Analysis of the EEG dynamics of epileptic activity in gelastic seizures using decomposition in independent components.

OBJECTIVE: Gelastic seizures are a frequent and well established manifestation of the epilepsy associated with hypothalamic hamartomas. The scalp EEG recordings very seldom demonstrate clear spike activity and the information about the ictal epilepsy dynamics is limited. In this work, we try to isolate epileptic rhythms in gelastic seizures and study their generators. METHODS: We extracted rhythmic activity from EEG scalp recordings of gelastic seizures using decomposition in independent components (ICA) in three patients, two with hypothalamic hamartomas and one with no hypothalamic lesion. Time analysis of these rhythms and inverse source analysis was done to recover their foci of origin and temporal dynamics. RESULTS: In the two patients with hypothalamic hamartomas consistent ictal delta (2-3 Hz) rhythms were present, with subcortical generators in both and a superficial one in a single patient. The latter pattern was observed in the patient with no hypothalamic hamartoma visible in MRI. The deep generators activated earlier than the superficial ones, suggesting a consistent sub-cortical origin of the rhythmical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our data is compatible with early and brief epileptic generators in deep sub-cortical regions and more superficial ones activating later. SIGNIFICANCE: Gelastic seizures express rhythms on scalp EEG compatible with epileptic activity originating in sub-cortical generators and secondarily involving cortical ones.     

Predictive factors of stroke in patients undergoing coronary bypass grafting: statins are protective.

BACKGROUND: Despite major improvement in surgical techniques and intensive care management, stroke remains one of the most devastating complications of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We aimed to determine factors predicting the occurrence of stroke during CABG. A special interest was focused on preoperative therapies. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 810 consecutive candidates for CABG alone in a specific database, including all pre- and perioperative data (history, clinical, therapeutic, cardiac catheterization, surgical and intensive care data). Univariate tests and then multiple logistic regression analysis were used to determine independent predictive factors. RESULTS: During the first postoperative month, stroke occurred in 11 cases and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 4 additive cases (cumulative rate: 1.85%). After the multivariate analysis, the following factors remained significant (p<0.05) in the predictive model, with corresponding odds ratios between brackets: redo cardiac surgery (7.45), unstable cardiac status (4.74), past history of cerebrovascular disease (4.14), past history of peripheral arterial disease (3.55), whereas the presence of preoperative statins was protective (0.24, 95% IC: 0.07-0.78). The addition of perioperative data (aortic calcification, postoperative arrhythmia, on/off-pump surgery) did not change the final predictive model. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first real-world observational report highlighting the interest of statins for the prevention of stroke in the very special situation of CABG. Even though according to randomized trials coronary patients have a benefit from these drugs, a special level of interest should be directed towards those presenting the above-mentioned risk factors.     

Volume et profil de consommation d’alcool des élèves et des camarades scolaires comme prédicteurs de l’agression et de la victimisation: une analyse multiniveaux auprès d’adolescents suisses

Volume and profile of alcohol consumption among students and classmates as predictors of aggression and victimization: a multilevel analysis among Swiss adolescents

Objective:  

To test the effects of the volume of alcohol consumption and drinking patterns on alcohol-related aggression and victimization, both at the individual and class levels.     

Conversion from mycophenolate mofetil to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in liver transplant patients presenting gastrointestinal disorders: a pilot study.

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are one of the main adverse events in patients treated by mycophenolic acid (MPA). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effect of conversion from mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) in liver transplant patients presenting GI side-effects Since January 2003, stable liver transplant patients receiving MMF and presenting GI disorders, without evidence of other origin than MMF were enrolled. Conversion was performed without a washout period at an equimolar daily dosage. Thirty-six patients were included after a median delay of 45 months after liver transplantation (LT) (16 women and 20 men, median age of 47 years). Diarrhoea was the main clinical symptom (n = 28, 77.7%). At the time of inclusion, patients were treated with MMF since 18 months (range 3-28) and GI disorders were known for 9 months (range 3-12). After a median follow-up of 12 months after conversion, GI disorders were resolved in 20 patients (55%), improved in 6 patients (17%) and not modified or worsened in 10 patients (28%). Our results strongly suggest that conversion from MMF to EC-MPS in liver transplant patients can improve gastrointestinal disorders in a majority of the patients, and therefore might be considered as the best therapeutic option.     

Safety considerations for operating room personnel during hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy perfusion.

