bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring men's opinions of prostate needle biopsy
Authors: Medd Jessica C. C. , Stockler Martin R. , Collins Ruth , Lalak Andre 
Published: August 2005

Background: Needle biopsy of the prostate is an important, common, invasive procedure. Little is known about men's perceptions of it. The present study was designed to assess men's experience of prostate biopsy, to determine the feasibility of a randomized trial of interventions to alleviate distress during prostate biopsy, and to develop a pragmatic outcome measure for such a trial.Methods: Of 33 consecutive men undergoing prostate biopsy at a Sydney (Australia), tertiary referral urology centre 31 men were selected for study. A cross‐sectional, observational was performed. Participants completed both a 24‐item questionnaire assessing relevant symptoms, attitudes and emotional responses and a semistructured interview shortly after their prostate biopsy. Each item of the questionnaire was rated on an 11‐point scale from 0 (no trouble at all), to 10 (worst they could imagine).Results: The mean score for discomfort was 4.4 with 32% scoring ≥7; the mean score for pain was 4.2 with 29% scoring ≥7. The other most troubling aspects were: ‘waiting for the result’ (mean 4.4, 32% ≥7) and ‘fear of the result’ (mean 3.7, 32% ≥7). Seventy‐one per cent of subjects stated that they would have been willing to participate in a randomized trial of interventions to make prostate biopsies less unpleasant. Thirteen of the 24 items were retained and refined for use as an outcome measure for subsequent trials.Conclusions: Many men experience pain, discomfort and anxiety during prostate needle biopsy and most would be willing to participate in trials of interventions to make it less unpleasant.
Long‐term results of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal herniorrhaphy
Authors: Taylor Craig John , Wilson Tim 
Published: August 2005

Background:  The short‐term advantages of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal mesh herniorrhaphy (TEP) are well documented, but the long‐term results remain unclear. The purpose of the present paper is to clarify this issue with particular reference to hernia recurrence and chronic pain.Methods:  A retrospective case series of 100 consecutive patients undergoing TEP 5 years ago by a single surgeon were followed up prospectively with a focused physical examination and interview. Data collected included recurrence, chronic groin pain, tenderness, sensory disturbance, activity or occupational limitation, and personal satisfaction.Results:  During the period between 1997 and 1999, 100 consecutive patients underwent 110 TEP hernia repairs. The mean age was 56 years. Two patients were excluded from the study because they had had open repairs for technical reasons. Median follow up was 64 months. Follow up was complete (interview and physical examination) in 88% and partial (telephone interview only) in a further 5%. There was no major morbidity or mortality. Hernia recurrence rate was 1%. Chronic pain occurred in 14 patients (14%), which was mild in 13 patients and moderate in one. Ninety‐eight per cent of patients were satisfied with their repair and would or had recommended TEP to others.Conclusions:  Long‐term results of TEP demonstrate it to be an effective and safe procedure with a low recurrence and low prevalence of chronic pain that is generally of a mild, infrequent nature.
Mental Health and Social Care Needs of Older People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Strydom Andre , Hassiotis Angela , Livingston Gill 
Published: August 2005

