[ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FOUR SEROTONIC GENES POLYMORPHISM (5HTTL, 5HT1A, 5HT2A, AND MAOA) AND PERSONALITY TRAITS IN WRESTLERS AND CONTROL GROUP]

This study presents the data on the polymorphisms of the serotonin system genes (5-HTTL, 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and MAOA) in male and female wrestlers and in the control group. The population genetics analysis of the 5HTTL gene showed the highest frequency of the SS genotype 5-HTTLPR in sportsmen (p = 0.04), as well as the trend toward higher frequency of united genotypes of the locus of 5-HTTLPR VNTR and SNP rs25531--SASA (p = 0.06) in comparison with the control group. As for the polymorphisms for other genes 5-HT1A (rs6295), 5-HT2A (rs6311), and MAOA (VNTR), we found no significant differences between the groups tested. Using the NEO PI-R questionnaire we analyzed the possible correlations between the genotypes and the psychological traits in our samples. It was demonstrated that the athletic success in elite sportsmen was associated with lower openness to experience and higher conscientiousness. The interaction effect of the gender and 5-HT2A on the self-rating for openness to experience, interaction effect of the level of the sport success and 5-HT2A, and the interaction effect of the gender and 5-HT1A genotype on self-reported conscientiousness were observed as a trend.

Luminescence behavior of silicon and carbon nanoparticles dispersed in low-polar liquids

A comparative photoluminescence analysis of as-prepared and chemically modified (by alkyl chains -C18H37) silicon and carbon nanoparticles dispersed in low-polar liquids is reported. Influence of the low-polar liquid nature and ambient temperature on photoluminescence of the nanoparticles has been investigated from the point of view of their possible application as thermal nanoprobes.

[The morphogenesis of intramedullary cavities and of a glial-connective tissue cicatrix and the enzyme status of the proteolytic system in experimental spinal cord trauma]

Canine and feline experiments were conducted to study the morphology of intramedullary cavities and a glial connective tissue cicatrix, their roles in the spinal regenerative processes as compared with the altered activity of trypsin and proteolytic inhibitors in spinal fluid and serum in different periods after spinal dissection. It was shown that decreased diastasis between the ends of the cut spine, enclosure of a traumatic area from liquor of the subarachnoidal space and central canal reduced the number and area of cavities in the cerebral cicatrix and contributed to improved regeneration of intraspinal fibers. Spinal injury caused a significant increase in trypsin and to changes of the antiprotease activity of inhibitors, spinal fluid, particularly in early postoperative periods.

[Effect of experimental laminectomy on the structure of neurons and conductive pathways of the spinal cord]

In 12 dogs the effect of experimental laminectomy on the structure of motor and sensitive neurons, as well as on the structure of the conductive pathways in the spine cord has been investigated. The experimental laminectomy with a subsequent durotomy results in an increase (in 1.5-5 days of the experiment) of both hyperchromatophilic and hyperchromatophobic neurons. This demonstrates their functional reconstruction (inhibitory chromophilia, inhibited activity, fatigue and exhaustion chromatophobia). Restoration of the neuronal structure and that of the spinal cord nervous fibers takes place by the end of 10 days after the experimental laminectomy with residual foci of reversible changes in the conductive pathways system.

[Mechanism of formation of intramedullary cavities and their role in the regeneration of the spinal cord]

The spinal cord preparations of 38 dogs and 20 rabbits have been studied with the aim to investigate the influence of the cerebrospinal fluid on the spinal cord nervous tissue. The spinal cord preparations of 8 patients having trauma of the vertebral column with interruption of the spinal cord have also been studied. As demonstrate histological investigations, the cerebral tissue of the pieces, put into the flask with liquor, in the subarachnoidal space of the canine spinal cord, in diastasis between the ends of the cut spinal cord during 6 h up to 7 days, swells, becomes edematous. Cavities occupying about 30% of the area in the slices studied appear in it. At hemisection of the rabbit spinal cord without closure of the defect in the meninx vasculosa with the glue MK-6, the area of the cavity formation varies from 24 up to 35%, comparing the whole area of the preparation, while in rabbits with hemisection and successive gluing of the defect in the meninx vasculosa the area of the nervous tissue destruction makes 13-18%. It has been proved that the scar forming in the traumatized segment of the spinal cord does not present a continuous formation, but contains a large amount of cavities that prevent regeneration of nerve fibers. The experimental data concerning lysing effect of the cerebrospinal fluid on the traumatized nervous tissue are confirmed by the results obtained at investigating the preparations of the spinal cord of the patients died as the cause of the spinal cord trauma.

[Clinico-morphologic analysis of traumatic disease of the spinal cord]

The clinical findings in 8 spinal patients were compared with the morphological changes in the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system revealed postmortally. The study disclosed clinico-morphological parallels and peculiarities of the dystrophic processes in the tissues in the course of traumatic disease of the spinal cord.

[Morphological changes in the spinal cord, its meninges and epidural structures in experimental disorders of blood flow in the venae cavae]

The experiment has been carried out on 72 dogs. The dynamics of morphofunctional changes in the spinal cord, its meninges and in the epidural structures have been investigated when the epidural veins of the spinal canal are involved into the collateral blood stream after ligation of the anterior or posterior venae cavae. During the first 24 h after disturbance of the blood stream in the venae cavae, there appears venous stasis in the vessels of the epidural structures, of the spinal cord and its meninges, in neurons and glial elements hypoxia and acidosis appear. However, in connection with reconstruction of the collateralies, compensating the disturbed blood stream, by the end of the first week the phenomena of the venous stasis disappear. As the result of further reconstruction of the collateral bed, the epidural veins of the spinal canal become the main (short) bypass. During 3-5 months after occlusion of the venae cavae not only the ventral epidural veins of the spinal canal are gradually dilating, but the veins of the roots and meninges of the spinal cord, as well. The spinal cord edema develops, its volume increases by 10-18%, neural cells undergo severe morphological changes up to their death. The phenomena of a chronic venous congestion increase in their severity during 3 years, after that compensatory and restorative changes begin prevailing.

[Morphofunctional changes in the spinal cord, its meninges and epidural structures in experimental obturation of the epidural veins of the spinal canal]

When the blood flow in the epidural veins of the spinal cord canal is stopped (performed in 24 dogs) by means of paraffin emboli, it results, at early stages, in distrophic and hypoxic changes in neurons and glial cells of the spinal cord. In 2-4 weeks these changes are substituted by certain restorative processes and in 3 months normal structure and function are restored.

[Experience in the use of electrified stands in the teaching of anatomy courses]

The paper reports the principles of arrangement and the estimation of efficiency of electrified training stands elaborated at the department. The work of the stand "Conducting pathways" is based on utilization of a distributing device which, due to different length of plates on the rotating disc, switches on a successive chain of lamps imitating conducting pathways. The stand "Human skeleton" is based on the principle of direct searching with use of a decade step-by-step switch (D55-100). The most complex in arrangement and efficient in use is the stand "Muscular system". The ruling diode matrix of this stand consisting of 450 diodes makes the electric impulse travel in the given strictly restricted direction. A special device permits controlling and estimating the process of learning the material.