Species Research Articles

Particulate matter retention and removal efficiency in ten tree species of semi-arid environment

Modern era has witnessed particulate matter (PM) become one of the biggest threats for the existence of biological species. Therefore, a study was performed in Faisalabad city to evaluate PM retention and removal efficiency of ten local tree species. Branch samples were collected from urban, sub-urban and rural areas in September 2020 (183 days after rain), and in August 2021 (30 days after rain). Results showed that total PM load, PM>10 and PM10-2.5 retention was the highest in urban followed by sub-urban and rural area. PM>10, PM10-2.5, total PM, and PM deposition rate decreased significantly in the following order, F. benghalensis > T. arjuna > S. cumini > A. scholaris > F. religiosa > E. camaldulensis > D sissoo > C lancifolius > B. ceiba > M. alba during both years 2020, and 2021. During the artificial rainfall experiment, total PM removed by the species also followed the same order however, PM removal efficiency was the highest in B. ceiba and M. alba followed by E. camaldulensis, C. lancifolius, D. sissoo, T. arjuna, S. cumini, A. scholaris, F. religiosa and F. benghalensis. Therefore, it can be concluded that species selection must be done skillfully for congested urban environment.

Harnessing Ascidians as Model Organisms for Environmental Risk Assessment

Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) often relies on a restricted set of species as bio-indicators, introducing uncertainty when modeling complex environmental variables. This may lead to oversimplified or erroneous risk assessments. Ascidians, marine filter-feeding sessile chordates, are valuable models for scientific research in various biological fields such as stem cell biology, embryogenesis, regeneration, innate immunity, and developmental biology. Their global distribution, sensitivity to pollutants, high abundance, mass sexual reproduction, and habitation in coastal areas impacted by anthropogenic pollution make them excellent indicators for monitoring marine pollution and global environmental changes, including biological invasions and species diversity diminution cases. Despite their potential as environmental bioindicators, ascidians remain underutilized in ERAs (≤0.13% of ERA studies), particularly in the field of chemical pollution impact assessment, primarily due to a lack of standardization. This underrepresentation poses a challenge for accurate modeling, especially in models relying on a broad range of species (e.g., Species Sensitivity Distributions). Given these constraints, expanding the use of ascidians in ERAs could improve the comprehension and precision of environmental changes and their assessments. This underscores the necessity for future research to establish standardized testing protocols and choose the most suitable ascidian species for inclusion in ERAs.

Structural Engineering of Cationic Block Copolymer Architectures for Selective Breaching of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Biological Species.

Positively charged antimicrobial polymers are known to cause severe damage to biological systems, and thus synthetic strategies are urgently required to design next-generation nontoxic cationic macromolecular architectures for healthcare applications. Here, we report a structural-engineering strategy to build cationic linear and star-block copolymer nanoarchitectures having identical chemical composition, molar mass, nanoparticle size, and positive surface charge, yet they differ distinctly in their biological action in breaching prokaryotic species such as E. coli (Gram-negative bacteria) without affecting eukaryotic species like red-blood and mammalian cells. For this purpose, linear and star-block structures are built on a polycaprolactone biodegradable platform having an imidazolium positive handle. Under physiological conditions, the linear architecture exhibits toxicity indiscriminately to all biological species, whereas its star counterpart is remarkably selective in membrane breaching action toward bacteria while maintaining inertness toward eukaryotic species. Confocal microscopy analysis of HPTS fluorescent dye-loaded star-polymer nanoparticles substantiated their antimicrobial action in E. coli. Tissue-penetrable near-infrared fluorescent dye (IR-780) loaded NP aided the in vivo biodistribution analysis and ex vivo quantification of cationic species' accumulations in vital organs in mice. Azithromycin, a clinical water-insoluble macrolide, is delivered from the star platform to accomplish synergistic antimicrobial activity by the combination of bactericidal-bacteriostatic action of the polymer carrier and drug together in a single system.

