bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural history and mortality of chronic epilepsy in an untreated population of rural Bolivia: A follow‐up after 10 years
Authors: Nicoletti Alessandra , Sofia Vito , Vitale Giuseppina , Bonelli Sara Irene , Bejarano Vladimir , Bartalesi Filippo , Tran Duc‐Si , Preux Pierre‐Marie , Zappia Mario , Bartoloni Alessandro 
Published: June 2009

SummaryPurpose:  To evaluate the natural history and mortality of chronic epilepsy in an untreated prevalence cohort of people with epilepsy (PWE) in a rural area of Bolivia.Methods:  During 1994–1996 we carried out an epidemiologic survey in a sample of 9,995 subjects in the Cordillera province. At the end of the survey we identified 130 PWE, of whom 118 were classified as having “active epilepsy.” We revisited this cohort 10 years after the prevalence survey.Results:  We were able to trace 103 (87.3%) of the 118 PWE previously identified. Ten of the 103 subjects died during the follow‐up period. Of the 93 PWE still alive, adequate information on the occurrence of seizures was available for 71 subjects, of whom 31 (43.7%) were seizure‐free for more than 5 years; only 3 of these 31 subjects have taken an antiepileptic drug (AED) for more than 1 year. Generalized seizures were associated with a better prognosis. Mortality rate in our prevalent cohort was 10.0/1,000 person‐year at risk [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5–18.3], without a significant increased risk respect to the general population [standardized mortality rate (SMR) 1.34; 95% CI 0.68–2.39]; a significant increased risk of death was found for patients with remote symptomatic epilepsy (SMR 3.0; 95% CI 1.2–6.3) but not with idiopathic epilepsy. Three of the 10 subjects died of causes possibly related to epilepsy.Discussion:  Our data suggest that spontaneous remission of epilepsy occurs in a substantial proportion of untreated patients affected by chronic epilepsy; concerning mortality, we found a 3‐fold increased mortality in patients with remote symptomatic epilepsy.
Long‐term efficacy and tolerability of topiramate as add‐on therapy in refractory partial epilepsy: An observational study
Authors: Cho Yang‐Je , Heo Kyoung , Kim Won‐Joo , Jang Sang Hyun , Jung Yo Han , Ye Byoung Seok , Song Dong Beom , In Lee Byung 
Published: June 2009

SummaryPurpose:  To evaluate the long‐term efficacy and tolerability of topiramate (TPM) as add‐on therapy in patients with refractory partial epilepsy.Methods:  This is a retrospective, single‐center, long‐term observational study. Patients fulfilling the criteria of medical intractability proposed by Berg et al. were entered into the study if they were newly prescribed TPM as add‐on therapy between January 2000 and June 2002. The usual starting dosage of TPM was 50 mg/day and optimal‐dose adjustments were made according to individual clinical responses. Efficacy and tolerability were analyzed every year during 5‐year follow‐up in the “intention‐to‐treat (ITT) population.” Retention rate was estimated by Kaplan‐Meyer analysis.Results:  A total of 125 patients were included in the study and 107 patients (85.6%) were followed for 5 years. Retention rate was 87.2% at 1 year and 64% at 5 years. At the end of 5 years, the median seizure frequency reduction rate was 69.0% and responder rate was 43.2% in the ITT population. Cumulative seizure‐free rate (SFR) was 30.4% and the terminal 1‐year SFR was 12.8% in the ITT population (20.0% in completers) at 5‐year follow‐up. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 39.2% of patients, including significant AEs leading to antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal in 14.4%. The most common AEs were anorexia (16.0%), weight loss (10.4%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (8.8%). Concomitant AEDs were reduced in 25.0% of the completers.Discussion:  Low‐dose and slow‐dose escalation of TPM in add‐on therapy for patients with refractory partial epilepsy is effective and well tolerated in long‐term, individualized clinical practice.
High seizure frequency prior to antiepileptic treatment is a predictor of pharmacoresistant epilepsy in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Löscher Wolfgang , Brandt Claudia 
Published: June 2009

