The discovery of the pyramidal neurons: Vladimir Betz and a new era of neuroscience

As a consequence of nascent technology, the 19th century witnessed a profound change in orientation to the nervous system. For example, improved microscopy in the first half of the 19th century allowed high magnification without blurring. The subsequent observation of nucleated cells led to the identification of individual brain cells. Philosophical changes in approach to the natural sciences took their lead from those applied to physical observations. The Ukrainian anatomist and histologist, Vladimir Alekseyevich Betz (1834-94) played a pivotal role in reshaping scientific and philosophical approaches to the brain, connecting cerebral localization, function and brain microstructure. Betz revolutionized methods of cell fixation and staining. Sometimes his efforts yielded enormously complicated technological improvements. Betz's greatest contribution, however, was connecting his discovery of the function of giant pyramidal neurons of the primary motor cortex ('cells of Betz') with the cortical organization. Considering cortical cytoarchitectonics in relation with physiological function, Betz recognized this organization in two areas: motor and sensory. He defined a functional area on histological grounds and thereby opened the way to study precise cortical areas. Betz participated in the scientific transformation of cytoarchitectonics based on macro- and microscopic studies of the cortical surface, enabling him to view the paths of nerve cells in the brain. Betz's influence allowed systemization of scattered scientific findings. The discovery of pyramidal cells was a turning point in the prevailing philosophical and scientific approach to the brain, linking cytoarchitecture, neurophysiology and cerebral localization.

[Scientific basis of national strategy concept in primary glaucoma control in Ukraine]

The results of research substantiated National strategy conception of primary glaucoma control in Ukraine, determined the aims and tasks, organizational system and functional connections among subjects, which are drawn into its realization according to the requirements of WHO.

[Managing epidemic risk in the Ukraine: new approaches and development strategies]

A concept is presented of development of the epidemiological service in Ukraine. It is based on modern informative computer technologies of epidemic risk management and epidemic situation assessment. On the basis of mathematical modelling and theory of optimal control a new approach has been worked out for epidemic risk estimation and forecasting of epidemic situation development. Figs: 8. Tabl: 1. Refs: 43.

[Methodology for the comprehensive evaluation of the quality of performance of activities of medical and social experts]

The paper scientifically substantiates methodology, approaches, criteria, and control indices for assessment of activities of establishments of medical-and-social performance. Most indices for efficiency and certain indices for week points in the work of establishments of the service depend on interaction thereof with curative- and prophylactic institutions; the best results with the problem of prevention of disability and rehabilitation of invalids are supposed to be achieved through collaborative efforts. Other criteria and intermediate indices having an effect on the quality of activities reflect the resource- and trained personnel supplies of establishments of the service, amount of work, organizational measures designed to raise the quality of medical-and-social expert performance.

[Role of health personnel in reformation of the service of medical and social experts]

The article analyzes the present-day status of medical-and-social expert performance service delivery, those contingents of invalids on their care, with ways outlined for the service formation. Shown in the article is the role of sectorial science in the working out of theoretical and scientific-and-applied problems of reformation of the service organization, in carrying out medical-and-social expert evaluation and rehabilitation of invalids, validation of the legal and standard basis of the service reformation and optimization of management thereof.

[Current problems of social psychiatry in Ukraine]

Statistical data on mental diseases in Ukraine are presented, main trends of development of social psychiatry are outlined, ways for reformation of the social-and-psychiatric service are submitted.

[A concept of the public health service development--strategy for the development of the branch reformation]

A consideration is given to the issue of adoption of the conception of the health service development; its objectives are highlighted together with strategic lines of activity and tasks in the field of State policy, economics, organization and management of the branch, the decisions on which items are to be made on the programme basis. Main achievements at the routes of reforming the branch are described.

