Transport of bound quasiparticle states in a two-dimensional boundary superfluid

The B phase of superfluid 3He can be cooled into the pure superfluid regime, where the thermal quasiparticle density is negligible. The bulk superfluid is surrounded by a quantum well at the boundaries of the container, confining a sea of quasiparticles with energies below that of those in the bulk. We can create a non-equilibrium distribution of these states within the quantum well and observe the dynamics of their motion indirectly. Here we show that the induced quasiparticle currents flow diffusively in the two-dimensional system. Combining this with a direct measurement of energy conservation, we conclude that the bulk superfluid 3He is effectively surrounded by an independent two-dimensional superfluid, which is isolated from the bulk superfluid but which readily interacts with mechanical probes. Our work shows that this two-dimensional quantum condensate and the dynamics of the surface bound states are experimentally accessible, opening the possibility of engineering two-dimensional quantum condensates of arbitrary topology.

Monocyclicity in the Function of the Erythroid Hematopoietic Lineage in Teleost Fish Exemplified by Platichthys Flesus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The erythroid lineage was studied in the flounder-gloss (Platichthys flesus Linnaeus, 1758) during the annual cycle. The erythrocyte count in the blood was determined along with the contents of immature erythroid forms (basophilic and polychromatophilic normoblasts) in the head kidney (pronephros) and the blood. Cell proliferative activity was inferred from the [3H]thymidine inclusion in circulating immature erythrocytes. Irregularity was observed in erythropoiesis occurring in flounder-gloss hematopoietic tissue. Intense production of erythroid mass was mainly associated with a post-spawning period. This was evident from an increase in the contents of immature erythroid forms in the pronephros and circulating blood and an increase in their proliferative activity. The changes were associated with peculiarities of the erythroid system organization, which precludes regular production of erythropoietin in the kidney in teleost fish.

Effect of hypersalinic stress on hemocyte morphology and hemolymph cellular composition of the ark clam (Anadarakagoshimensis)

Bivalve mollusks as typical osmoconformers are unable to maintain a constant level of internal osmolarity in conditions of salinity stress. Adaptation to fluctuations of environmental salinity is achieved through cellular osmoregulatory responses, which are accompanied with a substantial shift in functional state of cells. In the present work we investigated the effect of hypersalinity stress on hemolymph cellular composition and morphology of the ark clam (Anadara kagoshimensis) hemocytes. Ark clams were subjected to a gradual increase of environmental salinity from 18‰ to 35‰ and 45‰ and maintained at those conditions for two days. Exposure to hypersalinity 35‰ induced changes in erythrocyte morphology and led to a decrease of their diameter. At salinity 45‰ a substantial increase of hemocyte average diameter was observed, whereas the shape of cells did not change (18‰). Hyperosmotic stress was not associated with changes in hemocyte viability as well as changes in hemolymph cellular composition. The results of the present work demonstrate high tolerance of A. kagoshimensis to short-time exposure to hypersalinic conditions.

Superfluid β phase of ^{3}He

It is known that in low magnetic fields the superfluid transition of ^{3}He in nematic aerogel occurs into the polar phase. Using a vibrating aerogel resonator, we observe that in high magnetic fields this transition splits into two discrete transitions, occurring at different temperatures. According to theoretical models, a new superfluid phase-the β phase-should be realized between these two transitions. The temperature range of existence of the new phase is measured as a function of magnetic field. The results are well consistent with theoretical expectations for the β phase.

Fundamental dissipation due to bound fermions in the zero-temperature limit

The ground state of a fermionic condensate is well protected against perturbations in the presence of an isotropic gap. Regions of gap suppression, surfaces and vortex cores which host Andreev-bound states, seemingly lift that strict protection. Here we show that in superfluid 3He the role of bound states is more subtle: when a macroscopic object moves in the superfluid at velocities exceeding the Landau critical velocity, little to no bulk pair breaking takes place, while the damping observed originates from the bound states covering the moving object. We identify two separate timescales that govern the bound state dynamics, one of them much longer than theoretically anticipated, and show that the bound states do not interact with bulk excitations.