Decoding Adverse Effects of Organic Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment: A Meta-analysis of Species Sensitivity, Hazard Prediction, and Ecological Risk Assessment.

Aquatic organisms in the environment are frequently exposed to a variety of organic chemicals, while these biological species may show different sensitivities to different chemical groups present in the environment. This study evaluated species sensitivity, hazards, and risks of six classes of organic chemicals in the aquatic environment. None of the taxonomic groups were the most sensitive or tolerant to all chemicals, as one group sensitive to one class of chemicals might possess adaptations to other chemical groups. Polychlorinated biphenyls were generally the most toxic chemical group, followed by polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals and personal care products, while per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and phthalate esters were the less toxic chemical groups. The hazard of organic chemicals was closely related to their physicochemical properties, including hydrophobicity and molecular weight. It was shown that 20% of the evaluated chemicals exhibited medium or high ecological risks with the worst-case scenario in the Pearl River Estuary. This novel work represented a comprehensive comparison of chemical hazards and species sensitivity among different classes of organic chemicals, and the reported results herein have provided scientific evidence for ecological risk assessment and water quality management to protect aquatic ecosystems against organic chemicals.

ROS-responsive injectable hydrogels loaded with exosomes carrying miR-4500 reverse liver fibrosis

The reversal of liver fibrosis requires effective strategies to reduce oxidative stress and inhibition of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. MiR-4500 regulates pathological angiogenesis and collagen mRNA stability, with the potential to inhibit fibrosis. Herein, we explored the inhibition of HSC activation in vitro by exosomes (Exos) carrying miR-4500 and encapsulated ExosmiR−4500 in an intelligent injectable hydrogel with biological activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsiveness for application in oxidative stress environments. Briefly, reversible boronic ester bonds were integrated into gelatin-based hydrogels through dynamic crosslinking of quaternized chitosan (QCS) and 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid (CPBA)-modified gelatin. The QCS-CPBA-Gelatin (QCG) hydrogel scavenged excess ROS from the local microenvironment and released ExosmiR−4500 through the dissociation of boronic ester bonds, providing a favorable microenvironment and in situ sustained-release drug delivery system for ExosmiR−4500. The results showed that QCG@ExosmiR−4500 hydrogel has biocompatibility, biodegradability, and slow-release ability, which could effectively clear ROS and inhibit HSC activation and pathological angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis suggests that the pharmacological mechanism of the QCG@ExosmiR−4500 hydrogel is mainly related to anti-oxidation, anti-angiogenesis, anti-fibrosis processes, and signaling pathways. Thus, our study demonstrates that an intelligently responsive ExosmiR−4500 delivery system based on injectable hydrogels is a promising strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Homogenocene: Defining the Age of Bio-cultural Devastation (1493–Present)

AbstractThe entrance into the Anthropocene Epoch has pushed historians and social scientists to reconsider human history through new lenses and along an entirely different timeline. For historians, the notion of the Anthropocene can be seen as an overarching category superimposed on the usual chronological divisions into ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary history. In social sciences in general, the notion of the Anthropocene has been embraced, often critically, by enlarging its semantic field through a series of neologisms, which this article aims to analyze and contribute to. Originating from within stratigraphy and geology, the new coining for a (not yet official) epoch acts as a tectonic shift by bringing geology into history, as well as into humanities and social sciences. Paradoxically, it could be said that humans are being “ejected from history” just as geology enriches itself with a human-centered eponym, Anthropocene, that is, when specific actions carried out by a single biological species, homo sapiens, have spawned consequences so deep and everlasting that an imprint upon the Earth’s stratigraphy has been impressed forever. These specific actions can be encapsulated in a single term: overconsumption, possibly accompanied by its twin dimension, overexploitation (of resources) (Nature,588(7838), 442–444. 2020; Communications Earth & Environment,1(1), 32. 2020). This article sets out to identify the period and sequence of events leading to the shift from consumption to overconsumption and from exploitation to overexploitation. Identifying the moment these transitions occurred is essential, as the double excess of “over” patterns has characterized what is commonly understood as the Anthropocene Epoch.

