bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual Function in Infants with West Syndrome: Correlation with EEG Patterns
Authors: Randò Teresa , Bancale Adina , Baranello Giovanni , Bini Margherita , De Belvis Anton Giulio , Epifanio Roberta , Frisone Maria Flavia , Guzzetta Andrea , La Torre Giuseppe , Ricci Daniela , Signorini Sabrina , Tinelli Francesca , Biagioni Enrico , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Mercuri Eugenio , Fazzi Elisa , Cioni Giovanni , Guzzetta Francesco 
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Several studies have reported behavioral and electrophysiological evidence of visual impairment during the active stage of West syndrome. The underlying mechanisms are, however, poorly understood, and little has been reported about the correlation between visual impairment, EEG patterns, and brain lesions. The aim of the study was to assess visual function at the onset of spasm and 2 months thereafter and relate visual findings to brain lesions and EEG features. Methods: Twenty‐five infants with West syndrome were enrolled and studied with (a) a full clinical assessment including a battery of tests specifically designed to assess visual function, (b) a video‐polygraphic study, and (c) brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Besides brain neuroimaging and EEG comparison with visual function, an intra‐EEG analysis was performed to investigate the possible relation of EEG patterns to fluctuating visual behavior (fixation and following). Results: Twenty‐two children had at least one abnormal result on one or more of the tests assessing visual function at T0. Visual impairment at the spasm onset was related to the sleep disorganization rather than to the hypsarrhythmic pattern in awake EEG. After 2 months, both EEG features become significantly linked to visual function. Visual function improved in several cases after 2 months, in parallel with the seizure regression. No relation was found between EEG patterns and fluctuating visual behavior. Conclusions: The study supplies new evidence of the involvement of visual function in West syndrome. The presence of abnormal visual findings in infants without lesions on brain MRI suggests that visual abnormalities are due not only to brain injury but also to epileptic disorder per se. New insight is also provided into the possible mechanisms underlying clinical and EEG abnormalities.
Neuropsychological Outcome after Selective Amygdalohippocampectomy with Transsylvian versus Transcortical Approach: A Randomized Prospective Clinical Trial of Surgery for Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Lutz Martin T. , Clusmann Hans , Elger Christian E. , Schramm Johannes , Helmstaedter Christoph 
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) is a surgical treatment option for patients with medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. In contrast to standard anterior temporal lobectomy, resection of unaffected tissue is limited, although it achieves equal seizure outcomes in selected patients. In SAH, the mesial structures can be approached by different routes, the transsylvian approach and the transcortical approach. Advantages or disadvantages with respect to postoperative cognitive outcome are still a matter of debate. Methods: Eighty randomized patients were included in the analyses. In 41 patients, the transsylvian approach, and in 39 patients, the transcortical approach was performed. All patients received comprehensive neuropsychological testing of verbal and nonverbal memory, attention, and executive functions before and 6 months or 1 year after SAH. Results: Seventy‐five percent of patients became completely seizure free with no difference depending on the chosen approach. Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that cognitive outcomes after both approaches were essentially the same. The only exception was phonemic fluency, which was significantly improved after transcortical but not after transsylvian SAH. Conclusions: The results indicate that either surgical approach can be chosen independent of cognitive outcome criteria. Improvement in phonemic fluency after transcortical SAH may reflect selective normalization of cognitive function after epilepsy surgery, whereas frontal lobe manipulation might have hindered recovery of this function after transsylvian SAH.
Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Version of the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory
Authors: Swinkels Wilhelmina A. M. , Kuyk Jarl , Van Dyck Richard , Spinhoven Philip 
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: The psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI) were investigated. Methods: The dimensional structure, reliability, and validity of the WPSI scales were assessed in 218 patients with epilepsy. The association with relevant patient and epilepsy characteristics also was studied. Results: An exploratory seven‐factor principal components analysis was compared with a confirmatory factor analysis, and a loss of 3.36% of total variance was found. To increase the homogeneity of the scales, 30 items with low factor loadings or highest factor loading on the wrong clinical scale were excluded. This resulted in a higher amount of explained variance and improvement of the factor loadings of the remaining items. The reliability and validity of the WPSI scales was satisfactory to good. No clinically relevant associations were found between the WPSI scales and patient and epilepsy characteristics. Conclusions: The factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Dutch translation of the WPSI are good and comparable to the original English version of Dodrill. The results demonstrate that shortening the WPSI makes the inventory more reliable and the clinical scales less dependent on each other.
CA1 Hippocampal Neuronal Loss in Familial Alzheimer's Disease Presenilin‐1 E280A Mutation Is Related to Epilepsy
Authors: Velez‐Pardo Carlos , Arellano Jon I. , Cardona‐Gomez Patricia , Del Rio Marlene Jimenez , Lopera Francisco , De Felipe Javier 
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Alzheimer disease (AD) and epilepsy are brain disorders frequently associated with neuronal cell loss in mesial temporal lobe structures, but presenting different patterns of damage. Recently it was proposed that a causal relation may exist between AD pathology and the appearance of epilepsy in some cases with AD. This study aimed to determine the neuronal loss in CA1 hippocampal region from patients bearing the presenilin‐1 [E280A] mutation (PS1[E280A]) associated with seizures. Methods: Coronal sections from the hippocampal formation (anterior one third) from controls (n = 5) and familial AD (FAD; n = 8) patients were stained by using thionin and thioflavine‐S staining to evaluate the number of neurons in the CA1 field, β‐plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles, respectively. Results: Two distinct patterns of neuronal loss in the CA1 field of FAD patients were found: (a) diffuse–patchy neuronal loss (three FAD nonepilepsy patients) characterized by both a general decrease of neurons and the presence of multiple, small regions devoid of neurons; and (b) sclerotic‐like neuronal loss (five FAD epilepsy patients) similar to that found typically in the CA1 field of epilepsy patients with hippocampal sclerosis. Conclusions: This investigation shows for the first time CA1 neuronal depopulation in a subpopulation of patients (five of eight) bearing the PS1[E280A] mutation with epileptic seizures, indicating a relation between hippocampal neuronal loss and epileptic seizures in FAD patients.
Health‐related Quality of Life of People with Epilepsy Compared with a General Reference Population: A Tunisian Study
Authors: Mrabet Hela , Mrabet Amel , Zouari Bechir , Ghachem Rim 
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: The goal of the study was to assess the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) of persons with epilepsy (PWE) by using the short form survey 36 (SF‐36), to compare it with that of a control group and to detect factors influencing it. Methods: We collected clinical and demographic data and information on health status by using the Arabic translation of the SF‐36 questionnaire from two groups: (a) 120 PWE consulting our outpatient clinic during a period of 4 months, and (b) 110 Tunisian citizens, representative of the Tunisian general population, as a control group. Results: The mean age of PWE group was 32.74 years, and 45.5% were men. Idiopathic generalized epilepsies were observed in 44.5% of cases, and symptomatic partial epilepsies, in 30%. The most commonly prescribed drug was sodium valproate (VPA). For the SF‐36, PWE had lower scores than the control group for only three subscales: general health perception, mental health, and social functioning. Seizure frequency, time since last seizure, and the antiepileptic drug (AED) side effects were the most important variables influencing the HRQOL among PWE. Seizure‐free adults have HRQOL levels comparable to those of the control group. Sociodemographic variables had no influence on the SF‐36 subscales. Conclusions: HRQOL is impaired in Tunisian PWE. The influencing factors identified in this study differ from the previously published data. Several possible reasons such as family support and cultural and religious beliefs are proposed to explain these cross‐cultural differences. A larger study should be conducted to verify such findings.
