Eastern European Populations Research Articles

Haplotype-resolved genome and population genomics of the threatened garden dormouse in Europe.

Genomic resources are important for evaluating genetic diversity and supporting conservation efforts. The garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) is a small rodent that has experienced one of the most severe modern population declines in Europe. We present a high-quality haplotype-resolved reference genome for the garden dormouse, and combine comprehensive short and long-read transcriptomics data sets with homology-based methods to generate a highly complete gene annotation. Demographic history analysis of the genome reveal a sharp population decline since the last interglacial, indicating an association between colder climates and population declines before anthropogenic influence. Using our genome and genetic data from 100 individuals, largely sampled in a citizen-science project across the contemporary range, we conduct the first population genomic analysis for this species. We find clear evidence for population structure across the species' core Central European range. Notably, our data show that the Alpine population, characterized by strong differentiation and reduced genetic diversity, is reproductively isolated from other regions and likely represents a differentiated evolutionary significant unit (ESU). The predominantly declining Eastern European populations also show signs of recent isolation, a pattern consistent with a range expansion from Western to Eastern Europe during the Holocene, leaving relict populations now facing local extinction. Overall, our findings suggest that garden dormouse conservation may be enhanced in Europe through the designation of ESUs.

Revisiting the Issue of Attribution of Some Catacomb Monuments Groups from the South of Eastern Europe in the Late 3rd – early 5th Centuries

The catacomb funerary ritual had a widespread occurrence among the southern Eastern European population in late Roman times and at the beginning of the Great Migration Period. The Alan culture monuments of the 2nd – 4th centuries AD from the North Caucasus and the “Alans-Tanaites” nomadic culture of the late 3rd – 4th centuries AD feature the burial ritual most widely and vividly. Evidently, the migration occurred in a westerly direction from the “Alan-Tanaitian” culture area in the late 3rd century, resulting in the appearance of a group of under-kurgan burials in the steppe zone of the Dniester-Danube interfluve. It is possible that the people who left these kurgans in the 4th century were assimilated by the Chernyakhov culture bearers and switched to a sedentary lifestyle, having lost the kurgan funeral ritual (Belen’koe burial ground) but retained the catacomb burial structure of almost predominantly type II. The catacomb burials under the kurgans graphically feature the Alans-Tanaites fate after the encounter with the Huns, who defeated and subjugated the Alans-Tanaites, partly incorporating the vanquished population into their military and political union. The Alans-Tanaites took part in the campaign in Transcaucasia and Western Asia as part of the Hunnic army (395–398), as evidenced by the specific forms of the catacombs in the kurgans of the Palasa-Syrt burial ground from the Western Caspian region. A group of kurgan catacombs in the Middle Don and the Left Bank of the Dnieper features the partial outflow of the Alans-Tanaites from the Volga-Don steppes under the pressure of the Huns in the course of their expansion. A part of the Alans-Tanaites participated in the movement of the Huns to the west, as evidenced by the catacombs in the Budzhak steppe dating back to the last quarter of the 4th century.

The Prevalence of Cancer Predisposition Syndromes (CPSs) in Children with a Neoplasm: A Cohort Study in a Central and Eastern European Population.

The etiology of pediatric cancers is often unclear; however, advancements in genetics have identified significant roles for genetic disorders in their development. Over time, the number of cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs) and awareness of them have increased, providing the possibility of cancer prevention and early detection. In this study, we present data concerning the number and type of oncological cases and their correlation with CPS occurrence in a cohort of Central and Eastern European pediatric patients. The data were collected between 2000 and 2019 at the Karol Jonscher Clinical Hospital of Poznan University of Medical Sciences, resulting in a cohort of 2190 cases in total, of which 193 children (8.81%) were confirmed to have a CPS. CPSs occurred most frequently in infancy (22.90% of all children suffering from any diagnosed cancer during the first year of life; p < 0.0001), accounting for more than one-quarter of all CPS cases in our cohort. CPSs were least likely to be observed in patients aged 14 and 15 years (2.17% and 2.44% of children diagnosed with any of the listed cancers at the exact age, respectively; p < 0.05). Among CPSs, the most common were neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), and Down syndrome (DS). To conclude, it is important to emphasize the need for personalized treatment for each patient affected by both CPSs and subsequent cancer in order to reduce the toxicity of therapy and improve quality of life by reducing the risk of side effects.

