Worldwide forest surveys reveal forty-three new species in Phytophthora major Clade 2 with fundamental implications for the evolution and biogeography of the genus and global plant biosecurity.

During 25 surveys of global Phytophthora diversity, conducted between 1998 and 2020, 43 new species were detected in natural ecosystems and, occasionally, in nurseries and outplantings in Europe, Southeast and East Asia and the Americas. Based on a multigene phylogeny of nine nuclear and four mitochondrial gene regions they were assigned to five of the six known subclades, 2a-c, e and f, of Phytophthora major Clade 2 and the new subclade 2g. The evolutionary history of the Clade appears to have involved the pre-Gondwanan divergence of three extant subclades, 2c, 2e and 2f, all having disjunct natural distributions on separate continents and comprising species with a soilborne and aquatic lifestyle and, in addition, a few partially aerial species in Clade 2c; and the post-Gondwanan evolution of subclades 2a and 2g in Southeast/East Asia and 2b in South America, respectively, from their common ancestor. Species in Clade 2g are soilborne whereas Clade 2b comprises both soil-inhabiting and aerial species. Clade 2a has evolved further towards an aerial lifestyle comprising only species which are predominantly or partially airborne. Based on high nuclear heterozygosity levels ca. 38 % of the taxa in Clades 2a and 2b could be some form of hybrid, and the hybridity may be favoured by an A1/A2 breeding system and an aerial life style. Circumstantial evidence suggests the now 93 described species and informally designated taxa in Clade 2 result from both allopatric non-adaptive and sympatric adaptive radiations. They represent most morphological and physiological characters, breeding systems, lifestyles and forms of host specialism found across the Phytophthora clades as a whole, demonstrating the strong biological cohesiveness of the genus. The finding of 43 previously unknown species from a single Phytophthora clade highlight a critical lack of information on the scale of the unknown pathogen threats to forests and natural ecosystems, underlining the risk of basing plant biosecurity protocols mainly on lists of named organisms. More surveys in natural ecosystems of yet unsurveyed regions in Africa, Asia, Central and South America are needed to unveil the full diversity of the clade and the factors driving diversity, speciation and adaptation in Phytophthora. Taxonomic novelties: New species: Phytophthora amamensis T. Jung, K. Kageyama, H. Masuya & S. Uematsu, Phytophthora angustata T. Jung, L. Garcia, B. Mendieta-Araica, & Y. Balci, Phytophthora balkanensis I. Milenkovic, Z. Tomic, T. Jung & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora borneensis T. Jung, A. Durán, M. Tarigan & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora calidophila T. Jung, Y. Balci, L. Garcia & B. Mendieta-Araica, Phytophthora catenulata T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, N.M. Chi & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora celeris T. Jung, L. Oliveira, M. Tarigan & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora curvata T. Jung, A. Hieno, H. Masuya & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora distorta T. Jung, A. Durán, E. Sanfuentes von Stowasser & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora excentrica T. Jung, S. Uematsu, K. Kageyama & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora falcata T. Jung, K. Kageyama, S. Uematsu & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora fansipanensis T. Jung, N.M. Chi, T. Corcobado & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora frigidophila T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora furcata T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora inclinata N.M. Chi, T. Jung, M. Horta Jung & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora indonesiensis T. Jung, M. Tarigan, L. Oliveira & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora japonensis T. Jung, A. Hieno, H. Masuya & J.F. Webber, Phytophthora limosa T. Corcobado, T. Majek, M. Ferreira & T. Jung, Phytophthora macroglobulosa H.-C. Zeng, H.-H. Ho, F.-C. Zheng & T. Jung, Phytophthora montana T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora multipapillata T. Jung, M. Tarigan, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora multiplex T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora nimia T. Jung, H. Masuya, A. Hieno & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora oblonga T. Jung, S. Uematsu, K. Kageyama & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora obovoidea T. Jung, Y. Balci, L. Garcia & B. Mendieta-Araica, Phytophthora obturata T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora penetrans T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora platani T. Jung, A. Pérez-Sierra, S.O. Cacciola & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora proliferata T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudocapensis T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudocitrophthora T. Jung, S.O. Cacciola, J. Bakonyi & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudofrigida T. Jung, A. Durán, M. Tarigan & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudoccultans T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pyriformis T. Jung, Y. Balci, K.D. Boders & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora sumatera T. Jung, M. Tarigan, M. Junaid & A. Durán, Phytophthora transposita T. Jung, K. Kageyama, C.M. Brasier & H. Masuya, Phytophthora vacuola T. Jung, H. Masuya, K. Kageyama & J.F. Webber, Phytophthora valdiviana T. Jung, E. Sanfuentes von Stowasser, A. Durán & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora variepedicellata T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora vietnamensis T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora ×australasiatica T. Jung, N.M. Chi, M. Tarigan & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora ×lusitanica T. Jung, M. Horta Jung, C. Maia & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora ×taiwanensis T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, H.-S. Fu & M. Horta Jung. Citation: Jung T, Milenkovic I, Balci Y, Janousek J, Kudlácek T, Nagy ZÁ, Baharuddin B, Bakonyi J, Broders KD, Cacciola SO, Chang T-T, Chi NM, Corcobado T, Cravador A, Dordevic B, Durán A, Ferreira M, Fu C-H, Garcia L, Hieno A, Ho H-H, Hong C, Junaid M, Kageyama K, Kuswinanti T, Maia C, Májek T, Masuya H, Magnano di San Lio G, Mendieta-Araica B, Nasri N, Oliveira LSS, Pane A, Pérez-Sierra A, Rosmana A, Sanfuentes von Stowasser E, Scanu B, Singh R, Stanivukovic Z, Tarigan M, Thu PQ, Tomic Z, Tomsovský M, Uematsu S, Webber JF, Zeng H-C, Zheng F-C, Brasier CM, Horta Jung M (2024). Worldwide forest surveys reveal forty-three new species in Phytophthora major Clade 2 with fundamental implications for the evolution and biogeography of the genus and global plant biosecurity. Studies in Mycology 107: 251-388. doi: 10.3114/sim.2024.107.04.

