bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attention Deficits Are Not Characteristic of Schoolchildren with Newly Diagnosed Idiopathic or Cryptogenic Epilepsy
Authors: Oostrom K. J. , Schouten A. , Kruitwagen C. L. J. J. , Peters A. C. B. , Jennekens‐Schinkel A. ,   Schinkelfor the Dutch Study of Epilepsy in Childhood (DuSECh)
Published: March 2003

Purpose:To compare problems of attention in schoolchildren with newly diagnosed idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy with those in healthy classmates.Methods:A computerized battery of tasks comprised Reaction Time (RT) measurement, Trail making (Color Trails 1 and 2), Manual Tapping and Steadiness, and a newly developed task of sustained attention (Balloon Piercing).Subjects:Fifty‐one children with epilepsy (age 7–16 years) and 48 gender‐ and age‐matched classmates were assessed thrice: within 48 h after diagnosis [before start of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)], and 3 and 12 months later. Significantly more children with epilepsy (51%) than control children (27%) had required special educational assistance at school.Results:Children with epilepsy could not be distinguished from controls in execution times or motor speed. However, errors were more frequent among patients in a “go–no‐go” RT task, and errors of omission in a task requiring sustained attention. Within the group of children with epilepsy, those with prior school or behavior difficulties and those whose parents reacted maladaptively to the onset and diagnosis of epilepsy performed worse than those without these adversities, in the sense that their RT increased inordinately with increasing task difficulty. Epilepsy‐related variables did not explain any variance. Transient inordinately poor performances were found in 69% of patients and 40% of controls.Conclusions:Children with newly diagnosed “epilepsy only” do not have persistent attention deficits. AED treatment has no detrimental effect on attention. Prior school and behavior difficulties and a maladaptive reaction to the onset of epilepsy rather than epilepsy variables are related to decreased attentional efficiency.
Topiramate Enhances the Risk of Valproate‐associated Side Effects in Three Children
Authors: Longin Elke , Teich Martin , Koelfen W. , König Stefan 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: We present three children with severe therapy‐refractory epilepsy who tolerated valproate (VPA) well in various combinations with other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) but developed typical VPA side effects in combination with topiramate (TPM).Methods: The clinical symptoms began with apathy in all three children; two of them also had hypothermia. Furthermore all children had elevated blood ammonia levels, one child in combination with increased liver transaminases and one with thrombocytopenia.Results: All children recovered completely after discontinuation of VPA or TPM.Conclusions: TPM seems likely to enhance the risk of side effects usually attributed to VPA and not described in TPM monotherapy. Our case reports suggest that possible adverse effects of VPA should be given particular attention when VPA is combined with TPM.
Gabapentin versus Lamotrigine Monotherapy: A Double‐blind Comparison in Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy
Authors: Brodie Martin J. , Chadwick David W. , Anhut Henning , Otte Andreas , Messmer Silke‐Lo , Maton Stephen , Sauermann Wilhelm , Murray Guta , Garofalo Elizabeth A. ,   for the Gabapentin Study Group 945‐212
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: This randomised, double‐blind study compared the newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) gabapentin (GBP) and lamotrigine (LTG) as monotherapy in newly diagnosed epilepsy.Methods: Patients with partial seizures with and/or without secondary generalization or primary generalized tonic–clonic seizures were randomized to either GBP or LTG. During 2‐ and 6‐week titration periods, respectively, GBP dosage reached 1,800 mg/day, and LTG, 150 mg/day. In the subsequent 24‐week maintenance phase, the dose could be adjusted based on seizure control or adverse events between 1,200 and 3,600 mg/day for GBP and 100 and 300 mg/day for LTG. The primary end point was time to exit, a composite of efficacy and tolerability. Evaluable patients were used for the primary efficacy analysis, whereas tolerability was examined on an intent‐to‐treat basis.Results: A total of 309 patients was randomized, and 291 (148 GBP, 143 LTG) were included in the evaluable population. Nineteen patients in each group had an exit event. The median time to exit was 69 days for GBP and 48 days for LTG. The hazard ratio was estimated as 1.043 (90% confidence intervals, 0.602–1.809). Overall, 106 (71.6% of the evaluable population) GBP‐treated and 96 (67.1%) LTG‐treated patients completed the study. Of those, 80 (75.5%) patients taking GBP and 73 (76.0%) taking LTG remained seizure free during the final 12 weeks of treatment. Only 14 (8.9%) GBP‐treated patients and 15 (9.9%) LTG‐treated patients withdrew because of study drug–related adverse events.Conclusions: GBP and LTG monotherapy were similarly effective and well tolerated in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy.
