First records of Graphocephala fennahi Young, 1977 and Pochazia shantungensis (Chou & Lu, 1977) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae,Ricaniidae) in Russia

Graphocephala fennahi Young, 1977 (Cicadellidae) was observed for the first time in Russia in 2018 in Moscow City on hedge bindweed, Calystegia sepium (Convolvulaceae) and Rhododendron spp. (Ericaceae). A small population of Pochazia shantungensis (Chou & Lu, 1977) (Ricaniidae) was recorded for the first time in Russia in 2022 in Sochi City, Krasnodar Territory, on the broad-leaf privet, Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae). It is likely that both species of insects were accidentally introduced with ornamental plants for planting. In total, alien Auchenorrhyncha species in Russia now comprise six species, two of which are of Asian origin (Orosanga japonica and P. shantungensis; both Ricaniidae) and four are of Nearctic origin (Stictocephala bisonia [Membracidae], Metcalfa pruinosa [Flatidae], Scaphoideus titanus and G. fennahi [both Cicadellidae]).     

Current Progress in Lipidomics of Marine Invertebrates

Marine invertebrates are a paraphyletic group that comprises more than 90% of all marine animal species. Lipids form the structural basis of cell membranes, are utilized as an energy reserve by all marine invertebrates, and are, therefore, considered important indicators of their ecology and biochemistry. The nutritional value of commercial invertebrates directly depends on their lipid composition. The lipid classes and fatty acids of marine invertebrates have been studied in detail, but data on their lipidomes (the profiles of all lipid molecules) remain very limited. To date, lipidomes or their parts are known only for a few species of mollusks, coral polyps, ascidians, jellyfish, sea anemones, sponges, sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs, copepods, shrimp, and squid. This paper reviews various features of the lipid molecular species of these animals. The results of the application of the lipidomic approach in ecology, embryology, physiology, lipid biosynthesis, and in studies on the nutritional value of marine invertebrates are also discussed. The possible applications of lipidomics in the study of marine invertebrates are considered.     

A draft sequence of the rice genome (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica)

The genome of the japonica subspecies of rice, an important cereal and model monocot, was sequenced and assembled by whole-genome shotgun sequencing. The assembled sequence covers 93% of the 420-megabase genome. Gene predictions on the assembled sequence suggest that the genome contains 32,000 to 50,000 genes. Homologs of 98% of the known maize, wheat, and barley proteins are found in rice. Synteny and gene homology between rice and the other cereal genomes are extensive, whereas synteny with Arabidopsis is limited. Assignment of candidate rice orthologs to Arabidopsis genes is possible in many cases. The rice genome sequence provides a foundation for the improvement of cereals, our most important crops.     

Distribution of lipids and fatty acids in the zooxanthellae and host of the soft coral Sinularia sp.

The lipid classes and the fatty acid (FA) compositions of the zooxanthellae, the host tissue, and intact coral were determined for the first time in a soft coral, Sinularia sp. The contents of monoalkyldiacylglycerol (MADAG), triacylglycerol, and polar lipids differed significantly between the zooxanthellae and the host fractions. The zooxanthellae were rich in polar lipids, whereas neutral lipids were concentrated in the host. MADAG comprised 35% of the host lipids and was practically absent in zooxanthellae. Hence, MADAG is only synthesized in animal tissues and serves as a biomarker for the host in the host–zooxanthellae association of these soft corals. Similar to the zooxanthellae of reef-building corals, the main FA in the zooxanthellae of Sinularia sp. were 18:4n-3, 20:5n-3, and 22:6n-3. In addition, 16:3n-4 and 16:4n-1 (8.9% in total) were found in these zooxanthellae. The ratios of 16:3n-4, 16:4n-1, 18:4n-3, 20:5n-3, and 22:6n-3 in the zooxanthellae to those in the host tissue were 4.2, 11.2, 10.1, 11.0, and 9.1, respectively. The proportions of some FA and lipid classes in the intact coral and its fractions showed that zooxanthellate lipids comprised 36 ± 15% of the total lipids in Sinularia sp. Two tetracosapolyenoic acids (24:5n-6 and 24:6n-3) are proposed as a biomarkers of the animal tissue and indicators of the purity of the zooxanthellae fractions from soft corals.     

