bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Etnocentryczne zachowania nabywcze miejskich srebrnych singli w Polsce
Authors: Zalega Tomasz
Published: March 2024

Artykuł ma charakter badawczy i dotyczy analizy zjawiska etnocentryzmu konsumenckiego wśród miejskich srebrnych singli w Polsce. Jego podstawowym celem jest identyfikacja wpływu etnocentryzmu konsumenckiego na przebieg procesu decyzyjnego samotnych osób starszych. W pierwszej części tekstu wyjaśniono pojęcie i istotę trendu konsumenckiego, jakim jest etnocentryzm konsumencki. W dalszej części opracowania skoncentrowano się na konceptualizacji badań oraz opisie próby badawczej i jej cech charakterystycznych. Z kolei w ostatniej części tekstu, w oparciu o przeprowadzone badania, podjęto się próby uchwycenia zachowań konsumenckich samotnych seniorów wpisujących się w ideę etnocentryzmu konsumenckiego. Z informacji uzyskanych z obu etapów przeprowadzonego badania wynika, że postawy etnocentryczne wśród srebrnych singli występują najczęściej na rynku produktów żywnościowych, zaś w mniejszym stopniu uwidaczniają się one w przypadku zakupu produktów nieżywnościowych. Natomiast natężenie tych postaw zależy od cech demograficzno-społecznych respondentów. Postawy etnocentryczne w swoich decyzjach konsumenckich częściej wykazują samotni mężczyźni niż seniorki. Wybór produktów krajowych wymaga od konsumentów posiadania pewnej wiedzy społeczno-ekonomicznej, która pozwoli im na podjęcie decyzji zakupu w sposób przemyślany, zgodny z własnymi preferencjami i odczuciami. Natomiast w postawach etnocentrycznych obok elementu poznawczego, jakim jest wiedza (również przekonania), duże znaczenie mają także elementy psychologiczne (afektywne – uczucia), które pozostają z tym pierwszym w ścisłym związku i harmonii.
Analysis of exhaled breath condensate in patients with asthma and recurrent wheezing
Authors: Kolisnyk Viktoriia , Odynets Yuriy
Published: March 2024

Wheezing is the most common clinical symptom of bronchial obstructive syndrome. The functions of pulmonary surfactant (PS) depend directly on the level of total phospholipids (TP). This can be used to assess the integrity of the cell membrane structure.
Objective. To determine the level of total phospholipids and calcium in exhaled breath condensate in young children with recurrent wheezing and asthma.
Materials and methods. The study included 77 patients divided into 3 groups. Group 1 included 30 patients (20 girls and 10 boys) with no more than 2 episodes of recurrent wheezing in their lifetime; Group 2 -10 patients (6 boys and 4 girls) with more than 3 episodes of recurrent wheezing, and 37 patients (15 girls, 22 boys) with asthma. The control group consisted of 20 conditionally healthy children (11 girls, 9 boys). All patients were aged from 3 months to 6 years. The determination of phospholipid levels and calcium (Ca) in the exhaled breath condensate was performed in dynamics - during the period of clinical manifestations and remission.
Results. The level of phospholipids in the exhaled breath condensate was the highest in patients of all groups at the stage of clinical manifestations compared with the period of remission, while its lowest level was noted in the control group. During the peak of the disease, the level of Ca in the exhaled breath condensate was significantly lower compared to the period of remission. The control group had the highest level.
Conclusions. The exhaled breath condensate's high level of phospholipids in the first days of the disease confirms cell damage in the presence of inflammation. Additionally, the exhaled breath condensate's Ca level is lowest during this period, possibly indicating its involvement in cell damage
Body mass index, lipid profile, and endothelial dysfunction gene polymorphism in women with early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia
Authors: Loskutova Tetiana , Petulko Albina , Donskaya Yuliya
Published: March 2024

The aim: to investigate and analyze clinical parameters, laboratory biomarkers of lipid metabolism and endothelial dysfunction gene polymorphisms in early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia and to identify potential risk factor(s) for the development of early-onset preeclampsia.
Materials and methods: a prospective case-control study included 133 women in the second half of pregnancy, including 46 with early-onset (EOP) and 87 with late-onset preeclampsia (LOP) and 34 conditionally healthy pregnant women with an uncomplicated obstetric history and no risk factors for preeclampsia. Concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides in blood plasma were determined. Genetic polymorphisms of endothelial dysfunction (192 Q→R PON-1, 677 C→ T MTHFR) were studied using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction.
Results: Early-onset preeclampsia is associated with an increased relative risk: preterm delivery by 2.08 times (95 % CI 1.48-2.93), operative delivery by 2.2 times (95 % CI 1.46-3.33), early operative delivery by 2.9 times (95 % CI 1.5-5.5), fetal distress during delivery by 3.78 times (95 % CI 1.2-11.9), a low score on the Apgar scale on the 1st minute, less than 6 points, by 2.59 times (95 % CI 1.84-3.66), on the 5th minute – 5.04 times (95 % CI 1.41-18.11), Grade III prematurity – 13.24 times (95 % CI 3.14-55.78) compared to women with late-onset preeclampsia. The study found that overweight was more often observed in patients with EOP (34.8 %) than in those with normal pregnancy (15.9 %) (p=0.02; OR=2.8; 95 % CI 1.03-7.7), obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) was more often recorded in those with LOP (33.33 %) than in the control group (3 (6.8 %)) (p=0.02; OR=6.8; 95 % CI 1.9-23.9). Patients in both groups with preeclampsia showed signs of dyslipidemia, but its significance in the development of early-onset or late-onset preeclampsia has not been separately proven. The study found that the number of carriers of MTHFR 677 TT in the group with EOP prevailed over the indicator of C group where there were no carriers of the pathological homozygote 677TT (p<0.05, OR= 20.73 95 % CI 1.16-371.28), and the T allele in the EOP group occurs 1.78 times more often than in the LOP group (p<0.05, OR=2.22; 95 % CI 1.26-3.88) and 2.43 times more often than in the C group (P<0.05, or= 3.15; 95 % CI 1.54-6.45).
Conclusions: Factors of early onset of PE include pre-pregnancy, overweight, first pregnancy, a history of preeclampsia, and carrier of the 677T allele of the MTHFR gene
Evidence of Karol Wojtyła’s thought formation as preserved in archival materials
Authors: Petryszak Karol
Published: March 2024

