Northwest Russia Research Articles

Dynamics of the total mercury content in the hair of adolescent residents of the industrial center of Northwest Russia (Cherepovets City).

Total mercury content dynamics were evaluated in the hair of adolescent residents of the industrial center of North West Russia. The content of total mercury varied from less than 0.002 to 0.83mg/kg. The content of total mercury in the hair of males was 1.5-2 times lower than that of females. The relationship between the body mass index of females and the content of total mercury in the hair (for the entire observation period rs = 0.28-0.48, at p < 0.05) was observed. Metal's concentration in the hair of the study participants was found to depend on of fish consumption frequency. Total mercury concentration values were found to increase of 70% of the participants, by 0.03mg/kg per year on average, over 3years of study. Indicators of the content of total mercury in the hair of females and males in the city of Cherepovets did not exceed the standard values established in Russia and in the world. At the same time, the recorded values of the annual increase in the content of total mercury in the hair allow us to predict the potentially hazardous levels of metal in the body of the study participants when they reach adulthood.

Лихенобиота заказника «Лисинский» (Ленинградская область)

The revealed lichen diversity of the Lisinsky Protected Area counts 296 species, including 262 lichens, 20 lichenicolous fungi, and 14 non-lichenized saprobic fungi. The species Normandina chlorococca is reported for the first time for Russia, Gyalidea minuta, Lecanora substerilis, Lecidea betulicola, Vezdaea stipitata are new to the North-Western European Russia, and Fellhanera bouteillei is new to the Leningrad Region. The territory is represented by a significant diversity of lichens and related fungi, including 28 protected species, indicator species and habitat specialists of biologically valuable forests. The communities formed by old-growth spruces and aspens are of greatest value for the conservation of lichen biota, as far as in such biotopes the species associated with biologically valuable forests are most often found in complexes.

Black currant cultivars, developed at the Polli Horticultural Research Center (Estonia), in Northwest Russia

Background. Introduction of new foreign cultivars makes it possible to expand the limits of the genetic potential of the VIR collection. A comprehensive study of such germplasm accessions is important for identifying sources of traits useful for breeding and the best cultivars for practical utilization. Materials and methods. Eight black currant cultivars released in Estonia were studied from 2015 through 2023 at Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR. Conventional methods were used to test their adaptability and assess their main productivity indicators and berry quality. The resulting data were statistically processed in Microsoft Excel according to the guidelines by B. A. Dospekhov. Results and conclusion. The studied cultivars appeared well adapted to the environments of Northwest Russia. The heat supply in Leningrad Province is optimal for their cultivation. Good adaptability, synchronized fruit ripening, stable yields, and fine taste of berries were demonstrated by cvs. ‘Almo’ (k-44169), ‘Albos’ (k-44167), ‘Elo’ (k-44171), ‘Karri’ (k-44172), ‘Mulgi Must’ (k-38061), ‘Musti’ (k-44173), and ‘Varmas’ (k-44174). They are recommended for amateur gardens in Northwest Russia. Cv. ‘Karri’ (k-44172) is a promising source of such traits as good self-fertility, large fruit size, stable yield, well-balanced taste, high anthocyanin content in berries, and resistance to American powdery mildew and gall mite. Cv. ‘Varmas’ is a source of earliness, high self-fertility, and dessert taste of berries.

Assessment of the influence of climatic factors on the state of terrestrial ecosystems in the Northwestern region of Russia

The article analyzes the change of climatic conditions in the Northwest of Russia, including the characteristics of dangerous hydrometeorological events (cold and heat waves, strong winds, extreme rainfall, snowfall, ice-frost deposits, hail) and slow climatic changes (increase in the number of days with the transition of air temperature through 0°С, coastal abrasion) in connection with their negative impact on terrestrial ecosystems. It was found that the influence of meteorological and climatic factors on terrestrial ecosystems is most pronounced in the northern part of the studied region, especially on the coast of the Barents Sea. Towards the south, the values of all indicators gradually decrease, and their structure changes. In the northern part of the study area (Murmansk and Arkhangelsk oblasts, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug), phenomena associated with strong winds and intensive ice-frost deposition, which contribute to the formation of an ice crust on the Earth’s surface, prevail. As one moves away from the coast, severe frost is observed more often (Komi Republic). In the center and south of the region, heavy rainfall, severe frost, and intense heat are the most frequent, resulting in a high fire hazard. The study carried out the ranking of the subjects of the Northwestern Federal District according to the degree of intensity of this process. Comprehensive assessments of the negative impact of changing climatic conditions on terrestrial ecosystems can be used to make decisions on the development of a strategy for environmental security of the regions of the Russian Federation.