Selective Posterior Cerebral Artery Amobarbital Test: Its Role in Presurgical Memory Assessment in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Stabell Kirsten E. , Bakke Søren J. , Andresen Sverre , Bjørnæs Helge , Borchgrevink Hans M. , Due‐Tønnessen Paulina , Heminghyt Einar , Nome Terje , Pedersen Hans‐Kristian , Ramm‐Pettersen Jon , Røste Geir K. , Tennøe. Bjørn 
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and risk of complications of selective posterior cerebral artery (PCA) amobarbital anesthesia in memory assessment of patients with epilepsy under consideration for temporal lobe resection. Methods: Thirty‐two candidates for temporal lobectomy in whom conclusive memory assessment could not be obtained by the standard intracarotid amobarbital procedure were submitted to a selective PCA amobarbital test. A mean dose of 75 mg amobarbital was injected via microcatheter into the P2 segment of the PCA. Ten common objects were presented for naming and remembering while the anesthesia was judged efficient. After return to neurologic baseline, recall and recognition memory were assessed. Results: In all of the 32 patients, angiography and PCA anesthesia were successfully accomplished without serious adverse events. All but one of the patients remained alert and cooperative for memory testing under the anesthesia, and 28 of these patients showed adequate memory capacity of the hemisphere contralateral to the side targeted for surgery. So far, 19 patients have proceeded to surgery, and no case of global amnesia or serious, material‐specific memory impairment has resulted. Three patients failed the PCA test (fewer than 67% items correctly recognized) and were excluded from surgery, partly on the basis of the PCA test results, but also supported by an overall evaluation of all the diagnostic procedures used. Conclusions: The selective PCA amobarbital test appears justifiable when performed by interventional neuroradiologists and may significantly reduce the risk of erroneously excluding patients with epilepsy from temporal resection. Further corroboration of the safety of the procedure seems warranted.
Electric Stimulation on Human Cortex Suppresses Fast Cortical Activity and Epileptic Spikes
Authors: Kinoshita Masako , Ikeda Akio , Matsumoto Riki , Begum Tahamina , Usui Keiko , Yamamoto Junichi , Matsuhashi Masao , Takayama Motohiro , Mikuni Nobuhiro , Takahashi Jun , Miyamoto Susumu , Shibasaki Hiroshi 
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To investigate underlying mechanisms and adequate parameters for electric cortical stimulation to inhibit epileptic focus in humans. Methods: A patient with intractable partial epilepsy had subdural electrodes implanted for preoperative evaluation. Cortical functional mapping was performed by using 50‐Hz alternating square pulse of 0.3‐ms duration, 1 to 7 mA, within 5 s. Spike frequency and electrocorticogram (ECoG) power spectra were compared before and after the stimulation when epileptic focus and distant area were stimulated. A similar comparison also was performed in low‐frequency stimulation of 0.9 Hz applied for 15 min. Results: Interictal spikes were reduced after electric cortical stimulation of the epileptic area at a frequency of 50 Hz as well as 0.9 Hz, with concomitant decrease in the electrographic fast activities at 50‐Hz stimulation. Conclusions: These data suggest that electric cortical stimulation at both high and low frequency has a suppressive effect on epileptic activities in human cortex, possibly through distinct mechanisms.
