Long-term results with vagus nerve stimulation in children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively review our experience with VNS in pediatric patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy and examine the seizure-frequency outcome and rates of discontinuation in two age groups: adolescent and pre-adolescent children. RESULTS: Complete pre- and post-VNS data were available for 46/49 patients. Median age at implantation was 12.1 (range 2.3-17.9) and median duration of epilepsy 8.0 (1.9-16.9) years. Twenty-one patients (45.6%) were under 12 years at the time of surgery. Median follow-up was 2 years; follow-up exceeded 4 years in 9/46 patients. As compared to baseline, median seizure-frequency reduction in the setting of declining numbers was 56% at 3 months, 50% at 6, 63% at 12, 83% at 24 and 74% at 36 months. When a last observation carried forward analysis was employed median seizure-frequency reduction in the range of 60% was observed at 1, 2 and 3 years post-VNS. Twenty patients (43.5%) had >75% seizure-frequency reduction. No response (increase or <50% reduction) was observed in 19/46 (41.3%). Five patients (10.1%) were seizure-free for more than 6 months by their last follow-up. There was no difference in the number of AEDs used before and after VNS. The long-term discontinuation rate was 21.7% and reflected a lack of clinical response or infection. CONCLUSIONS: In this series VNS was well-tolerated and effective as add-on therapy for refractory seizures in children of all ages. Response was even more favorable in the younger group (<12 years at implantation). Infection and lack of efficacy were the most common reasons for discontinuation of long-term VNS therapy in this group.     

Level of consciousness as a conditioning factor of F wave generation in stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to investigate whether the level of consciousness influenced the F wave generation, as an independent factor. METHODS: Forty three patients with acute stroke were divided according to their level of consciousness in two groups; to those with Glasgow scale (GCS) score 3-7 indicating coma (group I) and those with GCS score 8-15 (group II). A series of 40 electrical stimuli were delivered to the ulnar nerve bilaterally in order to obtain F waves. The following variables were estimated and then compared between groups: F persistence, F wave latency, amplitude and duration. All studies were performed within 3 days from the onset of the stroke symptoms. RESULTS: The main finding to emerge was the significantly reduced F wave persistence in the group of patients with low GCS score as opposed to patients allocated in the group with GCS score 8-15. This result is referred to F waves obtained from both the affected and unaffected limb. F wave minimum latency was also prolonged in the group with low GCS score, whilst the comparison of all other F wave variables revealed no significant differences between groups I and II. F wave persistence measurements did not differ between the affected and unaffected sides. Stroke location and type (ischemic or hemorrhagic) were not associated with alterations of F wave measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Our results on stroke patients suggest that generation of F waves, expressed by the F wave persistence is associated with the level of consciousness. SIGNIFICANCE: F wave study may be useful as an objective measure in documenting the severity of consciousness impairment.     

Advanced visualization of self-organizing maps with vector fields.

Self-Organizing Maps have been applied in various industrial applications and have proven to be a valuable data mining tool. In order to fully benefit from their potential, advanced visualization techniques assist the user in analyzing and interpreting the maps. We propose two new methods for depicting the SOM based on vector fields, namely the Gradient Field and Borderline visualization techniques, to show the clustering structure at various levels of detail. We explain how this method can be used on aggregated parts of the SOM that show which factors contribute to the clustering structure, and show how to use it for finding correlations and dependencies in the underlying data. We provide examples on several artificial and real-world data sets to point out the strengths of our technique, specifically as a means to combine different types of visualizations offering effective multidimensional information visualization of SOMs.     

Adhesion of human platelets to albumin is synergistically increased by lysophosphatidic acid and adrenaline in a donor-dependent fashion.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and adrenaline are weak platelet activators considered important for thrombus formation, and were previously shown to synergistically increase platelet aggregation. Here we investigate synergistic activation by LPA and adrenaline when measuring platelet adhesion. Platelet-rich plasma from healthy blood donors together with adrenaline and/or LPA were added to protein-coated microplates. Platelets were allowed to adhere and the amount of adhesion detected enzymatically. The LPA and adrenaline combination induced a synergistic increase of platelet adhesion to a normally non-adhesive albumin surface. The degree of synergy varied markedly between individuals; these variations could not be explained by age, gender, blood type or different amounts of platelets, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, insulin or glucose in plasma. There was a trend indicating increased synergistic effect for platelets sensitive to adrenaline stimulation. The synergistic effect was blocked by the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine and inhibited by the ADP scavenger system creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase and antibodies against alphaIIbbeta3. Furthermore, platelets adhering to albumin after adrenaline and LPA treatment expressed P-selectin. In conclusion, LPA and adrenaline act synergistically to increase alphaIIbbeta3-mediated platelet adhesion to albumin, dependent on alpha2-adrenoceptor signalling and platelet secretion. We also confirm that synergistic platelet activation achieved with LPA and adrenaline is highly donor dependent.     

Correlates of the DSM-III-R global assessment of functioning scale in patients attending a child and adolescent psychiatric service

Sex, socioeconomic status, intelligence, a clinical symptom score, and an index of abnormal psychosocial situations as proposed by a recent WHO draft were studied as correlates of the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAFS), which comprises Axis V of theDSM-III-R. Whereas all parameters correlated significantly with the GAFS score, only total symptom domain score displayed a meaningful association. It was concluded that the GAFS contributes significantly to clinical information as an independent source.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden ein klinischer Symptomwert, ein Index für abnorme psychosoziale Situationen gemäß einem unlängst erschienenen WHO-Dokument, Geschlecht, sozioökonomischer Status und Intelligenz als Korrelate der Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAFS) untersucht, welche die Achse V des DSM-III-R bildet. Während alle Parameter

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Résumé Le sexe, le statut socio-économique, l'intelligence, le score des symptômes cliniques, et un index de situations psychosociales anormales proposés par un récent projet del'OMS furent étudiés en corrélation avec l'évaluation globale de l'échelle de fonctionnement (Global Assessment of Functioning Scale G.A.F.S.) qui correspond à l'axe V du DSM III R. Tandis que tous les paramètres sont corrélés significativement avec un score GAFS, seul le score symptomatique total n'offre pas d'association significative. Les auteurs ont conclu que le GAFS contribue significativement à l'information clinique en tant que source indépendante.

