Morphofunctional Characteristics Research Articles

Peculiarities of morpho-functional characteristics of platelets in women with early and late preeclampsia

Introduction. In preeclampsia (PE), the hemostasis system, including the platelet component, changes significantly. The purpose of the work was to identify the peculiarities of the morpho-functional characteristics of platelets in women with early and late PE. Material and methods. The main group consisted of 26 women with early PE and 46 women with late PE. The control group consisted of women with normal pregnancies without hypertensive disorders, of whom 17 were at a gestational age of 260–336 weeks and 42 were at a gestational age of 340–394 weeks. The ADVIA 2120i hematology analyzer was used to evaluate platelet concentration (PLT), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), concentration of large platelets (Large PLT), percentage of large platelets from the total number of platelets (%LP), mean platelet component concentration (MPC), mean dry platelet mass (MPM). Results. Women with early PE have increased PDW, MPV, LargePlt, %LP and MPM indices compared to women with normal pregnancies up to 34 weeks. Female patients with late PE had lower PLT and higher PDW, %LP, MPC, MPM compared to women with normal pregnancies after 34 weeks. In late PE, PLT is reduced and PDW, %LP and MPM are increased compared to early PE. Conclusion. The detected changes in platelet indices in women with PE, regardless of the period of its onset, indirectly indicate increased thrombopoiesis and high functional activity of young platelets. However, the mechanisms that increase platelet activation in early and late preeclampsia differ.

Blockade of Sialylation with Decrease in Polysialic Acid Levels Counteracts Transforming Growth Factor β1-Induced Skin Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Transition.

Aberrant sialylation with overexpression of the homopolymeric glycan polysialic acid (polySia) was recently reported in fibroblasts from fibrotic skin lesions. Yet, whether such a rise in polySia levels or sialylation in general may be functionally implicated in profibrotic activation of fibroblasts and their transition to myofibroblasts remains unknown. Therefore, we herein explored whether inhibition of sialylation could interfere with the process of skin fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition induced by the master profibrotic mediator transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1). Adult human skin fibroblasts were pretreated with the competitive pan-sialyltransferase inhibitor 3-Fax-peracetyl-Neu5Ac (3-Fax) before stimulation with recombinant human TGFβ1, and then analyzed for polySia expression, cell viability, proliferation, migratory ability, and acquisition of myofibroblast-like morphofunctional features. Skin fibroblast stimulation with TGFβ1 resulted in overexpression of polySia, which was effectively blunted by 3-Fax pre-administration. Pretreatment with 3-Fax efficiently lessened TGFβ1-induced skin fibroblast proliferation, migration, changes in cell morphology, and phenotypic and functional differentiation into myofibroblasts, as testified by a significant reduction in FAP, ACTA2, COL1A1, COL1A2, and FN1 gene expression, and α-smooth muscle actin, N-cadherin, COL1A1, and FN-EDA protein levels, as well as a reduced contractile capability. Moreover, skin fibroblasts pre-administered with 3-Fax displayed a significant decrease in Smad3-dependent canonical TGFβ1 signaling. Collectively, our in vitro findings demonstrate for the first time that aberrant sialylation with increased polySia levels has a functional role in skin fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and suggest that competitive sialyltransferase inhibition might offer new therapeutic opportunities against skin fibrosis.

Altered Morpho-Functional Features of Neurogenesis in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Non-Combustion-Derived Magnetite.

