Geochemical and anthropogenic factors of variability of heavy metals content in the soils and crops of Ukraine at the example of copper.

Nowadays, anthropogenic inflow of heavy metals (HM) into the environment far exceeds their natural quantities in Ukraine. The main sources of HM inflow are enterprises that use high-temperature processes in the production cycle-combustion of fuel and thermal processing of raw materials. Examples of such enterprises are Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant (the largest in Europe) and the Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant (the largest in Ukraine), which use high-temperature processes associated with the use of black coal that are considered as important sources of heavy metals in the soil.

[Polymorphisms of genesencoding enzymes of the xenobiotic detoxification system and the risk of infectious endocarditis].

Infectioue endocarditis (IE) is frequently associated with the use of narcotic drugs, glucocorticosteroids, and cytostatics that are metabolized in the body by enzymes of the xenobiotic detoxification system (XDS). This work was aimed at elucidating association between IE and mononucleotide polymorphisms of genes encoding XDS enzymes. 46 IE patients and 114 subjects without cardiovascular diseases (controls) underwent genotyping for polymorphic loci of cytochrome P450 1A1 gene I462V (CYP1A1), I105VandA114V gene of glutathione-S-transferase Pi1 (GSTP1) using allele-specific PCR.

[Association of leptin and total immunoglobulin E in obese patients].

We measured by the immunoenzyme assay serum levels of total IgE and leptin in 17 men and 95 women with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) and in 57 men and 25 women with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in comparison with 454 control men and 74 women without hepatic pathology. It was shown that the total serum IgE level in patients with ALD (229.5 +/- 31.

[Chronic inflammatory and dystrophic diseases of the eye anterior segment and their association with genetic polymorphisms in workers of metallurgic industry].

The ophthalmologic investigation of workers of the two metallurgical enterprises has shown that 1045 persons (55%) from 1911 observed workers suffer chronic diseases of a forward piece of eyes. Chronic inflammatory diseases (blepharitis, conjunctivitis and blepharoconjunctivitis) are found at 28,9% of them, and dystrophic diseases (pinguecula/pterygium)--at 25,8%. Among metallurgists (1801 persons) ophthalmopathy was found in 2, 2 times more often than at persons in control group (110 observed engineers and managers).

[Serum lactoferrin levels in children with viral hepatitis A].

Serum lactoferrin levels were studied in 79 healthy children and 80 children with viral hepatitis A in the Republic of Tyva. No statistically significant age- and gender-related differences were found in the healthy children. In viral hepatitis A, the level of the protein was shown to decrease with disease severity and to return to the normal values after 6 months.

[Alpha-2-macroglobulin ligands and their biotransport mechanisms].

Alpha-2-macroglobulin (MG) is a high-molecular weight glycoprotein that possesses a wide range of regulatory functions. Earlier it has been shown that covalent binding of MG with proteinases results in conformational transformation of MG, which enables MG to transport some additional types of cytokines linked by noncovalent interactions. The results of our study have demonstrated that the range of proteins, with the ability for additional binding with transformed MG is variable and comprises IgG, IgA, IgM, albumin, both types of lipoprotein chain, plasmin, some cytokines and even pregnancy associated alpha-2-glycoprotein (structured MG homolog).

[Level of lactoferrin in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis].

Study showed 9-fold increase of concentration of lactoferrin (LF) in serum of patients with bacterial meningitis (BM) compared with normal concentration and 5-fold increase of LF concentration in patients with aseptic meningitis (AM). Level of LF in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with BM and AM was 200-fold and 22-fold higher than in control group respectively. In 71% of patients with AM concentration of protein in CSF did not exceed minimal level observed in patients with BM.

[Development of acute exudative inflammation in rats upon perftoran infusion].

The effect of the perftoran--a blood replacing emulsion with multifunctional properties--on the biochemical parameters of blood serum has been studied in rats with acute exudative inflammation. It is established, that perfloran does not influence the adaptive biochemical reactions on early terms of inflammation development. At the same time, perftoran essentially reduces exudate volume, however this effect is short-time upon single infusion of the preparation.