Extensive morphological and behavioural diversity among fourteen new and seven described species in Phytophthora Clade 10 and its evolutionary implications.

During extensive surveys of global Phytophthora diversity 14 new species detected in natural ecosystems in Chile, Indonesia, USA (Louisiana), Sweden, Ukraine and Vietnam were assigned to Phytophthora major Clade 10 based on a multigene phylogeny of nine nuclear and three mitochondrial gene regions. Clade 10 now comprises three subclades. Subclades 10a and 10b contain species with nonpapillate sporangia, a range of breeding systems and a mainly soil- and waterborne lifestyle. These include the previously described P. afrocarpa, P. gallica and P. intercalaris and eight of the new species: P. ludoviciana, P. procera, P. pseudogallica, P. scandinavica, P. subarctica, P. tenuimura, P. tonkinensis and P. ukrainensis. In contrast, all species in Subclade 10c have papillate sporangia and are self-fertile (or homothallic) with an aerial lifestyle including the known P. boehmeriae, P. gondwanensis, P. kernoviae and P. morindae and the new species P. celebensis, P. chilensis, P. javanensis, P. multiglobulosa, P. pseudochilensis and P. pseudokernoviae. All new Phytophthora species differed from each other and from related species by their unique combinations of morphological characters, breeding systems, cardinal temperatures and growth rates. The biogeography and evolutionary history of Clade 10 are discussed. We propose that the three subclades originated via the early divergence of pre-Gondwanan ancestors > 175 Mya into water- and soilborne and aerially dispersed lineages and subsequently underwent multiple allopatric and sympatric radiations during their global spread. Citation: Jung T, Milenkovic I, Corcobado T, et al. 2022. Extensive morphological and behavioural diversity among fourteen new and seven described species in Phytophthora Clade 10 and its evolutionary implications. Persoonia 49: 1-57. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.49.01.

[Bilateral facial palsy following pulmonary infection--a possible variant of acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy]. / Bilaterale Fazialisparese nach Lungeninfektion--eine mögliche Variante einer akuten inflammatorischen Polyradikuloneuropathie.

