace damaged cells. Also, immature cells produce fetal-specific factors which may support the injured liver. Our aim was to test the ability of human fetal liver cells and cell-free fetal-specific factors of non-hepatic origin to stimulate recovery processes in an experimental model of carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis in rats., Methods: Cirrhotic rats were intrasplenically injected with fetal liver cells (1 x 10(7) cells/0.3 mL medium) or cell-free fetal-specific factors (0.3 mL/1 mg protein). Control groups received medium alone. Serum indexes, hepatic functions, and morphology were evaluated for 15 days., Result: Human fetal liver cell transplantation was shown to abrogate the mortality of cirrhotic animals, to improve serum markers, and to restore liver mitochondrial function and detoxification. Morphological patterns of liver recovery were observed by histology. In comparison, an injection of fetal-specific factors produced similar functional recovery, whilst a more limited liver regeneration was observed by histology., Conclusions: The positive effects of fetal liver cell and cell-free fetal-specific factors in experimental cirrhosis may result from the presence of stage-specific factors activating hepatocellular repair.

Prolactin (PRL) is one of the pituitary hormones participating in the control of mammalian folliculo- and oogenesis. In the present study, the joint effect of PRL (50 ng/ml) and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP, 1 mM) on oocyte maturation and the morphologic-functional state of surrounding cumulus cells was investigated in vitro. It has been shown that PRL totally suppresses the braking impact of dbcAMP on meiosis reinitiation and the completion of oocyte nuclear maturation. Furthermore, PRL partly inhibited cumulus expansion induced by dbcAMP, although it exerted the opposite effect in the control medium. In the presence of PRL, the inhibitory impact of dbcAMP on the proliferative activity of cumulus cells and on the PRL-elicited braking of destructive processes in the cells has been found. In cumulus cells, mRNA expression of PRL receptor long isoform was revealed by the RT-PCR method. The data obtained suggest an interaction of signal cascades induced by PRL and cAMP in bovine oocyte-cumulus complexes, with the coupling site of these cascades in oocytes being apparently different from that in cumulus cells.

The study of differentiation potential of multiponent stromal progenitor cells (PCs) in embryogenesis is a crucial issue for understanding their biology and role in tissue regeneration of an adult organism. In this study in monolayer culture there were investigated osteogenic and adipogenic capacities of fibroblast-like PCs derived from human fetal liver of 8-11 gestation weeks before and after exposure to cryoprotectant dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). It was shown that the primary suspension of human fetal liver cells included immature stromal fibroblast-like PCs which were able to be induced into osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. A short-time exposure of freshly isolated human fetal liver cells to cryoprotectant DMSO led to altering properties of the fibroblast-like PCs. Under subculture conditions, it was found an increase in the number of fibroblast-like PCs which were able to be induced to osteogenic differentiation in vitro. The established fact of DMSO influence on the differentiation capacity of fetal fibroblast-like PCs is necessary to take into consideration while developing cryopreservation methods for stem cells.

The liver plays a central role in lipid metabolism and the pathophysiology of many lipid disorders leads in turn to liver cell injury. Adult hepatocyte transplants provide well-recognized metabolic support, whilst hepatic stem cells may promote liver regeneration and repair, but in both cases, any clinical application would require low temperature banking of the cells. A model of dietary hypercholesterolemia was established in rabbits over 5 months, and transplants of cryopreserved adult hepatocytes (CH) and cryopreserved fetal liver cells (CFLC) were compared to Sham transplants. Cryopreservation was performed by a two-step freezing protocol using 1.5mol/l dimethyl sulfoxide (Me(2)SO). Serum contents of cholesterol lipid classes were measured during the subsequent 4 weeks, in addition to markers of serum and liver oxidative stress. Both CH and CFLC transplantation resulted in a decrease of serum lipids during the 1st week after transplantation. The effect of CH was limited to the 1st week, but CFLC provided a sustained lipid-lowering effect over the 4 weeks. The ultimate outcome of CFLC transplantation by the end of 4 weeks was more pronounced and statistically significant for both serum total cholesterol (0.15+/-0.05 versus 3.65+/-1.4mmol/l) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (0.04+/-0.01 versus 0.56+/-0.06mmol/l) compared to Sham transplants (p<0.05 in both cases). CFLC transplantation also normalized hepatic tissue antioxidant defenses, namely an increase in reduced glutathione content, and enzyme activities for catalase and glutathione reductase (all significantly higher at p<0.05 than in Sham transplants) by 4 weeks.

The data on the in vitro and in vivo (into embryonic disk) retroviral-mediated transfer of genetic information into chicken embryonic cells are presented. The estimated transformation frequency of the cultured target cells constituted 8 x 10(-4) to 5 x 10(-3). A transgenic rooster, carrying recombinant DNA in blood, heart, liver, and intestine cells, was obtained.

Hepatocyte transplantation is a promising method for supporting hepatic function in a broad spectrum of liver diseases. The aim of this work was to test the efficacy of human fetal liver cells to support the chronic failing liver in an experimental model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhosis in rats. Liver cirrhosis was induced by intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 at a dose of 0.2 ml (50% v/v solution)/100 g body weight, twice a week for 3 months in rats. Ten days after stopping CCl4 administration (experimental day 0), rats received intrasplenic injection of cryopreserved fetal liver cells (FLC, 1 x 10(7) cells in 0.3 ml medium). As a cirrhotic control group, CCl4-induced cirrhotic rats were used with intrasplenic injection of an equal volume of medium alone. Animals were sacrificed on experimental day 15. Human fetal liver cell transplantation almost completely prevented the death of cirrhotic animals during the 2 weeks after treatment, while high ongoing mortality was seen in the cirrhotic control group. Cell transplantation into the spleen normalized total bilirubin and TBARSs levels and increased albumin levels in blood serum, as well as restoring mitochondrial function and liver detoxification function (assessed by cytochrome P450 contents and activity) compared with the activities seen in the cirrhosis control group. In parallel with this restoration of biochemical and functional liver indices, morphological patterns of liver recovery or regeneration after liver cell transplantation were demonstrated in day 15 samples by light microscopy. These were absent in the group that had received only medium alone.

Experimental evidence on stability of chemical composition (1991-2004), toxic and skin-irritating, mitotic and mutagenic, bacterio- and fungostatic actions of low-mineral water "Salekhard" with a high concentration of organic substances justifies initiation of clinical trials of therapeutic effects of this novel balneological factor in different diseases (locomotor, nervous, cardiovascular, cutaneous, etc.).

The study evaluates efficacy of two hyperbaric therapeutic regimes--1,-51,1 atm and 1,2 atm in patients with an acute ischemic stroke. Acid-base equilibrium dynamics of capillary and venous blood, whole blood and plasma, platelet aggregation and lipid peroxidation were investigated. An analysis of the data revealed that, comparing to the conventional method, barotherapy in stroke is accompanied by a marked therapeutic effect. Barotherapy or normoxic therapeutic compression is principally different from other methods of oxygen therapy, because it is not resultant in blood plasma hyperoxygenation and in lipid peroxidation augmenting. Activation of tissue respiration in barotherapy accompanied by normalization of lipid peroxidation process and CO2 resources restoration leads to renewal of MKT microcirculation and autoregulation, thus providing a stable therapeutic effect of the method in brain ischemia.