Reproductive relationships between taxa morphologically close to Elymus caninus (Poaceae: Triticeae)

A hybridological study of biotypes of species close to Elymus caninus: E. prokudinii, E. viridiglumis, E. goloskokovii, as well as a number of morphologically deviant biotypes in Russia and Kazakhstan, was carried out. The objectives were to study the levels of reproductive relationships and the degree of integration of the species E. goloskokovii, E. prokudinii, and E. viridiglumis into the E. caninus complex. Our estimates of the seed fertility of natural parental biotypes were within 60-90 %. Among the combinations of crossing in F1, the highest seed setting was found in the hybrids formed by parental pairs from close habitats, regardless of the taxonomic rank of biotypes. The highest fertility values (55.6 and 46.1 %) were found in combinations involving E. caninus, E. viridiglumis and E. goloskokovii. It has been concluded that the biotypes of these species included in sexual hybridization form a single recombination gene pool, within which slight differences in reproductive compatibility are observed. The nature of the inheritance of the diagnostic features of lemmas "presence of trichomes" and "length of awns", according to the digenic and monogenic type, respectively, is shown. The high seed fertility of the created hybrids and the presence of intermediate forms in the F2 generation according to distinctive features indicate the possibility of interspecific introgression when species grow together in natural populations. Thus, the assessment of the inheritance of diagnostic characters makes it possible to classify E. goloskokovii, E. prokudinii, and E. viridiglumis as intraspecific taxa of E. caninus s. l. Data were obtained on the morphological and reproductive properties of interspecific hybrids with the participation of the species E. mutabilis as a possible donor in the speciation of taxa close to E. caninus. In cross combinations of E. caninus × E. mutabilis and E. mutabilis × E. caninus, lower values of seed fertility of hybrids in the F1 and F2 generations were noted compared to hybrids between the species E. caninus, E. goloskokovii, E. prokudinii and E. viridiglumis. Nevertheless, on the basis of chorological and morphological criteria, we concluded that E. caninus and E. mutabilis are independent species.

Experimental and Model Study of a Swirling Fluid Flow in a Converging Channel As a Simulation of Blood Flow in the Heart and Aorta

Study of swirling flows in channels corresponding to the static approximation of flow channels of the heart and major vessels with a longitudinal-radial profile zR2 = const and a concave streamlined surface at the beginning of the longitudinal coordinate has been carried out. A comparative analysis of the flow structure in channel configurations zRN = const, where N = -1, 1, 2, 3, in the absence and presence of a concave surface was carried out. The numerical modeling was compared with the results of hydrodynamic experiments on the flow characteristics and the shape of the flow lines. The numerical model was used to determine the velocity structure, viscous friction losses, and shear stresses. Numerical modeling of steady-state flows for channels without a concave surface showed that in the channel zR2 = const there is a stable vortex flow structure with the lowest viscous friction losses. The presence of a concave surface of sufficient size significantly reduces viscous friction losses and shear stresses in both the steady state and pulsed modes.

The Effect of Mechanical Compatibility and of Thrombogenicity on the Ingrowth of a New Synthetic Vascular Prosthesis (Experimental Study)

Common disadvantages of modern synthetic vascular prostheses are thrombogenicity and lack of biomechanical compatibility with the prothesized vessel. To elucidate the role of these factors in the prosthesis integration, prostheses specimens were made by the electrospinning from the known materials: polycaprolactone, polyurethane and a mixture of fluorine-containing synthetic rubber FKM-26 with fluoroplastic F-26. The germination of the prostheses was compared with standard e-PTFE prosthesis in the pigs infrarenal aorta. The elastic properties of prostheses were studied by elastometry under the physiological range of loads. The thrombogenicity of the materials was determined by the number of platelets adhered to material surface exposed to native blood. The patency of the prostheses was checked by aortography. The germination of prostheses was assessed in the histological examination. It was shown that, with this set of materials, biomechanical compatibility turned out to be a more important factor of integration than the material thrombogenicity.

The Hydrodynamics of a Swirling Blood Flow in the Left Heart and Aorta

This paper proposes a new approach to the quantitative analysis of the hydrodynamic structure of a blood flow in the flow channel running from the left atrium to the end of the aorta. This approach is based on the concept of the structural organization of tornado-like swirling jets in channels with a given geometric configuration. Considering the large amount of experimental data in our possession, it was shown that along the entire length of the flow channel, conditions exist for the generation and maintenance of a swirling structure of the jet throughout the entire cardiac cycle. This study has given rise to a new direction in research in fundamental physiology and medicine, which is of great practical importance for diagnosing and treating circulatory disorders accompanied by changes in the geometric configuration and biomechanical characteristics of the heart and great vessels.