Erythrocyte profile of circulating blood of Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) under conditions of experimental hypothermia

The influence of hypothermia on erythrocyte profile of thermophile teleost species round goby, Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814), has been studied. Fish were acclimated to temperature 1-2^оС, 15-16^оС and 19-20^оС (control group) and held at given conditions for 5 days. The number of red blood cell precursors (pronormoblasts, basophilic and polychromatophilic normoblasts) in circulating blood has been estimated. Also, the number of abnormal erythrocytes, i.e. cells with micronuclei, nuclei invaginations, red blood cell shades, dacryocytes and cells undergoing amitosis has been determined on smears. The number of immature erythrocytes increased more than two times (p < 0,001) at 1-2^оС. The number of low-differentiated precursors, pronormoblasts and early basophilic normoblasts, increased for the most part. The number of abnormal erythrocytes did not change substantially, The changes in cellular blood composition were accompanied with the increase of plasma lactate concentration, indicating hypoxic state of fish. The results of the present work indicate that hematopoietic tissue remains sensitive to controlling factors at hypothermia, such as hypoxia, and may enhance proliferation and differentiation of erythroid cells.

Morphologic, cytometric and functional characterisation of Anadara kagoshimensis hemocytes

Circulating hemocytes of ark clam, Anadara kagoshimensis, were investigated using light microscopy and flow cytometry. Hemolymph contained 3 morphotype of cells, amebocytes, erythrocytes and intermediate type cells, which formed two distinct subpopulations on flow cytometric dot plots. Large cells (intermediate morphotype and erythrocytes) amounted 85.6 ± 2.8% total cells in hemolymph. Erythrocytes were hemoglobin-containing cells with up to 40 granules presented in the cytoplasm. All hemocyte types, observed in the ark clam hemolymph demonstrated equal capacity to spontaneous production of reactive oxygen species.

Hemoglobin deoxygenation and methemoglobinemia prevent regulatory volume decrease in crucian carp (Carassius carassius) red blood cells

Fish red blood cells (RBCs) exhibit an oxygen-dependent regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in hypoosmotic environment. In higher vertebrates, membrane-associated hemoglobin is involved in the regulation of osmotic ion movements across the cellular membrane. However, whether the hemoglobin conformational state plays a role in the regulation of osmotic responses in fish red blood cells is still not fully understood. We found that changes in hemoglobin conformation influence the pattern of the regulatory volume decrease in Carassius carassius red blood cells. In oxygenated cells (96.4 ± 3.7% oxygenated hemoglobin), the volume recovery was completed within 125 min. Deoxygenation of hemoglobin (96.5 ± 2.7% of deoxygenated hemoglobin) inhibited the volume decrease in hyposmotically swollen red blood cells. Reoxygenation restored regulatory volume decrease in cells within 5 min. Induced methemoglobinemia (48.4 ± 1.8% of methemoglobin and 41.3 ± 2.3% of deoxygenated hemoglobin) blocked the process of volume recovery and significantly decreased osmotic stability of red blood cells.

Gene Encoding a Novel Enzyme of LDH2/MDH2 Family is Lost in Plant and Animal Genomes During Transition to Land

