Showing papers in "Biofizika in 2001"

Size of a human serum albumin molecule in solution

Abstract: The size of a human serum albumin molecule in aqueous solution containing 150 mM NaCl was studied using small-angle neutron scattering. The molecular radius of gyration was estimated to be 27.4 +/- 0.35 A. The compact sphere should have a smaller radius of gyration, whereas the popular human serum albumin model, a "cigar" 136 A long, should correspond to a greater radius of gyration. Possible shapes of the human serum albumin molecule which are in accordance with the results obtained, are the following: an extended ellipsoid less than 110 A of length or a nonsymmetrical oblate ellipsoid with a diameter of 85 A. The oblate ellipsoid might be close to the heart"-shaped structure of the crystalline human serum albumin molecule. The size of the albumin molecule does not change significantly as pH increases to 8.9. The possibility of the dynamic coexistence of various human serum albumin conformers in solution is discussed.

Nonequilibrium state of electrochemically activated water and its biological activity

Abstract: Changes in the physicochemical parameters (pH, redox potential and electroconductivity) of catholyte and anolyte produced by membrane electrolysis of distilled water and dilute (c < 10(-3) M) sodium chloride solutions were studied. The relaxation of these parameters after electrolysis and the influence of catholyte and anolyte on the growth of roots of Tradescantia viridis grafts, the development of duckweed, and the motive activity of infusoria Spirostomum ambiguum were investigated. It was found that the anolyte of distilled water stimulated development of these biological objects. The direction of shift of physicochemical parameters of catholyte and anolyte from equilibrium values and the type of their biological activity (stimulation or inhibition) depend on salt concentration in initial solution. Barbotage of initial distilled water with argon or nitrogen leads to a greater decrease in the redox potential of catholyte during electrolysis. The physicochemical parameters relax to equilibrium values, and the biological activity of catholite and anolyte decreases with time and practically disappears by the end of the day. It was found that the oxidation of reducing agent by atmospheric oxygen is not the sole cause of the relaxation of catalyte redox potential. The increase in the ionic strength of catholite and anolyte by the addition of concentrated sodium chloride after electrolysis decreases the rate of redox potential relaxation several times. The redox potential can be maintained for long periods by freezing.

Effects of extremely weak alternating magnetic fields on the plant gravitropism

Abstract: 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.

Membranotropic effects of electromagnetic radiation of extremely high frequency on Escherichia coli

Abstract: It was found that "sound" electromagnetic radiations of extremely high frequencies (53.5-68 GHz) or millimeter waves (wavelength range of 4.2-5.6 mm) of low intensity (power density 0.01 mW) have a bactericidal effect on Escherichia coli bacteria. It was shown that exposure to irradiation of extremely high frequencies increases the electrokinetic potential and surface change density of bacteria and decreases of membrane potential. The total secretion of hydrogen ions was suppressed, the H+ flux from the cytoplasm to medium decreased, and the flux of N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive potassium ions increased, which was accompanied by changes in the stoichiometry of these fluxes and an increase in the sensitivity of H+ ions to N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The effects depended on duration of exposure: as the time of exposure increased, the bactericidal effect increased, whereas the membranotropic effects decreased. The effects also depended on growth phase of bacteria: the irradiation affected the cells in the stationary but not in the logarithmic phase. It is assumed that the H(+)-ATPase complex F0F1 is involved in membranotropic effects of electromagnetic radiation of extremely high frequencies. Presumably, there are some compensatory mechanisms that eliminate the membranotropic effects.

Hydrolysis of various peptides and proteins in weak permanent and low frequency fluctuating magnetic fields

Abstract: It was shown that weak combined magnetic fields (constant field 25-130 microT; variable field 0.01-0.2 microT; the range of effective frequencies of the alternating component 1-10 Hz) substantially increase the rate of hydrolysis of some proteins and peptides (eight various sequences). The concentration dependence of the dynamics of the process and the dependence of the magnitude of the effect on the parameters of the magnetic field. It was found that: (1) the effect is transmitted through a solvent preliminarily treated by magnetic fields and (2) the effect occurs in the presence of inhibitors of proteases and enzymes inactivating peroxides (catalase and horse radish peroxidase with substrate).