Synthesis of CaCu3Ti4O12: How Heat Treatment Influences Morphology and Dielectric Properties

Abstract

A ceramic powder, the precursor of CaCu3Ti4O12, was prepared by liquid-phase synthesis in acetic acid. The synthesized samples were calcined at 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1100°C and then characterized by a set of physicochemical methods. An increase in annealing temperature induced changes in the particle size distribution and quantitative porosity parameters of the powder. Analysis of the dielectric spectra of suspensions of synthesized materials allowed us to conclude that high-temperature annealing of the powder leads to a decrease in relaxation time.

Cation effects on the properties of halloysite-confined bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide based ionic liquids

Four types of ionic liquids (ILs) of [X]TFSI ([X]⁺ is a cation such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium BMIm⁺, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium BMPyrr⁺, 1-butyl-1-methylpiperidinium BMPip⁺ and methyltrioctylammonium MOc₃Am⁺ and TFSI⁻ is the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion) were confined in halloysite nanoclay (Hal) at an excess ionic liquid concentration (IL : Hal ∼55 : 45 wt%) and studied by X-ray diffraction, TG, DSC analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. It was found that the physicochemical properties of ILs trapped by halloysite at maximum loading are similar to those of bulk ILs and change depending on the cation type and size. The cold crystallization temperature (T_cc) and melting point (T_m) of the crystalline mesophase in confined BMIm⁺ and BMPyrr⁺ ionic liquids are higher than in the bulk ones, while in the amorphous BMPyrr⁺ mesophase, the T_cc and T_m values decrease by 9.7 and 14.2 °C, respectively. Confined BMPip⁺ and MOc₃Am⁺ only have the glass transition temperature (T_g), which increases by 1.5 and 8.0 °C, respectively, compared to bulk ILs. The onset decomposition temperature (T_d) decreases by 106.5, 40.7, 19.0 and 7.7 °C in BMIm⁺, BMPip⁺, BMPyrr⁺ and MOc₃Am⁺, respectively. The changes in the properties are explained by the cation and anion interaction with halloysite, as well as by the transformation of the ionic liquid structure. It is found that in this case the amount of the TFSI⁻ anion trans-conformer increases in the following order: BMIm⁺ > BMPyrr⁺ ∼ BMPip⁺ >> MOc₃Am⁺.

The structure and properties of ionic liquids based on the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion confined by halloysite nanoclay change due to interaction with outer and inner surfaces of nanotubes, depending on the type and size of the cation.

Identification of genome compositions in allopolyploid species of the genus Elymus (Poaceae: Triticeae) in the Asian part of Russia by CAPS analysis

The genus Elymus L., together with wheat, rye, and barley, belongs to the tribe Triticeae. Apart from its economic value, this tribe is characterized by abundance of polyploid taxa formed in the course of remote hybridization. Single-copy nuclear genes are convenient markers for identification of source genomes incorporated into polyploids. In the present work, a CAPS-marker is developed to distinguish basic St, H, and Y genomes comprising polyploid genomes of Asiatic species of the genus Elymus. The test is based on electrophoretic analysis of restriction patterns of a PCR-amplified fragment of the gene coding for beta-amylase. There are about 50 Elymus species in Russia, and most of them are supposed to possess one of three haplome combinations, StH, StY and StHY. Boreal StH-genomic species endemic for Russia are the least studied. On the basis of nucleotide sequences from public databases, TaqI restrictase was selected, as it produced patterns of restriction fragments specific for St, H, and Y haplomes easily recognizable in agarose gel. A sample of 68 accessions belonging to 32 species was analyzed. In 15 species, the earlier known genomic constitutions were confirmed, but in E. kamoji this assay failed to reveal the presence of H genome. This unusual H genome was suggested to originate from a different Hordeum species. In 16 species, genomic constitutions were identified for the first time. Fifteen accessions from Asian Russia possessed the genomic constitution StStHH, and E. amurensis, phylogenetically close to the StY-genomic species E. ciliaris, had the genomic constitution StStYY. It is inferred that the center of species diversity of the StH-genomic group is shifted to the north as compared to the center of origin of StY-genomic species, confined to China. Key words: Elymus; taxonomy; allopolyploids; genome constitution; CAPS markers.