SummaryPurpose:  Progress in the management of patients with medically intractable epilepsy is impeded because we do not fully understand why pharmacoresistance happens and how it can be predicted. The presence of multiple seizures prior to medical treatment has been suggested as a potential predictor of poor outcome. In the present study, we used an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy to investigate whether pharmacoresistant rats differ in seizure frequency from pharmacoresponsive animals.Methods:  Epilepsy with spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) was induced by status epilepticus. Frequency of SRS was determined by video/EEG (electroencephalography) monitoring in a total of 33 epileptic rats before onset of treatment with phenobarbital (PB).Results:  Thirteen (39%) rats did not respond to treatment with PB. Before treatment with PB, average seizure frequency in PB nonresponders was significantly higher than seizure frequency in responders, which, however, was due to six nonresponders that exhibited > 3 seizures per day. Such high seizure frequency was not observed in responders, demonstrating that high seizure frequency predicts pharmacoresistance in this model, but does not occur in all nonresponders.Discussion:  The data from this study are in line with clinical experience that the frequency of seizures in the early phase of epilepsy is a dominant risk factor that predicts refractoriness. However, resistance to treatment also occurred in rats that did not differ in seizure frequency from responders, indicating that disease severity alone is not sufficient to explain antiepileptic drug (AED) resistance. These data provide further evidence that epilepsy models are useful in the search for predictors and mechanisms of pharmacoresistance.
Localization of Left Atrial Ganglionated Plexi in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: PO SUNNY S. , NAKAGAWA HIROSHI , JACKMAN WARREN M. 
Published: June 2009

Background.
The intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system (ICANS), which forms a neural network, has been shown to be a critical element responsible for the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). We developed a technique to localize and ablate the ganglionated plexi (GP), which serves as the “integration centers” of the ICANS.
Method.
The four major atrial GP are localized by delivering high frequency stimulation (HFS; 20 Hz, 10–150 V, 1–10 ms pulse width) to atrial tissue where GP are presumed to be located. Sites showing a parasympathetic response, which is arbitrarily defined as ≥50% increase in mean R‐R interval during AF, was assigned as a GP site. Radiofrequency current is then applied to that site to eliminate the parasympathetic response. All patients received ablation of the four major atrial GP, followed by pulmonary vein antrum ablation.
Results.
Our preliminary results showed that all the four major atrial GP can be identified in the vast majority of patients. The parasympathetic response can be eliminated by applying radiofrequency current. In the first 83 patients, the percent of patients free of symptomatic AF or atrial tachycardia after a single ablation procedure was 80% at 12 months and 86% at a mean follow‐up of 22 months.
Conclusion.
These results indicate additional benefits of GP ablation to PV antrum ablation and improvement with time, particularly ≥ 12 months after ablation. We postulate that this late benefit may result from destruction of the autonomic neurons in the GP that cannot regenerate.
Patients with Scar‐Related Right Ventricular Tachycardia: Determinants of Long‐Term Outcome
Authors: WIJNMAALEN ADRIANUS P. , SCHALIJ MARTIN J. , BOOTSMA MARIANNE , KIES PHILIPPINE , DE ROOS ALBERT , PUTTER HEIN , BAX JEROEN J. , ZEPPENFELD KATJA 
Published: June 2009

Introduction: Patients with established arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) based on task force (TF) criteria and ventricular tachycardia (VT) are at risk of VT recurrence and sudden death. Data on patients with VT due to right ventricular (RV) scar not fulfilling TF criteria are lacking. The purpose of this study was to assess the long‐term arrhythmia recurrence rate and outcome in patients with scar‐related right VT with and without a diagnosis of ARVC/D. Methods: Sixty‐four patients (age 43.5 ± 15 years, 49 males) presenting with nonischemic scar‐related VT of RV origin were studied. Scar was identified by electroanatomical mapping, contrast echocardiography, and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients were evaluated and treated according to a standard institute protocol. Results: Twenty‐nine (45%) patients were diagnosed with ARVC/D according to TF criteria (TF+) and 35 (55%) with RV scar of undetermined origin (TF–) at the end of follow‐up (64 ± 42 months). Patients were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs, radiofrequency catheter ablation, and/or implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) implantation. VT recurrence‐free survival for TF+ and TF– was 76% versus 74% at 1 year and 45% versus 50% at 4 years (P = ns). Patients with fast index VT (cycle length [CL]≤ 250 ms, n = 31) were more likely to experience a fast VT during follow‐up than patients with a slow index VT (CL > 250 ms, n = 33) (61% vs 3%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Scar‐related RV VTs have a high recurrence rate in TF+ and TF– patients. Patients presenting with a fast index VT are at high risk for fast VT recurrence and may benefit most from ICD therapy.
Effect of Metoprolol on Quality of Life in the Prevention of Syncope Trial
Authors: SHELDON ROBERT S. , AMUAH JOSEPH E. , CONNOLLY STUART J. , ROSE SARAH , MORILLO CARLOS A. , TALAJIC MARIO , KUS TERESA , FOUAD‐TARAZI FETNAT , KLINGENHEBEN THOMAS , KRAHN ANDREW D. , KOSHMAN MARY‐LOU , RITCHIE DEBBIE 
Published: June 2009

