bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Tumor Recurrence with Nasopharyngeal Swab and Latent Membrane Protein‐1 and Epstein‐Barr Nuclear Antigen‐1 Gene Detection in Treated Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Hao Sheng‐Po , Tsang Ngan‐Ming , Chang Kai‐Ping 
Published: October 2004

AbstractObjectives: Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is closely related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Detection of EBV genomic DNA in a nasopharyngeal swab specimen may indicate the presence of NPC, and the EBV genomic DNA is only detected in patients with NPC and not in other head and neck cancers. This study aims to prove that detection of EBV genomic DNA by means of the latent membrane protein (LMP)‐1 gene and the Epstein‐Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA)‐1 gene in the nasopharynx in NPC patients after radiation therapy indicates local recurrence of NPC.Study Design: Prospective.Methods: Nasopharyngeal swab with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based LMP‐1 and EBNA‐1 gene detection was used to monitor local recurrence in 84 NPC patients who completed radiation therapy.Results: Of the 12 patients demonstrating positive LMP‐1 and EBNA‐1 gene, 11 had local recurrence, and 10 of them had early rT1 mucosal recurrence. Subsequent salvage nasopharyngectomy controlled local disease in nine. Only one local recurrence in the skull base failed to show LMP‐1 gene initially. Detection of LMP‐1 gene and later verification with EBNA‐1 gene from nasopharyngeal swabs in NPC patients after radiation therapy predicted local recurrence with a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 98.6%.Conclusions: Nasopharyngeal swab with LMP‐1 and EBNA‐1 gene detection is a useful and reliable method to monitor local recurrence in NPC patients. It helps to detect recurrence early and may improve local control and enhance survival.
Superstition and Post‐Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage
Authors: Kumar Veena V. , Kumar Naveen V. , Isaacson Glenn 
Published: October 2004

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: The objective was to determine whether post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhages occur more frequently in redheaded children, in patterns of threes, on Friday‐the‐13th days, or with the full moon.Study Design: Case‐control analysis.Methods: The authors performed multiple statistical analyses of all children undergoing tonsillectomy at Temple University Children's Medical Center (Philadelphia, PA) during a 29‐month period. Children readmitted to the hospital with or without surgical control of bleeding were compared with children who did not bleed. Relation of post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhages to the phase of the moon was evaluated using a standard normal deviate. The frequency of surgery performed on Friday‐the‐13th days was compared with a differently dated Friday chosen at random. Clusters of three hemorrhages in a 7‐day period were recorded. Families of children were contacted and asked whether their child had red hair. A χ2 analysis compared redheaded and non‐redheaded tonsillectomy patients.Results: Twenty‐eight of 589 tonsillectomy cases performed required readmission for bleeding events. Twenty tonsillectomies occurred on a full‐moon day, resulting in one bleeding event. One cluster of three post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhages occurred in a 7‐day period. Four of the children who bled had red hair. Two tonsillectomies occurred on Friday the 13th, with no associated hemorrhage. Statistical analysis revealed a random pattern to post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage.Conclusion: Post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhages do not occur in clusters of three and are not more frequent with the full moon or on Friday the 13th. The bleeding rate among children with red hair is similar to that of non‐redheaded children.
Albumin‐Coated Tympanostomy Tubes: Prospective, Double‐Blind Clinical Study
Authors: Kinnari Teemu J. , Rihkanen Heikki , Laine Timo , Salonen Eeva‐Marjatta , Jero Jussi 
Published: October 2004

AbstractObjectives: Coating an implant with albumin prevents adhesion of proteins, bacteria, and platelets and thus may lead to its improved and prolonged function. Previously, we have demonstrated the inhibition of binding of fibronectin, one of the most adhesive glycoproteins, on human serum albumin (HSA)‐coated tympanostomy tubes and the durability of this binding inhibition in a 8‐month trial. We have also demonstrated that the HSA coating inhibits the binding of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to titanium plates. This prospective study evaluated the effect of albumin coating on tympanostomy tube sequelae and on the outcome of tympanostomized patients.Study Design: Double‐blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial.Methods: Two otolaryngological centers in southern Finland enrolled 179 pediatric patients. Number of tube occlusions and otorrhea and tube ventilation time in the ears with HSA‐coated titanium tympanostomy tubes were compared with the contralateral ear with its uncoated, otherwise identical titanium tube during a 9‐month follow‐up period.Results: In HSA‐coated tubes, average ventilation time was slightly longer and the number of early tube occlusions significantly less (P < .05). Moreover, in patients with perioperative bleeding, the coating prolonged average ventilation time of tympanostomy tubes significantly (P < .05).Conclusions: HSA coating reduces early tube occlusions by preventing adherence of blood and secretion.