Sorption of metal ions from aqueous solution to spruce bark

The concentrations and protonation constants of the functional groups like carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups in spruce bark were determined by a potentiometric acid–base titration method. The non-cellulosic carbohydrates in spruce bark were also characterized by acid methanolysis and GC, including determination of the uronic acid units, which are the key units involved in metal sorption. Sorption of metal ions to bark takes place by ion exchange, mainly by complexation to these functional groups. The sorption equilibrium time, studied by using a batch method, was approximately 5 min. The metal sorption capacity of spruce bark and the affinity order of metal ions were studied with four different metal ion mixtures using a column chromatographic method. Because a method of competition was used, concentration of metal ions adsorbed to bark depends on the metal ions present in the mixtures studied. In the sorption experiments with same metal ion mixtures, inner bark of spruce exhibited higher sorption capacity than outer bark. By combination of the results from several experiments, the following affinity order was obtained Fe³⁺ ? Pb²⁺ ? Cu²⁺ ? Cd²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Ba²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Sr²⁺ > Mn²⁺ > Mg²⁺ ? K⁺ ~ Na⁺ ~ Li⁺. Bark has a great potential as an effective and inexpensive sorbent for removal of metal ions from, e.g., waste water.     

Development of Virus-like Particles Containing African Swine Fever Virus Nucleic Acid Sequence and Its Application in Detection Method

African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious disease caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV). In order to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results,it is necessary to develop positive standard control products used in the kit. The study was aimed to develop the virus-like particles containing African swine fever virus (ASFV) nucleic acid sequence and its application in detection method. Fristly,the full-length gene fragment of p72 gene was amplified, and the ASF DNA virus-like particles containing p72 gene was constructed using insect baculovirus system. In order to further validate the reliability of the virus-like particles in the application of the method,DNA nucleic acid was extracted simultaneously with the cultured virus and infected tissue sample and applied in the Real-time quantitative PCR method. The results showed that the virus-like particles prepared by this study could replace the ASFV as a positive control product in the Real-time quantitative PCR method, and could act as quality control during nucleic acid extraction process. In the fluorescent PCR detection kit, the lowest packaging concentration of virus-like particles was 10² TCID₅₀. Further studies had shown that the virus-like particles were also suitable for common PCR and LAMP detection methods, the minimum concentration were 10³ and 10¹ TCID₅₀, respectively. The results of this study would be important for the ASF detection method, promoting the application of the method and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the test results.     

Assurance of the existence of a trans‐boundary population of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) at Tsagaanshuvuut – Tsagan‐Shibetu SPA at the Mongolia–Russia border

The existence of a trans‐boundary population of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) that inhabits the massifs of Tsagaanshuvuut (Mongolia) – Tsagan‐Shibetu (Russia) was determined through non‐invasive genetic analysis of scat samples and by studying the structure of territory use by a collared female individual. The genetic analysis included species identification of samples through sequencing of a fragment of the cytochrome b gene and individual identification using a panel of 8 microsatellites. The home range of a female snow leopard marked with a satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) collar was represented by the minimum convex polygon method (MCP) 100, the MCP 95 method and the fixed kernel 95 method. The results revealed insignificant genetic differentiation between snow leopards that inhabit both massifs (minimal fixation index [F_ST]), and the data testify to the unity of the cross‐border group. Moreover, 5 common individuals were identified from Mongolian and Russian territories. This finding clearly shows that their home range includes territories of both countries. In addition, regular movement of a collared snow leopard in Mongolia and Russia confirmed the existence of a cross‐border snow leopard group. These data support that trans‐boundary conservation is important for snow leopards in both countries. We conclude that it is crucial for Russia to study the northern range of snow leopards in Asia.     

Immunity-related genes and gene families in Anopheles gambiae

We have identified 242 Anopheles gambiae genes from 18 gene families implicated in innate immunity and have detected marked diversification relative to Drosophila melanogaster. Immune-related gene families involved in recognition, signal modulation, and effector systems show a marked deficit of orthologs and excessive gene expansions, possibly reflecting selection pressures from different pathogens encountered in these insects' very different life-styles. In contrast, the multifunctional Toll signal transduction pathway is substantially conserved, presumably because of counterselection for developmental stability. Representative expression profiles confirm that sequence diversification is accompanied by specific responses to different immune challenges. Alternative RNA splicing may also contribute to expansion of the immune repertoire.     

Heat capacity of a strongly interacting Fermi gas

We have measured the heat capacity of an optically trapped, strongly interacting Fermi gas of atoms. A precise addition of energy to the gas is followed by single-parameter thermometry, which determines the empirical temperature parameter of the gas cloud. Our measurements reveal a clear transition in the heat capacity. The energy and the spatial profile of the gas are computed using a theory of the crossover from Fermi to Bose superfluids at finite temperatures. The theory calibrates the empirical temperature parameter, yields excellent agreement with the data, and predicts the onset of superfluidity at the observed transition point.