Improving the efficacy of potato clonal micropropagation by inoculation with the rhizosphere bacteria <i>Azospirillum baldaniorum</i> Sp245 and <i>Ochrobactrum cytisi</i> IPA7.2

Sustainable development of agriculture depends on the provision of quality seeds to the market. Inoculation with plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria in in vitro culture can be used to improve the growth efficacy and performance of microplants. We examined the effect of in vitro inoculation of microplants of the cultivars Nevsky and Kondor with the strains Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp245 and Ochrobactrum cytisi IPA7.2 separately and in combination. We examined the morphological variables of plant growth in in vitro culture and under ex vitro adaptation conditions; we also investigated the growth and performance of the plants in the greenhouse. The dependence of the inoculation eff icacy on potato genotype, growth stage, and inoculum composition was ascertained throughout the experiment. In vitro, A. baldaniorum Sp245 alone and in combination with O. cytisi IPA7.2 promoted the formation of roots on the microplants of both cultivars and the growth of Nevsky shoots. During plant growth ex vitro, all growth variables of the Nevsky microplants were promoted by O. cytisi IPA7.2 alone and in combination with A. baldaniorum Sp245. In both cultivars grown in the greenhouse, shoot growth was promoted in most inoculation treatments. The survival ability of the Nevsky microplants in the greenhouse increased 1.7-fold under the effect of simultaneous inoculation. Inoculation of microplants with a combination of A. baldaniorum Sp245 and O. cytisi IPA7.2 increased the number of Nevsky minitubers 1.5-fold and the number of Kondor minitubers 3.5-fold. Inoculation with the tested strains can be used to promote the growth of microplants and increase the yield of minitubers in potato seed breeding for the production of healthy planting material.

Phenomenon of music-induced opening of the blood-brain barrier in healthy mice

Music plays a more important role in our life than just being an entertainment. For example, it can be used as an anti-anxiety therapy of human and animals. However, the unsafe listening of loud music triggers hearing loss in millions of young people and professional musicians (rock, jazz and symphony orchestra) owing to exposure to damaging sound levels using personal audio devices or at noisy entertainment venues including nightclubs, discotheques, bars and concerts. Therefore, it is important to understand how loud music affects us. In this pioneering study on healthy mice, we discover that loud rock music below the safety threshold causes opening of the blood-brain barrier (OBBB), which plays a vital role in protecting the brain from viruses, bacteria and toxins. We clearly demonstrate that listening to loud music during 2 h in an intermittent adaptive regime is accompanied by delayed (1 h after music exposure) and short-lasting to (during 1-4 h) OBBB to low and high molecular weight compounds without cochlear and brain impairments. We present the systemic and molecular mechanisms responsible for music-induced OBBB. Finally, a revision of our traditional knowledge about the BBB nature and the novel strategies in optimizing of sound-mediated methods for brain drug delivery are discussed.

[Recipe and application of new oxygen cocktail with high protein content in nutrition of cardiological patients]

The aims of this study was to develop recipe composition and to evaluate the use of new oxygen cocktail with high protein content in the dietary therapy of cardiological patients. Objects of the study were: the control sample - an oxygen-containing product prepared using dairy whey, fruit and berry juice, highly esterified pectin; experimental samples - oxygen-containing products, which differed from the control sample by additional introduction of whey protein hydrolysate. Experimental samples have been modified by adding to them whey protein hydrolysate in the amount of 1-3% from the total weight of composition. Technological scheme to produce protein-carbohydrate basis with high content of protein 3% has been developed, parameters of the production process were worked out. Analysis of product chemical composition has shown that 100 g contained 3.4-3.6 g of protein, 0.2-0.3 g of fat, 6.0-8.0 g of carbohydrates. Food value of the product made up 34-46 kcal (162-196 kJ). Assessment of effectiveness of new oxygen-containing product in the diet in conditions of cardiological hospital was carried out. 30 patients aged 60-75 years were included in local open prospective study, meeting the following criteria: patients with chronic heart failure I-IIА stage I-II functional classes, were hospitalized in the cardiology department, not having contraindications to enteral oxygen therapy and signed an informed consent form. In combination with standard therapy patients received new oxygenated product with high content of protein in the dose 250 ml (from 100 g of the basis) daily for 10 days during the second breakfast. By the end of the observation period, according to results of the survey, the psycho-emotional state of patients improved. It has been found that the developed oxygen-containing product with high protein content in combination with a standard diet and drug therapy of the disease was well tolerated by patients.

[Immunochemical Detection of Azospirilla in Soil with Genus-Specific Antibodies]

Immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion analysis with antibodies to whole intact cells of the type strain of nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 revealed at least three conservative surface immunogenic proteins of azospirilla. Cross-reactions with these proteins made it possible to use the above antibodies for detection of azospirilla as a genus-specific probe conjugated with horseradish peroxidase as an enzymatic label. Direct immune-enzyme analysis of soil suspensions (typical chernozem, Saratov oblast) confirmed applicability of the conjugates based on genus-specific antibodies to the surface proteins of azospirilla for direct detection of this bacterial genus in environmental samples. These results provide a basis for broad application of this method for analysis of Azospirillum occurrence in soil.

[The effect of mutations in the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides and calcofluor-binding polysaccharides on biofilm formation by Azospirillum brasilense]

The thickness and antigenic properties of biofilms produced by Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 and its mutants deficient in the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides (Lps) and calcofluor-binding polysaccharides (CBPS) at the interface between water and hydrophilic or hydrophobic solid surfaces were compared. The mutants deficient in acidic LpsI synthesis produce thicker biofilms on hydrophilic surfaces. Biofilms produced on hydrophobic surfaces by bacteria that are unable to synthesize CBPS are less pronounced. Defects in CBPS production in Azospirillum mutants with impaired flagellar motility can cause adverse effects on the cell ability to attach to hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. The loss of the neutral LpsII antigen by the mutants capable of producing CBPS does not affect their behavior on hydrophobic surfaces, which is probably due to the compensatory increase in the total polysaccharide production. The fundamental change in the Lps structure correlates with the activation of biofilm formation by the relevant mutants on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces.

[Detection of a surface sheath on Azospirillum brasilense polar flagellum]

The presence of a polysaccharide sheath on the surface of the polar flagellum of Azospirillum brasilense was revealed by immunoelectron microscopy and immunodiffusion analysis with strain-specific antibodies to lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The antigenic identity of A. brasilense Sp245 sheath material and one of the two O-specific polysaccharides of its somatic LPS was demonstrated. The screening effect of the sheath in respect to flagellin was determined by agglutination tests and by the inhibition of azospirilla motility in liquid and semisolid agarized media caused by strain-specific antibodies to LPS; no pronounced effect of genus-specific antibodies to flagellin was observed.