Temporal Artery Biopsy: Concise Guidelines for Otolaryngologists
Authors: Meyers Arlen D. , Said Sherif 
Published: October 2004

AbstractTemporal arteritis, also known more accurately as giant cell arteritis (GCA), is a multisystem vasculitis of elderly people that involves large and medium‐sized blood vessels with a particular predilection to the craniofacial branches of the carotid arteries, especially the temporal artery. Symptoms include visual loss, headaches, fever, audiovestibular symptoms, and jaw claudication. Otolaryngologists are consulted to care for these patients to confirm the diagnosis, to rule out other causes of face pain and headaches, to care for patients with audiovestibular manifestations of GCA, and to perform temporal artery biopsies. Consequently, it is important for consultants to understand the signs and symptoms and natural history of GCA and the indications, technique, and complications of temporal artery biopsy. GCA can appear with protean head and neck manifestations. Otolaryngologists should be aware of these and understand the issues concerning maximizing the yield from temporal artery biopsies.
A Proposal for Case Definitions and Outcome Measures in Studies of Infantile Spasms and West Syndrome: Consensus Statement of the West Delphi Group
Authors: Lux Andrew L. , Osborne John P. 
Published: October 2004

Summary: Purpose: To reach a broad consensus on case definitions, outcomes, and outcome measures that will ease future study design and facilitate comparison of data from different studies of infantile spasms and West syndrome.Methods: Persons who had recently presented or published first‐author original research in this field were invited to participate in an e‐mail Delphi process and to invite other investigators or clinicians who they thought might participate.Results: The process consisted of six rounds, anonymous except to the facilitator. In total, responses were received from 46 participants. The final statement was approved by 31 participants from 15 countries. It concluded that the primary clinical outcome,cessation of spasms, should denote absence of witnessed spasms from within 14 days of commencement of treatment, and for ≥28 consecutive days from the last witnessed spasm.Primary electroclinical outcomedenotes cessation of spasms with resolution of hypsarrhythmia.West syndromeshould be a defined subset of the syndrome of infantile spasms. Aninfantile spasms single‐spasm variantshould be recognized. Ways are suggested of handling subtle spasms in the context of clinical studies. It proposes a standard for reporting modifying and atypical features of hypsarrhythmia, a minimal set of baseline characteristics and outcomes that should be reported in trials of infantile spasms, and suggests a standard definition of relapse. Consensus was not reached on a definition of hypsarrhythmia.Conclusions: We reached a clear consensus on many aspects of study design for the investigation of infantile spasms, although incomplete consensus was found on how to define EEG criteria.
Public Knowledge, Private Grief: A Study of Public Attitudes to Epilepsy in the United Kingdom and Implications for Stigma
Authors: Jacoby Ann , Gorry Joanne , Gamble Carrol , Baker Gus A. 
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Purpose: For many people with epilepsy, the continuing social reality of their condition is as a stigma, thus representing a source of much private grief. To understand fully the nature of epilepsy stigma, it is important to examine attitudes and beliefs of not just the “targets” but also of the “perceivers” of stigma. Perceivers may hold erroneous beliefs and stereotypes that lead them to have negative expectations of people affected by epilepsy. This study examined levels of knowledge and attitudes among perceivers of epilepsy stigma in the U.K. Methods: A random sample of >1,600 members of the general public was interviewed as part of the bimonthly UK Omnibus Survey. The response rate was 62%. Results: One fourth of informants knew someone with epilepsy and one half had witnessed a seizure. One half agreed that people with epilepsy are treated differently by others, and themes of exclusion, restriction, and nonnormality were commonly cited as reasons for this. Epilepsy ranked second in a range of health conditions, in terms of which would cause them greatest concern if informants had to work with someone so affected. Responses to a series of attitude statements indicated that most held highly favorable attitudes; but one fifth agreed with the statement that people with epilepsy have more personality problems than do others. Responses were influenced by informants' sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusions: The survey revealed attitudes and knowledge gaps that have the potential for discriminatory behavior. There are implications for how public education campaigns should be implemented, and who should be targeted.
