bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Encephalopathy with Staphylococcal Endocarditis: Multiple Neuropathological Findings
Authors: Weeks S.G. , Doig C.J. , Silva C. , Auer R.N. , Power C. , Gill M.J. 
Published: December 2014

Background:Infective endocarditis is associated with serious neurological sequelae.Objective:Here, we report a patient with Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis, secondary to congenital heart disease, with subacute onset of multiple neurological complications.Results:Despite prompt antibiotic treatment with rapid sterilization of blood cultures, the patient died with brain herniation within 96 hours of admission. Neuropathological examination showed intraparenchymal hemorrhages, mycotic aneurysms, micro-abscesses and septic arteritis with accompanying infarction. Immunocytochemical studies revealed enhanced CD45 and GFAP immunoreactivity, together with adenosine A1 receptor detection on macrophages and microglia.Conclusion:Infective endocarditis is associated with multiple neuropathological lesions, which may contribute to its poor clinical outcome and activation of cells of monocyte-microglial lineage throughout the brain.
Current Educational Issues in the Clinical Neurosciences
Authors: Desbiens R. , Elleker M.G. , Goldsand G. , Findlay J. Max , Hugenholtz H. , Puddester D. , Toyota B. 
Published: December 2014

Objective:Canadian training in the clinical neurosciences, neurology and neurosurgery, faces significant challenges. New balances are being set by residents, their associations and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada between clinical service, education and personal time. The nature of hospital-provided medical service has changed significantly over the past decade, impacting importantly on resident training. Finally, future manpower needs are of concern, especially in the field of neurosurgery, where it appears that soon more specialists will be trained than can be absorbed into the Canadian health care system.Methods:A special symposium on current challenges in clinical neuroscience training was held at the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences in June 2000. Representatives from the Canadian Association of Interns and Residents, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and English and French neurology and neurosurgery training programs made presentations, which are summarized in this report.Results:Residency training has become less service-oriented, and this trend will continue. In order to manage the increasingly sophisticated hospital services of neurology and neurosurgery, resident-alternatives in the form of physician “moonlighters” or more permanent hospital-based clinicians or “hospitalists” will be necessary in order to operate major neuroclinical units. Health authorities and hospitals will need to recognize and assume this responsibility. As clinical experience diminishes during residency training, inevitably so will the concept of the fully competent “generalist” at the end of specialty training. Additional subspecialty training is being increasingly sought by graduates, particularly in neurosurgery.Conclusion:Training in neurology and neurosurgery, as in all medical specialties, has changed significantly in recent years and continues to change. Programs and hospitals need to adapt to these changes in order to ensure the production of fully qualified specialists in neurology and neurosurgery and the provision of optimal care to patients in clinical teaching units.
Sumatriptan Responsiveness and Clinical, Psychiatric and Psychologic Features in Migraine Patients
Authors: Meckling S.K. , Becker W.J. , Rose M.S. , Dalby J.T. 
Published: December 2014

Objective:To compare sumatriptan responders and nonresponders in a migraine population with regard to a number of clinical, psychiatric and psychologic features.Methods:Patients were drawn from a referral headache clinic population, and classified as responders or nonresponders. Clinical features were assessed by a written questionnaire. The lifetime prevalence of several psychiatric disorders was determined by the National Institute of Mental Health diagnostic interview schedule and personality factors were measured by the 16 Personality Factors (16PF) Questionnaire.Results:Nonresponders indicated less influence on their migraine by menstrual factors, had a higher lifetime prevalence of generalized anxiety, and showed 16PF scores indicating greater shyness, self-sufficiency and perfectionism. Nonresponders were also more imaginative and less socially outgoing.Conclusion:Although they must be interpreted with caution due to small sample size and the multiple comparisons made, our results indicate that there may be differences between sumatriptan responders and nonresponders with regard to a number of clinical, psychiatric and psychologic factors. These results suggest that biological differences exist between the two patient groups which likely account for both the differences in their responses to sumatriptan and in the clinical features noted above.
Regional Accumulation of 14C-zonisamide in Rat Brain during Kainic Acid-induced Limbic Seizures
Authors: Akaike Koichi , Tanaka Shigeya , Tojo Hideshi , Fukumoto Shin-ichiro , Takigawa Morikuni , Imamura Shin-ichi 
Published: December 2014