Frailty index is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in Eastern Europe: a multicentre cohort study

BackgroundThis study investigates the association between frailty and mortality in Eastern European populations, which remains largely unexplored compared with Western Europe. The aim is to assess the risk of all-cause...

Assortative mating and the dark triad: Evidence from the UK, Fiji, and meta-analytic review

The ‘dark triad’ represents the socially aversive personality traits of Machiavellianism, subclinical narcissism (henceforth, ‘narcissim’), and subclinical psychopathy (henceforth, ‘psychopathy’). There is evidence of assortative mating suggesting romantic partners are more similar than chance for these traits at the start of relationships (initial assortment) and not becoming alike with time (convergence), that people seek out partners to whom they are similar (active assortment), and that partner resemblance is not explained by social stratification processes (social homogamy). As the literature relates primarily to Eastern European and North American populations, we present studies from the UK (N = 104 couples) and Fiji (N = 99 couples). These showed significant positive assortment for each dark triad trait (other than psychopathy in the Fijian sample), and suggest the effects are explained by initial and active assortment and not by convergence or social homogamy. We also submitted the literature to meta-analytic review (Machiavellianism: k = 10, N = 1302; narcissism: k = 14, N = 1645; psychopathy: k = 13, N = 1989) and observed positive within-couple correlations of small (narcissism, psychopathy) to medium (Machiavellianism) effect size for each of the dark triad traits.

Body weight and morphological profile of blood of deer (Cervus elaphus) in the conditions of Polissia Volyn

The homeostasis of the whole organism and the analysis of hematological parameters in red deer (Cervus elaphus) play an essential role in comparative physiology for health assessment and disease diagnosis. The obtained blood results can be the basis for assessing the condition of wild deer populations with an existing clinical picture or characterize the nutritional status, habitat, or other stress factors, as the hematopoietic system is susceptible to any changes in the animal body. In the course of the research, it was found that the body weight of adult deer varied depending on the population. Female deer of the Latvian and Lithuanian crossbreeds and the Eastern European population had the highest weight. As for the males, the animals of the Hungarian population had a higher weight than the English population. A high level of growth intensity in the early postnatal period was characteristic of both young females (body weight gain was in the range of 44.8–45.8 kg) and males (42.6–44.12 kg). The analysis of hematological parameters confirmed that the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin content increased in the blood of animals of the English population under technological stress (by 5.6 and 4.4 %). Regarding individual populations, it was noted that under the same conditions of immobilization of animals (medication), the number of red blood cells in the blood of Latvian crossbred deer was 8.5 % higher than the English population. The hemoglobin content was 5.3 % lower, and the saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin was 12.9 % lower. It was found that the hematological parameters of 3–4 month-old fawns (females and males) of the English population were characterized by relative stability. Against the background of a tendency to a higher number of red blood cells in females (by 12.8 %), the hemoglobin content was 3.3 % lower than in males. The number of leukocytes in the blood of females was slightly higher than that of males, although no significant deviations were noted in some forms of white blood cells.

Is Ambrosia trifida L. Preparing for a Wider Invasion? Changes in the Plant Morpho-Functional Traits over a Decade

Plastic traits are argued to favor the establishment of invasive alien plants and to evolve during the invasion process, so that invasions may be favored by both plasticity and evolutionary changes in plasticity. Despite this aspect being pivotal to understanding invasion processes, no information is available about the effect of residence time on the evolution of phenotypic plasticity of aliens to produce locally adapted phenotypes. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate changes in the morpho-functional traits of the invasive alien Ambrosia trifida L. over time. Specifically, we grew A. trifida plants under laboratory (at different temperatures: 10 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C) and field conditions by using seeds collected from 2011 to 2020 from an Eastern European population. Data about seedling emergence, vegetative (laboratory and field) and reproductive (field) traits were collected, e.g., maximum plant height (cm), total dry biomass (g), number of flowers (n) and number of new seeds (n). Analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear regressions and a plasticity index were applied to assess differences in plant performances when grown from seeds of different ages. An auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was applied to predict future trends of some key plant traits (maximum height, total dry biomass and number of new seeds). Overall, the time of seedling emergence was not statistically different among seeds of different age, and regression analyses exhibited a positive relationship between residence time (seed age) and vegetative and reproductive parameters of A. trifida. Only male flower production exhibited a negative trend over time. At all temperatures (especially at 25 °C), the vegetative parameters increased with the decrease in residence time. The plasticity index of the measured traits tended to decrease over time for most traits both in the field and in the laboratory trials. The ARIMA model predicted that plant traits will continue to increase in size over time by 2030, suggesting further plastic adaptation of A. trifida. The results highlighted that residence time influences the evolution of phenotypic plasticity of A. trifida, which has strengthened its adaptability to the new conditions over a decade, also demonstrating a great adaptive and invasion potential for the future.