The purpose of the present article is to present selected differences between two versions of the endings of Karol Wojtyła’s postdoctoral dissertation Ocena możliwości zbudowania etyki chrześcijańskiej przy założeniach systemu Maksa Schelera. The endings are available in the archival materials deposited in the Archives of the Metropolitan Curia in Krakow. On the basis of the differences indicated, the author defends the thesis that in the later version of the ending Wojtyła softened and nuanced his attitude to Max Scheler’s philosophy as well as to phenomenology as a research method. The article also takes up clues pointing to a change in philosophical attitude that took place in Karol Wojtyła’s philosophy in the 1950s. This change shifts from a strictly metaphysical attitude – based on Thomistic metaphysics – to a strictly anthropological attitude, which is founded on Thomistic metaphysics. In the anthropological attitude, Wojtyła finds much greater application capabilities for the phenomenological method, but ultimately the results obtained through it depend on their compatibility with the metaphysical background of his philosophy.
Wojtyła’s view on Kant’s formalism and Scheler’s material ethics of value, or the ethics of material duty
Authors: Merecki Jarosław
Published: March 2024

The article presents the concept of ethics developed by Karol Wojtyła in his polemic against the ethical systems of Immanuel Kant and Max Scheler. Wojtyła negatively evaluates Scheler’s system as a tool for scientific interpretation of the Christian ethics, and at the same time as a tool for interpreting the experience of morality as such. However, he does not negatively evaluate the phenomenological method itself, which, in his opinion, is an indispensable tool in the analysis of moral facts. Moreover, Wojtyła proposes that this method should be applied even more consistently than Scheler himself did. This is because in his – partly justified – polemic with Kant, Scheler went too far in excluding the normative moment from the experience of morality. Wojtyła argues that the very phenomenological analysis of experience – above all, the judgments of conscience – shows that normativity is given in the originary experience of morality.
Karol Wojtyła’s dispute with Max Scheler over the concept and role of conscience in morality
Authors: Biesaga Tadeusz
Published: March 2024

The article, following Karol Wojtyła’s study of Max Scheler’s ethics in his habilitation dissertation, reveals the above-mentioned phenomenologist’s overly narrow view of ethical experience and, for this reason, a narrow and erroneous account of conscience and its role in morality. Scheler’s narrowing of his analyses of ethical experience down to the emotional experience of values and insight into their essence led, as a consequence, to the exclusion of the causality of the real subject of action, i.e. to the exclusion of the objective desire for good, which is an act of self-determination guided by the fact of moral duty and the categorical normativity of conscience. Scheler equated “wanting good” with “the emotional feeling that I am good”. However, the emotional, passive experiencing of values alone is not the causation and performance of an act. The performance of an act is about good as such, permeated by value and moral duty along with the categorical imperative of conscience.  The moral goodness of an act internally permeates the entire dynamism of its performance. The explanation for this kind of personal fulfilment in the act is the potentiality and realization of the nature of the human person. Thus, in the ethical experience, we are dealing not only with the emotional experience of value, but with the experience of moral duty, with the experience of the norm, including the one closest to us, that is, the imperative of conscience, with the involvement of our will towards the performance of a valuable and morally commanded act, as the apex of personal fulfilment.
Implications of Reductive Anthropology for Religion (The perspective of Catholic personalism in Poland at the turn of the 20th and 21st Centuries)
Authors: Bochenek Krzysztof
Published: March 2024

Experiencing the drama of being internally conflicted, postmodern people move away not only from God and religion, but also from the nature of other people. And yet, man cannot exist in an ideological or religious vacuum. This article reflects on the anthropological roots of the negation and affirmation of God and religion. The truth about religion is inextricably linked to the truth about man, and the question of perceiving man as a religious being is one of the important issues of philosophical anthropology.
Education for Responsible Freedom in the Teaching of Karol Wojtyła – John Paul II
Authors: Rynio Alina
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this article is an attempt to show, based on selected excerpts from the works of Karol Wojtyła – John Paul II, the specificity of education oriented towards discovering the truth about a man as a worthy, free and responsible being, in need of upbringing. The performed analyses make it possible to see in responsible freedom, the axiological category and the basic attributes of human existence in its relation to the essence of education, the mature humanity of a person and the present day. They indicate the unquestionable value of the message of Karol Wojtyła -John Paul II, in this regard.
Christian Spiritual Formation towards Holiness
Authors: Hanes Pavel , Hanesová Dana
Published: March 2024

