University School of Biotechnology

To evaluate genetic diversity and adaptive variation in Hippophae rhamnoides L. throughout the Indian Himalaya, this study compares morphological and microsatellite (SSR) markers. In total 120 individuals from six populations in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand that represented a range of altitudes (2,500-4,000 m) were examined. Morphological data included quantitative traits, while 12 SSR markers were used for molecular profiling. The findings indicated that there was a moderate amount of phenotypic variation among the populations, and that altitude was largely responsible for clustering. With an average PIC of 0.67 and mean expected heterozygosity of 0.72, SSR markers demonstrated greater genetic resolution. According to AMOVA, there was 82% variation within populations and 18% variation between them. The analysis via Mantel test identified a minor linkage between genetic markers and morphological traits (r = 0.29). Results suggest physical characteristics align more closely with local environmental conditions, while SSR data better reflects population genetics. Integrating both methods could enhance conservation strategies and breeding programs amid shifting climates.

The human gut, comprising the stomach, intestine, and colon, hosts a diverse and host-specific microbial community known as the gut microbiota. The symbiotic relationship between humans and their microbiota is highly conserved and has evolved over time, playing a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. Metagenomic and metabolomic analyses have revealed the pivotal role of gut microbiota in regulating body homeostasis, influencing various physiological processes ranging from metabolism to the immune system. Several studies have demonstrated that microbial dysbiosis is associated with severe clinical conditions, including Type 2 diabetes. Individuals with Type 2 diabetes exhibit a distinct gut microbiota composition, characterized by reduced diversity and an altered relative abundance of certain bacterial species. This dysbiosis can result in chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic endotoxemia. Type 2 diabetes is also marked by persistent low-grade inflammation, where inflammatory cytokines contribute to impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. The relationship between the gut microbiota and diabetes is complex, necessitating further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to develop effective therapies. This review provides valuable insights into the potential role of the gut microbiota in influencing various aspects of diabetes, including glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and inflammation. The aim of this article is to highlight the importance of the gut microbiota as a potential therapeutic target for managing Type 2 diabetes.

Biological barriers, including blood-brain barrier (BBB) and gut epithelial barrier, are essential to maintain homeostasis and provide protection against pathogenic stress. Here, we investigated the impact of Helicobacter pylori -Epstein Barr Virus coinfection on gut-brain axis integrity. Our results demonstrate that coinfection induces significant disruptions in tight and adherens junction (TJ and AJ respectively) proteins in gastric epithelial cells, including downregulation of ZO-1 and E-cadherin. The secretome from these coinfected cells significantly compromises the integrity of BBB-derived endothelial cells, including cleavage of VE-cadherin, loss of TJ proteins such as Claudin-5, and enhanced permeability. Furthermore, the sole exposure of mice to coinfected secretome lead to the loss of cerebral VE-cadherin and ZO-1 and the induction of neuroinflammation, characterized by elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, amyloidogenic accumulation, and neurocognitive deficits. The secretome driving such forces potentially carries pathogenic metabolites, host inflammatory cytokines and metabolites that might contribute to disease pathogenesis as observed in this study. Together, our current study provides novel insights into how coinfections contribute to gut-brain axis dysregulation and neurological pathogenesis. ![Figure][1] Graphical Abstract [1]: pending:yes

Business management in the context of the digital economy and military challenges is of particular relevance to Ukraine. The object of the study is the transformation of management processes of domestic enterprises under the influence of digitalization and crisis factors. Problem statement. The problem lies in the significant digital divide between large businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises, the insufficient level of digital competencies of managers and employees, as well as cybersecurity risks and imperfect regulatory frameworks. Unresolved aspects of the problem. The issues of forming comprehensive models for assessing the effectiveness of digital transformation, taking into account industry-specific features, and integrating public digital services into business processes remain unresolved. Purpose of the article. The purpose of the article is to study the peculiarities of business management in Ukraine in the context of the digital economy and military challenges, and to identify the key risks and prospects for the digital transformation of enterprises. Presentation of the main material. The article uses a combined approach that combines the analysis of scientific sources, statistical data and practical cases of Ukrainian and foreign companies. The author examines the impact of digital technologies on management decisions, organizational flexibility and business competitiveness. Particular attention is paid to the role of public policy, development of digital competencies of personnel, and adaptation of international experience to the conditions of the military crisis. Conclusions. The results show that digitalization helps to increase productivity, optimize business processes, form new models of interaction and integrate Ukrainian enterprises into global markets. The practical significance of the study is to develop recommendations for entrepreneurs and government agencies on digital transformation strategies in times of war.

Objective. To study the morphological andfunctional state of cryopreserved sperm of bulls during storage for 6 - 27 years at a temperature of - 196 C in liquid nitrogen in a comparative aspect. Methods. The object of the study was cryopreserved semen of bulls stored for 6 - 10 or 20 - 27 years. In the study of the qualitative parameters offrozen- thawed spermatozoa, the method of visual assessment for motility and survival, the method ofers differential staining with trypan blue/Gymza dyes to determine the morphological and functional integrity of cell membranes and the test for the ability to bind to vesicular explants of bovine oviductal epithelial cells in vitro were used. Results. It was found that the extension of the storage period of spermatozoa to 20 - 27years had no significant effect on the functional characteristics o f spermatozoa in terms of motility, survival and absolute survival. The method of differential staining showed that the proportion of live sperm with an intact acrosome in the total distribution did not differ significantly in both studied storage periods and ranged from 61.6 - 63.9 %. The proportion of dead cells also did not differ significantly and was 26.4 % when stored for up to 10 years and 21.7 % when stored for more than 20 years. No significant difference was found in the overall assessment of the percentage of sperm with varying degrees of acrosomal membrane damage. This figure was 22.5 and 26.0 %, respectively. At the same time, when the shelf life of cryopreserved sperm was extended to 20 - 27 years, a significant increase in the percentage of live sperm with a missing acrosome was observed (p<0.01). It was determined that the index of sperm binding to explants of epithelial cells of the oviduct in vitro was significantly higher when storedfor 6-10 years and was 227.9±32.3 against 114.6±19.5 when stored for 20 - 27 years (p<0.05). Conclusions. The use of the traditional method of assessing sperm quality by indicators of sperm motility, survival and absolute sperm survival did not reveal any differences when storing cryopreserved sperm for 6 - 27 years. At the same time, the differential staining method showed a significant increase of 7.2% in the proportion of live sperm with a missing acrosome when the storage period was extended from 6 - 10 to 20 - 27 years. The in vitro test for sperm binding to oviduct epithelial cells showed a significant decrease of almost 2 times in the index of sperm binding to cellular explants during long-term storage. This may indicate a decrease in the ability of such sperm to fertilise. Keywords: bulls, sperm, cryopreservation, long-term storage, differential colouration, oviduct, sperm binding.