Clinical and molecular characterization of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2G/R7 in a large cohort of Brazilian patients.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2G/R7 (LGMD2G/R7) is an ultra-rare condition initially identified within the Brazilian population. We aimed to expand clinical and genetic information about this disease, including its worldwide distribution. A multicenter historical cohort study was performed at 13 centers in Brazil in which data from index cases and their affected relatives from consecutive families with LGMD2G/R7 were reviewed from July 2017 to August 2023. Additionally, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify case reports and series of the disease worldwide. Forty-one LGMD2G/R7 cases were described in the Brazilian cohort, being all subjects homozygous for the c.157C>T/(p.Gln53*) variant in TCAP. Survival curves showed that the median disease duration before individuals required walking aids was 21 years. Notably, women exhibited a slower disease progression, requiring walking aids 13 years later than men. LGMD2G/R7 was frequently reported not only in Brazil but also in China and Bulgaria, with 119 cases identified globally, with possible founder effects in the Brazilian, Eastern European, and Asian populations. These findings are pivotal in raising awareness of LGMD2G/R7, understanding its progression, and identifying potential modifiers. This can significantly contribute to the development of future natural history studies and clinical trials for this disease.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Inherited Epidermolysis Bullosa in an Eastern European Population.

Background/Objectives: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a hereditary condition characterized by skin and mucosal fragility, with various degrees of severity. This study's objectives are to obtain updated epidemiological data that will help identify the specific types and subtypes of EB, determine the case distribution in Romania, and establish the incidence and prevalence of the condition. Methods: This population-based observational study included Romanian patients and collected data from 2012 to 2024. The following information was recorded: date of birth, status (deceased or alive), date of death (if applicable/available), sex, county, and city of residence, EB type and subtype if available, diagnosis (clinical and/or immunofluorescence mapping, transmission electron microscopy, genetic molecular analysis), affected genes, inheritance, and affected family members. Results: The study included a total of 152 patients. The point prevalence (the proportion of the population with a condition at a specific point in time) and the incidence of EB in Romania were 6.77 per million population and 24.23 per million live births, respectively. EB simplex (EBS), junctional EB (JEB), dystrophic EB (DEB), Kindler EB (KEB), and not otherwise specified EB, as well as EB (NOS), were the main types of the condition identified in 21%, 3%, 63%, 2%, and 11% of the total cases. The point prevalence and incidence for the same time intervals were 1.58 and 5.28 in EBS, 0.10 and 1.76 in JEB, 4.72 and 12.34 in DEB, 0.16 and 0 in KEB, and 0.21 and 4.85 in EB (NOS). Conclusions: The study provides updated epidemiological data for Romania and underlines the necessity for accurate diagnosis, facilitated by access to genetic molecular testing and better reporting systems.

Harmozica ravergiensis (Gastropoda: Hygromiidae) in Western Ukraine as part of anthropogenic expansion of its range

In September 2023, a large population of the Caucasian snail Harmozica ravergiensis was discovered in a newly built residential complex in Lviv. This is its second record in Western Ukraine, with an interval of almost 20 years, as well as the westernmost known locality of the species. Adults of H. ravergiensis from Lviv had larger shells compared to samples from other introduced Eastern European populations of this species, measured by us personally or described in the literature. Another 16 species of land molluscs, mostly alien to Ukraine or its western part, were found in Lviv together with H. ravergiensis. The latter includes a snail of Crimean origin, Monacha fruticola, which is still rarely recorded north of the steppe zone of Ukraine. In the studied area of Lviv, H. ravergiensis and M. fruticola often formed joint aggregations, which had never been observed before in Ukraine. Possible ways of penetration of H. ravergiensis and some other introduced molluscs into the studied area are discussed. Now H. ravergiensis is most often found in Eastern Ukraine, especially in the Donetsk region (the earliest known record dates back to 1990). There are also a few reliable finds in Western (since 2006) and Central (since 2015) Ukraine. In general, in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the range of H. ravergiensis expanded significantly, reaching the Tver region of Russia in the north, the southern Ural in the northeast, Central Asia in the southeast, and Western Ukraine in the west. Here, we analyse for the first time the extent of this expansion based on personally studied material, published data, and images in two citizen science databases.