Introduction:
Vasovagal syncope is common, often recurrent, and reduces quality of life. No therapies have proven useful to improve quality of life in adequately designed randomized clinical trials. Beta‐blockers have mixed evidence for effectiveness in preventing syncope.
Methods:
The Prevention of Syncope Trial was a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, multinational, clinical trial that tested the hypothesis that metoprolol improves quality of life in adult patients with vasovagal syncope in a 1‐year observation period. Randomization was stratified in strata of patients <42 and ≥42 years old. The quality of life questionnaires Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) and Euroqol EQ‐5D were completed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of treatment by 204, 132, and 121 patients, respectively.
Results:
There were 208 patients, mean age 42 ± 18, of whom 134 (64%) were females. All had positive tilt tests. There was no improvement in quality of life during the trial in the entire group or in either treatment arm. Patients in the metoprolol treatment arm did not have improved quality of life compared to the patients in the placebo arm using either the SF‐36 or EQ5D after either 6 or 12 months. Finally, there was no improvement in quality of life associated with metoprolol use in patients either <42 or ≥42 years of age.
Conclusion:
Metoprolol does not improve quality of life in patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope and a positive tilt test.
Manifestation of Left Atrial Events and Interatrial Frequency Gradients in the Surface Electrocardiogram During Atrial Fibrillation: Contributions from Posterior Leads
Authors: PETRUTIU SIMONA , SAHAKIAN ALAN V. , FISHER WESTBY , SWIRYN STEVEN 
Published: June 2009

Background:
In most patients, atrial fibrillation (AF) is initiated and maintained by pulmonary vein foci, but the relationship between left atrial (LA) events and the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) is largely unknown. We investigated whether LA events are reflected in the surface ECG and whether additional information can be obtained from recording posterior leads in patients with AF.
Methods and Results:
In 10 patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation of AF, we identified 103 5‐second segments with a significant frequency gradient between right (RA) and left (LA) intraatrial electrograms, or with frequency changes from segment to segment in the same patient. QRS‐T cancellation methods were used to isolate atrial activity in the surface ECG and peak frequencies were computed. Peak frequencies of different posterior leads were very similar (6.0 ± 1.3 Hz for V10, 6.0 ± 0.9 Hz for V9, 5.9 ± 1.4 Hz for V8, 6.0 ± 1.3 Hz for V7). We found a strong correlation between V1 and RA and between V9 and LA, 0.89 and 0.88, respectively, while the lowest correlation was found between lead V1 and LA, 0.62, P < 0.0001. Magnitude‐squared coherence values were highest between V1 and RA and between V9 and LA.
Conclusion:
We have demonstrated that, by recording additional surface ECG leads from posterior locations, RA and LA electrical events and interatrial frequency gradients can be monitored noninvasively.
Le volet social des restructurations d'entreprises: évolution de la négociation collective en Allemagne, en France et en Italie
Authors: BONI Guido 
Published: June 2009