Neurogenesis is the process by which new brain cells are formed. This crucial event emerges during embryonic life and proceeds in adulthood, and it could be influenced by environmental pollution. Non-combustion-derived magnetite represents a portion of the coarse particulate matter (PM) contributing to air and water pollution in urban settings. Studies on humans have reported that magnetite and other iron oxides have significant damaging effects at a central level, where these particles accumulate and promote oxidative stress. Similarly, magnetite nanoparticles can cross the placenta and damage the embryo brain during development, but the impact on neurogenesis is still unknown. Furthermore, an abnormal Fe cation concentration in cells and tissues might promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and has been associated with multiple neurodegenerative conditions. In the present study, we used zebrafish as an in vivo system to analyze the specific effects of magnetite on embryonic neurogenesis. First, we characterized magnetite using mineralogical and spectroscopic analyses. Embryos treated with magnetite at sub-lethal concentrations showed a dose-response increase in ROS in the brain, which was accompanied by a massive decrease in antioxidant genes (sod2, cat, gsr, and nrf2). In addition, a higher number of apoptotic cells was observed in embryos treated with magnetite. Next, interestingly, embryos exposed to magnetite displayed a decrease in neural staminal progenitors (nestin, sox2, and pcna markers) and a neuronal marker (elavl3). Finally, we observed significative increases in apoeb (specific microglia marker) and interleukin-1b (il1b), confirming a status of inflammation in the brain embryos treated with magnetite. Our study represents the very first in vivo evidence concerning the effects of magnetite on brain development.

Morphofunctional characteristics of the gonads in females of the pontic shad Alosa immaculata in modern ecological conditions of the lower Nistru in the spring-summer period

Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata) is a migratory gregarious fish that spawns in the Don, Dnieper, Dniester, Danube and other rivers. The species is of valuable commercial importance. This work analyzes changes in the reproductive functions of the commercially valuable species of pontic shad (Alosa immaculata) under conditions of fragmentation of the river Dniester. Currently, the age composition, as well as the linear weight indicators of the spawning pontic shad population, turned out to be similar to the data of previous years. Oogenesis of Dniester’s pontic shad is characterized by asynchronous development of germ cells and portioned release of eggs. Spawning of spawners begins in the third ten days of May, at a water temperature of 18°C and ends in July. In the lower Dniester in April and July were revealed in some females’ destructive changes in the development of vitellogenin oocytes, which will negatively affect the population size of migratory herring.

Ectopic Pitx2 expression and sinoatrial node dysfunction in mice recapitulating a novel cardiac syndrome identified in unrelated families with deletions in a gene desert on chromosome 4q25

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Dutch Research Councin/NWO Introduction Several unrelated families presenting with a complex, heterogeneous cardiac syndrome including sinoatrial node dysfunction and atrial fibrillation were found to share overlapping deletions in a 1.5 Megabase pair gene desert on chromosome 4q25. These overlapping regions contain evolutionarily conserved CTCF binding sites that modulate the separation of topologically associating domains containing the transcription factor-encoding gene PITX2 and noncoding RNA genes. Aim To understand mechanistically how the deletion in the gene desert causes sinoatrial node dysfunction and atrial arrhythmias. Methods Mice lacking the orthologue of the minimally overlapping genomic region deleted in affected patients were generated. Electrophysiology, morphology, tissue composition, and transcriptomes were analysed in this mouse model. Results These mice recapitulated major morpho-functional features of the syndrome, including sinoatrial node dysfunction and atrial arrhythmogenesis . Out of the 15 genes flanking the gene desert, only Pitx2 expression was deregulated in the sinoatrial node. During development, cardiac Pitx2c expression is normally restricted to the left side where it drives left sinus venosus and left atrial morphogenesis and prevents the formation of a left-sided sinoatrial node. The PITX2 locus has also been associated with atrial fibrillation in GWAS. Immunohistochemistry together with 3D volume analysis showed that Pitx2c was ectopically expressed in half of the pacemaker cardiomyocytes of the developing and postnatal sinoatrial node while its expression in the left atrium was maintained. Key transcription factors that drive pacemaker cell differentiation, Tbx3, Isl1 and Shox2, were lost where Pitx2c was ectopically expressed. Moreover, a conserved long non-coding RNA (Playrr) previously linked to Pitx2 regulation in the developing dorsal mesentery, was downregulated in the sinoatrial node of homozygous mutants. The downregulation of the pacemaker gene program additionally coincided with the activation of the atrial myocardial gene program in half of the pacemaker cardiomyocytes. Conclusion We generated a mouse model of a novel human cardiac syndrome including sinoatrial node dysfunction associated with the deletion of critical CTCF binding sites in a gene desert on chromosome 4q25. This deletion induced ectopic Pitx2c expression in the sinoatrial node alongside a substantial loss of pacemaker cardiomyocyte identity and a gain in a working atrial myocardium-like phenotype in the sinoatrial node of affected mice.Loss of pacemaker cardiomyocyte identitySinoatrial node dysfunction in mutants