L-Lactate/malate dehydrogenases (LDH/MDH) and type 2 L-lactate/malate dehydrogenases (LDH2/MDH2) belong to NADH/NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases (anaerobic dehydrogenases). They form a large protein superfamily with multiple enzyme homologs found in all branches of life: from bacteria and archaea to eukaryotes, and play an essential role in metabolism. Here, we describe the gene encoding a new enzyme of LDH2/MDH2 oxidoreductase family. This gene is found in genomes of all studied groups/classes of bacteria and fungi. In the plant kingdom, this gene was observed only in algae, but not in bryophyta or spermatophyta. This gene is present in all taxonomic groups of animal kingdom beginning with protozoa, but is lost in lungfishes and other, higher taxa of vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, avians and mammals). Since the gene encoding the new enzyme is found only in taxa associated with the aquatic environment, we named it AqE (aquatic enzyme). We demonstrated that AqE gene is convergently lost in different independent lineages of animals and plants. Interestingly, the loss of the gene is consistently associated with transition from aquatic to terrestrial life forms, which suggests that this enzyme is essential in aquatic environment, but redundant or even detrimental in terrestrial organisms.

Bose-Einstein Condensation of Magnons and Spin Superfluidity in the Polar Phase of ^{3}He

The polar phase of ^{3}He, which is topological spin-triplet superfluid with the Dirac nodal line in the spectrum of Bogoliubov quasiparticles, has been recently stabilized in a nanoconfined geometry. We pump magnetic excitations (magnons) into the sample of polar phase and observe how they form a Bose-Einstein condensate, revealed by coherent precession of the magnetization of the sample. Spin superfluidity, which supports this coherence, is associated with the spontaneous breaking of U(1) symmetry by the phase of precession. We observe the corresponding Nambu-Goldstone boson and measure its mass emerging when applied rf field violates the U(1) symmetry explicitly. We suggest that the magnon BEC in the polar phase is a powerful probe for topological objects such as vortices and solitons and topological nodes in the fermionic spectrum.

Observation of Half-Quantum Vortices in Topological Superfluid ^{3}He

One of the most sought-after objects in topological quantum-matter systems is a vortex carrying half a quantum of circulation. They were originally predicted to exist in superfluid ^{3}He-A but have never been resolved there. Here we report an observation of half-quantum vortices (HQVs) in the polar phase of superfluid ^{3}He. The vortices are created with rotation or by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism and identified based on their nuclear magnetic resonance signature. This discovery provides a pathway for studies of unpaired Majorana modes bound to the HQV cores in the polar-distorted A phase.

[FUNCTIONAL MORPHOLOGY OF BLOOD ERYTHROID CELLS IN NEOGOBIUS MELANOSTOMUS P. DURING CELL DIFFERENTIATION]

The morphometric characteristics of immature erythroid cells in circulating blood of the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus P) were studied: late basophilic normoblasts (BN), polychromatic normoblasts (PN), normocytes (mature erythrocytes). The linear sizes of the blood cells were assessed on photographs in the computer program ImageJ 1.44p. The sizes of the longitudinal and transverse axes of the cell and of its nucleus were determined. Using the appropriate algorithm, the following parameters were calculated: form index (MS), volume (Vc), area (Sc), thickness (h) and the specific surface area (SSc) of cells and nuc- lei as well as the nuclear-plasma ratio (NCR). The major changes occurred at the stage: PN - normocy- tes. They were aimed at improving the respiratory characteristics of cells. Besides accumulating hemoglobin in the cytoplasm and suppressing the functional activity of the nucleus, a significant increase in the diffusion surface of blood corpuscles was noted. As compared to BNs, S, and SS, of normocytes increased by 40 and 17 %, respectively, and the cells became ellipse-shaped. The processes underlying the formati- on of mature erythrocyte cytoskeleton are discussed.

Polar Phase of Superfluid (3)He in Anisotropic Aerogel

We report the first observation of the polar phase of superfluid (3)He. This phase appears in (3)He confined in a new type of aerogel with a nearly parallel arrangement of strands which play the role of ordered impurities. Our experiments qualitatively agree with theoretical predictions and suggest that in other systems with unconventional Cooper pairing (e.g., in unconventional superconductors) similar phenomena may be found in the presence of anisotropic impurities.