Lipopolysaccharide‐induced Febrile Convulsions in the Rat: Short‐term Sequelae
Authors: Heida James G. , Boissé Lysa , Pittman Quentin J. 
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Febrile convulsions (FCs) occur in children as a result of fever. The mechanisms involved in the genesis of FCs and their long‐term consequences on brain development remain unclear. We have developed a model of FC, by using fever as a parameter, to test the hypothesis that fever can lower seizure threshold and to examine the neurologic sequelae of FCs. Methods: Fourteen‐day‐old rat pups equipped with body‐temperature telemetry devices exhibited ∼1.5°C fevers after lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli, 200 μg/kg). During such fevers, concurrently administered doses of kainic acid that are normally subconvulsant were used to induce convulsions with fever. Animals were then killed at varying times for pathological and immunohistochemical studies. Results: The pairing of lipopolysaccharide and subconvulsant kainic acid resulted in convulsions in ∼50% of febrile animals, with very low mortality. To study the neural correlates of these FCs, we used fos immunohistochemistry and found that animals with FCs had fos‐positive immunoreactivity in brain regions involved in seizures. After a period of 72 h, we also examined brains for pathologic changes and found no differences among our groups. Conclusions: Our data indicate that a neuroimmune challenge and its accompanying fever reduce the seizure threshold. Furthermore, the FCs induced by fever in this model do not have short‐term adverse effects on the brain. In addition, this model, by incorporating physiologic fever, may be useful for examining the role of fever and its constituent mediators in the genesis of FCs.
Fracture Risk Associated with Use of Antiepileptic Drugs
Authors: Vestergaard Peter , Rejnmark Lars , Mosekilde Leif 
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To assess fracture risk associated with different antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). An increased fracture risk has been reported in patients with epilepsy. Classical AEDs have been associated with decreased bone mineral density. The effects of newer AEDs are unknown. Methods: We undertook a population‐based pharmacoepidemiologic case–control study with any fracture as outcome and use of AEDs as exposure variables (124,655 fracture cases and 373,962 controls). Results: All AEDs were associated with an increased fracture risk in an unadjusted analysis. After adjustment for prior fracture, use (ever) of corticosteroids, comorbidity, social variables, and diagnosis of epilepsy, carbamazepine [CBZ; odds ratio (OR), 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10–1.26], [and oxcarbazepine (OXC; 1.14, 1.03–1.26)], clonazepam (CZP; 1.27, 1.15–1.41), phenobarbital (PB; 1.79, 1.64–1.95), and valproate (VPA; 1.15, 1.05–1.26) were statistically significantly associated with risk of any fracture. Ethosuximide (0.75, 0.37–1.52), lamotrigine (1.04, 0.91–1.19), phenytoin (1.20, 1.00–1.43), primidone (1.18, 0.95–1.48), tiagabine (0.75, 0.40–1.41), topiramate (1.39, 0.99–1.96), and vigabatrin (0.93, 0.70–1.22) were not statistically significantly associated with fracture risk after adjustment for confounders. The relative increase was modest and in the same range for the significant and nonsignificant results. CBZ, PB, OXC, and VPA displayed a dose–response relation. Fracture risk was more increased by liver‐inducing AEDs (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.31–1.45) than by noninducing AEDs (1.19; 95% CI, 1.11–1.27). Conclusions: A very limited increased fracture risk is present in users of CBZ, CZP, OXC, PB, and VPA. A limited significant increase cannot be excluded for the other AEDs because of the statistical power.
