This study presents data on the effect of urbanization on the age structure, growth, and morphometric parameters of Bufo sachalinensis. Toads were sampled from areas with different levels of anthropogenic impact: Trudovoe village (Sovetsky District, Vladivostok) and a forest area within the Ussuri Nature Reserve. A total of 113 individuals were examined. The mean age of females in Trudovoe village was 4.5 ± 1.04 years (range: 3–6 years), compared to 5.2 ± 0.97 years (range: 4–7 years) in the reserve. For males, the corresponding values were 3.8 ± 1.60 years (range: 2–5 years) and 3.9 ± 1.00 years (range: 2–6 years). In terms of body length and other morphometric traits, both females and males from the reserve exhibited significantly greater values; this trend persisted within same-age cohorts. Growth rates of females and males from Trudovoe village were higher: 1.420 ± 2.1184 and 2.057 ± 1.3900, compared to 0.870 ± 0.3033 and 1.734 ± 0.4160 in the reserve, respectively. However, despite the higher growth rates of animals from Trudovoe village, the maximum body length attainable over the lifespan was greater in B. sachalinensis from the Ussuri Nature Reserve: 70.1 ± 0.68 mm vs. 63.6 ± 0.65 mm for males, and 86.4 ± 2.11 mm vs. 73.2 ± 3.35 mm for females, respectively

Imidazolinone herbicides are widely used in agriculture; however, they exhibit significant residual effects and can damage sensitive crops, including many wheat cultivars, thereby complicating their use in crop rotations. The application of bacteria that combine the properties of degraders and growth regulators may accelerate the degradation of residual herbicides and support plant development. The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate Pseudomonas and Dietzia bacterial strains for their ability to degrade imidazolinones and their effects on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants under soil contamination with imazamox and imazapyr. The soil was artificially contaminated with Grader or Global herbicides at a rate of 20 µg of active ingredient per kg, sown with wheat cv. Ekada 113, and cultivated in a lighted area. Pseudomonas protegens DA1.2 and Dietzia sp. MX5 strains were used for plant treatment. The presence of imidazolinones and their degradation products in the soil was monitored by HPLC‑MS. Plant treatment with bacterial strains DA1.2 and MX5 did not prevent imazapyr-induced wheat growth inhibition but reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation by 17.8% and 25%, respectively. However, both strains positively affected wheat exposed to imazamox. Strain MX5 was more effective at mitigating the reduction in shoot mass and length, attenuating chlorophyll a and b degradation, and alleviating oxidative stress in plants. In soil treated with MX5, the amount of imazamox was 87.3% lower than in the bacteria-free control. Compounds with molecular ions at m/z 236, 217, 152, and 136 Da, tentatively identified as imazamox degradation products resulting from imidazoline ring cleavage, were detected. Thus, strain MX5 combined both herbicide‑degrading and plant growth‑promoting properties, and can be recommended for improving wheat growth in soils with residual imazamox contamination.

Although studies of the avifauna in the cities of the Moscow Region have been carried out since the early 19th century, the vast majority have focused solely on species diversity and have been conducted during the warm season, from spring to autumn. This article examines the quantitative parameters of winter residential avicomplexes in three cities (highly urbanized Ramenskoe, less built‑up Voskresensk, and the regional centre Kolomna, located farther from the capital) and two settlements (the small, predominantly garden suburb Vinogradovo and the former workers' settlement Peski). The parameters assessed include bird abundance during the winter season, dominant species by abundance, and species diversity. Bird abundance across the study areas ranged from 960 to 1,705 individuals/km², with lower values in cities compared to settlements, owing to the higher abundance of dominant species in the latter. The predominant wintering species were exclusively typical sedentary urban birds: rock pigeon, jackdaw, great tit, and Eurasian tree sparrow, which accounted for 10% to 40% of the total population density. A total of 45 bird species were recorded, with the number of species per locality ranging from 23 to 31; species richness was higher in settlements than in cities, following the same pattern as abundance