Towards an open digital catalogue of sound signatures from the underwater soundscape

Passive acoustic monitoring plays a crucial role to study the underwater soundscape. Identifying the sound signatures of specific marine species and anthropogenic contributions is a key step in assessing the impact of human activities on the acoustic environment. The project COSS (Catalogue of Sound Signatures) aims to build an open library of sound signatures from the coastal seascape of European waters. In this framework, a data management workflow is developed within FAIR principles from the storage of the metadata, ensuring integrity and traceability of the recorded datasets, to the analysis and the annotation method, providing interoperability classification of sound signatures. An interactive map provides an overview of the database. Sound events are analyzed using a home-made annotation software. Labeling is based on a tree-structure ontology with respect to the biological species, human activities and geophony. This labels standardization makes it possible to extract information at several levels of precision. In particular, this library will serve as a learning and testing base for open source AI algorithms for the automatic classification of signals of anthropogenic origin. A long-term objective is to provide a means of determining the acoustic impact of human activities on the marine environment.

In Vitro Interaction Between Yeast Extracellular Vesicles and Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bound particles produced by a wide variety of cells from different biological species. EVs can carry molecules, such as nucleic acids and metabolites, and are involved in cell functioning, communication, and signaling. Recent literature reported that pathogenic or commensal yeast strains can produce EVs targeting the host's immune system and exerting immunomodulatory actions. In humans, yeast EVs can be endocytosed by dendritic cells (DCs), characterized by phagocyting and migrating capabilities with the role of capturing antigens to present to T lymphocytes, triggering the immune response. Physiological or disease-associated immunosenescence impairs both DC functionality and gut microbiota; thus investigating the interaction between commensal microorganisms and the host's immune system would help elucidate the impact of aging on the immune system-microbiota interplay. We hereby present a protocol for the incubation of in vitro-generated human monocyte-derived DCs with EVs purified from different yeast strains isolated from fermented milk. The protocol includes flow cytometry analysis on DC activation markers and endocytosis assay.

Aggregation-Disruption-Induced Multi-Scale Mediating Strategy for Anticoagulation in Blood-Contacting Devices.

Minimally invasive blood-contacting interventional devices are increasingly used to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, the risk of device-related thrombosis remains a significant concern, particularly the formation of cycling thrombi, which pose life-threatening risks. To better understand the interactions between these devices and blood, the initial stages of coagulation contact activation on extrinsic surfaces areinvestigated. Direct force measurements reveals that activated contact factors stimulate the intrinsic coagulation pathway and promote surface crosslinking of fibrin. Furthermore, fibrin aggregation is disrupted by surface-grafted inhibitors, as confirmed by ex vivo coagulation tests. An engineered serum protein with zwitterion grafts to resist the deposition of biological species such as fibrin, platelets, and red blood cells is also developed. Simultaneously, a protease inhibitor-based coacervate is incorporated into the coating to inhibit the intrinsic pathway effectively. The loaded coacervate can be released and reloaded through modulation of catechol-amine interactions, facilitating material regeneration. The strategy offers a novel multi-scale mediation strategy that simultaneously inhibits nanoscale coagulation factors and resists microscale thrombus aggregation, providing a long-term solution for anticoagulation in blood-contacting devices.

Development of an Activity-Based Ratiometric Electrochemical Switch for Direct, Real-Time Sensing of Pantetheinase in Live Cells, Blood, and Urine Samples.

