Effects of Food and Temperature on Drosophila melanogaster Reproductive Dormancy as Revealed by Quantification of a GFP-Tagged Yolk Protein in the Ovary

When exposed to harsh environmental conditions, such as food scarcity and/or low temperature, Drosophila melanogaster females enter reproductive dormancy, a metabolic state that enhances stress resistance for survival at the expense of reproduction. Although the absence of egg chambers carrying yolk from the ovary has been used to define reproductive dormancy in this species, this definition is susceptible to false judgements of dormancy events: e.g. a trace amount of yolk could escape visual detection; a fly is judged to be in the non-dormancy state if it has a single yolk-containing egg chamber even when other egg chambers are devoid of yolk. In this study, we propose an alternative method for describing the maturation state of oocytes, in which the amount of yolk in the entire ovary is quantified by the fluorescence intensity derived from GFP, which is expressed as a fusion with the major yolk protein Yp1. We show that yolk deposition increases with temperature with a sigmoidal function, and the quality of food substantially alters the maximum accumulation of yolk attainable at a given temperature. The Yp1::GFP reporter will serve as a reliable tool for quantifying the amount of yolk and provides a new means for defining the dormancy state in D. melanogaster.

DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY FOR COLLECTION, DRYING AND STORAGE OF MEDICINAL PLANT RAW MATERIALS OF FERULA ZAILIYSKAYA (FERULA TRANSILIENSIS)

В статье представлена надлежащая технология сбора, обработки, сушки и хранения лекарственного растительного сырья корней ферулы заилийской (Ferula transiliensis). В соответствии с результатами исследований установлен оптимальный период сбора корней - ранней весной и поздней осенью, по окончании вегетационного периода. В данный период происходит максимальное накопление эфирных масел в органах растении. Рекомендовано производить сушку на открытом воздухе в тени, без воздействия прямых солнечных лучей или в сушилках при температуре не выше 40°С и периодически их переворачивая. Установлены условия хранения: температура не выше 25°С, влажность 50±5%, в хорошо проветриваемом помещении. The article presents the proper technology for the collection, processing, drying and storage of medicinal plant raw materials of the roots of the Ferula transiliensis. The optimal period for collecting roots - in early spring and late autumn, at the end of the growing season, was established by the research results. During this period, the maximum accumulation of essential oils in the organs of the plant occurs. It is recommended to dry the raw materials in the open air in the shade, without exposure to direct sunlight, or in dryers at a temperature not exceeding 40° C, and periodically turn them over. Storage conditions are established: temperature not higher than 25 ° C, humidity 50 ± 5%, in well-ventilated premises.

Optimization of the process of saccharification in ethanol production

The saccharification stage in ethanol production is one of the main ones. Completeness of dextrins and starch ejection considered in the fermentation compartment and, consequently, quantity of production losses, quality and yield of the final product depends on the correctness of this process. Optimization of the process of saccharification of digested mass was carried out by the method of complete factor experiment with the use of the central composite rotatable uniform planning experiment. The following factors were selected as controllable: dosage of the enzyme preparation Biozim 800L; temperature; pH and duration of hydrolysis. The dosage of the enzyme preparation Biozim 800L and the duration of the process have the greatest influence on the process of saccharification. The significance of the regression coefficients was determined by Student's test, the adequacy of the regression equation - by Fisher's test at a significance level of 5%, the convergence of parallel determinations - by Kochner's test. It was found that the use of the enzyme preparation Biozim 800L increased the accumulation of glucose by 40.5% compared with the control. To determine the optimal mode of saccharification the Lagrange multiplier method was used. It was found that the maximum accumulation of glucose in the wort of 12 g/100 ml was achieved at the following regimes: the dosage of the enzyme preparation Biozim 800L 4.8 units GlS/g starch; temperature 60.2 C; pH 4.55 units; duration of saccharification 2.05 h.

QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF TANNIN IN NETTLE BY SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHODS

The amount of tannins in the leaves of stinging nettle was determined depending on the phenological phase (budding phase, mass flowering phase and fruiting phase). UV spectrophotometric and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods were used to quantify tannins in the plant. It was found that the maximum accumulation of this group of substances in nettle leaves occurs in the fruiting phase. Based on the results of the study, the chromatographic method is optimal for the analysis of tannins in nettle leaves.