Background:Zonisamide (ZNS) is an antiepileptic drug developed in Japan. Various experimental studies have investigated the effects of ZNS. However, the mechanism of action of ZNS against limbic seizures and secondary generalization is not well-known. We studied ictal regional accumulation of ZNS in the rat brain during kainic acid (KA)-induced limbic status epilepticus.Methods:Fourteen male Wistar rats underwent a stereotactic operation. For recording the electroencephalogram (EEG), electrodes were placed in the left amygdala (LA), left dorsal hippocampus, and over the left sensorimotor cortex. For microinjection, a stainless steel cannula was also inserted into the LA. Seven days after surgery, rats were anesthetized and a catheter was inserted into the femoral vein. The animals were immobilized and allowed to recover from anesthesia for at least two hours. In eight rats, 1.0μL (1.0μg) of KA was injected into the LA, and 1.0 μL of phosphate buffer solution was injected into the LA in six control rats. Sixty minutes after injection, 14C-ZNS was administered intravenously, and an autoradiographic study was done.Results:During limbic status epilepticus, only seizures in the sensorimotor cortex were markedly attenuated a few minutes after 14C-ZNS administration. Additionally, high uptake of 14C-ZNS was noted ipsilaterally in the sensorimotor cortex, parietal cortex and thalamus (lateral portion). In control rats, no EEG change was seen, and distribution of 14C-ZNS was rather homogeneous.Conclusion:These results suggested that ZNS suppresses secondary generalization of limbic seizures by a direct effect on the cerebral cortex.
Dissecting Hematoma of Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery in an 8-year-old Girl
Authors: Rhodes Roy H. , Phillips Susan , Booth Frances A. , Magnus Kenneth G. 
Published: December 2014

Background:An 8-year-old girl had a minor fall without head trauma and she collapsed the following day while playing. She was awake but mute with focal neurologic signs when admitted to hospital. Radiologic imaging studies showed a progressive left cerebral infarct with left hemisphere vascular narrowing and beading. She died on the third hospital day.Methods:Autopsy including exploration of neck vessels and neuropathological examination was performed. Postmortem studies included immunostaining for immunoglobulins and fixed complement.Results:Subtotal subintimal dissections of both proximal supraclinoid internal carotid arteries were found microscopically. On the left, the subintimal dissection extended into the major branches of the left internal carotid artery as dissecting hematomas with a major compromise of the arterial lumina. Specific IgM deposition at the dissection sites was found. A literature review shows that subintimal dissection of the intracranial internal carotid artery or its branches occurs rarely, it is often fatal, and it is present in patients with a mean age of 17.5 years in cases studied pathologically. Trauma and physical exertion are the most common associated factors.Conclusions:Among the causes of ischemic stroke in young individuals, dissecting hematomas of the intracranial portions of the internal carotid artery system rank low. Few reported cases have identifiable pre-existing pathology. The pathogenesis of dissecting hematomas in this region is reviewed and expanded with speculation regarding relevant developmental, anatomical, flow stress and possibly humoral factors that are involved in the disruption of the arterial elastica and subsequent development and extension of a subintimal hematoma resulting in luminal closure and often death.
Respiratory Muscle Performance and the Perception of Dyspnea in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Weiner Paltiel , Inzelberg Rivka , Davidovich Avi , Nisipeanu Puiu , Magadle Rasmi , Berar-Yanay Noa , Carasso Ralph L. 
Published: December 2014