[FUNCTIONAL STATE OF SCORPION FISH SCORPAENA PORCUS L. NUCLEATED ERYTHROCYTES UNDER DOSED HYPOXIA]

Hypoxia is a wide spread phenomena throughout the world's aquatic systems. This paper investigates the functional state of scorpion fish red blood cells under acute hypoxia between 0.57-8.17 mg O2/l (in vitro) by assessing of the fluorescence of Rhodamine 123 (R123) and Fluorescein diacetate (FDA). Acute hypoxia induced a significant increase in the fluorescence of both fluorochromes (R123 - 12-60, FDA - 30-184%). This reaction is based on a probable decrease in erythrocyte membrane permeability. The reduction of functional ionic channels in red blood cells delays FDA in the cytoplasm and lowers the energy costs required for transmembrane cationic gradient maintenance, which reflects an intensification of R123 fluorescence.

[The activity of transaminases in the tissues of the Black-Sea mollusk Mytilus galloprovincialis]

The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, E. C. 2.6.1.1) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, E. C. 2.6.1.2) were studied in the tissues of the bivalve mollusks differing in shell color. Shell color patterns were assessed by photographing and computer processing in Adobe Photoshop CS-3. The activity of transaminases was determined by the Reitman-Frankel procedure. Four color groups of mollusks were singled out: black, intermediate, dark- and light brown. The AST and ALT activities were found to increase as shells lose color probably reflecting different tolerance of mollusks to habitats with different concentration of oxygen. The ALT distribution pattern differs appreciably in the foot of M. galloprovincialis where the highest values were found in the black-colored mussels, evidently due to the change of the predominant enzyme function. In this tissue, the reaction of transamination replenishes the pool of free amino acids required for the synthesis of byssus threads.

[Coupling of membranous and metabolic functions in nucleated erythrocytes of Scorpaena porcus L. in hypoxia (experiments in vivo and in vitro)]

Effect of hypoxia (diapason of 0.57-8.17 mg O2 l(-1)) on functional characteristics of nucleated erythrocytes of the benthonic marine fish Scorpaena porcus L. was studied under conditions in vivo and in vitro. It has been established that characteristic of cellular system of this species is a balanced unhibition of membranous and metabolic functions under conditions of external deficit of oxygen (experiments in vivo). This is expressed in the ability of cells to maintain within norm the intracellular ATP concentration and transmembrane gradients for Na+ and K+ with low activities of Na+, K(+)-ATPase and hexokinase. This phenomenon seems to be based on the process of a decrease of the number of functioning ion channel at the level of the cell cytoplasmic membrane; this process reduces energy expenditure for maintenance of cationic gradients (the phenomenon of metabolic arrest). The same is also indicated by an increase of intensity of fluorescence of FDA and R123 in the scorpaena erythrocytic suspensions in hypoxia (experiments in vitro). Mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are discussed.

[Stoichiometry of cytochromes and oxygen tension in skeletal muscles of marine fish]

The character of oxygen tension distribution and peculiarities of cytochromes stoichiometry in skeletal muscles of bottom and pelagic species of marine fish were compared. It is shown, that the limitation of muscle activity increases the number of hypoxic zones in the muscle tissue. The mitochondrial electron-transporting chain then obtain the uncompensated type of organization, expressed in the increase of the share of the terminal complex aa3 on the background of general reduction of cytochromes content in the muscles. The reaction is of an adaptive character and can be implemented by pelagic fish species in conditions of experimental hypokinesia.