Pantetheinase is a key biomarker for the diagnosis of acute kidney injury and the monitoring of malaria progression. Currently, existing methods for sensing pantetheinase, also known as Vanin-1, show considerable potential but come with certain limitations, including their inability to directly sense analytes in turbid biofluid samples without tedious sample pretreatment. Here, we describe the first activity-based electrochemical probe, termed VaninLP, for convenient and specific direct targeting of pantetheinase activity in turbid liquid biopsy samples. The probe was designed such that cleavage of the pantetheinase amide linkage, triggered by a self-immolative reaction, simultaneously ejects an amino ferrocene reporter. Among the distinctive properties of the VaninLP probe for sensing pantetheinase are its high selectivity, sensitivity, and enzyme affinity, a wide linear concentration range (8-300 ng/mL), and low limit of detection (2.47 ng/mL). The designed probe precisely targeted pantetheinase and was free of interference by other electroactive biological species. We further successfully applied the VaninLP probe to monitor and quantify the activity of pantetheinase on the surfaces of HepG2 tumor cells, blood, and urine samples. Collectively, our findings indicate that VaninLP holds significant promise as a point-of-care tool for diagnosing early-stage kidney injury, as well as monitoring the progression of malaria.

Нужен ли философской антропологии «социогенетический поворот»?

Philosophical anthropology, which arose each time in a specific historical reality, sought to create a universal image of man, calling this process the revelation of his essence. This problem was solved by Russian philosophy, which developed the Orthodox Christian tradition within certain historical boundaries. Modern philosophy, solving this problem, cannot ignore the basic philosophical and anthropological ideas of different civilizations, primarily Eastern, Western and Russian philosophy. The space for their comparison and synthesis can be the semantic conceptual field of sociogenesis, which opens up a universal approach to the formation of a human being as a global cultural and biological species. The sociogenetic approach reveals the opportunity to compare two main essential models of man, which are represented by the version of the self-sufficient individual, which developed in the European Enlightenment, and the version of the conciliar (communal) man, the discussion of which began in Russian philosophy of the 19th century. In the context of sociogenesis, the basis for distinguishing anthropological versions is the opposition of individualistic and communal (conciliar) principles of behavior. A specifi c synthesis of these principles in one or another cultural-historical model appears as a solution to the contradiction between the individual and species model of behavior within the cultural-biological species “human being”. In the natural world, the coordination of individual and species behavior is resolved through the genetic inheritance of species behavior, eliminating the conflict between species and individual. The sociogenetic evolution of a human being has posed the task of searching for species-specifi c universal principles of behavior, which has complicated the solution of the problem of harmonizing species and individual behavior. The complexity of the situation is that human behavior is directed by cultural programs in the context of a sociogenetic search for a species program capable of ensuring the global consolidation of the human species. In this context, philosophical anthropology requires a sociogenetic support, and the appeal to it can be called the “sociogenetic turn” in philosophical anthropology.

Ligand‐Insertion Strategy for Constructing 2D Conjugated Metal‐Organic Framework with Large Pore Size for Electrochemical Analytics

Two‐dimensional conjugated metal‐organic frameworks (2D c‐MOFs) have shown great promise in various electrochemical applications due to their intrinsic electrical conductivity. A large pore aperture is a favorable feature of this type of material because it facilitates the mass transport of chemical species and electrolytes. In this work, we propose a ligand insertion strategy in which a linear ligand is inserted into the linkage between multitopic ligands, extending the metal ion into a linear unit of ‐M‐ligand‐M‐, for the construction of 2D c‐MOFs with large pore apertures, utilizing only small ligands. As a proof‐of‐concept trial of this strategy, a 2D c‐MOF with mesopores of 3.2 nm was synthesized using commercially available ligands hexahydrotriphenylene and 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoquinone. The facilitation of the diffusion of redox species by the large pore size of this MOF was demonstrated through a series of probes. With this feature, it showed superior performance in the electrochemical analysis of a variety of biological species.

Ligand-Insertion Strategy for Constructing 2D Conjugated Metal-Organic Framework with Large Pore Size for Electrochemical Analytics.