Résumé.Face à l'évolution rapide des marchés, du fait de la mondialisation, les entreprises européennes se restructurent sans cesse pour maintenir leur compétitivité. Afin de limiter les pertes d'emplois, les partenaires sociaux ont conçu divers mécanismes qui donnent plus de flexibilitéà l'échelle de l'entreprise sans remettre fondamentalement en cause les modèles nationaux de négociation collective: «clauses d'ouverture» en Allemagne, «accords dérogatoires» et négociation obligatoire de la «gestion prévisionnelle des emplois» en France, «accords territoriaux» tripartites en Italie. Après les avoir examinés, l'auteur conclut en plaidant pour l'instauration d'un cadre européen de prise en compte du volet social des restructurations.
Selection for Cry1F resistance in the European corn borer and cross‐resistance to other Cry toxins
Authors: Pereira Eliseu J.G. , Lang Bruce A. , Storer Nicholas P. , Siegfried Blair D. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractEvolution of resistance by insect pests is the greatest threat to the continued success of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins used in insecticide formulations or expressed by transgenic crop plants such as Cry1F‐expressing maize [(Zea mays L.) (Poaceae)]. A strain of European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), obtained from field collections throughout the central US Corn Belt in 1996 was selected in the laboratory for resistance to Cry1F by exposure to the toxin incorporated into artificial diet. The selected strain developed more than 3000‐fold resistance to Cry1F after 35 generations of selection and readily consumed Cry1F expressing maize tissue; yet, it was as susceptible to Cry1Ab and Cry9C as the unselected control strain. Only a low level of cross‐resistance (seven‐fold) to Cry1Ac was observed. These lacks of cross‐resistance between Cry1F and Cry1Ab suggest that maize hybrids expressing these two toxins are likely to be compatible for resistance management of O. nubilalis.
Kairomonal response of the parasitoid Anagyrus spec. nov. near pseudococci to the sex pheromone of the vine mealybug
Authors: Franco J.C. , Silva E.B. , Cortegano E. , Campos L. , Branco M. , Zada A. , Mendel Z. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe occurrence of a kairomonal response of the parasitoid Anagyrus spec. nov. near pseudococci (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) to (+)‐(1R,3R)‐cis‐2,2‐dimethyl‐3‐isopropenyl‐cyclobutanemethanol acetate (PcA, namely, planococcyl acetate) and (S)‐(+)‐lavandulyl senecioate (LS), the respective female sex pheromones of its hosts, the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso) and the vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) was investigated. Attraction to the pheromones was tested by employing pheromone traps in field trials and by static air olfactometer bioassays in the laboratory. Female wasps showed a significant response to LS, in both field and olfactometer experiments. No significant response was registered to the sex pheromone of P. citri. Despite the similarity between the structures of LS and its analogue (S)‐(+)‐lavandulyl isovalerate (LI), no significant response to the latter compound was observed. It seems that differences between the structures of the carboxylate moiety of the respective molecules (LS and LI) markedly affect the kairomonal attractiveness to the parasitoid. The kairomonal response of Anagyrus spec. nov. near pseudococci was neither influenced by the host habitat nor by the host species on which it developed. This suggested innate behaviour of Anagyrus spec. nov. near pseudococci, possibly derived from evolutionary relationships between the parasitoid and P. ficus. The practical implications of the results are discussed.
Does sibling competition have a sex‐specific effect on offspring growth and development in the burying beetleNicrophorus vespilloides?
Authors: Gibbs Melanie , Breuker Casper J. , Smiseth Per T. , Moore Allen J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDuring offspring growth, reduction in resource availability through competitive interactions will restrict how large individuals can become. Given that selection to mature at a large size will be greater for the sex in which large size provides the highest fitness return, sex‐specific differences in response to a decrease in resource availability may be expected. UsingNicrophorus vespilloidesHerbst (Coleoptera: Silphidae) we examined the sex‐specific response of offspring to resource availability through sibling competition. We found that males and females were affected similarly by an increase in the level of sibling competition as brood size increased. Interestingly, although maleN. vespilloideswere consistently heavier than females, over a range of brood sizes, they were only significantly heavier than females at intermediate brood sizes. At present, the causes behind this finding remain unclear.
Early healing of implants placed into fresh extraction sockets: an experimental study in the beagle dog. II: ridge alterations
Authors: Vignoletti Fabio , De Sanctis Massimo , Berglundh Tord , Abrahamsson Ingemar , Sanz Mariano 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAims: To describe the early phases of healing at the alveolar ridge around dental implants placed into fresh extraction sockets and to study whether (i) the dimension of the socket and (ii) a new implant surface nano‐topography may have any influence.Materials and Methods: Sixteen beagle dogs received 64 test (new surface) and control implants randomly placed at the distal socket of 3P3 and 4P4. The implant shoulder was levelled with the marginal buccal bone crest. Animals were sacrificed at 4 h, 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks for histological examination.Results: Bone loss occurred at the buccal crest between the 4‐h and 1‐week healing intervals, being more pronounced at the third premolar site [vertical bone loss between day 0 and 8 weeks 1.1 (0.5) mm]. The corresponding loss at the fourth premolar site was 0.3 (0.5) mm. Test sites containing implants with discrete crystalline deposition nano‐particles' surface exhibited less buccal bone resorption than control sites at 8 weeks.Conclusion: Dimensions of the socket influenced the process of wound healing of implants placed into fresh extraction sockets, with more bone loss in the narrower sockets; however, the implant surface nano‐topography seemed to have a limited effect in the healing of this implant surgical protocol.
Mandibular overdentures supported by two Brånemark, IMZ or ITI implants: a ten‐year prospective randomized study
Authors: Meijer Henny J. A. , Raghoebar Gerry M. , Batenburg Rutger H. K. , Vissink Arjan 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this prospective comparative study was to evaluate the survival rate, condition of peri‐implant tissues, patient satisfaction and surgical and prosthetic aftercare of the IMZ‐implant system (two‐stage cylinder type), the Brånemark‐implant system (two‐stage screw type) and the ITI‐implant system (one‐stage screw type) supporting a mandibular overdenture during a 10‐year follow‐up period.Materials and Methods: Three groups of 30 edentulous patients were treated with two endosseous implants in the interforaminal region of the mandible. Clinical and radiographic parameters were evaluated immediately after completion of the prosthetic treatment and after 1, 5 and 10 years of functional loading. Prosthetic and surgical aftercare was scored during the evaluation period, as well as patient satisfaction.Results: The 10‐year survival rate was 93% for the IMZ group, 98% for the Brånemark group and 100% for the ITI group (IMZ<ITI, p<0.05). Mean marginal bone loss was limited over a period of 10 years. No differences in satisfaction and aftercare were observed between the groups.Conclusion: It is concluded that two implants placed in the interforaminal region, connected with a bar, supply a proper base for the support of a mandibular overdenture in the edentulous patient. After10 years, no relevant changes had developed between the three implant systems.
The combined expression of HOXA4 and MEIS1 is an independent prognostic factor in patients with AML
Authors: Zangenberg Mike , Grubach Lykke , Aggerholm Anni , Silkjaer Trine , Juhl‐Christensen Caroline , Nyvold Charlotte Guldborg , Kjeldsen Eigil , Ommen Hans Beier , Hokland Peter 
Published: June 2009