[Functional states of the antioxidant enzymatic complex of tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. under conditions of oxidative stress]

There are generalized materials on reaction of enzymatic antioxidant (AO) complex of tissues of molluscs of the genus Mytilus to oxidative loading of different intensity. It is shown that with increase of level of oxidative stress, a rise of activity of glutathione peroxidase (GP) and glutathione reductase (GR) is observed, as well as the rate of glutathione (GSH) in tissues also increases. Then the toxic loading is compensated by a rise of activities of enzymes of low affinity to hydroperoxides, specifically of catalase. In the glutathione system, it is possible to identify several relatively steady states: of low, moderate, and highly intensive processes. In several tissues, functioning of the AO system seems to be directed not to rendering harmless, but to generation of reactive oxygen species (O2-, superoxide dismutase), which is likely to be determined by specificity of their running processes (destruction of damaged byssus theads). The molluscan AO complex is characterized by high lability and sensitivity both to physiological states (spawning) and to action of factors of anthropogenic nature (cationic detergents). Reactions of AO complex of the mussel to the natural states and to toxic action are comparable between each other, which is necessary to be taken into account at diagnostics of the aquatic medium.

[Hemoglobin system of golden mullet (Liza aurata, Risso) at adaptation to conditions of outer hypoxia]

Under conditions of experiment, effect of outer hypoxia on the hemoglobin heterogeneous system and respiratory blood characteristics were studied in the golden mullet (Liza aurata R). The control fish groups was maintained at oxygen pressure of 158-162 gPa, the experimental group at 54-55 gPa. Exposure--15 days, water temperature--15 degrees C. Under conditions of oxygen deficit in the mullet body there is noted development of complex of compensatory reactions directed to maintenance of the oxygen blood capacity. Initially (the 1st-2nd day), the release of erythrocytes from spleen is noted, which increases the number of red blood cells and the hemoglobin concentration in blood (emergency adaptation). Then (the 10th-15th day), quantitative readjustments occur at the level of the hemoglobin system, which lead to an increase of blood affinity to oxygen and to a decrease of its sensitivity to pH (long-term adaptation). The revealed changes take place on the background of a decrease of volume of circulating erythrocytes, which reflects the character of change of erythrocytic (MCV, MCHC) and seem to be a consequence of partial dehydration of blood plasma.

[Qualitative composition of carotenoids, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in tissues of bivalve mollusc Anadara inaequivalvis (Bruguiere, 1789)]

By using high-performance liquid chromatography, UV-VIS-spectra and mass spectra (FAB MS) in tissues of bivalve mollusc Anadara inaequivalvis (Bruguiere, 1789) there are identified seven kinds of carotenoids: trans- and cis-pectenolon, alloxanthin, pectenol A, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and diatoxanthin. Their quantitative ratio in hepatopancreas, gills, and foot of the animals was determined. There was revealed negative correlation (R2 about 0.9) between content of several carotenoids (trans- and cis-pectenolon, zeaxanthin, alloxanthin, and diatoxanthin) in tissues and activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase). The presence of competitive relations between these molecular systems is assumed and their underlying causes are discussed.

[Composition and content of carotenoids in body of the Black Sea gastropod mollusc Rapana venosa (Valenciennes, 1846)]

There were studied content and composition of carotenoids in body of the Black Sea gastropod mollusc Rapana venosa. To separate and identify this group of compounds, methods of thin layer and high performance liquid chromatography, mass-spectra and spectra in UV-VIS range were used. There were identified 84-87% of carotenoids. The main proportion belonged to mytiloxanthine--28-30%. The rest--pectenolon, diatoxanthin, alloxanthin--accounted for 10-15% of the total content except for beta-carotene--3-4%. The fraction is also isolated which contains complex esters of pectenolon, diatoxanthin, alloxanthin, and mytiloxanthin. It amounts to 17-20 % of pigments of carotenoid line. Minor components were not determined. Pathways of metabolic transformation of carotenoids in tissues of R. venosa are considered on the basis of study of the trophic system "mollusc-filtrator--mollusc-predator" by the example of Mytilus galloprovincialis and R. venosa.