Freedom is one of the most fervently fought for values and, at the same time, the very idea of freedom belongs to concepts that are essentially contested. This situation is a part of human brokenness, and in Christian formation, it has to be seriously dealt with. According to the popular view, ‘holiness’ is a life-negating and judgmental attitude towards everything ‘normal.’ In biblical usage, it connotes belonging to God as a gift in Christ. Spiritual formation begins with a biblical explanation of freedom and holiness. A Christian worldview has to be the background to Christian formation, functioning as a correction of the commonly- accepted naturalistic worldview. A personal experiential relationship with God is the key to successful growth towards realistic and practical holiness in daily life. ‘Dos and don’ts’ that usually arise at the beginning of religious education shall be experienced as liberating instructions, if they are offered as guidance to a fully persuaded mind and a devotedly loving heart.
Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko – a Priest and a Highly Regarded Sociologist
Authors: Borutka Tadeusz , Ciapka Adam
Published: March 2024

Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko is a priest of the Archdiocese of Kraków, where he was brought up and educated. As a priest, he worked in the pastoral ministry and then studied not only in Poland, but also in Rome. As a sociologist, he taught at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków. He is the author of more than twenty publications in the above-mentioned areas of sociology. Since 1987 he has worked in the Holy See, first in the Polish Section of the Secretariat of State, and then in the Pontifical Council for the Laity. He has been raised to the dignity of Bishop and Cardinal. On 20 December 2016, Pope Francis appointed him archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major – Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the four papal basilicas of Rome.
Ecological Environmentalism in Geg Ary Suharsani's Kunang-Kunang Hitam
Authors: Nida Nushrotun , Rahayu Mundi
Published: March 2024

The Tamblingan land conflict is closely related to the investment trend heading towards Bali’s upstream area. Investors are converting Tamblingan forest land into hotels and tourism to reap the benefits of nature tourism in the most natural forest. This issue is discussed in the novel Kunang-Kunang Hitam by Geg Ary Suharsani. This paper aims to describe the struggle of the female character Ni Luh Candri in the Tamblingan land conflict as narrated in the novel Kunang-Kunang Hitam (KKH). This study uses a Susan Griffin perspective ecofeminism approach. The results of this study indicate that the struggle of the female character Ni Luh Candri in defending the Tamblingan forest is divided into two forms: Ni Luh Candri’s struggles related to nature, such as refusing land conversion, protecting rare plants, symbolic communication to fireflies and Ni Luh Candri’s struggles related to nature humanistic environment, such as becoming Leak, burning incense, displaying rangda mask, and advocating for communities around the forest. This research proves that women can take various important actions (ecological environmentalism) to preserve the environment.
Affixations in Javanese Transitive Verbs that Change the Constituents from Divalent to Trivalent
Authors: Sapran Aditya Rizky Wibisono , Muttaqin Syariful
Published: March 2024

This paper aims to describe the affixations in Javanese transitive verbs that affect the valency of a sentence from divalent to trivalent. Other studies have explored the grammaticality of transitive verbs’ valency, but none have investigated the details of Javanese verbs’ morphological structure in relation to the phonemic structure. The data are extracted from Javanese transcription of YouTube videos and certain magazine articles. This paper employs a generative qualitative method equipped with various technical analyses. The analysis includes investigations of several forms of affixation in Javanese transitive verbs that result in a shift regarding a sentence’s valency. The analysis continues by addressing similarities in the verb phonemes that exhibit a certain affixation. The findings show at least three forms of prefix, five forms of vowel modification, and two forms of suffixes that can add a sentence’s argument when applied in a specific composition of phonemes.
Perilaku Memilih Kelompok Disabilitas dalam Pemilihan Presiden 2019 di Kota Surabaya
Authors: Fajrin Muchzanan Amryansyah
Published: March 2024

Banyak ditemukan adanya kesenjangan antara pemilih kelompok disabilitas dengan pemilih normal pada setiap pemilihan umum di Indonesia. Pemilih disabilitas menjadi nomor sekian dan terabaikan dari potret politik elektoral. Terbukti, tidak ditemukan hasil penelitian yang memiliki atensi untuk melihat perilaku kelompok pemilih disabilitas sejauh ini. Dari sini, diangkat sebuah topik Perilaku Memilih Kelompok Disabilitas dalam Pemilihan Presiden 2019 di Kota Surabaya. Rumusan tersebut bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana perilaku “memilih” kelompok disabilitas dalam pemilihan Presiden 2019. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif, statistik deskriptif serta kuesioner dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian, ditemukan bahwa  50%, pemilih disabilitas kritis, 22,7 %, pemilih tradisional, 21,4 %, pemilih skeptis dan  4,8 % dan jawaban tidak tahu atau tidak jawab 1,2%.  Data lain, meunjukkan, menurut karakterisitik responden maupun hubungan dengan pertanyaan lainya, yaitu  faktor yang paling mempengaruhi pilihan kelompok disabilitas ialah pengalaman / kinerja presiden dan wakil presiden 33%, latar belakang calon 18%, visi dan misi dan program kerja 17%, selanjutnya yakni keluarga 12%, tokoh agama setempat 9%, dan 5% menjawab partai politik pengusung dan uang / hadiah.
Irony in F.M. Dostoevsky’s Novel The Brothers Karamazov: Functional-and-Semantic Aspect
Authors:   Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Vaulina Svetlana , Bulataya Elena ,   Baranovichi State University
Published: March 2024

