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Hydrogen bonds: -
All the unique physical, chemical and biological properties of water discussed above may be traced to its most wondrous ability to form super-molecular aggregates by a special kind of interaction known as hydrogen bonding. Hydrogen bond is a weak electrostatic force of attraction between the proton of a hydrogen atom of a water molecule, and the electron cloud of a neighboring electro-negative atom of another water molecule. In other words, hydrogen atom with its electron locked in a chemical bond with an electro negative atom (oxygen) has an exposed positively charged proton, which in turn electro statically interacts with the electron cloud of the neighbour.

Even now, much research work is still going on to understand the exact mechanism underlying the phenomenon of hydrogen bonding. The hydrogen bond can be figuratively called as the bond of life, due to its prominent role in the life processes. Hydrogen bonds are found to be about ten times weaker than other chemical bonds, which contributes to the high flexibility of water. Hydrogen bonding between water molecules occurs not only in liquid water, but also in ice and water vapor, there is still hydrogen bonding between water molecules. It has been estimated that only about ten percent of hydrogen bonds are broken when ice melts at 0 degree C. Liquid water is still hydrogen bonded at 100 degree C, as indicated by its high heat of vaporization and dielectric constant. In ice crystals, all the water molecules are hydrogen bonded and forms part of classical lattice -like structure of ice.

A very important and specific feature of water is the ability of its molecules to form super molecular structural aggregates through the hydrogen-bonding interactions. This process sufficiently tightly binds each water molecule bound to four neighboring water molecules. That water is highly hydrogen-bonded and still a fluid and not a solid may seem to be a paradox. This is explained as follows. Hydrogen bonds in liquid water are made and broken at a very fast rate. The short-range structure of liquid water is therefore averages in space and time. About ten percent of hydrogen bonds are in a broken state at any given instant of time. In fact, despite the tremendous amount of research works done, the micro level forces that define the structure of water are not yet fully known.

 The extra ordinary behavior of water discussed earlier, such as the anomalous expansion on freezing, high melting and boiling points, high latent heat and surface tension can be explained now on the basis of hydrogen-bonded super molecular aggregates. Be the molecules of water incapable of forming hydrogen-bonded associates, its boiling point would have been –80 degree C, and melting point as low as –100 degree C: i.e.: the real state of water under earth’s conditions would have been gaseous, which means life would have been impossible on earth. In liquid water the three dimensional cage like structure of molecular aggregates of water is not strictly enforced, due to the presence of about ten percent of free water molecules which would enter into the space inside the super molecular cages. But during freezing, all the water molecules become hydrogen-bonded, forming the part of super molecular aggregates and hence the classical cage like lattice structure is strictly enforced in ice. In this condition the free space inside the cage like structures remain unoccupied by free water molecules. This explains the anomalous expansion of water during freezing and the decrease in density of ice than liquid water.

Hydration Shells: -
Another remarkable property of water is its ability to form a specific type of molecular aggregates known as hydration shells around molecules of compounds dissolved in water. Hydration shells are also found to be forming around colloidal particles when introduced into water to form colloidal suspensions. These hydration shells are formed as a result of a peculiar interaction of charged groups on the dissolved macro molecules (or ions) in question with water dipolar molecules. More water molecules arrange themselves around the foreign molecule forming hydrogen-bonded shell like super molecular structure. These hydration shells are found to be more stable in nature than the ordinary super molecular aggregates of water molecules. Hydration shells behave somewhat like a protective covering around the foreign molecules.

When a solution, in which molecules of a foreign substance are caught tightly by hydration shells, is subjected to freezing, certain remarkable changes occur. When frozen, water molecules attain the strict cage like crystalline structure of ice, meantime breaking the hydration shells formed around foreign molecules. The water molecules that were forming the part of hydration shells are rearranged, thereby expelling the foreign molecules from the ice matrix. This is due to this molecular mechanism; the substances dissolved in water are separated and crystallized when the solution is frozen. This phenomenon has a very important role to play in the technique of synthesizing hydrosomes. (Discussed later)

Shape memory property of water: -
A not so much well understood property of water, which is very important from the stand point of Hydrosome Technique, is the shape memory property. The phenomenon known as shape memory property has been observed in certain metallic alloys and plastic materials since about thirty years. But the shape memory property of water was not well studied, though some mention can be found in some literatures. Shape memory materials or SMART materials as they are commonly known, which can automatically change their shapes into predetermined forms, are all set to play a key role in many aspects of day to day life early in the coming century. Metallic alloys and plastics with ever-smarter capabilities are developed by the scientists world over. Moreover, a rapidly growing range of uses for these shape memory materials are identified particularly in industrial, domestic and medical fields.