Caledonian reactivation and reworking of Timanian thrust systems and implications for latest Mesoproterozoic to mid-Paleozoic tectonics and magmatism in northern Baltica

Background The Trollfjorden–Komagelva Fault Zone is the southernmost thrust fault of the Timanian Orogen and extends for thousands of kilometers from northwestern Russia to northern Norway. Though there is little about its location onshore northeastern Norway, where it is mapped as a major fault system dominantly comprised of NNE-dipping thrust faults, its continuation to the west below Caledonian nappes and offshore post-Caledonian sedimentary basins remains a matter of debate. Methods The present study provides a more definitive answer about the continuation of Trollfjorden–Komagelva Fault Zone west of the Varanger Peninsula by using seismic reflection, bathymetric, topographic, and magnetic data onshore Finnmark and offshore on the Finnmark Platform. Results The present study demonstrates that the Sørøya–Ingøya shear zone represents a portion of the Trollfjorden–Komagelva Fault Zone that was folded into a NE–SW orientation and reactivated as a top-southeast thrust during the Caledonian Orogeny, while other portions of the Trollfjorden–Komagelva Fault Zone (e.g., on the Varanger Peninsula) were reactivated as strike-slip faults. The study also documents the presence of another major, NNE-dipping Timanian shear zone with a similar geometry to the Trollfjorden–Komagelva Fault Zone north of the Varanger Peninsula. Conclusions The Trollfjorden–Komagelva Fault Zone may continue offshore as a NE–SW-striking folded structure. This has the following implications: (1) the Seiland Igneous Province likely formed in a backarc setting, (2) metasedimentary rocks of the Kalak Nappe Complex deposited along the Baltican margin of the Iapetus Ocean, possibly in a late–post-Grenvillian collapse basin, (3) the Iapetus Ocean was much narrower than the several thousands of kilometers width commonly proposed, and (4) early Neoproterozoic magmatism in northern Norway is possibly related to the initial breakup of Rodinia.

Новые находки видов лишайников для Архангельской области из Государственного природного заповедника «Пинежский» (Северо-Запад России)

The study presents information about 28 new findings of lichen species from the territory of the Pinezhsky Nature Reserve. Arthopyrenia cerasi, Verrucaria elaeomelaena, and V. murina are new for Northwest Russia, other 14 species are new for the Arkhangelsk Region, 11 — new for its mainland part. The findings were confirmed by specimens stored in the herbaria of Petrozavodsk State University (PZV) and the University of Helsinki (H).

The species composition of the definitive hosts of the trematode &lt;i&gt;Bilharziella polonica&lt;/i&gt; (Schistosomatidae) of Southern Karelia (Northwestern Russia)

We performed a parasitological survey of helminths of 398 waterfowl specimens from an ecologically unique territory of southern Karelia (North-West Russia). This is the first study of species composition and infection of birds that are definitive hosts of Bilharziella polonica have been obtained. The trematoda of Bilharziella polonica has been recorded only in seven species of birds — mallard, teal, garganey, goldeneye, tufted duck, shoveler, and red-necked grebe. The species of B. polonica has been recorded of red-necked grebe for the North-West of Russia for the first time. The role of infected birds of Bilharziella polonica in support of schistosomiasis, a disease that causes morbidity for causing human cercarial dermatitis or swimmer’s itch, were shown. We present data that life cycle of Bilharziella polonica is successfully implemented in the conditions of Karelia.

Spectrum of COVID-19 cases in Arkhangelsk, Northwest Russia: Findings from a population-based study linking serosurvey, registry data, and self-reports of symptoms.