Background Older people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are a growing population but their age‐related needs are rarely considered and community services are still geared towards the younger age group. We aimed to examine the mental health and social care needs of this new service user group.Methods We identified all adults with ID without Down syndrome (DS) aged 65+ living in the London boroughs of Camden and Islington. The Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with a Developmental Disability (PASADD) checklist was used to detect psychiatric disorder, the Vineland behaviour scale (maladaptive domain) for problem behaviours and the Dementia Questionnaire for persons with Mental Retardation (DMR) to screen for dementia. Carers reported health problems and disability. Needs were measured with the Camberwell Assessment of Need for adults with Intellectual Disabilities (CANDID‐S).Results A total of 23 older people with ID (13 had mild ID and nine more severe ID) and their carers participated in the survey. In which, 74% had one or more psychiatric symptoms; 30% were previously known with a diagnosis of mental illness. One‐third of the older people screened positive for dementia (range: 17–44%, depending on sensitivity of DMR scores used). Three quarters of the group had physical health problems, 74% had poor sight, 22% had hearing loss and 30% had mobility problems. Carers rated unmet needs for accommodation (22%), day activities, and eyesight and hearing. The people with ID rated unmet needs to be social relationships (44%), information and physical health.Conclusion Older people with ID without DS have considerable prevalence of health problems and psychiatric disorders, including symptoms of functional decline and dementia. Such symptoms are often not recognised and further research into their needs is a priority.
The cosmetic treatment of urticaria pigmentosa with Nd:YAG laser at 532 nanometers
Authors: Resh Brooke , Jones Evan , Glaser Dee Anna 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground  Urticaria pigmentosa is a cutaneous disorder involving infiltration of the skin with mast cells. Histologically the papillary dermis has an increased number of mast cells with an increase in basal layer pigmentation. In addition to possible systemic symptoms, patients with urticaria pigmentosa can suffer emotionally from the cosmetic nature of this skin disease.Objective  The purpose was to investigate the use of a diode‐pumped Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm for the treatment of the cosmetic comorbidity of urticaria pigmentosa lesions.Methods  A 19‐year‐old white male with urticaria pigmentosa had multiple lesions on the dorsum of the hands and forearms. A test site on the right inner arm was treated with a DioLite™ 532 nanometer laser. Because of satisfaction with the treatment of the test site lesions, multiple lesions on the dorsal hands and forearms were also treated with the DioLite™ 532 nanometer laser.Results  There was a dramatic clinical reduction in the amount of lesions on the dorsum of the hands and forearms. The test site lesions on the right inner arm had not recurred.Conclusion  The diode‐pumped Nd:YAG laser at 532 nanometers should be considered part of a dermatologist's armamentarium for the treatment of a patient's cosmetic concerns with lesions of cutaneous mastocytosis.
Education and behavioral change for sun protection
Authors: Stengel Fernando M , Fernandez J Förster 
Published: August 2005

SummaryWe proposed the term photoeducation in 19881 to integrate the basic concepts of sun protection in one word: why, how, when, and how much one should protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Subsequent use of the word expanded the concept further, emphasizing the positive and negative role of sunlight in man and nature.
Epilepsy and Traffic Safety
Authors: Hansotia Phiroze , Broste Steven K. 
Published: August 2005

Summary:We previously reported that drivers with epi lepsy have somewhat higher age‐adjusted rates of traffic accidents and moving violations than do drivers without epilepsy. We attempted to identify medical and other fac tors contributing to this increase. Medical records of 241 drivers with a history of seizures, representing essentially all such persons from a contiguous seven ZIP postal code area served by the Marshfield Clinic were studied. This zip code refers to a defined geographic area around Marshfield where virtually the entire population receives its care at the Marshfield Clinic and for which we have accurate records. Information abstracted from medical charts was used to identify potential risk factors for traffic accidents and violations among these drivers. Careless driving violations, alcohol or drug violations, and accidents (especially injury accidents) occurred at higher rates and speeding violations occurred at lower rates for drivers with epilepsy. Young age, unmarried state, history of multiple seizures, and lack of antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment appear to be risk factors for accidents among drivers who had a history of seizures. Male sex, psychiatric disorders, alcohol abuse, and generalized seizures or complex partial seizures (CPS) were also suggestively associated with higher risk. For moving violations, young age, male sex, unmarried state, symptomatic etiology, and history of alcohol abuse contributed to in creased risk. We conclude that drivers with epilepsy appear to have identifiable risk factors for traffic mishaps, especially accidents.
Memory Tests Distinguish Between Patients with Focal Temporal and Extratemporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Breier J. I. , Plenger P. M. , Wheless J. W. , Thomas A. B. , Brookshire B. L. , Curtis V. L. , Papanicolaou A. , Willmore L. J. , Clifton G. L. 
Published: August 2005

