bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preeminence of Extrahippocampal Structures in the Generation of Mesial Temporal Seizures: Evidence from Human Depth Electrode Recordings
Authors: Wennberg Richard , Arruda Francisco , Quesney Luis Felipe , Olivier André 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: To examine the intralimbic localization and morphology of mesial temporal seizure onsets and to correlate the findings with patterns of initial seizure spread and the presence or absence of clinical manifestations.Methods: Eighteen patients with temporal lobe epilepsy were investigated with intracranial depth electrodes implanted in the amygdala (AM), anterior hippocampus (HP), and parahippocampal gyrus (PH). Focal and regional ictal‐onset morphologies were classified as rhythmic limbic spiking <2 Hz (RLS), spike‐and‐wave activity >2 Hz (S/W), rhythmic polyspike activity >13 Hz (RPS), and rhythmic sharp activity <13 Hz (RS).Results: Onset morphologies in 389 total seizures (260 regional + 129 focal) were 50% RPS, 35% RS, 11% RLS, and 4% S/W. Focal AM or HP onsets (30% and 58% of focal onsets, respectively) were more likely to show RLS, whereas RPS was more common in regional onsets. Most patients showed two or more different morphologies and focal onsets at more than one ipsilateral limbic site. Seizure propagation and clinical manifestations were significantly more common with AM or PH onsets (both 67% clinical seizures): only 23% of focal HP onsets resulted in clinical seizures.Conclusions: (a) There is substantial inter‐ and intrapatient variability in the morphology and localization of mesial temporal seizure onsets, which suggests that the epileptogenic temporolimbic system may be conceptualized as a dynamic network containing a multiplicity of potential ictal generators; (b) Seizures beginning in the AM or PH are more likely to propagate and give rise to clinical manifestations than are focal‐onset HP seizures, which suggests that inhibitory circuits within the HP may function to prevent seizure spread.
Preliminary Results on Pregnancy Outcomes in Women Using Lamotrigine
Authors: Tennis Patricia , Eldridge R. R. ,   International Lamotrigine Pregnancy Registry Scientific Advisory Committee
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: In 1992, the International Lamotrigine Pregnancy Registry was initiated to enroll prospectively and to monitor pregnancies exposed to lamotrigine (LTG) for the occurrence of major birth defects. This study presents results as of September 2001 on 168 outcomes exposed to LTG monotherapy and 166 outcomes after pregnancies exposed to LTG polytherapy during the first trimester.Methods: LTG pregnancy exposures are voluntarily reported to the registry by health care providers before they are aware of each pregnancy outcome. Pregnancy‐outcome ascertainment is obtained through subsequent follow‐up with the reporting health care provider, and each reported birth defect is reviewed by an expert pediatrician. The percentage with major birth defects in pregnancies with known birth defect status was calculated for LTG monotherapy and for polytherapy stratified by trimester of exposure.Results: The registry identified 334 first‐trimester LTG pregnancy outcomes exposed to LTG monotherapy or polytherapy during the first trimester and involving either a live birth with or without a major birth defect or an abortion with a major birth defect. After exposure to LTG monotherapy, the percentage with major birth defects exposed to LTG monotherapy was three (1.8%) of 168 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.5–5.5%]. There were five (10%) major birth defects observed in 50 outcomes after LTG polytherapy involving valproic acid (VPA; 95% CI, 3.7–22.6%) during the first trimester. The observed proportion of major defects after LTG polytherapy without VPA during the first trimester was five (4.3%) of 116 (95% CI, 1.6–10.3%). No specific patterns of major birth defects in any subgroup or within the registry as a whole were observed.Conclusions: The sample sizes for individual regimens are too small to rule out small increases in frequency of all major birth defects or even large increases in frequency of rare major birth defects. However, the percentage of outcomes with major birth defects after LTG monotherapy in this study and in another similar pregnancy registry in the United Kingdom did not differ from that reported in the recent literature for women with epilepsy receiving antiepileptic drug monotherapy (4%). The frequency of major malformations after exposures of LTG–VPA is higher than that after the LTG monotherapy or LTG polytherapy regimens without VPA. Although there are published data on frequency of major malformations after VPA exposures in pregnancy, between‐study differences in methods and source populations and the wide confidence intervals around the estimate for LTG and VPA limit the utility of comparison with such data, and no conclusions are made at this time about this combination. The continued registration of exposed pregnancies to an exposure registry as early as possible in the pregnancy before any knowledge of the outcome, and before any prenatal testing, will enhance the power of such data.