Epileptogenicity of Focal Malformations Due to Abnormal Cortical Development: Direct Electrocorticographic–Histopathologic Correlations
Authors: Boonyapisit Kanokwan , Najm Imad , Klem George , Ying Zhong , Burrier Candice , LaPresto Eric , Nair Dileep , Bingaman William , Prayson Richard , Lüders Hans 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Malformations due to abnormal cortical development (MCDs) are common pathologic substrates of medically intractable epilepsy. The in situ epileptogenicity of these lesions as well as its relation to histopathologic changes remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to correlate the cellular patterns of MCDs with the expression of focal cortical epileptogenicity as assessed by direct extraoperative electrocorticographic (ECoG) recordings by using subdural grids.Methods: Fifteen patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy due to pathologically confirmed MCD who underwent subdural electrode placement for extraoperative seizure localization and cortical mapping between 1997 and 2000 were included in the study. Areas of interictal spiking and ictal‐onset patterns were identified and separated during surgery for further pathologic characterization (cellular and architectural). Three pathologic groups were identified: type I; architectural disorganization with/without giant neurons, type IIA; architectural disorganization with dysmorphic neurons, and type IIB; architectural disorganization, dysmorphic neurons, and balloon cells (BCs). The focal histopathologic subtypes of MCDs in cortical tissue resected were then retrospectively correlated with in situ extraoperative ECoG patterns.Results: Cortical areas with histopathologic subtype IIA showed significantly higher numbers of slow repetitive spike pattern in comparison with histopathologic type I (p = 0.007) and normal pathology (p = 0.002). The ictal onset came mainly from cortical areas with histopathologic type IIA (nine of 15 patients). None of the seizures originated from neocortical areas that showed BC‐containing MCD (type IIB).Conclusions: This study shows that areas containing BCs are less epileptogenic than are closely located dysplastic regions. These results suggest a possible protective effect of BCs or a severe disruption in the neuronal networks in BCs containing dysplastic lesions. Further studies are needed to elucidate the nature and the potential role(s) of balloon cells in MCD‐induced epileptogenicity.
Sexual Dysfunction and Sudden Death in Epileptic Male EL Mice: Inheritance and Prevention with the Ketogenic Diet
Authors: Todorova Mariana T. , Dangler Charles A. , Drage Michael G. , Sheppard Barbara J. , Fox James G. , Seyfried Thomas N. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: The EL mouse is an animal model for multifactorial idiopathic epilepsy. Although EL mice have been studied extensively for >45 years, the etiology of male sudden death and its relation to seizures have not been defined. Here we investigated the cause of EL male sudden death and its relation to epilepsy.Methods: For histopathologic analysis, the terminally ill EL mice (n = 15) were killed, and the tissues were fixed. Blood chemical composition was compared between the terminally ill EL (n = 9) and the healthy age‐matched EL (n = 17) and DDY (n = 11) males. To determine the effect of the ketogenic diet (KD) on sudden male death, young male EL mice (P30) were randomly separated into two groups that were fed ad libitum with either Agway lab chow (control n = 38) or with the KD (treated, n = 39) for 5 months. The genetic predisposition to sudden death was analyzed in the backcross generation (n = 106) of a cross between EL and the nonepileptic ABP strains.Results: Sudden death coincided with the onset of seizures (70–80 days) and affected 94% of male EL mice by age 300 days. Urethral plugs were observed histologically in 13 of 15 longitudinally sectioned penises. Concentrations of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorus, and calcium in the terminally ill mice were significantly elevated when compared with those of healthy animals. None of the mice treated with the KD experienced sudden death, whereas 15 (39%) of the untreated control mice died by age 5 months. The sudden death in male EL mice was inherited as an autosomal recessive sex‐limited lethal trait.Conclusions: The cause of sudden death in male EL mice arises from abnormal ejaculation, which produces a urethral plug with consequent urinary retention and acute severe uremia. The coincident onset of seizures and sudden death in EL males suggests that a sexual dysfunction is associated with epilepsy in this model.
