bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Cognitive Effects of Tiagabine and Carbamazepine as Monotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Adult Patients with Partial Epilepsy: Pooled Analysis of Two Long‐term, Randomized, Follow‐up Studies
Authors: Äikiä Marja , Jutila Leena , Salmenperä Tuuli , Mervaala Esa , Kälviäinen Reetta 
Published: July 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Patients with epilepsy are at greater risk for cognitive impairment than are age‐ and education‐matched controls. Cognitive decline is a significant adverse event associated with many first‐generation anticonvulsant drugs (AEDs); however, the past decade has seen the introduction of several new AEDs with more‐favorable cognitive profiles. Tiagabine (TGB) is indicated as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial seizures. The cognitive effects of TGB and carbamazepine (CBZ) monotherapy were evaluated in adult epilepsy patients with partial seizures. Methods: This analysis pooled data from two randomized studies with similar populations, dosing, and cognitive assessments. TGB was titrated to 20–30 mg/day and CBZ to 400–800 mg/day over a 6‐week period. A control or no‐drug group of untreated patients with a single epileptic seizure was included for comparison. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and 52 weeks. Results: Of the 105 epilepsy patients enrolled, 79 completed the 52 weeks of monotherapy (TGB, 74%; CBZ, 77%). Altogether, 19 untreated patients composed the no‐drug group. During the 52‐week follow‐up, only one statistically significant difference was found between the treatment groups and the no‐drug group [verbal fluency task: F(2, 92) = 3.16; p = 0.047]. On further analysis, it was determined that this statistical difference was solely based on the patients receiving CBZ performing worse than the control group (p = 0.048). Statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) were found on six (26%) of 23 variables with TGB and CBZ, as well as the no‐drug group, although the variables differed between the groups. Significant worsening in the test scores was not seen in any of the study groups. Conclusions: The results of this 52‐week, follow‐up study show that successful TGB monotherapy with 20–30 mg/day has a cognitive profile similar to that of successful long‐term CBZ monotherapy with 400–800 mg/day in newly diagnosed patients with epilepsy and to that of untreated patients with a single seizure. We observed no significant decline in cognitive scores associated with TGB monotherapy.
Valproate‐associated Coagulopathies Are Frequent and Variable in Children
Authors: Gerstner Thorsten , Teich Martin , Bell Nellie , Longin Elke , Dempfle Carl‐Erik , Brand Joachim , König Stephan 
Published: July 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) commonly used for generalized and focal epilepsies. The clinical relevance of coagulopathies, known as side effects of VPA therapy, especially thrombocytopenia, von Willebrand disease, and a decrease of factor XIII, is still unclear. Methods: In our institute, we noticed a high incidence of clinically relevant coagulation problems related to VPA in eight patients within 1 year only and a further seven children with significant coagulopathy were identified in the context of planned surgery. Results: We provide an overview of these patients and all six VPA‐induced coagulopathies. Conclusions: At this time, it cannot be recommended to control all hemostatic parameters in every patient. Whenever an increased bleeding tendency is observed, or before surgical procedures, a platelet count, thrombelastography, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, TT, fibrinogen, von Willibrand factor, and factor XIII should be examined. With 385 VPAtreated patients per year and 15 cases of coagulation disorders in this period, we estimate the incidence of coagulation disorders related to VPA in children to be nearly 4%.
The Effect of the New Antiepileptic Drug Rufinamide on Cognitive Functions
Authors: Aldenkamp Albert P. , Alpherts Willem C. J. 
Published: July 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Rufinamide (RUF 331; 1‐(2,6‐difluoro‐phenyl)methyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxamide) is a structurally novel compound that limits the frequency of sodium‐dependent neuronal action potentials. So far no data have been published on the cognitive effects of RUF, except for two animal studies. Methods: The study used a multicenter, multinational double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled parallel‐study design with four different doses of RUF (based on prior studies): 200 mg/day, 400 mg/day, 800 mg/day, and 1,600 mg/day as add‐on to the existing medication. All patients had partial seizures, in the age range of 15–64 years (with an average of 37.5 years). Cognitive assessments were performed at baseline (before the start with RUF treatment) and at end point (after 3 months of treatment). Results: In total, 189 patients were included, divided over the treatment groups: placebo (n = 41), 200 mg/day (n = 33), 400 mg/day (n = 38), 800 mg/day (n = 37), and 1,600 mg/day (n = 40). The most important finding is that for none of the cognitive tests did a statistically significant worsening occur for any of the doses of RUF when the period after 12 weeks of treatment was compared with the baseline before introducing RUF. Also none of the comparisons between dose and placebo showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusions: RUF is a new AED with no serious cognitive effects even in add‐on treatment and even in the higher dose ranges.