These ‘shape memory materials’ can have a predetermined shape implanted in to their structure. They can then be deformed in to a completely different shape to serve a particular purpose. They will revert to their original memorized shape whenever they are triggered by a specific stimulus, such as reaching a certain temperature or reacting to a particular chemical.

A simple example to show this phenomenon is to make a thin wire with one of these ‘smart’ materials, form it in to the shape of a helical spring and carefully heat treat it. The spring can then be straightened bake in to a wire, but it keeps its latent memory of the shape of helical spring. So, when the wire is later heated or cooled to the pre-set temperature, it will spontaneously revert to its memorized shape as a spring.

Among the metallic alloys proving to be the smartest are Copper/Zinc/Aluminium, copper/Iron/zinc, and Nickel/Titanium. Many polymer-based substance are also found to exhibit shape memory properties. These materials are more and more utilized in various applied fields of medicine, and surgery. Study of ‘smart’ materials and their potential applications is a fast growing branch of modern physical science.

Even though much research has gone into the study of shape memory alloys and plastics, the ability of water to exhibit shape memory properties has not been seriously studied yet. One reason for this apparent neglect may be that water is a very common substance and its various extra ordinary properties go unnoticed in normal course. Being a fluid, it is considered as a shapeless material, acquiring the shape of the container, it is normally ignored that water has an inherent super molecular structure, which can acquire the shape of molecules dissolved in it. It is at this super molecular level the shape memory property of water is exhibited. More concerted studies have to be conducted in this direction to understand the specific aspects of this shape memory property of water, so that it can be utilized for various practical applications. Some mentions are found to have made regarding the “molecular memory of water” by some researchers earlier, but this property was not understood as shape memory property. Even now, water is not included among the shape memory materials in its accepted sense.

As discussed earlier, in solutions, water molecules arrange themselves around the foreign molecules in such a way as to form hydration shells. The shape of the hydration shells is determined by the shape of the foreign molecules. Water molecules forming the part of hydration shells are inter-connected with hydrogen bonds and stabilized by the specific interactions with the peripheral charges of the foreign molecules. Even after the dissolved molecules are removed from the solution by freezing, vaporization or by any other method, the water molecules that were the part of original hydration shells can memorize their molecular orientation and revert to the original shape of hydration shells, when obtaining the needed stimulation. The exact mechanism of this ‘molecular memory’ and the forces underlying this phenomenon are yet to be elicited through further research.

When the solution is subjected to freezing, in the initial stages of lowering temperature, the hydration shells are found hesitating to break and hence resisting ice formation. But later, when the temperature is further lowered, the hydration shells are broken, and the water molecules being the part of hydration shells rearranges themselves in to the classical lattice-like structure of ice crystals. It is assumed to be due to this initial resistance offered by the inherent bonding of hydration shells, that the water containing dissolved impurities do not freeze at normal 0 degree C. When finally the freezing is complete, the dissolved foreign molecules loss their hydration shells, thereby getting expelled from the ice matrix. If, in this condition, these foreign molecules could be some way or other removed from the mass of ice, and the ice is then again liquefied and the temperature of water is raised to the same as previous solution, some extraordinary processes take place.

The water molecules revert automatically to the shape of previous hydration shells, rearranging themselves spontaneously, as if they remembered the shape of original hydration shells. Thus, even in the absence of the foreign molecules, microscopic cavities mimicking the spatial configuration of hydration shells are formed. This phenomenon proves that, some sort of memory of the configurational pattern of original hydration shells, formed around the dissolved foreign molecules, was some how implanted in to the structure of water and could be preserved even in the frozen state. This is the shape memory property of water.