Talampanel, a New Antiepileptic Drug: Single‐ and Multiple‐dose Pharmacokinetics and Initial 1‐Week Experience in Patients with Chronic Intractable Epilepsy
Authors: Langan Yvonne M. , Lucas Richard , Jewell Haley , Toublanc N. , Schaefer H. , Sander Jasemire W. A. S. , Patsalos Philip N. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Talampanel (LY300164), a potent and selective α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA)‐receptor antagonist, is a potential new antiepileptic drug (AED). This study examines the single‐ and multiple‐dose pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of talampanel in patients with intractable epilepsy and assesses the potential for pharmacokinetic interaction.Methods: Eleven of 14 patients entered into the study completed. Fourteen patients were evaluated for safety, 13 patients were used in the single‐dose, and 11 patients in the multiple‐dose pharmacokinetic analysis. Each patient initially received a single 35‐mg dose of talampanel followed by the measurement of pharmacokinetic profiles. A 21‐day t.i.d. dosing regimen was then determined for each patient based on his or her initial pharmacokinetic profile. Adverse events were recorded by patients or their carers.Results: After oral ingestion, talampanel was rapidly absorbed, with maximal plasma concentrations achieved within 1–3 h. Talampanel concentrations in patients taking enzyme‐inducing AEDs were 50% lower than those seen in healthy volunteers. Mean talampanel t1/2 values were 3.0 h compared with 4.2 h in healthy volunteers. After multiple‐dose and steady‐state, talampanel t1/2 values were increased to 5.6 h Talampanel and valproic acid (VPA) appear to inhibit each other's metabolism mutually. Talampanel had no effect on plasma concentrations of other AEDs. Multiple‐dose talampanel administration was associated with nonlinear pharmacokinetics. No serious adverse events were reported; the most frequently reported being dizziness, ataxia, drowsiness, and headachesConclusions: Talampanel dosing strategies may be reliant on concomitant AED medication, as enzyme‐inducing AEDs enhance, whereas VPA inhibits its metabolism. Talampanel was well tolerated, although adverse events occurred at lower doses compared with those in healthy subjects, probably because of the additive effect of concomitant AEDs.
Prognostic Implications of Seizure Recurrence in the First Year after Anterior Temporal Lobectomy
Authors: Radhakrishnan Kurupath , So Elson L. , Silbert Peter L. , Cascino Gregory D. , Marsh W. Richard , Cha Ruth H. , O'Brien Peter C. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Seizure recurrence after anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) incites concerns of whether seizures will eventually be successfully controlled. Our study evaluated the prognostic significance of seizure recurrence in the first year after ATL.Methods: The postoperative courses of 175 consecutive patients who had undergone ATL and had ≥2 years of follow‐up were studied. Recurrence was considered early if the first seizure occurred within 7 days after ATL and late if it occurred >7 days after ATL. Recurrent seizures were considered provoked when precipitating factors were present, such as interruption of antiepileptic drug (AED) intake. Subsequent outcome was determined at terminal follow‐up.Results: Percentage of excellent outcome was comparable between patients whose initial recurrent seizures were auras or simple partial seizures and patients without seizure recurrence in the first year (86.7 vs. 93.1%; p ≥ 0.05). However, percentage of excellent outcome was less when the initial recurrent seizure was complex partial, either with or without secondary generalization (44.8%; p ≤ 0.01). Outcome was not different between early and late seizure recurrence (excellent in 41.7 vs. 55.7%; p ≥ 0.05). Nonetheless, patients with either early or late seizure recurrence were less likely to have excellent outcome than were patients with no seizure recurrence in the first year (p ≤ 0.001). Percentage of excellent outcome was best when patients were seizure free in the first year (93.1%), intermediate when initial recurrent seizure was provoked (72.0%), and worst when unprovoked (27.8%) (p ≤ 0.001).Conclusions: In the first postoperative year, the type of initial recurrent seizure, whether aura or complex partial and whether provoked or unprovoked, is associated with long‐term prognosis in seizure control after ATL. The timing of the initial seizure recurrence is not as important.