Genome constitution and differentiation of subgenomes in Siberian and Far Eastern endemic species of the genus Elymus (Poaceae) according to the sequencing of the nuclear gene waxy

Fifty-three species of perennial grasses in the genus Elymus L. (Poaceae), which are widespread in Russia, are generally assumed to have three haplome combinations: StH, StY and StHY. The StH-genome species, endemic to Russia, remain the least studied. R. Mason-Gamer and co-authors have previously shown in a series of studies that a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the low-copy gene waxy (GBSS1) sequences significantly complements cytogenetic data on the genomic constitution and evolutionary relationships among both North American and Asian species of the genus Elymus. To determine the species’ genomic constitution and to evaluate the level of phylogenetic differentiation, we examined the GBSS1 gene in 18 species of Elymus from Siberia and the Russian Far East, including the fol- lowing 14 endemics: E. charkeviczii, E. jacutensis, E. kamczadalorum, E. komarovii, E. kronokensis, E. lenensis, E. macrourus, E. margaritae, E. subfibrosus, E. sajanensis, E. transbaicalensis, E. peschkovae, E. uralensis, and E. viridiglumis.PCR amplification products of GBSS1 gene fragments (including exons 9–14) were cloned and 6–8 clones per accession were sequenced. It appears that all the species studied have St and H subgenomic gene variations. The most significant differences between the subgenomic variants St and H were found in intron 13. The H subgenome contains a 21-bp-long deletion in intron 13 in all Elymus genotypes, probably derived from a common ancestor of the H and P genomes. Instead of this deletion, all St subgenomes have a relatively conservative sequence similar to that of the genus Pseudoroegneria, whose ancestor is considered to be the donor of the modern St subgenome for all Elymus species. Cluster phylogenetic analysis revealed differentiation in St and H subgenome sequences into two evolutionary variants: St1 vs. St2 and H1 vs. H2, respectively. Variants of the St and H subgenomes were found homologous to various modern species of the ancestral genera Pseudoroegneria and Hordeum: St1 to P. strigosa, St2 to P. spicata, H1 to H. jubatum, and H2 to H. californicum. The details of the relationships between Russian and North American species of the genus, as well as a number of microevolutionary interconnections in the group of boreal endemic species of Siberia and the Russian Far East were revealed. The new results obtained here are essential for the development of a phylogenetically oriented taxonomic system for the genus Elymus.

[The forensic medical expertise of the holy relics of the righteous martyr Anastasiya of Uglich]

This article was designed to report the results of the comprehensive (historical-archival, forensic anthropological, and molecular-genetic) investigation into the holy relics of the righteous martyr Anastasiya of Uglich. The well-reasoned expert conclusion contains the scientifically sound data on the prescription of the martyr's corpse burial, age group and sexual identity of the relics, specific anthropological features of the skeleton, torture instruments, and the immediate cause of death. Taken together, the data thus obtained give evidence that the relics actually belong to one of the well-known saints of the Russian orthodox church.

[Informativity of Indicators of the Arterial Wall Stiffness for Screening Studies]

OBJECTIVE

comparative assessment of informativity of parameters of arterial wall stiffness - the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), the augmentation index (AI) - for solution of problems of screening patients being under threat of realization of complex impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) and elevated vessel wall stiffness, both creators and markers of high risk of severe cardiovascular complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined mining industry employees (n=206) with cardiac risk factors (arterial hypertension, abdominal obesity, and smoking). Comparative group comprised 75 employees of the same enterprise without above-mentioned risk factors. Studies of arterial wall stiffness included determination of CAVI and AI. The sensitivity, specifcity and accuracy of the screening method were calculated.

RESULTS

CAVI and AI parameters had different sensitivity, specifcity and accuracy for identifying patients at risk of cardiovascular complications. AI was 2 times more sensitive than CAVI during examination of patients with only clinical and anamnestic cardiovascular risk markers and patients with clinical-anamnestic and laboratory risk markers. Specifcity of AI was lower than specifcity of CAVI and atained only 34.4% in patients with clinical-anamnestic and laboratory risk factors. At the same time, specifcity of CAVI in these patients reached 86.2%. Accuracy of AI for screening study was 1.4 times higher than that of CAVI in patients with only clinical-anamnestic risk markers, and 1.6 times higher in patients with both clinical-anamnestic and laboratory risk markers. Moreover, after comparing patient groups with individually high and normal CAVI and AI, we found the differences in metabolic laboratory risk factors (glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and the Atherogenic Index) only for AI.