To assess the health status and immune status of fish in aquaculture, it is important to study blood profiles and establish reference values for hematological parameters. Research on whitefish in this regard remains insufficient. Thus, the aim of the present study was to provide a comparative hematological characterization of different whitefish species. This article presents the results of a study on hematological parameters in three species of whitefish: Siberian whitefish (Coregonus pidschian), muksun (Coregonus muksun), and broad whitefish (Coregonus nasus), with average body weights ranging from 30.5 to 37.1 g. The results showed that hemoglobin content varied from 8.75 to 9.40 mg%, and the erythrocyte count ranged from 0.53 to 0.84×10¹²/L. In all three whitefish species studied, mature erythrocytes predominated in the erythrogram (>90%). The leukocyte formula was dominated by lymphocytes, while eosinophils were not detected in any of the three whitefish groups. Species-specific differences were observed. The Siberian whitefish exhibited the lowest erythrocyte count, which is associated with its adaptation to greater depths. The proportion of immature erythroid cells was significantly higher in muksun than in Siberian whitefish and broad whitefish. The percentage of lymphocytes in the leukocyte formula was 77.4% in muksun, compared to 92.5% and 92.4% in the other two species. Unlike Siberian whitefish and broad whitefish, muksun had a significantly higher proportion of band neutrophils (5.2%, compared to 1.0% in Siberian whitefish and 0.3% in broad whitefish), segmented neutrophils (6.1%, compared to 1.9% in Siberian whitefish and 0.4% in broad whitefish), and monocytes (75% and 56% higher, i.e., fourfold and more than twofold, respectively).

Amphibians are highly sensitive to environmental change. This study presents the results of an investigation into interannual fluctuations in the age and size structure of the marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) population in Teberda (Karachay-Cherkessia) over a short-term period (2020–2022) using the skeletochronological method. Given the increasing tourist and recreational pressure in the Teberda Region, combined with ongoing climate aridisation, we hypothesized that the age and size structure would differ between sampling periods, with a tendency toward ‘rejuvenation’ in 2022. The material for the study comprised P. ridibundus individuals collected from Lake Kara-Kel in the Teberda District of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic in September 2020 and June 2022. Individual age and body length of P. ridibundus specimens were determined for 12 females and 27 males in the 2020 sample, and for 9 females and 25 males in the 2022 sample. Individual age of P. ridibundus specimens ranged from 2 to 9 years in females and from 2 to 6 years in males. Mean age of the sexually mature segment of the population did not differ significantly between the two sampling periods for either females or males. In the studied population, P. ridibundus begins to reproduce at three years of age and lives up to seven years (females) and six years (males), with a reproductive window of four years for females and three years for males. Age-adjusted mean body length did not differ significantly between sampling periods for either sex. Contrary to our hypothesis, the present study demonstrates the absence of pronounced interannual fluctuations in the age and size structure of the P. ridibundus population in Teberda over the short-term period 2020–2022. The stability of demographic parameters observed over the 2020–2022 interval does not preclude the existence of a long-term trend. Detecting such a trend will require additional sampling over a broader temporal scale, as well as cohort-specific survival analysis.

To combat mastitis in cows and minimize the economic losses caused by this disease, the most valuable diagnostic methods are those that enable early detection of the onset of the disease, prior to the manifestation of clinical signs. In a comparative study, we assessed trypsin activity and somatic cell count (using the Somatos-Mini device) in the milk of cows with lactation periods exceeding 100 days and in a freshly calved cow producing colostrum. In healthy cows, the enzyme level was found to be 34.3 ± 1.48 U/L. In colostrum, which contains significantly higher protein content during the first days of lactation, trypsin activity was 37.6% higher compared to mature milk obtained at later lactation stages. The results obtained from different methods of mastitis detection in cows were consistent with each other. Therefore, trypsin activity in cow's milk can serve as an indicator of udder health status.

