use of methods of the biocrystallomics in personification of the treatment with high diluted drugs

Background: One of most important trends in modern medicine is its transformation to personalized diagnostics and treatment. This tendency fully applies to homeopathy, especially considering that this discipline is based on the principles of individual approach to the patient. At the same time, the methods of individualization of treatment in homeopathy are relatively few. Aims: Develop of methodology and methods of application biocrystalloscopic tests to personalize the homeopathic treatment. The proposed technology became previously proposed for ozone therapy practice as biocrystallomics pre-test. It includes study of the result of co-crystallization of a biological liquid of a patient with the intended dose of the drug. At the same time, the character of co-crystallization of biological liquid with several doses of tested drug or different parameters of the action of the studied factor is comparatively estimated for the purpose of individualization. Most appropriate for a particular patient believe the dose that causes optimal structuring in the dried microscopic slides obtained from a mixture of biological fluid and a solution containing a given dose of the drug. The comparison is made with a control sample of biological fluid, which has not been exposed to any effects. The optimal result is a sample that matches the control sample as much as possible. It is most preferably for biocrystallomics pre-test to use blood serum or plasma as an analyzed biological fluid. Methodology: To study the characteristics of the structuring of the semicroscopic slides we use the previously created system of semi-quantitative parameters. They are calculated on a straight four-point scale and include: crystallizability (semi-quantitative indicator of crystallization activity), structure index (complexity criterion for constructing crystal elements of facias), facia destruction degree (indicator of “correctness” of crystal formation) and clearity of facia marginal zone (parameter indicating the amount of native protein in the sample of biological fluid). These indicators comprehensively characterize all the main features of the process of dehydration structurization of biological substrate. Conclusion: It should be noted that the technique described above is universal and can be applied to any liquid or soluble compounds with potential therapeutic activity, including their ultra-high dilutions. The data obtained by us indicate the possibility of using this technology in homeopathy.

Recent Developments in the Field of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: Intrinsic Disorder–Based Emergence in Cellular Biology in Light of the Physiological and Pathological Liquid–Liquid Phase Transitions

This review deals with two important concepts—protein intrinsic disorder and proteinaceous membrane-less organelles (PMLOs). The past 20 years have seen an upsurge of scientific interest in these phenomena. However, neither are new discoveries made in this century, but instead are timely reincarnations of old ideas that were mostly ignored by the scientific community for a long time. Merging these concepts in the form of the intrinsic disorder–based biological liquid–liquid phase separation provides a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of PMLO biogenesis. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biophysics, Volume 50 is May 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Influence of porosity on filtration of biological fluid through a two-layer capillary wall

On the basis of proposed new filtration model the peculiarities of concentration distribution of component carried by two-component biological liquid and fluid velocity in capillary with two-layer porous walls in steady-state mode are studied. Mathematical model takes into account such important phenomena as concentration expansion and viscosity dependence on concentration. The fluid flow corresponds to the Brinkman model. Dimensionless complexes linking characteristic physical scales of different phenomena are highlighted. Influence of model parameters on biological liquid filtration process for capillary wall layers with different porosity is analyzed. The peculiarities of flow regime and distribution of component concentration for different characteristics of internal porous layer (porosity, phase mobility, size) are revealed.

Ion concentration measurement using synthetic microfluidic papers

Non-invasive diagnosis on biological liquid samples, such as urine, sweat, saliva, and tears, may allow patients to evaluate their health by themselves. To obtain accurate diagnostic results, target liquid must be precisely sampled. Conventionally, urine sampling using filter paper can be given as an example sampling, but differences in the paper structure can cause variations in sampling volume. This paper describes precise liquid sampling using synthetic microfluidic papers, which are composed of obliquely combined micropillars. Sampling volume accuracy was investigated using different designs and collection methods to determine the optimal design and sample collecting method. The optimized protocol was followed to accurately measure potassium concentration using synthetic microfluidic paper and a commercially available densitometer, which verified the usefulness of the synthetic microfluidic papers for precision sampling.

Hyperosmotic phase separation: Condensates beyond inclusions, granules and organelles

Biological liquid-liquid phase separation has gained considerable attention in recent years as a driving force for the assembly of subcellular compartments termed membraneless organelles. The field has made great strides in elucidating the molecular basis of biomolecular phase separation in various disease, stress-response and developmental contexts. Many important biological consequences of such “condensation” are now emerging from in vivo studies. Here we review recent work from our group and others showing that many proteins undergo rapid, reversible condensation in the cellular response to ubiquitous environmental fluctuations such as osmotic changes. We discuss molecular crowding as an important driver of condensation in these responses and suggest that a significant fraction of the proteome is poised to undergo phase separation under physiological conditions. In addition, we review methods currently emerging to visualize, quantify and modulate the dynamics of intracellular condensates in live cells. Finally, we propose a metaphor for rapid phase separation based on cloud formation, reasoning that our familiar experiences with the readily reversible condensation of water droplets help understand the principle of phase separation. Overall, we provide an account of how biological phase separation supports the highly intertwined relationship between the composition and dynamic internal organization of cells, thus facilitating extremely rapid reorganization in response to internal and external fluctuations.

Novel Trends in Lyotropic Liquid Crystals

We introduce and shortly summarize a variety of more recent aspects of lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs), which have drawn the attention of the liquid crystal and soft matter community and have recently led to an increasing number of groups studying this fascinating class of materials, alongside their normal activities in thermotopic LCs. The diversity of topics ranges from amphiphilic to inorganic liquid crystals, clays and biological liquid crystals, such as viruses, cellulose or DNA, to strongly anisotropic materials such as nanotubes, nanowires or graphene oxide dispersed in isotropic solvents. We conclude our admittedly somewhat subjective overview with materials exhibiting some fascinating properties, such as chromonics, ferroelectric lyotropics and active liquid crystals and living lyotropics, before we point out some possible and emerging applications of a class of materials that has long been standing in the shadow of the well-known applications of thermotropic liquid crystals, namely displays and electro-optic devices.