CNS Maturation Process in Children and Adolescents in the Northern Region of the Russian Federation and Its Reflection in the Dynamics of Integral EEG Parameters

Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology - We present here results from analysis of the formation of brain bioelectrical activity in children and adolescents living in the northern region of Russia...     

Age Dynamics of Evoked Brain Potentials in Involuntary and Voluntary Attention to a Deviant Stimulus in Schoolchildren from the Northern Region

The central mechanisms of involuntary and voluntary regulation of attention in schoolchildren from the northern region were studied using a method based on the P300 wave of evoked brain potentials (the oddball paradigm). Data were compared with results obtained from psychological tests. Differences in the organization of EP were seen in the “passive” and active (counting) perception of deviant stimuli. Three components were identified within the time envelop of the P300 wave, two of which dominated in the frontal and one in the parietal area of the cerebral cortex. The latency of the P300 wave decreased with age in the children, reflecting increased rates of information processing and increases in the volume of operative memory. In passive perception, the statistical relationship characterized by a reduction in P300 latency with age was significant for leads in the central, temporal, parietal, and occipital areas; in active perception, this applied to all areas including the frontal. The most significant changes in P300 parameters were seen in children aged from seven to 12 years, indicating that this period can be regarded as “critical” in the development of learning skills. The roles of the parietal and frontal areas of the cortex in the mechanisms of involuntary and voluntary regulation of attention are discussed, along with the possibility of using the P300 method to identify children with delayed rates of development of voluntary attention in population studies.     

Morpho-functional characteristics of invagination esophago-enteric and esophago-gastric anastomoses

The morphological and functional features of invagination ++esophago-enteric and esophagogastric anastomoses were studied in 234 of 266 patients who underwent gastrectomy or proximal resection of the stomach for cancer in 1972-1989. Two valuable stable properties were found to be characteristic in normally functioning invagination anastomosis: reliable anti-reflux properties and evacuation in portions. They are ensured by the obturating apparatus of the anastomosis, which consists of a valve and a muscular sphincter. No functional disorders on the part of the anastomosis were encountered in all periods after the operation in 174 (74.4%) patients. Complications developed in 60 (25.6%) patients (acute anastomositis, spasm of the anastomosis, reflux esophagitis, cicatricial stricture, and the dumping syndrome); they were attended by disorders of the function of the anastomosis due to temporary or constant disorders of the function of the obturating apparatus.     

A device for use in podography

Described in the paper is the podographic unit for measuring a foot eversion angle and time- and phase-dependent parameters of foot swing and stance. It may be useful in examinations of sportsmen and young people, in mass population screening for detection of gait defects and their correction, in the course of diagnostic orthopedic studies of the lower limbs.