An Eastern County from an European Eastern Country-The Characteristics of Cutaneous Microbiome in Psoriasis Patients-Preliminary Results.

The cutaneous microbiome represents a topic of high interest nowadays. Multiple studies have suggested the importance of the skin microbiome in different dermatological pathologies, highlighting the possible implications of cutaneous microorganisms in either the pathogenesis or prognosis of skin maladies. Psoriasis represents a common inflammatory skin disease, with a high prevalence in the worldwide population. The role of the cutaneous microbiome in psoriasis could explain a number of pathogenic theories and treatment objectives of this incurable skin disease. Our interest in the characteristics of the cutaneous microbiome, especially in psoriatic patients who attended a tertiary dermatological centre in Galati, Romania, is reflected in our current study, of which the preliminary results are discussed in this article. Using three types of skin sampling techniques (swabs, adhesive tape, and punch biopsies), we tried to characterise the microorganisms harboured in the skin of psoriatic patients and healthy individuals. This study was performed using culture-based probes, which were analysed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer equipment. Our preliminary results suggested that the greatest diversity was observed in the perilesional areas of psoriatic patients. The lowest cutaneous diversity was obtained from sampling psoriatic plaques. These results are similar to other studies of the cutaneous microbiome in psoriasis. The most frequent microorganisms found in all groups studied were of the Staphylococcus species: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Analysing the living environment of each individual from this study, our preliminary results suggested different results from other studies, as higher diversity and heterogenicity was observed in urban environments than in rural living areas. Regarding the differences between sexes, our preliminary results showed higher quantitative and qualitative changes in the skin microbiome of male participants than female participants, opposite to the results found in other studies of the cutaneous microbiome in psoriasis. Given these preliminary results, we can conclude that we have found important differences by studying the cutaneous microbiome of psoriatic patients and healthy control individuals from a population that, to our knowledge, has not been yet studied from this point of view. Our results showed important characteristics of the skin microbiome in an Eastern European population, where cultural and environmental living habits could influence the cutaneous microbiome.

#1638 Long-term mortality trends in IgA nephropathy: a study of an Eastern European cohort

Abstract Background and Aims IgA Nephropathy (IgAN), recognized as the most prevalent form of primary glomerulonephritis, has been thoroughly researched in terms of renal outcomes. However, there is a scarcity of data regarding patient survival, especially in Eastern Europe. Our study focuses on exploring the long-term survival rates of IgAN patients and identifying associated risk factors within an Eastern European population. Method In our retrospective study, we analyzed 215 patients with biopsy proven IgAN (median age 44 years, 71% male, median eGFR 40.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, median proteinuria 1.24g/g) diagnosed at a tertiary center in Romania from 2010 to 2017. Our study primarily focused on all-cause mortality and secondarily on the development of ESKD (start of kidney replacement therapy or renal transplantation). The follow-up for patients continued until they reached either of these endpoints or until January 1, 2022, whichever came first. Results During a median follow-up of 7.3 years, 20% of the patients died. The main causes of death were cardiovascular diseases (60%), followed by infectious (19%), gastroenterological (12%), and neoplasia (9%) diseases. Mean survival of the entire cohort was 117.5 months (95% CI: 111.2, 123.8) and mean kidney survival was 98.4 months (95% CI: 90.5, 106.2). Survival rates at 1 year, 5 years and 10 years were 93%, 84% and 77% respectively, and kidney survival rates at 1 year, 5 years and 10 years were 87%, 72% and 58% respectively. When compared to the survivors, deceased patients were significantly older (60 vs 42 years, p 0.001) and had an increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus (26 vs 4%, p 0.001) and higher Charlson comorbidity index (5 vs 2, p 0.001). Deceased patients also had significantly higher serum creatinine levels (3.3 vs 1.6 mg/dL, p 0.001), lower eGFR (18 vs 46 mL/min, p 0.001), and more haematuria (230 vs 183cells/HPF, p 0.01). There was no significant difference in proteinuria between the two groups (1.1 vs 1.2g/g, p 0.3). In the univariate Cox regression analysis, all-cause mortality was significantly associated with several factors: advancing age (HR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.11), an increased Charlson comorbidity index (HR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.42, 1.80), the presence of diabetes mellitus (HR 5.13, 95% CI: 2.57, 10.25), lower eGFR (HR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93, 0.97), increased proteinuria (HR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.25), the presence of haematuria (HR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.53), lower serum albumin (HR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.56), higher MEST-C score (HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.13, 1.69) and absence of renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors (RASI) (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.17, 0.60). However, in the multivariate analysis, only an increased Charlson comorbidity index (HR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.57), lower eGFR (HR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-1.00) and absence of RASI (HR 0.21, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.28) retained their statistical significance. Conclusion We report a 20% mortality rate in our Eastern European IgAN cohort, primarily due to cardio-vascular diseases. Death correlates with increased age, comorbidity burden, decreased renal function at diagnosis, and absence of RASI use. RASI treatment may potentially improve survival, highlighting its importance in managing IgAN.

