bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Impact of Headache and Migraine Among Secondary School Students in Nigeria
Authors: Ofovwe Gabriel E. , Ofili Antoinette N. 
Published: October 2010

(Headache 2010;50:1570‐1575)Background.— A cross‐sectional descriptive study to determine the overall, age and gender specific prevalence, trigger factors and impact of headache and migraine on quality of life of students attending secondary schools in Benin City, Nigeria.Methods.— Six secondary schools were randomly selected from which students were randomly selected. A self‐administered questionnaire was used to screen those with frequent headache, defined as at least 2 episodes of headache unrelated to fever or any underlying disease within the last 12 months or at least 1 episode in the last 6 months preceding the date questionnaire was administered. Another questionnaire based on the ICHD‐2 criteria for diagnosis of migraine was then administered to those with frequent headaches. Data analysis was with SPSS 13.0 for Windows.Results.— One thousand six hundred and seventy‐nine students aged 11‐18 years were recruited. The overall prevalence of headache was 19.5%. The prevalence of migraine was 13.5%. Migraine was more common in girls than in boys at all ages. The most common trigger factors included emotional stress, sunlight or bright light, sleep deprivation, and hunger. Inability to participate in outdoor activities, household chores, and school absenteeism were the common impacts on the quality of life of among 76.8% of the migrainuers.Conclusion.— Migraine is common and underdiagnosed among secondary school students in Benin City, Nigeria, and negatively impacts on the quality of life including school absenteeism.
Focal reading epilepsy—a rare variant of reading epilepsy: A case report
Authors: Osei‐Lah Abena D. , Casadei Angela , Richardson Mark P. , Alarcon Gonzalo 
Published: October 2010

SummaryReading epilepsy is a distinct form of epilepsy in which all or almost all seizures are precipitated by reading. Seizures typically show orofacial or jaw myoclonus. Nevertheless, reading epilepsy is not homogenous and its classification is unclear. We report a patient with reading‐induced prolonged left temporal seizures, presenting clinically as dyslexia.
Prevalence and Persistence of Depression in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A 2‐year Longitudinal Study
Authors: SUZUKI TSUYOSHI , SHIGA TSUYOSHI , KUWAHARA KAZUE , KOBAYASHI SAYAKA , SUZUKI SHINICHI , NISHIMURA KATSUJI , SUZUKI ATSUSHI , EJIMA KOICHIRO , MANAKA TETSUYUKI , SHODA MORIO , ISHIGOOKA JUN , KASANUKI HIROSHI , HAGIWARA NOBUHISA 
Published: October 2010

Background: It is unclear whether depression persists in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). We evaluated the prevalence and persistence of depression in ICD patients over a 2‐year period.
Methods: The study included 90 consecutively hospitalized patients. Patients underlying heart disease was 24% coronary artery disease, 29% idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, 24% hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 13% idiopathic VF/long QT syndrome and miscellaneous conditions 11%. A secondary indication for ICD implantation was present in 20 patients. All patients completed the Zung Self‐Rating Depression Scale (SDS) at study baseline and at the their routine follow‐up visit 2 years after the baseline questionnaire. Delivery of ICD therapies was tracked throughout the 2 years.
Results: Depression, indicated by a Zung SDS index score exceeding 60, was present in 29 (32%) of patients at study baseline. Depression was present in 11/51 (21%) patients scheduled to undergo ICD implantation, 2/2 (100%) patients whose device was upgraded to a CRT‐D, 3/14 (21%) patients who had undergone pulse generator replacement, 7/14 (50%) patients who experienced electrical storm and 6/9 (66%) patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure. NYHA functional class III was significantly associated with depression at baseline (HR 6.7, 95% CI 1.68–27.2, p = 0.0007). No differences were noted for female gender, demographics, β‐blocker use, or LVEF ≤35% (p = ns). Depression was present in 25 (28%) of patients at 2 years follow‐up, persisting in 21 (72%) of patients whose Zung SDS scores were elevated at baseline. The median time from ICD shock therapy to completion of the 2 year questionnaire was 9 months (range, 1–22). Patients who were depressed (9/25, 36%) experienced more shocks than non‐depressed patients (6/65, 9%) after 2 years (p = 0.002).
Conclusions: Depression is not uncommon among patients who meet criteria for ICD implantation and persists over time particularly when functional status is impaired. Depression is associated with a higher incidence shock therapy. (PACE 2010; 33:1455–1461)
Clinical and Electrophysiological Profile of Brugada Syndrome in the Tunisian Population
Authors: OUALI SANA , BOUGHZELA ESSIA , HAGGUI ABDDAIM , HAOUALA HABIB , BATTIKH KAIS , AMEUR YOUSSEF BEN , KRAIEM SONDOS , KRICHEN SALMA , HENTATI MOURAD , KAMMOUN SAMIR 
Published: October 2010

