Branching Order Research Articles

Study The Spread of Cancerous Diseases Throughout Iraq Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

GIS science is considered one of the modern sciences that intertwine with various disciplines and scientific branches in order to solve or present a specific problem. Understanding the wider picture of public health has been greatly aided by the development of Medical GIS. In this paper, the spatial analysis of GIS was used to prepare maps for the distribution of the number of cancer cases in some central and southern governorates of Iraq for several years. It was clearly noted that most of the injuries are in southern Iraq. In this paper was used the Arc-GIS software V. 10.3 and data collected by the ministry of health department of statistics were used.

Seasonal variations in C/N/P/K stoichiometric characteristics in different plant organs in the various forest types of Sygera Mountain.

We explored the resource acquisition and growth strategies of plants adapting to different environments, focusing on the typical forest types of Sygera Mountain: Pinus armandii, Picea likiangensis var. Linzhiensis, Abies georgei var. Smithii, and Juniperus saltuaria. Then, we analyzed the nutrient content and stoichiometric ratios of C, N, P, and K in different plant organs (leaves, branches, trunks, and roots) to examine the stoichiometric characteristics and nutrient balance mechanisms in these forests. Results show that within the same forest type, different plant organs exhibit high C and low N, P, and K levels. N content in all organs followed the order leaves > branches > roots > trunks. During the growth phase, the concentrations of P and K in PLL and AGS follow the order branches > leaves > roots > trunks. In the dormant phase, the distribution in different organs had the order leaves > branches > roots > trunks. C content remained relatively stable over time. In the same organ across different forest types, increase in nitrogen content in plant leaves is an active adaptation of JS plants, indicating that JS has a conservative growth strategy and can adapt to environmental stress. Owing to the influence of seasons, the evolution process of N and P content fluctuates, allocating nutrients to supporting and transporting organs for resource optimization and allocation. The N and P content were lower in the growth phase than in the dormant phase. Seasonal variations in the C/N, C/P, and C/K ratios in different forests were inversely correlated with changes in N, P, and K content in plant organs, supporting the "growth rate hypothesis." Stoichiometric analysis suggests that different limiting elements exist in organs across various forest types. Principal component analysis indicates that the seasonal patterns of stoichiometric ratios in the organs of different forest types show species-specific characteristics, reflecting the evolutionary nutrient utilization strategies of plant genera. In summary, plant growth in different Sygera Mountain forest types is limited by N and P, with a high tendency toward nitrogen limitation. The nutrient utilization and distribution differences among various organs during different growth stages are primarily influenced by the limited availability of environmental nutrients and inherent physiological characteristics of the plants.

Polystyrene microplastics induced disturbances in neuronal arborization and dendritic spine density in mice prefrontal cortex

An increasing use of plastics in daily life leads to the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the environment, posing a serious threat to the ecosystem, including humans. It has been reported that MPs cause neurotoxicity, but the deleterious effect of polystyrene (PS) MPs on neuronal cytoarchitectural morphology in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) region of mice brain remains to be established. In the present study, Swiss albino male mice were orally exposed to 0.1, 1, and 10 ppm PS-MPs for 28 days. After exposure, we found a significant accumulation of PS-MPs with a decreased number of Nissl bodies in the PFC region of the entire treated group compared to the control. Morphometric analysis in the PFC neurons using Golgi-Cox staining accompanied by Sholl analysis showed a significant reduction in basal dendritic length, dendritic intersections, nodes, and number of intersections at seventh branch order in PFC neurons of 1 ppm treated PS-MPs. In neurons of 0.1 ppm treated mice, we found only decrease in the number of intersections at the seventh branch order. While 10 ppm treated neurons decreased in basal dendritic length, dendritic intersections, followed by the number of intersections at the third and seventh branch order were observed. As well, spine density on the apical secondary branches along with mRNA level of BDNF was significantly reduced in all the PS-MPs treated PFC neurons, mainly at 1 ppm versus control. These results suggest that PS-MPs exposure affects overall basal neuronal arborization, with the highest levels at 1 and 10 ppm, followed by 0.1 ppm treated neurons, which may be related to the down-regulation of BDNF expression in PFC.