NMDA Preconditioning Protects against Seizures and Hippocampal Neurotoxicity Induced by Quinolinic Acid in Mice
Authors: Boeck Carina R. , Ganzella Marcelo , Lottermann Amilcar , Vendite Deusa 
Published: July 2004

Summary:  Purpose: N‐methyl d‐aspartate (NMDA) preconditioning has been used to prevent cellular death induced by glutamate or NMDA in cultured neurons. Quinolinic acid (QA)‐induced seizures are used to average NMDA receptors–evoked neurotoxicity in animal models. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of NMDA preconditioning against QA‐induced seizures and hippocampal damage in vivo. Methods: Mice were pretreated with nonconvulsant doses of NMDA for different times before i.c.v. QA infusion and observed for the occurrence of seizures. Hippocampal slices from mice were assayed to measure cellular viability. Results: NMDA preconditioning presented 53% protection against QA‐induced seizures, as well as QA‐induced cellular death in the hippocampus. The NMDA receptor antagonist, MK‐801, prevented the protection evoked by NMDA preconditioning. The adenosine A1 receptor antagonist, CPT, prevented the protection evoked by NMDA preconditioning against QA‐induced seizures, but not against QA‐induced hippocampal cellular damage. The adenosine A1 receptor agonist, CPA, did not mimic the NMDA preconditioning–evoked protective effects. Conclusions: These results suggest that in vivo preconditioning with subtoxic doses of NMDA protected mice against seizures and cellular hippocampal death elicited by QA, probably through mechanisms involving NMDA receptors operating with adenosine A1 receptors.
Statistical methods for in situ hybridization: identification of autoradiographically labelled cells and structures
Authors: WESSENDORF M. W. , WANG H. , SCHNELL S. A. 
Published: July 2004

Summary In situ hybridization experiments frequently use autoradiography to identify labelled structures. Ideally, labelled cells will be overlain with a dense accumulation of particles, allowing one to discriminate them from unlabelled cells easily. However, if noise is high or the density of labelling is low, it can be difficult to distinguish bona fide labelling ‘by eye’. In such situations, labelled cells could be overlooked. This paper evaluates two statistical solutions to this problem: (1) a parametric method proposed by Hashimoto and co‐workers and (2) Wang & Wessendorf's non‐parametric method using contingency testing (i.e. the chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests). The Hashimoto method determines the mean and standard deviation of the density of background labelling, using sense‐strand controls as the source of background levels. Cells labelled at densities greater than two standard deviations above the mean (P < 0.0455) are defined as significantly labelled. Contingency testing determines whether the grain density over a cell is significantly higher than that over the remainder of the image. When compared, the two methods gave similar results. The Hashimoto method may be more sensitive if most cells are labelled but contingency testing requires no assumptions about the uniformity of non‐specific labelling.
A system for acquiring simultaneous electron energy‐loss and X‐ray spectrum‐images
Authors: FENG J. , SOMLYO A. V. , SOMLYO A. P. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryA compositional imaging system based on simultaneous scanning electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) was developed. This system utilizes the combined power of EELS and EDS for quantitative compositional imaging at nanometre resolution. The system is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, biological research, as it simultaneously provides sensitive maps of an element such as Ca or P from EELS and of many other elements from EDS. Degradation of resolution by specimen drift is prevented by correcting for drift during data acquisition, using image cross‐correlation. Several advanced features are implemented for real‐time and/or off‐line quantitative analysis, and the performance of the system is illustrated with practical applications to compositional imaging of cardiac muscle.
Multi‐dimensional time‐correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to detect FRET in cells
Authors: DUNCAN R. R. , BERGMANN A. , COUSIN M. A. , APPS D. K. , SHIPSTON M. J. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryWe present a novel, multi‐dimensional, time‐correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) technique to perform fluorescence lifetime imaging with a laser‐scanning microscope operated at a pixel dwell‐time in the microsecond range. The unsurpassed temporal accuracy of this approach combined with a high detection efficiency was applied to measure the fluorescent lifetimes of enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP) in isolation and in tandem with EYFP (enhanced yellow fluorescent protein). This technique enables multi‐exponential decay analysis in a scanning microscope with high intrinsic time resolution, accuracy and counting efficiency, particularly at the low excitation levels required to maintain cell viability and avoid photobleaching. Using a construct encoding the two fluorescent proteins separated by a fixed‐distance amino acid spacer, we were able to measure the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency determined by the interchromophore distance. These data revealed that ECFP exhibits complex exponential fluorescence decays under both FRET and non‐FRET conditions, as previously reported. Two approaches to calculate the distance between donor and acceptor from the lifetime delivered values within a 10% error range. To confirm that this method can be used also to quantify intermolecular FRET, we labelled cultured neurones with the styryl dye FM1‐43, quantified the fluorescence lifetime, then quenched its fluorescence using FM4‐64, an efficient energy acceptor for FM1‐43 emission. These experiments confirmed directly for the first time that FRET occurs between these two chromophores, characterized the lifetimes of these probes, determined the interchromophore distance in the plasma membrane and provided high‐resolution two‐dimensional images of lifetime distributions in living neurones.