Analysis of the accumulation of amylolytic enzymes in triticale grain during malting process

Generalization of the results of theoretical and practical research in the production of beer showed that the rise in prices for cereals, and in particular for barley, leads to an increase in the price of malt and, accordingly, an increase in the cost of the final product – beer. In this regard, modern brewers face the acute problem of a shortage of high-quality raw materials for beer production, as well as high competition in the consumer market. The need for inexpensive raw materials for brewing beer has grown significantly. Along with malt substitutes, a new product has appeared on the brewing commodity market – triticale. It surpasses barley in terms of the total amount of extract and other chemical indicators, so the use of this culture as a raw material for the production of brewing malt is a promising direction in brewing. In this work, we selected the optimal modes of malting grain triticale varieties “Balausa 8” to a moisture content of 40 %, 42 % and 44 % and germination for 3, 4 and 5 days at temperatures of 14 °C, 16 °C and 18 °C. Based on experimental studies, it has been found that 16 °C should be considered the optimal temperature for soaking triticale grains to a moisture content of 44 %. In the studies, the optimal mode of malting was experimentally determined for 5 days at a temperature of 16 °C, which made it possible to ensure the maximum accumulation of hydrolytic enzymes. Accelerated synthesis of amylases (217.99 units) occurs due to an increase in the rate of diffusion of gibberellin-like substances to the cells of the aleurone layer. The maximum accumulation of amylolytic enzymes is observed already on the 5th day of malting, which shortens this process by 2 days in the production of malt using classical technology

THE USE OF SEWAGE SLUDGE IN CROP CULTIVATION

Purpose: to study the structure of sewage sludge, as well as to reveal the possibility of its use in agriculture in order to increase moisture reserves in the soil. Materials and methods. The object of research is sewage sludge from the Volzhsky wastewater treatment plant. The structure of the sewage sludge was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The field experiment was set up in accordance with generally accepted methods. Results and discussions. The investigated sewage sludge has a high fertilizing value with an increased content of nitrogen (3.30 %), ammonia nitrogen (0.19 %), phosphorus (4.27 %), potassium (0.31 %) and an optimal content of organic matter (32 %), which indicates the broad possibilities of its application in agriculture. Analysis of micrographs of sewage sludge showed that it is a nanostructured material, the presence of a porous structure which proves the presence of adsorption properties in the sludge and the ability to retain moisture when applied as a fertilizer was found. Data have been obtained confirming that sewage sludge contributes to an increase in the amount of moisture and its retention in soil by the example of the cultivation of dyeing safflower in the absence of irrigation. The maximum accumulation of moisture was observed with the introduction of sewage sludge at a dose of 10 t/ha, as well as with the use of deep tillage with the “Rancho” working body and amounted to a layer of 0–0.4 m when sowing dyeing safflower 88.5 mm, in the phase of full ripeness – 4.4 mm. Conclusion: it is advisable to use sewage sludge, which is a nanostructured material with a porous structure and adsorption properties to increase moisture reserves in soil.

Accumulation of macronutrients and productivity of potato with foliar application of biofertilizer

The addition of organic compounds to fertilizers has shown positive effects on plant metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the macronutrient accumulation and productivity of potato with the use of biofertilizer (BF) applied to the leaves. A 2×7 factorial plot with a plot subdivided in time and ten replications used two forms of fertilization: a chemical fertilizer with conventional NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium: control) and conventional fertilizer plus biofertilizers (BF); evaluations were performed 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81 and 91 days after planting (DAP) using the Jelly cultivar. The BF increased the maximum N, K, Ca and Mg accumulations in the leaves, especially N and K, with the period of greatest accumulation occurring between 62 and 66 DAP. The accumulations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in the tubers accelerated from 71 DAP. At the end of the cycle (e.g., 91 DAP), the increases in the nutrient accumulations of N, P, K and Ca were between 30 and 64% higher for the BF application, the Mg accumulations doubled and the S accumulations exhibited no differences between the evaluation periods. For the leaves, the following decreasing sequence of maximum accumulation was observed: K>N>Ca>Mg>S>P. For the tubers, the following decreasing sequence was obtained: K>N>P>Ca>Mg>S. The use of biofertilizers caused higher productivity of tubers of greater caliber and soluble solids contents in the cv. Jelly potato tubers.

