Epileptic Focus in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Structure, Organization, and Pathophysiology

The chapter focuses on how different cutting-edge techniques can be used to study electrophysiological, pathomorphological, and biochemical changes in the “epileptic focus” area of the cerebral cortex and white matter to see how epileptic seizures become drug-resistant and how it affects the other regions of the brain. The authors highlight the significance of neuroinflammation and apoptosis in the epilepsy pathogenesis providing EEG characteristics and describing structural changes in the cortex and white matter under such conditions as focal cortical dysplasia and epileptic leukoencephalopathy. Particular focus is given to structural and functional changes in the hippocampus and the role of hippocampal sclerosis in epilepsy. Key conceptions regarding the epileptic focus formation are outlined

CSF Bypass Surgery in Children with Hydrocephalus: Modern Possibilities, Prospects and Ways of Solving the Correction of Complications

The chapter discusses modern and promising approaches to the use of CSF shunting operations in children. CSF shunting operations remain the only effective method for correcting persistent CSF circulation disorders in CSF resorption disorders with the development of intracranial hypertension and hydrocephalus. The chapter is devoted to general ideas about CSF dynamics and biomechanical properties of the craniospinal system that affect CSF dynamics, and gives a pathogenetic assessment of CSF dynamics in the development of intracranial hypertension and hydrocephalus. Aspects of genetics and genomics of anomalies in hydrocephalus are touched upon. Pathological changes in the brain around old ventricular shunts are described. The authors consider the types of CSF shunting operations for hydrocephalus in children. Possible complications of CSF shunting operations are analyzed with the algorithm for their correction and management tactics for this group of patients

Express Diagnostics of Proteolytic Activity of Periodontopathogens—Methodological Approach

The species spectrum of the oral microbiome is considered to be the key factor in the development and progression of periodontal inflammatory disorders. The “red complex” including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola has the highest pathogenic potential. These bacteria have several biochemical mechanisms that allow them to colonize and destroy periodontal tissues. Proteolytic enzymes play a crucial role in this process. Early diagnosis of pathological conditions induced by microbial contamination allows for the timely treatment of periodontitis. Otherwise, the development of the disease may lead to tooth loss. A total of 48 patients aged 18 to 65 years old who required professional oral hygiene were recruited for this clinical study. Microbial content analysis of dental plaque from the interdental space and the back of the tongue was performed using real-time PCR. To determine the proteolytic activity of oral bacteria, the new express diagnostic method was applied (diagnostic sensitivity, 0.875; specificity, 0.928). The results demonstrate a strong and significant correlation between the new method and the PCR analysis (r = 0.785, p < 0.001). These results show that the new express method can be valuable as an early diagnostic method for periodontal inflammatory disorders caused by the “red complex” bacteria