Epilepsy Care in the World: Results of an ILAE/IBE/WHO Global Campaign Against Epilepsy Survey
Authors: Dua Tarun , De Boer Hanneke M. , Prilipko Leonid L. , Saxena Shekhar 
Published: July 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Information about existing resources available within the countries to tackle the huge medical, social, and economic burden caused by epilepsy is lacking. To fill this information gap, a survey of country resources available for epilepsy care was conducted within the framework of the ILAE/IBE/WHO Global Campaign Against Epilepsy. Methods: The study represents a major collaborative effort involving the World Health Organization (WHO), the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE). Results: Data were collected from 160 countries representing 97.5% of the world population. The information included availability, role, and involvement of professional and patient associations for epilepsy, epilepsy treatment and services including antiepileptic drugs, human resources involved in epilepsy care, teaching in epileptology, disability benefits, and problems encountered by people with epilepsy and health professionals involved in epilepsy care. The data confirm that epilepsy care is grossly inadequate compared with the needs in most countries. In addition, large inequities exist across regions and income groups of countries, with low‐income countries having extremely meager resources. Complete results of this survey can be found in the Atlas: Epilepsy Care in the World. Conclusions: The data reinforce the need for urgent, substantial, and systematic action to enhance resources for epilepsy care, especially in low‐income countries.
Risk of Aplastic Anemia in Patients Using Antiepileptic Drugs
Authors: Handoko Kim B. , Souverein Patrick C. , Van Staa Tjeerd P. , Meyboom Ronald H. B. , Leufkens Hubert G. M. , Egberts Toine C. G. , Van Den Bemt Patricia M. L. A. 
Published: July 2006

Summary:  Purpose: To assess the association between exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and the occurrence of aplastic anemia. Methods: A retrospective case–control study was conducted using data from the U.K. General Practitioners Research Database (GPRD). Cases were defined as patients diagnosed with aplastic anemia. For each case, up to three control patients were matched on age, sex, and medical practice. Cases and controls were compared with respect to AED use. The effects of duration of AED use were assessed. Characteristics of individual cases with AED use were reviewed. Results: The study population comprised 173 cases and 497 controls. AED use was more prevalent among cases (9.2%) than among controls (0.8%). After adjustment for confounders, the use of AEDs was significantly associated with aplastic anemia (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 9.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.0–39.7). The most frequently used AEDs were carbamazepine (CBZ), valproic acid (VPA), and phenytoin. The 16 exposed cases were heterogeneous with respect to patient and exposure characteristics: the age of these patients varied from 1 to 92 years, and the duration of AED use varied from 17 days to 6.8 years. Conclusions: This study indicates that use of AEDs, in particular CBZ and VPA, is associated with a ninefold increased risk of aplastic anemia. Physicians should be alert to the possibility of AED‐associated aplastic anemia.
Uncertainty Reduction Approaches, Uncertainty Coping Approaches, and Process Performance in Financial Services
Authors: Field Joy M. , Ritzman Larry P. , Safizadeh M. Hossein , Downing Charles E. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTDeveloping a better understanding of the impact of uncertainty on process performance has been recognized as an important research opportunity in service design (Hill, et al., 2002). Within this general research stream, our study focuses on the question of what managers can do to most effectively address operational uncertainty and mitigate its negative effects. To begin to address this question, we report on an exploratory study using a sample of professionals in the financial‐services industry who acted as informants on 108 financial‐services processes. These professionals were sampled from a population of graduates of a university in the northeastern region of the United States who were employed in the financial‐services industry. Based on these processes, we empirically examine the relationship between responses to operational uncertainty and process performance after controlling for customer mix, other uncertainty sources, and process type characteristics. Our findings suggest that process improvement—an uncertainty reduction approach related to the internal functioning of the process—as well as several uncertainty coping approaches are associated with better performing processes. However, uncertainty reduction approaches related to customer involvement with, and demands on, the process are not associated with better performing processes. We discuss the implications of our findings for determining what actions managers can take to reduce the negative performance effects of operational uncertainty and how managers can decide which of these actions to take. We conclude with a discussion of the limitations of our study.
