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Based on data collected from urban residents by questionnaire, the basic parameters of the genetic-demographic structure of populations of the three megalopolises, i.e., Moscow, Kharkov, and Minsk, have been calculated, including the migration coefficients and their dynamics in generations, the radius of the cities migration attraction, the parameters of marriage structure (the proportion ofinterethnic marriages, the level of intraethnic assortative mating, the marital distances), and the gene flow between the ethnic groups. It is shown that the representatives of the most numerous ethnic groups in each megalopolis have considerable amount of admixture. For Russians of Moscow, Ukrainians of Kharkov, and Belarusians of Minsk, the proportion of individuals whose ancestors were all born in the given city for at least three generations and belonged to the same nationality turned out to be very low (4.75% in Moscow, 1.83% in Kharkov, and 3.13% in Minsk). This finding questions the formation of a reference population in the megalopolis as a sampling of aboriginals of certain ethnic origins. In the paper, we justify principles of creating genetic databases for the population of the megalopolis taking into account the complexity and dynamism of its population structure.

The paper provides the data on the invasion of unionids in the Zhitomir Polesye by parasitic worms Aspidogaster conchicola. The aspidogasters have been found in 9 species of molluscs (Unio--5, Colletopterum--1, Pseudonodonta--1, Batavusiana--2). An extensity and intensity of invasion of unionids by A. conchicola are unequal in different host species. The highest values of them were recorded for Unio conus borysthenicus (87% and 12 specimens), U. tumidus falcatulus (75%; 5 specimens), and Batavusiana nana (59.8%; 20 specimens). The invasion of molluscs by aspidogastrids from the stagnant waters are higher, than from the fluvial waters. The aspidogasters were found in the pericardium and kidneys of unionids. More often the parasites were met in the pericardium exclusively, rarely in the pericardium and kidneys simultaneously, and most rarely in the kidneys only. Within the pericardium, A. conchicola prefer the furthest sites of the contractile ventricle of the molluscan heart.

This paper presents the results of radioecological studies undertaken within the area exposed to ionizing radiation after Chernobyl disaster. Conclusions are made concerning the major regularities in radionuclide migration within various natural media and action of ionizing radiation on natural and artificial ecosystems. The efficiency of basic protective ecological measures in eliminating the accident consequences has been determined. The contribution of radioecological studies to the elimination of Chernobyl disaster sequences assessed.

The paper reports the results of studies on Microsporidia from the bloodsucking mosquito Aedes cataphylla for the period from 1974 undertaken in the Kiev and Chernigov Provinces of the Ukraine. A new species, Amblyospora cataphyllus sp. n., is described from larvae of the mosquito. Living spores oval or elongate-oval, 6.3--7.5 x 4.5--5.0 (most commonly 6.8 x 4.8) microns, fixed spores oval, 5.6--6.9 x 3.8--4.8 microns. Mucocalyx becomes distinct around spores in 10 to 15 days after the preparation is made. Spontaneously ejected polar tube 125 microns long. Exospore smooth or undulate, 170 to 310 nm thick, endospore 60 to 160 nm. Polaroplast elongated and curved, its 1/3 is composed of closely situated plates and 2/3 of more widely arranged ones. Polar tube anisophyllous, forms 18 to 20 spires in a spore, of which 3 to 5 spires form basal area and 14 to 16 form distal area (of them 1-2 most thick spires form intermediate area). Nucleus large, in a shape of half-ring. In living spores posterior vacuole crescentic, in fixed ones it is strongly deformed together with hind pole of spores. Sporogony of Microsporidia takes place in larvae of mosquitoes of both sexes. Infection extensiveness of IV stage larvae is 10%.

The reports on radiation sequels of Chernobyl disaster outside the country are scanty in the USSR. The present paper meets the lack, reporting the scale and the nature of the radioactive fall-outs outside the USSR. The analysis is made of possible radiological consequences of such fall-outs and the preventive measures taken by the governments of some European countries.

The paper submits the description of the channel equipped for radiobiological experiments with fast neutrons at the isochronous cyclotron U-240. A study was made of some dosimetric characteristics of a mixed gamma-and-neutron beam.

The paper comprises the description of properties of three mutant forms of glucoso-6-phosphate dehydrogenase characterized according the WHO program. Preparations of the enzymes were isolated from erythrocytes of patients with G6PD deficiency from three unrelated to one another Ashkenasi families coming from the Ukraine and from Byelorussia. Two new variants of G6PD hitherto never described in the literature were discovered. These variants were designated as "Kirovograd" and "Zhitomir" after the towns the probands came from. The properties of purified enzymes revealed by the methods of the WHO program were as follows: the variant "Kirovograd" has a normal electrophoretic mobility in tris and TEB buffers and 98% of the normal in phosphate buffer. KM for G6P is 6,54; KM for NADP--2,19. It is characterized by a reduced thermostability and by an acute peak of activity at pH 8,5. The variant "Zhitomir" has 90-98% of the normal electrophoretic mobility in TEB buffer and 78-84% in phosphate buffer. KM for G6P is 5,4-8,3. KM for NADP is 1,4-3,1; with deoxyG6P is 50% and with deaminoNADP is 35%. It is also characterized with a reduced thermostability, while the curve of the dependence of its activity on pH has two peaks. Both variants are perfectly inactive with erythrocytes and thus should be assigned to the second group of the mutants variants of G6PD. The comparison of these variants to other variants encountered in the same national group revealed that they resemble certain quantitative variations.

The paper reports the results of experimental infection of a specific intermediate host, molluscs Bithynia inflata from differently susceptible populations, with Opisthorchis felineus in one opisthorchis nidus. Non-susceptibility of molluscs from resistant and hyperinfected populations to O. felineus infection is shown.

The paper deals with the dynamics of age composition of M. richiardii females caught in their day shelters, near their biotopes during attacking and in the town park. The maximum number of gonotrophic cycles of this population and the ability for autogenic development of follicles in some females of the Ist generation were determined. The laboratory females were observed to differ in a higher degree of autogeny. The clutches of nonfertilized eggs were recorded.

The paper presents data on the sick rate with volfartiosis in different species of wild ruminents. The animals were maintained in spacious enclosures (up to 1550 hectare). This disease was recorded in 24 species of animals, african eland (33.5%) and american bison (9.4%) being infected mostly often. The morbidity dinamics within years and its dependence on weather conditions is given. The methods of prophylaxis and medical treatment of wild animals are discussed.