[Biomechanical properties of the human cranium: aging aspects].

Biomechanical properties of the human skull affect its dynamic tensility (pliability, compliance) by changes of intracranial volume and pressure (deltaV/deltaP). The goal of this study is to substantiate a possibility of noninvasive and dynamic evaluation of cranial compliance. The transcranial dopplerogram of middle cerebral artery and hemispheric bioimpedance were synchronously recorded, which represent information about pulsative changes of intracranial pressure and volume, respectively. The parameters were recorded at rest and during adequate hemo- and liquorodynamic tests in different age groups--20-30, 40-50, and 70-85 years. As compared with the young group, a decrease of the cranial compliance in the intermediate age group was revealed due to an observed increase if rigidity of skull bones and ligaments, which indicates a decrease of stability of the intracranial circulatory system. However, in the group of 70-85 years the compliance rose again due to an enlargement of intracranial liquor spaces and facilitation of liquor circulation inside the intracranial cavity; this can be suggested to be a compensatory mechanism for supporting the adequate brain circulatory-metabolic state.

[QUANTITATIVE INDEXES OF SLOW PERIODICAL VOLUME FLUCTUATIONS INSIDE CRANIA-SPINAL SPACES].

Process of circulatory-metabolic support of brain functioning is based on integration of cerebrovascular and CSF-circulatory systems as well scull mechanics, as united structural-functional system is accompanied by periodic volume--pressure fluctuations inside crania-spinal space. The frequency of them is widely variable (0.03-0.25 Hz), as well as its amplitude (0.3-1.2 of pulse wave value) and they exist in the most of its regions. Results of noninvasive studies of volunteers of groups (18-20 and 40-55 years old), that these fluctuations, reflect the functioning of the mechanism, responsible for brain circulatory metabolic supply, and the evaluation of these quantitative indices by means of spectral analysis with quantization 128 kHz could provide valuable information concerning functional integration of systems, responsible for circulatory-metabolic brain support.

[Dysbiotic changes of colonic microflora in patients with Crohn's disease]. / Dysbiotychni zminy mikroflory tovstoï kyshky u patsiientiv z khvoroboiu Krona.

In patients with Crohn's disease the dysbiotic changes in colonic lumen was revealed, what was testified by reducing the quantity of saprophytic and increasing the quantity of the conditionally-pathogenic microorganisms. The application of "Salofalk" preparation do not influence the colonic microflora composition.

[Interhemisphere asymmetry of the CSF dynamics and biomechanical properties of the skull].

This investigation shows that both intracranial liquor circulation and skull biomechanical properties evaluated by its pliability (compliance) to intracranial pressure are characterised by marked interhemisphere asymmetry. The interhemisphere differences of cerebrospinal fluid mobility were evaluated by means of asymmetry coefficient (right/left ratio of liquor mobility) which was found to be 1.25-1.45 in healthy middle-age persons. For the skull pliability (compliance) the coefficient of hemispheric asymmetry was 0.75-0.95. These two hemisphere asymmetry coefficients are characterized by reciprocal relationships. These coefficients demonstrated no dominancy related to right/left hemisphere as well as no correlation with neurophysiological parameter. Functional tests (apnoea, hyperventilation, Stookey test) gave rise to significant changes of these coefficient values. At ageing, the magnitudes of these coefficients decreased. The spectral analysis of pulse waves of dopplerogram and rheoencephalogram reveals hemisphere asymmetry, too. It should be suggested that the interhemisphere asymmetry of the CSF dynamics and skull biomechanical properties is a special mechanism which contributes in the process of circulatory-metabolic support of brain activity.