A Methodology for Constructing Collective Causal Maps*
Authors: Scavarda Annibal José , Bouzdine‐Chameeva Tatiana , Goldstein Susan Meyer , Hays Julie M. , Hill Arthur V. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTThis article develops a new approach for constructing causal maps called the Collective Causal Mapping Methodology (CCMM). This methodology collects information asynchronously from a group of dispersed and diverse subject‐matter experts via Web technologies. Through three rounds of data collection, analysis, mapping, and interpretation, CCMM constructs a parsimonious collective causal map. The article illustrates the CCMM by constructing a causal map as a teaching tool for the field of operations management. Causal maps are an essential tool for managers who seek to improve complex systems in the areas of quality, strategy, and information systems. These causal maps are known by many names, including Ishikawa (fishbone) diagrams, cause‐and‐effect diagrams, impact wheels, issue trees, strategy maps, and risk‐assessment mapping tools. Causal maps can be used by managers to focus attention on the root causes of a problem, find critical control points, guide risk management and risk mitigation efforts, formulate and communicate strategy, and teach the fundamental causal relationships in a complex system. Only two basic methods for creating causal maps are available to managers today—brainstorming and interviews. However, these methods are limited, particularly when the subject‐matter experts cannot easily meet in the same place at the same time. Managers working with complex systems across large, geographically dispersed organizations can employ the CCMM presented here to efficiently and effectively construct causal maps to facilitate improving their systems.
From basic to clinical research: a journey with the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium, the cornea, age‐related macular degeneration and hereditary degenerations, as seen in the rear view mirror
Authors: Nilsson Sven Erik G. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  This Acta Ophthalmologica Award and Gold Medal Honorary Lecture (the Lundsgaard Gold Medal Honorary Lecture) reviews some of the work I have carried out with my mentors and many of my wonderful collaborators and research students over more than 40 years, also including related work by other groups. It concentrates on the basic electrophysiology and ultrastructure of the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), as well as covering basic and clinical aspects of the cornea, contact lenses, age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and hereditary diseases.Methods:  The review describes research performed using light and electron microscopy, basic and clinical electrophysiology, genetics and biochemistry in animal experiments and in research on patients. It also outlines clinically used techniques, such as laser and photodynamic treatment and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.Results:  The paper reports on the following subjects: the mechanisms behind some of the electrical potentials originating in the retina and the RPE and the use of these potentials in hereditary diseases; corneal receptors for lectins and presumably for bacteria; the turnover of the photoreceptor outer segment and the formation of lipofuscin, including the relation of these processes to AMD; certain treatments for AMD, and hereditary degenerations in animal models, such as the RPE65 gene mutation in Briard dogs, which makes them a model of Leber's congenital amaurosis. The dogs are now treated successfully with gene therapy in the USA, and a clinical trial is in preparation.Conclusions:  During the last 40 years we have had the good fortune to experience a dramatic growth in knowledge and understanding within ophthalmic science of basic mechanisms. Huge progress has been made in diagnostics and clinical ophthalmological treatments, much to the benefit of our patients. Even a small contribution made by my group to these developments has been well worth the effort, particularly as scientific work is not just deeply satisfying: it is also fun!
Histomorphometrical study in cavernous lymphangioma of the tongue
Authors: Yaita T , Onodera K , Xu H , Ooya K 
Published: July 2006

Objective:  To study the histomorphometrical characteristics of lymphatic vessels in cavernous lymphangiomas of the tongue.Material and methods:  Immunohistochemical stainings were prepared in the 20 specimens with three antibodies [D2‐40, CD31 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)]. Three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction and histometrical analysis of the lymphatic vessels was also examined.Results:  Distinctly positive staining for D2‐40 was found in dilated lymphatic vessels located in the lamina propria beneath the thinned covering epithelium. Small blood vessels stained positively for CD31 were present in the lamina propria. PCNA‐positive lymphatic endothelial cells were scattered in both control and lymphangioma. The 3D architecture of lymphatic vessels was characterized by a complex network with irregular branches in the lamina propria. Histometrical analysis showed that the number of lymphatic endothelial cells per lymphatic vessel perimeter in cavernous lymphangioma was significantly higher than that in control. There were no significant differences in the lymphatic density and the ratio of PCNA‐positive lymphatic endothelial cell nuclei to the total number of lymphatic endothelial cell nuclei between control and lymphangioma.Conclusions:  These results indicate the absence of excessive endothelial cell proliferation in dilated lymphatic vessels in cavernous lymphangioma. Cavernous lymphangioma may be attributed to the enlargement of lymphatic vessels without the tumorous proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells.
Viscosity and wettability of animal mucin solutions and human saliva
Authors: Park M‐S , Chung J‐W , Kim Y‐K , Chung S‐C , Kho H‐S 
Published: July 2006

Objective:  The purpose of this study was to compare viscosity and wettability between animal mucin solutions and human saliva.Materials and Methods:  Human whole and glandular saliva, porcine gastric mucin, bovine submaxillary mucin, and a mucin‐based saliva substitute were used. Viscosity was measured with a cone‐and‐plate digital viscometer, while wettability on acrylic resin and Co–Cr alloy was determined by the contact angle.Results:  The viscosity of animal mucin solutions was proportional to mucin concentration, with the animal mucin solution of concentration 5.0 mg ml−1 displaying similar viscosity to stimulated whole saliva. A decrease in contact angle was found with increasing animal mucin concentration. For the saliva samples tested, viscosity increased in the following order: stimulated parotid saliva, stimulated whole saliva, unstimulated whole saliva, stimulated submandibular–sublingual saliva. Contact angles of human saliva on the tested solid phases were inversely correlated with viscosity. Contact angles of human saliva on acrylic resin were much lower than those of animal mucin solutions and of those on Co–Cr alloy (P < 0.01).Conclusions:  The effectiveness of animal mucin solutions in terms of their rheological properties was objectively confirmed, indicating a vital role for mucin in proper oral function as well as the development of effective salivary substitutes.