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 43-year old female presented with bilateral facial muscle weakness a month after onset of upper respiratory tract infection. INVESTIGATIONS: The neurologic examination on admission revealed bilateral facial palsy, no signs of muscular weakness, hyperreflexia and flexor plantar responses. Extensive laboratory analysis, radiological and neuroimaging assessment were unremarkable but analysis of cerebrospinal fluid revealed albumin-cytological dissociation. Sequentially, nerve conduction studies confirmed demyelination of both facial nerves. A diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome was made according to clinical findings, laboratory results and nerve study results. TREATMENT AND COURSE: IVIg therapy was initiated (2 g/kg per 5 days) after no response to tapered intravenous corticosteroid therapy. Five days after the last IVIg dose the patient started to recover. Both eyes were treated with standard protective measures. CONCLUSION: Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute autoimmune polyneuropathy characterized by a course of rapid ascending muscular weakness and mild sensory symptoms appearing approximately two-four weeks after an infection. The facial nerve is of all cranial nerves most often affected but it is rarely the prominent sign of GBS. As well, bilateral facial palsy has never been described as a sole manifestation of GBS, as of our notion.

Acute toxic effects of single dose dacarbazine: hematological and histological changes in an animal model.

Treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma usually includes dacarbazine (DTIC), an alkylating agent that methylates DNA and is active during all phases of the cell cycle. Common side effects of DTIC include nausea, vomiting, impaired liver and kidney function, myelosuppression, and pneumonia. There are no accounts, however, of histological and hematological changes caused by DTIC. We investigated acute hematological and morphological changes in different organs and in tumors that were caused by a single dose of DTIC. Adult Syrian golden hamsters were inoculated with a suspension of tumorigenic baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells by subcutaneous injection. On day 14 after inoculation, doses of 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 g/m(2) DTIC were injected intraperitoneally into the hamsters. Hamsters in the control group were injected with physiological saline in the same way. Seven days after drug or saline injection the animals were sacrificed and samples of blood, heart, kidney, liver, lungs, spleen, small intestine and tumor were excised, processed and analyzed. Mitoses were counted using an ocular extension with engraved frame. Anemia, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis were found in the control group of hamsters with fibrosarcoma, whereas animals with fibrosarcoma treated with DTIC developed anemia, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Severe pneumonia and moderate hepatitis were detected in all DTIC treated groups. Effects of DTIC on tumor cells included rounding and enlargement of nuclei and rarefaction of chromatin. The number of mitoses was reduced with increasing doses of DTIC. Hepatitis, myelosuppression, pneumonia, and dose-related inhibition of tumor cell proliferation were observed after a single dose of DTIC.

Tolerability and toxicity of lipidosterolic extract of American dwarf palm Serenoa repens in Wistar rats: well-known extract, new insight.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Serenoa repens extracts (SrE) have been used for centuries in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). According to recommendations that each product should be examined separately, including its tolerability and toxicity, we conducted this study in order to broaden the current cognition about tolerability and toxicity of SrE, in particular of German brand ProstamolunoR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups of 6 animals. The first control group (O) received water (1 ml/kgBW) and second control group (OO) received olive oil (1 ml/kgb.w.) every day for 30 days. The third and fourth group of rats (SR5 and SR10) were treated with SrE (150 and 300 mg/kgb.w. daily) dissolved in olive oil. Tolerability and toxicity of SrE were estimated on the basis of daily monitoring of behavior, body weight gain (BWG), relative weight of liver, left kidney, prostate and left testis, and values of general biochemical parameters. Total liver proteins (TLP) and glutathione content in hepatocyte suspension were also determined. RESULTS: BWG was significantly unchanged in SR5 and SR10 compared to both controls in all intervals of measurement and at the end of treatment (p > 0.05). LW/BW ratio was significantly higher in SR10 compared with O (p < 0.01). Creatinine and potassium were significantly higher in SR5 compared to O (p < 0.05), but in SR10 were significantly higher compared to both control groups (p < 0.01). TLP content was significantly higher in SR5 compared to OO (p < 0.01). The content of glutathione in homogeneous suspension of hepatocytes didn't alter significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Obtained results have expanded the current state of knowledge about the tolerability and toxicity of SrE, in particular of Prostamol-unoR. For the adoption of a more precise conclusion about its tolerability and toxicity, it should be excluded possible limiting factors that we identified in this study.

Interaction of diclofenac and ketoprofen with cardioactive drugs in rats.

The interaction of diclofenac and ketoprofen, both applied intraperitoneally in a dose of 8 mg/kg for twenty-eight days, was assessed with cardioactive drugs in rats. Interaction was assessed on the basis of ECG records after the infusion of adrenaline, verapamil or lidocaine to the rats treated with diclofenac or ketoprofen vs control. The infusion time was measured in seconds to the moment of the appearance of the first heart reaction to the infusion of the cardioactive drug, then to the appearance of more frequent changes in the ECG record, and finally, to the occurrence of the toxic effect. It was also measured the plasma concentrations of sodium and potassium ions. As well as diclofenac and ketoprofen concentration, 2 hours after single and 28th dose. ECG patterns revealed no occurrence of cardiotoxic action of diclofenac and ketoprofen. The treatment with diclofenac caused significantly lower sodium plasma concentrations whereas the concentration of potassium was increased. Diclofenac concentrations were the same after a single and multiple doses, whereas concentrations of ketoprofen were significantly higher after a single dose than after its multiple applications.

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of 5alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride in experimental animals.

Finasteride is a potent drug which has been prescribed for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for more than 20 years. Recent studies indicate that finasteride, as 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, can influence some central effects such as analgesia, neurosteroidogeneses and behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of finasteride, to determine whether finasteride interact with morphine analgesia in tail-flick test and to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of this drug. Adult male Wistar rats (280-330 g) were used for the both of experiments. Tests were assessed on groups of 6 animals. The first control group (O) received water (1 ml/kg, p.o.), the second control group (OO) received the vehicle (olive oil, 1 ml/kg, p.o.) and the third group (F) received finasteride (0.5 mg/kg, p.o.) suspended in olive oil, every morning for 30 days. After 30 days of treatment, tail-flick test and formalin-induced foot paw edema test were performed. Finasteride increased the average latency in seconds in comparison to both controls (10.06 vs. 9.16 and 8.66 s). It was 9.83% higher depression of pain in group F in comparison to O and 16.17% in comparison to OO, but the anti-nociceptive effect of finasteride at applied dose didn't significantly differ compared to both controls (p > 0.05). Chronic pre-treatment with finasteride didn't interact with analgesic effect of morphine compared to O (p > 0.05), but compared to OO finasteride fastened, increased and prolonged the analgesic effect of morphine at all measuring intervals, achiving statistical significance in 60 min (p < 0.01). Finasteride also exhibited significant anti-inflammatory action (p < 0.05) in comparison to OO, but It was not significantly different from the control O. Finasteride didn't exert analgesic action, it increased morphine antinociception and showed chronic anti-inflammatory effect to some extent. This might be a useful contribution to highlight the pathogenesis of BPH. There is the need for further studies in order to confirm these results with more details.

A two-year prospective study comparing lidocaine 2% jelly versus peribulbar anaesthesia for 25G and 23G sutureless vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of topical lidocaine 2% gel with or without peroral preoperative sedation as an alternative anaesthetic method in sutureless vitreoretinal surgery. MATERIAL-METHOD: A prospective study was designed to assess the intraoperative and postoperative pain, using a visual analogue scale (VAS) in three groups of patients, comprised of 23 patients each. The first group included cases that were operated with 25-gauge (25G) instruments under topical anaesthesia with lidocaine jelly, the second group with 23-gauge (23G) under the same topical anaesthesia and finally the third group (control group) with sutureless (23- or 25-gauge) vitrectomy under peribulbar anaesthesia. Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the results. The subjective surgeon's opinion about the difficulty of each procedure was recorded on a 1-5 scale and the results were evaluated with a chi-square test. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in the level of pain was detected between the three groups. Topical anaesthesia vitrectomy procedures were performed more easily (p = 0.0002) with 23-gauge than with 25-gauge instruments. The painful steps of the surgery that were capable of causing moderate to severe pain were endolaser, scleral indentation and peribulbar injection. The goal of the operations was accomplished in all cases. CONCLUSION: Lidocaine 2% jelly with or without peroral preoperative morphine and dixyrazine offers adequate analgesia to perform sutureless vitrectomy. Lack of akinesia does not prevent a successful surgical result.

[Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization].

INTRODUCTION: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a method of treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) with a diode laser used after intravenously administered verteporfin. Verteporfin is a light-activated drug initiating photochemical reactions in the target tissue. This leads to the selective occlusion of blood vessels in the CNV with no damage of photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium and retinal blood vessels. OBJECTIVE: To show the results of the treatment of predominantly classic subfoveal CNV with PDT with verteporfin used for the first time in our country. METHOD: From 2003 to 2005, we treated 15 eyes in 15 patients using PDT and verteporfin, because of predominantly classic subfoveal CNV. If macular oedema was present as proved by fluorescein angiography, triamcinolone was administered intravitreally after FDT. Average follow-up period was 7 months (3 months to 2 years). STUDY DESIGN: retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series. RESULTS: Two thirds of patients had CNV due to AMD, while in others it was caused by pathologic myopia, chorioretinitis, angioid streaks, choroidal hemangioma, except for one patient who had idiopathic CNV. Visual acuity was stabile in 60% (9/15) of patients, of whom in 60% (6/10) of patients with AMD, as well as in patients with pathologic myopia, idiopathic CNV and choroidal hemangioma. Retreatment with PDT was indicated in 40% (6/15) and in 50% (5/10) of patients with AMD, mostly 4-6 months after first PDT, but was done only in one patient (economic reasons). In two patients with AMD, triamcinolone was administered intravitreally for 2-4 months, which resulted in the stabilization of visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Visual acuity was stabile in 60% of all treated patients with predominantly classic subfoveal CNV after only one application of PDT with verteporfin during the average follow-up of 7 months (3 months to 2 years). Retreatment was indicated in 40% of the treated patients, and in 50% of patients with AMD. As confirmed, intravitreal administration of triamcinolone after PDT could stabilize visual acuity. Side effects were not noticed.

[Tuberculous orchiepididymitis and CNS complication]. / Die tuberkulöse Epididymoorchitis und die Zentralnervensystemkomplikation.

INTRODUCTION: Hydrocephalus as a complication of tuberculous orchiepididymitis is extremely rare. In this reported case, hydrocephalus was the consequence of a disseminated tuberculous process. CASE REPORT: A 28-year-old man was treated for a left-sided orchiepididymitis. He developed the signs of increased intracranial pressure. Computer tomography (CT) of the brain showed a hydrocephalus. The diagnostics that followed confirmed disseminated tuberculosis (Tbc). CONCLUSIONS: Urogenital system is at the present rarely affected by Tbc. Especially rare is disseminated Tbc, which affects at the same time three different organ systems. Disseminated Tbc presented with many different but non-specific clinical symptoms, sometimes mimicking neoplasm. This makes diagnosis and therapy more difficult. We point out that in any case of orchiepididymitis not responding to standard antimicrobial therapy Tbc must be taken into consideration as the one of the differential diagnostic possibilities.

The Swedish national survey of surgical excision for submacular choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

PURPOSE: To compare the visual outcome after surgical removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients younger and older than 50 years of age. METHODS: Patient records from all Swedish centers performing submacular CNV surgery were reviewed and 90 patients treated between 1992-1999 with a follow-up of 6 months or more were included. The results obtained in 49 patients aged 51-89 years (median=72 years) with neovascular disease caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were compared with the outcome of 41 patients aged 6-49 years (median=36 years) with CNV secondary to non-AMD causes. The main outcome measure was the improvement or deterioration in visual acuity (standardized in logMAR units) at 6 months following surgery. Secondary endpoints were recurrent CNV and surgical complications. RESULTS: The level of preoperative visual acuity was not significantly different between younger patients with CNV associated with non-AMD and older patients with visual loss due to AMD (p=0.069). However, visual acuity at 6 months after surgery was better (p=0.0042) in younger patients (median improvement=0.19 logMAR) than in older patients (median improvement=0.0 log MAR). Marked visual improvement (>1 log MAR unit) was seen in 29% of non-AMD patients <50 years compared to 0% in the AMD group >50 years. CONCLUSION: Surgical removal of submacular CNV does not appear to improve visual acuity in patients > 50 years of age. However, it may be beneficial for younger patients where a substantial improvement of visual acuity is seen in a subset of these patients. Further studies are required to assess the long-term outcome.

Management of intra-ocular foreign bodies impacting or embedded in the retina.

PURPOSE: To identify both the clinical features of eyes suffering penetrating ocular injury with intra-ocular foreign bodies (FB) impacting or embedded in the retina and the results of surgical outcome and complication rates. METHODS: Thirty-eight consecutive cases of penetrating ocular injuries with intra-ocular FB impacting or embedded in the retina were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: The FB were metallic in 30 eyes (78.9%; 19 ferromagnetic) and were non-metallic in eight eyes (21.1%). Magnetic extraction was performed in 17 cases (44.7%) and instrumental extraction was performed in 21 cases (55.3%). In two cases, pars plana vitrectomy and FB removal was combined with penetrating keratoplasty, temporary keratoprosthesis and anterior segment reconstruction because of severe explosive injury to the eye. At the final postoperative examination, 32 eyes (84.2%) had completely attached retinas. Visual acuity (VA) improved postoperatively in 18 eyes (47.4%). A final VA of 0.5 or better was achieved in nine of 23 eyes (39.1%) with FB in the peripheral retina and in one of 15 eyes (6.7%) with posterior pole and/or optic nerve head involvement. There was no difference in the final VA regarding the time elapsed between trauma and the removal of the FB. CONCLUSION: The late anatomical and functional outcome in eyes with penetrating ocular injury and FB impacting or embedded in the retina is mostly uncertain, despite immediate and complex surgery. Final anatomical and functional outcome in the present study was influenced by location and extent of the initial damage to the posterior pole. The time that had elapsed between trauma and removal of the FB did not influence final visual function.

[Modern microsurgery of the eye]. / Savremena mikrohirurgija oka.

On the basis of obtained results on the University Eye Clinic of Novi Sad, the modern aspects of the most frequent microsurgical operations in ophthalmology are presented. Cataract operations with endocapsular implantation of IOL result in improvement of visual function and daily activities in 98% of patients. Vitreoretinal surgery leads anatomical and functional improvement in 50% to 85% of all cases in correlation with pathology. Different laser microsurgical techniques are used in vascular retinal diseases, corneal refractive surgery, prevention and treatment of glaucoma, secondary cataract treatment, and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Surgical treatment of penetrating ocular injuries with retained intraocular foreign bodies.

A total of 40 cases of retained intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) presenting to the University Eye Clinic of Novi Sad between January 1988 and December 1994 were evaluated and surgically treated. The group most affected were males with a mean age of 33 years, who had been occupationally injured, presenting with either corneal or scleral single laceration. Thirty-seven injuries (92%) were due to metallic foreign bodies. Two eyes presented with initial clinical signs of endophthalmitis (5%). Five eyes (12.5%) were war-injuries, with tremendous destruction of all ocular structures. After an average of 12 months follow-up 70% of total eyes achieved postoperative good or useful vision, 50% of these with visual acuity 0.5 or better.

Electroencephalographic changes following low energy emission therapy.

Low energy emission therapy (LEET) is a novel approach to delivering low levels of amplitude-modulated electromagnetic fields to the human brain. The sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) effects of a 15-min LEET treatment were investigated in a double-find cross-over study to assess sleep induction. Fifty-two healthy volunteers were exposed to both active and inactive LEET treatment sessions, with a minimum interval of 1 week between the two sessions. Baseline EEGs were obtained, and 15-min posttreatment EEGs were recorded and analyzed according to the Loomis classification. A significant increase in the duration of stage B1 sleep (0.58 +/- 2.42 min [mean +/- SD], p = 0.046), decreased latency to the first 10 sec epoch of sleep (-1.23 +/- 5.32 min, p = 0.051) and decreased latency to sleep stage B2 (-1.21 +/- 5.25 min, p = 0.052) were observed after active treatment. Additionally, establishment of slow waves with progression from stages B to C was significantly more pronounced after active LEET treatment (p = 0.040). A combined analysis of these results with those of an identical study performed in Denver showed that LEET had a significant effect on afternoon sleep induction and maintenance with shorter sleep latencies (decreased latency to the first 10 sec epoch of sleep; -1.00 +/- 5.51 min, p = 0.033; decreased latency to sleep stage B2; -1.49 +/- 5.40 min, p = 0.003), an increased duration of stage B2 (0.67 +/- 2.50 min, p = 0.003), an increase in the total duration of sleep (0.69 +/- 4.21 min, p = 0.049), and a more prominent establishment of slow waves with progression to a deeper sleep stage (p = 0.006). It is concluded that the intermittent 42.7 HZ amplitude modulation of 27.12-MHz electromagnetic fields results in EEG changes consistent with shorter sleep latencies, longer sleep duration, and deeper sleep in healthy subjects.