[Effect of iron compounds on the treatment of fat-containing wastewaters]. / Vliianie preparatov zheleza na obrabotku zhirosoderzhashchikh stochnykh vod.

Effects of iron compounds on methanogenic fermentation the water polluted with fatty acids were studied. A natural readily available source of iron applicable to biological treatment of liquid wastes was searched for. A positive effect of iron on the methanogenic fermentation of fats and their degradation products--long-chain fatty acids--in aqueous media was demonstrated. It is recommended to add iron-containing clay, as an inexpensive and easily available iron source, in amounts providing the binding of the long-chain fatty acids present in wastewaters.

[Possible mechanisms of development of biliary diseases under the conditions of the Transbaikal region]. / Vozozhnye mekhanizmy razvitiia zabolevanii zhelchevyvodiashchikh putei v usloviiakh Zabaikal'ia.

Eighty one patients with various biliary diseases and 36 apparently healthy individuals were examined. There were relatively elevated lipid peroxidation (LPO) products (E 232/220 and E 278/220) in biliary diskynesia and higher concentrations of LPO intermediate products in cholecystitis. In cholelithiasis, the levels of LPO products were lower than those in cholecystitis. E 232/220 and 278/220 may be used for early diagnosis of biliary dysfunctions. Selenium deficiency observed in the Transbaikal region decreases antiradical protection and increases the incidence of biliary diseases.

[The effect of selenium on free-radical oxidation processes in the bone regenerate after a fracture]. / Vliianie selena na protsessy svobodnoradikal'nogo okisleniia v regenerate kosti posle pereloma.

The paper presents the results of examining the central part of the rat mandible for a month after its fracture. The rate of free radical oxidation was estimated by the levels of diene conjugates (DC), malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and by the activity of selenium-containing glutathione peroxidase (GPO). The findings suggest that there are profound injury-induced changes in free radical oxidation and antioxidative defense. The levels of DC and MDA showed the maximum upward change as a double-peaked curve and longer restoration to the level seen in control animals. These rats had the minimum enhanced GPO activity. In the animals receiving intragastric selenium methionine or selenium electrophoresis applied to the site of mandible fracture, alterations in DC and MDA were less pronounced and GPO showed a higher activity.

Factors affecting the selenium intake of people in Transbaikalian Russia.

The selenium concentration in foods grown and consumed and in plasma, red blood cells, and toenails of people living in the district of Chita in the transbaikalian part of Russia were studied in August 1991. Preliminary results from the area have suggested low selenium intakes and the possible occurrence of cardiomyopathy (Keshan disease) in the population. A low selenium concentration in foods grown locally was found: mean selenium concentration in wheat grains was 1, 5, and 28 micrograms/kg, respectively, in three villages studied, that of oats was between 3-6 micrograms/kg, and of cow's milk 10-27 micrograms/kg dry matter. The selenium concentration of bread was considerably higher, between 87-337 micrograms/kg dry wt, presumably because wheat imported from the US had been used for baking. Occasional samples of pork, beef, and mutton contained between 32-218 micrograms selenium/kg dry wt. Low selenium concentrations were observed in samples of soil and river water. The mean plasma selenium concentration of 52 persons was 1.02 mumol/L, including 33 children and 19 adult subjects. The selenium concentrations in red blood cells and toenails were 1.95 mumol/L and 0.61 mg/kg, respectively. No symptoms of heart disease caused by selenium deficiency were observed. It is concluded that the selenium status of people was fairly good thanks to the contribution to dietary intake of imported wheat with a high selenium content. As the selenium concentration was very low in foods grown in the area, the selenium intake of the population will be reduced to a very low level if only locally produced foods are consumed.

[The use of the neustonic forms of bacilli for purifying and decontaminating reservoirs]. / Ispol'zovanie neistonnykh form batsill dlia ochistki i obezzarazhivaniia vodoemov.

It is shown possible to select the bacterial strains which are neuston ones, i.e., concentrating on the water-atmosphere interface. The preparation based on the neuston form of Bacillus megaterium is more efficient for purification of water polluted with oil hydrocarbons than the preparation based on the planktonic form of the same culture. Preparation based on the neuston form of the aerobic spore-forming bacteria is effective for biological decontamination of sewage treated using conventional methods. Application of neuston bacterial forms permits intensifying the microbiological processes in the thin (15-40 microM) surface layer of water bodies.