The spectrum of COVID-19 manifestations makes it challenging to estimate the exact proportion of people who had the infection in a population, with the proportion of asymptomatic cases likely being underestimated. We aimed to assess and describe the spectrum of COVID-19 cases in a sample of adult population aged 40-74 years in Arkhangelsk, Northwest Russia, a year after the start of the pandemic. A population-based survey conducted between February 24, 2021 and June 30, 2021 with an unvaccinated sample aged 40-74 years (N = 1089) combined a serological survey data, national COVID-19 case registry, and self-reported data on COVID-19 experience and symptoms. Based on the agreement between these sources, we classified the study participants as non-infected and previously infected (asymptomatic, non-hospitalized and hospitalized symptomatic) cases, and compared these groups regarding demographics, lifestyle and health characteristics. After a year of the pandemic in Arkhangelsk, 59.7% 95% confidence intervals (CI) (56.7; 62.6) of the surveyed population had had COVID-19. Among those who had been infected, symptomatic cases comprised 47.1% 95% CI (43.2; 51.0), with 8.6% 95% CI (6.6; 11.1) of them having been hospitalized. Of the asymptomatic cases, 96.2% were not captured by the healthcare system. Older age was positively associated, while smoking showed a negative association with symptomatic COVID-19. Individuals older than 65 years, and those with poor self-rated health were more likely to be hospitalized. More than half of the infected individuals were not captured by the healthcare-based registry, mainly those with asymptomatic infections. COVID-19 severity was positively associated with older age and poor self-rated health, and inversely associated with smoking. Combining different sources of surveillance data could reduce the number of unidentified asymptomatic cases and enhance surveillance for emerging infections.

Diversity of Northwestern and North Caucasian Populations of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici by Virulence and Microsatellite Loci in 2022.

Yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst)) is a potentially dangerous disease of wheat. Genetic protection of wheat is an environmentally safe method to control the disease, but its successful application requires information on the structure of regional populations of the pathogen. Virulence and molecular polymorphism were characterized in two Russian Pst populations in 2022. Wheat leaves with Pst urediniopustules were collected from the North Caucasus (Krasnodar Krai, Dagestan, and Kalmykia) and Northwestern Russia (Leningrad Oblast). Virulence was tested on 14 isogenic lines (AvocetNIL) and 15 differentiator cultivars. Polymorphism at 20 microsatellite loci was evaluated in molecular analyses. The SSR markers were as recommended by the Global Rust Reference Center. Virulence was assessed in 74 monopustular isolates, including 29 Dagestan, 10 Krasnodar, 5 Kalmyk, and 30 Northwestern ones. Resistance to all isolates was observed in lines with the genes Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Yr24, and Yr26 and the cultivars Moro (Yr10, YrMor) and Nord Desprez (Yr3, YrND, Yr+). Isolates virulent to the AvYr17 line were detected for the first time in the Dagestan and Krasnodar populations. Their occurrence was moderate (13%) in the Northwestern population. A significant variation was observed in lines and cultivars with the Yr1 and Yr3 genes. Virulence to Yr7 and YrSp was found to be lower than in 2019 to 2021. In total, 28 phenotypes (races) were determined in the virulence analysis (15 in Dagestan, 11 in the Northwestern region, 3 in Krasnodar, and 2 in Kalmykia). A common phenotype was detected in three North Caucasian Pst samples. Genetic distances between the phenotypes were estimated. Most phenotypes grouped together in a multidimensional diagram, with the exception of three Dagestan phenotypes with the fewest virulence alleles. Based on the Fst index, the Dagestan and Kalmyk Pst collections were high similar to each other and differed moderately from the other collections. Long-term trends in virulence (from 2019 to 2022) were assessed in the Pst populations. A high similarity was observed between all regional population samples in 2019 and 2020. The Northwestern and Dagestan populations slightly differed from the other populations in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, the Krasnodar and Kalmyk populations formed separate groups, which differed from each other and from the main group. The long-term virulence analysis indicated that the structure of Pst populations is highly dynamic in Russia. All North Caucasian isolates and 23 Northwestern isolates were used in the SSR analysis. Six loci (RYN3, RYN9, RYN12, WU6, RJO21, and RJO24) were monomorphic. Three polymorphic alleles were identified in each of the RYN13 and RJO27 loci; two alleles, in each of the remaining loci examined. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed for most loci. The observed heterozygosity exceeded the expected one, suggesting a clonal origin of the Pst population. Twenty multilocus genotypes (MGs) were found in the total isolate collection (11 in Dagestan, 11 in the Northwestern region, 3 in Krasnodar, and 1 in Kalmykia). Common MGs were detected in the Dagestan, Krasnodar, and Northwestern populations (MG_1); Dagestan, Kalmyk, and Northwestern populations (MG_2); and Dagestan and Krasnodar populations (MG_3 and MG_4). Genetic distances between MGs were estimated. MGs formed four groups in a multidimensional diagram. A major group included 80% of MGs. One Dagestan MG, two Northwestern MGs, and MG_3 common for the Dagestan and Krasnodar collections were significantly differentiated from the major group and differed from each other. Based on Fst, most regional Pst collections were moderately differentiated from each other, with the exception of the Dagestan and Kalmyk collections. The finding was consistent with the virulence analysis results. The Mantel test detected a moderate correlation between the virulence and SSR data (r = 0.6). This indicates that both analyses can be used to assess genetic polymorphism in Pst. The high variability of the virulence and microsatellite loci warrants annual monitoring of regional Pst populations in Russia.