Background: Most clinical studies of the clinical profile of Brugada syndrome (BS) have been conducted in either Asia, Europe, or America and their applicability to North African populations is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical profile of BS in Tunisian patients.
Methods: The clinical and follow‐up data of 24 patients (22 men, mean age: 40.8 ± 13.7 years) were collected since 2002. Baseline characteristics, morbidity, and mortality data were obtained from medical records.
Results: One patient (4.16%) survived sudden cardiac death (SCD), four patients (16.3%) had syncope, and 19 patients (79.1%) were asymptomatic. Eleven patients (45.8%) had a family history of SCD. Twenty patients showed a spontaneous coved‐type ST‐segment elevation on electrocardiogram and after medical challenge on the four remnants. An electrophysiological study was performed in 15 of 24 patients (62.5%), during which ventricular fibrillation was induced in six patients (40%); three of the six patients were previously asymptomatic. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was implanted in 14 patients (58.3%). After a mean follow‐up of 26 ± 21 months, one patient died from a noncardiac cause and one patient (with a history of aborted SCD) received an appropriate shock from his ICD. None of the asymptomatic and noninducible patients experienced a cardiac event.
Conclusions: BS is present in the North African population and is probably under‐recognized. Tunisian patients with BS share with their western and Asiatic counterparts similar clinical profile. (PACE 2011; 47–53)
Pacing within the Ischemic Area Significantly Decreases the Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction during Experimental Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: TOUMANIDIS SAVVAS Th. , TAKOS DEMETRIOS J. , TSIRIKOS NIKOLAOS , BRAMOS DEMETRIOS , KOTTIS GEORGE , ANTONIOU ANNA , SKALTSIOTIS ELIAS , KALADARIDOU ANNA , MOULOPOULOS SPYRIDON D. 
Published: October 2010

Background:
The aim of this study was to examine the effects on left ventricular (LV) function of LV apical or/and lateral wall pacing during an experimental acute myocardial infarction.
Methods:
In 12 anesthetized pigs, epicardial LV pacing at the apex or lateral wall, or at both sites simultaneously, was performed before and after left anterior descending (LAD) ligation. Data concerning LV function were obtained by two‐dimensional echo during spontaneous sinus rhythm (SR) and during pacing before and 15, 45, 60, and 90 minutes after LAD ligation.
Results:
Before ligation of the LAD, pacing at the lateral wall (48.04 ± 6.25%) or both sites (45.71 ± 6.31%) reduced the LV ejection fraction (EF) significantly (P < 0.01) in comparison to SR (55.44 ± 4.10%). However, during pacing at the apex (50.19 ± 6.50%), the reduction was not significant. After LAD ligation, the EF during lateral pacing (43.02 ± 7.71%) was significantly higher than during apical pacing (38.78 ± 8.26%, P < 0.04) but was not significantly different from that during dual‐site pacing (41.65 ± 8.69%).
Conclusions:
Pacing within the ischemic LV apical zone after LAD ligation impairs left ventricular ejection fraction, as compared with pacing the nonischemic LV lateral wall, and should therefore be avoided in clinical settings where the LV pacing site may be chosen. (PACE 2011; 63–71)
Permanent Pacing for Late‐Onset Atrioventricular Block in Patients with Heart Transplantation: A Single Center Experience
Authors: TAY ANDRE E. , FADDY STEVEN , LIM SERN , WALKER BRUCE D. , KUCHAR DENNIS , THORBURN CHARLES W. , MACDONALD PETER , KEOGH ANNE , KOTLYAR EUGENE , FARNSWORTH ALAN , HAYWARD CHRIS , JANSZ PAUL , GRANGER EMILY , SPRATT PHILLIP , SUBBIAH RAJESH N. 
Published: October 2010