Behavioral Problems in Children with Newly Diagnosed Idiopathic or Cryptogenic Epilepsy Attending Normal Schools Are in Majority Not Persistent
Authors: Oostrom Kim J. , Schouten Anneke , Kruitwagen Cas L. J. J. , Peters A. C. B. , Jennekens‐Schinkel Aagje ,   Dutch Study Group of Epilepsy in Childhood (DuSECh)
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose:To investigate relevant adults' perceptions of behavioral problems in 66 children with newly diagnosed “epilepsy only” and in 63 healthy gender‐matched classmates.Methods:Parents' and teachers' perceptions of the children's behavioral problems were quantified by using the Total Problem score of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Teacher's Report Form (TRF), after correction for epilepsy‐related item ambiguity. Questionnaires were filled out immediately after diagnosis and 3 and 12 months later. Relations with demographic and educational variables, school attitudes, and interview‐derived prior adversities were analyzed.Results:As a group, children with cryptogenic rather than those with idiopathic epilepsy have more behavioral problems than do healthy classmates. Family troubles and long‐standing behavioral and learning problems are associated with more behavioral problems. The child's adaptation to the adversity of epilepsy onset is important. No adverse effect of antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment was found. Although the percentages of patients with clinically relevant (mean of controls + 2 SD) behavioral problems are consistently 25% (parents) and 22% (teachers), at each assessment, different children contribute to these percentages. In not a single child did parents and teachers agree on the presence of clinically relevant behavioral problems.Conclusions:(a) Behavioral problems are common in “epilepsy only,” but are not persistent. (b) Agreement between parent's and teacher's perceptions of behavior is low. (c) Behavioral problems are perceived to occur already in the earliest stage of the disease.
Modulation of Cortical Nitric Oxide Synthase, Glutamate, and Redox State by Nifedipine and Taurine in PTZ‐kindled Mice
Authors: El‐Abhar Hanan S. , El Gawad Hanan M. Abd 
Published: March 2003

Summary: Purpose:Correlation between pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)‐induced kindling and the cortical nitric oxide synthase (NOS), intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i, glutamate, and free radicals was studied in mice, as well as the modulatory action of nifedipine and taurine on these parameters.Methods:Male Swiss albino mice were used. Mice in one group received a single convulsive dose of PTZ (50 mg/kg, i.p), and were killed 24 h later. To induce kindling, PTZ was injected in a subconvulsive dose (40 mg/kg, i.p.) every other day for 3 weeks. One kindled group was used as control, whereas two other groups were injected 30 min before PTZ with either nifedipine (30 mg/kg, i.p) or taurine (100 mg/kg, i.p). All three kindled groups were killed 24 h after the last injection.Results:Compared with normal control group, PTZ‐kindled mice had significantly higher levels of [Ca2+]i, malonaldehyde (MDA), NOS, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) but had lower levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Acute seizures of the same intensity did not induce these alterations, indicating their link to the kindling phenomenon and not to seizure activity. The effect of taurine, known as an antioxidant, was more pronounced than that of the Ca2+‐channel blocker, nifedipine. The first drug reversed the PTZ‐kindled action on [Ca2+]i, NOS, LDH, GSH, and SOD, whereas nifedipine restored only LDH and GSH levels. However, both drugs did not restore the elevated MDA level.Conclusions:This study suggests that free radicals, as well as NOS, are implicated in PTZ‐induced kindling, and that antioxidants could play a role in controlling the accompanying changes.