Modeling a new taper curve and form factor of tree branches using terrestrial laser scanning

Abstract Modeling branch taper curve and form factor contributes to increasing the efficiency of tree crown reconstructions: the branch taper, defined as the sequential measure of diameters along the course of the branch, is pivotal to accurately estimate key branch variables such as biomass and volume. Branch diameters or volumes have commonly been estimated from terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) based on automatized voxelization or cylinder-fitting approaches, given the whole branch length is sufficiently covered by laser reflections. The results are, however, often affected by ample variations in point cloud characteristics caused by varying point density, occlusions, and noise. As these characteristics of TLS can hardly be sufficiently controlled or eliminated in automatized techniques, we proposed a new branch taper curve model and form factor, which can be employed directly from the laser reflections and under variable point cloud characteristics. In this paper, the approach is demonstrated on primary branches using a set of TLS-derived datasets from a sample of 20 trees (six species). The results showed an R2 of 0.86 and a mean relative absolute error of 1.03 cm (29%) when validated with field-measured diameters. The approach improved the accuracy of diameter estimates for the fine branch scales (<10 cm) as compared to the quantitative structural model (QSM). Our approach also allowed branch diameter estimation for a relatively larger number of manually recognized primary branches (>85%) from point clouds when validated with panoramic images acquired simultaneously with laser scanning. Frequently used automatized crown reconstructions from QSM, on the other hand, were affected by gaps in the point clouds due to obstruction, with the crown-tops and finer branches being the most critical. Our approach reports mean form factors across the examined species of 0.35 and 0.49, with the diameters determined at 5% and 10% of the total branch length, respectively. Our approach may have the potential to produce branch volume information with reasonable accuracy from only knowing the length and respective diameter of each branch. Our model delivers a first approximation for the taper curve and form factor for primary branches but was developed on a relatively small set of samples. We believe that our approach holds the potential to improve the accuracy of the assessment of branch diameter and volume from TLS data. The approach may also be extended to other branch orders. This could expand the horizon for volumetric calculations and biomass estimates from non-destructive TLS proxies in tree crowns.

Network response of brain microvasculature to neuronal stimulation

Neurovascular coupling (NVC), or the adjustment of blood flow in response to local increases in neuronal activity is a hallmark of healthy brain function, and the physiological foundation for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, it remains only partly understood due to the high complexity of the structure and function of the cerebrovascular network. Here we set out to understand NVC at the network level, i.e. map cerebrovascular network reactivity to activation of neighbouring neurons within a 500×500×500 μm3 cortical volume (∼30 high-resolution 3-nL fMRI voxels). Using 3D two-photon fluorescence microscopy data, we quantified blood volume and flow changes in the brain vessels in response to spatially targeted optogenetic activation of cortical pyramidal neurons. We registered the vessels in a series of image stacks acquired before and after stimulations and applied a deep learning pipeline to segment the microvascular network from each time frame acquired. We then performed image analysis to extract the microvascular graphs, and graph analysis to identify the branch order of each vessel in the network, enabling the stratification of vessels by their branch order, designating branches 1–3 as precapillary arterioles and branches 4+ as capillaries. Forty-five percent of all vessels showed significant calibre changes; with 85 % of responses being dilations. The largest absolute CBV change was in the capillaries; the smallest, in the venules. Capillary CBV change was also the largest fraction of the total CBV change, but normalized to the baseline volume, arterioles and precapillary arterioles showed the biggest relative CBV change. From linescans along arteriole-venule microvascular paths, we measured red blood cell velocities and hematocrit, allowing for estimation of pressure and local resistance along these paths. While diameter changes following neuronal activation gradually declined along the paths; the pressure drops from arterioles to venules increased despite decreasing resistance: blood flow thus increased more than local resistance decreases would predict. By leveraging functional volumetric imaging and high throughput deep learning-based analysis, our study revealed distinct hemodynamic responses across the vessel types comprising the microvascular network. Our findings underscore the need for large, dense sampling of brain vessels for characterization of neurovascular coupling at the network level in health and disease.