The new treatment strategy for Peritoneal Surface Malignancy combines a cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Cytoreduction removes all macroscopic tumor. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy avoids implantation of microscopic residual tumor cells on intra-abdominal surfaces when it is administered intraoperatively and/or early in the postoperative period. Delivering cytotoxic drugs directly into the peritoneal cavity maximizes dose intensity and minimizes systemic toxicity. Hyperthermia is selectively cytotoxic for malignant cells and potentiates the effect of chemotherapy. Implementation of this procedure makes the perioperative personnel to face a risk of exposure to cytotoxic agents. Furthermore, peritonectomies and electro-evaporation of tumor nodules are performed with high voltage electrocautery, generating a large amount of surgical smoke during several hours. Inhalation of these fumes may be also a risk for healthcare workers. In this article, we analyse in depth these new risks of the operating room personnel, we review the literature, and we give guidelines for secure performance of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, as well as for early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy administration. These new procedures are safe techniques for patients and healthcare workers provided adequate policies are adopted to avoid occupational exposure.     

Quantification of refractive error: comparison of autorefractor and focometer.

PURPOSE: The advantages of a focometer (FOCOMETER) over other methods of refraction for use in developing countries are that it is lightweight, compact, relatively inexpensive, fairly quick, and easy to use with minimal training. This clinical trial compared the repeatability, validity, and ease of use of the focometer with an autorefractor. METHODS: The refractive status of the right eye of 80 participants was determined with an autorefractor (Canon RK3). Three measurements were also taken with the focometer. RESULTS: The spherical equivalent (M) of the focometer was 0.25 D more positive than the autorefractor (p < 0.001) and 84% of measurements were within 0.75 D of the autorefractor. The autorefractor detected astigmatism in 91% (73) of the eyes, whereas the focometer identified only 32% (26). The design of the clock target restricts cylinder axis accuracy to the nearest 15 degrees . There was evidence of a learning effect for the focometer: the second and third measurements were more repeatable in the untrained group. There were no differences between the mean (1.03 +/- 2.28) and third focometer (-1.05 +/- 2.32) measurements (p = 0.34). However, using the third focometer measurement, 94% of participants had visual acuities of at least 6/12(-2). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the focometer's restricted power range, inaccuracy of astigmatism and axis determination, and dependence on subject understanding and compliance. Therefore, in most clinical settings, the focometer would not be adequate for quantifying refractive error, but the focometer spherical equivalent was within acceptable limits of the autorefractor, and the visual acuity with lenses determined by the focometer indicates its potential usefulness in public health settings, especially where only spherical ready-made spectacles are dispensed. There may be more cost-effective ways to determine refractive error in these circumstances. A potentially important enhancement in focometer methodology that improves its ease of use was identified: use only the third measurement for each eye.     

Falls and consequent injuries in hospitalized patients: effects of an interdisciplinary falls prevention program

Background  

Patient falls in hospitals are common and may lead to negative outcomes such as injuries, prolonged hospitalization and legal liability. Consequently, various hospital falls prevention programs have been implemented in the last decades. However, most of the programs had no sustained effects on falls reduction over extended periods of time.     

BMP-2 gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis: the Rotterdam Study.

After reported associations of variations in the BMP-2 gene with osteoporosis in small populations, we studied the association of the BMP-2 gene polymorphisms Ser37Ala and Arg190Ser with osteoporosis in 6353 men and women from the Rotterdam Study. We did not observe an association of these variants with BMD, bone loss, hip structural analysis parameters, and fracture risk. INTRODUCTION: Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) plays a role in osteoblast differentiation. BMP-2 gene variation has previously been associated with osteoporosis in various small populations, but current evidence remains inconclusive about the exact association with osteoporosis. Therefore, we studied the association of two polymorphisms located in the BMP-2 gene (Ser37Ala and Arg190Ser) and haplotypes defined by these polymorphisms with BMD, rates of bone loss, parameters of hip structural analysis (HSA), and fractures in the Rotterdam Study, a large prospective cohort study of diseases in the elderly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Databases were searched for polymorphisms and haplotype blocks in the BMP-2 gene region. Allele frequencies for Ser37Ala and Arg190Ser were determined in 60 blacks and 110 Chinese from Coriell panels. Genotype data on Ser37Ala and Arg190Ser were available for 6353 individuals from the Rotterdam Study population. Haplotype alleles defined by Ser37Ala and Arg190Ser were inferred using PHASE software. Genotype and haplotype analyses for BMD (measured at the lumbar spine and femoral neck), bone loss per year (measured at the femoral neck), and HSA were performed using AN(C)OVA. Fractures were analyzed using a Cox proportional-hazards model and logistic regression. All outcomes were adjusted for age, height, and weight. RESULTS: Allele frequencies were 2.5% for Ala37 and 40.2% for Ser190, whereas haplotype allele frequencies were 57.28% (Ser37Arg190), 40.19% (Ser37Ser190), 2.50% (Ala37Arg190), and 0.02% (Ala37Ser190). For BMD, bone loss, HSA outcomes, and (incident) fractures, no differences could be seen between genotype and haplotype groups. Conclusions: In this large population-based cohort of Dutch whites, we conclude that the BMP-2 Ser37Ala and Arg190Ser polymorphisms or haplotypes thereof are not associated with parameters of osteoporosis.