bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Stigma of Epilepsy: A European Perspective
Authors: Baker Gus A. , Brooks Jayne , Buck Debbie , Jacoby Ann 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: To study the stigma of epilepsy in a European sample. Methods: Clinical and demographic details and information about patient‐perceived stigma was collected by using self‐completed questionnaires mailed to members of epilepsy support groups. Results: Stigma data were collected from >5,000 patients living in 15 countries in Europe. Fifty‐one percent reported feeling stigmatised, with 18% reporting feeling highly stigmatised. High scores were correlated with worry, negative feelings about life, long‐term health problems, injuries, and reported side effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Cross‐cultural comparisons revealed significant differences between countries. A multivariate analysis identified impact of epilepsy, age of onset, country of origin, feelings about life, and injuries associated with epilepsy as significant contributors on scores on the stigma scale. Conclusions: This study confirms the findings of previous studies that have identified the importance of both clinical and nonclinical factors in understanding the stigma of epilepsy. The results of cross‐cultural differences require further explanation, and much more research should be conducted to reduce the stigma associated with epilepsy.
Multiple Pilocarpine‐Induced Status Epilepticus in Developing Rats: A Long‐Term Behavioral and Electrophysiological Study
Authors: Santos N. F. , Marques R. H. , Correia L. , Sinigaglia‐Coimbra R. , Calderazzo L. , Sanabria E. R. G. , Cavalheiro E. A. 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: Animal models are useful for the study of status epilepticus (SE)‐induced epileptogenesis and neurological sequelae, especially during early brain development. Here, we show several permanent abnormalities in animals subjected to multiple SE during early development. Methods: Wistar pup rats (7 to 9 days old) were subjected to three consecutive episodes of SE induced by systemic pilocarpine injections. To study the long‐lasting consequences of early‐induced SE, chronic electroencephalographic recordings were made from the hippocampus and cortex and several behavioral tests (inhibitory step‐down avoidance, rota‐rod, open field, elevated plus‐maze, and Skinner box) were performed at postnatal days 30 to 90. We also investigated in vitro electrophysiological responses of the CA1 area using extracellular recordings in hippocampal slices. A histological analysis was done using cresyl violet staining 24 hours and several months after SE induction. Apoptotic cell death was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL staining) 24 hours after the last SE episode. Results: Electroencephalographic recordings from 30‐ to 90‐day‐old rats that had been subjected to multiple SE episodes in early life showed marked changes compared with those from nontreated controls. These included frequent episodes of continuous complex spiking activity and high‐voltage ictal discharges, with a small percentage of these rats presenting spontaneous behavioral seizures. These animals also presented evidence of severe cognitive deficit in adulthood. In vitro, a persistent hyperexcitability of the CA1 area was detected in experimental animals. Histological analysis of the brains did not reveal any major long‐term pathological changes. Nevertheless, an increased number of TUNEL‐positive nuclei were present in some animals in both the hippocampus and the thalamus. Conclusions: These data show persistent abnormalities in animals subjected to multiple SE episodes during early postnatal development. SE may result in important plastic changes in critical periods of brain maturation leading to long‐lasting epileptogenesis, as manifested by electrographic epileptiform discharges, behavioral deficits, and in vitro hyperexcitability of hippocampal networks.