CONCLUSION

Parameters of arterial stiffness have different informative value for screening of patients with clinical-anamnestic or laboratory risk factors. AI compared with CAVI is 2 times more sensitive and 1.6 times more accurate but has lower specifcity for risk factor screening among patients being under threat of realization of complex impact of MS and elevated vessel wall stiffness.

Unexpected Effects of Activator Molecules' Polarity on the Electroreological Activity of Titanium Dioxide Nanopowders

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, obtained using the sol-gel method and modified with organic solvents, such as acetone, acetonitrile, benzene, diethyl ether, dimethyl sulfoxide, toluene, and chloroform, were used as the filler of polydimethylsiloxane-based electrorheological fluids. The effect of electric field strength on the shear stress and yield stress of electrorheological fluids was investigated, as well as the spectra of their dielectric relaxation in the frequency range from 25 to 10⁶ Hz. Modification of titanium dioxide by polar molecules was found to enhance the electrorheological effect, as compared with unmodified TiO₂, in accordance with the widely accepted concept of polar molecule dominated electrorheological effect (PM-ER). The most unexpected result of this study was an increase in the electrorheological effect during the application of nonpolar solvents with zero or near-zero dipole moments as the modifiers. It is suggested that nonpolar solvents, besides providing additional polarization effects at the filler particles interface, alter the internal pressure in the gaps between the particles. As a result, the filler particles are attracted to one another, leading to an increase in their aggregation and the formation of a network of bonds between the particles through liquid bridge contacts. Such changes in the electrorheological fluid structure result in a significant increase in the mechanical strength of the structures that arise when an electric field is applied, and an increase in the observed electrorheological effect in comparison with the unmodified titanium dioxide.

[Forecasting a risk of occupationally related diseases in workers engaged into titanium-magnesium production]

Workers of titanium and magnesium production, under occupational exposure to complex of chemical (chlorine, hydrochloride, sulfur dioxide) and physical factors (industrial noise, work hardiness), have arterial hypertension as occupationally related disease, when length of service over 15 years (EF = 71,5%), and nasopharyngitis for length of service over 10 years (EF = 65%). Arterial hypertension risk is mostly associated with increased industrial noise level (F = 1621; R2 0.95; p < 0,001; noise 70,1 dB). Mathematic modelling of nasopharyngitis development probability demonstrated dependence of concentration of chlorine, hydrochloride, sulfur dioxide, chlorine and hydrochloride combination (F = 37-281; R2 = 0,37-0,73; p < 0.001; chlorine 0,63 mg/m3). Complex of parameters (leucocytosis, eosinophilia, increased IgA level), activated cellular immunity (increased CD 16+56+, CD3+CD25+) and absolute phagocytosis characterized nonspecific inflammatory reaction, immunity tension as a response to a complex of chemical factors of titanium and magnesium production. Markers of endoihelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk (uric acid, VEGF, homocystein, LDLP) and stress marker (cortisol) demonstrate potential effect of occupational factors on vascular wall, metabolic processes and central nervous system, with involvement of <pituitary - hypothalamus - adrenals? axis. Changes of these parameters in workers with long length of service indicate risk of occupationally related disease on preclinical stage.

On occupational fitness examination of workers exposed to occupational hazards after coronary artery bypass grafting

Myocardium revascularization in coronary heart disease patients is one of the most important treatment modalities. Considerable improvement of somatic state after surgery for IHD is seen in 82-83% of patients in average, whereas only hardly more than a half return to occupational activity without decrease in preoperative level of qualification and performance. In occupational therapy and industrial medicine clinic with FBSI <<Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management technologies>>, examination covered 68 workers of Perm' area enterprises, derected for occupational fitness study after coronary artery bypass grafting and 100 workers at various terms after myocardium infarction, with verified IHD. Risk factors evaluation demonstrated that after coronary artery bypass grafting 75% of patients are motivated to maintain healthy lifestyle and compliance to treatment over 5 years; positive changes in a year according to functional study were seen in 75% of cases; level of blood pressure in office 127.8±9.4 mm Hg; dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia remain in 11.7% of cases. At first stage, criteria of permit-to-work are: decrease in functional class of chronic cardiac failure to 0-II degrees from initial one; absence of exertional stenocardia or exertional stenocardia less than II degree, absence of ventricular arrhythmias of high grade.

