The influence of high­intensity (110 dB) sound vibrations on experimental rats was studied on the behavior level. Classical behavioral tests (open field, hole­board, light/dark box) were used to examine behavioral changes during 5 min acoustic impact of either audible or infrasound spectrum. Statistically­significant changes in locomotor activity and grooming reactions were observed, following either aural or infrasound impact. The set of observed effects could be classified as active avoidance reaction.

Phase interactions between EEG rhythms during short time interval perception were studied in 27 young men and 29 young women, all university students. The study has shown that, most often, close phase connections are observed between gamma­rhythm and other EEG rhythms or between different frequencies of gamma­rhythm. The influence of such factors as “sex”, “activity type”, and “activity stage” on the phase interactions being studied has been established. A connection of phase interactions with the levels of intellect, extraversion, neuroticism, particularities of the lateral organization of brain, and the accuracy of time perception has been revealed.

For better understanding the hair growth histophysiology and to improve the possibility of using hair follicles as a model for the developmental biology correlation and regression analysis of the hair cross section diameter and corresponding parameters of other hair follicle layers were carried out. Basing on these data hair follicle computer model “Hair follicle layer proportions” was elaborated which after interpolating hair cross section diameter or area allowed to count corresponding parameters of other hair follicle layers and their proportions.

The model of different hair follicle layers induction in the stable hair growth phase (anagen VI) is suggested. It includes induction of the layers by different concentration ranges of the main inductor, arranged as concentration gradient from follicle axis towards its periphery. The main inductor is supposed to be produced by connective tissue papilla or cambium itself. Beside the main inductor there must exist three additional contact inductive actions of the neighboring layers: 1) outer sheath → Henle layer; 2) inner sheath → hair cuticle; 3) hair cuticle → inner sheath cuticle.

A brief comparative analysis of different approaches to cell viability testing in cytogerontological experiments is made. Particular emphasis is placed upon problems arising under constructing of survival curves for cultured cells in the “stationary phase aging” model. It is noted that the choice of the appropriate methods is mainly determined by the researchers‘ ideas about molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging. It is emphasized that the evaluation of cell cloning efficiency, though optimal for cell viability determination, is, unfortunately, non­applicable to postmitotic or very slowly propagating cells. Some problems encountered when using the most popular molecular probes designed for “live/dead” assays of cell population are also briefly reviewed.

Review devoted to analysis of probable participation of small heat shock proteins in different cellular processes at diabetes. Diabetes causes the metabolic stress which is accompanied by the change of carbohydrate metabolism, accumulation of products of glycation and glycosylation, modulation of protein kinase activity, modulation of redox state of the cell and increase of reactive oxygen species. All these processes can increase expression of small heat shock proteins. Therefore diabetes increases the level of small heat shock proteins in the heart, retina, certain brain regions and in the kidney cells. Increase of the level of small heat shock proteins can improve transduction of insulin signal; protect the cell against oxidative stress and apoptosis. Different ways providing increase of the level of small heat shock proteins are analyzed. Different mechanisms of covalent modification of proteins by carbohydrates and their metabolites are described. The data are presented that indicate that hyperglycemia induces modification of different amino acid residues. This leads to the changes in the structure, chemical crosslinking and modulation of physiologically important properties of small heat shock proteins. Further detailed investigation of small heat shock proteins might be important for utilization of these proteins as promising potential target for developing of new approaches for treatment of different forms of diabetes.

Algae samples were collected in swamps located at Pavlov-Posad in Moscow Region. There were found 141 species and varieties, 31 taxa of them being new to the region and 6 taxa being new to the Russia. Descriptions of the taxa were specified by observation of cell wall ornamentation with scanning electron microscopy. Original descriptions and photos of new for Russia algae are presented.

By means of a bacterial luminescent test the study investigates physiological activity of industrial humates and humic substances preparations extracted from different sources. Saturated solution of humic substances suppressed luminescence of objects under study. At the same time, the preparation reduced the effect of Cu2+ ions on living cells.

Polychlorinated dibenzo­p­dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) contamination of birds eggs (chicken, duck, Pycnonotus blanfordi, Lonchura striata eggs) from ten Vietnam provinces was investigated. PCDD/F levels in eggs ranged from 0,4 to 107,6 pg WHO­TEQ2005 g–1lipid, with levels in the southern part of Vietnam were generally higher than those in the northern part.

The members of the genus Navicula Bory sensu stricto (Bacillariophyceae) from the River Moscow in vicinity of S.N. Skadovskiy Zvenigorod Biological Station were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. As a result of the study 28 species of the genus Navicula were identified, 7 taxa are recorded in Moscow river for the first time, 2 species were not previously reported from inland waters of Russia. For each taxon brief descriptions and original micrographs are provided.

The plant communities composition and -diversity of the Maguntan mud volcano were studied along line transect (77 m). The vegetation cover of young mud flows is characterized by low total number of plants species (8) and abundance of 3 local endemic taxa — Deschampsia tzvelevii, Primula sachalinensis, Gentianella sugawarae. This species composition changed along mud volcano stress-gradient and create microzonal structure in vegetation. The plants abundance, -diversity and number of species correlated with distance from the main eruption center and central mud flow area (“death zone”).