A longer period of epididymal sperm interaction with extender components during cryopreservation improves sperm quality, decreases the size of sperm distal cytoplasmic droplets, and changes the number of nanoparticles in the extender

While cryopreservation of cauda epididymal sperm (SpCau) allows the preservation of post-mortem bulls’ gametes, the process triggers sperm damage. Although improving post-thaw sperm quality, using egg yolk extenders (EY) raises biosafety concerns which forces the use of EY-free extenders (EYFE). Since EYFE are less efficient in preserving post-thaw sperm quality, a strategy for ejaculated sperm (SpEj) frozen with EYFE is to add an Equilibrium Time (ET) step period to the cryopreservation process. However, the ET effect on the quality of SpCau cryopreserved in EYFE remains unknown. Distinct from SpEJ, SpCau physiologically displays cytoplasmic droplets (CDs) in the flagellum that may benefit cell exchange during ET. We hypothesized that using ET in SpCau cryopreserved with EYFE impacts sperm morphofunctional features, CD area, and in vitro fertility ability. Extender nanoparticles were also assessed. Following collection from the cauda epididymis of six Nellore bulls by retrograde flow, SpCau were cryopreserved in EYFE BoviFree® (Minitube, Germany) using three ET protocols: ET0 (no-ET); ET2.5 (2.5 h-ET); and ET5 (5 h-ET). SpCau from ET2.5 and ET5 showed a higher (P ≤ 0.05) percentage of motility and integrity of plasma and acrosome membranes and a smaller (P ≤ 0.05) distal CD area. There are no differences in sperm abnormalities, oxidative stress, capacitation-like events, and in vitro fertility ability. However, a better sperm recovery was found after Percoll® selection for ET2.5 and ET5. Interestingly, the number of nanoparticles in the extender decreased in post-thawed samples. In conclusion, an ET of 2.5 or 5 h is required for an efficient SpCau cryopreservation using an EYFE.

Predictors of morphofunctional features of somatotrophic tumors and of the effectiveness of treatment with first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands

Predictors of morphofunctional features of somatotrophic tumors and of the effectiveness of treatment with first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands

ADAPTATION MECHANISMS ARE USED BY THE BODY OF STUDENTS FOR RECOVERY AFTER PHYSICAL EXERTION

The study of the morphofunctional features of the body's adaptation to constantly changing living conditions is considered one of the most important problems of biology and medicine today. The effectiveness of adaptive processes in the body is the primary basis of good health and high productivity. Therefore, the resolution of the unexplained issues of this problem is important for the prevention and treatment of diseases, the search for effective rehabilitation measures. Knowledge of the laws of adaptation of the human body (athlete) to physical exertion is an objective prerequisite for the effective use of physical exercises in the rationalization of physical training aimed at preserving and strengthening people's health, increasing their work capacity, and implementing a genetically programmed longevity program. The defining function of muscle activity is the function of active adaptation of the body to constantly changing environmental conditions. The ultimate goal of this active adjustment is to maintain internal constancy environment, expanding the homeostatic limits of individual physiological constants, ensuring highly productive activity. The most effective means of adaptive change of a person's own nature is systematic physical training. High perfection of mechanisms of neurohumoral regulation functions; optimization of inter-system and intra-system connections; high development of self-regulation in the activity of functional systems. There is a direct relationship between the power of work and the perfection of mechanisms of regulation of functions: the more intensively the body functions under conditions of physical exertion, the greater the tension of regulatory systems; the more perfectly function regulation systems function, the body will be able to develop greater work capacity [1].