Endogenous Control of Hippocampal Epileptogenesis: A Molecular Cascade Involving Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Neuropeptide Y
Authors: Reibel Sophie , Larmet Yves , Carnahan Josette , Marescaux Christian , Depaulis Antoine 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: Seizures increase the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus. Because this neurotrophin exerts modulatory effects on hippocampal neuronal excitability, it may play an important role in epileptogenesis initiated in this structure. Moreover BDNF is known to regulate the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY), which displays modulatory properties on seizure activity. This suggests that the effects of BDNF on epileptogenesis may be mediated by NPY. Methods: Adult male rats received a 7‐day chronic intrahippocampal infusion of BDNF, BDNF antisense oligodeoxy‐nucleotides, NPY, or anti‐NPY immunoglobulin G during kindling of the hippocampus. The long‐term regulation of NPY expression by BDNF was also studied by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay. Results: BDNF applied during the first week of hippocampal stimulation significantly delayed the progression of kindling, an effect that outlasted the end of the infusion by at least 7 days. Conversely, infusion of BDNF antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to reduce the expression of endogenous BDNF in the hippocampus aggravated the electroencephalographic expression of seizures. Chronic infusion of BDNF increased the expression of NPY in the hippocampus, with a time course similar to that of the protective effect of the neurotrophin on kindling. Finally, chronic infusion of NPY in the hippocampus delayed the progression of hippocampal kindling, whereas anti‐NPY antibodies had an aggravating effect. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the seizure‐induced increase in BDNF expression in the hippocampus may constitute an endogenous protective mechanism able to counteract hippocampal epileptogenesis. This protective effect appears to be mediated at least in part through the regulation of NPY expression.
Functional and Molecular Properties of Human Astrocytes in Acute Hippocampal Slices Obtained from Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Schröder Wolfgang , Hinterkeuser Stefan , Seifert Gerald , Schramm Johannes , Jabs Ronald , Wilkin G. P. , Steinhäuser Christian 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: The specific role of glial cells in epilepsy is still elusive. In this study, functional properties of astrocytes were investigated in acute hippocampal brain slices obtained from surgical specimens of patients with drug‐resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Methods: The patch‐clamp technique together with a single‐cell reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction approach were used to combine functional and molecular analysis in the same individual cell in situ. Results: In patients with Ammon's horn sclerosis, the glial current patterns resembled properties of immature astrocytes in rodent hippocampus. Depolarizing voltage steps activated delayed rectifier and transient K+ currents as well as tetrodotoxin‐sensitive Na+ currents. Hyperpolarizing voltages elicited inward rectifier K+ currents. Comparative recordings were made in astrocytes from patients with lesion‐associated TLE that lacked significant histopathological hippocampal alterations. The inward rectifier K+ current density was significantly smaller in astrocytes from the sclerotic group compared with lesion‐associated TLE patients. Conclusions: During normal development of rodent brain, astroglial inward rectification gradually increases. It thus appears that astrocytes in human sclerotic tissue reexpress an immature current pattern. Reduced astroglial inward rectification in conjunction with seizure‐induced shrinkage of the extracellular space may lead to impaired spatial K+ buffering. This will result in stronger and prolonged depolarization of glial cells and neurons in response to activity‐dependent K+ release and may thus contribute to seizure generation and spread in this particular condition of human TLE.
Molecular Genetic Study on Angelman Syndrome Patients without a Chromosomal Deletion
Authors: Saitoh Shinji , Wada Takahito , Sakai Taeko , Kobayashi Norio 
Published: August 2005