Two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks (2D c-MOFs) have shown great promise in various electrochemical applications due to their intrinsic electrical conductivity. A large pore aperture is a favorable feature of this type of material because it facilitates the mass transport of chemical species and electrolytes. In this work, we propose a ligand insertion strategy in which a linear ligand is inserted into the linkage between multitopic ligands, extending the metal ion into a linear unit of -M-ligand-M-, for the construction of 2D c-MOFs with large pore apertures, utilizing only small ligands. As a proof-of-concept trial of this strategy, a 2D c-MOF with mesopores of 3.2 nm was synthesized using commercially available ligands hexahydrotriphenylene and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone. The facilitation of the diffusion of redox species by the large pore size of this MOF was demonstrated through a series of probes. With this feature, it showed superior performance in the electrochemical analysis of a variety of biological species.

Trofim Lysenko’s “New doctrine of the species”: an attempt at close reading

One of the core themes in the Soviet Michurinist biology was pointing out Darwin’s “errors” and a plea for a revision of classical Darwinism, allegedly based on “flat evolutionism” (= gradualism) and misinterpretation of the dialectics of the organic evolution. The result was the so-called “Soviet creative Darwinism” that promoted fundamentally new concepts of the biological species and speciation, and was coined the “new doctrine of the species” (NDS) during the 1952–1955 discussion. Even though Lysenkoism has been thoroughly studied, the basic postulates of the NDS, its logical structure and genesis remained outside the scope of attention of the historians of science. Based on primary sources, principally on T. D. Lysenko’s own publications, this article is an attempt at presenting a holistic view of the NDS and identifying its conceptual origins. The content of the NDS is shown to be closely associated with the postulates of dialectical materialism used as the philosophical grounding for the new theory. Most of its biological content is not original and was borrowed by Lysenko from other sources. The more or less original elements of the “new doctrine” were the rejection of the intraspecific struggle for existence and the “physiological” concept of speciation, based on the belief that the most important mechanism of evolutionary transformations is changes in species-specific metabolism. Both of these elements were rejected by biology in the course of its further advancement while some others (inheritance of acquired traits, speciation by leaps) find their supporters today. However, modern ideas of saltational evolution have no continuity with the NDS, as they are based on the mutational paradigm rejected by Lysenko.

Genomic analysis of multi-drug resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci from healthy humans and animals revealed unusual mechanisms of resistance and CRISPR-Cas system.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are evolving as major reservoirs and vectors of unusual and critical antimicrobialresistance (AMR) mechanisms. In this study, the genomic characterization of 26 multidrug-resistant (MDR)-CoNS (S. borealis, S. saprophyticus, S. sciuri, S. hominis, S. epidermidis, S. pasteuri, S. hyicus, S. simulans, S. haemolyticus, and S. arlettae) previously obtained from the nasal cavity of healthy nestling storks, humans who had no contact with animals, pigs, and pig farmers, as well as dogs and dog owners from Spain was performed. High-quality draft genomes obtained by Illumina sequencing technology were used to determine their resistome, virulome, mobile genetic elements, and CRISPR-Cas types. The relatedness of three CoNS species with publicly available genomes was assessed by core-genome single nucleotidepolymorphisms (SNPs). AMR genes to all classes of antibiotics in staphylococci were detected including unusual ones (mecC, ermT, and cfr), of which their corresponding genetic organizations were analyzed. About 96.1% of the MDR-CoNS strains harbored diverse adherence or immune evasion genes. Remarkably, one enterotoxin-C and -L-carrying S. epidermidis-ST595 strain from a nestling stork was detected. Moreover, various plasmid bound-biocide resistance genes (qacACGJ) were identified in 34.6% of the MDR-CoNS. Two genes that encode for cadmium and zinc resistance (cadD, czrC) were found, of which czrC predominated (42.3%). Complete CRISPR-Cas system was detected in 19.2% of the CoNS strains, of which cas-1, -2, and -9 predominated, especially in 75% of the S. borealis strains. The phylogenetic analysis identified clusters of related S. epidermidis lineages with those of other countries (SNP < 100). Also, highly related S. borealis isolates (SNP < 10) from pigs was confirmed for the first time in Spain. These findings showed that various ecological niches harbor CoNS that presented MDR phenotypes mediated by multiple AMR genes carried by mobile genetic elements with relatively low frequency of intact CRISPR-Cas systems. Furthermore, the transmission of some CoNS species in humans and animals is strongly suggested.