Coniferophytes from the Bajo de Veliz Formation (Gzhelian-Asselian), San Luis Province, Argentina

In this contribution, we analyze the presence of fossil coniferophytes from the Bajo de Veliz Formation (Paganzo Basin) that were initially referred to Walchia or Paranocladus and have not been described until now. These specimens consist mainly of leafy branches exhibiting foliar heteromorphism characteristic of upper Paleozoic coniferophytes from Gondwana. This group includes Genoites sp. with lax arranged ovules on the last order branches, Krauselcladus sp. represented by a small vegetative branch with biand trifurcated leaves, and Buriadia cf. Buriadia heterophylla Seward et Sahni emend. Serbet, Escapa, Taylor, Taylor et Cúneo, 2010, showed axes with multifid leaves and ovules on terminal branches. Vegetative fragments with small lanceolate leaves are assigned to Ferugliocladus cf. F. riojanum Archangelsky et Cúneo, 1987. In addition, an isolated, probably male reproductive structure similar to those known for th latter species was identified. The presence of Buriadia is recognized for the first time in the Carboniferous-Permian of Argentina, as well as the identification of vegetative buds or shoots, a previously undocumented characteristic for this Paleozoic coniferophyte from Gondwana.

Morphology of the aortic arch branching pattern in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides, Gray, 1834).

Aortic arch (AA) branching patterns vary among different mammalian species. Most previous studies have focused on dogs, whereas those on raccoon dogs remain unexplored. The objective of this study was to describe the AA branching pattern in raccoon dogs and compare their morphological features with those of other carnivores. We prepared silicone cast specimens from a total of 36 raccoon dog carcasses via retrograde injection through the abdominal aorta. The brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) branching patterns were classified based on the relationship between the left and right common carotid arteries. The subclavian artery (SB) branching pattern was examined based on the order of the four major branches: the vertebral artery (VT), costocervical trunk (CCT), superficial cervical artery (SC), and internal thoracic artery (IT). In most cases (88.6%), the BCT branched off from the left common carotid artery and terminated in the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries. In the remaining cases (11.4%), the BCT formed a bicarotid trunk. The SB exhibited various branching patterns, with 26 observed types. Based on the branching order of the four major branches, we identified the main branching pattern, in which the VT branched first (98.6%), the CCT branched second (81.9%), the SC branched third (62.5%), and the IT branched fourth (52.8%). The AA branching pattern in raccoon dogs exhibited various branching patterns with both similarities and differences compared to other carnivores.

Measuring the Canopy Architecture of Young Vegetation Using the Fastrak Polhemus 3D Digitizer.

In the context of climate change conditions, addressing the shifting composition of forest stands and changes in traditional forest management practices are necessary. For this purpose, understanding the biomass allocation directly influenced by crown architecture is crucial. In this paper, we want to demonstrate the possibility of 3D mensuration of canopy architecture with the digitizer sensor Fastrak Polhemus and demonstrate its capability for assessing important structural information for forest purposes. Scots pine trees were chosen for this purpose, as it is the most widespread tree species in Europe, which, paradoxically, is very negatively affected by climate change. In our study, we examined young trees since the architecture of young trees influences their growth potential. In order to get the most accurate measurement of tree architecture, we evaluated the use of the Fastrak Polhemus magnetic digitizer to create a 3D model of individual trees and perform a subsequent statistical analysis of the data obtained. It was found that the stand density affects the number of branches in different orders and the heights of the trees in the process of natural regeneration. Regarding the branches, in our case, the highest number of branch orders was found in the clear-cut areas (density = 0.0), whereas the lowest branching was on-site with mature stands (density = 0.8). The results showed that the intensity of branching (assessed as the number of third-order branches) depends on the total number of branches of the tree of different branch orders but also on stand density where the tree is growing. An important finding in this study was the negative correlation between the tree branching and the tree height. The growth in height is lower when the branching expansion is higher. Similar data could be obtained with Lidar sensors. However, the occlusion due to the complexity of the tree crown would impede the information from being complete when using the magnetic digitizer. These results provide vital information for the creation of structural-functional models, which can be used to predict and estimate future tree growth and carbon fixation.

Reduced Bergmann glial process terminations and lateral appendages in essential tremor.