Summary:We examined the ability of preoperative memory performance to distinguish between patients who had been diagnosed as having left (LTLE, n = 31), right (RTLE, n = 37), and extra‐(ETLE, n = 17) temporal lobe focal epilepsy. All patients eventually underwent surgical resections. Analyses indicated that the ETLE group performed better than the RTLE group on nonverbal memory measures and better than the LTLE group on verbal memory measures. Discriminant function analyses indicated that use of a combination of measures that assess different aspects of memory were of significant value in distinguishing between patients with focal TLE and ETLE. This approach, as compared the use of single measures, improved classification rates of all three groups. The best single predictor of group membership, an index of verbal learning, yielded a 47% overall correct classification rate, with sensitivities ranging from 25 to 59%, and performed at worse than chance levels in classifying RTLE patients. A multivariate approach, which included an index of verbal and nonverbal learning, incidental nonverbal memory, and consolidation of organized and rote verbal material, yielded a 65% correct classification rate, with sensitivities ranging from 57 to 75%. This compares favorably with other noninvasive techniques for lateralizing epileptogenic lesions.
Assessment of Drowsiness in Epilepsy Patients Receiving Chronic Antiepileptic Drug Therapy
Authors: Salinsky M. C. , Oken B. S. , Binder L. M. 
Published: August 2005