Background:Pulmonary and respiratory muscle function impairment are common in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, dyspnea is not a frequent complaint among these patients, although it is well documented that the intensity of dyspnea is related to the activity and the strength of the respiratory muscles.Patients and Methods:We studied pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and endurance and the perception of dyspnea (POD) in 20 patients with PD (stage II and III Hoehn and Yahr scale) before and after their first daily L-dopa dose. Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring the maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures (PImax and PEmax), at residual volume (RV) and total lung capacity (TLC) respectively. The POD was measured while the subject breathed against progressive load and dyspnea was rated using a visual analog scale.Results:Respiratory muscle strength and endurance were decreased and the POD was increased during the off medication period compared to normal subjects. There was a nonsignificant trend to an increase in PImax, PEmax and endurance after L-dopa intake. The POD of PD patients decreased (p<0.05) following medication, although, it remained increased (p<0.01) as compared to the normal subjects. Even if patients had spirometry data showing a mild restrictive pattern, before medication, both forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV)1remained almost identical after L-dopa intake.Conclusions:Patients with PD have higher POD, compared to normal subjects and this increased perception is attenuated when the patients are on dopaminergic medication. The change in the POD is not related to changes in respiratory muscle performance or pulmonary functions. A central effect or a correction of uncoordinated respiratory movements by L-dopa may contribute to the decrease in POD following L-dopa treatment.
Migraine: The Doctor-Patient Link. Results of a Needs Assessment
Authors: Purdy R. Allan 
Published: December 2014

Objectives:To do a needs assessment directed to neurologists attending a workshop on communication skills emphasizing relationships between physician and patient, assessment of disability and quality of life of migraine patients, and communication of therapies for migraine.Methods:A structured questionnaire was sent to all participants related to the issues indicated in the objective. This was prepared by the faculty and the results were collated by the author and presented at the beginning of the workshop. This paper overviews the use and results of a needs assessment to highlight learning needs of the participants and to focus the issues, interest and interactions of neurologists in a workshop. The workshop focused primarily on communication skills and on the understanding of disability and quality of life issues in migraine patients.Results:In general the responses revealed that the attendees were neurologists in practice for more than 15 years, that over 50% had prior knowledge of communication skills and used them in various ways, and 74% were involved in teaching family physicians. Some knew and used disability and quality of life tools but up to one third of participants did not assess disability in their patients. Most wanted to learn more about communication skills and other objectives noted and 19% of respondents wanted to learn more about prophylactic antimigraine treatments and how to differentiate/contrast the triptans.Conclusion:Using a needs assessment tool allowed organizers of an educational workshop to determine the current knowledge and perceived and unperceived needs of the participants with respect to communication skills, assessing disability and quality of life issues, and communication of treatments to migraine patients.
Communicating the Right Therapy for the Right Patient at the Right Time: Acute Therapy
Authors: Sheftell Fred D. 
Published: December 2014

Objective:Review of problems arising from communication difficulties in headache practice.Methods:Literature review and assessment of practice experience.Background:Advances in understanding of the pathophysiology of migraine and the availability of specific acute therapies have given migraine sufferers access to effective treatment and physicians a wide array of therapeutic alternatives. There remains uncertainty about the best drug group for any given patient and about which triptan to use when and in which formulation; about patient preference and satisfaction; about interpretations of pivotal trials and meta-analyses; and about the relevance of large group efficacy and safety data to the individual patient. The clinician may be daunted by the array of triptans with choices of dosage and multiple formulations and will likely learn how to use two or three of them at most, as in depression and hypertension. In the context of the wide array of choices and the complexities of assessing responses and patient preferences, this paper attempts to provide a framework for incorporating the evidence with clinical experience and for communicating these concepts effectively.Benefits, Harms and Costs:None.Results and Conclusion:Even when an appropriate recommendation is determined, therapy may fail unless the doctor patient relationship permits open communication, time for questions and answers and time for instruction on how to use a given medication, and its probable effects. Translating evidence into patient-friendly language is a skill as necessary as that of making the clinical decision itself. Tools are available that can support this effort and aid in creating an environment of “partnership”.
Human Autologous In Vitro Models of Glioma Immunogene Therapy Using B7-2, GM-CSF, and IL12
Authors: Parney Ian F. , Farr-Jones Maxine A. , Kane Kevin , Chang Lung-Ji , Petruk Kenneth C. 
Published: December 2014