Stratifying Differences on Ictal/Interictal Subtraction SPECT Images
Authors: Koo Chi Wan , Devinsky Orrin , Hari Kim , Balasny Jennifer , Noz Marilyn E. , Kramer Elissa L. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Subtraction of interictal from ictal single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) yields numerous foci that encompass a range of pixel values scattered in the brain. This preliminary study evaluated the significance of this range of values.Methods: Subtraction images were obtained by registering, normalizing, and subtracting interictal from ictal SPECT for 13 patients. Pixel values of the resulting foci were divided into two groups: group I with 75–100% and group II with 50–75% of the maximal pixel value. Locations of these foci were determined, and concordance with surgical outcomes and scalp and invasive EEG findings was evaluated.Results: In 10 of 13 cases, group I foci showed good concordance with ictal scalp EEG. In addition, group I foci corresponded well to invasive EEG findings in nine of 10 cases. Group I foci had bilateral distributions in seven of 13 cases. In 10 of 13 cases, group I foci corresponded well to regions of surgical resection. Of these 10 patients, nine showed good concordance with scalp EEG, eight showed good invasive EEG concordance, and eight were seizure free after resection. Conversely, group II foci had good concordance with ictal scalp EEG in only five of 13 cases, and invasive EEG findings, in only five of 10 cases. Group II foci had bilateral distributions in 10 of 13 cases. All 10 cases underwent unilateral surgical resections, and all had good surgical outcomes. In six of 13 cases, group II foci showed concordance with surgical sites. Of these six foci, four had poor concordance with scalp EEG, one had poor concordance with invasive EEG, and five had good surgical outcomes. Sensitivity and specificity for seizure localization of Group I foci were 40% and 88% respectively while sensitivity and specificity of Group II foci were 20% and 79% respectively.Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that foci with 75–100% of maximal pixel values show good concordance with seizure foci, whereas foci of 50–75% may not. Therefore stratifying ictal/interictal differences may improve the specificity and localizing value of subtraction SPECT.
Dendritic Targeting of mRNAs for Plasticity Genes in Experimental Models of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Simonato M. , Bregola G. , Armellin M. , Del Piccolo P. , Rodi D. , Zucchini S. , Tongiorgi E. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: To analyze whether the subcellular localization of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) coding for the neurotrophin brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its receptor TrkB, and the α and β subunits of calcium‐calmodulin–dependent kinase II (CaMKII) are modified after pilocarpine and kindled seizures.Methods: Epilepsy models: pilocarpine and kindling. Analysis of mRNA levels in the dendrites: high‐resolution, nonradioactive in situ hybridization.Results: Nonstimulated rats: BDNF, TrkB, and CaMKII‐β mRNAs localized in the soma and in the proximal dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal cells, and in the soma only of dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells; CaMKII‐α mRNA localized throughout the dendritic length in neurons of all hippocampal subfields. Pilocarpine seizures: increased staining levels of CaMKII‐α mRNA throughout the whole dendritic length in all hippocampal subfields; induction of CaMKII‐β, BDNF, and TrkB mRNAs dendritic targeting in CA1, CA3, and DG neurons. Class 2 kindled seizures: increase in dendritic staining intensity for CaMKII‐α in CA1, CA3, and DG neurons; induction of dendritic localization of CaMKII‐β, BDNF, and TrkB mRNAs in CA3 neurons. Fully kindled seizures: no change in the subcellular distribution of BDNF, TrkB and CaMKII‐β mRNAs; reduction of CaMKII‐α mRNA dendritic staining, as compared with unstimulated kindled animals.Conclusions: Data provide evidence that BDNF, TrkB, and CaMKII‐α and ‐β mRNAs are accumulated in the dendrites of specific hippocampal neurons during pilocarpine seizures and kindling development. The dendritic targeting of these genes may be causally involved in epileptogenesis and thus may represent a new therapeutic target for some forms of partial epilepsy.
Neurotrophin Receptor Immunoreactivity in Severe Cerebral Cortical Dysplasia
Authors: Kim Joo‐Yong , Roh Jae‐Kyu , Lee Sang Kun , Chung Chun‐Kee 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Cerebral cortical dysplasia (CD) is one of the important causes of intractable epilepsies and characterized histologically by disorganized cortical lamination and cytomegalic dysplastic neurons. Although it has been suggested that neurotrophins play an important role in differentiation, growth, and survival of developmental neurons, their pathogenetic role in CD has rarely been investigated.Methods: To know the pathogenetic role of various neurotrophins on dysplastic neurons, immunohistochemical staining was performed using antibodies against NGFRp75, trkA, trkB, and trkC in surgical specimens of 20 patients with CD.Results: TrkB and trkC were strongly expressed in dysplastic neurons of severe CD, and NGFRp75 was also expressed in some dysplastic neurons.Conclusions: It is known that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) contribute to the differentiation of neuronal precursor cells, dendritic and axonal arborization, synaptic plasticity, and cellular hyperexcitability, so increased expression of trkB and trkC may have a critical pathogenetic role in cytoskeletal abnormalities and epileptogenicity in dysplastic neurons of CD.