[Content of carotenoids and the state of tissue antioxidant enzymatic complex in bivalve mollusc Anadara inaequivalvis Br]

The work studied the content of carotinoids, the state of antioxidant (AO) enzymatic complex, and intensity of lipid peroxidation in tissues (hepatopancreas, gill, foot) of the Black Sea bivalve mollusc Anadara inaequivalvis. Tissues with a high content of the pigment have been established to have had a low activity of the key AO enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and an elevated content of reduced glutathione R2--(0.81-0.97). The recorded intertissue activities reached 1.7-2.9 times (p < or = 0.05-0.01). At increased concentrations (more than 2.5 mg x 100 g(-1) tissue), carotinoids show insignificant prooxidant effect, which is reflected in a rise of glutathione peroxidase activity. The competitive interrelations between these molecular complexes for the same kinds of reactive ocygem species (O2-, OH*, and 1O2) are discussed.

[Mass-transfer, utilization, and diffusion of oxygen in skeletal muscles of the stenohaline goby Gobius cobitus Pallas under conditions of hypoosmotic medium]

Effect of hypoosmotic conditions of medium on oxygen regime of skeletal muscles of the stenohalin goby Gobius cobitus Pallas was studied under conditions of experiment. The control fish group was maintained at 12-14 %o, the experimental one - at 4.8-5.6 per thousand. Duration of the experiment - 44-45 days, water temperature - 15 +/- 1 degrees C, photoperiod - 12 day/12 night. It was established that under conditions of external hypoosmia there occurred hydration of the goby skeletal muscles and a decrease of their diffusion capability with respect to oxygen. The latter was accompanied by the tissue P(O2) decrease, which is indicated by low values of P(O2) in the venous blood outflowing from muscles. For the first 14-16 days of adaptation to the hypoosmotic medium there were restricted processes of mass transfer and oxygen utilization, which was associated with a decrease of the voluminous tissue blood flow and the blood oxygen concentration. These changes occurred on the background of the blood plasma hydration and a decrease of the number of circulated erythrocytes, and then they were completely compensated.

[Oxygen binding by marine fish blood under hypothermic experimental conditions]

Influence of temperature in the range of 1-15 degrees C on oxygen binding properties of blood of thermophilic--golden mullet (Liza aurata), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), and cold-tolerant--sardelle (Clupeonella cultriventris) fishes has been investigated under experimental conditions. Heat dependence of oxygenation reaction in thermophilic fish blood at temperature below 10 degrees C considerably increases, which is evidenced by high deltaH values. That is accompanied by a substantial increase of blood oxygen affinity and complicates blood deoxygenation at the tissue level. This reaction is apparently determined by the change of hemoglobin interaction with intraerythrocyte medium. The concentration of NTP in erythrocytes increases, that partially compensates negative changes of blood oxygen affinity (parameter P50 is raised) under long-term maintenance of fishes at 5 degrees C. However this reaction is not observed at low temperatures (1-2 degrees C).

[Peculiarities of organization of tissue metabolism in molluscs with different tolerance to external hypoxia]

Oxygen consumption, content of several carbohydrate metabolites, and activities of their coupled enzymes were studied in bivalve molluscs with different tolerance to oxygen deficit: Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. (black morpha) and Anadara inaequivalvis Br. It has been shown that under conditions of external normoxia the anadara resistance to hypoxia preserves anaerobic orientation of metabolism. Its tissues are distinguished by high activities of malate and lactate dehydrogenases with the decreased content of glucose and the increased level of lactate. In several organs the succinate thiokinase and fumarate reductase reactions are realized, which is indicated by elevated activities of the alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. The anaerobic orientation of protein metabolism is added by a high pool of free aminoacids and the elevated urea content in the molluscs tissues. The total orientation of metabolism in the anadara tissues rules out a significant lactate accumulation and determines low requirements of its organism in oxygen.