The article deals with the phenomenon of irony in a literary work. Irony is viewed in the study as one of the text-forming categories of hidden character, which performs the role of a meaningful component in the fictional text. It forms the semantic plan of the literary work and realizes the author's implicit evaluation. The place and role of irony in F.M. Dostoevsky's novel The Brothers Karamazov are defined: irony is expressed within the author's implicit evaluation of the characters' relationship among themselves and their attitude to certain facts of reality, as well as in the writer's direct assessment of the personal qualities of the characters. At the same time, through irony the writer reveals not only the violation of ethical norms by the characters of the novel, but also their negative moral values. It is established that in order to actualize ironic evaluation the author of the work combines in one context a number of mechanisms of ironic meaning formation: double antithesis; antithesis combined with an illogical conclusion; contextual reinterpretation of the lexeme meaning in conjunction with antithesis. The complexity of the mechanisms of irony realisation in the novel imparts a sophisticated multifaceted character to the writer's assessment.
Lexical Features of Students’ Russian Speech in Multicultural Region
Authors:   Astrakhan Tatishchev State University, Lapteva Maria
Published: March 2024

The topic of the article is conditioned by the relevance of the Russian language performance in the polycultural space of the region. The purpose is to describe how various native (ethnical) languages influence the lexical consistency of Russian students' speech. The research material was the author's collection (about 200 units), which is based on recordings of spontaneous informal speech of students from Astrakhan Tatishchev State University. The informants were 120 philology students who study in multinational academic groups including Russians, Kazakhs, Tatars, Kalmyks, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Turkmens, Georgians, Armenians, as well as representatives of various ethnic groups from Dagestan. Using the methods of participant observation and questioning, data on the students' speech lexical composition were obtained and further correlated with the codified lexicographic information. It was found out that ordinary students' speech is infiltrated with regionally marked units, such as jargon and vernacular words, that reflect lingua-cultural environment of the region; Astrakhan dialectisms (astrakhanisms) of Turkic origin; borrowings from native languages of students, exotic words (mainly gastronimisms) resulting from the cross-cultural interactions in students' community. The results can be employed for sociolinguistic and intercultural communication studies.
Adaptación universitaria en estudiantes de primer año de una universidad pública de Ica – Perú
Authors: Okamoto Alejandra Midori Tataje , Hernández Katia Marilyn Chacaltana , Guevara Silvana Graciela Varela
Published: March 2024

Objetivo: Identificar os níveis de adaptação universitária e suas dimensões em alunos do primeiro ano de uma universidade pública de Ica. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo e básico, descritivo-comparativo. Participaram 610 alunos das seguintes áreas: área de ciências e engenharias, área da saúde e área de ciências sociais e humanas. Para a coleta de dados, foi utilizado o Questionário de Experiência Acadêmica QVA-r. Resultados: Para a adaptação universitária obteve-se um nível médio com 57%, um nível alto com 25,1% e um nível baixo com 17,9%. O nível que prevaleceu nas dimensões foi o médio, obtendo na adaptação pessoal 51,6%, na adaptação interpessoal um nível médio de 43,9%, na adaptação à carreira um nível médio de 51,1%, na adaptação ao estudo um nível médio de 59,5% e na adaptação institucional um nível médio de 60,8%. Foram identificadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas: Encontrando uma melhor adaptação pessoal nos homens, não foram encontradas diferenças segundo a ocupação e em relação às áreas de estudo, identificou-se que os estudantes da área da saúde têm uma melhor adaptação à carreira e institucional. Conclusão: Verificou-se que a maioria dos alunos do primeiro ano é capaz de enfrentar e ajustar-se ao trabalho universitário complexo e, através desse processo, consegue o desenvolvimento de sua identidade e, por sua vez, uma ótima adaptação.
Children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) show impaired attentional control: evidence from an attentional capture paradigm
Authors: Deltour Laetitia , Barathon Marion , Quaglino Véronique , Vernier Marie‐Pierre , Despretz Pascal , Boucart Muriel , Berquin Patrick
Published: March 2024

Children with epilepsy often have attention deficits, even when epilepsy is idiopathic and benign. The mechanisms underlying attention deficits are still unknown and appear to be different between focal and generalized epilepsy. In this study, an attentional capture paradigm was used to study and compare one aspect of attentional control, the resistance to interference from distractors, in 18 children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), 18 children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy and 18 controls aged 7‐12 years. The results showed longer response times (RT) and more omissions in the two groups with epilepsy compared to controls. Attentional capture with longer response times in trials with a moving distractor compared to baseline condition with stationary distractors was found in both controls and children with epilepsy. The magnitude of interference from moving distractors was greater in the BECTS group than in the idiopathic generalized epilepsy group and in the controls group. These results suggest an impact of epilepsy on resistance to interference from distractors in children with BECTS.
Atypical case of Aicardi‐Goutières syndrome with late‐onset myoclonic status
Authors: Berger Andrea , Schroeter Christiane , Wiemer‐Kruel Adelheid , Strobl Karl , Hoffmann Georg F. , Rating Dietz , Lebon Pierre , Ernst Jan‐Peter , Wolf Nicole I.
Published: March 2024

