[Inbred disgust propensity in the aspect of the development of pathological personality].

Correlations between inborn (constituional) disgust propensity, dynamics of personality disorders and development of contamination fear in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were studied in 54 patients with milder forms of mysophobia. Three types of contamination fear characterized by different combinations of disgust propensity and personality traits were singled out. Clinical features of OCD were shown to correspond to premorbid personality while denotative characteristics of OCD were correlated with constituional phenomenon of disgust propensity. The results suggest that disgust propensity is a stable personality dimension contributing to the development of contamination fear.

["Moral mysophobia" phenomenon in schizophrenia].

Mysophobia - fear of contamination is one of the most prevalent types of the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). "Moral mysophobia" is a ritual of cleanliness and avoidant behavior due to unpleasant obsessive thoughts. The presence of "moral" component in this subtype of contamination fear is supposed to cause high level of treatment resistance. The study included 16 patients with "moral mysophobia". The psychopathological structure of the phenomenon was described. Delusional symptoms and mental automatisms were found to contribute to its development. The analysis of schizophrenia course suggested that the development of "moral mysophobia" in schizophrenia was based on prominent negative symptoms.

[Effects of weak magnetic fields on the production of reactive oxygen species in peritoneal neutrophils in mice].

The influence of weak magnetic fields of different types on the rate of the formation of reactive oxygen species in mouse peritoneal neutrophils has been studied. It was found that the exposure of neutrophils activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to the magnetic field tuned to the parametric resonance for Ca2+ ions leads to a decrease in the rate of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by 23%. Conversely, the generation of ROS in neutrophils exposed to the same field but stimulated by the bacterial peptide FMLP (N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine) increased by about 21%. Pulsed magnetic fields also changed the rate of ROS generation in phorbol-stimulated neutrophils by about 20%, but the sign of the effects observed in this case was opposite to those induced by the magnetic field tuned to the parametric resonance for Ca2+ ions.

[Effect of the extremely weak alternating magnetic fields on the regeneration of planarians and the gravitropic response of plants].

The influence of extremely weak alternating magnetic fields (EW AMF) directed colinearly to the static Earth magnetic field on the rate of regeneration of planarians and the rate of gravitropic response in the stem segments of flax has been studied. The value of bioeffects of EW AMF is determined by the parameter gamma B(AC)/f, where y is the gyromagnetic ratio of the magnetic moments induced by the orbital movements of electrons in atoms, and B(AC) and f correspond to magnetic induction and frequency of the alternating magnetic component. It was shown that the magnitude of bioeffects depends on the amplitude (at fixed 1000 Hz - frequency) and frequency (at fixed 192 nT - amplitude) of the alternating component. Maxima of bioeffects are observed at gamma B(AC)/f = 0.9; 2.75, and minor maxima gamma B(AC)/f = 4.5; 6.1. The bioeffects are absent at gamma B(AC)/f = 1.8, 3.8, 5.3, 6.7. The positions of the maxima and minima of bioeffects correspond to the theoretical prediction (at gamma = 14000 Hz/microT). Primary targets for the EW AMF of this type are the magnetic moments induced by the orbital movements of electrons in atoms.

[Lednev's model: theory and experiment].

The results of theoretical and experimental investigations of V.V. Lednev on interactions of weak and extremely weak magnetic fields with biosystems have been reviewed. The period since 1989, when the first version of the interference model has been suggested, until now has been considered. Some mathematical expressions, are presented, which have been published earlier in the papers that are now bibliographic rarity. The results of experimental investigations are also summarized that have been performed in this period under the supervision of V.V. Lednev in the laboratory of biophysics of intracellular regulation in the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

[Modulation of cardiac rhythms in humans exposed to extremely weak alternating magnetic fields].

The influence of extremely weak alternating magnetic fields (EW AMF) with amplitudes of < or = 2 microT on the heart rate variability in humans has been studied. The volunteers were placed in a large- volume square coils system (2x2x2 m), which provided the exposure of the whole body to extremely weak alternating magnetic fields homogeneous in amplitude. It was shown that the exposure of volunteers to different types of extremely weak alternating magnetic fields can both increase and decrease the magnitude of stress. In particular, the field tuned to the nuclear spins of hydrogen atoms (amplitude 1.6 microT, frequency 76 Hz) induces a decrease in the Baevsky's stress index, while the field tuned to the magnetic moments formed by the orbiting electrons in some atoms (amplitude 0.192 microT, frequency 3000 Hz) increases the stress index. The results obtained provide a possible explanation for the mechanism of adverse effects of some particular types of technogenic and natural extremely weak alternating magnetic fields on the human cardiovascular system.

