The type of Setophaga ruficoronata (Kaup 1851) is a hybrid: implications for the taxonomy of Myioborus warblers (Passeriformes: Parulidae).

Hybridization, rapid diversification, and uncertainties surrounding type specimens add complexity to the already intricate taxonomy of high Andean Myioborus warblers of northern South America. In this study, we propose a reassessment of species boundaries within M. ornatus and M. melanocephalus, drawing on comparisons of name-bearing types. We also consider insights from a recent study of a hybrid zone in southern Colombia and northern Ecuador. We present three species delimitation alternatives that offer improved clarity compared to the current taxonomy, and discuss the rationale behind recognizing chrysops and bairdi as distinct species while redefining the species ornatus and melanocephalus, given the available evidence.

A new subspecies in the Turdus nudigenis complex (Aves: Turdidae) from the Cauca River valley of Colombia.

The taxonomy of the T. nudigenis complex has historically been challenging due to the uniformity in plumage among taxa, poorly known vocal variation, and allopatric distributions. Recent phylogenetic analyses have contributed to understanding relationships within the genus; however, much remains to be learned about the extent of phenotypic and genetic differentiation within taxa and its implications in species limits. Here, we analyze the taxonomic status of an enigmatic member of the T. nudigenis complex restricted to the Cauca River valley of Colombia. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest that the Cauca valley population is genetically distinctive from other members of the complex, although its sister relationships with respect to T. grayi and T. nudigenis could not be fully resolved due to paraphyly in the group. Based on similarity of plumage, calls, and biogeographic proximity we tentatively treat this taxon as a new subspecies of T. grayi. Populations from the northern Caribbean T. grayi casius/incomptus and the new taxon inhabit similar environmental conditions, being apparently isolated by the humid Nech lowlands. A formal analysis of vocalizations coupled with a more robust genomic dataset are needed to resolve the systematic affinities and taxonomic status of several members of the T. nudigenis complex.

[Results of treatment of brain abscesses at a neurosurgery facility in Olomouc 1953-1988]. / Výsledky lécby abscesu mozku na neurochirurgickém pracovisti v Olomouci v letech 1953-1988.

At the neurosurgical department in Olomouc in 1953-1988 58 patients were treated with the diagnosis of cerebral abscesses. Eight patients died. The most frequently applied surgical operation was total extirpation of the abscess which led to the lowest mortality rate. Less radical surgery (aspiration, drainage) gave much poorer results. This is however, due to the indications of these operations in patients in a poor general condition. After introduction of CT we may expect further development of these less invasive methods. The authors draw attention to differential diagnostic ensuing from the impossibility to differentiate a CT picture of a brain abscess from other pathological conditions. If also clinical signs of inflammatory disease are lacking, the diagnostic error may cause delay of the surgical operation with adverse results for the patient.

Surgical approach to hypophysis.

The history and development of operations on the hypophysis are described including the present trends of surgical approaches and stereotaxy, utilized in the authors' department. Their own indication criteria for stereotaxic surgery are defined.

Histopathological changes in paravertebral muscles by chronic discopathies.

Samples of paravertebral muscles were obtained from the lesion sites of forty patients operated on for recurrent lumboischiadic syndrome of discogenic etiology. None of the specimens was physiological. All of them were pathologically altered in various grades of involvement. The histopathological changes were highly varied. The findings included muscle fibre atrophy of a nonspecific type, neurogenic atrophy of typical fascicular distribution. Apart from atrophic fibres there were hypertrophic ones either at the same time or in connection with another histopathological process. Changes of myopathic nature were also present with rounded up muscle fibres and shift of nuclei from the subsarcolemnic spaces into the centre of the muscle fibre, multiplication of the connective tissue and vicarious growth of adipose tissue. The visible neuromuscular spindles contained thickened connective tissue capsules and atrophied intrafusal fibres. The present authors' conclusion of their interpretation of these histopathological changes is that they are not produced by one but by a whole set of factors. What results is a cyclic nature of the changes, when it is hard to decide whether we are facing a primary cause or its sequela. The regular company of discopathies are repeated microtraumas during recurrent paravertebral contractures and spinal blocks. A not negligible part can be played also by primary muscle diseases affecting, among others, back muscles, e.g. progressive muscular dystrophy of Duchenne's and Becker's type, various myopathies, nonspecific myositis and paravertebral polymyositis, and other rheumatological involvement. These muscular diseases with disturbed proprioception causing unphysiological posture and loading the spine can share in the origin degenerative processes on intervertebral disks.

Current possibilities of diagnosing syringomyelia.

The diagnostic contribution of radiological examinations to the verification of the diagnosis of syringomyelia is assessed. A case report of the authors' own patient is given with the diagnosis confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance.

Unusual penetrating craniocerebral injury.

An unusual injury with a steel wire, 6.5 mm in diameter, penetrating the right frontal lobe into the left orbit and getting stuck under the skin is described. The surgery was made from bifrontal craniotomy. There were no complications in the postoperative period. The neurological, psychological and eye examinations brought quite physiological findings. The boy applies for secondary school attendance.

Crossed transvertebral puncture to block spinal ganglion in treatment of pain.

A simple and highly efficient percutaneous method eliminating the spinal ganglion and its posterior spinal cord root in treating metameric pain is described. Monitored by X-ray the needle crosses the vertebral canal passing e.g. from the right into the left intervertebral space. The intervention itself is made by a mesocaine alcohol block. The first experience with 12 patients is favourable in postdiscotomic syndromes or lumbar and causalgic pains in lower extremities having no mechanical cause discovered by CT.