In this context it may be interesting to recall the claim made in 1962 by N.N. Fedyakin of Kostrama Technical Institute of the Soviet Union, regarding the invention of polywater. He was studying the effect of capillaries on the physical properties of water. In these experiments, he suspended ultra thin (1-10 micro meter gauge) glass capillaries over a supply of water. The water condensed in the capillary system was found to be exhibiting some extra ordinary physical properties, very different from normal water. It showed peculiar thermal expansion, was very viscous and had a refractive index similar to that of glass. Initial analysis of infrared absorption and Raman scattering spectrum of this viscous material suggested that it was a new form of water claimed to be poly water. But later, this claim of poly water being invented was disproved by further studies and the enthusiasm in this subject faded out. It was then explained that the uncommon behavior of “Fedyakin water” was in fact due to impurities in the water.

The above phenomenon experienced by Fedyakin, but interpreted wrongly, could be now explained very satisfactorily, in the light of shape memory property of water. Rather than the “impurity factor”, the water molecules condensed in the capillary system had retained the shape memory of glass capillaries, resulting in the extra ordinary behavior and physical properties.

Shape memory property of water can be proved by a simple experiment. Freeze a sample of water with suspended foreign particles embedded in it. The ice formed is kept for some time and then liquefied. Repeat the freezing and liquefying for few times. Then filter away the particles from the liquid and allow freezing. When the ice is formed, verify the scattering of light passed through the mass of ice. It will be different from that of ordinary ice, indicating minute spatial cavities mimicking the space previously occupied by the foreign particles. This shows that the shape memory of spatial cavities occupied by the foreign particles is some how retained in the water, even after those particles were filtered out.

Immerse a system of ultra thin polythene wires in a sample of water vertically. Then freeze the water along with the wires embedded. Repeat freezing and liquefying few times. Finally remove the wires and freeze the water again. The ice formed will mimic the shape of wires, and when pressure is applied, breaks vertically.

In yet another experiment, dissolve some sodium chloride or other soluble substance in water and keep open to allow evaporation. The escaping water vapor is collected and condensed. The water thus obtained is then cooled. It will be noticed that this water will not freeze at 0 degree C as it normally should. This is because, the water retains the memory of original hydration shells formed around sodium chloride, which resists the ice formation at 0 degree C.

Hydrosome therapy, introduced by the author is an attempt to utilize the shape memory property of water for practical purposes.

Shape Memory Retention Technique of processing Hydrosomes [SMRITHY]: -
Based on the principles detailed above, the author has developed a process called ‘SMRITHY’ [Shape Memory Retention Technique] for synthesizing Hydrosomes of desired configurations. In fact, this process is a developed version of Molecular Imprinting, where the medium used for imprinting is water. The target molecules are identified after a careful study of the particular case in hand, and appropriate ‘templates’ or ‘print molecules’ are selected. Scientists have so far been successful only in developing techniques of Molecular Imprinting using polymers as the medium for imprinting. Theoretically, any class of polymers, including biopolymers such as carbohydrates, proteins, Nucleic acids etc. can be used as imprinting medium for molecular imprinting. Antibodies, which are protein molecular formations imprinted with antigens, are perfect examples for the molecular imprinting phenomena occurring in nature.

There is ample scope for developing a whole range of antibodies-like drugs by utilizing this technique of molecular imprinting in proteins. Now, for the first time, the author is introducing a new revolutionary technique of Molecular Imprinting, using water as the imprinting medium. Water, in its super molecular formations due to hydrogen bonding, exhibits some characteristics of polymers. This polymer property of water has to be subjected to further studies. Molecularly Imprinted Water [Hydrosome] has the advantage that it can be directly introduced into the living body without fear of any adverse reactions, whereas the Molecularly Imprinted Polymers or proteins could not be used in such a way. This property of Molecularly Imprinted Water is expected to have many implications, as a novel drug delivery system. This new technique [Hydrosomes] opens up a new era in the fields of Medicine and other various life sciences, providing scope for developing a whole new range of safe and effective therapeutic and prophylactic preparations.