[Specific reactions of polyfunctional proteins of the family of macroglobulins and lactoferrin with receptors and ligands in the protection of the body from pathogens].

The reactions of polyfunctional proteins alpha2-macroglobulin (MG) and lactoferrin (LF) lipoprotein-receptor protein (LRP) and different ligands (antibodies and hydrolases) for ascertaining the mechanisms of their interaction and the probable role of MG and LF in the neutralization of bacterial pathogens were under study. The binding of MG and LF with ligands, irrespective of their nature, was shown to lead to the neutralization of the complex thus formed. This mechanism of neutralization in reaction of LF with ligands was supposedly due to the antibacterial properties of this protein: multiple reactions of LF with receptor sites on the surface of pathogens neutralized the charge of the latter and facilitated phagocytosis.

Effect of perftoran on macroglobulin content in the plasma and peritoneal exudate of rats with acute exudative inflammation (peritonitis).

The effect of blood substitute perftoran on the content of alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-macroglobulins in the plasma and exudate was studied in rats with acute exudative inflammation. After intravenous injection of perftoran macroglobulin content increased in the plasma, but remained unchanged in the peritoneal fluid.

[Lactoferrin and its role in the pathogenesis of tick-borne encephalitis].

The content of lactoferrin (LF) was studied in the liquor and blood of patients with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) of the meningeal and focal types; additionally, the information density of the discussed parameter was assessed for evaluating the severity and degree of the inflammation process in the central nervous system (CNS). The LF level was determined in liquor of 37 samples obtained from TBE patients (main group) and of 10 persons with osteochondrosis (controls); it was also determined in the serum taken from 21 TBE patients and from 40 healthy donors by using the immune-enzyme analysis. The LF concentration in TBE patients was found to exceed the normal value by 1.

[Permeability of the blood-brain barrier in severe craniocerebral trauma].

Permeability of the blood-brain barrier was studied by comparing the molar concentrations of albumin and alpha 2-macroglobulin in the spinal fluid and blood of patients with severe brain injury. If the outcome was good, the selective permeability of the barrier was shown to be fully retained, which meant that its regulatory and protective functions remained normal. If the outcome was poor, the selective permeability changed to a greater extent and the alterations found suggested that the regulatory function of the barrier was preserved with simultaneous loss of its protective properties.

[The possible role of alpha 2-macroglobulin in regulating the immune components of the brain in tick-borne encephalitis].

In tick-borne encephalitis certain immunopathological reactions develop in the tissues of the central nervous system; alpha 2-macroglobulin may serve as the marker of the activity of these reactions. The dynamic study of liquor taken from 16 patients with the meningeal and focal forms of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), 8 patients with severe craniocerebral traumas accompanied by meningitis and 10 patients with osteochondrosis was made. As revealed in this study, in TBE patients the level of alpha 2-macroglobulin increases 3.

[The permeability of the hemato-encephalic barrier and the proteolytic potential of the cerebrospinal fluid in severe craniocerebral trauma].

To study blood-brain barrier permeability and proteolytic changes in in patients with severe brain injury and to evaluate their impact on its course and outcome, the concentrations of albumin, plasminogen (plasmin), alpha 2-macroglobulin, alpha 2-antiplasmin, and alpha 1-antitrypsin were examined in 58 victims by enzyme immunoassay. The control group comprised 20 patients examined for lumbar discal hernia. The studies indicate that early severe brain injury showed blood-brain barrier dysfunction whose severity can be detected by the spinal fluid levels of albumin, plasminogen, and alpha 2-macroglobulin.

[The content of the protein markers of hemato-encephalic barrier permeability in the cerebrospinal fluid in severe craniocerebral trauma].

The CSF levels of albumin, alpha 2-microglobulin and IgG were studied in patients with severe brain injury. Elevated CSF levels of albumin and alpha 2-microglobulin were found in more severe patients. The level of IgG level was within the normal range.

[Immunoenzyme method of lactoferrin analysis].