Do Mossy Fibers Release GABA?
Authors: Walker Matthew C. , Ruiz Arnaud , Kullmann Dimitri M. 
Published: March 2003

Summary Purpose: Mossy fibers are the sole excitatory projection from dentate gyrus granule cells to the hippocampus, forming part of the trisynaptic hippocampal circuit. They undergo signficiant plasticity during epileptogenesis and have been implicated in seizure generation. Mossy fibers are a highly unusual projection in the mammalian brain; in addition to glutamate, they release adenosine, dynorphin, zinc, and possibly other peptides. Mossy fiber terminals also show intense immunoreactivity for the inhibitory neurotrasnmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), and immunoreactivity for GAD67. The purpose of this review is to present physiologic evidence of GABA release by mossy fibers and its modulation by epileptic activity.Methods: We used hippocampal slices from 3‐ to 5‐week‐old guinea pigs and made whole‐cell voltage clamp recordings from CA3 pyramidal cells. We placed stimulating electrodes in stratum granulosum and adjusted their position in order to recruit mossy fiber to CA3 projections.Results: We have shown that electrical stimuli that recruit dentate granule cells elicit monosynaptic GABAA receptor–mediated synaptic signals in CA3 pyramidal neurons. These inhibitory signals satisfy the criteria that distinguish mossy fiber–CA3 synapses: high sensitivity to metabotropic glutamate‐receptor agonists, facilitation during repetitive stimulation, and N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor–independent long‐term potentiation.Conclusions: We have thus provided compelling evidence that there is a mossy fiber GABAergic signal. The physiologic role of this mossy fiber GABAergic signal is uncertain, but may be of developmental importance. Other evidence suggests that this GABAergic signal is transiently upregulated after seizures. This could have an inhibitory or disinhibitory effect, and further work is needed to elucidate its actual role.
Pathophysiologie der Helicobacter pylori‐Infektion
Authors: Gschwantler M. , Dragosics Brigitte 
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung:Als Folge der Helicobacter pylori (H. p.)‐Infektion tritt regelmäßig eine chronisch aktive Gastritis auf. Dabei schädigt H. p. das Epithel sowohl direkt durch die Produktion zytotoxischer Substanzen als auch indirekt über eine Stimulation des Immunsystems. Als Folge der Antrumgastritis tritt eine Hypergastrinämie auf. Der Einfluß der H. p.‐Infektion auf die Säureproduktion ist komplex: Im allgemeinen kommt es bei Patienten mit Ulcus duodeni zu einer Zunahme der basalen und stimulierbaren Säuresekretion, während bei Patienten mit Magenkarzinom die Säureproduktion abnimmt.  Das Spektrum H. p.‐induzierter Krankheitsbilder des oberen Verdauungstraktes ist sehr weit und reicht von der asymptomatischen, chronisch aktiven Gastritis zur gastroduodenalen Ulkuskrankheit, zum Magenkarzinom und zum MALT‐Lymphom. Der individuelle Verlauf wird durch ein komplexes Zusammenspiel von bakteriellen Virulenzfaktoren, Wirtsfaktoren sowie Umwelteinflüssen bestimmt. Das Ausmaß der Säureproduktion ist wahrscheinlich die wichtigste Variable: Bei Patienten mit hoher Säuresekretion bleibt die Gastritis im wesentlichen auf das Antrum beschränkt und es besteht ein hohes Risiko, ein Ulcus duodeni zu entwickeln. Im Unterschied dazu kommt es bei niedriger Säureproduktion vorzugsweise zur Entstehung einer Pangastritis, in welcher sich über eine chronisch atrophe Gastritis ein Magenkarzinom entwickeln kann.
Inhibition of Leukocyte and Platelet Aggregation in vitro by Antithrombin
Authors: Gritti Donatella , Gasparetto Chiara , Malinverno Angela , Ricevuti G. 