Ecological and epidemiological characteristics of tick-borne encephalitis and ixodic tick-borne borreliosis incidence according to the data of the Arkhangelsk region for 2012–2022

BACKGROUND: The increase of ticks infected with borrelia and tick-borne encephalitis virus, as well as the impact of anthropogenic factor on the ecosystem of the northern region determines the need to study possible risk factors and epidemiological trends in the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis and ixoid tick-borreliosis. AIM: To conduct a retrospective ecological and epidemiological analysis of regional peculiarities of the epidemic process of tick-borne encephalitis and ixoid tick-borreliosis in the Arkhangelsk region in comparison with similar indicators in the North-West Federal District and Russia for 2012–2022. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The work was carried out in accordance with the ecological research design. Statistical data of the Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System, as well as statistical annual forms of the Department of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare in Russia and the Arkhangelsk region were used as the information base. The registered cases of tick-borne encephalitis and ixoid tick-borreliosis morbidity in the Arkhangelsk region, as well as in Russia and the Northwestern Federal District as a whole for 2012–2022 were evaluated. Time series analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2019. The study also analyzes the dynamics of climatic factors in the Arkhangelsk region and its possible impact on the distribution and migration of ixodid ticks across the territory of the European North of Russia. Correlations were assessed by evaluating Pearson’s correlation criterion using the Google Collaboratory interface. RESULTS: The number of tick bites in the Arkhangelsk region throughout the entire study period significantly exceeds the similar indicator (per 100 thousand population) in Russia. The incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in the Arkhangelsk region significantly exceeds that in both the Russian Federation and the Northwestern Federal District, and exceeded the average annual rate in Russia more than 3 times, although it had a faster rate of decline (5.7% vs. 3.7% annually). The incidence of ixoid tick-borreliosis has a paradoxical character due to the fact that throughout almost the whole period it is below the all-Russian level (3.19 per 100,000 population in Arkhangelsk region against 4.41 in the Russian Federation), while the incidence in the Northwestern Federal District is 1.3 times higher on average. CONCLUSIONS: During the last decade the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in the Arkhangelsk region remains stably high in comparison with both the Russian Federation and the Northwestern Federal District. The incidence of ixoid tick-borreliosis corresponds to the long-term average for Russia, with a more pronounced downward trend (4.7% vs. 1.7%). The territory of the Arkhangelsk region is subject to the trend of increasing average annual temperatures, and anthropogenic interventions, in particular, abundant deforestation, lead to the destruction of established ecosystems and open new opportunities and territories for ticks, which in the future may negatively affect the established trends of morbidity. The analysis confirms the need to develop and adopt organizational measures aimed at the development of epidemiological and epizootological monitoring.