The structure of avian communities in any given area is largely determined by dominant species. Nevertheless, low‑abundance species are of particular interest for study, as they may reflect incipient changes in the overall state of the ecosystem – such as range expansions or shifts in habitat use by certain species. Furthermore, investigations of low‑abundance species helps develop conservation measures and provide valuable data for both regional and federal Red Data Books. The study was conducted from 2022 to 2025. Using mist‑net captures, we recorded 66 passerine species with relatively low abundance on the territory of the Bungarapsko‑Azhendarovsky State Nature Reserve. Observations and patterns of occurrence were compiled for these low‑abundance species. The majority of species (22 out of 66) exhibited relatively stable population numbers. A decline in abundance was observed for four passerine species: white wagtail Motacilla alba (Linnaeus, 1758), citrine wagtail Motacilla citreola (Pallas, 1776), stonechat Saxicola torquata (Linnaeus, 1766), hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes (Linnaeus, 1758). An increase in occurrence was recorded for the the northern warbler Hippolais caligata (Lichtenstein, 1823), while the sand martin Riparia riparia (Linnaeus, 1758) showed unstable population numbers. Species recorded in only one season of the study (rare species) were identified, including penduline bunting Ocyris rusticus (Pallas, 1776), which is listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. Most low‑abundance and rare species were found to occur primarily during the early autumn migration period. Among the studied species, 22 were confirmed to breed within the reserve.

Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents is one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary veterinary and human medicine. The situation is worsening each year, with new bacterial strains emerging that are resistant not to a single antibiotic but to multiple classes of antimicrobials simultaneously. This poses a serious threat to both animal and human health, as conventional treatment protocols for infectious diseases become increasingly ineffective. Clinicians are compelled to seek alternative therapeutic regimens, which are often more expensive and less safe. Of particular concern is the spread of multidrug‑resistant (MDR) strains – bacteria resistant to most available antibiotics – which can disseminate rapidly. The emergence of dangerous MDR bacteria is directly linked to the excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents. In veterinary medicine, the problem is further compounded: the indiscriminate use of antibiotics for disease prevention in farm animals leads to the accumulation of resistant bacteria. These microorganisms can be transmitted to humans through animal‑derived products (meat, milk), as well as through direct contact with animals or their waste. Consequently, investigating the mechanisms of resistance emergence and spread has become a research priority. In response, the development of measures to prevent resistance is critically needed. In veterinary practice, this requires reducing prophylactic antibiotic use, implementing alternative approaches to animal health management (e.g., probiotics, vaccines), and monitoring of drug application. In human medicine, it necessitates adherence to antibiotic prescribing protocols, continuous professional education, and public awareness campaigns on the risks of self‑medication. In summary, the analysis of resistance mechanisms, statistical data, and current trends indicates that bacterial resistance develops through multiple pathways. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach is required, encompassing strict regulation of antibiotic use in both veterinary and human medicine, improved diagnostic methods for resistance detection, the development of novel antimicrobial agents, the adoption of alternative therapeutic strategies, and strengthened international collaboration in resistance surveillance.