Purpose: Angelman syndrome (AS) is a ncurobehavioral disorder characterized by severe mental retardation, easily cvoked laughter, ataxic gait, and epilepsy. Epilepsy associated with AS is characterized by early childhood onset gencralized seizures with profound EEG abnormalities. Therefore, AS is a good human model for genetic epilepsy syndromes. Approximately 70% of AS cases are caused by maternal deletions of chromosomc 15q I I‐qI3; whereas, 30% are not associated with a chromosomal dcletion. Thcse non‐deletion AS patients are caused by paternal uniparental disomy (UPD), imprinting mutation (IM), or loss‐or‐function mutations of the UBE3A gene, cach of which predisposes different recurrence risk. To elucidate molecular etiology of non‐dclction AS patients, we investigated 34 AS patients without a chromosomal deletion. Methods: Thirty sporadic AS patients, and 4 familial AS patients (2 families of 2 sibs) were enrolled to the study. The diagnosis of AS was based on Williams’ criteria (Williams et al., Am J Med Genet 1995, 56: 237). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood by a standard procedure. DNA mcthylation tcst at SNRPN locus and genotyping using 7 highly informative PCR‐based polymorphisms within 15q I I ‐ q I3 were carried out to identify UPD and IM. When both UPD and IM were ruled out, the patients were classified :LS non‐UPD, non‐IM. For thcsc non‐UPD, non‐1M paticnts, UBE3A mutations were screened by PCR‐SSCP analysis using 10 sets ofprimcrs covering all coding exons. Results: Among 30 sporadic patients, I UPD and 3 IM patients were identified, and the remaining 26 patients were classified as non‐UPD, non‐IM. Among 4 familial patients, 2 sibs from I family were detected as IM, whcrcas 2 sibs from another family were classified as non‐UPD, non‐IM. No UBE3A mutations were identified within 26 sporadic and 2 familial non‐UPD, non‐IM patients. Conclusion: Threc molecular classes were identified for noindeletion AS patients. Therefore, the underlying genetic mechanism was dcmonstratcd to be complex for AS patients without a chromosomal deletion. Combination of the DNA methylation test and PCR‐based polymorphisms was sufficient to detect UPD and IM patients. Because recurrence risk is low for UPD and high lor IM, systematic molecular investigation including the DNA methylation test and PCR‐based polymorphisms should bc donc for non‐delction AS paticnts for genetic counscling purpose. A majority of non‐deletion patients were classified as noii‐UPD, non‐1M. Although, approximate 30% of non‐UPD, nonIM patients arc rcportcd to have UBE3A mutations, no such mutations were identified in our study. An underlying molecular mechanism was not rcvealcd for this group of patients, and therefore, assessment of recurrence risk was difficult. Further investigation is necessary for noii‐UPD, non‐1M paticnts.
Changes in Serum Phenytoin Concentrations in Epileptic Patients Produced by Changing Phenytoin Preparation from Granular Form to a Novel 10% Powder.
Authors: Emori Kenji , Okabe Akihito , Tanaka Kodai , Tajiri Koji , Kurachi Masayoshi 
Published: August 2005

Purpose: It is well known that there is a significant difference in the bioavailability of different preparations of phenytoin (PHT). A novel 10 % powder formulation of PHT (Aleviatino‐10 % powder), which was believed to have equivalent bioavailability to the tablet and granular formulations, was developed by Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co., LTD. in 1997. This lead us to switch 12 outpatients with epilepsy from the granular preparation of PHT (Aleviatino‐granules) to the novel 10 96 powder. Here, we report that changing the PHT formulation from the granular to the novel powder form produced a significant change in hioavailability. Methods: Subjects consisted of 8 men and 4 women with epilepsy; mean age, 32.7 years; range, 21–58 years; 2 generalized epilepsies and 10 localization‐related epilepsies recruited from the outpatient clinics. The dose of the granular form of PHT was 90‐390 mg/day (mean, 258.3 mg/day). Four patients received only PHT and the remaining patients received PHT and at least 1 other AED. The serum PHT concentrations were determined prior to and more than 2 weeks after changing the formulations. We used the same dose for each preparation, and the dose of any other anticonvulsant drug taken by the patients was not changed during the study. Results: The mean serum PHT level was significantly elevated from 9.66 to 19.51 pg/ml after switching the patients to the 10% powder formulation (p < 0.01). The mean ratio of serum PHT concentrations (S, pg/ml) to dose (D, mgikgiday), i.e. S/D ratio, was also increased significantly from 2.1 to 4.3 after switching preparations (p < 0.01). A decrease in the dose (mean, 85 %) was required in 6 patients. There was a significant positive correlation between extent of the elevation of serum PHT concentration after switching to the 10 % powder and serum PHT concentration before the switch (r = 0.86, p c 0.0003). Furthermore, the elevation of serum PHT levels in the patients receiving only PHT was significantly greater than that in the patients receiving 1 or more other anticonvulsants (p < 0.05). Cuncbsion: These results suggest that the 10% powder formulation of PHT (Aleviatino‐10% powder) has a significantly greater bioavailability than the granular form (Aleviatino‐granules). Therefore, one must be vigilant when switching patients from one formulation of PHT to another, particularly in patients receiving only PHT. In addition, upon switching, one should consider adjusting the dose to decrease the likelihood of adverse effects and interactions between PHT and other anticonvulsants.
