The theory of systemic and dynamic localization higher mental functions by Lev Vygotsky Alexander Luria was based on the data obtained via an original method, syndrome analysis deficits in patients with local brain injury. When this being constructed, technical methods for investigation were only their early stages. Although later years his disciples pointed out that such prominent further deve...

Contemporary psychiatry is becoming more biologically oriented in the attempt to elicit a biological rationale of mental diseases. Although mental disorders comprise mostly functional abnormalities, there is a substantial overlap between neurology and psychiatry in addressing cognitive disturbances. In schizophrenia, the presence of cognitive impairment prior to the onset of psychosis and early...

Staphylococcus aureus phage ISP was lyophilized, using an Amsco-Finn Aqua GT4 freeze dryer, in the presence of six different stabilizers at different concentrations. Stability of the lyophilized phage at 4 °C was monitored up to 37 months and compared to stability in Luria Bertani broth and physiological saline at 4 °C. Sucrose and trehalose were shown to be the best stabilizing additives, caus...

The intimate relationships of viruses and genes have been proper subjects of speculation for many years. More recently, genetic studies, especially on bacteriophages and bacteria have given concrete substance to some of these speculations. For this occasion a brief didactic review of some relevant experimental findings may be appropriate. The support that they can give to concept and methodolog...

The concept of "extra-cortical organization of higher mental functions" proposed by Lev Vygotsky and expanded by Alexander Luria extends cultural-historical psychology regarding the interplay of natural and cultural factors in the development of the human mind. Using the example of self-regulation, the authors explore the evolution of this idea from its origins to recent findings on the neurops...

The purple-coloured pigment violacein, produced mainly by bacteria of the genus Chromobacterium, had attracted and increased interest owing to its important biological activities and pharmacological potential. In the present study experiments were designed to investigate the effect of different fermentation conditions on the violacein production by novel isolate Chromobacterium vaccinii CV5. Di...