Peter the Great’s Naval Campaigns Series (1860–1877) of Alexey Bogolyubov: The Evolution of Artistic Language

This article focuses on the history of a series of paintings by Alexey Bogolyubov which was devoted to Peter the Great’s naval campaigns and created between 1860 and 1877 at the commission of Alexander II. Bogolyubov’s series of naval battle scenes has not been studied individually before. Dispersed across various public and private collections, the paintings have lost their role as a pictorial ensemble. Besides, the fate of three of the eight paintings remains unknown, and they can only be judged by indirect sources: archival and literary sources, copies, studies, and preparatory graphic works. Collected and systematised in this article, these materials make it possible to present the development of the series and Bogolyubov’s pictorial language over a decade and a half at the peak of his artistic career. An analysis of the pictorial features of this cycle of paintings and some other works reveals a change in the artistic techniques during the creation of the series. Also, the author identifies works of Bogolyubov’s predecessors on similar subjects and reveals features of their stylistic similarities and differences from those of Bogolyubov’s. The author traces the connection between Bogolyubov’s choice of subjects in the paintings and the state of naval history, more particularly, their connection with the works of Feodosy Veselago. In addition, the author reveals a case of change in the original idea of the composition of The Battle of Gangut and its division into three paintings consistently reflecting the course of the battle. Additionally, the article compares the routes of hydrographic expeditions and travels as part of the entourages of Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich and Tsesarevich Alexander Alexandrovich and places related to events of Peter the Great’s reign. Thus, the research demonstrates Bogolyubov’s search for a maximum accumulation of historical material and documentary depiction of events.

Spectral properties of indotricarbocyanine dye in tissues of experimental animals

The paper presents the results of studies of the spectral properties of a photosensitizer based on indotricarbocyanine dye when accumulating in tissues of experimental animals. Using laser fluorescence spectroscopy, the in vivo and ex vivo fluorescence spectra of tissue-localized indotricarbocyanine dye were obtained for different time counts after intravenous administration. The profile of the pharmacokinetics of its accumulation and withdrawal was determined from the change in the intensity of fluorescence in the tumor and healthy muscle tissues of the photosensitizer. A monotonic deformation of its fluorescence spectrum was revealed in the tissues of tumor nodes and muscles of the thigh when registered through the skin over time after intravenous administration. The achievement of the maximum accumulation of the photosensitizer in the tumor correlates with the stabilization of the shape of its in vivo fluorescence spectrum. Thus, the maximum shift can be used as a diagnostic indicator of the maximum accumulation of indotricarbocyanine photosensitizer in the tumor tissues. The results were confirmed for two groups of animals: the first one – black mice of the C57Bl/6 line with an inoculated tumor of Clone M3 melanoma, the second – white mice of the ICR line with an inoculated tumor of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. The analysis of the shape of the fluorescence spectrum of the photosensitizer during registration through the skin for animals with different colors has been carried out.

Intervarietal specificity of the accumulation of trace elements by winter garlic in the Moscow region

An assessment was made, and varietal differences in the levels of accumulation of five macro - and eight microelements of ten varieties of winter garlic were established. It was found that in addition to the high content of potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and sodium, garlic is also an active accumulator of zinc, iron and silicon, which is a good source of minerals for the human body. It is demonstrated that the Podnebesniy variety is able to accumulate relatively high concentrations of magnesium. Based on our research on 13 elements in ecosystems with normal anthropogenic and technical impact, it was established that the level of accumulation of elements in plants depends on the element and has varietal characteristics. Basically, the varieties are distinguished by the level of accumulation of 1-5 elements. There are Dubkovskiy and Strelets varieties with a low level of accumulation of ten and seven chemical elements, respectively, and the Odintsovo Yubileyniy variety with the maximum accumulation of valuable elements: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, silicon, manganese, aluminum and boron. On average, the elements for winter garlic varieties were distributed as follows in descending order: K>Mg>Ca>P>Na>Fe>Si>Z n>Mn>B>Cu>Al>Ni. The identified varietal features of the Allium sativum L. species can be taken into account when selecting an assortment to improve the mineral composition of the human vegetable diet.