Effect of extremely high frequency electromagnetic radiation of low intensity on parameters of humoral immunity in healthy mice

Abstract: The modification of indices of the humoral immune response to thymus-dependent antigen (sheep erythrocytes) after a whole-body exposure of healthy mice to low-intensity extremely-high-frequency electromagnetic radiation was studied. Male NMRI mice were exposed in the far-field zone of horn antenna at a frequency of 42.0 GHz and energy flux density of 0.15 mW/cm2 under different regimes: once for 20 min, for 20 min daily during 5 and 20 successive days before immunization, and for 20 min daily during 5 successive days after immunization throughout the development of the humoral immune response. The intensity of the humoral immune response was estimated on day 5 after immunization by the number of antibody-forming cells of the spleen and antibody titers. Changes in cellularity of the spleen, thymus and red bone marrow were also assessed. The indices of humoral immunity and cellularity of lymphoid organs changed insignificantly after acute exposure and series of 5 exposures before and after immunization of the animals. However, after repeated exposures for 20 days before immunization, a statistically significant reduction of thymic cellularity by 17.5% (p < 0.05) and a decrease in cellularity of the spleen by 14.5% (p < 0.05) were revealed. The results show that low-intensity extremely-high-frequency electromagnetic radiation with the frequency and energy flux density used does not influence the humoral immune response intensity in healthy mice but influences immunogenesis under multiple repeated exposures.

Biotropic effects of geomagnetic storms and their seasonal variations

Abstract: A substantial effect of geomagnetic storms on human health with a confidential probability P = 0.95 was revealed. The quantitative estimates of the biotropic effect are presented. For example, the frequency of occurrence of bursts exceeding the average number of hospitalized patients with mental and cardiovascular diseases during magnetic storms increases approximately 2 times compared with quiet periods (based on the data on 1983-84). The frequency of occurrence of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, violation of cardial rhythm, acute violation of brain blood circulation during storms increases 2.1; 1.6; 1.6; 1.5 times, respectively compared with magnetically quiet periods (based on the data of 1992-96). A similarity of the seasonal distribution of the magnitude of the biotropic effect is revealed in the case of myocardial infarction and the number of magnetic storms: a maximum in the equinox and a minimum in summer.

[New kinetic model of the radical-chain oxidation, including competitive reactions: oxygen as an autoinhibitor]

Abstract: The application of competitive kinetics to the process of nonkatalytic oxidation by the radical-chain nonbranched mechanism was considered using the homogenous liquid phase oxidation of orthoxylene as an example. It was assumed that the free cycloalkylhydrotetraoxyl radical [formula: see text] is the intermediate compound that inhibits the chain process. By the method of quasi-stationary concentrations, kinetic equations for the rates of formation of oxidation products (alkylhydroperoxide, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, etc.) were derived in which 1-3 parameters should be determined.

Characteristics of low frequency magnetic field effect on swelling of wheat seeds at various stages

Abstract: Low-frequency magnetic field treatment (50 Hz, 30 mT, 15 min) of wheat seeds with a 50% germination efficiency during imbibition at the stage of root formation leads to a statistically significant increase in the number of seeds having sprouts, a still greater increase in the number of seeds having roots, and to an increase in the length of sprouts compared with the control and the seeds treated several hours later. In the last case, an increase in the germinating capacity with a considerably lesser effect on the number of seeds with roots was also observed. Prolonged treatment with the field during the second day of imbibition decreased reliably the length of sprouts with a weaker influence on the number of seeds with sprouts and roots. These data suggest the principal possibility of the effect of electromagnetic fields on the realization of the genetic program during the germination of wheat seeds.

