The Study of Cellular and Molecular Physiological Characteristics of Sperm in Men Living in the Aral Sea Region

BACKGROUND: Extreme environmental situation in the Aral crisis has caused a massive chemical pollution of the territory for decades with high doses of pesticides, herbicides. Discharge of industrial waste into the rivers that feed the Aral Sea has lead to the development of various pathological processes in the human body, as well as disruption of reproductive function in young men. AIM: To evaluate the performance of molecular cellular changes in the sperm of men under the influence of dust and salt aerosols in Aral Sea region.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical and laboratory studies were conducted in men 5 settlements (Aralsk-city, v. Aiteke-Bi, v. Zhalagash, v. Zhusaly, v. Shieli). We have studied male ejaculate obtained after 4-5 days of abstinence, and placed it in a warm tube with a glass stopper. On the investigation proceeded ejaculate within 20-30 minutes after its preparation, during which time he was subjected to liquefaction. Isolation and quantification of ASF, RNA, DNA, and determining the fraction of histones in sperm was performed by the method of Markusheva and Savina.RESULTS: It was found that the value of ASF in the semen of men living in the zone of ecological disaster higher compared with the values of parameters in men living in the area of environmental crisis, and this trend is observed in all age groups. The study of circulating extracellular DNA and RNA in the sperm of men registered their decline with a corresponding increase of acid precursors that can be attributed to the degradation of nucleic acids under the influence of negative factors in the complex area of ecological trouble. Also, according to a study in men residing in the areas of environmental catastrophe at the age of 18-29 years, found an increased content of the H1 histone H2A lower total fraction, H3, H4 - and a sharp increase in histone H2B content - histones.CONCLUSIONS: Men living in environmentally disadvantaged areas of Kyzylorda region under the influence of dust and salt aerosols and other toxicants leads to disruption of the reproductive function in men.

The conversion of diamond into coke in high vacuum by cathode rays

The objects of the experiment were three-fold: firstly, to ascertain whether a diamond could be entirely converted into coke or graphite by heating in a vacuum by cathode rays; secondly, in the event of this being found practicable, to make a determination by Féry’s optical pyrometer of the temperature at which the conversion takes place; thirdly, to endeavour to ascertain if, during the conversion, any gas was emitted or absorbed by the carbon. The vacuum tube employed is shown in the illustration, where A and B are the two aluminium electrodes, C the diamond and D an air-tight ground-glass stopper joint, through which the diamonds were introduced. Alternating current was employed, each of A and B acting as cathode and anode in turn, while their concave curvature was such as to accurately focus the cathode rays on to the diamond. The latter was supported on a plate of iridium, which, in turn, rested in a platinum cup, this arrangement being designed to prevent any stray cathode rays which might miss the diamond from striking the glass walls of the tube and melting the latter. During the experiment the tube was connected to two mercury pumps of the Toepler type, and in connection with the tube there were also attached two spectrum analysis discharge tubes for the purpose of collecting and examining some of the residual gas in the tube, both before and after the conversion of the diamond into coke.

On voltaic combinations. In a letter to Michael Faraday, Esq., D. C. L., F. R. S., &c

The author, after expressing his obligations to Mr. Faraday for the important light which his late researches in electricity have thrown on chemical science, proceeds to state that in pursuing the train of inquiry which has thus been opened, he has obtained further confirmations of the truth of that great principle discovered and established by Mr. Faraday, namely, the definite chemical action of electricity; and has thence been led to the construction of a voltaic arrangement which furnishes a constant current of electricity for any required length of time. For the purpose of ascertaining the influence exerted by the different parts of the voltaic battery in their various forms of combination, he contrived an apparatus, which he designates by the name of the dissected battery , and which consists of ten cylindrical glass cells, capable of holding the fluid electrolytes, in which two plates of metal are immersed; each plate communicating below, by means of a separate wire, which is made to perforate a glass stopper closing the bottom of the cell, with a small quantity of mercury, contained in a separate cup underneath the stopper, and with which electric communications may be made at pleasure through other wires passing out of the vessel on each side. The active elements of the circuit, which were adopted as standards of comparison, were, for the metals, plates of platinum and amalgamated zinc three inches in length by one in breadth; and for the electrolyte, water acidulated with sulphuric acid, in theproportion of 100 parts by volume of the former to 2.25 of the latter; this degree of dilution (giving a specific gravity of 1.0275,) being adopted, in order to connect the author’s experiments with those of Mr. Faraday.