[Psychiatric care act of Ukraine and issues concerning reformation of the mental health protection service]

An analysis was performed of the conception and content of a new Psychiatric Care Act by making a comparison with data from published literature and the present-day status of the mental health protection service. The main features of the crisis of psychiatry in Ukraine are characterized together with possible ways of resolving it. Main trends in reformation of the psychiatric service are identified that are to be secured by relevant acts of departmental and interdepartmental character based on law. Priority is emphasized to defence of the patients' rights and liberties together with a need for a guarantee of a highly skilled medical care to be provided for mental patients.

[Methodological approaches toward higher safety of hemotransfusion therapy]

Safety of haemotransfusions remains a challenge in modern transfusion medicine. Methodological approaches toward eliminating risks for haemotransfusion complications include a wider employment of principles of haemocomponent therapy, prevention of a possibility of infections contamination of blood and its components, deleukocytation of blood components, categorizing of donors by phenotypes, registering those donors having been phenotyped, categorizing of potential recipients by phenotypes, screening of alloimmune antierythrocytic antibodies in donors, sick and pregnant women, introduction of autodonation on a wide scale.

[The use of liposomal form of phenylimide of cis-aconitic acid in herpes therapy]

The results of study of the antiviral activity and pharmacokinetics of phenylimide of cis-aconitic acid (PCAA) is presented. The 20% increase of the antiviral activity of PCAA incorporated into liposomes in comparison with the antiviral activity of the pure substance was shown. Liposomes with PCAA were tropic to lymphocytes and macrophages with maximum fluorescence being observed in the spleen, while empty liposomes were accumulated mainly in the liver. After the treatment with liposomal PCAA the symptoms of herpetic meningoencephalitis became less severe with 100% survival of the experimental animals. In the control group of rabbits 50% of the animals died, and in the surviving animals blindness or paralysis developed.

[The status of and developmental outlook for sports medicine and therapeutic physical exercise in Ukraine]

The sports medicine service in Ukraine, its structure, priority tasks, manpower potential, extent and quality of care-giving to sportsmen and those individuals engaged in physical culture over the period 1997-1998 are detailed. Case follow-up findings are submitted together with indices for medical and biological supplies to sportsmen. Ways for further improvement of the sports medicine service are outlined.

[The history of the development of sports medicine and therapeutic physical exercise in Ukraine]

The article focuses on stages of the history of development of sports medicine and remedial gymnastics in Ukraine. Shown in the article is a high level development of physical culture and its medical maintenance in Ukraine in the beginning of the 20th century. A valuable contribution to the development of remedial gymnastics and sports medicine was made, among others, by Professors O. V. Pocharovska, V. T. Stovbun, I. P. Kalistov, Yu. A. Chiyak, H. L. Apanasenko, S. A. Dushanin, V. V. Klapchuk, V. F. Shapovalova. The role sports medicine has in enhancement of capacity for work and maintenance of health of sportsmen is shown.

[The role of immunological mechanisms in the development of the late sequelae of nuclear disasters]

Effects, both specific and non-specific, were analysed of ionizing radiation in a comparative evaluation of medical sequels of the Chernobyl disaster and of the Semipalatinsk Range nuclear test. A hypothesis is advanced assuming that development of all major bodily morbid conditions is directly related to the dysfunction of certain complex of organs, the thyroid gland in the first place, the thymus gland known to be a central organ of systemic immunogenesis. A breach in the thymus link triggers harmful cascade reactions of neuroimmunoendocrinological regulation, appeared to be responsible for the pathogenesis of practically all pathologies disclosed.

[Comparative hemodynamic aspects in acute myocardial infarctions with various clinical patterns]

The so-called safe course of acute myocardial infarction was shown to be associated with reduced left ventricular stroke output, changed phasic pattern of the systole, and peripheral arterial constriction. In infarction-related acute left-ventricular failure, a clear dissociation can be seen between the pumping function of the right and left ventricles. These changes are further aggravated by increased circulating blood volume and pulmonary blood quantity, and lowered arterial and venous flow rate. Paravascular edema adds to generalized vasoconstriction. Hypertension in the pulmonary artery network implies additional effort for right ventricular myocardium and thus prevents blood overflow to lesser circulation veins and left compartments of the heart.