BULLETIN of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. BIOSCIENCE Series

Study of nitric oxide levels in the serum of patients with bronchial asthma

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This preliminary research article is dedicated to the determination of nitric oxide (NO) levels in the serum of patients with bronchial asthma (BA). Nitric oxide plays an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, as it contributes to bronchoconstriction and stimulates the production of inflammatory mediators, thereby exacerbating the disease. The study included 41 participants, comprising patients with BA of varying disease control categories (controlled, partially controlled, and uncontrolled asthma) as well as individuals without a diagnosis of BA (control group). The NO level was measured using the “Nitric Oxide (total)” assay kit (ADI-917-020) from Enzo Life Sciences Inc. (USA). The results demonstrated that serum NO levels in patients with BA were significantly elevated, approximately 1.34 times compared to the control group (p=0.001). Additionally, the concentration of nitric oxide was analyzed according to sex and age. A statistically significant difference was found between women older than 65 years and those younger (p=0.0347). When comparing serum, NO concentrations between partially controlled and uncontrolled asthma groups with the control group, NO levels were elevated by 1.31 times and 1.42 times, respectively (p=0.0355 and p=0.0033). ROC analysis of nitric oxide levels for the diagnosis of bronchial asthma revealed acceptable diagnostic accuracy (AUC=0.6932; p=0.013). Thus, the determination of nitric oxide concentration in the serum of patients with bronchial asthma may play an important role in diagnosis and could serve as a potential biomarker of the disease.

Investigation of the effect of ionizing radiation on the course of streptozotocin-induced diabetes through the analysis of immunological and biochemical status in rats

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the individual and combined effects of streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus and ionizing γ-radiation on the rat organism. The dynamics of metabolic, immunological, and biochemical parameters were evaluated. It was found that each factor independently induced pathological changes, including hyperglycemia, reduced insulin secretion, and impaired antioxidant defense. Under combined exposure, these effects were significantly exacerbated: elevated blood glucose and lipid peroxidation products, along with a decline in insulin levels, were observed. Pronounced immune dysfunctions were recorded, including reductions in leukocyte count, T-lymphocytes, T-helper cells, and the immunoregulatory index, as well as suppressed phagocytic activity and decreased levels of circulating immune complexes. The most profound alterations occurred under combined action, indicating a synergistic damaging effect of streptozotocin and γ-radiation. These findings support the utility of this experimental model for investigating the pathogenesis of metabolically and radiation-induced immunodeficiency and for evaluating the efficacy of immunomodulatory and radioprotective agents.

Implementation of multiphoton intravital microscopy in mesenteric and coronary artery research

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Advancements in intravital imaging technologies, particularly multiphoton microscopy, have significantly improved our ability to visualize and understand the dynamic interactions within vascular structures and various cell types in real time. However, traditional in vitro techniques—such as isometric myography—remain standard tools for assessing vascular reactivity. This study aims to develop and integrate both in vivo and in vitro methodologies to evaluate the functional and structural states of smooth muscle and endothelial layers in mesenteric vessels at the cellular level. Using native microscopy techniques, we assess morphological changes and correlate them with pharmacological responses in both mesenteric and coronary arteries. A key objective is to compare the capabilities and limitations of isometric myography and advanced multiphoton microscopy in analyzing vascular contractility and relaxation responses. The combined use of these techniques is expected to increase data quality, reduce animal usage, and support longitudinal studies. This integrative approach also enables the evaluation of both acute and chronic effects of pharmacological agents under near-physiological conditions, offering a more comprehensive understanding of vascular function.

