[Molecular characteristics of cyclodextrin molecules, obtained in studies of the properties of their solutions].

Molecules of three cyclodextrins have been studied by molecular hydrodynamics methods in water, dimethylformamide, and dimethylsulfoxide. The molecular masses have been estimated, and the values correlate well with the calculated values. The hydrodynamic radii of cyclodextrin molecules have been also determined. The experimental data have been compared with theoretical calculations for toroidal molecules. The experimental data may be reconciled with the theoretical on the assumption that solvent molecules are adsorbed on the external surface of cyclodextrin molecules.

Orientational order in nanolayers of cast polymer films.

The spontaneous ordering of fragments of chain molecules near the surface in polymer films is described in terms of the multichain model, which allows for local intra- and interchain segment orientational interactions, as well as for transversal fluctuation of their orientation as an approximation of strong planar orientation order in the layers. Chain packing in the plane-ordered state is impossible unless the interchain interaction parameter has a critical value. This value decreases with chain bending rigidity. The calculated dependences of the limiting values of the quadrupole orientation order parameter on the length of the Kuhn statistical segment describe reasonably well the experimental data obtained in a study of polymer homologue polysaccharides and sulfonated phenyl-containing polymers. The monolayer thickness in films of some polysaccharides and sulfonated phenyl-containing polymers has been calculated from the fit of the theoretical to the experimental data of the surface birefringence on the number of nanolayers.

Size and average density spectra of macromolecules obtained from hydrodynamic data.

It is proposed to normalize the Mark-Kuhn-Houwink-Sakurada type of equation relating the hydrodynamic characteristics, such as intrinsic viscosity, velocity sedimentation coefficient and translational diffusion coefficient of linear macromolecules to their molecular masses for the values of linear density M(L) and the statistical segment length A. When the set of data covering virtually all known experimental information is normalized for M(L), it is presented as a size spectrum of linear polymer molecules. Further normalization for the A value reduces all data to two regions: namely the region exhibiting volume interactions and that showing hydrodynamic draining. For chains without intachain excluded volume effects these results may be reproduced using the Yamakawa-Fujii theory of wormlike cylinders. Data analyzed here cover a range of contour lengths of linear chains varying by three orders of magnitude, with the range of statistical segment lengths varying approximately 500 times. The plot of the dependence of [eta]M on M represents the spectrum of average specific volumes occupied by linear and branched macromolecules. Dendrimers and globular proteins for which the volume occupied by the molecule in solution is directly proportional to M have the lowest specific volume. The homologous series of macromolecules in these plots are arranged following their fractal dimensionality.

Maternal transmission of a ring chromosome 15.

A 5-year-old boy with Silver-Russell-like phenotype and developmental delay was found to have a ring chromosome 15. The same r(15) was found in his slightly mentally retarded mother with mild dysmorphism. Analysis of the literature showed 34 families with direct vertical transmission of a ring autosome. In 30 of these families abnormal chromosomes were inherited from the mothers; both maternal and paternal transmission was shown in different generations of one family; and only in 3 families ring chromosomes were inherited from the fathers. The possible explanations of preponderance of maternal transmission are briefly discussed.

Flow birefringence of xanthan and other polysaccharide solutions.

A xanthan sample with molecular weight M = 2.2 x 10(6) was investigated in three solvents: bidistilled water, 0.2 M aqueous NaCl and cadoxen by flow birefringence and viscometry methods in dilute solutions. It was shown that the optical shear rate coefficients of xanthan in aqueous and cadoxen media differ by two orders of magnitude. An estimation of xanthan optical anisotropy in different conformational states has been made and compared with values for other polysaccharides: dextran, pullulan, cellulose and chitosan. The process of denaturation and the flow birefringence of renaturated xanthan in aqueous solutions (after heat treatment at 121 degrees C) have also been studied.

Proportion of the GSTM1 0/0 genotype in some Slavic populations and its correlation with cystic fibrosis and some multifactorial diseases.

A homozygous gene deletion at the glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) locus of genomic DNA from blood spots was studied by PCR in the group of Slavic populations from the north-western and central-eastern regions of European Russia and in patients with lung cancer (LC), other tumors (OT), endometriosis (E), alcoholic cirrhosis (AC), cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic bronchitis (CB). The frequencies of the GSTM1 0/0 genotype were 38.8% and 67.5% for both population groups, respectively. The proportion of the GSTM1 gene deletion genotype was estimated as significantly increased in LC (81%), OT (65%), E (81%), AC (77.3%), and in CB (73.6%) patients with symptoms of CB confirmed by X-ray but not in CB patients without X-ray evidence of disease (40.9%). A definite preponderance of GSTM1-0 homozygotes (51.1%) has been registered in CF patients of the pancreatic sufficient group with clear-cut pulmonological manifestations but not in those of the pancreatic insufficient group with predominantly intestinal or mixed clinical symptoms (41.2% and 37.5%, respectively). Earlier clinical manifestations and death before the age of 5 years are typical for GSTM1-deleted CF patients. These data support the notion that GSTM1 deletion should be considered as a convenient genetic marker for the early detection of groups at higher risk of many diseases caused by environmental and genetic factors, where manifestation depends on the lack of detoxification. High levels of GSTM1 0/0 genotypes in E patients favor the substantial contribution of certain environmental toxins in the pathogenesis of this widespread disease.

