Clinico-morphological changes in a burn wound after electric stimulation with pulsatile current

The healing of sluggishly postburn wounds after local electrostimulation (ES) with the use of current-conducting carbon tissue as the electrode was studied in 12 patients. Analysis of the clinical data which were corroborated by the results of morphological and biochemical studies confirmed the marked stimulating effect of local ES which facilitates successful taking of dermal autografts and healing of burn wounds. The obtained data are evidence that the method of ES through a current-conducting carbon tissue is promising in the complex of measures for local treatment of burn wounds.     

Aberrometry in the diagnosis of eye diseases

Four methods (by means of Smirnova-Korniushina's aberrometer; with the help of aberroscope--Cherning's lattice; by presenting a figure of a cross; and by automatic refractometry through different portions of the pupil) were used for studying aberration of the optic system of the eye in 490 persons. Among them, 37 were healthy persons, 27--patients with ametropia of moderate degree, 24--with high myopia, 9--with astigmatism above 3.0 D, 16--with monocular diplopia, 327--with keratoconus, 7--with scars of the cornea, 21--with initial cataract, 47--after keratotomy. In norm and in ametropia to 6.0 D, a histogram of refraction distribution by the pupil has a small disperse and a pronounced peak, the Cherning's lattice is straight. In high myopia, the disperse of refraction increases, the peak is slightly pronounced, the lattice is curved along the margins. In astigmatism, the disperse of refraction is great, but there can be peaks. The whole lattice is curved. In monocular diplopia, two more peaks can be seen on the histogram. The lattice is greatly curved. In keratoconus, aberrometry without correction is possible only at the initial stage and shows a rather mixed picture. The histogram of refraction represents a low irregular row. In aberroscopy, the bands are greatly curved, frequently overstep the bounds of the frame that itself looses a form of a circle, becomes oval or polygonal. Contact correction improves the aberration picture considerably. In scars of the cornea, the lattice is distorted and infrequently repeats their forms. In initial cataract, the course of the bands becomes interrupted and rounded spots appear between them.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cardiac arrest in acute myocardial infarction: its signs, the effect of resuscitation and outcome

A study of 585 patients with acute myocardial infarction (285 with and 300 without cardiac arrest) showed the two groups to differ significantly in terms of clinical, laboratory and electrocardiographic findings. Resuscitation effectiveness depended upon the form of cardiac arrest (chi 2 = 209.25; p less than 0.001). A stable resuscitation effect (survival within and beyond 28 days after the onset of acute myocardial infarction) was achieved in 78.4% of cases of primary ventricular fibrillation, 24.0% of cases of secondary ventricular fibrillation, and 4.9% of asystolia cases. All cases of electromechanical dissociation were fatal. Long-term follow-up showed that 17.3% of patients with cardiac arrest and 21.9% of patients without cardiac arrest died over 4 years (p greater than 0.05).     

The influence of piracetam on the effects of narcotic analgesics

In experiments on white male mice there was studied the influence of piracetam (250-300 mg/kg) on the analgesic effect of ligands of different types of opioid receptors (morphine, 7.5 mg/kg, DADLE, 7.5 mg/kg, pentazocine, 15 mg/kg) and also on the action of morphine concerning the cardiovascular system and respiration. Piracetam was shown to possess the antagonistic properties with respect to some effects of morphine, however they are not of the universal character and do not depend on the interaction with a certain type of opioid receptors.     

The analgesic action of narcotic analgesics and clopheline after the ionizing irradiation of rats

The ionizing radiation (150 Gy) extended the rat tail flick latency, decreased the pain-relief effects of morphine and opioids and enhanced the analgesic effect of clopheline. The radiation was followed by a decrease of vocalization threshold with a reduction of morphine- and clopheline-induced analgesia. Naloxone (0.1 mg/kg) eliminated the postradiation analgesia and did not change the hyperalgesic effect of the radiation.     

Biotransformation of organic substances by an immobilized associative bacterial culture]

Bacterial strains were screened to transform to end-products (carbon monoxide and water) elevated concentrations of acetone, acidic acid, and ethanol in a biocatalyst with an immobilized bacterial association cultivated on solid foam polyvinyl acetate (FPVA). The innocuous association amalgamated Paracoccus denitrificans VKM V-1324, Pseudomonas esterophilus VKM V-1736D and Achromobacter parvulus VKM V-1541D. The biocatalyst was tested with the help of classic methods and equipment for microbes cultivation. Microbial growth was assessed in the optical density units. Comparative evaluation of the biocatalytic activity was performed on gas-chromatographer Pue Unicam-104. Based on test results, specific rates of oxidation of acidic acid, ethanol and acetone per one g of FPVA were 0.75, 0.72, and 0.67 mg/hr, respectively.     

An update of treatment options for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVES: To review the role of conventional and new treatment modalities in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. DATA SOURCES AND EXTRACTION: Literature search of Medline till March 2007, using the key words/terms 'treatment' and 'age-related macular degeneration' to retrieve relevant original papers and review articles. DATA SYNTHESIS: Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss in the elderly in developed countries. Neovascular age-related macular degeneration has a relentless course and the consequent visual loss is debilitating. Successful treatment has always been a challenge due to poor understanding of its pathogenesis. Laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin are the standard conventional treatments. However, these approaches do not prevent disease recurrence and repeated treatments are required. Recent advances in understanding the molecular pathway for the angiogenesis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration enables exploration of new treatment approaches. Antiangiogenic therapy with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, such as pegaptanib and ranibizumab, have recently been approved for clinical practice. Other antiangiogenic agents include bevacizumab, triamcinolone, and anecortave are also being evaluated in clinical trials. Additional treatment modalities include transpupillary thermotherapy and surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, increased understanding in its pathogenesis coupled with rapid development in instrumental technology and new/emerging medications greatly expands available treatment options. Despite these various therapeutic options, current treatment is mainly directed at achieving visual stabilisation. Restoration of vision with newer agents is limited and not possible in every patient. Thus, early recognition and treatment to arrest the progression of neovascular age-related macular degeneration is the preferred means of attaining the best visual outcome.     

Erythrocyte deformability in acute and chronic kidney failure patients

The authors presented some data on the platelet deforming ability in patients with acute and chronic renal failure treated with hemodialysis. Platelet deformity was studied by means of a proposed method of the filtration of platelet suspension through glass filtering funnels with a porous plate (GOST 9775-69). The deterioration of platelet deformity in patients with uremia and its direct correlation with a degree of nitremia were established. It was assumed that the deterioration of platelet deformity resulted in premature cell destruction and anemia development. Platelet deformity can be used as a test to characterize platelet function in patients with renal failure. The problem of the appropriateness of trental therapy was discussed.