The finding of the nematode Daniconema anguillae Moravec et Køie, 1987 (Spirurida, Dracunculoidea: Daniconematidae) in Lithuania

Summary The third-stage larvae of Daniconema anguillae Moravec et K?ie, 1987 are found in the eels fins caught from Dringis Lake (Lithuanian National park). The morphology of these larvae is briefly described.     

Neuronal plasticity in memory and learning abilities: Theoretical position and selective review

Neural plasticity of modality-nonspecific and modality-specific memory and learning abilities pertains to fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence, respectively. The limbic system with the novelty neurons of the hippocampus interacts with the prefrontal cortex optimization of the orienting reflex and voluntary attention. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor produced by novelty neurons of the hippocampus contributes to long-term memory formation and improves learning abilities in a wide range of disciplines. Synergistic combination of stimulation with “analytical-specific visual perceptual patterns” and “optimally high” physiological activation of the bilateral electrodermal system optimizes the limbic system and prefrontal cortex activity as demonstrated by enhanced prefrontal N450 ERPs to a memory workload paradigm. This is accompanied by improvements in auditory retention tasks, word memorization, higher school achievement and marks, and an amelioration of “analytical-specific perceptual skills” as measured by the Mangina-Test. Intracerebral ERPs to a memory workload paradigm contributed to the elucidation of limbic structures and neocortical sites involved in memory workload processes. The progressive degeneration of these same structures causes the gradual decline of memory functions observed in early Alzheimer's disease. Research findings indicate that ERPs elicited by a memory workload paradigm are sensitive markers for diagnosis, treatment and clinical follow-up of early Alzheimer's patients. In addition, ERPs provide objective measurement of cholinergic medication effects on cerebral functions involved in memory processes through neuropsychophysiological parameters.     

Application of technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime single-photon emission tomography to neurologic prognosis in patients undergoing urgent carotid surgery

In this study we aimed to work out a quantitative prognostic index for preoperative assessment of brain technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO) single-photon emission tomography (SPET) in patients referred for urgent carotid endarterectomy due to acute obstructive disease of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and neurological deficit. To this end we compared data from preoperative SPET studies with the postinterventional changes in neurological status in 20 patients (17 males, three females; mean age 53 years, SD 4 years) with acute ischaemic cerebral disorders induced by obstruction of the ICA. Carotid obstruction was diagnosed by ultrasound B-mode study. All patients underwent urgent carotid endarterectomy from the ICA. Patients were divided into two groups in accordance with the results of postoperative follow-up: group A comprised patients with significant (more than 3 points) postoperative improvement in neurological condition as quantified by the Canadian Neurological Scale (11 patients); group B consisted of patients with minimal improvement or deterioration (nine, three of whom died). All patients were studied preoperatively by^99mTc-HMPAO SPET. The volume of nonperfused tissue (VS, cm³) was quantified using the Mountz technique. Hypoperfused volume (V _hypoperf, cm³) in the affected hemisphere was calculated as the total volume of voxels with^99mTc-HMPAO uptake <90% of the contralateral symmetric voxels. Discriminant prognostic function was calculated by discriminant analysis as:PF = 0.072×VS + 29.46×(VS/V _hypoperf). Patients with preoperativePF values <8.20 demonstrated postoperative improvement in neurological status, while the group withPF>8.90 comprised patients who demonstrated minimal improvement or deterioration. PF values in the range 8.20–8.90 carried an indefinite prognosis. We conclude that the preoperative^99mTc-HMPAO SPET can be used for the selection of patients in whom improvement in neurological status may be expected after urgent surgical correction of acute extracranial obstruction of the ICA.     

Retrograde cardioplegia through the right atrium

The results of retrograde cardioplegia through the right atrium in 50 patients are analysed. The uniform cooling of the myocardium, frequent restoration of the sinus rhythm, and the low hospital mortality rate are evidence of the high efficacy of this method of myocardial protection. Electronmicroscopy showed marked intactness of the myocardial ultrastructure and moderately manifested and reparable reperfusion changes. It is concluded that the method must be employed in coronary disease, combination of ischemic heart disease with heart valvular disease, as well as in mild forms of aortic insufficiency which cannot be corrected.     

Use of immozymase in the treatment of suppurative wounds

The authors discuss the results of application of proteinase preparations immobilized on a water soluble carrier (Immozymase) and a water insoluble carrier (Profezyme) in the management of ++pyo-necrotic processes of various etiology and localization in 1,059 patients. The wounds were cleansed 1.5-2 times quicker than with the traditional methods of treatment. Immobilized proteinases possessing a prolonged therapeutic effect were found to stimulate the regeneration process. The authors believe the use of Immozymase to be promising in the treatment of purulent foci which are drained with difficulty and in intracavitary administration for treating purulent processes in the thoracic or abdominal cavity.     

Neuroimaging in Pineal Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The authors report radiological findings in 11 tumors in the pineal region, which were histologically diagnosed as germinomas, pineocytomas pineoblastomas, ependymomas, teratomas, and astrocytomas. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) was performed in seven patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all patients. RESULTS: CT showed a solid or solid/cystic mass with variable contrast enhancement. MRI showed a heterogeneous mass, with hypointense signal on T1 and iso/hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images (WI) and gadolinium enhancement. Extension to adjacent structures occurred in five patients and spread through the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in two. CONCLUSIONS: Pineal region tumors have no pathognomonic imaging pattern. MRI and CT are complementary in diagnosis and are important to determine localization, extension, and meningeal spread.     

Surgical interventions in concurrent and concomitant diseases in patients with myasthenia gravis

The authors analyse the recent 15 years' results of treatment of 51 patients with generalized myasthenia who underwent operation in the clinic for various surgical diseases. Forty-three of them had a history of operation on the thymus. The specific features of preoperative management, anesthesia, and postoperative treatment in this serious category of patients are discussed. It is concluded that it is expedient to hospitalize these patients in special surgical hospitals possessing experience in the treatment of patients with generalized myasthenia and the possibility of conducting long-term ventilation of the lungs and other measures of resuscitation.     

Hemodynamic evaluation of the effectiveness of preservation of subvalvular structures in mitral valve prosthesis

The article deals with the clinical evaluation of the results of mitral valve prosthetics with preservation of the subvalvular structures in 40 patients and comparative evaluation of the hemodynamic indices after prosthetics with preservation of the subvalvular structures of the posterior cusp and after routine mitral valve prosthetics. The authors show good clinical results in patients after valvar-preserving prosthetics of the mitral valve and essential improvement of left-ventricular contractile activity after such an operation. Comparative analysis showed that the total ejection fraction increased by 10.8 +/- 4.5% in the main group and reduced by 11.4 +/- 2.6% (p less than 0.01) in the control group. Left-ventricular end diastolic pressure did not change in the main group but increased significantly (p less than 0.05) in the control group. A conclusion is drawn that preservation of the subvalvular structures in mitral valve prosthetics is expedient even in patients with an initially grave condition because the method makes it possible to normalize intracardiac hemodynamics more rapidly in the postoperative period and essentially improve the contractility of the left ventricle.