This article offers an ecological analysis of urbanized ecosystem used for the microbiological monitoring of Kaliningrad soil. The authors show that the studied ecosystems differ in plant species diversity, types of soils, and physicochemical parameters, which must be taken into account when analyzing the soil microflora.

This article analyses the content of phenolic antioxidants and ascorbic acid in medicinal plants of 66 species from 31 families. The study identified palnt species with a maximum content of biologically active compounds (phenolic antioxidants and ascorbic acid) and high antioxidant activity. These plants can be used as a basis for the creation of innovative functional food products
that have high antioxidant activity.

The authors registered a high content of antioxidantive substances in Amaranthus and identified the dependence of the extract antioxidantive activity on the method and period of sample collection, as well as the method of extraction and storage period. The highest content of antioxidants was registered in water extracts in September. The most effective method of sample collection is obtaining extracts from dry leaves of Amaranthus and storing water solution for further use for not more than 5 months. The best period for plant collection is the phase of flowering.

A study into the content water-soluble antioxidants, ceruloplasmin and iron (III) in the blood serum in patients with alcohol abuse showed significant changes to the antioxidant system: an increase in the content of antioxidants and ceruloplasmin decreased and a decrease in that of iron (III). The authors focus on the gender-related differences: men exhibit greater changes in the content of antioxidants, whereas women in that of ceruloplasmin and iron (III).

The method of gas chromatography-spectrometry was used for the qualitative and quantitative identification of the composition of essential oil obtained from common yarrow growing in different soils in the climatic zone of the Kaliningrad region. The  authors established that, depending on the type of soil, the content of сhamazulene and other components in essential oil can vary across a wide oncentration range.

This article presents the results of research on the dynamics of cardiovascular system adaptation mechanisms in primary school pupils according to the indices of vegetative and myocardial of haemodynamic homeostasis.

This article claims that a decrease in the high frequency (62,5 %) of unfavourable outcomes of severe immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome can be achieved through an adequate monitoring of HIV-infected patients consisting in early detection, treatment and prevention of coinfections and swift elimination of other risk factors.

This article describes the condition of woodpigeon populations in 25 towns and large villages of the Kaliningrad region. The author focuses on the possible reasons for significant differences in the population density of woodpigeon in urban areas and pays attention to the origin of urban populations.

The article offers and an analysis of breeding bird fauna of Kaliningrad incomparison to Polish and one Lithuania cities. A total of 168 species breed in the cities under consideration, 94 (57.7 %) of them are common for all cities. Jacquard's diversity index was used to assess the dependence of species compositionon the geographical location in 10 European cities. The Kaliningrad breeding bird fauna exhibits the greatest similarity with the avifauna of Poznan and the least similarity is with the avifauna of Moscow and Saint-Petersburg. Similarity of species composition reduces as the distance increases
(r = – 0,96; p < 0,001).

This article proves that the individuals of Neomysis integer species can survive dramatic changes in water salinity of 0,2—14 ‰ producing viable posterity. A salinity exceeding 14 ‰ leads to the death of 100% individuals used in the experiment.

This article analyses the zooplankton species composition and species structure in the dumping area. The research was carried out in spring and summer of 1998—2009. Rotifera‚ Copepoda and Cladocera groups of zooplankton were studied. Certain changes to the zooplankton species structure were registered in the dumping area over the 12-year period.

This article describes the effect of three hormonal specimens — two analogues of sex steroid hormones (progesterone and testosterone) and a glycocorticoid hormone prednisolone (dehydrogenated analogue of hydrocortisone) —on the process of regeneration of freshwater planarian Dugesia lugubris Schmidt, 1861. The hormonal specimens differing on chemical nature and physiological activity have differently directed effect on the processes of regeneration. The rate of proliferation generally depends on the quality of recovering body part. This study confirms that planarians are suitable test objects for a study into the effects of chemicals of different nature on regeneration processes.

This article analyses the features of spawning migration of smelt in the rivers Neman and Matrosovka as a background for fishery regulation. The authors identify the period and extend of spawning migration in the rivers in 2011, the dynamics of catches per unit effort, and species composition of commercial catches. The calculation of optimal fishing effort in case of the transition of fishing into the rivers as a result of the ice conditions is presented in the article.

This article estimates the adaptive potential of woody plants to endure adverse weather conditions of winters 2009/10 and 2010/11. Special attention is paid to the temperature factor as a factor limiting the opportunities for introducing trees and shrubs.

This article focuses on the activity of the Volgograd regional botanical garden aimed at the creation of a collection of rare and endangered species, introduction, and the development of measures for introduction of promising species into the culture. The authors emphasize the role of seed fund in introduction studies and gene pool preservation, as well as the efficiency of cloned microreproduction of rare species.

Alongside the traditional ex situ plant conservation methods, the creation of gene banks in vitro is increasing in importance. The research and methodological framework for the creation and conservation of rare and valuable plant seed and meristem gene banks is being developed. In the creation of gene banks, special attention is paid to plant species representativeness and genetic stability preservation. Most of the plant material is stored in conditions of decelerated growth.

This article focuses on the activity aimed at registering of the populations of rare and endangered plant species in the Volgograd. The authors address the legal and methodological framework for this process and present the results of the work conducted.

The biological parameters of environment, such as the period of phenological phenomena, tree-rings, and physiological reactions in plants react to external and internal changes in the conditions of growth that can be used as indicators of the environment, its condition and changes. This article identifies the differences in the thermodynamic reactions of trees growing in areas with different seismicity.

The accumulation of green mass in annual long day plants was studied in different climatic conditions (northern Kazakhstan and the Kaliningrad region).

This article focuses on the main trends of changing in the morphological properties of urban soils. It was established that urbiquasisoils of a predominant sandy-loam grain-size composition and neutral medium reaction prevail in the Kaliningrad soil mantle. Soddy-podzol, soddy-gley, and brown forest (cambisols) soils are found in some parks and suburban territories.

This article discusses the role of bioaccumulation of solar energy by sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The authors corroborate the idea that the interaction between solar energy and biosphere play the decisive role in the Earth’s crust formation.

Experimental research helps explain the mechanism of formation of water reserves in the soils of desert phytocenoses. The author arrives at a conclusion about the development of seasonal heat reactor in deserts, which affects the processes of night water condensation in soils in summer.

An original methodology for studying cultural landscapes and regenerative successions on territories of different genesis is used as a basis for a map of the current conditions of the landscapes of the Kaliningrad region. The authors come to a conclusion that shrinking socioeconomic space leads to an increase in the area of territories developing according to the natural scenario and exhibiting positive dynamics of regenerative succession.

This article offers the results of an analysis of mean annual (1952—2005) data on the  temperature and salinity in the Baltic Sea published by the Institute for Baltic Sea Research (Warnemünde, Germany). The data were averaged by months, one-degree quadrants, and 10 meter-thick layers. It was found that, throughout the year, 54 % of the minimum sea water temperatures in the intermediate layer are 0.01—0.1 °C lower than those at the surface of the same spot. It suggests the possibility of advection contributing to the formation of CIL in the Baltic Sea.