Summary:Drowsiness is a common complaint among patients with epilepsy taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and may be of particular importance because of the potential effects on cognitive abilities. We used a novel EEG‐based measure (the Awake Maintenance Task, AMT) to determine objectively whether patients on chronic, stable AED therapy had impaired ability to maintain wakefulness. Thirty patients receiving AEDs [carbamazepine (CBZ), phenytoin (PHT), phenobarbital (PB), valproate (VPA)] were compared to 35 healthy controls, 12 seizure patients not taking AEDs, and 16 patients with multiple sclerosis. A structured EEG recording was conducted under controlled conditions, and subjects were tested to determine their ability to maintain wakefulness during a 6‐min unstimulated trial. Testing also included Digit Symbol, auditory reaction time, and subjective measures of fatigue or sleepiness [Profile of Mood States (POMS), Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS)]. Patients receiving AEDs had a mean total drowsiness score of 101 s compared with ≤ 12 s for each of the three control groups (p < 0.001). One third of the AED‐treated patients had >120 s of drowsiness, in contrast to only 1 of 63 controls (p < 0.001). Among patients receiving AEDs, objective EEG drowsiness did not correlate with AED levels or performance measures. Untreated seizure patients had significantly greater complaints of lack of vigor despite a near absence of objective drowsiness on the AMT. These results suggest that epilepsy patients receiving chronic AED therapy have impaired ability to maintain wakefulness. Patient self‐reports of AED‐related sleepiness may not accurately represent this problem.
Properties of a Delayed Rectifier Potassium Current in Dentate Granule Cells Isolated from the Hippocampus of Patients with Chronic Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Beck H. , Blümcke I. , Kral T. , Clusmann H. , Schramm J. , Wiestler O. D. , Heinemann U. , Elger C. E. 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: Properties of potassium outward currents were investigated in human hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells from 11 hippocampal specimens obtained from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) during resective surgery.Methods: Dentate granule cells were isolated enzymatically and outward currents analyzed by using the whole‐cell configuration of the patch‐clamp method. Hippocampal specimens were classified neuropathologically with respect to severe segmental cell loss, gliosis, and axonal sprouting (Ammon's horn sclerosis, AHS), or the presence of a focal lesion in the adjacent temporal lobe.Results: A delayed rectifier outward current (I), but not an A‐type potassium current (Ik) or inwardly rectifying potassium currents, was observed in all cells. The average current density of Ik, the time‐dependent decay of Ik, and the resting membrane characteristics were not significantly different between patients with and without AHS. The voltage of half‐maximal activation V1/2(act) was 5·4 ± 1·8 mV in AHS compared with −2·9 ± 1·8 mV in lesion‐associated epilepsy (NS). In contrast, V1/2(inact) was shifted in a hyperpolarizing direction in AHS (−67·7 ± 0·6 mV) compared with that in hippocampi not showing AHS (−47·7 ± 2·6 mV; p = 0·0017).Conclusions: The altered steady‐state voltage‐dependence of Ik, may result in abnormal excitability of dentate granule cells in AHS and exert a marked influence on input‐output properties of the dentate gyrus.
Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction in Families After a Child Has Undergone Corpus Callosotomy
Authors: Yang Tsui‐Fen , Wong Tai‐Tong , Kwan Shang‐Yeong , Chang Kai‐Ping , Lee Ying‐Chiao , Hsu Tao‐Chang 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition which can have a detrimental effect on patients’quality of life (QOL). We evaluated the overall satisfaction with QOL and changes in QOL in 25 families with children who had undergone corpus callosotomy for severe epilepsy. The mean age of seizure onset was 3.4 years, and the mean period from seizure onset to operation was 5.2 years. Mean follow‐up was 19.3 months. Twenty of 22 patients had various degrees of mental retardation. Mean reduction in severity of seizure activity was 64%. Nineteen of 25 (76%) parents were satisfied with the surgical result. Eighteen of 25 parents (72%) described a good level of satisfaction with their families QOL after callosotomy. Reduction in severity of seizure activity was significantly correlated with how successful families considered the surgery to be and how satisfied they were with their QOL (r= 0.72 and 0.77, respectively). Life domains showing one greatest improvement after callosotomy included level of self‐care, family life, and school performance. Improvements in level of self‐care, family life, and school performance were associated with higher levels of life satisfaction (r= 0.69, 0.60, and 0.59, respectively). Hyperactivity, attention span, and social skills improved significantly in 11 patients after surgery. Callosotomy did not improve mental performance. We conclude that improved seizure control after callosotomy is also associated with improved QOL.
Postictal Alteration of Sodium Content and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Epileptic Rat Brain Induced by Kainic Acid
Authors: Wang Yang , Majors Anthony , Najm Imad , Xue Min , Comair Youssef , Modic Michael , Ng Thian C. 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: We studied temporal changes of brain sodium and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in a temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) rat model using kainic acid (KA). Methods: In situ three‐dimensional 23Na magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) were used. KA at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight and 12 adult Sprague Dawley rats weighing 228–318 g (268 ± 25 g) were used. Results: Twenty‐four hours after KA injection, magnetic resonance (MR) visible sodium levels increased in both the pyriform cortex (+90%) and amygdala (+68%) and increased insignificantly in the hippocampus (+18%) and caudate‐putamen (12%). The ADC in the pyriform cortex showed a −9% decrease at 5 h postictally, reaching −30% at 24 h, whereas in the amygdala decreases were −8 and −26% respectively. A significant decrease in ADC (−7%) in the hippocampus was also observed 24 h postically. Seven days later, sodium increases persisted, whereas ADC returned to normal level. Conclusions: The increase in MR visible sodium, associated with the decrease in ADC is consistent with the hypothesis that sequential seizures caused an increase in sodium influx and perturbation of membrane ion homeostasis, which eventually evolved into an irreversible phase of cellular edema, with increased MR visible intracellular sodium and decreased ADC. Return of ADC to near‐control level and persistent high sodium level at 7 days may be explained by the increase in extracellular space and tissue necrosis.
Seizures in Lung Transplant Recipients
Authors: Vaughn Bradley V. , Ali I. I. , Olivier K. N. , Lackner R. P. , Robertson K. R. , Messenheimer J. A. , Paradowski TL. J. , Egan T. M. 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: We wished to assess organ transplant recipients, who incur a significant risk for seizures. Method: We reviewed 85 lung transplants performed in 81 patients at the University of North Carolina hospitals between 1991 and 1994. All patients were reviewed for age, reason for transplant, detailed description of seizures, neurological examination, medications, and laboratory results, including cyclosporine level, EEG, and brain imaging. Results: Eighteen of 81 (22%) patients experienced seizures. Patients aged <25 years had the greatest risk of seizures and 15 of the 18 patients had cystic fibrosis. Sixteen of the 18 (89%) patients, by history, had partial‐onset seizures. Eleven of the 18 (61%) patients had seizures ≤10 days after initiation of intravenous methylprednisolone for allograft rejection. Two patients had seizures associated with sustained hypertension; 1 of these patients was simultaneously being treated for rejection. Four patients had strokes (1 before transplant) and seizures. Two patients were receiving imipenem. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated areas of increased T, signal in 8 of 9 patients. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate multiple etiologies for seizures in our transplant recipients. However, we believe that patients, especially those aged <25 years, being treated with intravenous methylprednisolone for rejection may be at increased risk of seizures. We hypothesize that the focal loss of blood‐brain barrier (BBB) may play a significant role in the development of partial seizures in lung transplant recipients.
Myoclonic Alcoholic Epilepsy
Authors: Bartolomei Fabrice , Azulay Jean‐Philippe , Barrié Maryline , Gastaut Jean‐Louis 
Published: August 2005