Postmortem examination of the essential tremor cerebellum has revealed a variety of pathological changes centered in and around Purkinje cells. Studies have predominantly focused on cerebellar neuronal connections. Bergmann glial morphology has not yet been studied in essential tremor. Among their many roles, Bergmann glia in the cerebellar cortex ensheath Purkinje cell synapses and provide neuroprotection. Specifically, the complex radial processes and lateral appendages of Bergmann glia are structural domains that modulate Purkinje cell synaptic transmission. In this study, we investigate whether Bergmann glia morphology is altered in the essential tremor cerebellum. We applied the Golgi-Kopsch method and used computerized three-dimensional cell reconstruction to visualize Bergmann glia in the postmortem cerebellum of 34 cases and 17 controls. We quantified morphology of terminal structures (number of terminations and lateral appendage density) and morphology of radial processes (total process length, branch length, branch order, and branch volume) in each glial cell. We quantified number of branches and volume as well. Essential tremor cases had a 31.9% decrease in process terminations and a 35.7% decrease in lateral appendage density in Bergmann glia. Total process length and branch length did not differ between essential tremor cases and controls. We found also a reduction in number of secondary and tertiary branches and tertiary branches volume. These findings suggest that Bergmann glia in essential tremor cases have more alterations in their terminal structures, with a relative preservation of radial processes, and highlight a potential role for these astrocytes in the disease pathophysiology.

Blood supply to the stomach of Yorkshire pigs at the stages of postnatal ontogenesis

The development of the agro–industrial complex of the Russian Federation is one of the priorities in agriculture. Pig breeding is one of the most profitable branches of animal husbandry. This is due to the fact that pigs have a number of biological features that are successfully used to produce products (pork, bacon, bacon). With the intensification of pig breeding, special attention is paid to scientific approaches to improving pig feeding. In this regard, we set ourselves the goal of the study – to study the arterial vascularization of the stomach in Yorkshire piglets and to determine the morphometric data of the organ at the stages of postnatal ontogenesis. The study was conducted at the Department of Animal Anatomy of the St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine. Cadaver material for the study was delivered to the Department of Animal Anatomy of the St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine from the Idavang Agro pig breeding complex in Nurma village, Tosnensky district of the Leningrad Region. The study was conducted in three age groups, according to the periodization of the life of pigs. To achieve this task, traditional morphological research methods were used, namely: fine anatomical dissection, photographing, vasorentgenography with morphometry in the "RadiAnt" program. During the study, it was found that arterial gastric vascularization in Yorkshire piglets at the stages of postnatal ontogenesis is carried out due to the hepatic and splenic arteries, which are branches of the abdominal artery. The branches of the arteries of the first order branch in a loose type. When conducting a comparative analysis of the morphometric characteristics of the hepatic and splenic arteries and their branches, we came to the conclusion that the diameter of the hepatic artery will prevail over the splenic, and their branches of the first order are diametrically opposed to each other.

Results of study of polymorphism of <i>Lupinus angustifolius</i> L. spike–like samples from VIR collection on valuable breeding traits

The spike-like (epigonal) forms of Lupinus angustifolius L. differ from the typical forms by transformation into pods of the first order branches in the upper part of the plant. There were lines and varieties of narrow-leaved lupine alternately subjected to three-year tests in the climatic conditions of the Moscow region in 2009-2022, as they come into VIR collection. The results of the evaluation of 48 spike-like samples were presented. Of these, a total of 40 non-alkaloid samples were selected. The carriers of the gene le (24 samples) and two genes ta и le (5 samples) were allocated. The morphometric parameters of the samples were characterized in accordance with the descriptor scale. The ranges of variability and coefficients of variation of indicators within the group were shown. The epigonal forms were characterized by weight of seeds in the range of 3.3-9.9 g per plant (on average for three years). The correlation analysis showed that the differences between the samples in the seed productivity were mainly due to differences in the seed size (r...0.51), in the number of pods on the main stem (r...0.53) and in the number of pods on the lateral branches (r...0.54). A negative relationship between the number of pods on the central brush and in the axils (r...–0.70) and between the weight of 1 000 seeds and the average number of seeds per pod (r...–0.55) was noted. The highest indicators of seed productivity had samples k-3062 75A/327 (Australia) and k-3630 B-23/86 (Russia) (9.5 and 9.9 g per plant). The leadership of these samples was due to the outstanding number of seeds per plant (67 and 70) and the number of pods per plant (21.1 and 26.3), including on the main stem (11.4 and 11.1) and on the lateral branches (9.7 and 15.2), as well as by the larger seeds (weight of 1 000 seeds 141 g). Both samples were low-alkaloid, and the sample k–3062 had non-cracking pods by ta and le genes.

Tree architecture: A strigolactone-deficient mutant reveals a connection between branching order and auxin gradient along the tree stem.

