bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Regulation of Serum Sodium After REeplacing Carbamazepine with Oxcarbazepine
Authors: Isojärvi Jouko I. T. , Huuskonen Usko E. J. , Pakarinen Arto J. , Vuolteenaho Olli , Myllylä Vilho V. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: To evaluate changes in serum electrolyte balance and underlying regulatory mechanisms in 10 male patients with epilepsy 2 and 6 months after replacing long‐term carbamazepine (CBZ) monotherapy with oxcarbazepine (OCBZ) monotherapy. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is thought to be most important underlying mechanism of CBZ‐related hyponatremia via direct or kidney tubular mechanisms. Furthermore, AVP is as well hormonally regulated by the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP).Methods: The medication of the patients was changed from CBZ to OCBZ. Serum electrolytes, creatinine, albumin, aldosterone, and the N‐terminal fragment of ANP (NT‐proANP) concentrations were measured before and 2 and 6 months after the change in the medication.Results: The mean serum sodium level diminished after the medication was changed. Serum sodium levels decreased below the reference range in two (20%) patients during OCBZ medication. Serum sodium levels decreased altogether in four patients, and remained unaltered in six patients. Serum aldosterone levels increased in the six patients whose serum sodium concentrations did not decrease, but no increase was found in the patients with decreased sodium levels during OCBZ medication. Serum NT‐proANP levels decreased in all patients.Conclusions: Serum sodium levels decrease after replacing CBZ with OCBZ. The low serum NT‐proANP concentrations appear to reflect the decreased serum sodium levels, but a compensatory aldosterone response may prevent the development of hyponatremia in some patients during OCBZ medication.
Pre‐ Rather than Co‐application of Vigabatrin Increases the Efficacy of Tiagabine in Hippocampal Slices
Authors: Köhling Rüdiger , König Klaus , Lücke Anne , Mayer Thomas , Wolf Peter , Speckmann Erwin‐Joseph 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: The antiepileptic drug vigabatrin (VGB) increases intracellular availability of the inhibitory transmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) by inhibition of GABA‐transaminase. A blockade of the GABA uptake is the main mechanism of action of tiagabine (TGB). Based on this, the two antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can be speculated to act synergistically so that their combined antiepileptic efficacy is supraadditive.Methods: To test this, experiments were performed on hippocampal slices of guinea‐pigs. As an epilepsy model, epileptiform field potentials (EFPs) were induced by omission of Mg2+ from the bath solution and recorded in stratum pyramidale of the CA3 region. VGB (7.5 μM) and TGB (0.75 μM) were added to the superfusate.Results: VGB, given alone, failed to decrease the repetition rate of EFPs. Similarly, TGB applied alone only transiently led to a nonsignificant reduction of the EFP frequency. Combining VGB and TGB, their suppressive efficacy increased, yielding a significant reduction of EFP frequency, which, however, again did not persist. Pretreatment of the preparations with VGB for 2 h, followed by additional application of TGB, or TGB alone, drastically and persistently potentiated the effects.Conclusions: These results demonstrate that VGB and TGB show favorable pharmacodynamic interactions, provided VGB is allowed to block intracellular GABA degradation before GABA uptake block by TGB.
Occurrence of Psychosis in Patients with Epilepsy Randomized to Tiagabine or Placebo Treatment
Authors: Sackellares J. Chris , Krauss Gregory , Sommerville Kenneth W. , Deaton Roger 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy have a higher incidence of psychiatric problems and possibly greater intolerance to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) than do other patients with epilepsy. Concern has been raised that γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic drugs may be associated with treatment‐emergent psychosis. Tiagabine (TGB; Gabitril), a new AED that blocks synaptic GABA uptake, was developed in trials of drug‐resistant patients with epilepsy. We conducted ad hoc analyses of adverse events, drug intolerance, and treatment response to evaluate the association between TGB treatment and psychosis and whether psychiatric history might be predictive of tolerance or effectiveness of this GABAergic drug.Methods: Data were analyzed from two multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials of add‐on TGB therapy (32 or 56 mg daily) in 554 adolescents and adults with complex partial seizures (CPSs). After an 8‐ or 12‐week baseline phase, double‐blind treatment consisted of a 4‐week titration period (with TGB dose gradually increased to 32 or 56 mg daily) and an 8‐ or 12‐week fixed‐dose period. Adverse events commonly associated with psychosis were evaluated. Treatment intolerance and effectiveness (≥50% reduction in CPS rate) were compared among patients with and without psychiatric histories.Results: Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations) were observed in three (0.8%) of 356 TGB‐treated patients and none of 198 placebo‐treated patients (p = 0.556, NS). Statistical analysis showed no interaction between psychiatric history and drug intolerance or treatment outcome.Conclusions: TGB administration appears to carry no significant increased risk of treatment‐emergent psychosis. Psychiatric history was not predictive of the tolerance or effectiveness of the drug.