Effect of centimeter microwaves and the combined magnetic field on the tumor necrosis factor production in cells of mice with experimental tumors

Abstract: The effect of fractionated exposure to low-intensity microwaves (8.15-18 GHz, 1 microW/cm2, 1.5 h daily for 7 days) and combined weak magnetic field (constant 65 1 microT; alternating--100 nT, 3-10 Hz) on the production of tumor necrosis factor in macrophages of mice with experimental solid tumors produced by transplantation of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma was studied. It was found that exposure of mice to both microwaves and magnetic field enhanced the adaptive response of the organism to the onset of tumor growth: the production of tumor necrosis factor in peritoneal macrophages of tumor-bearing mice was higher than in unexposed mice.

[Double and bifurcated hydrogen bonds in alpha-helices of globular proteins].

Abstract: The statistical analysis of hydrogen bonds distribution in space structures of globular proteins has been done. The parameters of H-bonds in the different secondary structures of globular proteins were collected. In alpha-helices besides the canonical 1-5 H-bonds (the mean length 3 A), 1-4 H-bonds were observed (the mean length 3.2 A). The histograms of length and angular distributions of the bonds are presented. It was found on the basis of quantum chemistry calculations that most H-bonds in alpha-helices are double or bifurcated.

[Biophysics at the turn of the new millenium: perfluorocarbon media and gas-transporting blood substitutes].

Abstract: The results of 20-year investigations of perfluorocarbon gas-transporting emulsions for biological and medical applications performed by russian biophysicists together with chemists and clinicists are reviewed. As a result of these investigations, the blood substitute perftoran was created. Now this commercial blood substitute has different applications in clinics of Russia and other countries.

Effect of the surface charge on deformation dynamics in lipid membranes

Abstract: A theoretical analysis of equations of motion describing the dynamics of a charged spherical membrane in a viscous liquid medium was performed. It was shown that the curvature of the membrane substantially depends on the static surface charge. In addition, it was found that a local variation in surface charge density induces a deformation of the membrane and conversely.

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

Abstract: 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.

[Criteria of bistability of the cylindrical dendrite with the variable negative slope of the N-shaped current-voltage membrane characteristic].

Abstract: The criteria for hystheresis in the input current-voltage relation of a cylindrical dendrite, i.e. cable bistability, were studied earlier in case of the constant negative slope of the N-shaped membrane current-voltage characteristic. For a membrane with a variable negative slope of the current-voltage characteristic, only sufficient conditions of dendritic bistability were formulated: [equation: see text], where df/dV/h is the negative slope of the membrane current-voltage characteristic at zero current point, h; X is the electrotonic length of the dendrite. We propose to use as the necessary condition of bistability the above equation but with the maximal value of the negative slope df/dV/max instead of df/dV/h. Calculations illustrate that this necessary condition, with acceptable accuracy, can be used as the necessary and sufficient condition of the cable bistability when the N-shaped current-voltage characteristic of the membrane is arbitrary.

Coherent electromagnetic fields in the remote intercellular interaction

Abstract: The distant interactions various organisms and their communities and the effect of coherent electromagnetic radiation on intercellular relations were studied. The ability of fruit crops male gametophyte to control the germination of pollen tube at the field level (nonchemical) was established. The cooperative character of this process is shown. It is stimulated directly or indirectly, by low-intensity coherent radiation through a bioinductor. The conclusion is made that spontaneous chemiluminescence cannot be considered as an information channel of distant intercellular interaction.

[Comparative study of effect of infrared, submillimeter, and millimeter electromagnetic radiation on wing somatic mutations in Drosophila melanogaster induced by gamma-irradiation].

Abstract: It was shown that the number of spontaneous and gamma-radiation-induced somatic mutations in wing cells of fruit flies (third instar larvae) exposed to laser irradiation of submillimeter range (lambda = 81.5 microns) was significantly lower than in control. Laser irradiation did not affect the number of recombinations. Exposure to laser radiation in the infrared range and electromagnetic waves of the millimeter range (lambda = 3.8 mm) enhanced the effect of gamma-irradiation.