Aicardi‐Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a rare, progressive, autosomal recessive encephalopathy characterised by basal ganglia calcifications, chronic CSF lymphocytosis, and negative serological investigations for the common prenatal infections. The clinical profile is characterised by acquired microcephaly, mild to severe cognitive delay and dystonia. Epilepsy is usually not prominent. We report on a 19‐year‐old patient with an atypical clinical course, characterized by a relatively benign presentation at onset. Epilepsy with complex‐focal seizures, possibly with a visual aura and sometimes with secondary generalization, started at the age of nine years. Clinical deterioration occurred later, and at the age of 17 years he experienced severe, generalized, myoclonic attacks lasting hours, which were partly controlled by the administration of piracetam.

[Published with video sequences]
Presurgical evaluation in refractory epilepsy secondary to meningitis or encephalitis: bilateral memory deficits often preclude surgery
Authors: Donaire Antonio , Carreno Mar , Agudo Rolando , Delgado Pilar , Bargalló Nuria , Setoaín Xavier , Boget Teresa , Raspall Toni , Falip Merce , Rumiá Jordi , Pintor Luis , Maestro Iratxe
Published: March 2024

We investigated the clinical features and surgical outcome of 17 patients with refractory epilepsy secondary to CNS infection who were referred to a tertiary center for presurgical evaluation. Six patients had a history of meningitis and 11 patients had a history of encephalitis. Median age at infection was three years (40 days‐40 years). Time to seizure onset was shorter in the encephalitis group (median of 0.9 years
versus
5.9 years in the meningitis group). MRI showed unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) in all but one patient with meningitis (5/6). MRI in the encephalitis group showed unilateral MTS (four patients), bilateral MTS (three), porencephalic cysts (one) or no significant findings (three). Seizure semiology, following analysis of 127 seizures, included automotor seizures, complex motor/hypermotor seizures, dialeptic seizures and bilateral asymmetric tonic seizures. Neuropsychological assessment in patients with MTS frequently showed bilateral memory impairment (7 out of 12 MTS‐patients), even in 4 patients with unilateral MTS, precluding epilepsy surgery. Six patients (two meningitis and four encephalitis patients) underwent a temporal lobe resection. All patients are either seizure‐free (Class 1a) or are having only auras after surgery. One patient from the meningitis group underwent functional hemispherectomy and he is also seizure‐free. In our series, MTS was the most common finding in refractory epilepsy after CNS infections. Bilateral memory deficits were often encountered in patients with MTS, even when unilateral, these deficits being a limiting factor for surgery. Good surgical outcome can be expected in selected patients with unilateral MTS and congruent memory deficits.
Non‐invasive alternatives to the Wada test in the presurgical evaluation of language and memory functions in epilepsy patients
Authors: Pelletier Isabelle , Sauerwein Hannelore C. , Lepore Franco , Saint‐Amour Dave , Lassonde Maryse
Published: March 2024

The cognitive outcome of the surgical removal of an epileptic focus depends on the assessment of the localisation and functional capacity of language and memory areas which need to be spared by the neurosurgeon. Traditionally, presurgical evaluation of epileptic patients has been achieved by means of the intracarotid amobarbital test assisted by neuropsychological measures. However, the advent of neuroimaging techniques has provided new ways of assessing these functions by means of non‐invasive or minimally invasive methods, such as anatomical and functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, single‐photon emission computed tomography, transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional transcranial Doppler monitoring, magnetoencephalography and near infrared spectroscopy. This paper aims at comparing and evaluating the traditional and recent preoperative approaches from a neuropsychological perspective.
Epilepsy in an elderly patient caused by Hashimoto's encephalopathy
Authors: Leyhe Thomas , Morawetz Carmen , Zank Meta , Buchkremer Gerhard , Eschweiler Gerhard W.
Published: March 2024

Late‐onset seizures are frequently caused by cerebrovascular disease, head trauma, degenerative disorders or CNS tumors. In one‐third of cases, the etiology remains obscure. In only 60‐70% of adult‐onset epilepsy is antiepileptic drug treatment successful. Although seizures are a well‐known symptom of Hashimoto's encephalopathy, it is rarely taken into consideration as differential diagnosis in epilepsy. We describe a 74‐year‐old patient with seizures and slowly progressive cognitive deterioration. Previous therapeutic attempts with carbamazepine, lamotrigine and topiramate had not been effective. We suspected Hashimoto's encephalopathy, which was treated with prednisolone 100 mg/d over 6 months. This regimen led to a cessation of the complex partial seizures and cognitive improvement. We conclude that Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a possible differential diagnosis in epilepsy in the elderly. Glucocorticoid treatment should be considered if there are no important contraindications.

