Genetic structure of the Iranian-speaking population of Azerbaijan from data on frequencies of immunologic and biochemical gene markers

The data on the genetic studies of Iranian-speaking populations from Azerbaijan (Talyshs and Tats) are presented. In these populations gene frequency distributions for the immunological (AB0, MN, Rhesus-D, -C, -E, P, Lewis, and Kell-Chellano) and biochemical (HP, GC, C'3, TF, 6PGD, GLO1, ESD, ACP1, and PGM1) gene markers were determined. Comparison of the genetic structure of the populations examined with the other Iranian-speaking populations (Persians and Kurds from Iran, Ossetins and Tajiks) and Azerbaijanis showed that Iranian-speaking populations from Azerbaijan were more close to Azerbaijanis, than to Iranian-speaking populations inhabiting other world regions.     

X-ray study in the examination of patients with perineal fistulas

The paper discusses whether X-ray study of patients with perineal fistulas is required and justified. The main reason is that there is a diversity of diseases which display the same signs as paraproctitis. Of 426 examinees, perineal fistulas were mainly caused by chronic paraproctitis in 85% and by other various diseases showing the similar symptoms in 15%. The basic studies of these patients included fistulography made in 300 patients with external fistulas and proctofistulography performed in 126 patients with incomplete internal fistulas. Comparing the data of X-ray study with those of clinical and morphological ones showed the sensitivity of the former to be 94.5%. Based on the results of their own observations, the authors defined indications for fistulography or proctofistulography. In addition to the analysis of the findings, they present the main points of differential X-ray diagnosis of different diseases manifested by perineal fistulas.     

Genetic determination of rheumatoid arthritis

The study on the nature of genetic determination of the definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its forms was carried out, based on the material comprising clinical data on 189 probands and their 1st and 2nd degree relatives (713 subjects) which is contained in the computer Family Data Bank at the Department of Epidemiology and Genetics of this institute. The heritability coefficient "in narrow sense" (80%) obtained within the framework of the multifactorial threshold model confirmed once more important role of genetic factors in the appearance of the disease. The study of genetic heterogeneity within the framework of the Ch. Smith's and T. Reich's models failed to reveal any independent genetically RA forms. An assumption of the essential role of the genes localized in the X chromosome, based on diverse susceptibility of sexes, received no conformation. It has been shown that the RA distribution in the population and families may well be described by means of a variant of the single autosomal two-allele locus model with incomplete and differentiated for two sexes penetrance. The model parameters obtained, a particular penetrance of the mutant homozygote in both sexes equalling 100%, and penetrance of the normal homozygote equalling 0 in men and reaching 0 (0.028%) in women testify to a very essential influence of the major gene on determination of RA.     

Correlation between the amplitude of action potentials and the rate of conduction along axons of the output cells of the sensomotor cortex

Antidromic responses of neighbouring neurones in micro-areas of the sensorimotor cortex to the stimulation of fibers of the pyramidal tract as well as of the red nucleus and thalamic nuclei VPL and MGB, were studied in acute experiments on unanesthetized immobilized cats. Depending on the velocity of conduction along the axon, the neurones of all the categories were divided into fast and slow cells. When examining the two neuronal groups most differing in AP amplitude (N1 and N3), it was found that N1 neurones were mainly fast-conducting and N3 neurones-- slow-conducting. The conclusion is made that at multineuronal recording, each of the examined categories of the output neurones is characterized by positive correlation between AP amplitude and the axon conduction velocity and consequently, the size of the cell.     

Biochemical bases of prevention of the cytotoxic effect of xenobiotics]

Possible sources of cytotoxicity of xenobiotics and main mechanisms of realization of their damaging effect are briefly considered. Protective system of a cell is characterized with regard for the peculiarities essential for development of principles of alimentary prophylaxis of cytotoxic effects of foreign compounds. Modern approaches to alimentary modification of the processes of biotransformation of xenobiotics and promotion of protective capacities of a cell are discussed.