Meiobenthos of Lake Krivoe (Karelia) in the winter and vegetational periods

Our work is dedicated to the comparison of the quantitative development of meiobenthos during the vegetative season and in winter in the dimictic subpolar Lake Krivoe (Karelia). The winter meiobenthos turned out to be significantly poorer in species composition than the meiobenthos of the vegetative season (13 and 29 species, respectively). Of the 8 meiobenthic groups typical for the lake, Ostracoda and Cladocera were completely absent in winter. An analysis of the proportions of the dominant meiobenthos groups showed that the studied lake fits into the group of typical lakes in the North-West of Russia, and does not belong to the group of polar lakes, as would be expected based on its geographical coordinates. The peculiarity of Lake Krivoe that makes it unique among subpolar lakes is the high biomass in the profundal in winter – 0.14 g/m2, which does not significantly differ from that in the vegetative season – 0.2 g/m2. In the littoral and sublittoral in winter, compared with the vegetative season, there is a significant decrease in meiobenthos biomass from 0.47 g/m2 to 0.03 g/m2 and from 0.05 g/m2 to 0.001 g/m2, respectively. In winter, the largest biomass of meiobenthos is provided by the profundal of the lake – 71.5% of the total biomass of meiobenthos, littoral – 27.25%, and sublittoral zone – 1.2%. In the vegetative season, the opposite picture is observed: in the littoral zone of the lake, meiobenthos makes up 71.5% of the total meiobenthos biomass, in the sublittoral zone – 9.70%, and 18.78% in the profundal zone. The biomass of the winter meiobenthos significantly positively correlates with the meiobenthos biomass in September, r = 0.82 (p &lt; 0.001), and with that in May of the next year, r = 0.56 (p &lt; 0.03). Correlations between meiobenthos biomasses in various months of the vegetative season were non-significant.

Isotope signatures of Carnivorans hair in the North-West of Russia: the role of diet, behavior and metabolism

Isotope signatures of Carnivorans hair in the North-West of Russia: the role of diet, behavior and metabolism

Genetic diversity of salmonid fishes in the eastern part of the Onega Peninsula, Northern European Russia

The Onega Peninsula in the White Sea, north-western Russia, is a habitat for ecologically and economically significant salmonid species, i.e. Atlantic salmon Salmo salar Linnaeus, 1758 and brown trout S. trutta Linnaeus, 1758 (Salmoninae). However, these populations are currently understudied in terms of molecular approach. In this work, we assessed the genetic diversity and differentiation of S. salar and S. trutta from the eastern part of the Onega Peninsula based on mitochondrial (COI and cytb) and nuclear (RAG1) markers. We also traced a phylogeographic pattern of these species. Populations of brown trout in the studied watercourses mainly share low haplotype and nucleotide diversity, with the exception of the moderate values in the Gosdarea River. In turn, Atlantic salmon in the Ust’-Yaren’ga River has higher genetic diversity than brown trout. Our study reveals great importance of conservation measures and monitoring, as well as parasite pressure control, especially for brown trout, in the eastern part of the Onega Peninsula.

“Here” Versus “There”: Authoritarian Populism, Environment, and Scapegoat Ecology Among Loggers of Northwestern Russia

This case study contributes to the research on the environmental beliefs of extractive industry workers in an illiberal populist regime. This research is based on semi-structured interviews with logging sector workers of the Russian Northwest—a severely understudied population directly involved in resource extraction. The data shows that these workers understand forestland as two separate localities: the northwestern region of Russia, in which the loggers have expertise and knowledge, and the rest of the country, in which workers don’t have any work or travel experience. This division facilitates a process of hybridization of populist environmental narratives on one hand, and loggers’ science-supported knowledge and experiences on the other. This hybridization of the workers’ beliefs is anchored in, and perpetuated by, Russia’s state-controlled media and its modern authoritarian populist regime. This research offers policy implications and encourages future studies on the politicization of the environment and resources in authoritarian populist states.