Key words:
Hashimoto's encephalopathy, epilepsy in the elderly, glucocorticoid treatment, cognitive impairment
Paroxysmal tonic upgaze of childhood with co‐existent absence epilepsy
Authors: Luat Aimée F. , Asano Eishi , Chugani Harry T.
Published: March 2024

Paroxysmal tonic upgaze (PTU) is a childhood oculomotor syndrome of unclear etiology characterized by episodic tonic upward eye deviation with neck flexion. Neuroimaging findings are often normal and the electroencephalography during episodes is typically normal. We describe a 2‐year‐old boy who presented with macrocephaly, hypotonia, developmental delay and episodes of eye fluttering, head nodding and unresponsiveness. Video‐EEG captured absence seizures and he was treated with valproate, which led to improvement of his seizures. However, two weeks after treatment, he developed paroxysmal episodes of “eyes up and chin down” movements lasting for hours at a time which were captured by home video. The episodes were relieved by sleep and exacerbated by fever, stress and even tactile stimulation. Increasing the dose of valproate resulted in increased frequency of the episodes. A repeat video‐EEG disclosed the non‐epileptic nature of these events. Discontinuation of valproate dramatically decreased the episodes. This case illustrates that paroxysmal tonic upgaze of childhood may co‐exist with early onset absence epilepsy. Furthermore, valproate treatment may be associated with the development or unmasking of PTU suggesting that the pathophysiology of PTU may involve abnormal GABA neurotransmission.

[Published with videosequences]
Lingual epilepsia partialis continua in a girl
Authors: Vukadinovic Zoran , Hole Michael K. , Markand Omkar N. , Matt Bruce H. , Sokol Deborah K.
Published: March 2024

Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is characterized by focal seizures that cannot be stopped. The most common cause of EPC in children is Rasmussen's encephalitis. In this video case report, we describe an 11‐year old female with continuous lingual EPC for two years. She has shown no signs of Rasmussen's Encephalitis or other neurodegenerative process and structural MRI is normal.

[Published with video sequences]
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy starting in the eighth decade
Authors: Tóth Vanda , Rásonyi György , Fogarasi András , Kovács Norbert , Auer Tibor , Janszky Jószef
Published: March 2024

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) typically begins at age 10‐17 years. We present two patients, with no previous history of epileptic seizures, in whom JME began after the age of 70. The clinical picture of these patients did not differ from “typical” JME except for the patient's age and age at epilepsy‐onset. We suggest that not only symptomatic epilepsy, but also some idiopathic epilepsies, can begin or can be reactivated in elderly people. This may be more evidence that susceptibility to epileptic seizures is increased after 60 years of age.
Partial agenesis of the corpus callosum in a patient with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: Grewal Harpreet K. , Almullahassani Ameer , Grewal Jai , Slater Jeremy D.
Published: March 2024

We describe a patient who presented at our epilepsy‐monitoring unit with myoclonic jerks, and was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Imaging of his brain revealed partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC). We discuss the known genetic basis of both JME and ACC, as well as the role of the corpus callosum (CC) in primary generalized epilepsy. Both JME and ACC are associated with gene loci on chromosome 15q14. Structural brain abnormalities other than ACC, such as atrophy of the corpus callosum have been reported in patients with JME. ACC has been associated with seizures, suggesting an anti‐epileptogenic role of the corpus callosum. On the other hand, corpus callosotomy is used to treat refractory idiopathic generalized epilepsy, which shows that the corpus callosum may play an epileptogenic role. The occurrence of both these conditions in one patient raises the question of whether they are purely coincidental or if there is a common basis for both. Several issues need to be addressed: the mechanism of seizure generalization in the setting of partial ACC, the possible role of other structures in generalization, and whether the ACC contributes to epileptogenesis as a result of the lack of a normal CC inhibitory effect.
Blockade of androgen receptors is sufficient to alter the sexual differentiation of the substantia nigra pars reticulata seizurecontrolling network
Authors: Heida James G. , Velíšková Jana , Moshé Solomon L.
Published: March 2024

The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) controls seizures in a sex‐specific manner. At postnatal day 15 (P15), SNR infusion of GABA
A
receptor agonist muscimol have proconvulsant effects in males but not in females. In males, administration of an androgen receptor antagonist flutamide between P0‐P2 led to the disappearance of the proconvulsant muscimol effects at P15. Thus, activation of androgen receptors is important for the presence of procon‐vulsant SNR muscimol responses.
Ictal eructation: a case report
Authors: Mestre Tiago A. , Bentes Carla , Pimentel José
Published: March 2024

Gastrointestinal symptoms are considered manifestations of ictal phenomena. Eructations are only rarely described. The present case illustrates eructation as an ictal sign in a patient with symptomatic refractory epilepsy and a left temporal lesion submitted to video‐EEG monitoring. The ictal EEG reveals a generalized attenuation of background activity followed by a lateralised right anterior temporal theta rhythmic activity. Eructations take place during the initial generalized ictal EEG changes. The rarity of the ictal eructation is emphasised, and the potential localizing and lateralizing value are discussed in the present case.