Pathogenic Campylobacter strains, such as C. jejuni and C. coli, are widespread in the intestinal ecosystem of birds, including poultry and many wild species. Raw poultry meat can be heavily contaminated with Campylobacter, including pathogenic strains. The carriage rate of Campylobacter bacteria in poultry reaches 90%, making poultry meat the primary source of foodborne campylobacteriosis. During primary poultry processing, defeathering and evisceration processes lead to the release or leakage of intestinal contents, particularly from the crop and intestines, inadvertently creating conditions favourable for cross-contamination of other carcasses with Campylobacter species. Therefore, reducing the incidence of bacterial foodborne toxic infections and poisoning in humans requires the introduction of modern technologies to reduce the level of Campylobacter contamination in poultry products. In this context, studies were conducted to develop a method for preventing cross-contamination of poultry carcasses with Campylobacter bacteria during water chilling. The antimicrobial properties of a technological processing aid (TPA) containing 15 ± 2% peracetic acid and 18 ± 2% hydrogen peroxide were investigated with a 25-minute exposure. C. jejuni was used as the test culture. Sampling, microbiological, organoleptic, and physicochemical analyses were performed according to standard methods. It was established that the use of 0.03% TPA solutions for carcass chilling inactivates C. jejuni in the cooling medium and prevents cross-contamination of carcasses. TPA solutions at 0.1% concentration reduced the total viable count (TVC), prevented cross-contamination, and inactivated C. jejuni on the carcass surface. Broiler carcasses chilled in 0.1% TPA solution met the physicochemical and organoleptic requirements of GOST 31962‑2013. Compared with the control, the treated carcasses exhibited a paler colour of both the surface and the internal fat.

This study investigated the effect of agricultural technologies on soil nitrate nitrogen content, its accumulation in plants, and the yield of spring barley. It was found that increasing the intensity level of barley cultivation technology contributed to a rise in soil nitrate content up to 39.3 mg/kg at the initial growth stage. Analysis of nitrogen content in the aboveground plant parts revealed its variation depending on the level of cultivation technology employed and on the varietal characteristics of barley plants. The maximum nitrogen content in aboveground plant parts (2.89%) was recorded in the Milan barley variety grown under high-intensity technology. It was demonstrated that all studied barley varieties exhibited increased yields in response to higher levels of cultivation technology. Under intensive cultivation technology, barley yield increased to 4.32-5.62 t/ha, while under high-intensity agricultural technology, it reached 4.70-5.86 t/ha. Under basic technology conditions, the yield ranged from 3.55 to 4.93 t/ha. The highest yield (5.86 t/ha) was obtained under high-intensity agricultural technology for the Belozar barley variety. Under the same conditions, the maximum grain yield increase (1.15 t/ha) was recorded for the Milan barley variety. The grain yield of the Milan barley variety under high-intensity cultivation technology amounted to 4.70 t/ha, compared to 3.55 t/ha under the basic cultivation technology.

In the context of the intensification of agricultural production and the growth of anthropogenic load on soils, operational land monitoring capable of detecting changes in land-use structure and land resource conditions at early stages has become critically important. Traditional ground-based surveys provide high accuracy but are labour-intensive and limited in spatial coverage, making them unsuitable for regular monitoring of large areas. The aim of this study was to develop and test an end-to-end software pipeline for land monitoring, encompassing the acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, photogrammetric processing in OpenDroneMap to generate orthomosaics in GeoTIFF format, data annotation by land-use classes, supervised training of a segmentation head based on the pre-trained DINOv3 transformer, semantic segmentation of land cover types, and export of results to Geographic information systems (GIS) in GeoJSON format. UAV surveys were conducted over agricultural lands comprising a mosaic of arable fields, fallow lands, grassland vegetation, forest areas, and built-up territories. Multi-frame overlapping images were processed in OpenDroneMap to produce orthomosaics and digital surface models; vector polygon annotation of land-use classes was performed in a desktop GIS environment, with subsequent export to GeoJSON. A total of 2,000 labeled orthomosaic tiles were prepared for training and validation of the neural network segmentation head. A pre-trained DINOv3 transformer was employed as the feature extractor, with a segmentation decoder trained in a supervised manner on the labeled dataset. Model performance was evaluated using recall, precision, F1-score, and intersection-over-union (IoU) metrics for each land-use class, as well as mean IoU across all classes. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves high accuracy in automated classification of major land-use types from UAV-derived orthomosaics, and can be applied to land-use map updating, cadastral assessment, and operational environmental monitoring. The implementation of the pipeline using open-source software (OpenDroneMap, QGIS) and open-source deep learning libraries makes it accessible to both research and production organisations.