Predicting the ecological risk thresholds of soil metals in Europe using the quantitative ion character-activity relationships (QICAR) model

Metal pollutants have become increasingly diverse. Therefore, managing the ecological risks associated with these elements in soil is urgently required. However, determining the soil ecological risk thresholds of elements through routine toxicological tests is time-consuming and laborious, establishing prediction models is vital to risk management. Accordingly, this study aimed to predict the element toxicity to soil organisms by collecting the toxicological data of eight elements to soil organisms at 18 European and 17 Chinese sites through literature and toxicology databases, using the quantitative ion character-activity relationship (s-QICAR) model. Firstly, the toxicity values (logEC10) of eight elements to five biological species and three microbial processes were obtained through clustering and soil normalization methods in three typical soil scenarios. Correlation analysis revealed that for different species and microbial processes, there are three to six physicochemical properties of elements related to their toxicity, among which, the covalent radius of the element was the best significantly correlated with logEC10 of all organisms (R2 = 0.77–0.95). Based on this, the s-QICAR model was established and used to predict the logEC10 of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn to eight organisms. Furthermore, along with the species sensitivity distribution curve, the HC5 values (i.e., 95% species protection level) for the above eight elements were calculated. Following correction, the predicted no-effect concentrations of these elements ranging from 9 to 189 mg/kg, and the ecological risk threshold map has been produced. In summary, we present a new method to quantify the ecological risk of metal-induced pollution in European soils without routine toxic measurements, and provide important insights into soil pollution risk assessment and management.

Experimental study of toxic effects of cadmium against background of physical exercise

Introduction. Nowadays, working conditions in industry are often associated with chemical exposure along with manual labour. Given the evidence of the combined effect of heavy metals and muscular work, an increase in cadmium toxicity can be expected. However, an experimental study and actual assessment of exposure to both factors are necessary to avoid underestimation or overestimation of real risks. The purpose of our study was to establish health effects of subchronic cadmium toxicity against background of physical exercise. Materials and methods. In a subchronic animal experiment, four groups of outbred male rats, 14 animals each, were exposed to cadmium chloride at a single dose of 0.77 mg/kg body weight, forced physical exercise (treadmill running), both factors combined, or acted as a control group. Hematological, biochemical, and morphometric indices in rodents were assessed at the end of the experiment. The statistical significance of differences between the groups was established using Student’s t-test (p&lt;0.05). For mathematical modelling, we used the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with the construction of Loewe isoboles. Results. We observed significant unfavorauble shifts in 27.5% of the assessed morphometric, hematological, biochemical, cytological, and histomorphometric indices in rats following the exposure to cadmium only and in combination with exercise. The mathematical analysis based on the response surface modelling showed the typology of the combined impact of chemical and physical factors to vary depending on the specific effect by which it is assessed, as well as on the dose and level of effect. Limitations. Laboratory animals of only one biological species and sex were used for the experiment, exposed to a single concentration of cadmium and physical exercise of only one intensity level. Conclusion. The principles of health effects of cadmium and physical stress as risk factors of the workplace environment specified in the in vivo experiment may serve as a basis for scientific justification of risk assessment criteria to avoid under- or overestimation of real risks in the occupational setting.