Quantitative analysis and classification of AFM images of human hair
Authors: GURDEN S. P. , MONTEIRO V. F. , LONGO E. , FERREIRA M. M. C. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryThe surface topography of human hair, as defined by the outer layer of cellular sheets, termed cuticles, largely determines the cosmetic properties of the hair. The condition of the cuticles is of great cosmetic importance, but also has the potential to aid diagnosis in the medical and forensic sciences. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been demonstrated to offer unique advantages for analysis of the hair surface, mainly due to the high image resolution and the ease of sample preparation. This article presents an algorithm for the automatic analysis of AFM images of human hair. The cuticular structure is characterized using a series of descriptors, such as step height, tilt angle and cuticle density, allowing quantitative analysis and comparison of different images. The usefulness of this approach is demonstrated by a classification study. Thirty‐eight AFM images were measured, consisting of hair samples from (a) untreated and bleached hair samples, and (b) the root and distal ends of the hair fibre. The multivariate classification technique partial least squares discriminant analysis is used to test the ability of the algorithm to characterize the images according to the properties of the hair samples. Most of the images (86%) were found to be classified correctly.
Porosity variation in hydroxyapatite and osteoblast morphology: a scanning electron microscopy study
Authors: ANNAZ B. , HING K.A. , KAYSER M. , BUCKLAND T. , SILVIO L. DI 
Published: July 2004

SummaryThe biocompatibility of hydroxyapatite has been demonstrated by previous studies, with enhancement of osteointegration through the use of porous hydroxyapatite (pHA). Emphasis has been focused on the use of coralline hydroxyapatite or the introduction of macroporosity into synthetic hydroxyapatite. The current study investigates the role of macro‐ and microporosities in synthetic phase‐pure porous hydroxyapatite on the morphological aspects of human osteoblast‐like cells using scanning electron microscopy. Cells were seeded on four different types of porous hydroxyapatite (HA1, HA2, HA3 and HA4) and examined following 1, 2, 14 and 30 days of incubation in vitro. The results indicated that the cells had an affinity to micropores through filopodia extensions, at initial stage of attachment. Cellular proliferation and colonization was evident on all materials with cells forming cellular bridges across the macropores at day 14 with cellular canopy formation covering entire macropores observed by day 30. This study demonstrates that while the introduction of microporosity has no evident effect on cellular morphology at later time points, it seems to play a role in initial cellular anchorage and attachment.
Returning to the same area of hair surfaces before and after treatment: a longitudinal AFM technique
Authors: BREAKSPEAR S. , SMITH J. R. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryWe report the use of longitudinal (aspect ratio > 1 : 1) scanning atomic force microscopy as an aid in returning to the same area of hair fibres after bleaching, treatment with a commercial shampoo or the application of a ‘leave‐on’ conditioner product. The bleaching treatment used in this study was not found to affect the cuticular architecture and lateral force microscopy (LFM) also showed little difference after treatment, reflecting the homogeneity of the newly revealed surfaces. After treatment with a commercial shampoo, the hair sample again showed very little difference in topography or lateral force characteristics. Hair treated with the leave‐on conditioner product also showed no major topographical changes. LFM traces, however, showed regions between the ghost edge, marking the original position of the scale edge before cuticular erosion, and the existing scale edge, to have higher frictional properties than distal regions of the cuticle. A thin film of the leave‐on product thus seems to form in this region and extends from the foot of the scale edge.