Caveolin-1 frame-shift mutation induces multifunctional alterations in human fibroblasts that are exosome-mediated

Caveolins, Cav1-3, are oligomeric proteins critical for the formation of membrane caveolae that regulate cell physiology. A de novo frameshift mutation (Cav1F160X) in Cav1 (Cav1M) was described in a patient with a progeria-like phenotype, lipodystrophy, and pulmonary hypertension. We hypothesize that Cav1M presents as a dominant negative protein that perturbs cellular physiology, particularly nuclear morphology, mitochondrial function, plasma membrane structure, and exocytic behavior. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of patient-derived dermal fibroblasts (Cav1M) showed abnormal nuclear shape, increased rough endoplasmic reticulum, and an increased number of autophagosomes. Cav1M cells present an abnormal mitochondrial size and shape, accompanied by a reduced mitochondrial capacity for energy production detected by Seahorse real-time oximetry analysis. In addition, we observed in the patient’s fibroblasts an altered pattern of Cav1 expression and distribution, with less Cav1 in caveolae membrane fractions, together with a reduced membrane cholesterol concentration and number of caveolae. Electron paramagnetic spectroscopy shows an altered localization of proteins commonly found in caveolae fractions and increased membrane fluidity. Interestingly, Cav1M fibroblasts showed 4-fold increase in exosome secretion. Nanoparticle tracking and TEM analysis revealed a significant reduction in nanoparticle size in Cav1M-derived exosomes. Normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) treated to express Cav1M (Cav1M1-159) or exogenously exposed to exosomes isolated from Cav1M fibroblasts showed altered nuclear morphology, exosome secretion profile, proteomics, and miRNA analysis. Our results indicate that mutations in the C-terminus of Cav1 lead to significant cellular alterations at different levels that can lead to morpho-functional features, energetic imbalances, membrane ultrastructure abnormalities, and exosome secretion and signaling alterations. These findings suggest a novel role of Cav1 that links several aspects of cell physiology, from plasma and nuclear membrane dynamics to exocytic behavior, that have potential implications in cellular communication impacting physiology and pathophysiology. 5R01HL091071. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Lesser omentum of white rats: structural and functional characteristics

Background. According to the literature, all mammals have two omenta, one of which is the greater omentum and the other one is the lesser omentum, but white rats have two additional derivatives of the visceral peritoneum, homologous in structure to the greater omentum - called the epididymal omentum. Today, the greater omentum is comprehensively studied and arouses great interest among researchers, in turn, the lesser omentum is not popular among scientists, as a result of which many details of its anatomical and histological structure remain undisclosed. Objective. To study the morpho-functional features of the structure of the lesser omentum of white rats through a bibliographic analysis of the literature. Methods. This bibliographic analysis is based on published articles, books, textbooks, and monographs. The search for which was carried out on the worldwide network "Internet" in the scientific and metric databases of Google Scholar, Web of Science and PubMed, foreign sources of literature and the National Library of Medicine. Results. The lesser omentum is formed due to the successive transition of the duplication of the peritoneum, from the lower surface of the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach and duodenum. At the small curvature of the stomach, the leaves that form the lesser omentum diverge and cover the front-upper and back-lower walls of the stomach. The lesser omentum consists of the hepatogastric ligament, which is an extremely thin and transparent membrane, and a thicker, transparent membrane - the hepatoduodenal ligament, which is attached to the duodenum. Microscopically, it consists of two main structural elements: thin fenestrated translucent membranes and adipose tissue-rich areas containing milky spots that may play a role in the immune defense of the peritoneal cavity. Conclusion. So, according to the analysis, the lesser omentum mainly performs a connecting role and provides support and stabilization of the organs of the abdominal cavity between which it is located.

