Etiology of invasive candidosis agents in Russia: a multicenter epidemiological survey.

A multicenter prospective epidemiological survey on the etiologic agents of invasive candidosis was conducted in Russia in the period of 2012-2014. Samples were collected from 284 patients with invasive candidosis and Candida species isolated by culture. The species were identified by DNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF massspectrometry. A total of 322 isolates were recovered, in which 96% of Сandida species belonged to six major species, namely, C. albicans (43.2%), C. parapsilosis (20.2%), C. glabrata (11.5%), C. tropicalis (9.6%), C. krusei (6.2%), and C. guilliermondii (5.3%). Most Candida species were isolated from blood samples (83.23%). Notably, the prevalence rate of C. albicans reduced from 52.38% to 32.79% (2012 vs. 2014) (P = 0.01) whereas that of non-C. albicans increased from 47.62% (2012) to 67.21% (2014) (P < 0.01). Species distribution differed among geographical regions; specifically, the prevalence rate of C. albicans as an etiologic agent of invasive candidosis in Siberian Federal region was significantly higher than that in other Federal regions. Results indicated a shift from C. albicans to non-C. albicans. Therefore, a detailed investigation on the contributing factors and appropriate treatment of invasive candidosis is needed.

In situ transmission electron microscopy imaging of grain growth in a platinum nanobridge induced by electric current annealing.

We report an in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging of grain growth in a Pt nanobridge induced by a high electric current density. The change in morphology at the nanoscale was recorded in real time together with the electrical characterization of the Pt nanobridge. We find a drop in the differential resistance as the voltage across the bridge is increased; TEM inspection shows that this coincides with thermally induced grain growth, indicating that a reduction of grain boundary scattering is the cause of the resistance decrease.

[Role of optic coherent tomography in monitoring the efficiency of laser treatment for the exudative form of involutional macular degeneration].

Optic coherent tomography was used to monitor three cases of successful laser retinal coagulation in involutional macular degeneration followed by transsudative retinal detachment of the pigment epithelium and neuroepithelium to give rise to a subretinal neovascular membrane. The technique was shown to be of high informative value in providing an accurate localization of abnormal macular changes and in monitoring their state. The application of optic coherent tomography could reduce the number of control angiographies and, in a number of cases, to obviate a necessity of performing angiographic studies.

[Optic coherent tomography in patients with immature cataract and pseudophakia].

Optic coherent tomography (OCT) was used to examine 14 persons (15 eyes) before and the following day after laser cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation. There were slight, but statistically significant differences in the quantitative indicators of OCT in the eyes of immature cataract and pseudophakia (a reduction in the minimum retinal thickness in the foveolar area and that in the design volume of the macular area by the order of 1.4% of the baseline value). The above differences are likely to be largely due to the optic features of the pseudophakic eye; however, this suggestion needs further experimental and clinical studies.

[Experience with new radiation methods for the diagnosis and treatment of retinal macular pathology].

The study of the informative value of new radiation methods for diagnosing macular pathology has demonstrated that introduction of techniques, such as angiography using indocyanine green and optical coherent tomography, makes it possible to increase the informative value of diagnosis, to define treatment policy, and to more clearly assess the time course of abnormal changes in different forms of abnormal macular changes. The precise definition of the site and sizes of the subretinal neovascular membrane facilitates the performance of laser therapy (focal laser coagulation and transpupillary thermotherapy) and enhances its efficiency.

[Coagulation activity of the lacrimal fluid and the concentration of glucose in it as a criterion of diagnosis and prognosis of early-stage diabetic retinopathy]. / Koaguliatsionnaia aktivnost' sleznoi zhidkosti i kontsentratsiia v nei gliukozy kak kriterii diagnostiki i prognoza razvitiia rannikh stadii diabeticheskoi retinopatii.

Fifty patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) and with the disease record ranging from 6 months to 5 years and 30 virtually healthy persons were examined. The follow-up varied from 1.5 to 2 years. The obtained results were made use of to formulate the below diagnostic criterion: a simultaneous increase of the levels of the coagulation activity of the lachrymal fluid (LF) and of the glucose concentration in LF with at least one such phenomenon being registered in one eye and a total asymmetry of more than 0.75 are indicative of diabetic retinopathy or of the possibility it would develop. The mentioned diagnostic criterion can be applied for detecting the risk groups among the DM patients.

[A multifunctional microcomputer pattern-stimulator]. / Mnogofunktsional'nyi mikrokomp'iuternyi pattern-stimuliator.

The authors review a complex of the hardware and software for the design of an automated multi-functional pattern-stimulator based on a microprocessor KR1810BM86A with a possibility of exercising remote control via the RS-232C channel and autonomous work controlled by a built-in keyboard and a matrix display. The stimulator is capable of forming multi-pattern stimulation images with angular resolution of one element of the eye retina as well as of performing different stimulation types within a wide range of intensities and colours. The software of the stimulator represents a multi-task operative system in the real time mode.

[Critical frequency of light flickering rhythm reproduction in visual evoked potentials: physiological essence of the method]. / Issledovaniia kriticheskoi chastoty vosproizvedeniia ritma svetovykh mel'kanii v zritel'nykh vyzvannykh potentsialakh: k voprosu o fiziologicheskoi sushchnosti metoda.

Critical frequency of light flickering rhythm reproduction in visual evoked potentials (CFLF) was studied in 25 patients (35 eyes) with partial optic nerve atrophy, 4 patients (7 eyes) with moderate changes in the optic route suprachiasmal sections, and 23 normal subjects; automated static perimetry and visometry were carried out as well. CFLF was found reduced in the majority of patients with optic nerve atrophy, whereas in suprachiasmal involvement this parameter remained within the normal range. CFLF values were in good correlation with vision acuity and light sensitivity of visual field sites within the angle of 15 degrees from the center (the correlation was higher for foveal light sensitivity when it was expressed in relative units, and for light sensitivity of paracentral visual field sites when expressed in logarithmic units). The authors come to a conclusion that CFLF functional and anatomic substrate is the foveal area cortical projection sites and, to a lesser degree, cortical projection sites of visual field sites within 15 degrees from the center; in optic nerve atrophy CFLF values depend on the status of the optic nerve sections (the axial bundle) corresponding to a certain visual field site.

[Dynamic functional and electrophysiological indices in patients with complicated high myopia after revascularizing operations]. / Dinamika funktsional'nykh i élektrofiziologicheskikh pokazatelei u patsientov s oslozhnennoi miopiei vysokoi stepeni posle revaskuliariziruiushchikh operatsii.

Vision acuity and differential photosensitivity were examined, and electroretinography and electrooculography data analyzed in patients with high myopia after crossing the superficial temporal artery. A tendency to normalization of these parameters has been observed after surgery, due to improvement of the circulation in the orbital artery basin, as evidenced by ultrasonic dopplerography. The method of automated statistical perimetry was found valuable for predicting the functional results of surgery and for objective assessment of visual functions postoperation.