编号 10 (2020)

Among the most dangerous effects of COVID-19 — SARS-CoV-2 caused disease — is a spontaneous thrombus formation in the blood micro-vesselsof lungs that causes hypoxia and enhances inflammation. In the most severe cases, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) may occur, resultingin multiple hemorrhages. Blood coagulation dysfunction mechanisms caused by COVID-19 are being actively studied. Lung damage results in the acti-vation of the arteriole vessel wall cells that causes formation of the tissue factor, a protein that induces activation of the blood plasma coagulation cas-cade and thrombus formation initiation. Some researchers assumed that SARS-CoV-2 can enter the platelets and activate them, others tend to proposehypothesis that platelets in COVID-19 are activated mostly due to blood plasma coagulation in lungs. Enhanced immune response, represented by thecytokine storm also contributes to the shifting of the hemostasis system. Nowadays, therapeutic approaches based on low molecular weight heparin thatcan significantly alleviate the condition of patients have been developed. However, their use requires reliable and sensitive analyzers of thrombodynamics.New approaches to diagnostics, development of vaccines, as well as these achievements allow us to be excited about soon COVID-19 overcome.

Among all types of gemstones, a special place is occupied by the so-called precious matrix opals, rocks in which pores and interstices are filled with precious opal. In spite of the external similarity, these are rocks of different origins from quartzites and sandstones (Australia) to volcanic tuffs (Honduras).Differences in the mineralogical and petrographic composition, gemmological properties, and other features allow them to be classified according to thesecharacteristics. The proposed classification includes several groups of the most common matrix opals on the market: Solid Matrix Opal (Andamookamatrix), Concrete Matrix Opal, and Sandstone Matrix Opal. The study of the porosity of all groups of Australian matrix opals showed a significant diffeence of these formations according to this parameter. Thus, the open porosity of solid matrix opals was 0.52%, concrete 6.7%, and sandstone opal 18.6%. Matrix opals from Honduras were also examined as visually similar to the Australian matrix opals, but having a different genesis. Classificationof precious matrix opals has both scientific interest and a practical one in the diagnostic and assessment in gemmology.

The new breeds of miniature pigs have emerged due to the new direction of selection, associated not only with the requirements for the animal weightand height, but also, with its behavior. This article analyzes the behavioral characteristics of the species in general and those that developed in theprocess of domestication during the last 10 000 years provide a new system of interspecific relationship with humans. Based on a review of existingethological research on the abilities of typical companion animals (dog, cat, and horse), we state the requirements for pet behavior, which allows a person to perceive an animal as a family member. Although the experiments do not provide a complete picture, it is possible to identify such prerequisitesof pigs as successful mastering of skills like recognition of humans and their images. Difficulties in understanding human gestures are associated withthe anatomical features of a pigs head and face, however they are compensated by attention to persons spatial position and the preference of familiarpeople. The latter though creates an additional difficulty in the form of guarding the indoor place from strangers. The inevitable increasing selectionpressure on behavior is considered from the perspective of the destabilizing selection theory. Suggestions about the future changes in appearance, physiology, and behavior of miniature pigs are provided.

17 сентября 2020 г. умер академик Леонид Валентинович Розенштраух — выдающийся ученый, всемирнопризнанный в области фундаментальных исследований электрофизиологии сердца и механизмов аритмии,автор высокоэффективных антиаритмических препаратов*. Уход из жизни Леонида Валентиновича —это потеря не только для его близких и коллег, но и для нашего журнала, членом редколлегии, автороми надежным советчиком которого он был на протяжении нескольких десятилетий.