Carpological surveys of the Bronnitsky Settlement in the Novgorod Province

Identification of the diversity of cultivated plants of past historical epochs provides valuable information for clarifying the ways of formation of the cultural flora in a particular region. The medieval economy of ancient northern Russia was formed on the basis of a developed agrarian culture. The revealing of the composition and origin of its traditions is an important fundamental task. The purpose of this work was to study and determine the species identity of carbonized fossil remains of seeds and fruit crops that grew in the medieval northwestern Russia. Based on the results of morphological analysis of fossil plant remains, the presence of wheat, rye, barley and oat kernels was revealed.

Integrative description of two new species of the genus Mesobiotus (Eutardigrada, Macrobiotoidea) from Russia, with an updated phylogeny of the genus

In this study, we describe two new species of Mesobiotus based on morphological data collected through light and scanning electron microscopy. Descriptions include DNA sequences of four commonly used molecular markers (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, ITS-2, and COI). Mesobiotus efa sp. nov. was discovered in North-West Russia and belongs to the group of species with smooth cuticle, harmsworthi-type OCA, typical Mesobiotus claws IV with unindented lunules, and egg chorion with reticulated processes in form of ‘sharp wide cones’ or ‘cones with long slender endings’, egg process bases with well-developed crone of dark thickenings without finger-like projections, and egg shell surface between the processes with ridges without reticulation, areolation or semi-areolation. It can be distinguished from all know species of this group by a unique combination of morphological and morphometric characters. Mesobiotus vulpinus sp. nov. was found in the Russian Far East, and is similar to Mesobiotus mauccii by having an egg chorion with polygonal relief. The new species can be distinguished from M. mauccii by having a narrower buccal tube, by details of oral cavity armature, and by longer egg chorion processes. Furthermore, we provide results of the phylogenetic analyses of the genus Mesobiotus conducted in this study.

Forgotten responsibilities? Nordic truth commissions, Sámi history, and the difficulty of transnational perspectives on historical responsibility

The article studies the Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish truth commissions dealing with state-Sámi (an indigenous population living in northern Scandinavia, Finland and north-western Russia) relations through the concept of transnational historical justice. The fact that three separate commissions are studying the history of the Sámi has been criticized by earlier researchers, but never from the perspective of intergenerational, and more specifically historical justice. Our study of the mandate documents and the report of the Norwegian commission (the only one published in the time of writing of this article) points to constructive ways forward that could acknowledge and better embrace the transnational character of Sámi history, especially in terms of historical justice. We also study in what way the Norwegian commission worked within and stretched the framework set by the mandate document. Our conclusion is that the lack of transnationalism in the mandate and work of the commissions leads to historical Sámi individuals and groups being forgotten. These are historical groups and individuals whose existence does not fit in neatly in the presentist perspective of the commissions, projecting the current nation state borders back in time. For this reason, historical justice toward these groups is also a forgotten issue in the mandate and work of the commissions.

Latitudinal patterns of shifts in cladoceran communities throughout the Holocene: A paleoecological case study of northwestern Russia

Paleolimnology is a rapidly expanding field within the natural sciences. To date, many scientific papers have been published focusing on studies of remains from single sediment cores in specific lakes, or a few cores from the same water body. However, few previous publications have provided a comprehensive comparative analysis of taphocenosis (and maternal community) changes in different water bodies from a large geographical region during whole Holocene using multivariate statistical methods. We conducted a joined statistical analysis of data obtained as a result of the cladoceran analysis of the sediment samples from six cores taken along the North-South transect from the Kola Peninsula to the Karelian Region (North-West Russia). Our aim was to identify, based on quantitative statistical methods, general whole-Holocene patterns in cladoceran taphocenosis changes. All taphocenoses in all cores from six lakes can be classified into six clusters based on their species composition. Our unexpected conclusion is that different taphocoenoses are formed by the same set of species, but their proportions vary significantly. This suggests that the same species may play different functional roles in different maternal communities. During whole Holocene, we observed a single taphocenosis cluster in the Holocene core from Lake Antyukh-Lambina, and four taphocenosis clusters in the Lake Medvedevskoe, with an intermediate number of clusters in the lakes between them. Furthermore, it can be asserted that the potential for cluster changes in the core is greater for the more southern studied water bodies (0–3 clusters for northern lakes vs. 4 clusters for southern lakes). Based on our data, we hypothesize that the diversity of cladoceran associations during the Holocene was lower in Arctic/Subarctic lakes, possibly due to their formation by ubiquitous species. Our study suggests that at least some Arctic lake ecosystems have remained unchanged since deglaciation times. Further studies are necessary to determine if this is a general rule.