Due to their long lifespan, trees and bushes develop higher order of branches in a perennial manner. In contrast to a tall tree, with a clearly defined main stem and branching order, a bush is shorter and has a less apparent main stem and branching pattern. To address the developmental basis of these two forms, we studied several naturally occurring architectural variants in silver birch (Betula pendula). Using a candidate gene approach, we identified a bushy kanttarelli variant with a loss-of-function mutation in the BpMAX1 gene required for strigolactone (SL) biosynthesis. While kanttarelli is shorter than the wild type (WT), it has the same number of primary branches, whereas the number of secondary branches is increased, contributing to its bush-like phenotype. To confirm that the identified mutation was responsible for the phenotype, we phenocopied kanttarelli in transgenic BpMAX1::RNAi birch lines. SL profiling confirmed that both kanttarelli and the transgenic lines produced very limited amounts of SL. Interestingly, the auxin (IAA) distribution along the main stem differed between WT and BpMAX1::RNAi. In the WT, the auxin concentration formed a gradient, being higher in the uppermost internodes and decreasing toward the basal part of the stem, whereas in the transgenic line, this gradient was not observed. Through modeling, we showed that the different IAA distribution patterns may result from the difference in the number of higher-order branches and plant height. Future studies will determine whether the IAA gradient itself regulates aspects of plant architecture.

Participation of the prosecutor in the proceedings outside the limits of the public prosecution

The article examines the topical issues of the prosecutor's representative function in judicial proceedings in the conditions of law enforcement reform and martial law. Special attention is paid to consideration of issues regarding the limits of the prosecutor's representation of the state's interests in court proceedings. The views of scientists on the place and role of the prosecutor in the judiciary are analyzed, and the author's definition of the concept of the prosecutor's representative function in court is presented. The dual legal nature of the participation of the prosecutor in the judicial proceedings is shown, who, on the one hand, is a participant in the case, and on the other hand, retains the elements of supervision over the legality of procedural actions of other participants and court decisions. The legal status of the prosecutor in the process of representing the interests of the state in court and in other cases of his participation in the consideration of administrative, economic and civil cases by the courts was studied. The expediency of limiting the representation of the interests of the state in court by the prosecutor to the sphere of defense, budgetary relations and corruption and narrowing the scope of the prosecutor's powers in court, in particular due to the right to enter into the consideration of the case at the request of other persons at any stage of the court proceedings and to initiate the review of court decisions independently from his participation in the proceedings. A comparative analysis of the norms of laws and the branch order of the Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the participation of the prosecutor in certain types of judicial proceedings was carried out in order to check their compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine, and attention was drawn to existing discrepancies and the need for their correction. It is proved that the content of the concept of participation of the prosecutor in judicial proceedings is broader than the concept of representation by the prosecutor in court. It was established that with the addition of the Law of Ukraine «On the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights» and the introduction of relevant changes to the procedural codes of Ukraine, the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights completely took over the function of the prosecutor's office in representing the interests of citizens in court, having received the appropriate powers, in including those that belonged exclusively to prosecutors. Legislative proposals on further reform of the prosecutor's participation in the judicial process were provided, in particular, it was proposed to limit the representation of the state's interests by the prosecutor to the spheres of defense, the budget and anti-corruption during martial law, and in the future, if there are appropriate social, political and legal conditions, to completely abandon the representative function of the prosecutor in court. In the post-war period, it was proposed to amend Clause 2 of Part 1 of Article 131-1 of the Constitution of Ukraine, where instead of representing the interests of the state in court, it should be written «other participation of the prosecutor in the proceedings in the cases and procedure specified by law». Key words: prosecutor, representation in court, interests of the state, interests of the citizen, legal status of the prosecutor, judiciary, function of the prosecutor's office, human rights commissioner.

Mapping the human parafoveal vascular network to understand flow variability in capillaries.

