Micellar and solubilizing properties of rhamnolipids.

We studied the micellar and solubilizing properties of aqueous solutions of unfractionated rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) diffusometry, dynamic light scattering, and conductometry to measure the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of rhamnolipid solutions and determined the effective hydrodynamic radii of rhamnolipid monomers and micelles. Based on selective measurements of the self-diffusion coefficients of molecules, performed by NMR diffusometry, the solubilizing properties of rhamnolipids were studied depending on their concentration in solution; aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and para-xylene were taken as solubilizates. On the basis of the measurement results, we estimated the distribution coefficient of the solubilizate between the micellar (solubilized) and free (in the aqueous phase) states and the solubilizing capacity of rhamnolipid micelles.

Treatment of the Lower Extremity Contracture/Deformities.

Lower extremity deformities of patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita present a wide spectrum of severity and deformity combinations. Treatment goals range from merely ensuring comfortable seating and shoe wear, to fully independent and active ambulation, but the overarching intention is to help realize the patient's greatest potential for independence and function. Treatment of hip and knee contractures and dislocations has become more interventional, whereas treatment of foot deformities has paradoxically become much less surgical. This article synopsizes the treatment strategies presented in September 2014 in Saint Petersburg, Russia at the second international symposium on arthrogryposis.

Autonomic dysfunction syndrome in pregnant women.

Available studies and information on the regulatory effect of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in pregnancy are insufficient and contradictory due to a variety of research methods of ANS, the lack of a single standardized approach to the assessment of the functional tone of the ANS departments, and interpretation of the results. The aim of the study is investigation and predictive assessment of clinical and laboratory data in pregnant women with suprasegmental autonomic dysfunction with or without hypertension to determine the main directions of effective prevention of the nervous system damage. The material of the study included 206 pregnant women diagnosed with the syndrome of autonomic dysfunction in different variants. Age ranged from 17 to 47 years. All pregnant women had the following laboratory tests: general clinical tests, biochemical blood tests, including prothrombin index, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor activity. The clinical and laboratory data were analyzed in pregnant women with autonomic dysfunction with or without hypertension. According to the results, it was found that in all groups of pregnant women a sympathetic effect prevails. This study showed that in the group of normotensive pregnant women, the main symptom is venous dysfunction, which poses a risk of an adverse course of cerebrovascular disease.