Background:Cancer immunogene therapy is based on vaccination with radiated, autologous tumor cells transduced with immunostimulatory genes. To help determine an optimal glioma immunogene therapy strategy, we stimulated lymphocytes with autologous human glioma cells transduced with B7-2 (CD86), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and/or interleukin-12 (IL12).Methods:A human glioma-derived cell culture (Ed147.BT) was transduced with B7-2, GM-CSF, and/or IL12 using retroviral vectors. Autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were co-cultured with irradiated gene-transduced tumor alone or a combination of radiated wild type and gene-transduced cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells proliferation was determined by serial cell counts. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells phenotype was assessed by flow cytometry for CD4, CD8, and CD16. Anti-tumor cytotoxicity was determined by chromium-51 (51Cr) release assay.Results:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells cell numbers all decreased during primary stimulation but tumor cells expressing B7-2 or GM-CSF consistently caused secondary proliferation. Tumors expressing B7-2 and GM-CSF or B7-2, GM-CSF, and IL12 consistently increased PBMC CD8+ (cytotoxic T) and CD16+ (natural killer) percentages. Interestingly, anti-tumor cytotoxicity only exceeded that of PBMC stimulated with wild type tumor alone when peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with both wild type tumor and B7-2/GM-CSF- (but not IL12) transduced cells.Conclusion:PBMC proliferation and phenotype is altered as expected by exposure to immunostimulatory gene-transduced tumor. However, transduced tumor cells alone do not stimulate greater anti-tumor cytotoxicity than wild type tumor. Only B7-2/GM-CSF-transduced cells combined with wild type produced increased cytotoxicity. This may reflect selection of tumor subclones with limited antigenic spectra during retrovirus-mediated gene transfer.
Pneumocephalus as a Cause for Headache
Authors: Becker W.J. 
Published: December 2014

Background:Pneumocephalus can be a cause of headache, but is easily overlooked in some clinical circumstances.Case Study:A 35-year-old woman developed severe headache of abrupt onset during an epidural blood patch procedure done for a post-lumbar puncture headache. A brain CT scan showed subarachnoid air even though there was no evidence of a dural puncture having occurred during the procedure.Results:The experience of our patient, and a review of the literature suggests that air injected into the epidural space during use of the “loss of resistance” technique can enter the subarachnoid space if a dural puncture site from a previous lumbar puncture is present.Conclusion:Pneumocephalus should be considered as a potential cause for a severe headache occurring in association with epidural procedures, and also in a number of other clinical settings. Use of a high inspired air oxygen concentration can hasten absorption of an intracranial air collection.
Progress in Clinical Neurosciences: Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias - Review and Comparison of the Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Authors: Hogan David B. , Patterson Christopher 
Published: December 2014

Background:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. Acceptance of the cholinergic hypothesis led to a search for medications which could enhance central cholinergic activity in this condition. There are now three cholinesterase inhibitors available for the treatment of AD in Canada.Objectives:To review the currently available cholinesterase inhibitors approved for the treatment of AD in Canada and to provide guidance on who and how to treat with these agents.Results:Donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine are approved for the treatment of AD in Canada. In clinical trails, patients with mild to moderate AD treated with these agents experienced modest improvements in cognition, function, behaviour, and/or global clinical state. The magnitude of benefits seen with each agent appeared to be similar. While to date, there is no convincing evidence that one is more efficacious or effective, they do differ in their pharmacokinetics, additional mechanisms of action, and side effect profiles. Therefore, the selection of agent will be based on considerations such as side effect profiles, ease of administration, personal familiarity/experience, and beliefs about the importance of the noted differences in their pharmacokinetics and additional mechanisms of action.Conclusion:We believe that these agents should be offered to all individuals with a mild to moderate dementia where Alzheimer’s pathology is felt to be a contributing factor. We view all three available cholinesterase inhibitors as first-line drugs.
Auditing Carotid Endarterectomy: A Regional Experience
Authors: Findlay J. Max , Nykolyn Linda , Lubkey Tracey B. , Wong John H. , Mouradian Mikael , Senthilselvan Ambikaipakan 
Published: December 2014