Capillary flow is known to be non-homogenous between vessels and variable over time, for reasons that are poorly understood. The local properties of individual vessels have been shown to have limited explanatory power in this regard. This exploratory study investigates the association of network-level properties such as vessel depth, branch order, and distance from the feeding arteriole with capillary flow. Detailed network connectivity analysis was undertaken in 3 healthy young subjects using flood-illuminated adaptive optics retinal imaging, with axial depth of vessels determined via optical coherence tomography angiography. Forty-one out of 70 vessels studied were of terminal capillary type, i.e. fed from an arterial junction and drained by a venous junction. Approximately half of vessel junctions were amenable to fitting with a model of relative branch diameters, with only a few adhering to Murray's Law. A key parameter of the model (the junction exponent) was found to be inversely related to the average velocity (r = -0.59, p = 0.015) and trough velocity (r = -0.67, p = 0.004) in downstream vessels. Aspects of cellular flow, such as the minimum velocity, were also moderately correlated (r = 0.46, p = 0.009) with distance to the upstream feeding arteriole. Overall, this study shows that capillary network topology contributes significantly to the flow variability in retinal capillaries in human eyes. Understanding the heterogeneity in capillary flow is an important first step before pathological flow states can be properly understood. These results show that flow within capillary vessels is not affected by vessel depths but significantly influenced by the upstream feeder distance as well as the downstream vessel junction exponents, but there remains much to be uncovered regarding healthy capillary flow.

Variability of reproductive seed quality in <i>Сlarkia amoena</i> (Lehm.) A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr)) depending on storage duration under ex-situ conditions

This paper presents the results of assessing the reproductive seed quality of Clarkia amoena (Lehm) A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr) seeds during storage under laboratory conditions (temperature 20–22°C). The seeds were stored in paper bags for eight years. The authors selected seed samples from pods of varying degrees of maturity (open and closed) and different positions on the mother plant (branches of other orders). The authors set up three groups based on their location on the mother plant: 1) Sixty-four seed samples were formed on the main stem (firstorder branches); 2) Sixty-four seed samples were created on second-order branches; 3) Sixty-four seed samples were created on third-order branches and two groups based on fruit maturity: open and closed pods. In total, 192 seed samples were evaluated. Seed quality assessment was conducted annually in April, following GOST 24933.081 standards for flower crop seeds. The initial laboratory germination of seeds ranged from 69% for samples taken from closed pods on third-order branches to 97% for samples taken from open pods on the main stem. It decreased with an increase in the seed storage period according to a linear regression equation: Y = 7.673–0.064X, where Y is the storage duration, and X is the seed germination rate. Over eight years of storage, the 1000-seed mass decreased by 37.2% for samples from the main stem's open pods and 30.3% for samples from closed pods, by 43.6% and 46.8% for second-order branches, and by 46.1% and 50.9% for third-order extensions, respectively. On average, the 1000-seed mass decreased by 0.2 g for all samples over eight years of storage. Regression and correlation analyses (Pearson's coefficient) revealed significant negative relationships between storage duration and seed germination energy (r = –0.849), germination rate (r = –0.853), and 1000-seed mass (r = –0.790). A strong positive correlation was observed between seed mass and viability (r = 0.886). Over eight years of storage, seeds from the main stem lost their germination rate to 18–23%, significantly lower than the initial rate. In contrast, second-order branch seeds decreased by half, and roots from third-order branches completely lost viability. A multidimensional model of the interaction of factors—storage duration and branch order—on seed viability under ex-situ conditions was constructed, demonstrating that the overall viability of Clarkia amoena seeds is maintained for 4–5 years.

Features of Seed Reproduction of <i>Saposhnikovia divaricata</i> (Apiaceae)

