Capparis spinosa L. is a xerophytic species with high resistance to drought, extreme temperatures, and soil moisture deficiency. Due to its biological characteristics, the plant effectively prevents soil erosion and land degradation. This study focuses on the role of mineral metabolism in the adaptation of C. spinosa to saline conditions. Based on a comparative analysis of the elemental composition of soils and vegetative plant organs sampled from contrasting ecotopes, the key mechanisms of salt tolerance in this species have been identified. In soils and C. spinosa samples, 25 elements were identified and quantified: nine macroelements (K, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Al, Sr, S, P), twelve microelements, and four heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg). The content of macroelements in soils decreased in the following sequence: Ca, Fe, Al, K, Na, Mg, Sr, P, S. In the studied C. spinosa samples, highly efficient potassium (K) accumulation was detected (BAC > 10), while sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), and sodium (Na) exhibited hyperaccumulation properties (BAC > 1.0–10.0). Magnesium (Mg) and strontium (Sr) showed moderate accumulation (BAC > 0.1–1.0). C. spinosa accumulates calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and aluminium (Al) in limited quantities to support metabolic processes (BAC > 0.01–0.1).

The study aimed to investigate the amino acid composition of sheep by-products (kidney, liver, heart, spleen, blood, and lung) using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that 17 amino acids in the samples were successfully detected by HPLC, and the chromatographic peak shape was sharp without interference from extraneous peaks, demonstrating good separation. The amino acid content and composition in by-products serve as key factors in evaluating protein nutritional value and directly influence this value in by-products. Among the six types of samples, there is a significant difference in the content of total amino acids; among them, liver and spleen exhibit the highest total amino acid content, 21.335 g/100 g and 19.325 g/100 g respectively, while blood exhibited the lowest value of 12.49 g/100 g.

The study evaluates the effectiveness of two methods for chlorophyll sampling in expeditionary conditions. The first method is based on a portable, syringe-based pressure filtration system, while the second involves cryopreservation of samples. The following were conducted: comparison of syringe-based filtration with conventional vacuum filtration; testing of different filter types (glass-fiber and cellulose acetate); verification of chlorophyll stability in freezing. The results showed that the pressure-driven system with glass-fiber filters provides results comparable to vacuum filtration (5.4 ± 1.52 vs. 6.01 ± 1.15 μg/L); cellulose acetate filters are not recommended for the syringe-based system (underestimation by 55%); cryopreservation preserves chlorophyll for at least 30 days (statistically indistinguishable from freshly collected samples). The proposed modifications of the sampling methods are recommended for widespread use in field conditions.

The study presents the technology of reproduction and characteristics of the Volga population of sterlet in the Mansurovsky Fish Farm in the Istra District of the Moscow Region. The farm was created on the basis of abandoned quarries for the aquaculture of sturgeon and other fish species. The conditions of breeding include keeping spawners in cages in quarries throughout the year, transferring them to the workshop for the spawning campaign (in late April or early May). Fry are raised in the workshop pools during the summer season, and then transferred to cages for further growing or sold. According to the results of the 2025 spawning campaign, starlet spawners (aged 5–7 years) had the following fish-breeding and biological indicators: average weight – 2.43 kg, average weight of eggs obtained from one spawner – 342.0 ± 38.09 g, average working fertility – 36.42 ± 3.81 thousand eggs, relative fertility – 15.35 ± 1.6 thousand eggs/kg of body weight, average weight of one oocyte – 9.4 ± 0.2 mg, gametosomatic index (GSI) – 14.3 ± 1.55%. The reproductive indicators of starlet spawners from the Mansurovsky Fish Farm were higher compared to data from the Konakovsky Sturgeon Breeding Farm (Department “Konakovsky” of the Branch for Freshwater Fisheries of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography), where fish were raised in flowing pools with warm water.

The study investigated changes in the cardiomyocyte proliferation process of the lake frog Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) during tadpole metamorphosis under the effect of various concentrations of cadmium ions. Lake frog larva were raised in pond water containing 0.002 mg/L, 0.02 mg/L, and 0.1 mg/L of cadmium ions. The alkaline tissue dissociation method was used to obtain isolated cardiomyocytes. The mitotic index (percentage of dividing cells) and the index of binucleated cardiomyocytes (percentage of binucleated cells) were counted in smears of isolated cells. The research showed that the development of lake frog tadpoles in water containing various concentrations of cadmium ions did not cause significant changes in the morphology of cardiac myocytes. Most cardiomyocytes had a cylindrical shape, an oval centrally located nucleus, and a small number of lateral and terminal processes. Both uninucleated and binucleated cardiomyocytes were present. Under the effect of cadmium ions at various concentrations in the tadpoles’ environment during the metamorphosis period, there was an inhibition of proliferative activity of cardiac muscle cells in the atria and ventricle at all studied developmental stages. This effect was most noticeable at a cadmium concentration of 0.02 mg/L. A systematic decrease in the index of binucleated cardiomyocytes in the atrium and ventricle of the lake frog was observed. The altered course of cardiomyocyte proliferation of cardiac myocytes may be due to disruption of the synthesis or structural organization of cytoskeleton proteins involved in spindle formation and chromosome separation during anaphase of mitosis