Electron and proton transport in chloroplasts taking into account lateral heterogeneity of thylakoids. Mathematical model

Abstract: A mathematical model of a chloroplast was constructed, which takes into account the inhomogeneous distribution of complexes of photosystems I and II between granal and intergranal thylakoids. The structural and functional complexes of photosystems I and II, which are localized in intergranal and granal thylakoids, respectively, and the b/f complex, which is uniformly distributed in thylakoid membranes, are assumed to be immobile. The interactions between spatially distant electron transport complexes are provided by plastoquinone and plastocyanine, which diffuse in the thylakoid membrane and intrathylakoid space, respectively. The main stages of proton transport associated with the functioning of photosystem II and oxidation-reduction transformations of plastoquinone are considered. The model takes into account the interactions of protons with membrane-bound buffer groups, the lateral diffusion of hydrogen ions in the intrathylakoid space and in the lumen between adjacent granal thylakoids, and the transmembrane proton transport associated with the function of ATP synthase and passive leakage of protons from thylakoids outside. The numerical integration of two systems of differential equations describing the behavior of some variables in two different regions: granal and intergranal thylakoids was performed. The model describes adequately the kinetics of processes being studied and predicts the occurrence of inhomogeneous lateral profiles of proton potentials and redox state of electron carriers. Modeling the electron and proton transport with allowance for the topological features of chloroplasts (lateral heterogeneity of thylakoids) is important for correct interpretation of "power-flux" interactions and the experimentally measured kinetic parameters averaged over the entire spatially inhomogeneous thylakoid system.

Degranulation of skin mast cells caused by high frequency electromagnetic irradiation of low intensity

Abstract: It was shown by light and electron microscopy that local exposure of the projection of the MC-8 lao-gun acupuncture point in rat pad to low-intensity (0.05 mW/cm2) extremely high-frequency (42.0 GHz) electromagnetic radiation caused a degranulation of derma mast cells. It was suggested that the response of skin mast cells is an important amplifying mechanism in the chain of events leading to a systemic response of the organism to low-intensity electromagnetic radiation.

[Nitrogen oxide: regulation of the cell metabolism without involvement of the cellular receptor system].

Abstract: A review of a new important trend in the research of regulation of cell metabolism by nitrogen oxide is presented.

Thermodynamic model of the formation of bridges between nucleic acid molecules in a liquid crystal

Abstract: A thermodynamic model of the formation of bridges consisting of alternating daunomycin molecules and copper ions and connecting neighboring nucleic acid molecules in a particle of a liquid crystalline dispersion was constructed. The model is based on the conception that ligands are adsorbed on lattices of reaction centers which are formed in a liquid crystal at a particular spatial arrangement of adjacent nucleic acid molecules (phasing). Equations were derived that describe typical experimentally obtained S-shaped dependences of bridge concentration on the concentration of copper ions and daunomycin molecules in an initial solution. It was shown that dependences of this kind take place in two variants of the adsorption model: when the binding of daunomycin with adjacent nucleic acid molecules is considered to be independent on the formation of bridges and when bridges compete with single daunomycin molecules for the sites on adjacent nucleic acid molecules.

Geomagnetic activity and human embryonic development

Abstract: A retrospective analysis of weekly values of geomagnetic activity during embryonal development for healthy and mentally diseased people was performed. A statistically significant in the aa-index for mentally diseased people by 4.5-5.5 week of embryonic growth was revealed. This suggesting that the level of geomagnetic activity affects the laying and development of the central nervous system.