The authors propose a highly effective method for isolation of lactoferrin from female colostrum. Lactoferrin is measured by the sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Its concentrations in the serum, urine, amniotic and cerebrospinal fluid in health are measured.

[Marker proteins in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with grave craniocerebral injury].

The permeability of the blood-brain barrier for the cerebrospinal fluid marker proteins has been assessed in patients with grave craniocerebral injuries. The content of albumin and alpha 2-macroglobulin in the survivors decreased with time and by day 7 after the injury was virtually normal. In patients who died the content of these proteins was reliably increased starting from day 1.

Immunoregulatory Properties of alpha(2)-Macroglobulin.

Native and modified with ammonium ions alpha(2)-macroglobulin forms exhibit similar abilities to influence proliferative activity and secretion of immunoglobulins in cultures of human blood mononuclear cells in vitro. Effects of modified with ammonium ions alpha(2)-macroglobulin were more significant than those of native alpha(2)-macroglobulin. Revealed properties of native alpha(2)-macroglobulin could be conditioned by a partial modification of its structure with endogenous proteinases or cytokines, some of which were shown to be common affinants for both forms.

[A comparative study of pregnancy-associated protein A and its analogs in animals].

Glycoproteins similar in composition, structure, and functions were isolated from the blood serum of pregnant women, cows, dogs, and rats. They consist of four identical subunits, which form dimers due to covalent bonds, while dimers form tetramers due to hydrogen bonds. All these proteins are non-specific inhibitors of proteases and bind these enzymes in the same way as alpha-macroglobulins do, by capture in a "trap".

Changes in tissue distribution of rat alpha 1-macroglobulin and pregnancy-associated alpha 1-glycoprotein after inflammatory injury.

Antiserum against rat alpha 1-macroglobulin (alpha 1MG) was produced in rabbits. Antiserum against rat pregnancy-associated alpha 1-glycoprotein (PAG) was obtained by immunization with a partly purified PAG preparation and absorption of the serum with male rat serum. Acute inflammation was produced in non-pregnant female rats by a single intramuscular injection of turpentine.

[A comparative study of the physicochemical and antigenic properties of human and animal albumins].

Studies have been made on physico-chemical and antigenic properties of albumins from man, mammals, birds, insects, amphibians, worms, fishes and crustaceans. It was found that all the animals contain structurally identical proteins with similar physico-chemical properties. At the same time, the level of antigenic identity of the proteins decreases in the following order: type, genus, family, species.

[Study of structural features of macroglobulins complexed with plasmin].

Activities of plasmin and trypsin contained in complexes with alpha 2-macroglobulin, related to pregnancy alpha 2-glycoprotein and with protein A were studied in presence of various inhibitors with a molecular mass of 0.2-70.0 kDa.

[The evolutionary problems of the family of human and animal macroglobulins].

Studies have been made on physicochemical and immunochemical properties of macroglobulins, as well as of associated with pregnancy glycoproteins, from human subjects, mammals, birds, fishes and invertebrates. It was shown that these proteins exhibit similar composition, structure and capacity to bind proteinases inhibiting the latter. Using immunochemical methods, reactions of antigenic identity of these proteins were investigated.

[Influence of the inflammatory reaction on the distribution of alpha1-macroglobulin and pregnancy-associated alpha1-glycoprotein in the rat].

The authors studied the distribution of proteinase inhibitors in inflammation induced by intramuscular turpentine injection. It was found that it reduces the concentration of the studied proteins in the tissues, which is attended by an increase of their plasma levels. The store of pregnancy-associated alpha 1-glycoprotein in the tissues is rapidly depleted, while the concentration of alpha 1-microglobulin reduces to a relatively stable level.

[Gastroduodenal pathology in pyelonephritis in children].

The authors describe lesions of the upper alimentary tract in 91 children aged 4 to 15 years suffering from pyelonephritis. Intragastric pH-metry, endoscopy and histological examination of biopsy specimens from the gastric and duodenal mucosa were carried out, as a result of which gastroduodenal pathology was diagnosed in 3/4 of the patients. In 69.