Morphofunctional characteristics of muscle fascia and the impact of its mobilization on the sports scene: an integrative review

The use of myofascial release has been the subject of study by scholars from different areas of health. Although there is a smaller number of researches, scientific findings point to a strong impact of its inclusion in protocols. Objective: to identify the morphofunctional characteristics of the muscular fascia and the impact of its mobilization in the sporting scenario. Method: the search was carried out in the LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, SPORTDiscus and Embase databases, using the SPIDER strategy. Results: 40 stud-ies were selected, which revealed the main aspects regarding energy transmissibility through the muscular fascia. Conclusion: it is important to strengthen the relationship between the inclusion of myofascial release in protocols and the professional's skills. This research suggests combining self-applied release with Foam rollin with other standard stretches over a period of at least 8 weeks for ROM and explosive strength, before or after warm-up, with the purpose of both performance and prevention for athletes.

Book Review: Milto I.V. Human Functional Morphology. Textbook in 3 volumes. Vol. 1: Viscerology. M.: Logosphere. 2022

The reviewed book is the first volume of the three-volume textbook “Human Functional Morphology” (Vol. 1 – Viscerology. Vol. 2 – Nervous system and sensory organ system. Vol. 3. Musculoskeletal system and cardiovascular system) and describes morphofunctional features of the human internal organs based on an interdisciplinary approach at the macroscopic, tissue, cellular and subcellular levels. The first volume of the textbook consists of 9 chapters, each of which represents a separate system of the human body. The description of each organ contains signs of the sources and course of development, their morphofunctional features are given, and issues of blood supply, innervation and functional significance are considered. The textbook will be useful for university students of medical and biological specialties, and can be used as a fundamental guide to human morphology by doctors of diverse specialties, biologists and embryologists.

Psychophysical, electrofunctional, and morphological evaluation in naïve neovascular AMD patients treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF.

The aim of this study was to investigate the retinal morpho-functional characteristics of patients with neovascular wet age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with intravitreal injection (IV) of aflibercept (AFL). The study was conducted on 35 patients previously diagnosed with type 1 nAMD who received a fixed-dosing regimen of aflibercept injections over 12 months. The goal was to assess trends in visual abilities over time by measuring visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), visual evoked potentials (VEPs), and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The same psychophysical, electro-functional, and morphological tests administered at baseline (T0) were repeated 4 to 8 weeks after the last aflibercept injection (Tn), resulting in a total of six examinations. At Tn, all subjects exhibited improved VA for both far and near distances compared to values detected at T0. Similarly, VEP amplitude and latency values at Tn showed a greater P100 improvement than those observed at T0. Additionally, the CS examination at Tn demonstrated improvement, particularly at high spatial stimulation frequencies. The Tn SD-OCT results highlighted a reduction in macular thickness compared to T0 values. This exploratory research indicates that intravitreal injections of AFL, following a fixed-dosing regimen, represent a valuable therapeutic approach for enhancing visual performance. This conclusion is supported by comprehensive statistical analysis of psychophysical, electro-functional, and morphological examinations within the same group of patients with nAMD, as demonstrated for the first time.

Morphofunctional characteristics of the vessels of the small circle of blood circulation in those who died from severe and extremely severe forms of new coronavirus infection

BACKGROUND: An important feature of COVID-19 is the development of pronounced hypercoagulation with an increased risk of thrombotic damage to the pulmonary vascular bed, mainly the pulmonary arteries. Thrombosis of the pulmonary blood vessels causes a local violation of hemodynamics with the development of hyperemia, edema, which leads to a decrease in ventilation of the lung tissue area and serves as one of the causes of respiratory failure.
 AIM: This study aimed to conduct a morphological and morphometric analysis of the vascular bed of lung tissues in deceased with severe and extremely severe forms of new coronavirus infection who were on inpatient treatment in the period 2020-2022.
 METHODS: A pathomorphologic study of 129 autopsy cases with a confirmed diagnosis of a new coronavirus infection COVID-19 was performed. Morphometric analysis and statistical data processing of the pulmonary vascular system in histologic preparations stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain, orcein stain and Martius Scarlet Blue (MSB) stain was performed. The control group consisted of 14 patients who died of cardiovascular disease with bilateral focal confluent pneumonia.
 RESULTS: It was found that the proportion of thrombosed vessels in the lung tissues of the deceased was 27.6%. In 87.2% of cases, thrombosis develops in small arteries (lumen diameter 30-500 microns) and small veins (lumen diameter 40-500 microns). The vascular-functional indices of Kernogan and Vogenworth were statistically significantly increased in small arteries and small veins of the 4th order (p=0.001), small arteries (p=0.001) and small veins of the 5th order (p=0.014) compared with the control group.
 CONCLUSION: Diffuse involvement of small caliber blood vessels in the pathological process reflects the severity of specific hemocoagulopathic disorders in the lung tissue. Such disorders lead to the development of ventilation-perfusion disorders and entail an increase in right ventricular failure.