Nanocrystalline ceria: a novel material for electrorheological fluids

Nanocrystalline CeO₂ shows intriguing electroheological performance.

Antibacterial and photochemical properties of cellulose nanofiber-titania nanocomposites loaded with two different types of antibiotic medicines

Nanocomposite dermal drug delivery systems based on cellulose nanofibers with grafted titania nanoparticles loaded by two antibiotic medicines from different classes, i.e. tetracycline (TC) and phosphomycin (Phos), were successfully produced by a "green chemistry" approach in aqueous media. The influence of a different surface binding mechanism between the drug molecule and modified cellulose nanofibers on the release of the drug and, as a result, on antimicrobial properties against common pathogens Gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli was investigated. The disk diffusion method and broth culture tests using varying concentrations of drugs loaded to nanocomposites were carried out to investigate the antibacterial effects. The influence of UV irradiation on the stability of the obtained nanocomposites and their antibacterial properties after irradiation were also investigated, showing enhanced stability especially for the TC loaded materials. These findings suggest that the obtained nanocomposites are promising materials for the development of potentially useful antimicrobial patches.

Cellulose nanofiber–titania nanocomposites as potential drug delivery systems for dermal applications

Nanocomposites with potential for dermal drug delivery have been developed using nanotitania chemically grafted onto nanocellulose as an active ingredient for enhanced uptake and controlled release of model drug loads.

Observation of neutron bursts produced by laboratory high-voltage atmospheric discharge

For the first time the emission of neutron bursts in the process of high-voltage discharge in air was observed. Experiments were carried out at an average electric field strength of ∼1  MV·m(-1) and discharge current of ∼10  kA. Two independent methods (CR-39 track detectors and plastic scintillation detectors) registered neutrons within the range from thermal energies up to energies above 10 MeV and with an average flux density of ≳10(6)  cm(-2) per shot inside the discharge zone. Neutron generation occurs at the initial phase of the discharge and correlates with x-ray generation. The data obtained allow us to assume that during the discharge fast neutrons are mainly produced.

[The prediction of atrial fibrillation in patients with arterial hypertension]

AIM

To study the parameters of the structural and functional state of the myocardium in patients with hypertension, to determine their prognostic value on the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study involved 72 people: patients with hypertension and AF, with isolated hypertension and apparently healthy individuals. All of them performed echocardiography, blood pressure monitoring and monitoring of cardiogram.

RESULTS

The dilatation of left atrial was founded: patients with the atrial fibrillation on the background of hypertension observed the most pronounced changes in the left atrial. In patients with hypertension without arrhythmias and in combination with atrial fibrillation severe left ventricular hypertrophy was observed. Left ventricle systolic function in groups has been stored but in patients with atrial fibrillation on the background of hypertension was significantly lower. The risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension prognostic value are the only values of the age, the volume index of the left atrial to the body surface area and left ventricular ejection fraction.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of AF in hypertension occurs over the age of 55 and each subsequent year increases it in 1,2 times, it increases with an index value of the left atrial to the body surface over 29 ml/m2 and with a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction less than 58%.

[Problem of a comorbidity of arterial hypertension and acid-dependent diseases]

The paper presents a concise literature review on the concomitant course of the most common nosological entities in the population, such as arterial hypertension (AH) and acid-dependent diseases (ADD). Data on the prevalence, commonness of etiological and pathogenetic factors, the specific features of a clinical course, and diagnostic difficulties are analyzed in persons with AH associated with ulcerative and gastrointestinal reflux diseases. The causes and consequences of these nosological entities are shown; their clinical, morphological, and hemodynamic features are covered. The results of investigations characterizing the specific features of autonomic regulation, diurnal blood pressure variations, and the central hemodynamics in the comorbidity of the diseases in question are given. The rational antihypertensive therapy of AH concurrent with ADD is presented in terms of their impact on gastrointestinal tract disease.