Hydrodynamic characteristics and equilibrium rigidity of pullulan molecules.

The hydrodynamic characteristics of the polysaccharide pullulan (polymaltotriose) in water have been investigated and its molecular characteristics have been determined. Experimental values varied over the following ranges: velocity sedimentation coefficient (S): 0.9 < S < 11.2, translational diffusion coefficient (10(7) cm2 s-1): 1.1 < D < 14.7 and intrinsic velocity (cm3 g-1): 6.7 < [eta] < 164, which corresponds to a change in molecular weight (x 10(3)) in the range 3.9 < MSD < 644. On the basis of analysis of the literature and our experimental data, excluded volume effects have been shown to have a prevailing influence on the chain length of these polysaccharides. The equilibrium rigidity and hydrodynamic chain diameter of pullulan were evaluated on the basis of the theory of hydrodynamic properties of a wormlike necklace, taking into account excluded volume effects. At low M (< 30 x 10(3)) the translation friction data (in contrast to viscometric data) cannot be described in the framework of the theory of linear molecules.

[Specific nature of the development of myocardial blood vessels as one of the conditions of compensatory cardiac reserves]. / Spetsifika razvitiia krovenosnykh sosudov miokarda kak odno iz uslovii kompensatornykh rezervov serdtsa.

The mechanism responsible for the formation of cardiac connective tissue and vascular components in early ontogenesis from various embryonal layings and the subsequent coexistance and interaction of two myocardial blood supply system in the formed heart at all stages of postnatal life form the basis for morphological and functional characteristics of organ specificity. The findings are of direct interest to practical cardiologists and cardiosurgeons who analyze some conditions which are likely to involve compensatory mechanisms in inadequate coronary blood supply of the heart.

[The stromal components of the heart: their development and structural and functional characteristics]. / Stromal'nye komponenty serdtsa: razvitie, strukturnye i funktsional'nye osobennsoti.

Concepts of the structure, function and development of stromal components of the heart based on the author's studies and the literature data are discussed. The presence in the heart of stromal components of two generations (provisory and definitive) developing from different embryonic rudiments in suggested. Histogenetic processes of the stromal development at early stages of heart organogenesis are described. A detailed description of chondroid provisory tissue and sinusoidal vessels ensuring stromal and trophic functions with respect to muscular elements of myocardium is provided. A comparative characteristic of chondroid tissue and cartilage is given. Attention is given to stromal components which, being derivatives of the provisory stroma, are present in the heart of humans and vertebrates, constituting an obligatory part of the united connective tissue stroma and blood supply system of the heart. An original scheme is proposed reflecting general pattern of the development and interaction of stromal heart components of two generations, having different sources of origin. Observations supported by an original scheme are made regarding the place of stromal heart components in the system of supportive structures of the organism. Organ specificity of heart stroma is supposed to be a basis for using aortal-valval complex of pigs as bioprostheses in modern cardiac surgery.

[Chondroid tissue in the development of stromal components of the heart]. / Khondroidnaia tkan' v razvitii stromal'nykh komponentov serdtsa.

The chondroid tissue of the heart is an obligate provisional+ formation of the organ in question. It is formed during early stages of ontogenesis, develops maximally during the antenatal period and is preserved in the postnatal one. In a number of vertebrates it is the base for formation of cartilage and even bone in stroma of the heart. The ++chondroid tissue in embryos and fetuses performs, as regards the myocardium, stromal and trophic functions, further they are performed by the definitive connective-tissue stroma, in it vessels of the coronary system are situated. There are some reasons to suppose that the elements of the chondroid stroma are preserved during the postnatal ontogenesis in the myocardial intestinum, taking part in its metabolism.

[The diagnostic potentialities of determining alpha-fetoprotein in the blood of patients with mucoviscidosis]. / Diagnosticheskie vozmozhnosti opredeleniia al'fa-fetoproteina v krovi bol'nykh mukovistsidozom.

Measurements of alpha-fetoprotein levels in 21 patients with mucoviscidosis have found them increased vs. a group of patients with chronic hepatitis, particularly so in cases with liver involvement. This fact recommends this test as an auxiliary one to be used when prescribing combined therapy to such patients, hepatotropic agents among other things.

Angular induction as a function of contact and target orientation.

The Poggendorff effect is seen as misalignment of two obliques, or misprojection of one, when the obliques are placed outside a set of parallel lines. To understand better the mechanisms behind this effect, the orientation of the lines which are normally parallel was systematically manipulated. The results indicate that projection bias is affected by the orientation of either line, is at a minimum where the line is orthogonal to the oblique, and is maximal at small angles. This is in line with classic theories which attribute the illusion to misperception of angular size. However, such explanations presuppose that in order to be effective the induction line must be proximal to the oblique so that an angle can be formed. Results are reported which show that the angle formed by the oblique and a line placed at a distance from the oblique, serving as the target of the projection, follows an angular rule of effectiveness similar to what is seen when the line is placed directly in contact with the oblique. The underlying process is described as 'angular induction'.