Комбинированный метод лечения рефрактерного диабетического макулярного отека

Purpose. To determine the effectiveness of the anatomical and functional results of treatment of refractory diabetic macular edema after removal of the inner limiting membrane using the latest generation anti-VEGF drug. Material and methods. We examined 6 patients with 1st type and 2nd type diabetes mellitus. The average age of the subjects was 47.45 ± 27.15 years. Of these, there were 4 women and 2 men. 1st type diabetes mellitus was detected in 2 people, in other patients — 2nd type. 3 patients had previously undergone pan-retinal photocoagulation (from 1st to 2nd stages). All patients received intravitreal injections (anti-VEGF) of Eylea (4–5 injections) during the last year. According to the optical coherence tomogram (OCT), macular edema was recorded, recurring on average after 1.36 ± 0.85 months. All patients underwent surgical treatment. In the presence of lens opacity, surgical treatment was started with phacoemulsification of cataracts. A microinvasive subtotal vitrectomy was performed with the removal of the posterior layers of the vitreous body and proliferative membranes fixed to the retina. The removal of the inner boundary membrane was performed after its staining in the size of two to three diameters of the optic disc without any tamponade. After 2 months, two patients had an increase in retinal thickness in the fovea. These patients received one injection of Vabismo. Results. The compared groups did not differ in morphofunctional characteristics. In the postoperative period, there was a tendency to increase visual acuity and decrease retinal thickness, regression of hard exudates in 4 patients. In 2 patients, an increase in retinal thickness in the fovea was noted after 2 months. After intravitreal injection of the latest generation anti-VEGF drug (Vabismo), these patients also showed an increase in visual acuity, regression of solid exudates and a decrease in retinal thickness. Conclusion. Microinvasive subtotal vitrectomy with removal of the inner limiting membrane in combination with intravitreal injection of the latest generation anti-VEGF drug (Vabismo) is an effective method of treating refractory diabetic macular edema. Keywords: anti-VEGF, Vabismo, diabetic macular edema, intravitreal injections, optical coherence tomogram, subtotal vitrectomy, inner boundary membrane

Effects of high-calorie diet-induced visceral obesity on reproductive hormones and muscle tissues in male and female Wistar rats

Overweight and obesity are associated with alterations in the reproductive system, which affect the anabolic supply to peripheral muscle tissues. The study aimed to investigate the effects of a high-calorie diet (HCD) on the development of obesity, reproductive hormone levels, and morphofunctional characteristics of muscle tissues in Wistar rats (i.e., 54 sexually mature male and female Wistar rats) for 16 weeks. Male rats fed with an HCD displayed (i) visceral obesity and hypogonadism, (ii) a decrease in the mass of the musculus triceps surae, (iii) increased levels of total protein, cholesterol, glucose, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and (iv) stable concentrations of estradiol and testosterone in the muscle tissues. In contrast, female rats fed with HCD displayed (i) visceral obesity, (ii) alterations in reproductive hormones toward hyperandrogenism, (iii) decreased metabolism in the muscle tissues, and (iv) increased levels of estradiol and MDA (without SOD activation). The cross-sectional area of the muscle fiber was significantly reduced by 20% in male and 44% in female rats on HCD. In addition, the total muscle edema was reportedly increased by twofold in both male and female rats. In summation, obese male and female rats developed an imbalance of reproductive hormones and alterations in muscle tissue metabolism.

