Genetic analysis of the South Altaian population of the Mendur-Sokkon village, Altai Republic

This study was a continuation of complex research on the gene pool of indigenous Siberian populations conducted at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences. In the population of South Altaians from the Mendur-Sokkon village, Ust'-Kanskii raion, Altai Republic, polymorphism for the following genetic markers was studied: blood groups ABO, MNSs, Rhesus, Kell, Duffy, and P; erythrocyte acid phosphatase (AcP); phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1); haptoglobin (Hp); and transferrin (Tf). The genetic position of South Altaians relative to the populations of the European part of Russia, Siberia, and the Urals was estimated. It was demonstrated that the gene pool of the South Altaian population of Mendur-Sokkon possessed both Caucasoid and Mongoloid genetic characteristics, with the latter prevailing. Genetically, this population is most closely related to Mongols and Nentsis. The genetic distance between South and North Altaians was large; this agreed with earlier genetic data and confirmed anthropological and ethnographic evidence indicating that these two groups had different backgrounds and were at different stages of ethnogenesis.     

Influence of the physical structure of phospholipid membranes on peroxidation induced by Fe2+ ions

Kinetics of free radical lipid peroxidation, induced by Fe2+ in presence of ascorbic acid, was studied in phospholipid membranes. The maximal rate of peroxidative oxidation was observed at 2.5 muM concentration of Fe2+, in this case a half of the maximal amount of peroxidative oxidation products was formed within 20-30 min at 20 degrees and at 200 muM concentration of ascorbic acid. The rate of peroxidative oxidation depended on addition of substances modifying the membrane structure (linoleic acid, cetyl trimethylammonium, Tween-60, derivatives of phenothiazol). Charge of the membrane surface was shown to have a distinct effect on the peroxidative oxidation. Loosening of membranes by non-ion detergent (Tween-60) increased the rate of the process, whereas the increase of the membranes rigidity by cholesterol did not cause any effect. Uneffectiveness of cholesterol is discussed with relation to diffusion of radicals, participating in peroxidative oxidation, from depth of the membrane to its surface and in the opposite direction.     

Disorder of the microfolds and tonofibrils in cervical leukoplakia

The ultrastructure of superficial cells of the normal human cervical squamous epithelium and that in leukoplakia was examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The characteristic appearance of normal cells is described. Changes in the concentration of tonofilaments and formation of keratohyalin granules were revealed in leukoplakia. Alterations in surface microridges were also observed. The latter phenomenon is closely related to a decrease in the number of tonofilaments at the cell periphery. It is possible that the altered microridges do not retain the cushioning protective mucin and maintain the stationary of progressive states of leukoplakia.     

Method of assessing the functional state of the human body

The article demonstrates an algorithm to evaluate functional state of operators exposed to ecologic hazards. The evaluation of the functional state includes analysis of the heart rhythm registered for 2 minutes. The functional state is assessed through an Indicator of Regulatory Systems Activity (IRSA), obtained by summation of all the values in modulus. IRSA values define 5 functional states: norm; functional strain moderate, marked and extreme; asthenia of regulatory systems. The algorithm suggested differs from the known ones in some features as follows. The diagnosis of heterotopic arrhythmia serves for more precise code demonstrating the heart automatism; formed on the basis of variation coefficient, the code demonstrating stability of the regulation proves the status of stable or disordered regulation; the code demonstrating activities of subcortical neural centers is formed on the basis of measured relative capacity of primary and secondary respiratory waves.     

The effect of prostatilen on the hemostatic indices in chronic prostatitis (a clinical and experimental study)

Continuous monitoring of dynamic changes of transcranial regional cerebral oxygenation (rSO2) was performed in 7 healthy volunteers (mean age 40.9 +/- 12.6 years; range 25-62 years) during normo- and hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO at 2.5 and at 1.95 ATA) using an INVOS 3100 cerebral oximeter. A significant change between HBO and control phase could be found in rSO2, alterations (p < 0.05; ANOVA, Tukey test). The results suggest that the calculation of rSO2 may be a useful method to monitor changes of oxygen saturation under hyperbaric conditions. However, the absolute quantification of rSO2 is useless at the moment and needs further investigation.