[Contents of monovalent cations and ATP in erythrocytes of marine fishes in experimental hypoxia]

Coupling of membrane and metabolic functions in nuclear erythrocytes was investigated under experimental hypoxia conditions in fishes (Liza aurata, Scorpaena porcus) with different tolerance to oxygen deficiency. It was shown, that resistant to hypoxia Scorpaena porcus keeps in erythrocytes transmembrane gradients of K+ and Na+ and cellular concentration ATP under 15% of oxygen saturation of sea water. It was connected with the decrease in Na+, K+ -ATPase and hexokinase activity. The reaction to oxygen deficiency was opposite in sensitive to hypoxia Liza aurata erythrocytes. A decrease in ionic gradients and concentration of ATP in red blood cells was observed while the activity of Na+, K+ -ATPase and hexokinase was high. The reasons of the differences obtained are discussed.

[Tissue specificity of metabolism in bivalve mollusc Anadara inaequivalvis Br. under conditions of experimental anoxia]

Peculiarities of the course of metabolic processes in tissues of the bivalve mollusc Anadara inaequivalvis Br. were studied under conditions of experimental anoxia. In the absence of oxygen, in gill and foot the protein catabolism processes were found to be enhanced; this led to a decrease of the protein content and to an increase of the free amino acid and urea levels. Predominantly hydrolyzed were low molecular peptides, which was indicated by a decrease of the cathepsin D activity on the background of a rise of the gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity. Anoxia was accompanied by enhancement of the succinate thiokinase and fumarate reductase reactions controlled by alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. They prevented accumulation of toxic lactate in tissues and allowed obtaining an additional macroerg resource. Metabolic processes in the mollusc hepatopancreas were oriented to production of amino acids.

[Effect of hypoxia on the content and stoichiometry of cytochromes in muscle of the gray mullet Liza aurata]

The maintenance of the gray mullet Liza aurata under conditions of hypoxia (P(O2) 55-82 GPa) for 1-2 days led to a decrease of oxygen pressure in arterial blood by 47%, while in venous blood--by 28%. The mean muscle oxygen pressure decreased by 19.2%. The number of hypoxic and anoxic zones in muscle tissue decreased significantly, in particular in red muscle. The maintenance of the fish in hypoxic waters for 15 days led to a rise of the content of cytochromes in muscle and a qualitative readjustment of the mitochondrial respiratory chain manifested in an increase of the content of cytochromes a and a3 and a decrease of cytochrome b. In discussion, literature data are presented which support the described regularity.

[State of the antioxidant enzyme complex of tissues of the Black Sea mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis under conditions of natural oxidative stress]

The state of the antioxidant (AO) system (AOS) and the content of products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in hepatopancreas, gill, and foot of the Black Sea mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. were studied in norm and under conditions of natural oxidative stress (spawning). It has been established that under conditions of spawning, the AO-protection of hepatopancreas cells is predominantly oriented to inactivation of high concentrations of peroxide compounds with participation of glutathione peroxidase and catalase. In the foot tissue, on the contrary, the main role in AO-processes is played by enzymatic inhibition of superoxide anionradical with aid of superoxide dismutase. The highest level of oxidative stress in the spawning state is revealed in the mollusc gill, which is indicated by the maximal increase of the content of TBK-active products.

[Antioxidant enzyme complex of tissues of the bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. under normal and oxidative-stress conditions: a review]

The results of studies of tissue specifics of the enzymatic antioxidant complex of the bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. are summarized. It is shown that the highest oxidative load is experienced by gills. The antioxidant complex of gills largely depends on environmental conditions than on the mollusk's state, which allows this tissue to be used for ecological diagnostics. A decrease in the content of carotenoids in tissue s suppressed the activities of the key enzymes of antiradical defense-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase-and is accompanied by a decrease in the reduced glutathione (GSH) pool. The state of the antioxidant complex of molluscan tissues under conditions of natural (spawning) and artificial (exposure to a cationic surfactant) oxidative stress was studied.

