The history of development in the last 7 years of the scientific journal “Moscow University Biological Sciences Bulletin” (MUBSB) is reviewed. It is the English edition of the Russian scientific research peer-reviewed quarterly journal of the School of Biology of Lomonosov Moscow State University “MSU Vestnik (Herald). Series 16. Biology”. MUBSB is published by “Allerton Press”, a member since 2007 of the International Academic Publishing Company “Nauka/Interperiodica”. It is emphasized that rapid progress of MUBSB in the recent years was related, apparently, to the fact
that since 2007 the journal has been distributed by internationally renowned publishing consortium “Springer” placing all electronic versions of articles on its website, which has led to a manifold increase in the number of the journal’s subscribers. By-turn, the number of MUBSB papers’ downloads from the publishing company web site has also abruptly raised in those years. It is noted that the growing popularity of the journal led to its inclusion in a number of international databases, and this, in turn, increased its attractiveness for a large number of authors, including Russian non-members of Moscow University, as well as scientists from research institutes and universities of other countries. The main features of the spectrum of the papers published in MUBSB are briefly considered.

This paper presents the results of a study of developmental dynamics of pathological changes in the liver tissue of different aged mice with induced fibrosis, and also shows the role of melatonin as hepatoprotector. It was demonstrated, that the toxic damage causes more severe pathological changes in the structure of liver tissue of old animals, than of younger ones. The use of melatonin demonstrates a tendency to reduce the degree of liver fibrotization in young animals with induced fibrosis.

The behavioral effects of YPFVV-NH2 (an analogue of soymorphin-5, an exorphin derived from soy protein) in rat were investigated for the first time. Rats of different sex and age were tested. It was shown that in adult rats the stimulation of locomotion (in males) was the main effect of peptide injection. In juvenile rats, in turn, the main effect of YPFVV-NH2 was related to anxiety. Anxiolytic effect superseded anxiogenic effect during puberty. Finally, manifestation of peptide effects depended on animals’ stress level.

Modern growth in production and use of nanomaterials may lead to new types of environmental pollution with nanoparticles. There is a need for better studying of the potential toxicity of nanomaterials. Interactions of the nanoparticles of gold (Au) with the aquatic macrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum under conditions of microcosms were studied. It is the first study to report some phytotoxicity of the nanoparticles of gold (Au) to aquatic macrophytes. A new method of detection of phytotoxicity was suggested and successfully applied. Phytotoxicity was discovered at concentrations of gold (in the form of nanoparticles) 6 · 10–6 М—1,8 · 10–5 М.

From natural and anthropogenic sources several microbial associations were obtained. All of associations, grow well on glucose and significantly worse on acetate. It is observed 80—95% glucose consumption during 3—5 days growth. The substrates oxidation by cultures generates an electric potential difference between the anode and cathode electrodes of the microbial fuel cell (MFE). The value of the potential difference depends on the nature of the association and the substrate and reaches 400—500 mV. Potential difference generation accompanied by a shift in the negative region of the medium redox potential (Eh) to –(300—400) mV. This indicates H2 evolution by association cultures during carbohydrates oxidation. Artificial redox mediators such as tetramethyl-p-phenilen-diamine, phenasine methosulphate and benzyl viologen able to increase up to 15% difference in electrical potential across the electrodes MFE. It is ssumed that the increase in the potential difference across the electrodes, induced redox mediators due to their direct involvement in the transfer of electrons from the bacteria in the incubation medium into MFE anode electrode. Direct measurement of current and potential difference on electrodes in a mode of “short circuit” shows that the internal resistance of MFE is equal to 1 Kohm, and power reaches 5 microwatt. Undoubtedly it testifies to the low efficiency developed by MFE.

For the first time a comparative analysis of the abundance and biodiversity actinomycetes complexes isolated from the living ants Lasius niger and Formica cunicularia, as well as of material anthills, was conducted. The number of actinomycetes detected in ants L. niger, close to a number of actinomycetes in their anthill, which is much higher than those for F. cunicularia. Actinomycetes community of anthills and intact soil are of high diversity, equitability, without severe dominants, the presence of common species. Biodiversity of actinomycetes associated with live ants is significantly below, and a set of actinomycetes are specific for each species of ants.

In thalli of lichens belonging to the genera Cladonia (4 species), Cetraria (2 species) and Flavocetraria (2 species), the content and the pattern of distribution of mycotoxins, and also usnic acid were studied using the method of immunoenzymatic analysis. Statistically significant differences were estimated between the upper and the lower parts of the thalli. The levels of the mycotoxins in the lower, older, parts of the thalli were higher than in upper, younger ones. The comparison of lichen specimens belonging to the same species which were collected in the same location in different years did not reveal statistically differences in the content of mycotoxins both in the upper and the lower parts of the thalli. Statistically significant differences in the usnic acid content were revealed only in the case of C. stellaris. In the upper part of the podetia of this species the usnic acid content was higher than in the lower one.

Critical estimation of literary information about yellow-frontal wagtail Motacilla citreola Pallas, 1776 (Passeriformes, Motacillidae, Motacillinae) is carrying out on boundary XIX—XX centuries, estimation of contemporary quantity, limited factories and regularities of species distribution on research territory of European part of Russia and the Middle Volga Region are gived.

As a result of preliminary study of the spider fauna of White Sea Biological Station, Moscow State University, 36 spiders species of 10 families are found, being ca. 20% of the whole species diversity of this locality.