Demonstration of Scolex within Calcified Cysticercus Cyst: Its Possible Role in the Pathogenesis of Perilesional Edema
Authors: Gupta Rakesh K. , Kumar Rajesh , Chawla Sanjeev , Pradhan Sunil 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: This study was performed to understand the relation between the scolex as demonstrated on gradient echo (GRE) imaging in a calcified cysticercus cyst and the development of perilesional edema that may be of value in understanding the pathogenesis of this entity.Methods: Twenty‐one patients with solitary calcified lesion on computed tomography (CT), with seizures of recent onset (within 15 days), were selected for this study. All the patients were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including GRE imaging. The patients were grouped on the basis of presence or absence of perilesional edema around the calcified lesion on MRI.Results: There were 14 patients with perilesional edema, and seven patients had no evidence of edema. Of these 14 patients with perilesional edema, rim enhancement was detected in 13 patients on postcontrast MRI, whereas no enhancement was observed in one patient. The scolex was seen in all these 14 patients on GRE images. Of the seven patients without evidence of edema, the scolex was not seen in any of these patients on GRE imaging. In addition, there was no evidence of any contrast enhancement on postcontrast study in any of the patients in this group.Conclusions: We conclude that the calcified cysts with scolex seen on GRE imaging are associated with perilesional edema. This is probably due to preservation of antigenic material in these calcified cysts, the release of which provokes an inflammatory response that may be responsible for the perilesional edema.
Pentylenetetrazol‐induced Recurrent Seizures in Rat Pups: Time Course on Spatial Learning and Long‐term Effects
Authors: Huang Li‐Tung , Yang San Nan , Liou Chia‐Wei , Hung Pi‐Lien , Lai Ming‐Chi , Wang Chih‐Lu , Wang Tzu‐Jou 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Recurrent seizures in infants are associated with a high incidence of neurocognitive deficits. Animal models have suggested that the immature brain is less vulnerable to seizure‐induced injury than is that in adult animals. We studied the effects of recurrent neonatal seizures on cognitive tasks performed when the animals were in adolescence and adulthood.Methods: Seizures were induced by intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) for 5 consecutive days, starting from postnatal day 10 (P10). At P35 and P60, rats were tested for spatial memory by using the Morris water maze task. In adulthood, motor performance was examined by the Rotarod test, and activity level was assessed by the open field test. Seizure threshold was examined by inhalant flurothyl. To assess presence or absence of spontaneous seizures, rats were video recorded for 4 h/day for 10 consecutive days for the detection of spontaneous seizures. Finally, brains were examined for histologic evidence of injury with cresyl violet stain and Timm staining in the supragranular zone and CA3 pyramidal cell layers of the hippocampus.Results: PTZ‐treated rats showed significant spatial deficits in the Morris water maze at both P35 and P60. There were no differences in seizure threshold, motor balance, or activity level during the open field test. Spontaneous seizures were not recorded in any rat. The cresyl violet stain showed no cell loss in either the control or experimental rats. PTZ‐treated rats exhibited more Timm staining in the CA3 subfield. However, the control and experimental rats showed similar Timm staining within the supragranular zone.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that recurrent PTZ‐induced seizures result in long‐term cognitive deficits and morphologic changes in the developing brain. Furthermore, these cognitive deficits could be detected during pubescence.
Ictal EEG Patterns in Band Heterotopia
Authors: Grant Arthur C. , Rho Jong M. 