Abstract—Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz. ex Ledeb.) Schischk. (Apiaceae) is a useful medicinal plant, which contain a number of substances with a wide range of pharmacological activity; chromones, in particular, are found in the roots. For this reason, plants are heavily harvested from the wild, resulting in the population low density. S. divaricata is a taproot perennial monocarpic that reproduces by seeds only. The introduction of the species, the study of seed productivity and seed reproduction is a vital task for the development of industrial plant cultivation and the restoration of natural populations. The purpose of this work is to study seed production and biology of seed propagation. The generative shoot of S. divaricata is a synflorescence (a panicle of double umbels) with a floral unit being a double umbel. Plants from natural habitat and cultivated ones were studied. A comparative analysis of the seed production of double umbels, depending on their position on the rachis was carried out. The proportion of seed set (seed number/ovule number) and fruit set (fruit number/flower number) in a simple umbel, the potential and real seed productivity of a simple umbel, double umbel, and an individual plant were determined. Fruit of S. divaricata is a cremocarp consisting of two single-seeded mericarps. The seeds have a thin spermoderm, so they were stored and germinated with the pericarp. Seeds (mericarps) for germination were collected from natural populations and cultivated plants considering their position on the rachis, and stored for eight months under laboratory conditions (+23–25 °C). The results of the experiment included data on the duration of the period from the beginning of the experiment to the seed germination, the duration of the germination period (from the beginning of germination), laboratory germination of seeds (%), germination energy (%), rate of germination energy (%). All cultivated plants were monocarpic. The diameter of the synflorescence reaches 124 cm; on average, about 70 double umbels with fruits are formed on it. It was found that in introduced plants, seeds from the branches of the third order make up more than 50% of the real seed production, and from the second and fourth order branches – 21 and 26%, respectively. In natural populations, seeds from the fourth order branches account for 45% of the real seed production, of the third – 30%, of the 2nd – 15%. In the introduced plants, the real seed production of the second generation was about 6000 seeds per individual, which is higher than that of plants in natural populations, where the seed set is 65%. The seeds exhibit non-deep dormancy, and the period before germination does not exceed 10 days. Seed germination is dynamic; more than 50% of the germinated seeds have sprouted within seven days. Laboratory germination was higher in the seeds from the natural population, than from the introduced plants. The highest laboratory germination in introduced plants was found in seeds from double umbels of the second or third order branches – 72–73%, and from the natural populations – in seeds from the shoots of the third or fourth order branches – more than 90%.

Whole Genome Characterization of Prunus Necrotic Ringspot Virus and Prune Dwarf Virus Infecting Stone Fruits in Russia

We conducted a survey of the phytosanitary status of the Prunus germplasm collection in the Nikita Botanical Gardens, Yalta, Russia. The virome of plants displaying virus-like symptoms was studied using Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing. Reads related to prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), prune dwarf virus (PDV), and ourmia-like virus 1 (OuLV1) were generated in a number of samples. Near complete genomes of two divergent PNRSV isolates, PDV isolate, and a contig partly covered OuLV1 genome were assembled de novo using the metaSPAdes program. The structure of the genomic RNA1, RNA2, and RNA3 of the new ilarvirus isolates was shown to be typical of PNRSV and PDV. This is the first report and characterization of the PNRSV and PDV full-length genomes from Russia, expanding the information on their geographical distribution and genetic diversity. An open reading frames (ORF)-based phylogeny of all full-length PNRSV and PDV genomes available in GenBank divided each ORF into two or three main clusters. A number of isolates migrated from one cluster to another cluster, depending on the analyzed genome segment. The different branching order may indicate reassortment in the evolutionary history of some PDV and PNRSV isolates.

SYSTEMATIC REVISION OF THE FISH BLOOD FLUKES WITH DIAGNOSES OF CHIMAEROHEMECIDAE YAMAGUTI, 1971, ACIPENSERICOLIDAE N. FAM., SANGUINICOLIDAE POCHE, 1926, ELOPICOLIDAE N. FAM., AND APOROCOTYLIDAE ODHNER, 1912.

