Long Term Follow-up of the Corneal State after Anterior Radial Keratotomy

Purpose: to investigate the cornea condition in the patients after anterior radial keratotomy in long-term (over 20 years) period.Patients and methods. The study involved 80 patients (147 eyes) aged from 41 to 65 years, who had keratotomy in average 23.9 ± 1.9 years ago. The number of keratotomy scars varied from 6 to 18. Radial keratotomy was performed in 125 eyes, in 22 eyes — radial and tangential keratotomy, repeat radial keratotomy about residual moderate myopia was performed in 3 eyes. Ophthalmologic examination of patients included conventional techniques. Results. In 76.2% of cases in the corneal optical zone were observed accumulation of hemosiderin; in 63.3% — signs of intraoperative micro- and macroperforations, going through all cornea layers, capturing the Descemet membrane and the endothelium, leading to a decrease in the density of endothelial cells. There was subepithelial fibrosis in 2.7% cases; the signs of postkeratotomic keratectasia with expressed refractive disorders and prevalence of hyperopic complex or mixed forms of astigmatism were in 9.5%; during the endothelial microscopy in 21.8% of cases «dark zones» were revealed. It in combination with pleomorphism and polimegatizm indicates a decrease of endothelial functional reserve in patients after anterior radial keratotomy. Conclusions. The special features of the cornea state oafter keratotomy in the long term are including the accumulation of hemosiderin in the corneal optical zone, the signs of intraoperative perforation in the area of keratotomy scars, subepithelial fibrosis, postkeratotomy keratectasia, reducing of the density of endothelial cells, pleomorphism, polimegatizm, «dark zones» found at endothelial microscop

Mother May I? Imposing Mandatory Prospective Rules of Statutory Interpretation

Proceedings of the 9th International Multidisciplinary Conference «Stress and Behavior» Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 16–19 May 2005.In the recent time, more neuroresearches are interested in brain disorders connected with human epilepsy and epileptic animals models (Novozhilova A.P., Gaikova O.N., 2002; Kalinichenko S.G. et.al., 2004; Eidt S. et.al., 2004). The present study was undertaken to provide an experimental explanation for known facts suggesting a development of reactive gliosis in head brain of subjects suffering from epilepsy.Methods: We studied the glia-neuronal interrelations in different rat’s group: Wag/Rij rats genetically predisposed to non-convulsive absence-epilepsy and Wistar rats prone to convulsive audiogenic epilepsy. The control group was used Wistar rats without seizures after acoustic stimulation. The number of neuroglia and neurons was estimated in motor cortex of Wistar rats predisposed to convulsive audiogenic epilepsy and in motor neocortex of Wag/Rij rats predisposed to non-convulsive absence-epilepsy. The adult animals were placed into the box and treated by standard complex («multipeak») sound with a frequency range of 13–85 kHz and mean intensity 50–60 dB for 90 s. After two months of treating the rats with the intensity convulsive activity were decapitated, brain was fixed and frontal slices of forebrain were stained by Nissle method. A total 16 animals were studied.Results: The density of neurons in brain of WAG/Rij rats was higher (24 %) than in brain of Wistar rats (untreated group). There was no difference between the groups in density of glia in motor cortex, whereas the number of glia in corpus callosum of WAG/Rij rats was higher (26.9 %) than in Wistar rats. There was no statistically significant variation in the number of neurons and satellite glia in brain of Wistar rats in either predisposed or resistant to convulsive audiogenic epilepsy (the treated group or untreated group). However the density of diffuse glia cells or «free» glia in audiogenic rats was greater (11 %) than in untreated group. There was no difference in density of glia in corpus callosum.Conclusions: The predisposition to epilepsy is correlated with increase in density of neuroglia in motor cortex (Wistar rats) and in corpus callosum (WAG/Rij rats). We suggest that gliosis in motor cortex precedes the epilepsy status and provides increased excitability for neurons, their readiness for synchronization of electrical activity due to increased axon myelinization