Inactivation of the human thyroid peroxidase by ultrasound cavitation

Abstract: The inactivation kinetics of a human thyroid peroxidase protein fraction upon sonication (ultrasound frequency 27 kHz, power 60 W/cm2) of the enzyme solution in 15 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.5, was studied. To quantitatively characterize the dependence of the slowest stage of the human thyroid peroxidase inactivation on temperature (36.0-50.4) degrees C, an effective constant of ultrasound inactivation rate Kin(US) was used. From the temperature dependence of Kin(US) at temperatures below 43 degrees C, the activation energy was estimated to be 8.11 kcal/mol. It was shown that the rate of human thyroid peroxidase inactivation strongly depends on the concentration of total protein in solution: the kin(US) value decreases more than sixfold in the protein concentration range from 0.2 to 0.8 mg/ml. It was also shown that poly(2-aminodisulfide-4-nitrophenol), its complexes with human serum albumin as well as the complexes human serum albumin--poly(gallic acid disulfide) substantially inhibit the ultrasound-induced inactivation of the enzyme and can be its effective stabilizers in the ultrasound cavitation field. This confirms the suggestion that active free radicals HO., O2.- and HO2. play a key role in the inactivation of human thyroid peroxidase. A general scheme of the inactivation of human thyroid peroxidase is proposed, which represents a chain of successive and parallel reversible and irreversible elementary steps.

Effect of the bidistilled modified water on bovine serum albumin conformation. Fluorescent spectroscopy data

Abstract: It was shown that bidistilled modified water induces a marked decrease in the intensity of intrinsic fluorescence of bovine serum albumin and increases the binding of this protein to the fluorescent probe 1.8 ANS. These effects can be interpreted as a denaturing action of bidistilled modified water on the protein and a change in its conformational state, which is probably caused by changes in the microenvironment of the protein molecule. In addition, a substantial increase in the intrinsic fluorescence of bidistilled modified water, as compared with that of distilled water, was found.

Effect of centimeter microwaves on the antibody production in mice

Abstract: The effect of low-intensity microwaves (8.15-18 GHz, 0.3 or 1 microW/cm2, 1.5 h daily for 30 days) on antibody production in healthy male NMRI mice after immunization with affinity-purified carboanhydrase isolated from bovine erythrocytes with and without Freund's adjuvant was studied. It was found that exposure to microwaves leads to an increase in the concentration of antibodies in blood plasma, the stimulating effect being more pronounced in the primary immune response. It is assumed that the effect of enhancement of the immune response by the action of centimeter microwaves can be used in the adjuvant therapy.

[Effects of plant growth regulators ambiol and phonk: biolphysical aspects].

Abstract: The antioxidative activity of two plant growth promoters, ambiol and phonk, in a model system of photo-induced glycyltriptophane oxidation was measured. It was shown that ambiol has a significant antioxidative activity, whereas phonk is a weak antioxidant. The effects of these compounds on DNA conformation were studied in vitro and in vivo (on wheat seed shoots). In vitro ambiol had a stronger effect as compared with phonk, whereas in vivo the latter produced a more essential effect than ambiol. The assumption was done that both compounds affect indirectly the genome expression activity. Possible mechanisms of biological activity of each compound are discussed.

Immunomodulating properties of bidistilled modified water

Abstract: The effect of bidistilled modified water obtained by treating bidistilled water with static electric field in the cathode compartment of a diaphragm electrolyzer on the production of tumor necrosis factor and activity of natural killer cells of mice was studied. It was found that bidistilled modified water added to cultured murine macrophages increases the tumor necrosis factor production 2.5-3-fold. A similar degree of stimulation of tumor necrosis factor production was observed after peroral administration of bidistilled modified water for 10-25 days. The activity of natural killer cells under these conditions increased by 150%. The stimulation of these immunity system components responsible for the resistance of the organism to tumors led to a suppression of tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice receiving bidistilled modified water.

[Problems uniting biology, physics, and mathematics. Ideas in the new science].

Abstract: The necessity of launching a new field of science that combines biology, physics, and mathematics for an adequate description of natural-science systems (khaimatika) is substantiated.

Model for the cell biomembrane electric potential during active transport of various ions

Abstract: A model of a stationary electrical potential on biomembrane was created. This model takes into account conformational changes in transport ATPase. N positive ions are transported simultaneously by the system of active transport. The model allows one to determine independently ion concentrations inside the cell and membrane electrical potential. It is shown that, to obtain the electrical potential, it is necessary to take into account organic negative intracellular ions. The effect of positive ions that are not transported by active transport systems on the potential value is discussed. The results obtained are in a good agreement with experimental data for various cells.