Subjective Sleep Disturbance in Patients with Partial Epilepsy: A Questionnaire‐based Study on Prevalence and Impact on Quality of Life
Authors: De Weerd Al , De Haas Sanne , Otte Andreas , Trenité Dorothée Kasteleijn‐Nolst , Van Erp Gerard , Cohen Adam , De Kam Marieke , Van Gerven Joop 
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Purpose: This study was designed to assess whether sleep disturbance is more frequent among patients with partial seizures and what impact on quality of life (QoL) sleep disturbance may have on patients with partial seizures. Methods: Questionnaire booklets were mailed to 1,183 patients from four Dutch clinics. Each patient was asked to find two age‐ and gender‐matched controls to complete the same set of questionnaires [Sleep Diagnosis List (SDL), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS)‐Sleep Scale, Groningen Sleep Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the SF‐36 Health Survey]. The prevalence of sleep disturbance, based on the SDL, was compared between those with partial epilepsy and controls. Mean scores on sleep and the SF‐36 Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Component Summary scales were compared. Results: Responses from 486 patients and 492 controls were analyzed. Respondents with partial epilepsy had a highly significant, twofold higher prevalence of sleep disturbance compared with controls (38.6 vs. 18.0%; p < 0.0001). Most sleep‐disorder subscales showed significant abnormalities in respondents with epilepsy, compared with controls. Mean SF‐36 MCS and PCS scores were significantly lower in respondents with epilepsy compared with controls in both the strata with sleep disturbance and without (all p values <0.05). The presence of a sleep disturbance in respondents with epilepsy was associated with the greatest impairment in QoL. Conclusions: Sleep disturbance is more than twice as prevalent in persons with partial epilepsy compared with controls, and most domains of sleep are significantly disturbed. Persons with partial epilepsy have significant QoL impairment, and sleep disturbance further compounds this.
Carbamazepine Enhances Discriminative Memory in a Rat Model of Epilepsy
Authors: Bernardi Rosane B. , Barros Helena M. T. 
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Seizures and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the main causes for cognitive impairment in persons with epilepsy. It is still a matter of debate whether carbamazepine (CBZ) improves cognition because of its own psychotropic effects or because it is more effective to treat temporal epilepsy. Our objective was to analyze the performance of CBZ‐treated or nontreated pilocarpine epileptic rats in an object‐recognition test. Methods: Twelve chronic pilocarpine‐induced epileptic rats were treated with CBZ, 40 mg/kg, or saline, t.i.d. for 8 days. Twenty‐one nonepileptic controls were treated with CBZ or saline. On day 8 of treatment, all rats were tested with an object‐recognition paradigm. Results: No locomotor impairment was detected in chronic epilepsy or CBZ treatment, as exploration during training was not affected. Exploratory behaviors during the choice session were not decreased in rats treated with CBZ; therefore CBZ does not compromise procedural memory. Epileptic rats showed a nonsignificant change in the discrimination performance, and prolonged treatment with CBZ in epileptic rats induced a significant increase in object discrimination during the choice session. Conclusions: Even though pilocarpine‐induced epileptic animals do not show compromised performance in the spontaneous object‐recognition test, prolonged CBZ treatment has a positive effect on a simple object‐discrimination task. These results may be associated with the psychotropic effects of CBZ.
The Nonmalformed Hemisphere Is Secondarily Impaired in Young Children with Hemimegalencephaly: A Pre‐ and Postsurgery Study with SPECT and EEG
Authors: Soufflet Christine , Bulteau Christine , Delalande Olivier , Pinton Florence , Jalin Claude , Plouin Perrine , Bahi‐Buisson Nadia , Dulac Olivier , Chiron Catherine 
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To study separately the functional value of each cerebral hemisphere in hemimegalencephaly (HME). HME is a unique model of unilateral hemispheric lesion, but one suspects that the non‐HME hemisphere also could be functionally impaired because the postsurgery outcome is less favorable than expected. Methods: We performed simultaneous prolonged EEG and 133‐xenon SPECT (single‐photon emission computed tomography); we measured the absolute values of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in both hemispheres and compared them with the normal values previously acquired. Thirteen patients (aged 5–38 months) underwent 31 examinations, 20 before surgery (hemispherotomy) and 11 after. Results: In the HME hemisphere, we confirmed the presurgical mixture of increased and decreased CBF due to intermittent ictal discharges. After surgery, CBF was decreased in most cases. In the non‐HME hemisphere, presurgery CBF was abnormal in 60% of the patients, increased and related mostly to diffuse interictal spikes on the same side, whereas normal CBF cases had focal spikes. After surgery, CBF was normal in 82% of cases, corresponding to an EEG without diffuse spikes. In the six patients longitudinally studied, CBF dramatically decreased after surgery in the HME hemisphere, whereas in the non‐HME hemisphere, CBF was mostly normal very early (three fourths before 2 months), increased as soon as 3 months, and normalized only after hemispherotomy, the more rapidly the child was operated on, the earlier it was. Conclusions: This study shows that the function of the nonmalformed hemisphere is impaired as soon as the first months of the course of HME but can be restored after surgery. Our data support the recommendations to operate on the children as early as possible.