Amygdala Kindling in Proechimys guyannensis Rat: An Animal Model of Resistance to Epilepsy
Authors: De Amorim Carvalho Reinaldo , Arida Ricardo Mario , Cavalheiro Esper A. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: This study examined the effect of amygdala kindling development in Proechimys guayannensis rat, a common rodent of the Amazon basin.Methods: Adult male P. guayannensis animals (n = 43) and adult male Wistar rats (n = 14) were submitted to electrical amygdala kindling.Results: From 43 Proechimys rats submitted to the kindling process, only three animals reached stage 5 of kindling. During the kindling development (stages 4–5), these animals had behavioral alterations different from those observed in Wistar rats. A longer time spent in stages 1–3 and 5 and longer afterdischarge duration in stages 1–4 was observed in the Proechimys group compared with the Wistar group. The number of wet‐dog shakes also was reduced in the Proechimys group during the kindling process.Conclusions: These findings suggest natural endogenous inhibitory mechanisms in this animal species.
Nierenlebendspende – Auswahlkriterien, Vorbereitung und Nachsorge
Authors: König P. 
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Da in Österreich die durchschnittliche Wartezeit für eine Nierentransplantation immer noch mehr als 2 Jahre beträgt, ist die Frage der Lebendspende von großer Aktualität. Wir unterscheiden zwischen verwandten und nichtverwandten LebendspenderInnen, deren Auswahl nach medizinischen Kriterien und aufgrund emotionaler Verbundenheit erfolgt. In Österreich wurden 1967 die ersten drei Verwandtenspenden durchgeführt (OEDR). Seither wurden bis zum 31. 12. 2000 insgesamt 317 Nieren von LebendspenderInnen unter Blutsverwandten übertragen. Nichtverwandte Lebendspenden wurden 1982 und 1990 je einmal, seit dem Jahr 1995 in jährlich steigender Zahl bis 31. 12. 2000 österreichweit insgesamt 47 Mal durchgeführt.  Das United Network for Organ Sharing (3) hat über einen Zeitraum von 4 Jahren (1995 – 1998) das 10‐Jahres‐Transplantatfunktionsüberleben bei über 30 000 Nierentransplantatempfängern von HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen)‐identen Zwillingen, nichtverwandten Lebendspenden, Elternspenden und Leichennieren aufgeschlüsselt. Dabei hat sich gezeigt, dass erwartungsgemäß die HLA‐identen Zwillinge (n = 1 581) mit 81 % die besten Ergebnisse erzielten, gefolgt von den nichtverwandten SpenderInnen (n = 1 704) trotz oft schlechtem HLA‐Match mit 67 % vor den Elternspenden (n = 2 428) mit 62 % und den Leichennieren (n = 26 178) mit 50 %. Somit scheinen sowohl medizinische Aspekte wie auch Einflüsse aus dem psychosozialen Umfeld für den Transplantationserfolg ausschlaggebend zu sein. Daher kann es durchaus ratsam sein, bei der Auswahl aus mehreren möglichen LebendspenderInnen auf Grund emotionaler Gründe ein schlechteres HLA‐Match zu akzeptieren. Diese Überlegung fordert strenge Auswahlkriterien, und die Vorbereitung und Nachsorge bedarf größter Sorgfalt. Die in der vorliegenden Arbeit angeführten Kriterien sollen als Richtlinien dienen, die Entscheidungen für eine Lebendspende hilfreich zu unterstützen, ohne ein individuelles Vorgehen nach kritischer Meinungsbildung unter Einbeziehung der Betroffenen, nämlich Spender und Empfänger, sowie ihrer Berater – Nephrologe, Psychotherapeut und Transplantationschirurg – selbstverständlich auszuschließen. Zugleich darf man es auf keinen Fall unterlassen, mit größtmöglichem Einsatz weiterhin die Nutzung von Leichennieren zu intensivieren, um alle zur Verfügung stehenden Ressourcen optimal zu nutzen, dialysepflichtige Patienten mit einem Nierentransplantat zu versorgen.
Sex differences in foraging behaviour and oviposition site preference in an insect predator, Orius sauteri
Authors: Nakashima Yoshitaka , Hirose Yoshimi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe effects of patch quality on the foraging behaviour of an anthocorid predator Orius sauteri (Poppius) were compared between sexes. Prior experience in patches was also studied to determine whether this was a factor affecting oviposition decisions. Patch quality affected patch residence time differently for the two sexes; females stayed much longer in a patch with prey (60 Thrips palmi larvae) than a patch without prey, while males did not remain in any patch for extended periods. Most of the females remained in or moved to patches with prey, whereas males dispersed, irrespective of patch quality. Both females released in patches with prey and females released in patches without prey deposited more eggs per hour in patches with prey than in patches without prey. Females released in patches without prey laid eggs in patches with prey at higher rates than did females released in patches with prey. Causes for the sex difference in patch residence time and allocation are discussed in relation to optimal foraging theory. The significance of selective oviposition and the role of experience in oviposition decisions within heterogeneous environments are also discussed.