[Published with video sequences]
Clinical impact of a high‐frequency seizure onset zone in a case of bitemporal epilepsy
Authors: Jiruska Premysl , Tomasek Martin , Netuka David , Otahal Jakub , Jefferys John G.R. , Li Xiaoli , Marusic Petr
Published: March 2024

High‐frequency activity has been described as having a role in the initiation of epileptic seizures. The case of a patient with refractory bitemporal epilepsy is presented. Extraoperative monitoring with depth and subdural electrodes revealed an ictal pattern with a build‐up of high‐frequency (> 80 Hz) activity originating in the cortex, with spread to both hippocampi. This observation was only revealed with the use of high‐pass filtering, and represented crucial information that significantly influenced the decision about the side, localization and extent of resection. Removal of the cortex generating high‐frequency activity, led to cessation of seizures in this patient. Current knowledge about the role of high‐frequency activity and the case presented here support the importance of recording with equipment capable of detecting fast activity during the presurgical invasive monitoring. An active search for a high‐frequency seizure onset zone in patients with structurally‐unaffected hippocampi may improve the outcome beyond that possible with conventional bandwidth, invasive EEG recordings.

[Published with video sequences]
Psychosocial impact of epilepsy in women of childbearing age in India
Authors: Sachin Sureshbabu , Padma Madakasira V. , Bhatia Rohit , Prasad Kameshwar , Gureshkumar C. , Tripathi Manjari
Published: March 2024

The aim was to evaluate comprehensively the psychosocial impact of epilepsy in women between 15‐40 years of age with epilepsy, compared to those with migraine and healthy, pregnant women. One hundred women with epilepsy, 50 with migraine and 100 healthy, pregnant women were enrolled over a two‐year period. The three groups were assessed using questionnaires for quality of life (QOL), coping strategies and caregiver burden. The influence of demographic and seizure variables on these psychosocial outcomes were also assessed. It was found that quality of life was least, and the burden experienced by the caregiver was significantly more in patients with epilepsy (p < 0.001). Women with epilepsy relied more on religion/faith as a coping method (p = 0.021), and less on problem solving strategies (p < 0.001) when compared to those with migraine. When compared to healthy, pregnant women, they more frequently employed religious methods of coping and denial (p < 0.001), with significantly less use of problem solving techniques, acceptance, and positive and negative distraction(p < 0.001). Less frequent seizures, better education and remission sustained for at least six months, were associated with better QOL. Educational status, frequency of seizures and time elapsed since last seizure emerged as significant determinants of coping behaviour. Low educational status and monthly income of the family contributed significantly to caregiver burden. This study helped to identify the different areas of psychosocial impairment in patients with epilepsy, as well as the contributing factors. Women with epilepsy rarely used constructive coping strategies, and this was found to contribute to their poor psychosocial status and adjustment within the family and society at large.
Pre‐surgery expectations and post‐surgery life‐changing validation process
Authors: Salgado Priscila Camile Barioni , Fernandes Paula Teixeira , Cendes Fernando
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to validate two instruments that evaluate pre‐surgery expectations and post‐surgery life changes of people with epilepsy. The expectations questionnaire comprises 18 yes/no questions and the life changes questionnaire 25 yes/no questions, which includes the 18 questions of the expectations questionnaire plus seven negative questions, considering that the surgery could have a negative effect on the patient quality of life. There were also questions asking the patients to state if they consider the surgery to be a success or a failure, and about the frequency of seizures and their intensity. Patients were interviewed in three different phases: pre‐surgery, post‐surgery 1 (six months after surgery) and post‐surgery 2 (12 months after surgery). The internal consistency of the instruments showed a general Kuder‐Richardson coefficient of 0.855 (pre‐surgery), 0.833 (post‐surgery 1), 0.756 (post‐surgery 2), showing that both instruments have a satisfactory content validity and high internal consistency. In this context, the answers obtained in this study are important because they represent the development of a complete set of categorical instruments to evaluate pre‐surgery epilepsy expectations and post‐surgery life changes.
Early seizure propagation from the occipital lobe to medial temporal structures and its surgical implication
Authors: Usui Naotaka , Mihara Tadahiro , Baba Koichi , Matsuda Kazumi , Tottori Takayasu , Umeoka Shuichi , Nakamura Fumihiro , Terada Kiyohito , Usui Keiko , Inoue Yushi
Published: March 2024

Intracranial EEG documentation of seizure propagation from the occipital lobe to medial temporal structures is relatively rare. We retrospectively analyzed intracranial EEG recorded with electrodes implanted in the medial temporal lobe in patients who underwent occipital lobe surgery. Four patients with occipital lesions, who underwent intracranial EEG monitoring with intracerebral electrodes implanted in the medial temporal lobe prior to occipital lobe surgery, were studied. Subdural electrodes were placed over the occipital lobe and adjacent areas. Intracerebral electrodes were implanted into bilateral hippocampi and the amygdala in three patients, and in the hippocampus and amygdala ipsilateral to the lesion in one. In light of the intracranial EEG findings, the occipital lobe was resected but the medial temporal lobe was spared in all patients. The follow‐up period ranged from six to 16 years, and seizure outcome was Engel Class I in all patients. Sixty six seizures were analyzed. The majority of the seizures originated from the occipital lobe. In complex partial seizures, ictal discharges propagated to the medial temporal lobe. No seizures originating from the temporal lobe were documented. In some seizures, the ictal‐onset zone could not be identified. In these seizures, very early propagation to the medial temporal lobe was observed. Interictal spikes were recorded in the medial temporal lobe in all cases. Intracranial EEG revealed very early involvement of the medial temporal lobe in some seizures. Seizure control was achieved without resection of the medial temporal structures.
Anatomo‐electro‐clinical correlations: the Miami Children's Hospital, USA Case Report ‐ Case 04‐2008: MRI‐negative frontal lobe epilepsy with ipsilateral akinesia and reflex activation
Authors: Malone Stephen , Miller Ian , Jakayar Prasanna , Resnick Trevor , Bhatia Sanjiv , Duchowny Michael
Published: March 2024