Published: March 2003

Summary: Glycosaminoglycan‐mediated aggregation of cells occurs through adhesion mechanisms in which heparan sulfate chains bind to counter receptors on these cells. As antithrombin interacts with heparan sulfate proteoglycans through its heparin‐binding domain and inhibits leukocyte adhesion in ischaemia/reperfusion, it may affect leukocyte aggregation. Leukocyte aggregation was therefore monitored in vitro as the increase in transmission of light through stirred suspensions in a platelet aggregometer. Aggregation curves were quantified as the area under the curve in the first 6 min following stimulation. Leukocytes in platelet‐rich plasma were obtained from heparinized whole blood of healthy donors by centrifugation; the ratio of leukocytes to platelets was about 1 : 45, and the final concentration of autologous plasma was 80 %. Neutrophils were purified by dextran sedimentation, density centrifugation, and hypotonic lysis of erythrocytes. Aggregation was induced by phytohaemagglutinin (0.24 mg/mL) or formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe (0.2 × 10–6 M), with or without various concentrations of antithrombin. During the observation period (6 min) no aggregation of leukocytes in platelet‐rich plasma or isolated neutrophils could be induced either with medium or with antithrombin (0.2 × 100 to 0.2 × 10–6 IU/mL). Addition of phytohaemagglutinin or formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe stimulated aggregation of leukocytes in platelet‐rich plasma and neutrophils to different extents. Additional presence of antithrombin significantly inhibited phytohaemagglutinin‐induced aggregation of leukocytes in platelet‐rich plasma, whereas formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe‐induced aggregation was not affected by antithrombin. Data show that in the presence of plasma and platelets, aggregation of normal white blood cells after stimulation with lectin but not with chemotaxin is inhibited by antithrombin, suggesting specific interactions of antithrombin with lectin‐activated processes of neutrophil aggregation that occur in the presence of platelets and/or plasma.
Effect of age and sex on the sensitivity of antennal and palpal olfactory cells of houseflies
Authors: Kelling F. J. , Biancaniello G. , Den Otter C. J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe olfactory system of newly emerged houseflies (Musca domestica L.; Diptera, Muscidae) is already functional; very few differences compared to sexually mature houseflies exist for the responses to 1‐octen‐3‐ol, amylacetate, 2‐pentanone, 3‐methylphenol, R‐limonene, muscalure, and 6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐3‐one. Sex differences are also almost absent, except for a higher sensitivity of females to acetic acid. Large differences exist between the sensitivity of antennae and palps to different odours. Antennae are sensitive to all odours tested. Palps are mainly sensitive to 3‐methylphenol and 2‐pentanone, both in percentage of responding cells and in response level. The sensitivity to amyl acetate was similar in palps and antennae. The responses to other odours were low in the palps. We conclude that traps baited with attractive odours may lure houseflies of all ages and both sexes.
Evaluation of Bt oilseed rape on the non‐target herbivore Athalia rosae
Authors: Howald Rahel , Zwahlen Claudia , Nentwig Wolfgang 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLaboratory feeding experiments using two transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) rape cultivars (Bt‐Westar and Bt‐Oscar) both expressing the Cry1Ac protein, and the corresponding untransformed lines, were carried out to study the effects of transgenic Bt rape on the non‐target herbivore Athalia rosae (L.) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae). Furthermore, Cry1Ac protein concentration in Bt rape leaves, A. rosae larvae fed Bt rape, their faeces, eonymph instars, pupae, and adults were quantified using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There were no significant differences in mortality, larval development, and weight between transgenic Bt rape and non‐transgenic rape fed A. rosae. Additionally, we did not detect any significant differences in the fecundity and fertility of adult females either fed as larvae with transgenic Bt or with non‐transgenic rape. However, results of the ELISA indicated that Cry1Ac protein was detectable in larvae and faeces (Bt‐Westar 1.1 ± 0.2 and Bt‐Oscar 0.3 ± 0.2 µg Cry1Ac protein/g fresh weight) although this was less than in the leaf material, where concentrations were 2.2 ± 0.8 µg Cry1Ac protein/g fresh weight for Bt‐Westar and 7.5 ± 2.9 µg Cry1Ac protein/g fresh weight in Bt‐Oscar. In contrast, Cry1Ac protein could not be detected in eonymphs, pupae, or adults of A. rosae. Our results suggest that Cry1Ac protein in Bt rape does not have a significant effect on the herbivore A. rosae but the protein is still detectable after ingestion and excretion by these herbivores, thus providing the possibility of exposure to organisms other than herbivores.