Introduction: The incidence, mechanisms, clinical associations, and outcomes in patients with late‐onset (>3 months) atrioventricular (AV) block following heart transplantation are not well known. This study will characterize late‐onset AV block following cardiac transplantation.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our databases to identify patients who required pacemakers for late‐onset AV block postheart and heart‐lung transplantation from January 1990 to December 2007. Orthotopic heart and heart‐lung transplantation were separately analyzed.
Results: This study included 588 adults who received cardiac transplants over a 17‐year period at our center (519 orthotopic, 64 heart‐lung transplants, and five heterotopic heart transplants). Of the 519 patients with orthotopic heart transplant, 39 required pacing (7.5%), 17 (3.3%) within 3 months posttransplant, 11 (2.1%) for late‐onset sinus node dysfunction (SND), 11 (2.1%) for late‐onset AV block. Also, five patients (7.8%) out of 64 heart‐lung transplants required pacemakers, two (3.1%) for late‐onset SND, three (4.7%) for late‐onset AV block. None of the five patients who underwent heterotopic transplant required cardiac pacing prior to or posttransplant.
Conclusions: Late‐onset AV block occurs in 2.4% of patients with orthotopic heart transplant or heart‐lung transplant. AV block is predominantly intermittent and, often, does not progress to permanent AV block. There are no predictable factors for its onset. (PACE 2011; 72–75)
Statin Therapy for the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation Trial (SToP AF trial)
Authors: NEGI SMITA , SHUKRULLAH IRFAN , VELEDAR EMIR , BLOOM HEATHER L. , JONES DEAN P. , DUDLEY SAMUEL C. 
Published: October 2010

Statins for Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation. Background: Inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Statins have antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. We tested if atorvastatin reduced AF recurrence after DC cardioversion (CV) by modifying systemic oxidative stress and inflammation (NCT00252967).
Methods and Results:
In a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial, patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) were randomized to receive either atorvastatin 80 mg (n = 33) or placebo (n = 31) before CV. Treatment was continued for 12 months or until AF recurred. Serum oxidative stress markers (ratios of oxidized to reduced glutathione and cysteine, derivatives of reactive oxygen species, isoprostanes) and inflammatory markers (high‐sensitivity C‐ reactive protein [hs‐CRP], interleukin‐6 [IL‐6], interleukin‐1β[IL‐1β], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα]) were measured at baseline and on follow‐up. AF recurred in 22 (66.7%) of atorvastatin and 26 (83.9%) of placebo group (P = 0.2). The adjusted hazard ratio of having recurrence on atorvastatin versus on placebo was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98–1.01, P = 0.3). There was no significant difference in the time to recurrence using Kaplan–Meier survival estimates (median [IR]: 29 [2–145] days versus 22 [7–70] days, P = 0.9). Although no significant effect was seen on oxidative stress, 2 of 4 inflammatory markers, IL‐6 (adjusted OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.35–0.97, P = 0.04) and hs‐CRP (adjusted OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.95, P = 0.03) were significantly lowered with atorvastatin. Cholesterol levels significantly decreased with atorvastatin (P = 0.03).
Conclusions:
High‐dose atorvastatin did not reduce the recurrence of AF after CV. It reduced selective markers of inflammation without affecting systemic oxidative stress. Failure of atorvastatin to prevent AF recurrence may be due to its failure to affect oxidative stress. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 414‐419)
Tissue‐Specific Variability in Human Epicardial Impedance
Authors: JACOBSON JASON T. , HUTCHINSON MATHEW D. , COOPER JOSHUA M. , WOO Y. JOSEPH , SHANDLER RICHARD S. , CALLANS DAVID J. 
Published: October 2010