Age-related psychophysiological parameters of associative learning with reinforcement

D. Abdilmanov, G.K. Datkhabayeva, M. Zholdassova, A.M. Kustubayeva — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Associative learning is a cognitive function that ensures adaptive behavior and safe functioning. It includes a set of cognitive processes involving neural networks of interested areas of the brain responsible for information processing, executive control, sensorimotor coordination, and the subjective experience of reward and punishment, and depends on their integration with each other and feedback signals. The identification of psychophysiological patterns of the normal development of cognitive function is important for understanding its mechanisms, establishing age norms, and early identification of developmental abnormalities. The research aims to study the age-related dynamics of learning with reinforcement in children using a deterministic learning paradigm. It was revealed that the rate of sensorimotor reaction (SR) to visual stimuli is significantly higher in older children, and the temporal dynamics of SR change with age: at the early stages of learning, SR increases in both age groups, and at the later stages, it decreases in younger children and reaches a "plateau" in older children. The similarity of the pattern of SR fluctuations in the early and late stages of learning is shown: SR growth in the late stages of learning relative to the early ones in both age groups. The observed age patterns may indicate the peculiarities of the development of learning mechanisms. The results obtained can be useful for the development of modern approaches to the diagnosis of developmental disorders in children, their correction in the learning process, and in planning the educational load at school.

Study of the therapeutic activity of a probiotic preparation under conditions of dysbiosis

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

An imbalance of the gut microbiota may lead to the development of many chronic diseases; therefore, restoring its normal composition is considered one of the most pressing issues today. Probiotic therapy is being extensively studied as a scientifically validated and safe method for effectively regulating the intestinal biocenosis. In this context, the therapeutic activity of a dry powder form of the studied probiotic preparation was evaluated in an in vivo model of antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis. White outbred laboratory rats of both sexes, weighing 200–300 g, were used in the study. Fecal samples were collected on days 1, 8, 14, and 18 of the experiment for microbiological analysis of the gut microbiota. Animals were divided into the following groups: control (positive control – saline) and experimental group (probiotic 1×10⁹ CFU/g). For the microbiological analysis of fecal contents, inoculations were performed on eight selective nutrient media. During the dysbiosis phase, the control group showed a significant increase in conditionally pathogenic microorganisms: Clostridium spp. and Salmonella spp. – 9.75±0.31 lg CFU/g, Staphylococcus spp. – 8.13±0.27 lg CFU/g, Enterococcus spp. – 8.58±0.32 lg CFU/g, Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. – 9.03±0.48 lg CFU/g, and Escherichia coli – 8.46±0.45 lg CFU/g. At the end of the treatment phase, the experimental group showed a notable reduction in these values: Clostridium spp. – 7.91±0.34 lg CFU/g, Staphylococcus spp. – 6.07±0.30 lg CFU/g, Klebsiella spp. – 5.33±0.56 lg CFU/g, E. coli – 6.92±0.44 lg CFU/g. Additionally, the number of beneficial Lactobacillus spp. increased from the initial level of 8.57±0.37 lg CFU/g to 9.00±0.50 lg CFU/g. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of the new lactobacilli-based probiotic in correcting antibiotic-induced intestinal dysbiosis and in restoring microbial balance.

Antagonistic activity of Trichoderma harzianum against Cytospora fungi and phylogenetic analysis of isolates

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study evaluated the antagonistic activity of Trichoderma harzianum against phytopathogenic fungi of the genus Cytospora, which cause necrosis and dieback in fruit and forest tree species. Morphological characterization of T. harzianum cultures revealed typical structures and intensive sporulation of the mycelium, ensuring rapid colonization of the nutrient medium. During dual culture, pronounced inhibition of the pathogens C. chrysosperma, C. sorbina, C. parasitica, and C. pruinopsiswas observed, manifested by changes in mycelial pigmentation, restricted colony development, and displacement of the pathogens from the central zones of Petri dishes. By the eighth day of incubation, the growth of Cytospora phytopathogens was suppressed by the antagonist T. harzianum, accompanied by active sporulation. Molecular identification based on ITS-region analysis confirmed that the isolates belonged to T. harzianum (100% identity with GenBank data). The constructed phylogenetic tree showed clear clustering of the isolates within the T. harzianum taxonomic group with high bootstrap support. The results confirm that T. harzianum is a promising biological control agent against Cytospora fungi and highlight the importance of an integrated approach combining morphological and molecular–genetic analyses in studies of antagonistic properties.