Egg load and adaptive superparasitism in Anaphes nitens, an egg parasitoid of the Eucalyptus snout‐beetle Gonipterus scutellatus
Authors: Carbone Serena Santolamazza , Rivera Adolfo Cordero 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe studied egg production and the occurrence of adaptive superparasitism in Anaphes nitens, an egg parasitoid of the Eucalyptus snout beetle Gonipterus scutellatus. First, we determined whether A. nitens females were synovigenic or pro‐ovigenic. Newly emerged females were allowed to lay eggs alone during 3 days on six fresh egg capsules. A first group of females (n = 25) were killed by freezing and the remaining females (n = 21) were maintained during two extra days with food, but without hosts. Their fecundity was measured by dissection of host eggs and females’ ovarioles. We found that the second group of females increased their fecundity by about 20%, suggesting they were weakly synovigenic. To test for the occurrence of adaptive superparasitism in relation to competitors’ density, we compared the oviposition behaviour of females kept alone, in pairs, or in groups of four during patch visit. Results indicated that the females superparasited significantly more often in this last treatment. Synovigeny and the ability to modulate the use of superparasitism could be mentioned as important attributes that allow A. nitens to efficiently control the pest population.
Mate location in the green capsid bug, Lygocoris pabulinus
Authors: Drijfhout Falko P. , Groot Astrid T. , Van Beek Teris A. , Visser J. Hans 
Published: March 2003

AbstractHeadspace extracts from female Lygocoris pabulinus (L.) (Heteroptera: Miridae) as well as female leg extracts attracted male L. pabulinus in Y‐track olfactometer bioassays. In contrast, only female leg extracts were active in the vibration bioassay. Male extracts had no activity at all in either bioassay. When the female leg extract was analysed by coupled gas chromatography‐electroantennography (Z)‐9‐pentacosene and (Z)‐7‐pentacosene were EAD‐active. (Z)‐9‐Pentacosene and sometimes (Z)‐7‐pentacosene were also observed in female headspace extracts. EAG responses could be obtained for (Z)‐9‐pentacosene. A mixture of (Z)‐9‐pentacosene and (Z)‐7‐pentacosene in the ratio 5 : 1 elicited vibration behaviour in males. The results indicate that these alkenes are important cues for male L. pabulinus in mate location behaviour.
Pruritus – Pathophysiologie, Klinik und Therapie – Eine Übersicht
Authors: Ständer Sonja , Weisshaar Elke , Steinhoff Martin , Luger Thomas A. , Metze Dieter 
Published: March 2003

ZusammenfassungPruritus ist eine unangenehme, selbständige Sinneswahrnehmung der Haut, die mit dem unstillbaren Verlangen einer mechanischen Reizbeantwortung einhergeht. Sie dient als physiologische Nozizeption dazu, schädigende Noxen wie Parasiten oder Pflanzenbestandteile von der Haut zu entfernen. Als Erkrankungssymptom vieler dermatologischer und systemischer Erkrankungen tritt Pruritus häufig in sehr quälender und therapierefraktärer Form auf. Chronischer Pruritus beeinträchtigt, ähnlich wie Schmerz, das Allgemeinbefinden des Patienten erheblich und kann im Extremfall zu physischer und psychischer Erschöpfung führen. Bis in die 90er Jahre des letzten Jahrhunderts existierte die theoretische Vorstellung, Pruritus sei ein unterschwelliger Schmerzreiz. Erst in den letzten Jahren konnte Pruritus als eigenständige, von Schmerz unabhängige Sinneswahrnehmung definiert werden mit eigenen Mediatoren, spinalen Reizleitungsbahnen und zerebralen Wahrnehmungsarealen. Diese Erkenntnisse führten zur Entwicklung neuer vielversprechender Therapien. In diesem Übersichtsartikel sollen Pathophysiologie, klinische Formen und Therapiansätze bei Pruritus dargestellt werden.