FLOW CYTOMETRY AND MICROSCOPY OF GAMETOGENESIS IN NITZSCHIA PUNGENS, A TOXIC, BLOOM‐FORMING, MARINE DIATOM1
Authors: Subba Rao Durvasula V. , Partensky Frédéric , Wohlgeschaffen Gary , Li William K. W. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTThe domoic acid‐producing diatom Nitzschia pungens Grunow f. multiseries Hasle, which is responsible for amnesic shellfish poisonings in Prince Edward Island, Canada, underwent gametogenesis when senescent cells (i.e. in stationary growth phase for more than 290 days) were subcultured into fresh FE medium and light intensity was increased from 33 to 530 μE · m−2· s−1. The number of gametes produced varied with the salinity of the medium, with a maximum at 23.5‰. Cells in the exponential growth phase (0.8 div · d−1) did not produce gametes, nor did senescent cells when transferred without change in light intensity. Anisogamous gametes, probably haploid, were isolated by combining conventional microscopy with flow cytometry. Zygotes resulting from syngamy yielded cigar‐shaped naviculoid cells, morphologically different from parent cells (heteromorphism). These cells, with a division rate of 1.9 div · d−1, could serve as a seed population and explain the origin and rapid progression of the toxic blooms of red‐water proportions that have been a public health problem in Eastern Canada. Production of domoic acid by postexponential and moribund cells but not by gametes, zygotes, or immediately resulting cells, provides an insight into the dependence of toxicity on the developmental history of this diatom.
DENSITY‐DEPENDENT GROWTH, ECOLOGICAL STRATEGIES, AND EFFECTS OF NUTRIENTS AND SHADING ON BENTHIC DIATOM SUCCESSION IN STREAMS1
Authors: Stevenson R. Jan , Peterson Christopher G. , Kirschtel David B. , King Christopher C. , Tuchman Nancy C. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTThe importance of immigration, growth, and competition for nutrients and light in benthic diatom succession was studied in experimental channels in a low‐nutrient stream. Diatom accumulation was greater in channels enriched with nitrate and phosphate (NP) than in control channels, reaching about 5 × 106 and 2 × 106 cells‐cm−2, respectively, after 30 d. Shading during late stages of community development reduced algal standing crop. Synedra ulna (Nitz.) Ehr. and Achnanthes minutissima Kütz. were codominant during early stages of community development in both habitats, but succession to an A. minutissima‐dominated community was much faster in NP‐enriched than in control conditions. Species dominating early stages tended to immigrate quickly, whereas species that increased in relative abundance during community development had either fast growth rates or fast immigration and average growth rates.Decreases in growth rates indicated resource supply became limiting during community development in control and enriched channels. Density‐dependent competition was indicated because nutrient concentrations in the water column and light did not decrease during the 30‐d study. Species autecologies were defined by effects of nutrient enrichment, shading, and community development on species growth rates. Differing autecologies of early and late succession species indicated that competition for nutrients was more important than competition for light.Species autecologies also indicated ecological strategies. The species most stimulated by nutrient enrichment were least able to maintain growth rates as algal abundances on substrata increased. In addition, these species that best sustained their growth rates during succession tended to have the highest immigration rates, indicating that drift and immigration may have been an important mechanism of persistence for some populations when resources become limiting within thick benthic mats.