Published: March 2003

Summary: Band heterotopia (BH) or “double cortex” syndrome is a neuronal migration disorder resulting in a diffuse band of subcortical grey matter and variable abnormality of the overlying cortex. Patients with BH have a spectrum of psychomotor delay and seizures. Associated epileptic syndromes and interictal EEG findings have been described, but ictal EEG patterns are lacking.Methods: We describe the clinical, interictal, and ictal EEG findings in two girls with BH and intractable seizures.Results: Ictal EEG patterns correlated well with clinical seizure types, and did not have features unique to BH. Similarly, seizure behaviors and interictal EEG findings were typical of those seen in symptomatic generalized epilepsies.Conclusions: Despite evidence implicating the ectopic grey matter in seizure discharges, we conclude that seizure semiology and associated ictal EEG patterns in BH are no different from those seen in other causes of symptomatic generalized epilepsies.
Ictal Urinary Urge: Further Evidence for Lateralization to the Nondominant Hemisphere
Authors: Loddenkemper Tobias , Foldvary Nancy , Raja Shanker , Neme Silvia , Lüders Hans O. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: To determine the lateralizing value of ictal urinary urgency.Methods: A retrospective database search was performed for patients with ictal urinary urgency admitted to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at the Cleveland Clinic between 1994 and 2001.Results: Six patients were identified; intracarotid amytal test demonstrated left hemispheric speech dominance in five cases. The sixth patient continued to speak during right temporal seizures. EEG and imaging data supported right temporal or frontotemporal epilepsy in all six cases. Two patients were seizure free after focal right hemispheric resection.Conclusions: Ictal urinary urge appears to be a lateralizing sign for nondominant temporal lobe epilepsy.
Psychogenic, Nonepileptic Seizures Associated with Video‐EEG–Verified Sleep
Authors: Orbach Darren , Ritaccio Anthony , Devinsky Orrin 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Nonepileptic seizures (NES) are expressions of a psychiatric disease state, usually conversion disorder, that mimic epileptic seizures (ES) but are not associated with the neurophysiologic changes of epilepsy. Conversion has not been demonstrated to emerge from the sleeping state. Emergence out of sleep is usually considered a virtual exclusion criterion for NES, signifying the presence instead of ES. We sought to test this hypothesis.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the video‐EEG of all patients admitted to our epilepsy unit over a 3‐year period, who were suspected of manifesting NES. We examined the relation between NES and the patients' sleep/wake state in this cohort. Two epileptologists blindly reviewed an intermixture of cases suspected to represent NES emerging out of sleep, together with control cases. Classification of each case was made independently.Results: We found that in a small minority of patients (<1%), NES began either while the patient was sleeping, or within several seconds of arousal, well before a plan to simulate a seizure could likely have been formulated in the wakeful state.Conclusions: In some cases, NES are not the product of the awake mind, but rather represent a psychiatric condition that can be manifest in sleep.
Metabolic Properties of Band Heterotopia Differ from Those of Other Cortical Dysplasias: A Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study
Authors: Munakata Mitsutoshi , Haginoya Kazuhiro , Soga Takashi , Yokoyama Hiroyuki , Noguchi Rie , Nagasaka Tatsuo , Murata Takaki , Higano Shuichi , Takahashi Shoki , Iinuma Kazuie 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: To assess the biochemical properties of band heterotopia in comparison with other cortical developmental malformations (CDMs) by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS).Methods: We performed localized single‐voxel 1H‐MRS studies on 13 patients [five band heterotopia (BH), two focal cortical dysplasia (CD), two unilateral CD, one bilateral perisylvian dysplasia, three hemimegalencephaly]. CDMs other than BH were categorized as CD. Spectra were acquired from volumes of interest (VOIs) localized in the CD and in normal‐appearing cortex on the contralateral side. In BH patients, the VOIs were the external cortex and the laminar heterotopia. For the BH study, spectra also were obtained from the cortex of age‐matched normal volunteers.Results: The spectra of CD lesions were characterized by significantly lower ratios of N‐acetyl aspartate to creatine (NAA/Cr) and by higher choline to Cr (Cho/Cr) ratios than in the contralateral remote cortex (p = 0.01 and 0.01, respectively). The NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios of the external cortex of BH were not significantly different from those of normal volunteers. The NAA/Cr ratio of the laminar heterotopia was not significantly different from that of the external cortex (p = 0.12) or normal volunteers (p = 0.60), whereas Cho/Cr was significantly higher in laminar heterotopias than in the external cortex (p = 0.04) or controls (p = 0.03).Conclusions: 1H‐MRS can distinguish between the metabolic properties of BH and CD.