Scope for hydrosome therapy in various diseases- some preliminary observations:
Almost any disease, where the underlying molecular mechanisms are known, and appropriate target molecules could be identified and procured in free and biologically active form, could be treated with the new technique of Hydrosome Therapy. More than one molecular target could be selected for a single disease, depending upon which stage of the molecular interactions we intend to intervene. Let us briefly examine the direction of research works to be undertaken for verifying the scope Hydrosome therapy in some of the important diseases

a) Hydrosome therapy for HIV /AIDS: - It may be possible to interfere in the binding stage of HIV onto the CD4 Receptors, either by blocking the active sites of the receptors or the binding groups of the viral envelope glycoproteins. For this purpose, Hydrosomes can be synthesized by using either the CD4 molecules or viral glycoprtein fragments as ‘ print molecules’. CD4 fragments 25-58 and 81-92, or Viral envelope protein gp41 andgp120 may be ideal candidates to be considered in the selection of target molecules for this stage.

1. By blocking the Reverse Transcriptase enzyme with Hydrosomes synthesized by using the same as the print molecules, there is a very real possibility of controlling HIV /AIDS.
2. Hydrosomes synthesized by using HIV-Protease enzymes, or various other viral enzymes, my also be effective.

b) Hydrosome Therapy for Cancers: -
1. Hydrosomes processed by using various Epithelial Growth Factors, Platelet derived Growth Factors, or Growth Factor Receptors, may be effective in controlling the onset of certain types of Cancers.
2. Telomerase Enzyme may be considered another potential candidate for Hydrosome Therapy.
3. The enzymes Gelatinase A and Gelatinase B are other probable molecular targets for controlling the development of some cancers.

Hydrosomes and homoeopathy: -
Homeopathy, a therapeutic system introduced in 18th century in Germany by Dr Samuel hahnemann, though well-accepted in various countries as a safe and low-cost alternative healing method, is considered by most of the scientists the world over as a mere pseudoscientific or hypothetical system, without any proven scientific basis or rationale. These critics couldn’t be blamed, since the basic theories on which the whole therapeutic system of homoeopathy is being constructed, could not yet be scientifically explained or verified to the satisfaction of modern scientific methods. Concepts like ‘Simila similibus curantur’, Potentisation, Dynamic power, Vital force and the like, evades all efforts of scientific comprehension till this day.

Re-reading homoeopathy on the basis of observations made in this article, along with the details given in the appendix on the fundamental aspects molecular interactions in the living system, may give us a new insight in providing a scientific explanation to the basic concepts of homoeopathy. See how a proper understanding of basic mechanisms of biomolecular inhibitions and activations, the role played by the spatial configuration of biological molecules in assuring their specific recognition and interactions, etc. may help us in evolving a scientific and rational explanation to the basic therapeutic principle of homoeopathy- Simila similibus curentur. The therapeutic properties of highly diluted homoeopathic medicines could be satisfactorily explained on the basis of molecular imprinting and hydrosome formations. The theory of hydrosome therapy will help us understand how the highly diluted homoeopathic medicines, without even a remote chance of having a single drug molecule being contained in it, displays wonderful therapeutic effects, when administered in specifically indicated clinical conditions. In short, the theory of hydrosomes may pave the way in gaining a new scientific understanding of homoeopathy, thereby liberating it from the centuries-old ridicule and contempt, and raising this simple and effective therapeutic method to its rightful status of a specialized branch of modern molecular medicine.

Conclusion: -
Hydrosome therapy is a very innovative and revolutionary idea, based on the most scientific principles. Use of hydrosomes provides very potent tools for selectively manipulating the biochemical interactions in the living organism. Its implications in the medical field are beyond imagination. A whole range of prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic agents could be processed by this technique, against almost any conceivable disease conditions.

The author sincerely believes that there is something very valuable in this humble invention that can be utilized for the benefit of humanity. . Further concerted and well-planned studies are needed in this direction. Instead of the somewhat crude method introduced by the author, more sophisticated techniques could be developed for synthesizing hydrosomes, on the basis of above discussed principles. Such studies can be conducted only at well-equipped laboratories, under expert professional supervision. Since the author has no access to such facilities, it is appealed to the scientific community and government authorities that necessary steps may be taken to carry forward this work in correct direction under effective leadership.

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