Epicardial Impedance Mapping. Introduction: Epicardial ablation can be employed to treat ventricular tachycardia. Voltage attenuation in regions of fat can mimic epicardial scar, limiting its specificity. Ablation over fat may not be as effective. Prior animal data have shown that infarcted myocardium has lower impedance than normal, and human bioimpedance studies suggest peripheral fat displays higher impedance. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that human epicardial fat has higher impedance than myocardium when measured with standard ablation tools.
Methods:
Patients undergoing elective surgery for coronary artery or valve disease were enrolled. A reference patch was placed on the patients’ back between the scapulae and connected to a standard RF generator (Stockert, GmBH, Germany). Impedance was measured by passing a 1 μA, 50 kHz current from the catheter tip to the patch. After sternotomy but before initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, an ablation catheter (Celsius, Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) was placed onto the epicardial surface in ventricular regions visually identified as fat or myocardium. At each site, impedance was recorded from the generator.
Results:
A total of 37 (7 patients) points were sampled. Impedance was significantly higher in regions of fat versus normal muscle (697 Ω vs. 301 Ω; P = 0.01). Moreover, normal sites from the LV had higher impedance than from the RV (381 Ω vs. 271 Ω; P = 0.01).
Conclusions:
Human epicardial fat has higher tissue impedance than normal muscle. Using epicardial impedance and voltage mapping in conjunction may improve differentiation of arrhythmia substrate from epicardial fat and improve the efficacy of epicardial ablation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 436‐439)
Profile and competences for the graduating European dentist – update 2009
Authors: Cowpe J. , Plasschaert A. , Harzer W. , Vinkka‐Puhakka H. , Walmsley A. D. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis paper presents the profile and competences for the European Dentist as approved by the General Assembly of the Association for Dental Education in Europe at its annual meeting held in Helsinki in August 2009. A new taskforce was convened to update the previous document published in 2005. The updated document was then sent to all European Dental Schools, ministries of health, national dental associations and dental specialty associations or societies in Europe. The feedback received was used to improve the document. European dental schools are expected to adhere to the profile and the 17 major competences but the supporting competences may vary in detail between schools. The document will be reviewed once again in 5 years time. Feedback to the newly published document is welcomed and all dental educators are encouraged to draw upon the content of the paper to assist them in harmonising the curriculum throughout Europe with the aim of improving the quality of the dental curriculum.
Genetic susceptibility for chronic lymphocytic leukemia among Chinese in Hong Kong
Authors: Lan Qing , Au Wing‐Yan , Chanock Stephen , Tse Jovic , Wong Kit‐fai , Shen Min , Siu L. P. , Yuenger Jeff , Yeager Meredith , Hosgood III Howard Dean , Purdue Mark P. , Liang Raymond , Rothman Nathaniel 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe genetic basis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has not been fully elucidated to date. Although it is the most common haematological malignancy in Caucasians, it is uncommon among Asians. A recent genome‐wide scan of CLL in Caucasians, which was carried out in the UK, identified six variants showing strong association. We attempted to replicate these findings in 71 patients with CLL and 1273 controls in Hong Kong Chinese. Three of the six variants were significantly associated with CLL. The rs872071 variant (Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) = 1.78 (1.25–2.53), P = 0.0013) in the IRF4 gene region showed the strongest association, similar to that reported in the UK study. Polymorphisms in SP140 and ACOXL were also associated with risk of CLL. Further, the mean allele frequencies of the six variants were moderately (59%) to extremely (0.5%) lower in the Chinese population compared with Caucasians. These results suggest that variants in three loci may contribute to risk of CLL among Chinese.
Etiology of chronic leg ulcers in 31,619 patients in Germany analyzed by an expert survey
Authors: Körber Andreas , Klode Joachim , Al‐Benna Samy , Wax Caroline , Schadendorf Dirk , Steinstraesser Lars , Dissemond Joachim 
Published: October 2010