Expressive Aprosody and Amusia as a Manifestation of Right Hemisphere Seizures
Authors: Bautista Ramon Edmundo D. , Ciampetti Maribel Z. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Aprosody and amusia are disorders commonly associated with right hemisphere abnormalities. They are regarded as negative phenomena and usually seen after strokes. We report a case of a patient who had both expressive aprosody and amusia as a clinical manifestation of right temporooccipital seizures.Methods: A 43‐year‐old woman had a 1‐month history of monotonic speech and difficulty singing. Her examination revealed both expressive aprosody and amusia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head was normal, but her EEG revealed several electrographic seizures of right temporooccipital origin.Results: Treatment with phenytoin (PHT) almost immediately caused her speech and singing to return to baseline. A repeated EEG was normalConclusions: Seizures of right temporooccipital origin can manifest with expressive aprosody and amusia.
Morphologic Study of Neuronal Death, Glial Activation, and Progenitor Cell Division in the Hippocampus of Rat Models of Epilepsy
Authors: Tooyama Ikuo , Bellier Jean‐Pierre , Park Masami , Minnasch Petra , Uemura Shuji , Hisano Tadashi , Iwami Mika , Aimi Yoshinari , Yasuhara Osamu , Kimura Hiroshi 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: To clarify the relationship of neuronal death to cellular responses, we studied neuronal death as well as reactions of glia and progenitor cells in the hippocampus of two rat models of epilepsy.Methods: Seizures were induced by either kainic acid (KA) administration or electrical kindling. Neuronal degeneration was assessed by in situ DNA fragmentation analysis. Reactions of glial cells were studied by immunohistochemistry. Progenitor cell division was evaluated using the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling method.Results: DNA fragmentation and reactive microglia were observed in the CA1, CA3, and hilus region for 24 h to 4 weeks after KA injection, but not detected in the kindling model. Reactive astrocytes and enhancement of progenitor cell division were seen in both animal models. The number of BrdU‐positive cells began to increase on day 3 after KA injection, peaked on day 5, and returned to baseline on day 10. After kindling, the number of BrdU‐positive cells began to increase after five consecutive experience of stage I seizures.Conclusions: These observations show that neuronal degeneration is not necessary for triggering the upregulation. Microglial activation is closely related to the neuronal death process induced by KA.
Die ablative Therapie der Immunhyperthyreose unter spezieller Berücksichtigung der endokrinen Orbitopathie
Authors: Lind P. 
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Der Einfluss einer ablativen Therapie einer immunogenen Hyperthyreose auf den Verlauf der endokrinen Orbitopathie wird weiterhin kontrovers diskutiert. Die vorliegende Datenlage ist sehr uneinheitlich, da es sich zum Teil um retrospektive Studien, zum Teil um prospektive Untersuchungen mit unterschiedlichen Nachbeobachtungszeiträumen und unterschiedlichen Patientenkollektiven handelt. Grundsätzlich scheint die Operation (near total resection) durch die weit­gehende Entfernung des thyreoidalen Antigens eher einen günstigen Einfluss auf den Verlauf der endokrinen Orbitopathie zu haben. Die meisten Untersuchungen belegen auch, dass die Radiojodtherapie die endokrine Orbitopathie ungünstig beeinflusst, da es in bis zu einem Drittel der Patienten zu einer Exazerbation oder zum Neuauftreten der endokrinen Orbitopathie kommt. Weitgehender Konsens besteht darüber, die Radiojodtherapie einer immunogenen Hyperthyreose unter Kortisonschutz durchzuführen. Die frühzeitige Gabe von L‐Thyroxin nach Radiojodtherapie wirkt sich günstig auf die endokrine Orbitopathie aus, während eine zusätzliche Gabe von Methimazol keinen Einfuss zu haben scheint.
