A.A. Vazina

Biological and medical application of SR from the storage rings of VEPP-3 and “Siberia-2”. The origin of specific changes of small-angle X-ray diffraction pattern of hair and their correlation with the elemental content

Abstract X-ray diffraction and fluorescent investigations of human hair were carried out using SR of VEPP-3. The small-angle techniques were used for ecological monitoring and medical diagnostics of pathological states of human organisms with the usage of non-invasive methods for express analysis of biological objects, including human and animal tissues: nails, wool and hair samples. Possibility using of hair fibre diffraction to test for pathological conditions is the subject of this paper. X-ray diffraction data allowed us to suppose the two-component structural model of the hair tissue.

System of primary collimators of SR beam at the small-angle station for KSRS

Abstract The wide program of development of methods and experimental techniques for usage at the Kurchatov Synchrotron Radiation Source (KSRS) is implemented by us. The report illustrates a part of this program directed at creating the small-angle station DICSI-6 on the beam line “Siberia-2”. It is intended for X-ray diffraction research of structures and structural changes of a wide range of objects in various areas of science and technology—molecular and cell biology, organic chemistry, solid-state physics, etc. Some technical information about the elaborated system of devices for station DICSI-6 intended for forming an X-ray synchrotron beam and method for adjustment of the system are considered.

A small-angle X-ray diffractometry station using a synchrotron radiation source: design and adjustment modes

Abstract In this paper, a small-angle X-ray scattering station for structural high-time-resolution studies on muscles during contraction using synchrotron radiation (SR) sources is described. The major parts of the station are: an X-ray/optic scheme, a combination of optical and small-angle X-ray diffractometers, basic modules, and registration systems. These were used at SR sources. The original design and adjustment schemes were realized in this station, which allowed one to place optimal X-ray optics, to increase illumination, and to obtain information about the structure of muscles by X-ray diffractometry.

Status of method of time-resolved X-ray diffraction studies of biological objects at the Siberian SR Centre

Abstract The method of high-speed X-ray diffractometry with time resolution for small-angle studies of structural changes during muscle contraction is described. The parameters of the small-angle camera, devices for survival and control of muscle, the system for registration of diffraction patterns are considered. The algorithm for carrying out the experiment by using the time-resolved technique and steps of mathematical treatment of results are presented.

Non-invasive methods for express analysis of biological objects based on elemental analysis using synchrotron radiation on hair samples from animals and patients

Abstract Non-invasive methods of express analysis for mass monitoring of pathological states of human organism have been developed on the basis of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis of hair, nails, tooth enamel and skin. In addition, methods have been developed for studying sample preparations with the use of a universal X-ray fluorescence spectrometer mounted on a VEPP-3 storage ring. Data have accumulated over several geographical regions (Moscow Region, Chelyabinsk, Middle Asia, Novosibirsk Region, Maritime Region). The data of XRF analysis of hair samples from patients and animals mirror reliably differences in element concentrations. The methods can be useful in clinical medicine.

Combination of optical and small-angle x-ray scattering diffractometers in the high-time-resolution method for stuctural studies

Abstract An apparatus for simultaneously recording the optical and small-angle X-ray diffraction in studying muscle contraction processes with a high time resolution, using synchrotron radiation sources has been described. This apparatus presents a combination of an optical (laser) and small-angle X-ray diffractometer and a high-time-resolution recording system which enabled us to obtain in one experiment information about two levels of the muscle structure: a subcellular and a molecular one with the same time resolution.

The use of time-resolved X-ray diffraction and sample techniques for studying the muscle structure during relaxation

Abstract The use of the modern time-resolved X-ray diffraction and sample technique has played an important role in studying muscle structures during contraction at various physiological conditions. We represent time-resolved X-ray data on equatorial diffraction and tension response of the frog sartorius muscle during relaxation. The measurements of the time-course of the intensity change of reflections (1,0), (1,1) and the background under them give a possibility to study the effect of potentiation of contraction by repetitive stimulation in fresh and tired muscles. Model calculations of meridional diffraction patterns for various configurations of cross-bridges in the relaxation phase were carried out.

Studies of the muscle structure during contraction initiated by pairwise stimulation (new results)

Abstract This paper reports new X-ray data with a high time resolution on studying the muscle during contraction initiated by pairwise stimulation. The studies have been done on the frog sartorius muscle with the aid of time-resolved X-ray diffraction synchrotron radiation of the VEPP-3 and VEPP-4 storage rings and a one-coordinate detector OD-1[1,2].

Equipment for investigations of biological nanostructures by diffraction methods using synchrotron radiation

This paper reports on the experimental and methodical developments intended for the small-angle time-resolved station DICSI (“diffraction movie“) at the K1.3a beamline of the Siberia-2 storage ring at the Russian Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute.“ The principles of operation of the optical geometric and detecting systems, as well as the control and recording system, as applied to the investigation of the dynamics of biological nanostructures, have been considered in detail. A new version of the two-coordinate detecting system based on the designed highly effective fluorescent screen (Gd2O2S: Tb) and a CSDU-429 digital camera has been developed. The advantage of this recording system over the Image Plate detecting system in phenomenological investigations is that the optical images obtained on X-ray fluorescent screens with the use of cooled CCD/CMOS arrays can be directly entered into a computer. The detecting system has been tested on different samples by small- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction methods with the use of synchrotron radiation of the VEPP-3 storage ring at the Siberian Synchrotron Center (Novosibirsk, Russia) and the Siberia-2 storage ring at the Kurchatov Center for Synchrotron Radiation and Nanotechnology (Moscow, Russia). Different modifications of original two-coordinate recording systems have been used in systematic studies of the structural dynamics of biological tissues.

New version of the small-angle x-ray equipment for studying biological structures at the station DICSI in the Kurchatov center of synchrotron radiation and nanotechnologies

The results of modernization implemented at the DICSI x-ray small-angle station (the Kurchatov Center of Synchrotron Radiation and Nanotechnologies) are presented. Certain parameters of the hardware and software environment have been successfully tested using the operating channel of the VEPP-3 storage ring (the Siberian Center of Synchrotron Radiation), where the time-resolved diffractometry (“diffraction cinema”) technique was used to study the dynamic and static behavior of living biological structures in different modes of data accumulation. The circuit designs and the basic parameters of x-ray optical schemes are justified theoretically. The results of test experiments with biological samples are presented.