What are “Things” Saying in Renaissance Studies?
Authors: Yates Julian 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis essay takes up the recent turn to “things” in Renaissance literary studies and attempts to adjudicate the kinds of advances this turn might offer beyond the New Historicist project of the 1980s and 1990s. Offering thumbnail sketches of key contributions by variously Marxist or materialist critics and also by the eclectic group of approaches that name themselves “historical phenomenology,” it argues that the new volubility of “things” in our discipline augurs a return to the urgent theoretical questions of the early 1980s on the interrelation between form and history. In order to keep this field of possibilities open to further experimentation, the essay concludes by introducing readers to two theorists whose work shapes the current conversation, anthropologist William Pietz and sociologist of science Bruno Latour, and suggests some ways in which their work might further be used by literary critics and historians.
Development of an exercise program for fall prevention for elderly persons in a long‐term care facility
Authors: KATO Mayumi , IZUMI Kiyoko , HIRAMATSU Tomoko , SHOGENJI Miho 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAim:  The purpose of this study was to develop an exercise program for elderly individuals in a long‐term care facility. Developed through the synthesis of evidence‐based nursing with the use of available research related to falls and exercise, the program was designed to increase balance, mobility, and muscle strength in the lower extremities in order to prevent falls and improve the self‐efficacy of the patients.Methods:  We developed an exercise program consisting of a warm‐up, static stretching, muscle strengthening in the lower extremities, toe exercises, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and cool‐down. The study design was a prospective clinical trial. The intervention period was 3 months, with the outcomes measured before and after intervention and 3 months after cessation of the intervention. The 30 participants were elderly residents of a long‐term care facility, 16 of whom were in the intervention group and 14 of whom were in the control group. The outcome values were mobility, muscle strength in the lower extremities, postural sway, fall efficacy, and the number of fallers and falls. The Friedman test was used to analyze the effectiveness of the outcomes.Results:  The intervention group showed increased balance, maintained mobility, and showed a decreased number of fallers and falls, although the muscle strength and fall efficacy did not increase. No training‐related medical problems occurred.Conclusion:  The exercise program was shown to be acceptable to use for the prevention of falls among elderly individuals in a long‐term care facility.
Current characteristics of cassava mosaic disease in postepidemic areas increase the range of possible management options
Authors: Mallowa S.O. , Isutsa D.K. , Kamau A.W. , Obonyo R. , Legg J.P. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAs a case study to document the current characteristics of cassava mosaic virus disease (CMD) in postepidemic areas, surveys were carried out, in 2003 and 2004, in Siaya District of western Kenya. This was an area affected by a severe CMD pandemic in the late 1990s. Data recorded on cassava varieties were CMD incidence, severity index and number of adult whiteflies. Farmers (174) were interviewed on their understanding of the disease and their knowledge and practice of management interventions. Cassava cultivation was being re‐established, but local landraces predominated. Resistant varieties were present 13% in 2003, and 4% in 2004, of the surveyed fields. Adhiambolera was the most common variety, occurring in 35% and 40% of fields in 2003 and 2004, respectively, and had an average CMD incidence of 82% in 2003 and 73% in 2004. By contrast, the CMD‐resistant variety Migyera had a low mean incidence (28% in 2003). The overall incidence for both years was 71%, consisting of 61% as a result of infection through planting diseased cuttings and 10% as a result of whitefly infection. In 2003, the total incidence was 72% and the average severity 2.7 (severity index), while in 2004 the incidence was 78% and the severity 2.6. There were significant severity variations in each division of the Siaya District during the 2 years except for Karemo and Ukwala. The abundance of whiteflies on the top five leaves of plants was low in 2003 but high in 2004, with means of 1 and 16, respectively, over the same seven divisions in both years, although this variation was thought to be because of seasonal factors. East African cassava mosaic virus‐Uganda was the predominant geminivirus present in every division. Phytosanitation by farmers was minimal, as evidenced by 29% of farmers using a selection of CMD‐free stems for planting and 15% using hand‐roguing for CMD management. Occurrence of more than 25% CMD‐free plants in 2004, moderate CMD severity and limited spread provide a conducive environment for the use of phytosanitation as a CMD control measure that can be immediately used by farmers growing their own cassava varieties.