Species of the genus Populus L. have been widely used in urban landscaping. This is due to the fact that poplar trees possess a number of beneficial biological properties, such as fast growth, ease of vegetative propagation, high resistance to dust, smoke, and gases, etc. In the Soviet Union and Tsarist Russia, numerous poplar cultivars promising for urban landscaping were developed. However, at present, much information about poplar taxa has been lost, and their breeding and use in urban landscaping have declined. The aim of the study was to identify the proportion of cultivated poplar trees in cities of the Moscow Region to revive breeding work with poplar trees and ensure their appropriate use in landscaping. The study was carried out in 2024–2025 using the route method in Moscow and seven cities of the Moscow Region. A total of 1,406 adult trees in Moscow and 1,738 in cities of the Moscow Region were recorded. These trees belong to 21 taxa. P. × sibirica, P. × petrovskoe, and P. tremula were found in Moscow and all the seven studied cities of the Moscow Region, with P. × sibirica present in large numbers everywhere (56 % in Moscow, an average of 42 % in cities of the Moscow Region). P. × petrovskoe is a widespread species in Mozhaisk (42 %), Shatura (34 %), Dmitrov (24 %), and Moscow (19 %). P. tremula is not very common in street and yard landscaping in any of cities (1–6 %). The remaining taxa are generally rare or abundant in only 1–2 cities: P. simonii is abundant in Kolomna (37 %); P. × wobstii is abundant in Dmitrov (15 %), etc. It was established that in the Moscow Region, interspecific hybrids predominate over “pure” species, complex hybrids predominate over simple ones, and spontaneous hybrids predominate over those created by breeders. Each city has its own specifics, depending on the timing of landscaping activities, the focus on a particular nursery, and the attractiveness of the city. For urban landscaping, cultivars represented by male clones only are primarily recommended.

Early-onset muscle weakness syndrome (MW) is a recessive genetic disorder in Holstein cattle associated with the missense mutation p.Gly1029Ser in the CACNA1S gene. The inclusion of this anomaly in the list of mandatory genetic defects for testing underscores its significance for modern dairy cattle breeding. The aim of this review is to systematize data on the molecular mechanisms, epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, and control strategies for MW. Publications from 2015 to 2025 indexed in PubMed, Google Scholar, eLibrary, and OMIA databases were analyzed. It was found that the carrier frequency of the mutation varies from 3% to 38%, depending on the region and assessment methodology, reaching maximum values in US populations and certain regions of the Russian Federation. The incomplete penetrance of the mutation complicates clinical diagnosis and necessitates the mandatory use of molecular genetic methods. The economic impact of MW spread is discussed, including direct losses from mortality of homozygous calves and indirect costs associated with restricted use of valuable carrier sires. The study substantiates the need to integrate genetic defect management into genomic selection systems, including mandatory genotyping of breeding stock, avoidance of carrier-to-carrier matings, and inbreeding control. The obtained data can serve as a basis for developing national programs for controlling hereditary anomalies in dairy cattle breeding.

The study presents a marker-based assessment of intra-flock relatedness and diagnostics of recent demographic bottleneck signs in Andi sheep using data from a 12-locus STR panel. The research material consisted of 40 Andi ewes genotyped across 12 autosomal STR loci. The mean panel-wide FIS was 0.026. For 780 unique pairwise comparisons the mean r value was 0.305, the median value was 0.292, the proportion of pairs with r ≥ 0.25 reached 78.8%, and 58 pairs fell within the range of 0.45-0.55. The aggregated allele-frequency distribution showed an L-shaped profile without mode shift. The mean M-ratio was 0.730, with a median of 0.733, which does not support the hypothesis of a recent severe demographic bottleneck. The results indicate significant intra-flock relatedness in the absence of recent sharp demographic bottleneck signs. The main genetic risks for the studied flock are likely associated not with recent demographic collapse but with family structure and limited use of breeding rams. The practical significance of the study lies in substantiating the need for regular marker-based monitoring of relatedness when preserving and breeding Andi sheep.

The study aims to analyze the physiological mechanisms of students’ adaptation to regular strength training, based on the assessment of cardiovascular system indicators, heart rate variability, muscle strength, and subjective load tolerance. The study involved students aged 19–25 from the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy who regularly engage in strength training. The results showed that systematic strength training promotes stable adaptive changes, manifested as increased parasympathetic influence on heart rate, reduced resting heart rate, and enhanced functional reserves of the cardiovascular system. At the level of the musculoskeletal system, an increase in muscle strength and improved neuromuscular coordination were observed. It was established that adequate periodization of strength training and sufficient recovery are key factors in forming positive adaptive responses. The findings confirm that students’ physiological adaptation to strength training is systemic and depends on the training intensity, volume, and regularity. The practical significance of the study lies in the potential to use the results for optimizing strength training programs for students, preventing overstrain, and enhancing overall physical performance.

The study aims to identify the characteristics of myocardium bioelectric activity in students of an agricultural university, depending on the nature of physical activity at different stages of their university studies. Myocardium bioelectric activity was assessed based on electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation during the first and second years of study, in groups specializing in arm wrestling, volleyball, and general physical training. Based on the study, the most informative indicators of myocardium bioelectric activity at different stages of study were: the degree of sinus arrhythmia (ΔR-R=0.25–0.50 s), characteristics of the RR and QT intervals, amplitudes of the P, R, and T waves, and total voltage of the R waves in standard ECG leads. Analysis of the dynamics of myocardium bioelectric activity revealed that in the first year, the general physical training program proved to be more effective than specialized training in arm wrestling or team sports. By the end of the second year, an improvement in the bioelectric activity and metabolic processes in the myocardium was observed among students engaged in specialized sports.

Ensuring a high level of animal welfare in captivity is a key challenge for modern zoos. One of the most important methods to improve animal welfare is the application of various environmental enrichment techniques. The study assessed the effectiveness of different types of environmental enrichment (nutritional, sensory, physical) for a group of bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) at the Moscow Zoo. The results showed that food-based stimuli elicit statistically significantly higher levels of animal engagement compared to sensory and physical enrichment types (p<0.001). Sex-related differences were also identified: males displayed greater interest in exploring new scents (p<0.01).

Nutritional enrichment was found to be the most effective tool for stimulating natural behaviors in captive bush dogs.