Background:Proof from randomized controlled trials that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is efficacious in stroke prevention has resulted in a large resurgence of its use in recent years. We wished to determine if patients in our region were being selected and treated with complication rates consistent with the randomized trials.Methods:We have completed four audits of CEAs performed in our region since 1994, each followed by feed-back of results to the participating surgeons. Operations for > 70% symptomatic stenosis were considered appropriate, those for 50%-69% symptomatic and > 60% asymptomatic stenosis were considered uncertain and all others, including those in medically or neurologically unstable patients, were designated inappropriate. In part 4, the referral source and nature of the patients was also determined.Results:Part 1 (April 1994 - September 1995) found that of 291 CEAs performed 33% were appropriate, 48% were uncertain and 18% were inappropriate, and 40% of patients who underwent CEA were asymptomatic. In part 2 (September 1996 - September 1997) appropriate indications significantly improved to 49% of 184 CEAs (P=0.005), uncertain indications remained nearly the same at 47%, inappropriate indications fell to 4% (P=0.00002), and asymptomatic patients remained at 40%. The results of part 3 (October 1997 - October 1998) remained nearly the same as part 2 (249 CEAs, 47% appropriate, 51% uncertain, 2% inappropriate, 45% asymptomatic). Part 4 (October 1999 - October 2000) results were significantly better than part 3, appropriate indications increasing from 47% to 58% of 222 CEAs (P=0.02), and an elimination of inappropriate operations (P=0.03). Stroke and death complications declined over the study period from an overall rate of 5.2% in part 1 to 2.3% in part 4. In part 4 the majority of patients (69%) were referred to surgeons directly from general practitioners, including 58 (73%) of the 80 asymptomatic patients who underwent CEA.Interpretation:Regular auditing and feedback of results and information to surgeons has resulted in significant and continued improvements in the surgical performance of CEAin our region. Since the majority of patients are referred directly to surgeons by general practitioners, it is important that this group of physicians be familiar with current CEA guidelines.
Tests of Motor Function in Patients Suspected of Having Mild Unilateral Cerebral Lesions
Authors: Teitelbaum Jeanne S. , Eliasziw Michael , Garner Michael 
Published: December 2014

Objective:Though various textbooks describe clinical manoeuvres that help detect subtle motor deficits, their sensitivity, specificity and predictive values have not been determined. We investigated the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of various manoeuvres in order to determine the most sensitive and reliable test or combination thereof.Methods:Straight arm raising (Barré), pronator drift, Mingazzini’s manoeuvre, finger tap, forearm roll, segmental strength and deep tendon reflexes were tested in 170 patients with (86) and without (84) a proven lesion in the motor areas confirmed by computed tomography.Results:Segmental motor strength had good specificity (97.5%) but poor sensitivity (38.9%) and negative predictive value (NPV) (58.7%). The forearm roll had a similar profile. Finger tap had a sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 87.5%. Barré and pronator testing had a sensitivity and specificity of 92.2% and 90.0% respectively. Hyperreflexia had a sensitivity of 68.9% and a specificity of 87.5%. An abnormality of pronator, reflexes or finger tap had a sensitivity of 97%, and when these three tests were positive, specificity was 97%. When all six tests were positive, the positive predictive value was 100%, when all six tests were negative the NPV was 100%.Conclusion:The detailed segmental examination has very good specificity for detecting motor deficits, but the sensitivity and NPV are unacceptably low. Pronator drift with finger tap and reflexes is the most reliable and time-effective combination of tests for the detection of subtle motor lesions, and could replace the segmental motor examination as a screening for motor lesions.