Late Onset Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Possible Etiology and Postsurgical Seizure Outcome
Authors: Tottori Takayasu , Mihara Tadahiro , Baba Koichi , Matsuda Kazumi , Ohtsubo Toshiaki , Usui Naotaka , Inoue Yushi , Fujiwara Tateki , Yagi Kazuichi 
Published: August 2005

Purpose: Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy usually have initial seizures during childhood. Of 256 patients who underwent surgical resection of the temporal lobe, however, 55 (21%) had initial seizures at 16 years of age or older, We tentatively designated these 55 patients the late onset (LO) type. The purpose of this study was to examine the possible etiology and post‐surgical seizure outcome in LO patients compared to patients who had initial seizures at >15 years of age (childhood onset: CO). Methods: Thirty‐four LO patients were inale and 21 were female. Age at seizure onset ranged from 16 to 4.5 years (mean 2 1.3 years). To obtain information on past illness, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of all the patients. Status epilepticus was defined as seizures lasting >30 minutes with or without fever. Complex febrilc convulsions were defined according to Nelson. Prior to resection surgery, 30 of 55 LO patients underwent long‐term invasive EEG/video monitoring. Their age at surgery ranged from 17 to 55 years (mcan 33.2 years). Post‐surgical seizure outcome was compared between 46 LO patients and 141 CO patients who had been followed for >2 years after surgery. Results: Thirty‐nine of 55 LO patients (7 I %) had no relevant past illness, but CT/MRI revealed localized lesions in 82% (32/39), comprising dysembryoplastic epithelial tumor (N = 17), focal cortical dysplasia (N = 3), cavernous angionia (N = 10). and arteriovenous malformation (N = 2). The remaining 16 patients had a history of head trauma (N = 6), CNS infection (N = 3), convulsive status (N = 4), complex febrile convulsions (N=I), or nephrosis (N=2). On the contrary, 101 of 201 CO patients (50%) had no relevant past illness, and CTiMRI revealed localized lesions in 44% (44/101), whereas 73 of 201 CO patients (36%) had a history of convulsive status or complex febrile convulsions. Thirty‐three (72%) of 46 LO patients were in Class I of Engel's outcome classification, although 5 of 8 patients with a history of head trauma or CNS infection were in Class I1 ‐ IV. On the contrary, I14 (81%) of 141 CO patients were in Class I, including 8 of 12 with a history of head trauma or CNS infection. Conclusions: I. Approximately 21 %I of patients who underwent surgical resection of the temporal lobe were late onset patients in whom initial seizures begin at 16 years of age or older. 2. Most of the LO patients had no relevant past illness but had localized lesions detected by CT or MRI. 3. The post‐surgical seizure outcome in LO patients was slightly worse than that in CO patients, although the difference was not statistically significant. 4. Surgical indication for LO patients with a history of head trauma or CNS infection should be carefully considered.
Application of the Fuzzy Weighted Average in Strategic Portfolio Management*
Authors: Lin Chinho , Tan Bertram , Hsieh Ping‐Jung 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTWe propose a systematic approach that incorporates fuzzy set theory in conjunction with portfolio matrices to assist managers in reaching a better understanding of the overall competitiveness of their business portfolios. Integer linear programming is also accommodated in the proposed integrated approach to help select strategic plans by using the results derived from the previous portfolio analysis and other financial data. The proposed integrated approach is designed from a strategy‐oriented perspective for portfolio management at the corporate level. It has the advantage of dealing with the uncertainty problem of decision makers in doing evaluation, providing a technique that presents the diversity of confidence and optimism levels of decision makers. Furthermore, integer linear programming is used because it offers an effective quantitative method for managers to allocate constrained resources optimally among proposed strategies. An illustration from a real‐world situation demonstrates the integrated approach. Although a particular portfolio matrix model has been adopted in our research, the procedure proposed here can be modified to incorporate other portfolio matrices.
Testing a Model: A Developmental Perspective of Adolescent Male Sexuality
Authors: Smith Laureen H. , Guthrie Barbara J. 