Biological age assessment method teenage students

To assess the biological age of adolescents, the special literature offers 9 methods for boys and 14 methods for girls. The aim of the article was to determine the more informative methods for boys and girls. Methods: anthropometry, somatometry, somatoscopy, tonometry, spirometry, dynamometry, Hench and Shtange tests, Ruffier and Robinson indices. The interaction of the results of different methods for the assessment of biological age was analysed using factor analysis (principal components method) for groups of subjects of the same gender and age. Boys aged 14-15 (n=102) and girls aged 12-13 (n=101) were studied. The choice of these age groups was explained by the presence of the most significant individual differences in morpho-functional features in the school students of this age. Results: among the methods for assessment of biological age in adolescent school students proposed in the literature, there is not a single one that would be statistically siginificantly related to the other methods. This applies to both boys and girls. The biological age of adolescents can be reliably determined using a set of three components: an assessment of physical development, the heterochronicity index, and the degree of manifestation of secondary sexual characteristics (for boys with a probability of 90.2%, for girls - 92.1%). The percentage ratio of these components has gender peculiarities. Methods for assessing biological age for scientific purposes and quick assessment for use in the practice of physical education and sports are proposed. The indicators in quick assessment technique include body length and the degree of development of the axillary hair. The reliability of the quick assessment technique is 81.4% for boys and 83.2% for girls. Conclusion: the development of adequate physical activity for adolescents of different biological ages will help to improve the physical health of the younger generation.

Relationship between genetic diversity and morpho-functional characteristics of flight-related traits in Triatoma garciabesi (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

BackgroundTriatoma garciabesi, a potential vector of the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which is the causative agent of Chagas disease, is common in peridomestic and wild environments and found throughout northwestern and central Argentina, western Paraguay and the Bolivian Chaco. Genetic differentiation of a species across its range can help to understand dispersal patterns and connectivity between habitats. Dispersal by flight is considered to be the main active dispersal strategy used by triatomines. In particular, the morphological structure of the hemelytra is associated with their function. The aim of this study was to understand how genetic diversity is structured, how morphological variation of dispersal-related traits varies with genetic diversity and how the morphological characteristics of dispersal-related traits may explain the current distribution of genetic lineages in this species.MethodsMales from 24 populations of T. garciabesi across its distribution range were examined. The cytochrome c oxidase I gene (coI) was used for genetic diversity analyses. A geometric morphometric method based on landmarks was used for morpho-functional analysis of the hemelytra. Centroid size (CS) and shape of the forewing, and contour of both parts of the forewing, the head and the pronotum were characterised. Length and area of the forewing were measured to estimate the aspect ratio.ResultsThe morphometric and phylogenetic analysis identified two distinct lineages, namely the Eastern and Western lineages, which coincide with different ecological regions. The Eastern lineage is found exclusively in the eastern region of Argentina (Chaco and Formosa provinces), whereas the Western lineage is prevalent in the rest of the geographical range of the species. CS, shape and aspect ratio of the hemelytra differed between lineages. The stiff portion of the forewing was more developed in the Eastern lineage. The shape of both portions of the hemelytra were significantly different between lineages, and the shape of the head and pronotum differed between lineages.ConclusionsThe results provide preliminary insights into the evolution and diversification of T. garciabesi. Variation in the forewing, pronotum and head is congruent with genetic divergence. Consistent with genetic divergence, morphometry variation was clustered according to lineages, with congruent variation in the size and shape of the forewing, pronotum and head.Graphical

Morphofunctional characteristics of the liver and pancreas under the influence of the hepatoprotector “Remaxol” against the background of acute alcohol damage in rats