[Haemoglobin system of Black Sea round goby under experimental hypoxia conditions]

Haemoglobin of the Black Sea round goby (Neogobius melanostomus P.) resisting to external hypoxia was studied. Haemoglobin of this species was fractionated into 4 components (2 minor and 2 major ones) by the disk-electrophoresis in polyacrylamid gel. The major fractions were eluted and their respiration parameters were investigated. One of them showed high affinity for O2 (P50 5.81 +/- 0.74 mm Hg at pH 8.3) and heightened sensibility to pH (Bohr effect amounted to -0.81 +/- 0.09 at pH of 8.3 --> 7.5) simultaneously. Moreover, an acidosis incubation medium (pH 8.3 --> 7.5) decreased its O2 saturation by 12.8 +/- 1.4% (Root effect). The level of this fraction increased by 41.8% (p < 0.001) under the experimental hypoxia conditions (seawater O2 concentration range was 1.7-1.8 mg 1(-1); exposition--10 days). It affected blood respiration parameters and reflected the process of adaptation of this species to oxygen deficiency. The nucleotidtriphosphate level in red blood cells did not change. Swelling of circulated erythrocytes was observed simultaneously.

[Features of the organization of the cytochrome systems and oxygen regimen in skeletal muscles of marine fishes]

The organization of cytochrome systems in pelagic (Mugil so-iuy) and benthic (Platichthys flesus luscus) species of sea fishes were investigated. The total cytochrome content was 3.6-3.7 times higher (p < 0.001) in muscles of active M. so-iuy and made 67.5 +/- 5.3 nM g-1 for red and 5.91 +/- 0.58 nM g-1 for white muscle tissue. Cytochrome stechiometry had non-compensation character in benthic P. flesus luscus. Cytochrome ratio-b/aa3, was less than one and was equivalent 0.80-0.83 for both muscle groups. On the contrary it was higher than one--1.47-1.66 (p < 0.001) in M. so-iuy. Differences in cytochrome organization were connected with oxygen state of muscle tissue of these fishes. Mean oxygen tension in P. flesus luscus muscles was lower for 20.1-22.5% (p < 0.001). A number of anoxic and hypoxic zones (less than 6 mm Hg) in muscle tissue of this fish made 70 and 4-6% for white and red muscles accordingly. This value was 1.7-2.5 times lower in M. so-iuy muscles.

[Principles of functioning of various systems of the human body in the post-aggressive period]

The authors' investigations provide the conclusion that in a post-aggressive period there are organized cyclic fluctuations in the body hormones, penetrability of vessels, electrolytes and blood cells. The cycle takes 48 hours.

[Leukocyte index for the assessment of an allergic process]

The authors discuss the diagnostic significance of the blood formula and of indexes derived from the formula, used in clinical practice, for assessing the allergic reaction. The counts of eosinophils and lymphocytes increase in 56-86% of cases in allergic reactions. Analysis of the blood formula enabled the authors derive a new index for detection of allergic reaction: the allergization index (AI). AI fluctuations in normal subjects are from 0.68 to 1.08, whereas in the patients with various forms of allergic reactions it increases to 2.37-2.97. Allergic reactions were detected by AI in 82-91% of cases.

[Effect of hypoxia on biochemical parameters of Scorpaena erythrocytes]

Hypoxia effect on the nuclear of the Scorpaena porcus (L.) in vivo was studied. It was shown, that existence of the fishes in environmental with low oxygen concentration-1.3-1.4 mg.1-1 (15% initial saturation) resulted in reducing in activities of Na+, K(+)-ATPase, hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the erythrocyte for 50.0 (p < 0.001), 26.5% (p < 0.01) and 53.7% (p < 0.05) accordingly. ATP concentration in cells and membrane gradient of Na+, K+ concentrations between blood serum and intracellular environment did not change. A conclusion was made about a decrease of cells membrane penetration and oppression of intracellular metabolism. These changes proceeded on a background of the blood serum dehydration and decrease of the mean volume of erythrocytes. The part of aldosteron and vasopressin in membrane penetration of nuclear erythrocytes is discussed.