We examined trends in expansion patterns and relative abundances of Dreissena bugensis in reservoirs and major river systems in eastern Europe. Based on our own data and data from the literature, it is apparent that trends were variable across river basins and not easily related to environmental conditions. In some cases these did not conform to the patterns typically found for dreissenids. In the early period of expansion beyond its native range in the Dnieper-Bug delta and estuary, D. bugensis rapidly replaced Dreissena polymorpha in the upper Dnieper River system, but increased only gradually and over time became less abundant relative to D. polymorpha in the DonManych River system. Contrary to the Dnieper and Don River systems, in the Volga River system considerable spatial variability in relative abundances was apparent, particularly in northern reservoirs. Moreover, even though D. bugensis usually displaces D. polymorpha as the dominant dreissenid, the latter can remain dominant in certain types of habitats where conditions are less favourable for the former. Suggested factors that may be responsible for differences in invasion patterns in the river systems may include differential responses to temperature, or to some other factor(s) associated with geographical latitude, the level of water mineralization, and selective predation by molluscivorous fish. In particular, the northward expansion of D. bugensis seems to be limited by temperature. The lack of long-term data on appropriate scales precludes linking these differences to specific features within the environment, but our comparisons indicate that the expansion of D. bugensis relative to D. polymorpha is more complex than previously believed.

Correction of autonomous nervous status by VNS attenuated HR and improved functional state of the heart in CAD patients. Cardiotropic effect of VNS was the most pronounced in patients with preserved endogenous stress-limiting systems associated with hsp60 and/or hsp70.

In clinical practice, the metabolic syndrome can lead to multiple complications, including diabetes. It remains unclear which component of the metabolic syndrome (obesity, inflammation, hyperglycemia, or insulin resistance) has the strongest inhibitory effect on stem cells involved in beta cell regeneration. This makes it challenging to develop effective treatment options for complications such as diabetes. In our study, experiments were performed on male C57BL/6 mice where metabolic disorders have been introduced experimentally by a combination of streptozotocin-treatment and a high-fat diet. We evaluated the biological effects of Bisamide Derivative of Dicarboxylic Acid (BDDA) and its impact on pancreatic stem cells in vivo. To assess the impact of BDDA, we applied a combination of histological and biochemical methods along with a cytometric analysis of stem cell and progenitor cell markers. We show that in mice with metabolic disorders, BDDA has a positive effect on lipid and glucose metabolism. The pancreatic restoration was associated with a decrease of the inhibitory effects of inflammation and obesity factors on pancreatic stem cells. Our data shows that BDDA increases the number of pancreatic stem cells. Thus, BDDA could be used as a new compound for treating complication of the metabolic syndrome such as diabetes.