We herein morphologically diagnose the 5 natural groups of fish blood flukes and name them. Species of Chimaerohemecidae Yamaguti, 1971 infect chimeras, sharks, and rays (Chondrichthyes) and have C-shaped lateral tegumental spines and a non-sinusoidal testis or lack spines and have a sinusoidal testis. Species of Acipensericolidae n. fam. infect sturgeons and paddlefish (Acipenseriformes) and have a robust, bowl-shaped, pedunculate anterior sucker, lateral tegumental spines that are spike-like (not C shaped), an inverse U-shaped intestine (anterior ceca absent) with posterior ceca terminating near the excretory bladder, 6 testes (inter-cecal ovoid or oblong, lacking deep lobes; including 1 post-ovarian testis), a Laurer's canal, and a dextral common genital pore. Species of Sanguinicolidae Poche, 1926 infect primarily later-branching freshwater ray-finned fishes (Teleostei) and have a diminutive anterior sucker, a medial esophageal swelling (pouch), short, radial ceca of approximately equal length or short anterior ceca plus an elongate, dendritic posterior cecum, testis with appendix-like lateral lobes, no Laurer's canal, and separate or common genital pores. Species of Elopicolidae n. fam. infect ladyfishes, tarpons, and catadromous eels (Elopomorpha) and have a robust, bowl-shaped, pedunculate anterior sucker, lateral tegumental spines that are spike-like (can be lost in adult), short or indistinct anterior ceca, posterior ceca that terminate at level of the testis(es), a single testis or 2 testes, a Laurer's canal present or absent, and a sinistral common genital pore and atrium. Species of Aporocotylidae Odhner, 1912 primarily infect later-branching marine and estuarine ray-finned fishes (Teleostei) and have a spheroid anterior sucker with concentric rows of circumferential spines or the spheroid anterior sucker is lost in adults or adults have a diminutive anterior sucker, a sinuous esophagus lacking a pouch, an X- or H-shaped intestine having 4 ceca, long anterior ceca (or secondarily lost), smooth posterior ceca that extend posteriad in parallel with respective body margin and terminate near the posterior body end, testis(es) that lack appendix-like lateral lobes, no Laurer's canal, and a sinistral common genital pore or separate genital pores that are sinistral. Our 28S phylogeny recovered the fish blood flukes as monophyletic and each of the morphologically diagnosed families as monophyletic and sister to the remaining blood flukes infecting turtles and homeotherms. Acipensericolidae was recovered sister to the clade comprising Chimaerohemecidae + Sanguinicolidae and Elopicolidae + Aporocotylidae. The branching order and interrelationships of these families remains unsettled perhaps because of low taxon sampling among non-aporocotylids and extinction of intermediate taxa.

Phylogenetic signal in gut microbial community rather than in rodent metabolic traits

Abstract Host phylogeny and environment have all been implicated in shaping the gut microbiota and host metabolic traits of mammals. However, few studies have evaluated phylogeny-associated microbial assembly and host metabolic plasticity concurrently, and their relationships on both short-term and evolutionary timescales. We report that the branching order of a gut microbial dendrogram was nearly congruent with phylogenetic relationships of seven rodent species, and this pattern of phylosymbiosis was intact after diverse laboratory manipulations. Laboratory rearing, diet or air temperature (Ta) acclimation induced alterations in gut microbial communities, but could not override host phylogeny in shaping microbial community assembly. A simulative heatwave reduced core microbiota diversity by 26% in these species, and led to an unmatched relationship between the microbiota and host metabolic phenotypes in desert species. Moreover, the similarity of metabolic traits across species at different Tas was not correlated with phylogenetic distance. These data demonstrated that the gut microbial assembly showed strong concordance with host phylogeny and may be shaped by environmental variables, whereas host metabolic traits did not seem to be linked with phylogeny.

Cortical microvascular blood flow velocity mapping by combining dynamic light scattering optical coherence tomography and two-photon microscopy.

The accurate large-scale mapping of cerebral microvascular blood flow velocity is crucial for a better understanding of cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation. Although optical imaging techniques enable both high-resolution microvascular angiography and fast absolute CBF velocity measurements in the mouse cortex, they usually require different imaging techniques with independent system configurations to maximize their performances. Consequently, it is still a challenge to accurately combine functional and morphological measurements to co-register CBF speed distribution from hundreds of microvessels with high-resolution microvascular angiograms. We propose a data acquisition and processing framework to co-register a large set of microvascular blood flow velocity measurements from dynamic light scattering optical coherence tomography (DLS-OCT) with the corresponding microvascular angiogram obtained using two-photon microscopy (2PM). We used DLS-OCT to first rapidly acquire a large set of microvascular velocities through a sealed cranial window in mice and then to acquire high-resolution microvascular angiograms using 2PM. The acquired data were processed in three steps: (i)2PM angiogram coregistration with the DLS-OCT angiogram, (ii)2PM angiogram segmentation and graphing, and (iii)mapping of the CBF velocities to the graph representation of the 2PM angiogram. We implemented the developed framework on the three datasets acquired from the mice cortices to facilitate the coregistration of the large sets of DLS-OCT flow velocity measurements with 2PM angiograms. We retrieved the distributions of red blood cell velocities in arterioles, venules, and capillaries as a function of the branching order from precapillary arterioles and postcapillary venules from more than 1000 microvascular segments. The proposed framework may serve as a useful tool for quantitative analysis of large microvascular datasets obtained by OCT and 2PM in studies involving normal brain functioning, progression of various diseases, and numerical modeling of the oxygen advection and diffusion in the realistic microvascular networks.