[Effects of extremely weak alternating magnetic fields on the plant gravitropism]. / Vliianie kraine slabykh peremennykh magnitnykh polei na gravitropizm rastenii.

It was shown that the rate of gravitropic response in apical segments excised from the 4-day-old seedlings of flax (Linum bienne) may be substantially influenced by combined magnetic fields (CMF) of two different types: 1) CMF tuned to the parametric resonance for Ca2+; 2) CMF containing extremely weak alternating component with the values of magnetic density ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-10) T. Our experimental data indicate that CMF affect the gravitropic response via at least two different mechanisms. The first one corresponds to the ion parametric resonance well established earlier in studies with test-systems prepared from animals. The origin of the bioeffects induced by CMF containing extremely weak alternating component remains to be established.

[Activation and inhibition of the gravitropic response in the flax stem segments exposed to the permanent magnetic field with magnetic density ranging from 0 to 350 microT]. / Aktivatsiia i ingibirovanie gravitropicheskoi reaktsii v segmentakh steblei l'na pri izmenenii velichiny magnitnoi induktsii postoiannogo polia v predelakh ot 0 do 350 mkT.

It was found that the rate of gravitropic bending in apical segments excised from 4-day-old etiolated seedlings of flax Linum bienne is strongly and nonlinearly dependent on the value of the magnetic flux density of a static magnetic field, BDC, in the range from 0 to 350 microT. The gravitropic bending is stimulated at 0 < or = BDC < or = 2 microT and 200 < or = BDC < or = 350 microT but is inhibited at 100 < or = BDC < or = 170 microT relative to control samples being in the magnetic field of the Earth equal to 46.5 microT.

Long-term changes in hippocampus and neocortex EEG spectra in response to pharmacological treatments affecting the cholinergic system.

Statistical analysis of EEG spectra averaged over 10-min intervals showed that in rats performing free behavior, peripheral administration of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine induced long-lasting characteristic changes (lasting tens of minutes) in the electrical activity of the dorsal hippocampus (field CAI) and the somatosensory cortex. An increase in the physostigmine dose from 0.05 to 1 mg/kg shifted the peak of the theta rhythm to lower frequencies (3.6-4.9 Hz) without a change in power at this frequency, though there was a decrease in power at 5.7-11.9 Hz. The power of the beta-1 rhythm (13.8-16.4 Hz) was also strongly suppressed. In contrast, the power of the beta-2 rhythm (20.3-26.5 Hz) increased several-fold in a non-linear fashion. Scopolamine suppressed all the changes induced by physostigmine, demonstrating the important role of m-cholinoceptors in changes in EEG spectra. The high dose of physostigmine caused inversion of the power of the beta-2 rhythm: unlike the situation obtaining in controls, the beta-2 power in the hippocampus became significantly greater than that in the neocortex. These data suggest the conclusion that overall significant increases in endogenous acetylcholine levels lead to decreases in the functional activity of the hippocampus and neocortex and that the mechanisms of cholinergic modulation of the theta and beta rhythms are significantly different. It is suggested that conditioned reflex switching, contextual learning, and dissociated sates of memory and consciousness are to a significant extent dependent on long-term changes in the oscillatory activity of the hippocampus and neocortex.

[Activation and inhibition of gravitropic reaction of plants using weak combined magnetic fields]. / Aktivatsiia i ingibirovanie gravitropicheskoi reaktsii rastenii s pomoshch'iu slabykh kombinirovannykh magnitnykh polei.

It is shown that the rate of gravitropic response in the segments of stems excised from millet, flax and clover seedlings may be considerably activated or inhibited by the application of weak combined magnetic fields tuned to the parametric resonance for Ca2+ or K+, correspondingly.

[Dependence of gravitotropic reaction in segments of flax stems on frequency and amplitude of variable components of a weak combined magnetic field]. / Zavisimost' gravitropicheskoi reaktsii v segmentakh steblei l'na ot chastoty i amplitudy peremennoi komponenty slabogo kombinirovannogo magnitnogo polia.