The Beveridge curve and unemployment fluctuations in Canada
Authors: Archambault Richard , Fortin Mario 
Published: March 2003

We estimate the impact of cyclical, sectoral, and participation shocks and that of the trend on both the Canadian unemployment rate and the job vacancy rate over the 1969 to 1998 period. We conclude that a rise in the Canadian unemployment rate of almost 5 percentage units occurred between 1972 and 1982 because of participation rate shocks and a trend movement. Because the trend also explains the leftward shift of the Beveridge curve observed in the 1990s, this shift cannot be interpreted as a decline in the natural unemployment rate. La courbe de Beveridge et les fluctuations du chômage au Canada. Les auteurs évaluent la contribution des chocs sectoriels, des changements dans le taux d'activité, des fluctuations cycliques et de la tendance sur les mouvements du taux de chômage et du taux de postes vacants pendant la période 1969–98. Ils concluent que le taux de chômage non conjoncturel s'est accru de près de 5 points de pourcentage entre 1972 et 1982 en raison de chocs dans le taux d'activité et d'un mouvement tendanciel. Le déplacement vers la gauche de la courbe de Beveridge observé dans les années 1990 est pour sa part le résultat d'une baisse tendancielle des postes vacants et n'indique nullement que le taux de chômage naturel ait diminué pendant cette période.
Can subsidies for MARs be procompetitive?
Authors: Krishna Kala , Roy Suddhasatwa , Thursby Marie 
Published: March 2003

In contrast to recent literature, we show that market access requirements (MARs) can be implemented in a procompetitive manner even in the absence of threats in related markets. By focusing on subsidies that are paid only when the requirement is met, we show that a MAR can increase aggregate output relative to free trade provided that the right set of firms is targeted. In the context of a model with multiple Japanese and U.S. firms, we show that a MAR on U.S. imports is procompetitive as long as the U.S. firms are the ones targeted to receive the subsidy. JEL Classification: F13 Est‐ce que les subventions pour promouvoir la pénétration du marchéétranger peuvent promouvoir la concurrence? Contrairement à ce qui ressort de la littérature spécialisée récente, les auteurs montrent que l'on peut mettre en place des mesures pour promouvoir la pénétration du marchéétranger de telle manière que cela promeuve la concurrence, et ce même en l'absence de menaces dans des marchés reliés. En mettant l'accent sur les subventions payées quand les objectifs de pénétration sont remplis, on montre que de telles pratiques peuvent accroîre le niveau de production par rapport à ce qu'il serait dans un monde de libre‐échange pourvu que le bon ensemble de firmes soit ciblé. Dans un modèle où coexistent plusieurs firmes américaines et japonaises, on montre que de tels efforts quand ils portent sur les importations en provenance des Etats‐Unis promeuvent la concurrence tant que ce sont les firmes américaines qui reçoivent la subvention.
Weakly non‐separable preferences and the Harberger‐Laursen‐Metzler effect
Authors: Ikeda Shinsuke 
Published: March 2003

We examine the current account effect of a terms‐of‐trade deterioration for a small country model, incorporating weakly non‐separable preferences à la Shi (1994) under endogenous time preference. This enables us to emphasize a welfare change as an important determinant of the current account. Even with increasing marginal impatience, the Harberger‐Laursen‐Metzler effect occurs if consumers' preference toward imports is sufficiently wealth enhanced: in that case a terms‐of‐trade deterioration must reduce steady‐state welfare to shift preference away from imports to exports. Several empirical implications are also derived. JEL Classification: F41; F32 Préférences faiblement nonséparables et l'effet de Harberger‐Laursen‐Metzler. L'auteur examine l'effet sur le compte courant d'une détérioration des termes d'échange dans un modèle d'un petit pays, quand les préférences sont faiblement nonséparables à la Shi (1994) et que la préférence temporelle est endogène. Cela permet de souligner qu'un changement dans le niveau de bien‐être est un déterminant important du compte courant. Contrairement à ce qu'on trouve dans la littérature spécialisée, même quand on postule une impatience marginale croissante, l'effet Harberger‐Laursen‐Metzler se produit si la préférence des consommateurs pour les importations est suffisamment dépendante du niveau de richesse: dans ce cas‐là, une détérioration des termes d'échange doit réduire le niveau de bien‐être en régime permanent de manière à déplacer les préférences des importations vers les exportations. On déduit certaines implications empiriques de ces résultats.