The goal. To study the effect of hepatoprotective drug “Remaxol” on morphology of the liver and pancreas as well as on blood serum indices in rats with alcohol damage. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on mature male white laboratory rats divided into three groups: the first (control group) - intact animals, the second and third (experimental groups) - daily part of the rats received 40 % aqueous ethanol solution (96 % ethanol in a dose of 8ml/kg weight) for 7 days, then part of the rats from the experimental group were injected “Remaxol” in a dose 5 mg/kg weight daily for 7 days. Morphological study of the liver and its macrostructure was carried out; diameters of hepatocytes, sinusoid capillaries and pancreatic acini in animals of the control and experimental groups were measured; general and biochemical blood parameters were assessed. Results. Blood tests demonstrated acute alcohol poisoning in experimental groups (leukocytosis); short-term (7 days) alcohol damage had less effect on the size of hepatocytes than on the size of pancreatic acini; pancreatic acini were more reactive on toxic influence of alcohol; in the liver and pancreas there were signs of inflammatory reaction (cell swelling, lymphocytes infiltration). Conclusion. Histological picture of the liver and pancreas of the animals with acute alcohol poisoning on the background of “Remaxol” treatment showed a decrease in the toxic effect of 40 % alcohol on hepatocytes and pancreatocytes, normalization of their morphological parameters.

МОРФОЛОГИЯ ПРОВИЗОРНЫХ ОРГАНОВ ЛОШАДИ ВО ВЗАИМОСВЯЗИ С ЖИЗНЕСПОСОБНОСТЬЮ НОВОРОЖДЕННЫХ ЖЕРЕБЯТ

The aim of the study is to identify the morphofunctional features of the fetal part of the equine placenta in relation to prenatal growth and development of newborn foals. The fetal parts of the placentas of the most viable foals of the first subtype have a maximum weight of (8.02 ± 0.24) kg, area of (14287.48 ± 311.72) cm2, length of the umbilical cord of (57.68 ± 0.75) cm, thickness of (3.76 ± 0.07) cm. The diameter of the arteries and veins in the umbilical cord is almost the same – 11–12 mm, their lumen is strongly narrowed, the thickness of the wall of the umbilical arteries and vein is also equal to (5–6 mm). The thickness of the chorion reaches (8.00 ± 0.91) mm, the number of villi per 1 cm2 of the chorion is (41.80 ± 1.56) pcs., the thickness of the allantoamnion is (6.20 ± 0.58) mm, and the diameter of the vessels is from 4 to 6 mm, their number on the allantoamnion section of 100 cm2 is 5–10. The weight of the fetal parts of the placentas of less viable foals of the second subtype is (5.93 ± 0.24) kg, the area is (10854.92 ± 407.67) cm2, the length of the umbilical cord is (60.00 ± 0.84) cm, the diameter is (3.62 ± 0.06) cm. The diameter of the vein in the umbilical cord is slightly larger (12 mm) than the arteries (11 and 8 mm). The thickness of the chorion decreases to 4–6 mm (5.20 ± 0.37) mm, the number of villi per 1 cm2 of the chorion is 38.40 ± 1.17, there are areas in which the height and density of the villi are even smaller. The thickness of the allantoamnion is (4.06 ± 0.45) mm, and the diameter of the vessels is from 4 to 6 mm, from 3 to 7 vessels are found in an area of 100 cm2 of the allantoamnion. The weight of the fetal parts of the placentas of the third subtype of the least viable foals is significantly (by 37.37 %) lower than the first, as is the area, the length of the umbilical cord is (57.20 ± 0.66) cm, the diameter is (3.44 ± 0.05) cm. The diameter of the vein in the umbilical cord is slightly smaller (9 mm) than the arteries (12 and 11 mm). The chorion is unevenly covered with small, slightly branching villi, not shiny, its thickness reaches (2.84 ± 0.07) mm, and the number of villi per 1 cm2 is from 20 to 40. The diameter of the walls of the allantoamnion vessels decreases and is no more than 3.5 mm at most, their number is from 3 to 5 per 100 cm2.