[Contemporary approaches to the treatment of age-related macular degeneration in elderly patients.]

The article compares the course of age-related macular degeneration in elderly patients in three groups after complex therapy (intravitreal administration of angiogenesis blockers and photodynamic therapy). 339 case histories of persons with an average age of 75,6±9,7 years were analyzed (p<0,05). A slight decrease in the area of pathological autofluorescence and retinal thickness according to optical coherence tomography was revealed in all three groups of increased visual acuity. The best effect of combination therapy was observed in the first six months, no further positive dynamics was observed. Thus, timely diagnosis and complex therapy slows down and sometimes stops the progression of age-related macular degeneration and vision loss.

[Analysis of indicators of primary and repeated disability due to eye diseases in people of retirement age in the Russian Federation and in Moscow.]

The analysis of the dynamics of primary and secondary disability due to eye diseases in people of retirement age in the Russian Federation and Moscow for the period 2007-2016 is presented. The main medical and social indicators of disabled people of retirement age are defined. A comparative analysis of primary and secondary disability in the Russian Federation and Moscow.

Sex-related differences in prepulse inhibition of startle in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Alterations in central networks involved in the regulation of arousal, attention, and cognition may be critical for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptom maintenance and exacerbation. Differential sensitivities in these networks may underlie sex differences noted in IBS. The current study examined prepulse inhibition (PPI), a measure of sensorimotor gating, in male and female IBS patients. Relationships between PPI and symptom severity were examined, as well as potential menstrual status effects. Compared to healthy controls, male IBS patients had significantly reduced PPI; whereas female IBS patients (particularly naturally cycling women) had significantly enhanced PPI suggesting hypervigilance. Considering previously demonstrated sex-related differences in perceptual and brain imaging findings in IBS patients, the current findings suggest that different neurobiological mechanisms underlie symptom presentation in male and female IBS patients. Compromised filtering of information in male IBS patients may be due to compromised top down (prefrontal, midcingulate) control mechanisms while increased attention to threat due to increased limbic and paralimbic circuits may be characteristic of female IBS patients.

[Age-related changes in the serotonin content of the epiphysis of birds]. / Vozrastnye izmeneniia soderzhaniia serotonina v épifize ptits.

Serotonin content of the epiphysis has been studied in 1-day chicks, 1-, 5-5 1/2-, 8-12- and 24-month hens. It was found that this content undergoes significant changes during life cycle of hens, being dependent on physiological activity of the gonads. The highest level of serotonin (16 micrograms/g) was observed in 8-12 months old hens which corresponds to the period of the most intensive activity of the gonads.

Cost containment associated with decreased parenteral antibiotic administration frequencies.

Multi-region time and motion studies were conducted in hospitals of various sizes to determine the cost of personnel and supplies associated with the preparation, dispensing, and administration of reconstituted parenteral antibiotics. The administration systems studied included the piggyback intravenous admixture (including several batch methodologies), the volume control intravenous set, and intramuscular techniques. Supply costs were calculated for each system. Projections of potential cost savings resulting from decreased administrations of parenteral cephalosporins were calculated for surgical prophylaxis, 10-day treatment course, and average per bed hospital use. The projected cost savings for the first 24 hours of surgical prophylaxis, or a 10-day treatment course changing from every eight- to six-hour dosing to a single daily dose ranged from $5.60 to $24.25 and $28 to $145, respectively. The average hospital's projected cost savings potential per hospital bed resulting from decreased administration of parenteral cephalosporins depended on the administration system or systems used and ranged from $35 (25 percent reduction in doses) to $364 (75 percent reduction in doses). An algorithm is presented for individual hospitals to use in calculating cost containment estimates. Clinicians and health care managers should seriously consider the cost containment advantages provided by the substitution of newer antibiotics which permit reduced administration frequency.

[Electron microscopic study of the epiphysis in the hen in different age periods]. / Elektronno-mikroskopicheskoe issledovanie épifiza kury v raznye vozrastnye periody.

Electron microscopic investigation of the epiphysis in 1 and 2 years old hens revealed that pineocytes are rich in mitochondria, ribosomes, granular endoplasmic network, Golgi apparatus, synapses. In contrast to 1-year hens, large amounts of lipofuscin granules and lysosomes were found in older animals. The data obtained reveal intensive hormone formation and oxidation-reduction processes in the epiphysis of birds.

Bacterial endocarditis in pregnancy: successful surgical correction.

Bacterial endocarditis, an extremely rare and serious complication during pregnancy, is almost always fatal to the fetus. This paper describes successful aortic valve replacement in a woman who was 22 weeks' pregnant. She had acute bacterial endocarditis with aortic insufficiency and severe congestive heart failure. At term, she was delivered of a live infant. We believe this is the first case of a fetus surviving such a complication.