Published: August 2005

PURPOSE.  This study tested a model of adolescent male sexuality and evaluated its usefulness for predicting sexual behaviors among a diverse sample. DESIGN AND METHODS.  Secondary analysis using a national sample was conducted. Sexuality was conceptualized as depending on family, peers, and school. Neighborhood was hypothesized to influence sexuality indirectly. Sexuality was hypothesized to influence sexual behaviors and age at first sex. Structural equation modeling techniques were used with ethnic comparisons. RESULTS.  Family was the strongest predictor of sexuality. Males who were closer to their family were sexually conservative; males closer to peers were sexually permissive. Neighborhood's influence was moderated through family and school. Ethnic differences were not found. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  Sexuality assessments and strengthening family relationships are essential.
EFFECT OF PRETREATMENTS AND PROCESSING CONDITIONS ON THE CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, MICROBIOLOGICAL AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF GARLIC PASTE
Authors: CONSTENLA D.T. , LOZANO J.E. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACT The influence of storage temperature of garlic bulb and chemical additives (including ascorbic acid, citric acid and potassium sorbate) on the chemical, physical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of garlic paste was evaluated. Formation of undesirable greenish pigment was avoided by storing fresh garlic bulbs at 25 and 40C. Moreover, heating bulbs to 40C a few minutes before processing facilitated skin removal. Garlic paste was processed, packed and thermally treated at 85C for 5 min. The color of garlic paste was affected by chemical treatment, temperature and storage period. The rate of color difference (ΔE) increase was divided into two linear periods with different slopes. Garlic paste exhibited pseudoplasticity with yield stress and flow adequately described by the Herschel–Bulkley model (r2 > 0.990). Both consistency index and apparent viscosity decreased with increase in temperature.
Simultaneously Solving Process Selection, Machining Parameter Optimization, and Tolerance Design Problems: A Bi-Criterion Approach
Authors: Wang Pei , Liang Ming 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
This paper reports an integrated approach for jointly solving the process selection, machining parameter selection, and tolerance design problems to avoid inconsistent and infeasible decisions. The integrated problem is formulated as a bicriterion model to handle both tangible and intangible costs. The model is solved using a modified Chebyshev goal programming method to achieve a preferred compromise between the two conflicting and noncommensurable criteria. Examples are provided to illustrate the application of the model and the solution procedure. The results show that the decisions on process selection, machining parameter selections, and tolerance design can be made simultaneously with the model.
Evolution and Molecular Phylogeny ofListeria monocytogenesIsolated from Human and Animal Listeriosis Cases and Foods
Authors: Nightingale K. K. , Windham K. , Wiedmann M. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTTo probe the evolution and phylogeny ofListeria monocytogenesfrom defined host species and environments,L. monocytogenesisolates from human (n= 60) and animal (n= 30) listeriosis cases and food samples (n= 30) were randomly selected from a larger collection of isolates (n= 354) obtained in New York State between 1999 and 2001. Partial sequencing of four housekeeping genes (gap,prs,purM, andribC), one stress response gene (sigB), and two virulence genes (actAandinlA) revealed between 11 (gap) and 33 (inlA) allelic types as well as 52 sequence types (unique combination of allelic types).actA,ribC, andpurMdemonstrated the highest levels of nucleotide diversity (π > 0.05).actAandinlAas well asprsand the hypervariable housekeeping genesribCandpurMshowed evidence of horizontal gene transfer and recombination.actAandinlAalso showed evidence of positive selection at specific amino acid sites. Maximum likelihood phylogenies for all seven genes confirmed thatL. monocytogenescontains two deeply separated evolutionary lineages. Lineage I was found to be highly clonal, while lineage II showed greater diversity and evidence of horizontal gene transfer. Allelic types were exclusive to lineages, except for a singlegapallele, and nucleotide distance within lineages was much lower than that between lineages, suggesting that genetic exchange between lineages is rare. Our data show that (i)L. monocytogenesis a highly diverse species with at least two distinct phylogenetic lineages differing in their evolutionary history and population structure and (ii) horizontal gene transfer as well as positive selection contributed to the evolution ofL. monocytogenes.