Occurrence of Dermacentor reticulatus incentral-southern Poland, and potential threats to human and animal health.

Dermacentor reticulatus is one of the tick species of the greatest epidemiological importance in Europe. To date, the Eastern European and Western European populations of this tick species have been separated by an area located in Poland where the species has never been found. In this study, newly discovered D. reticulatus localities in areas transformed by human activities in central-southern Poland are described. The specimens of the ornate dog tick were identified among ticks collected from companion animals in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014. They were examined using PCR methods to detect Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., Babesia spp., and Toxoplasma gondii. In the case of the positive results, the amplicons were sequenced and examined by a BLAST search. In total, 6 specimens of D. reticulatus were collected (3 females and 3 males). As declared by the owners, animal hosts stayed in the same area throughout the study period and had never travelled outside their place of residence. As many as 3/6 (50%) of D. reticulatus adults removed from dogs were infected with Rickettsia raoultii. The results expand the available data on the spread of the ornate dog tick and indicate that, since 2010, this tick species and Rickettsia raoultii transmitted by this tick species have probably been present in this area, which has a strongly transformed agricultural structure and and had previously been regarded as a D. reticulatus-free zone. The presence of the ornate dog tick in urban and suburban habitats in central-southern Poland poses new threats to the health of companion animals and humans associated with the transmission of pathogens by this species.

Tick-borne pathogens in questing adults Dermacentor reticulatus from the Eastern European population (north-eastern Poland)

Dermacentor reticulatus is tick species with an expanding geographical range in Europe, which creates the possibility of spreading microorganisms of significant veterinary and medical importance. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in adult D. reticulatus ticks from the Eastern European population in the urban and the natural biotopes of north-eastern Poland. Microorganisms were detected by PCR and identified by DNA sequencing. The overall infection rate of at least one of the pathogens was 29.6%. The predominantly was Rickettsia spp. (27.1%) (with R. raoultii—9.1%) followed by Babesia spp. (2.4%) with B. canis (1.5%) as the most frequent. Based on 18S rRNA gene sequence, three B. canis genotypes were revealed. The prevalence of R. raoultii and B. canis was significantly higher in ticks from natural biotopes. The infection rates of B. afzelii and A. phagocytophilum were determined at 0.9% and 0.3%, respectively. Co-infections were detected in 3.8% of infected ticks. In diagnosing tick-borne diseases in humans, tick-borne lymphadenopathy should not be excluded. The prevalence of different genotypes of B. canis suggests differences in the clinical picture of canine babesiosis in the area.