Summary Background: The etiology of chronic leg ulcers is heterogenous and they exhibit quite different healing rates depending on the underlying cause. Although the prevalence and incidence of chronic leg ulcers appear to be increasing, data on these patients in Germany are lacking. Patients and Methods: Altogether 100 German wound care professionals were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the diagnosis and etiology of their patients with chronic leg ulcers. Results: We received the data on 31,619 patients. In these patients, venous insufficiency was the dominating causative factor in 47.6 % and arterial insufficiency in 14.5 %, 17.6 % of ulcers were due to combined arterial and venous insufficiency. Rarer causes included vasculitis (5.1 %), exogenous factors (3.8 %), pyoderma gangrenosum (3.0 %), infection (1.4 %), neoplasia (1.1 %), calciphylaxis (1.1 %) and drug‐induced (1.1 %). The used diagnostic methods used varied widely between the medical and surgical specialties. Conclusions: Even though the results of our study cannot claim to be a representative overview, they demonstrate clearly that next to known etiologies, e. g. chronic venous insufficiency or peripheral arterial insufficiency, which are relevant in 79.7 % of all patients a multitude of other causes exist, which are responsible in 20.3 % of all patients for the development of chronic leg ulcers.
Children and youth with myelomeningocele’s independence in managing clean intermittent catheterization in familiar settings
Authors: Donlau Marie , Imms Christine , Glad Mattsson Gunilla , Mattsson Sven , Sjörs Anna , Falkmer Torbjörn 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAim:  To examine the ability of children and youth with myelomeningocele to independently manage clean intermittent catheterization.Methods:  There were 50 participants with myelomeningocele (5–18 years); 13 of them had also participated in a previous hospital‐based study. Their abilities and interest in completing the toilet activity were examined at home or in school using an interview and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Actual performance was observed and rated. Background variables were collected from medical records and KatAD+E tests.Results:  In total, 48% were observed to perform the toilet activity independently, in comparison with 74% who self‐reported independence. Univariate analyses found KatAD+E could predict who was independent. COPM failed to do so. Ability to remain focused and ambulation were predictors of independence, but age, sex and IQ were not. Multivariable analysis found time to completion to be the strongest predictor of independence. Four children were independent in their familiar environment, but not in the hospital setting, and six of 13 children maintained focus only in their familiar environment.Conclusions:  Interviews were not sufficiently accurate to assess independence in the toilet activity. Instead, observations including time to completion are recommended. The execution of the toilet activity is influenced by the environmental context.
Regulation of muscular glutamate metabolism by high‐protein diet in broiler chicks
Authors: KOBAYASHI Hiroyuki , EGUCHI Atsushi , TAKANO Wataru , SHIBATA Masahiro , KADOWAKI Motoni , FUJIMURA Shinobu 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTThe major taste active component, glutamate (Glu), improves the taste of meat. In this study, we investigated the effect of a short‐term high‐protein (HCP) diet on the intramuscular free Glu content to improve the taste of meat. Furthermore, we elucidated how the muscle free Glu content was controlled by the HCP diet. Chicks (14 days old) were fed the control diet or HCP diet for 10 days. Plasma and muscle free amino acid concentrations, and activity and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of muscle enzymes related to Glu metabolism were determined. Muscle free Glu content was increased (P < 0.01) by 51%. Activity and mRNA expression of glutaminase (GA), which is one of the major Glu‐related enzymes, were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the HCP group because of feedback inhibition. The mRNA expression of lysine α‐ketoglutarate reductase (LKR), which is the enzyme involved in lysine (Lys) degradation and Glu production, was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in the HCP group. These results suggest that short‐term dietary HCP feeding is an effective treatment for improving the taste of meat. Furthermore, our results suggest that the free Glu content in muscle is regulated by GA and LKR.
Verteporfin photodynamic therapy of six eyes with retinal capillary haemangioma
Authors: Sachdeva Reecha , Dadgostar Hajir , Kaiser Peter K. , Sears Jonathan E. , Singh Arun D. 
Published: October 2010

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: e334–e340Abstract.Purpose:  Single‐centre consecutive interventional case series by retrospective chart review to evaluate the efficacy of verteporfin (Visudyne™) photodynamic therapy (PDT) of retinal capillary haemangioma (RCH).Methods:  Following an initial period of observation, six eyes of five patients with RCH (juxtapapillary 3 and extrapapillary (EP) 3) received 1–3 sessions of standard verteporfin PDT upon the development of progressive vision‐threatening complications. Four of the five patients had von Hippel‐Lindau (VHL) disease. Follow‐up included documentation of best‐corrected Snellen visual acuity (BCVA), tumour regression, and presence or absence of subretinal fluid (SRF) and/or lipid exudation as assessed by dilated fundus examination (DFE), fundus photos, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). These parameters were documented at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months following each PDT session and up to 32 months following the first PDT.Results:  All eyes showed favourable response to PDT as defined by tumour regression or stabilization as well as improvement of SRF and lipid exudation. BCVA improved or stabilized in three eyes. Three eyes required PDT retreatment for recurrent SRF. Epiretinal membrane (ERM) worsened in three eyes, requiring vitreoretinal surgery at a median of 6 months following PDT.Conclusions:  PDT is a moderately effective treatment for juxtapapillary and EP RCH. In this series, PDT resulted in tumour regression or stabilization as well as in the improvement of SRF and lipid exudation in all cases. However, stabilization or improvement of visual acuity was observed in only 50 per cent of the cases. The treatment benefits may be limited by pre‐existing macular changes and worsening of ERM. A larger prospective study is necessary to validate these findings.