The Effect of Interferon-Alfa on Behavior of Young and Old Rats

Proceedings of the 9th International Multidisciplinary Conference «Stress and Behavior» Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 16–19 May 2005.Interferon alfa (IA) has a wide spectrum of action and is used in clinic for preventive maintenance and treatment of virus diseases. Recent data show that IA, being an active neuroimmune modulator, exerts direct influences on functioning of various brain structures. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of IA at various doses on rat behavior at different ages.Methods: Animals were studies in the open field test. 33 animals were tested: three groups of young rats (4 months) and three groups of old rats (20 months). For 30 days daily, all experimental animals were injected intranasal water solution of IA (Lokferon, Biomed, Russia): two groups (young and old rats) received 10 IU and two groups (young and old rats) 350 IU of IA. Control groups received the same volume of distilled water. Animals were tested thrice in the open field: before the injection of interferon (day 0), on day 8 and 16, assessing locomotion activity (squares crossed), exploration (quantity and time of racks), searching-locomotion activity (hole-poking), duration of grooming and freezing.Results: Behavioral dynamics of all young animal groups were unaltered by IA. In contrast, all old animal groups showed reduced locomotion and exploration, compared to the young animals. In addition, in the old animal groups, interferon at 10 and 350 IU on the day 16, increased the duration of freezing and grooming. These results clearly demonstrate differential age-specific effects of IA on rat behavior, showing higher uneasiness of behavior in the old group on day 16 of IA treatment. The study was supported by the grant RHF 04–06-00217а

Long-term Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of the Corneal Endothelium after Anterior Radial Keratotomy

Purpose. To determine the long-term status of the corneal endothelium after anterior radial keratotomy. Patients and methods. The main group consisted of 69 patients (104 eyes) who underwent radial or radial-tangential keratotomy to correct myopia and myopic astigmatism an average of 23,1±2,8 years ago (range 16 to 30 years). The average age of patients was 53,8±5,7 years (range 39 to 65 years). The number of keratotomy scars ranged from 4 to 14. Repeated keratotomy was performed on 8 eyes. The control group consisted of 56 patients (110 eyes) aged from 39 to 64 years(average 54,2±4,3 years) with refractive-axial myopia from medium to high stage, whom potentially could be done anterior keratotomy in the 90th of the last century. Patients with concomitant pathology and ocular trauma that could lead to loss ofendothelial cells were excluded from both groups. Corneal endothelium cell densit y, polimegatizm, pleomorphism in addition to standard eye examination were performed to all patients with the help of contactless endothelial microscope «EM-3000» company Tomey (Japan). Results. In the control group endothelial cell densit y averaged 2734,8±121,2 cells /mm2, in the main group — 2134,2±299,1 cells/mm2 (p <0,05), in group after repeated keratotomy — 1679,9±327,3 cells/mm2 (p≤0,0001). Endothelial cell densit y in patients with biomicroscopic signs of intraoperative perforation of the cornea — an average of 2012,2±245,7 cells/mm2, without signs of perforation — 2378,4±242,9 cells/mm2. In the main group the coefficient of variation averaged 0,47±0,06, in the control group — 0,28±0,03 (p<0,05). In the main group percentage of hexagonal cells averaged 37,9±9,4, in the control group — 69,2±6,3 (p<0,05). Conclusions. Anterior keratotomy leads to a significant reduction in the endothelial cell densit y, increasing the size and coefficient of variation, decreasing percentageof hexagonal cells in the long-term. Endothelial cell densit y is significantly lower in patients after repeated keratotomy and in patients with the signs of corneal intraoperative perforations

The problem of bankruptcy of business entities as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to perform an economic and legal analysis of the problem of insolvency (bankruptcy) of business entities in conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/Methodology/Approach: Utilizing general scientific (systemic, dialectical and sociological) and specific scientific (normative-logical, comparative-legal, technical-legal, legal statistics) methods of researching economic and legal phenomena, the authors analyzed the concept and basic prerequisites for insolvency (bankruptcy) of entrepreneurial structures, the measures for the introduction of a moratorium on the bankruptcy of business entities undertaken by the Governments of Russia and Germany are considered and evaluated. Findings: As a result of the study, the authors concluded that during a pandemic, the risk factor for bankruptcy of business entities significantly increases and it is necessary to take measures to prevent the bankruptcy of business entities. The introduction of a moratorium on the bankruptcy of economic entities served as such measures in Russia and Germany. For these purposes, an appropriate regulatory and legal framework was created, providing for a ban on the introduction of bankruptcy procedures of certain economic entities. Practical Implications: The authors proposed introducing extra measures to prevent the bankruptcy of business entities in Russia in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, it was proposed to borrow foreign experience and introduce a moratorium on the obligation to file an application by a debtor - a business entity to declare it a bankrupt, to fix a regulatory moratorium on filing applications to the arbitration court for the recognition of business entities as bankrupt by tax authorities. Originality/Value: State policy to prevent the bankruptcy of business entities in the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 restrictions significantly affects the number of bankruptcies of business entities due to the pandemic. In this regard, measures to prevent mass bankruptcy of entrepreneurs are an important factor in maintaining the stability of the state's economy.peer-reviewe