Origin of the Andronovans: A Statistical Approach

The origin of the Andronovo population is explored using a statistical rather than typological approach. Four questions are raised. Which Eastern European populations of the Middle Bronze and the transition to the Late Bronze Age had taken part in Andronovo origins? What was the contribution of the southern groups? What was the role of the autochthonous Siberian substratum? What was the population background of the dichotomy between two major Andronovo cultural traditions, Fedorovka and Alakul? To address these questions, measurements of 12 male Andronovo cranial samples (nine relating to Fedorovka and three to Alakul) and 85 male cranial samples from Eastern Europe, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Southwestern Central Asia, Southern Caucasus, and the Near East were subjected to canonical variate analysis, and minimum spanning trees were constructed. The results suggest that the most likely ancestors of Andronovans were Late Catacomb tribes of Northern Caucasus, people of Poltavka, Sintashta, and those associated with the Abashevo-Sintashta horizon. While no direct parallels with Southern Caucasian, Southwestern Central Asian or Near Eastern populations were found among Andronovo groups, some of them could have inherited the southern component from either the Abashevo or the Catacomb people. In the former case, one should postulate a gradient: Fatyanovo → Balanovo → Abashevo → Sintashta → Petrovka → Andronovo; in the latter case, the variation within Andronovo is directly derivable from that among the Catacomb populations. Andronovo groups displaying an autochthonous Siberian tendency demonstrate various degrees of “mutual assimilation” between immigrants and pre-Mongoloid natives. Differences between the Fedorovka and Alakul samples are significant but very small. A special role of Petrovka in the origin of Alakul is not supported by the analysis.

The Size of the Household of Šiauliai Parish Residents in the First Half of the 19th Century (According to the Data of the Visitations)

The article aims to reveal the possibilities of the data contained in the parish visitations in determining the average household size of the residents of Šiauliai parish. Firstly, the data on visitations allows us to learn about the number of residents who came to catholic confession and those who did not come to catholic confession. Secondly, the source allows us to learn about the number of households in all parish settlements. The data is important for calculating the number of residents in the settlements and in the whole parish. The data on the number of residents allows us to calculate the size of the households in separate settlements and in the whole parish. Moreover, this data can be used for the reconstruction of parish geographical territory. On the other hand, the data on parish visitations can be incorrect as usually statistical information was rewritten from the earlier sources. Considering Šiauliai catholic parish visitations, it should be noted that later visitations were rewritten from the visitations of the year 1820, thus this research only deals with the situation of the year 1820. The analysis revealed that the geographical territory of Šiauliai parish has not significantly changed since the middle of the 17th century. Also, those settlements that were the largest in terms of population in the middle of the 17th century, remained the largest in the first half of the 19th century. After calculating the ratio of those who went to confession and those who did not go, it was found that in the visitations of Šiauliai parish, only the number of Catholics was given, and in some settlements far from the center of the parish, there was a high number of those who did not go to confessions, most likely it indicates pastoral problems, and not the population of other denominations. On average, 9.7 people lived in one household in Šiauliai parish, 7.98 lived in Šiauliai city, 14.5 lived in Kužiai town, and 11.35 lived in Meškuičiai town. After comparing the results of the research with the data of other cities and towns, it can be said that larger cities were characterized by smaller households, while small towns were characterized by larger households. Meanwhile, it is not easy to compare the obtained research results with the household data of the Central and Eastern European population, because the research results are highly dependent on the concept of the household. Nevertheless, it can be said that the average household size of Šiauliai parish was close to the household size of the residents of Nereta (Latvia).

The Southern European Atlantic diet and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a European multicohort study.

The Southern European Atlantic diet (SEAD) is the traditional dietary pattern of northwestern Spain and northern Portugal, but it may resemble that of central, eastern, and western European countries. The SEAD has been found associated with lower risk of myocardial infarction and mortality in older adults, but it is uncertain whether this association also exists in other European populations and if it is similar as that found in its countries of origin. We conducted a prospective analysis of four cohorts with 35 917 subjects aged 18-96 years: ENRICA (Spain), HAPIEE (Czechia and Poland), and Whitehall II (United Kingdom). The SEAD comprised fresh fish, cod, red meat and pork products, dairy, legumes and vegetables, vegetable soup, potatoes, whole-grain bread, and moderate wine consumption. Associations were adjusted for sociodemographic variables, energy intake, lifestyle, and morbidity. After a median follow-up of 13.6 years (range = 0-15), we recorded 4 973 all-cause, 1 581 cardiovascular, and 1 814 cancer deaths. Higher adherence to the SEAD was associated with lower mortality in the pooled sample. Fully adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval per 1-standard deviation increment in the SEAD were 0.92 (0.89, 0.95), 0.91 (0.86, 0.96), and 0.94 (0.89, 0.99) for all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality, respectively. The association of the SEAD with all-cause mortality was not significantly different between countries [Spain = 0.93 (0.88, 0.99), Czechia = 0.94 (0.89,0.99), Poland = 0.89 (0.85, 0.93), United Kingdom = 0.98 (0.89, 1.07); P for interaction = 0.16]. The SEAD was associated with lower all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in southern, central, eastern, and western European populations. Associations were of similar magnitude as those found for existing healthy dietary patterns.

