To elaborate unified criteria for the physical development evaluation in children, a comparison was made of two populations of children in the Estonian SSR: with normal and excessive body mass (EBM). The investigation was conducted by the cohort type, the children were divided into groups according to their age, sex, residence and nationality. To study the influence of the above factors on the distribution of Quetelet's index (the basic parameters of EBM) in the population of children in the Estonian SSR, a criterion was used, characterizing variations of the populations with respect to each of the factors with due regard for the rest factors. It has been established that in the evaluation of the physical development of children the differences in the distribution of Quetelet's index should be considered taking into account sex, nationality and residence of children.
Subjects of discussion in the paper are various methods of determining the riboflavin allowances and the results achieved by the application of two of them that concern determining the activity of the glutathione-reductase and the FAD-effect in the study of an experimental B2-deficiency in rats and the riboflavin allowances in children suffering from phenylketonuria. Exclusion of vitamin B2 from the ration of rats resulted in that in 8 weeks they developed B2-deficiency ascertained with the help of the above cited enzymatic tests. In a certain percentage of children with phenylketonuria after discontinued administration of group "B" vitamins (D1 diet) there could be observed an intensification of the FAD-effect and, accordingly, a reduced glutathione-reductase activity. Resumed taking of the vitamins (D2 diet) normalized the riboflavin allowance values in at least, one week's time.
The allowance of the vitamin group B and ascorbic acid in specialized rations for children suffering from phenylketonuria was studied. A significant deficiency in a number of the study vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, ascorbic acid) was detected, this being confirmed by the excretary findings. Inclusion of protein-free and of products enriched with vitamins in the ration could not fully correct the diet as concerns the study vitamins. An additional administration of vitamins in the form of preparations led to their passage with the urine reaching normal or higher levels.
Protein spectra of blood serum were studied in 25 children suffering from phenlyketonuria (PKU) by disc electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. 14 children were examined in the course of being given a specialized diet on the basis of berlafen and 11 children were examined after they were switched over to common diet. PKU patients had an increased protein content in the zone of transferrins. After switching over to common diet the patients demonstrated the reduced protein content, increased amount of postalbumins of medium and low electrophoretic mobility, and transferrins as well.
In the electrostatic approximation, the problem on the propagation of an electric signal along a thin layer that models a cell membrane has been considered. On both sides of the membrane, volume conductors with different properties are present. Different types of boundary conditions have been investigated. In the cases of a cylindrical fiber and a plane layer, solutions have been found and compared with the relations used in the classical Hodgkin-Huxley cable theory of membrane potential propagation. Conditions under which the results obtained coincide with the conclusions of this theory have been formulated. It is shown that the results are in agreement with the cable theory only if the system is completely symmetric and the near-membrane layers are thin.
The plasma level of atrial natriuretic factor and its relation to intracardiac and systemic hemodynamic parameters were examined in patients with coronary heart, rheumatic and mitral valvular diseases, neurocirculatory dystonia which were complicated by atrial fibrillation. The concentration of atrial natriuretic factor was found to vary with the left ventricular myocardial mass, left atrial contractility, antiarrhythmic therapy intensity and efficacy.
The paper concerns variations in some parameters of humoral immunity in children with phenylketonuria examined at varying time (in the presence of specific dietetics and after its discontinuation). It is concluded that in children over 5 years of age, the hyperphenylalaninemia newly occurring after discontinuation of dietetics does not exert any material effect on the function of the mature enough immune system.