We determined the dependence of the effect of weak combined magnetic field (CMF) tuned to Ca2+ resonance (Ca(2+)-CMF) on the rate of gravitropic response in apical segments (25 mm long) excised from the 4-day-old seedlings of flax (Linum bienne) on the amplitude and frequency of the alternating component of Ca(2+)-CMF. The results indicate that test-systems derived from plant and animal sources are affected by Ca(2+)-CMF via an identical mechanism.

[Long-term changes in EEG spectra of the hippocampus and neocortex during pharmacological action on the cholinergic system]. / Dlitel'nye izmeneniia spektrov EEG gippokampa i neokorteksa pri farmakologicheskikh vozdeistviiakh na kholinergicheskuiu sistemu.

Statistical analysis of EEG spectra averaged over 10-min periods showed that inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase physostigmine induced the long-term (tens of minutes) characteristic changes in the electric activity of the dorsal hippocampus (CA1 field) and somatosensory cortex of unrestrained rats. With increasing the physostigmine dose from 0.05 to 0.5 or 1 mg/kg the averaged power of the theta-rhythm did not rise in the range of 3.6-4.9 Hz and was suppressed in the range of 5.7-11.9 Hz both in the hippocampus and neocortex. The maximal frequency shifted to the left (from 3.6-6.4 to 3.6-4.9 Hz). In contrast to this, the averaged power in the delta (1-1.5 Hz)-I and beta-2 ranges (20.3-26.5 Hz) significantly nonlinearly increased and that of the beta-1 substantially decreased. Scopolamine eliminated all extrema of the hippocampal and neocortical EEG spectra induced by physostigmine, which is indicative of the role of M-cholinoreceptors in these effects. The increased dose of physostigmine (1 mg/kg) produced inversion of the ratio between the averaged power of beta-2 in neocortex and hippocampus: it became significantly higher than in the neocortex. All these data suggest that the mechanisms of cholinergic modulation of the theta- and beta-rhythms are essentially different. We think that significant enhancement of the content of endogenous acetylcholine content produce a long-term tonic decay of the functional activity of the hippocampus and neocortex and play an important role in the mechanisms of dissociated states of memory and consciousness, contextual learning and conditioned switching.

[Current problems in diagnosis and treatment of hereditary disturbances of growth and development in children]. / Sovremennye problemy diagnostiki i lecheniia nasledstvennykh naryshenii rosta and razvitiia u detei.

The authors' long-term experience in diagnosing and treating childhood hereditary growth and developmental disturbances, such as genetic diseases of connective tissue, amino acid metabolic disturbances, rickets-like diseases, mitochondrial abnormalities, Rett syndrome, and fragile X syndrome is presented. The findings suggest that multimodality treatment is highly effective in treating children with hereditary growth and developmental disturbances in genetic care.

[Automated genetic register and computer support for the physician's diagnostic decisions]. / Avtomatizirovannyi geneticheskii registr i komp'iuternaia podderzhka diagnosticheskikh reshenii vracha.

Computer-based genetical register "GENREG" allows to carry out a prophylactic medical examination for families with children, having hereditary diseases, multifactorial pathology and congenital developmental defects of various nature, and also epidemiological examination. Automated consultative system for pre-laboratory diagnosis of genetically determined diseases after the phenotypical manifestations "DIAGEN" allows to identify up to 1200 nosologic units; diagnostic value (or weight) of the signs according to physician's evaluation is taken into consideration. The system sorts out a narrow differential-and-diagnostic row and information about specific laboratory and functional changes for every selected diagnosis. Efficiency of the system is over 94% (after the next laboratory findings). The results of computer diagnosis and final physician's diagnosis, and also questionnaire of a child are stored in archives (files) of the "DIAGEN" system. Both of the systems are realized on PC/AT IBM-compatible computer.

[The combined treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta in children]. / Kompleksnoe lechenie nesovershennogo kosteobrazovaniia u detei.

The authors present the results of complex drug and orthopaedic treatment of children with imperfect osteogenesis. 40 patients were treated with a somatotropic hormone, calcitrin and vitamin D metabolites (oxydevit and dihydrocholecalciferol). In 20 of these patients corrective osteotomies of the long bones of the lower extremities combined with metal osteosynthesis with rods and massive plates were performed. In a number of patients osteoplasty with long cortical allografts was made. After the treatment all the children were able to move independently either with the aid of unloading orthopaedic apparatuses (17 patients), or without them (3 patients).