Replicating biological 3D root and hyphal networks in transparent glass chips

Replicating the complex 3D microvascular architectures found in biological systems is a critical challenge in tissue engineering and other fields requiring efficient mass transport. Conventional microfabrication techniques often face limitations in creating extensive hierarchical networks, especially within bulk materials. Here, we report a versatile bioinspired approach to generate optimized 3D microvascular networks within transparent glass matrix by transcribing the natural growth patterns of plants and fungi. Plant seeds or fungal spores are first cultivated on nanoparticle-based culture media. Subsequent heat treatment removes the biological species while sintering the surrounding compound into a solidified chip with replica root/hyphal architectures as open microchannels. A diverse range of architectures, including the hierarchical branching of plant roots and the intricate networks formed by fungal hyphae, can be faithfully replicated. The resultant glass microvascular networks exhibit high chemical and thermal stability, enabling applications under harsh conditions. Fluid flow experiments validate the functionalities of the fabricated channels. By co-cultivating plants and fungi, hierarchical multi-scale architectures mimicking natural vascular systems are achieved. This bioinspired manufacturing technique leverages autonomous biological growth for architectural optimization, offering a complementary approach to existing microfabrication methods. The transparent nature of the glass chips allows for direct optical inspection, potentially facilitating integration with imaging components. This versatile platform holds promise for various engineering applications, such as microreactors, heat exchangers, and advanced filtration systems.

Влияние содержания действующего вещества в родентицидном средстве на эффективность дератизационных обработок

House mice, gray rats and other mouse-like rodents pose a threat to human health and cause significant damage to its activities. Despite significant advances in deratization practice, rodent control currently remains a significant problem, since these biological species have a unique genetic ability to rapidly recover and increase their numbers. The rodent control program should be based on data on the ecology, behavior and preferences of rodents, their sensitivity to active substances, the specific situation of a certain object and territory. Each species has its own characteristics. It is necessary to take into account species preferences when developing the composition and form of application of rodenticidal baits. It is important to ensure the achievement of target values in the consumption of the product by rodents, its effectiveness, safety in relation to non-target species and safety during its placement and use. It is necessary to take into account what concentration of the active substance (DV) for rodents will be fatal, how much rodenticidal bait will be required for their death and for how long this amount of bait will be eaten by them. The effectiveness of the conducted deratization treatments is directly influenced by the content of the active substance in the applied rodenticidal agent. The analysis of the effectiveness of rodenticidal baits with different contents of the active substance bromadiolone in relation to house mice and gray rats showed that with a decrease in the concentration of DV in the bait, the period from the beginning of its eating to the onset of irreversible changes in the body of rodents leading to their death occurs. The placement of baits during deratization treatments should take place taking into account the species characteristics of rodents. In terms of body weight, the amount of absorbed DV by the body of a house mouse in comparison with a gray rat when eating rodenticidal bait is significantly higher, which is observed in the average daily and total intake. But in quantitative terms, gray rats consume significantly more bait. For the death of a house mouse, an average of about 8 g of bait is required with a bromadiolone content of 0.005?%, and the minimum amount was 3.2 g. For a gray rat, the average amount of bait was 32.4 g, and the minimum ~ 10 g. Taking into account these data, the amount of bait placed at the facility will vary from the number of rodents and the feedability of baits. A lower content of DV in baits contributes to an increase in their consumption during deratization treatments. With a high number of rodents, the amount of bait placed must be multiplied. Keywords: synanthropic rodents, gray rat, house mouse, deratization measures, anticoagulants, bromadiolone.

Advancements in optical biosensing techniques: From fundamentals to future prospects

Optical biosensors that consist of a light source, optical elements, and a photodetector are used to detect chemical and biological species and pollutants. This Tutorial discusses the fundamental details of optical biosensing techniques that include materials, working principle, components, sensor configurations, parameters, and future prospects. Optical biosensing techniques include plasmonic [surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and localized SPR], fluorescence, luminescence, Raman scattering, colorimetric, and interferometric methods. Bioreceptor elements play a significant role in detecting the specific analyte that can be synthetic or natural. Surface functionalization techniques to bind the bioreceptor elements on the surface, to control the bioreceptor orientation, have been discussed in detail. The possibility of integration of techniques on a chip, to develop wearable, implantable sensors, and the associated challenges have been fully demonstrated. This Tutorial provides valuable insights into the present state and future directions of optical biosensors for various applications.