Anatomy of the lacrimal point and the vertical portion of the lacrimal canaliculus

In order to define more accurately normal dimensions and form of the lacrimal point as well as peculiarities in the structure of the vertical part of the lacrimal canaliculus, 315 practically healthy persons (630 eyes) at the age of 18-60 years have been examined. The procedure has been performed by means of the slit lamp (shchl-1) . The lacrimal point has been found to have a round (36.1%) and an oval (63.9%) form. Transition of the lacrimal point into the vertical part of the lacrimal canaliculus in 83.5% of the observations is "fannel"-shaped with a maximal narrowing at the depth of 0.4-0.5 mm, and in 16.5%-- well"-shaped (without any narrowing). The normal diameter of the lacrimal point is 0.2-0.6 mm (the arithmetic mean-- 0.35 mm). When the diameter of the lacrimal point is less than 0.2 mm (at least in one of its sections), the lacrimation function correspondingly deteriorates, indices of the coloured nasolacrimal test become decreased or negative.     

Survival Rate and Enzyme Activities ofLactobacillus acidophilusFollowing Frozen Storage

The ability of two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, CRL 640 and CRL 800, to survive and retain their biological activities under frozen storage was determined. Freezing and thawing, as well as frozen storage, damaged the cell membrane, rendering the microorganisms sensitive to sodium chloride and bile salts. Both lactic acid production and proteolytic activity were depressed after 21 days at -20 degreesC, whereas beta-galactosidase activity per cell unit was increased. Cell injury was partially overcome after repair in a salt-rich medium. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.     

The level of autoantibodies to thrombin in the plasma of healthy subjects detectable using an immunochemical analyzer

The existence of autoantibodies to the active factors of blood coagulation was confirmed by the usage of immunochemical analyzer. Autoantibodies to thrombin were stated to exist both in IgG and IgM and IgA fractions of immunoglobulins. Dose-effect of thrombin was determined. The greatest binding of autoantibodies by thrombin takes place in antigen of 0.125 mg/ml concentration.     

Selective nutrient medium for the isolation of Bacillus cereus

A selective dried medium for the isolation of B. cereus from clinical material and foodstuffs has been developed. The medium has high selective properties which ensure the isolation of B. cereus from microbial association in pure culture, thus making it possible to accelerate further identification of the microorganisms.     

Hopping and superexchange mechanisms of charge transport to DNA

A theory for charge transport in nucleobase sequences was constructed in which the hole migration proceeds via hopping between guanines. Each hop over the adenine-thymine (A-T) bridge connecting neighboring guanines occurs by means of the superexchange mechanism. The experimental data and theoretical results for various types of nucleobase sequences are compared.