[WAR AND WORLD OF ERWIN CHARGAFF (DEDICATED TO 110 ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH)].

The article shortly describes the life path of Erwin Chargaff, one of the most famous figures in the history of molecular biology and genetics. Chargaff was born in Chernivtsi (Austria-Hungary, now Ukraine) but during the First World War his family was forced to move to Vienna. After graduating from the University of Vienna, Chargaff worked in Berlin, where he studied bacterial lipids. Due to Nazis coming to power in Germany, Chargaff moved to Paris and later (1935) emigrated to the USA and obtained a position at Columbia University, where he initially investigated the role of phospholipids in blood clotting. In 1944, applying novel methods Chargaff initiated intensive investigation of the chemical composition of nucleic acids from taxonomically distant species and established two rules which were later named after him. The first Chargaff's rule provided a significant support to Watson and Crick in construction of their double helical DNA model. The explosion of atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki forced Chargaff to think about the moral responsibility of researchers and science to mankind. He begins to raise these issues in the press and manifests himself as a talented journalist, who criticized the bureaucratization of science and its transformation into a way of earning money. Despite decades of life in America, spiritually Erwin Chargaff always remained a European, who never forgot his roots and always remembered his native land.

[Micronuclear index of somatic cells in the population of Chernivtsi region and its ecological conditionality]. / Mikroiadernyi indeks v somatychnykh klitynakh naselennia chernivets'koï oblasti ta iogo ekologichna obumovlenist'.

Large-scale estimation of micronuclear index in the population of different physical-geographic regions near Chernivtsi was performed for the first time. The authors managed to reveal the correlation between the rate of genetic changes in children from Bukovyna and the level of soil and water contamination with heavy metals and aluminum in settlements examined.

[Peculiarities of the influence of chemical and physical factors on cytogenetic indices of root meristem in Pisum sativum L]. / Osoblyvosti vplyvu khimichnykh ta fizychnykh chynnykiv na tsytogenetychni pokaznyky korenevykh merystem Pisum sativum L.

The results of comparative analysis of cytogenetic effects of various chemical and physical factors on meristemic cells of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) are presented. Cytogenetic effects of aluminum, cadmium and selenium compounds as well as X-ray irradiation were studied. Cytogenetic indices were investigated for different doses of the above factors and peculiarities of their influence on the ratio of mitotic phases were analyzed. The increasing in the proportion of cells at the specific mitotic stage was revealed. There were anaphase stage for aluminum chloride, prophase stage for cadmium chloride, meta- and anaphase stages for sodium selenate, and telophase stage for X-rays. Investigated chemical elements may be ranged according to their ability to induce the aberrant anaphase frequency in the row: Se (from 3.75 x 10(-6) M) > A1 (from 3.86 x 10(-5) M) > Cd (from 8.44 x 10(-5) M). Maximal experimental dose of X-ray irradiation (9.03 x 10(-3) C/kg) induces the frequency of chromosome aberration similar to those induced by maximal experimental doses of aluminum and selenium (3.86 x 10(-4) M and 8.34 x 10(-6) M).

[Selenium correction of rat liver status in disturbed antioxidant system, caused by aluminum or cadmium chlorides]. / Selenitova korektsiia statusu pechinky shchuriv pry porushenniakh antyoksydantnoi systemy, sprychynenykh khlorydami aliuminiiu abo kadmiiu.

Most effective selenium correction of the rats liver antioxidative status disturbance were found after 7-days intoxication by aluminium chloride in the dose 1/5 LD50 than 7-days intoxication cadmium chloride in similar dose.

[Effect of aluminum poisoning and gamma-irradiation on the antioxidant system of the body and study of possibilities for correction]. / Vplyv aliuminiievoï intoksykatsiï ta gamma-oprominennia na stan antioksydantnoï systemy organizmu ta vyvchennia mozhlyvostei ioho korektsiï.

The influence of selenium and rutin on the antioxidant protection system of the organisms in connection with Al-intoxication and gamma-irradiation was investigated. It has been determined that selenium increases the antioxidant protection caused by aluminium. Under simultaneous action of aluminium and gamma-irradiation upon the organism selenium stimulated accumulation of toxic lipids peroxide oxidation products. Rutin action in the situations under investigation caused weakening of antioxidant protection.

[Effect of selenium on the functional state of white rat kidney in aluminum-cadmium poisoning]. / Vplyv selenu na funktsional'nyi stan nyrok bilykh shchuriv pry aliuminiievo-kadmiievii intoksykatsiï.

The breach of kidney's functional state and also the possibility of their selenite correction were researched after aluminium and cadmium intoxication. Aluminium chloride intensifies acid-secrete function of kidney. Cadmium chloride and its combination with aluminium chloride change the transport of sodium. Sodium selenite has aptitude for correction of the functional renal state in the case of aluminium and cadmium joint intoxication.

[Selenium as a modifier of antioxidant protection and lipid peroxidation in microclones of Arnica montana L. as affected by C-range ultraviolet rays]. / Selen kak modifikator antioksidantnoi zashchity i peroksidnogo okisleniia lipidov v mikroklonakh Arnica montana L. pri deistvii ul'trafioletovykh luchei C-diapazona.

selenium was studied for its effect on the node components of antioxidant protection of plants irradiated by UV of C-range. It is shown that selenium modifies the UV action of C-range and decreases the oxidation of SH-groups, increases activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and decreases the accumulation of the end product of peroxidation: malondialdehyde.