Abstract HOXA4 gene expression is a predictor for outcome in normal karyotypic acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients. Given that Meis1 is a co‐factor for Hox genes, we hypothesized that the combined expression of HOXA4 and MEIS1 might add prognostic information in these patients. When diagnostic samples from 246 AML patients were divided into three main groups based on gene expression levels of HOXA4 combined with MEIS1 we found that within the group of patients exhibiting low levels of HOXA4, those with a high expression of MEIS1 had a significantly worse outcome than those exhibiting low MEIS1 expression (P = 0.025). Moreover, this prediction was independent of cytogenetics, mutational status of the NPM1 and FLT3 genes as well as upon WBC and age. To evaluate the possible contribution of regulatory events underlying these observations, 157 patient samples were subjected to promoter hypermethylation analysis. We observed that 77% were HOXA4‐ and 15%MEIS1 hypermethylated and that this epigenetic alteration was highly correlated to the gene expression level (MEIS1: P = 0.001; HOXA4: P = 0.007). Finally, we found a higher expression level and a higher frequency of hypermethylation of HOXA4 among patients with NPM1 mutations. In conclusion, our data show that the combination of low HOXA4 and low MEIS1 gene expression is a favourable predictor for outcome in all AML patients and that the expression levels are governed by the methylation state of these genes.