Major Contribution of c.[1622T>C;3113C>T] Complex Allele and c.5882G>A Variant in ABCA4-Related Retinal Dystrophy in an Eastern European Population.

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) constitute a prevalent group of inherited ocular disorders characterized by marked genetic diversity alongside moderate clinical variability. Among these, ABCA4-related eye pathology stands as a prominent form affecting the retina. In this study, we conducted an in-depth analysis of 96 patients harboring ABCA4 variants in the European part of Russia. Notably, the complex allele c.[1622T>C;3113C>T] (p.Leu541Pro;Ala1038Val, or L541P;A1038V) and the variant c.5882G>A (p.Gly1961Glu or G1961E) emerged as primary contributors to this ocular pathology within this population. Additionally, we elucidated distinct disease progression characteristics associated with the G1961E variant. Furthermore, our investigation revealed that patients with loss-of-function variants in ABCA4 were more inclined to develop phenotypes distinct from Stargardt disease. These findings provide crucial insights into the genetic and clinical landscape of ABCA4-related retinal dystrophies in this specific population.

Scientific and educational potential of the malacological collection of the State Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

The importance of the malacological collection of the State Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Lviv for the history and further development of malacological research in Ukraine is considered. The scientific potential of stock malacological materials, accumulated in the museum since the second half of the 19th century and significantly supplemented during the last decades, was analyzed in temporal and geographical aspects, as well as taking into account the taxonomic diversity and intraspecific conchological variability of the molluscs of Ukraine, the presence of typical materials, etc. It was found that the main (scientific) part of the malacological collection well represents the present land and freshwater mollusc fauna of Ukraine and its western part. Not represented in the museum's malacological collection are still some species that are mainly locally distributed in Ukraine and often have small sizes, which further complicates their sampling. Among the more recent additions to the malacological collection, we can especially mention the samples related to the study of the land mollusc fauna of the steppe zone of Ukraine, which remained poorly studied until the end of the 20th and even the beginning of the 21st century, as well as to the shell color and banding polymorphism in the Eastern European populations of two introduced species, Cepaea nemoralis and C. hortensis. Among the auxiliary part of the malacological collection, a large block of materials that can be used for exhibition purposes is selected. They allow demonstrating a wide range of topics from the taxonomic and morphological diversity of molluscs of Ukraine and the world to conchological adaptations. It can be useful when studying corresponding sections of a school biology course, as well as for students of biological specialties, amateur naturalists, etc. Various forms of virtual exhibiting allow to shown the public also numerous materials of the main (scientific) part of the malacological collection, which became possible within the framework of the Educational online program “Molluscs”. This allows us to talk about the gradual transformation of the main part of the malacological collection from a classical scientific collection to a scientific and educational one with virtual access.

The Molecular Evidence for Invasive Climber Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. &amp; A. Gray in Eastern and Central Europe

The climbing cucurbit Echinocystis lobata, native to North America and alien to many European countries, was assessed for its genetic diversity and differentiation across its introduced range of populations by applying markers of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Various tests, including an evaluation of the intrapopulation diversity, principal coordinate, and molecular variance analyses, showed that the Central and Eastern European populations differing in geography and arrival history are also distinct in the genetic parameters. Genetic diversity, defined as the percentage of polymorphic AFLP loci, ranged within 28–62% (on average 51%) at the regional scale (in Romanian, Baltic State, and Central Russian populations), and was very similar to this parameter at the local scale (on average 52% for Lithuanian populations). The differentiation was significant among the populations of the regions (Ф = 0.125, p = 0.001) and at the local scale (among the Lithuanian populations of the different river basins, Ф = 0.058, p = 0.010). The Bayesian results suggested the presence of three genetic clusters among the 29 sites, with populations from Romania, Latvia, Estonia, and the northern part of Lithuania comprising one prevailing cluster, populations from the Nemunas river basin of Lithuania comprising either the former mentioned cluster or the second cluster, and populations of Central Russia comprising the third genetic cluster. Overall, E. lobata in Europe has probably originated from multiple introductions. The intentional anthropogenic seed dispersal by marketing accompanied by hydrochory might have an impact on such a profile of genetic clusters.