Floristic features of the Kostanay region's lakes

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

As a result of the study, new fundamental knowledge was obtained on the floristic composition of the shores of 12 natural lakes in the steppe zone of the Kostanay Region (8 freshwater and 4 saline to varying degrees). The study of floristic features was carried out on the littoral, supralittoral zones, and the lake terrace. The total floristic list of the shores of the studied lakes is 146 species belonging to 100 genera and 37 families of higher vascular plants. The littoral zone is represented by 29 species. Phragmites australis has the highest activity in freshwater lakes, forming a wide strip up to 100 (150) m in most freshwater lakes. The species composition is mainly represented by hydrophytes and hydrohygrophytes. The supralittoral zone is represented by 56 species. Phragmites australis has the highest projective coverage (35.62%), occurrence (62%), and activity (46.99). In the supralittoral zone of saline lakes, Salicornia perennans is the most active species (11,21). The flora of the lake terraces includes 94 species. Calamagrostis epigeios has the highest projective coverage (13.64%) and activity (22.16%). The flora of the lake shores is characterized by a large number of weeds (25 species), which accounts for 17% of the total number of species. Among the weeds, the adventive and invasive species Hordeum jubatum, which is native to most of North America and northern Eastern Siberia, is highly prevalent and active.

Alien woody plants in the Ulytau region: invasive potential and naturalization pathways

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study is devoted to the distribution and ecological assessment of alien tree and shrub species in the Zhanaarka and Ulytau districts of the Ulytau region in Central Kazakhstan. The relevance of the topic is due to the need for early detection and assessment of the potential invasive threat of introduced species in steppe and forest-steppe ecosystems that are vulnerable to external influences. The study aimed to identify alien woody plants in the natural biocenoses of the region. The research tasks included determining the naturalization status of invasive species, establishing the possible source of their spread, assessing the aggressiveness and scale of their spread, assessing the threat to native flora, and ways to reduce the risk of invasive plants entering natural plant communities. Research shows that the assessment of alien dendroflora in this region has not been studied before, especially with regard to the degree of naturalization, the nature of distribution, and the impact on native vegetation. The work uses field route surveys, taxonomic analysis, an invasiveness assessment scale based on a modified classification from the “Code for the Management of Invasive Alien Plant Species in Botanical Gardens of the CIS Countries,” as well as methods of comparative floristic analysis. As a result of research in the Ulytau region, 21 alien tree taxa were identified, mainly cultivated as part of forest reclamation measures or greening of settlements. It was found that alien woody plants such as Acer negundo, Populus balsamifera, and Fraxinus americana mainly show sporadic distribution without displaying a high degree of aggressiveness (rank 0–3). However, the presence of isolated seedlings outside the parent crowns and signs of generative activity in some taxa indicate a potential invasive threat. The data obtained are of practical importance for planning reforestation and nature conservation measures in arid areas of Kazakhstan.

Biological and socioeconomic implications of seawater intrusion on coastal agroecosystems

I.A. Bozdar, R. Ahmed, A.B. Chachar, R.N. Malano, H. Magsi, A.A. Mahesar — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Seawater intrusion (SWI) has emerged as a critical environmental and socioeconomic challenge in the coastal belt of Badin District, Pakistan. This study investigates the impacts of SWI on rural livelihoods, food security, and migration through household surveys and socioeconomic profiling. Findings reveal that agriculture remains the dominant livelihood, engaging 55% of respondents, yet declining freshwater availability and salinization have degraded nearly 22% of cultivated land, reducing crop productivity and livestock resources. Average monthly household income (Rs. 17,042) barely exceeds expenditures (Rs. 16,072), leaving families highly vulnerable to food insecurity. Poor infrastructure, limited access to healthcare and safe water, and exploitative credit systems further exacerbate poverty. Natural hazards, including floods, unseasonal rains, and storms, compound the impacts of SWI, while the malfunctioning Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) has intensified land degradation and crop loss. Consequently, migration has become an adaptive strategy, with over 100 households relocating from affected union councils due to declining agricultural opportunities. The study underscores that SWI is not only an ecological issue but also a driver of socioeconomic instability, poverty, and rural–urban migration. Urgent policy interventions such as regulated freshwater releases downstream of Kotri Barrage, rehabilitation of LBOD, embankment reinforcement, and stricter industrial effluent management are essential to mitigate SWI impacts and safeguard food security. These findings highlight the pressing need to integrate climate adaptation, sustainable water management, and community resilience into national strategies for coastal development.