Genetic polymorphism in waxweed (Red Book of the Russian Federation) in North-West Russia

BACKGROUND: Waxweed (Myrica gale L.) is a protected plant species found in the Russian Federation only in the Leningrad Region and Karelia. It is almost not studied from the genetic point of view. This species is presumably hexaploid; it propagates mainly vegetatively, and the role of sexual reproduction in the life cycle of waxweed is unclear. All waxweed populations in the Russian Federation are small and belong to the edge ones (occupy the easternmost positions in the range). AIM: The aim of the study is to investigate genomic DNA polymorphism in waxweed populations in the Russian Federation, and to evaluate the role of sexual reproduction in propagation and dispersal of this species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AFLP-analysis of waxweed genomic DNA in 6 natural populations (5 populations in the Leningrad Region, 1 in Karelia). Using 3 pairs of primers, we studied waxweed genomic polymorphism for 22 DNA fragments. RESULTS: Each of the studied waxweed populations is genetically polymorphic. Among 182 analyzed plants we distinguished 27 different AFLP-genotypes, two of which were common in all populations studied. Most of others AFLP genotypes (20) were represented just by a single plant or a couple of plants. Some of these rare AFLP genotypes are likely the results of mutation and/or recombination processes affecting the common AFLP genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The role of sexual reproduction in waxweed propagation, although minor, is noticeable.

Molecular characteristics of fluoroquinolone-resistant &lt;i&gt;Mycobacterium tuberculosis&lt;/i&gt; strains from newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients in the Northwest of Russia

Introduction. Fluoroquinolones remain the key second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. The aim of the study was the molecular characterization of fluoroquinolone-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients in the Northwest of the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. The retrospective study collection included M. tuberculosis isolates isolated in 2015–2019 from previously untreated tuberculosis patients. Susceptibility to antituberculosis drugs (including the fluoroquinolone ofloxacin) was determined using the BACTEC MGIT960 or absolute concentration method. Mutations in the gyrA gene as a marker of resistance to fluoroquinolones, were detected by real-time PCR. Beijing genotype and its subtypes were detected by PCR and real-time PCR methods. Non-Beijing strains were spoligotyped. Results and discussion. Phenotypic resistance to ofloxacin was detected in 6.7% (40/599) of strains and in 17.4% (40/230) of MDR strains. 34 of 40 (85%) ofloxacin-resistant strains belonged to the Beijing genotype. 18 (45%) strains were assigned to the Russian epidemic subtype Beijing B0/W148 and 12 (30%) to Beijing Central Asian/Russian. The remaining 6 ofloxacin-resistant strains belonged to the Euro-American phylogenetic lineage. Mutations in the gyrA gene were found in 97.5% (39/40) of strains. The most common were mutations in codon 94 (69.2%, 27/39). The Asp94Gly substitution was identified in 57.5% (23/40) of ofloxacin-resistant strains and was dominant among Beijing (19/34) and non-Beijing (4/6) strains. The second most common substitution was Ala90Val (25%, 10/40). More than half of the ofloxacin-resistant strains, Beijing B0/W148 (10/18) and Central Asian/Russian (7/12), carried the Asp94Gly mutation. Conclusion. In the Northwest of Russia in 2016-2019, primary resistance of M. tuberculosis to fluoroquinolones was 6.7% in the total collection and 17.4% of MDR strains, and was mainly caused by the gyrA Asp94Gly and Ala90Val mutations. Beijing B0/W148 genotype was characterized by the largest proportion of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains.