[Prevalence of different histological types of brain tumors in the volgograd region according to the data of intraoperative biopsies over the period of 2001 to 2006].

The prevalence of different histological types of brain tumors was analyzed in the Volgograd Region from the data of intraoperative biopsies over the period of 2001 to 2006. Gliomas were a dominant group (51.9%) at all study time intervals. Among them, there was a preponderance of glioblastomas (24.7%), anaplastic astrocytomas (21.1%), protoplasmatic astrocytomas (15.4%). The fact that heterogenic tumor tissue in a great deal of the study cases of malignant gliomas makes pathohistologists' opinion differ and suggests that there is a need for an in-depth study of intraoperative biopsy specimens, by using the existing antibody panels and developing new ones for immunohistochemical studies.

Human basement membrane components of keratoconus and normal corneas.

Using immunofluorescence techniques, we analyzed the distribution of glycoproteins in normal and keratoconus corneas of humans. Laminin, bullous pemphigoid antigen, fibronectin, and fibrin/fibrinogen were all found in the epithelial basement membrane of normal corneas. Keratoconus corneas produced similar results, except that staining for fibrin/fibrinogen was weak. Fibrin/fibrinogen was absent from normal corneal basement membrane in animal models studied previously. Keratoconus may be the result of the lysis of fibrin or may involve impeded elaboration of fibrin.

Management of dislocated nuclear fragments after phacoemulsification.

We examined 13 patients referred for management of dislocated lens fragments after phacoemulsification. Ocular findings included corneal decompensation, glaucoma, inflammation, and retinal tears and detachments. Eleven of the 13 patients underwent vitrectomy with removal of lens fragments. Surgical indications included the presence of large lens fragments, uncontrolled glaucoma, persistent and severe inflammation, and retinal detachment. Better visual acuity was observed in patients who had smaller lens fragments or when vitrectomy was delayed to allow medical treatment of intraocular inflammation and glaucoma. The results indicate that nucleus dislocation during phacoemulsification is an important visual complication, with seven of the 13 patients having a final visual acuity of 20/80 or less.

Accidental Nd:YAG laser injuries to the macula.

PURPOSE: To study the clinical course of accidental, single-focus Nd:YAG laser injuries to the macula. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical course of five eyes (four patients) that sustained macular injuries from a Nd:YAG laser. All patients were examined within 24 hours of injury and were observed without surgical intervention for a mean of 20 months (range, 12 to 32 months). RESULTS: A single full-thickness foveal or parafoveal retinal hole was apparent in all eyes either on initial examination or within two weeks of injury. All macular holes were within 650 microns of the foveal center. The mean final visual acuity was 20/60 (range, 20/25 to 20/400) and was related to the distance between the macular hole and the foveal center. None of the eyes developed either subretinal neovascularization or clinically significant epiretinal membrane formation during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Despite initial poor visual acuity in patients who had a full-thickness foveal or parafoveal retinal hole, visual acuity improved without treatment when the site of the laser injury was located outside the foveal center.

Eales' disease presenting as stroke in the young adult.

Eales' disease is an uncommon idiopathic disorder characterized by retinal perivasculitis and recurrent vitreous hemorrhages in young males. Associated neurological involvement is rare. We report a 38-year-old man who presented with stroke attributed to Eales' disease.

Evoked potential decrements in auditory cortex. I. Discrete-trial and continual stimulation.

In experiment 1 cats were exposed to sets of clicks (trials) with 1 min inter-trial-intervals to determine if the effects of repetitive stimulation on potentials evoked in the auditory cortex would be cumulative despite discrete-trial stimulation. Evoked potentials were averaged to give one average evoked potential (AEP) for each trial for each electrode; there were four cortical electrodes per subject. To test for dishabituation pawshocks were given between trials 60 and 61. Subjects were paralyzed to insure stimulus constancy. The latency and peak-to-peak amplitude of each component of each AEP was measured; significant amplitude decremented; and decrements were more frequent in components with latencies greater than 15 msec. A few amplitude increments and latency changes were also observed...