[State of the structure and functions of the arterial wall in patients with chronic heart failure against the background of permanent atrial fibrillation and assessment of vasoprotective effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids]

PURPOSE

to evaluate the state of the structure and function of the arterial wall in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of ischemic etiology in combination with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) AF and the dynamics of their changes during therapy with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

in the first phase in order to identify characteristics of a CCF and the restructuring of the arterial wall 120 patients with coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure II-III functional class (FC) were included in the study, then were divided into two equal groups according to the presence of persistent AF. In the second phase patients with CHF and persistent AF were randomized into 2 groups of 30 people to determine the vasoprotective effect of omega-3 fatty acids compared with the standard treatment of CHF. The duration of treatment was 6 months. To assess the conductive and damping functions of arteries comprehensive sfigmopletizmografiyu was carried out. To assess the state of the arteries collagen matrix we determined the level of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases type I (TIMP-1) by enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

in patients with chronic heart failure of ischemic etiology in combination with persistent AF we revealed more severe functional impairment of the arterial wall, characterized by an increase in pulse wave velocity in carotid-femoral segment (p=0.037), the aorta (p<0.001), indexes CAVI1 (p less or equal 0.001) and augmentation (p=0.049; p<0.001) in the absence of differences in the group of patients with heart failure and sinus rhythm in terms of structural changes in collagen matrix- TIMP-1. The progress of CHF against the background persistent AF was characterized by higher levels of atrial natriuretic peptide with prevalence of diastolic dysfunction, while the more frequent co-morbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, stroke/transient ischemic attack), and risk factors. Inclusion in the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure of ischemic etiology and persistent AF omega-3 fatty acids provides reliable vasoprotective effect by suppressing the abnormal collagen formation on the dynamics of TIMP-1 (p<0.001) and improving the elastic properties of the arterial wall to the dynamics of high-speed data and indexed blood flow the arterial tree (p<0.001), with the exception of ankle-brachial indexes.

CONCLUSION

structurally functional remodeling of the arterial wall in patients with chronic heart failure of ischemic etiology and persistent AF has a definite pattern of forming. Omega-3 fatty acids have a vasoprotective effect, providing improving elastic properties of the arteries by preventing fibrosis.

VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS AND ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION: ROLE OF INFLAMMATORY BIOMARKERS IN ARRHYTHMIA DEVELOPMENT

Arrhythmogenic role of proinflammatory cytokines is still unclear despite of wide discussion on inflammatory arrhythmogenic mechanisms. The main goal of study was to compare levels of tumor necrosis factor a, interleukin 6 and interleukin 4 in hypertensive patients with and without ventricular rhythm disturbances. The study included 100 cases, 50 of those had ventricular arrhythmias. Levels of tumor necrosis factor a, interleukin 6 and interleukin 4 were studied. Possible connections of above mentioned biomarkers with ventricular arrhythmias, blood pressure, echocardiography left ventricle data were evaluated. Higher level of biomarkers was associated with presence of ventricular arrhythmias; higher rate of ventricular extrasystoles was accompanied with insignificantly lower biomarker level. 

[Individual patterns of tonal (whistling) signals of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates) kept in relative isolation]

The results of study of the subaqueous acoustic signaling of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiopsis truncatus) in a dolphinarium are shown. Individual patterns of whistling signals of four individuals were described and analyzed. To determine which animal produced the sound, the method of "relative isolation" was used. It was found that the pattern included whistles specific for a particular individual ("signature whistles"). The percentage of these whistles in the patterns varied considerably among individuals. The signatures had variable frequency and duration. The phenomenon of "imitation" was typical for animals at higher positions in the hierarchy: generating "signatures" specific for other individuals. Besides the signatures, variable signals and whistles with simple frequency contours were found in the patterns.

[Ventricular arrhythmias and arterial hypertension: role of inflammatory biomarkers in arrhythmia development]

Arrhythmogenic role of proinflammatory cytokines is still unclear despite of wide discussion on inflammatory arrhythmogenic mechanisms. The main goal of study was to compare levels of tumor necrosis factor a, interleukin 6 and interleukin 4 in hypertensive patients with and without ventricular rhythm disturbances. The study included 100 cases, 50 of those had ventricular arrhythmias. Levels of tumor necrosis factor a, interleukin 6 and interleukin 4 were studied. Possible connections of above mentioned biomarkers with ventricular arrhythmias, blood pressure, echocardiography left ventricle data were evaluated. Higher level of biomarkers was associated with presence of ventricular arrhythmias; higher rate of ventricular extrasystoles was accompanied with insignificantly lower biomarker level.