[Case records of
Epileptic Disorders.
Anatomo‐electro‐clinical correlations. Case 04‐2008]

The preoperative assessment and surgical management of children and young adults with MRI‐negative, frontal lobe epilepsy is often challenging owing to the semiologic expression being unusual or non‐lateralizing. Localization based on functional tests may be non‐convergent, further compounding the difficulty of surgical planning. We describe a patient with seizures presenting with early, subjective akinesia of the dominant hand that were at times triggered by repetitive motor tasks. Subdural EEG monitoring revealed seizure‐origin in the ipsilateral dorsolateral frontal lobe. After resective surgery the patient has had a seizure free period of 9 months, and is free of deficits. This is the first report of frontal lobe seizure semiology consisting of ipsilateral ictal akinesia.
[Published with video sequences]
Effect of levetiracetam on cognitive functions and quality of life: a one‐year follow‐up study
Authors: López‐Góngora Mariana , Martínez‐Domeño Alejandro , García Carmen , Escartín Antonio
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to assess changes in cognitive functions and quality of life in patients with epilepsy over one year of treatment with levetiracetam (LEV) as add‐on therapy.

Methods

Thirty‐two patients (16 women; 16 men) who received LEV as an add‐on treatment were included, and 27 completed the one‐year follow‐up period. Extensive neuropsychological assessments, together with a quality‐of‐life questionnaire were administered at baseline and at one, three, six and twelve months after beginning the add‐on treatment. Patients received LEV starting with 500 mg/day in the first week, increasing by a further 500 mg/day per week until a target dose of 2 000 mg/day was reached by the end of the first month.

Results

At the one‐year follow‐up, a significant improvement was observed in measurements of prospective memory, working memory, motor functions, verbal fluency, attention and quality of life. Performance for neuropsychological and quality‐of‐life tests was not affected by external variables such as seizure reduction or changes in previous anti‐epileptic treatment. Slight changes between patients were observed, but these were not clinically significant. The limited sample size and the lack of a control group should be mentioned as limitations of the study. No control group was evaluated as in our clinical practice it was difficult to establish a comparable group of patients. Changes in the different variables were assessed by comparing baseline information with follow‐up results. Despite the study limitations, we consider that the one‐year treatment period provides valuable information regarding the drug's long‐term effects in this setting.

Conclusions

Results of the present study suggest that long‐term LEV treatment as add‐on therapy does not interfere with cognitive function and improves quality of life.
Rasmussen's encephalitis and Behcet's disease: autoimmune disorders in first degree relatives
Authors: Kinay Demet , Bebek Nerses , Vanli Ebru , Gurses Candan , Gokyigit Ayşen , Andermann Frederick
Published: March 2024

We report a patient with adolescent‐onset, Rasmussen's encephalitis, presenting with intractable focal seizures, mild hemiparesis, cognitive impairment, dystonia, and severe hemiballism. His father had Behcet's disease, considered to be an autoimmune disorder. Recent reports have directly implicated the role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of both Rasmussen's encephalitis and Behcet's disease. The occurrence of Behcet's disease and Rasmussen's encephalitis in the same family suggests involvement of common genetic factors such as HLA haplotypes in both autoimmune disorders. It is possible that members of this family are genetically susceptible to developing autoimmune conditions that have been precipitated by separate environmental triggers.
The localizing value of ictal SPECT in children with tuberous sclerosis complex and refractory partial epilepsy
Authors: Koh Susan , Jayakar Prasanna , Resnick Trevor , Alvarez Luis , Liit Richard E. , Duchowny Michael
Published: March 2024

Although multiple cortical tubers are a hallmark of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), seizures often originate from a single tuber, making excisional surgery a therapeutic option for intractable patients. To assess the role of ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in defining the epileptogenic tuber, we reviewed videoelectroencephalography (V/EEG) data, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and SPECT scans of 15 patients (aged 3 months to 15 years, mean 5.1) with medically resistant partial seizures and TSC. SPECT scans were performed using Tc‐99m‐hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) injected within 30 seconds of electrographic seizure onset and were graded on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 weakly perfused, 5 strongly perfused). The scalp EEG revealed localized seizure origin in ten patients; five had concordant hyperperfused SPECT regions consisting of comma‐shaped areas surrounding hypoperfused areas in the candidate tuber. Strongly hyperperfused regions (grade 3‐5) were noted in two patients whose ictal EEG patterns were characterized by sustained, rhythmic fast activity or spiking. The other five patients had nonlocalizing or poorly sustained ictal EEG patterns; one patient in this group had focal hyperperfusion. Invasive EEG recordings in two patients revealed propagated EEG patterns that correlated with the ictal SPECT findings. These findings indicate a strong correlation between ictal SPECT and ictal scalp EEG, especially when there are sustained rhythmic fast ictal EEG patterns.