Summary:We describe 2 patients with chronic alcoholism who over a period of several years developed epilepsy associated with a cerebellar syndrome and action myoclonus. The clinical picture suggested progressive myoclonic epilepsy, but subsequent investigations did not confirm this diagnosis. Myoclonus worsened during abstinence and was relieved during indulgence. We believe that this special clinical syndrome should be recognized as a complication of chronic alcoholism.
Families Are Content to Discontinue Antiepileptic Drugs at Different Risks Than Their Physicians
Authors: Gordon Kevin , MacSween Judith , Dooley Joseph , Camfield Carol , Camfield Peter , Smith Bruce 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: To define the risk of seizure recurrence (RSR) that families and physicians would accept before discontinuing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for children with controlled epilepsy. Methods: A questionnaire was completed by families of 76 children with epilepsy ≥ 3 months seizure‐free and by their attending epilepsy specialist (n = 4). Results: Forty‐two percent of families were unwilling to discontinue AEDs with an RSR of 25%. In contrast, 20% were willing to accept a > 75% RSR. Several factors differentiated the risk acceptable to families: previous seizure frequency (risk adverse with intermediate frequency), multiple seizure types (risk taking), grade or grades repeated in school (risk adverse), and the family's strategy of playing lotteries. Although families and physi‐cians were prepared to accept similar median RSR (35 and 40%, respectively), individual answers did not correlate (r2= ‐0.07). Physicians were unable to predict the families response (r2= 0.09). Conclusions: Our current practice is to discontinue AEDs after 2 years of seizure‐free results in seizure recurrence of 30–40%. This risk may seem excessive to more than half of families, whereas other families will risk stopping AEDs at higher risks of recurrence. Physicians are poor judges of the degree of risk that is acceptable to a particular family, which may account in part for the anxiety manifested by families at AED discontinuation.
Chronic Malnutrition Caused by a Corn‐Based Diet Lowers the Threshold for Pentylenetetrazol‐Induced Seizures in Rats
Authors: Palencia Guadalupe , Calvillo Minerva , Sotelo Julio 
Published: August 2005

Summary:The incidence of epilepsy is high in developing countries where malnutrition is prevalent. Although malnutrition is not a direct cause of seizures, chronic malnutrition may predispose the brain to seizures. In large undernourished human groups from Latin America, the most common sources of food are corn and corn derivatives. We used a rat model of chornic malnutrition, in which corn tortillas were the only solid food intake, to study the possible influence of malnutrition at late stages of brain development on the dynamics of experimental seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). The threshold and does of PTZ required to produce seizures were greatly reduced in malnourished rats. The model of malnutrition used in the study imitates a form of malnutrition common among large numbers of humans. Our results suggest that chronic malnutrition early in life induces changes that lower the seizure threshold and leave the brain more susceptible to seizures. Whether this observation relates to the high incidence of epilepsy in underdeveloped countries remains to be determined.