     

Dyspepsie und Helicobacter-pylori-Infektion bei Besch?ftigten eines gro?en Industrieunternehmens Ergebnisse der prospektiven BASF-Helicobacter-pylori-Vorsorgeaktion

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Die Assoziation zwischen Helicobacter-pylori-(H.-pylori-)Infektion und Dyspepsie wird kontrovers diskutiert. Im Rahmen der BASF-H.-pylori-Vorsorgeaktion wurde u. a. die Prävalenz von Dyspepsie bei arbeitsfähigen Personen ermittelt sowie der Zusammenhang mit der H.-pylori-Infektion und der Erfolg einer Eradikationstherapie untersucht. Probanden und Methodik: 6 132 Beschäftigte der BASF wurden untersucht und im Rahmen einer standardisierten Anamnese u. a. zu dyspeptischen Beschwerden befragt. Diese wurden entsprechend der führenden Symptomatik den Dyspepsiesubtypen vom Ulkustyp, Dysmotilitätstyp, Refluxtyp und unspezifischen Typ zugeordnet. Bei allen Beschäftigten wurde die Seroprävalenz (IgG-ELISA) der H.-pylori-Infektion bestimmt. Allen H.-pylori-positiven Personen mit Dyspepsie wurde weitere Diagnostik in Form einer Ösophagogastroduodenoskopie und einer Sonographie des Abdomens bei Fachärzten empfohlen und eine H.-pylori-Eradikationstherapie (Italian-Triple-Therapie) angeboten. In einer Untergruppe endoskopisch untersuchter Beschäftigter mit peptischer Ulkuskrankheit (PUD, n = 37) bzw. Non-Ulcer-Dyspepsie (NUD; n = 39) wurde der prognostische Wert der im Western Blot ermittelten Antikörper gegen CagA und VacA untersucht. Ergebnisse: 1 255 der 6 143 Beschäftigten (20,4%) berichteten über Dyspepsie. 492 Personen mit Dyspepsie (39,2%) waren gleichzeitig H.-pylori-positiv. Bei Personen ohne dyspeptische Symptome betrug die H.-pylori-Prävalenz 35,8%. Personen mit unterschiedlichen Dyspepsiesubtypen unterschieden sich nicht hinsichtlich der H.-pylori-Prävalenz. Personen, die häufige und intensive dyspeptische Beschwerden angaben, waren allerdings signifikant häufiger H.-pylori-positiv (OR 2,09, CI 1,43-3,05). Die Seroprävalenz von CagA und VacA bei Personen mit PUD unterschied sich nicht signifikant von derjenigen bei Personen mit NUD. 458 H.-pylori-positiven Personen wurde die Eradikation empfohlen. 330 Personen (72,1%) folgten der Empfehlung. 128 (27,9%) ließen sich nicht behandeln. An der Nachkontrolle nach 12 Monaten nahmen 402 Personen (87,8%) teil, davon waren 300 behandelt, 102 nicht. Der serologisch analysierte Eradikationserfolg lag bei 81,5%. 42,8% der erfolgreich behandelten Personen berichteten über Besserung ihrer Beschwerden, 33,2% über Beschwerdefreiheit. Bei den nicht behandelten Personen war dies nur in 16,7% bzw. in 37,3% der Fall. Vermehrte Refluxbeschwerden traten nach erfolgreicher Eradikation nicht auf. Schlussfolgerung: Wir konnten keinen generellen Zusammenhang zwischen Dyspepsie und H.-pylori-Infektion in einem großen Kollektiv arbeitsfähiger Personen erkennen. Häufige und intensive dyspeptische Symptome scheinen allerdings ein prädikativer Faktor für die H.-pylori-Seropositivität zu sein. Die serologisch bestimmbaren Virulenzfaktoren tragen nicht zur Unterscheidung PUD oder NUD bei. Die Eradikationstherapie führte nach 1 Jahr zwar häufiger zur Besserung, aber nicht häufiger zu Beschwerdefreiheit bei Beschäftigten mit dyspeptischen Beschwerden im Vergleich zu unbehandelten Personen. Abstract Background: The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in dyspepsia is controversial. In the course of a health initiative within a large industrial corporation, we investigated the prevalence of both dyspepsia and positive H. pylori serology and the outcome of eradication therapy in symptomatic H. pylori positive employees. Test Persons and Methods: H. pylori serology (IgG ELISA) was determined in 6,143 employees of BASF AG Ludwigshafen/Germany who were also asked to complete a standardized health history administered by a physician. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and dyspepsia subgroups were defined based on past medical history and symptom profiles using the criteria of Heading. Upper GI endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound and eradication therapy (Italian Triple Therapy) was recommended for symptomatic H. pylori positive individuals. The prognostic value of antibodies against CagA and VacA was evaluated in 37 and 39 employees with PUD and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) confirmed by endoscopy, respectively. Results: Of 6,143 employees, 1,255 (20.4%) were classified as dyspeptic, 492 (39.2%) of whom were H. pylori positive. The seroprevalence of H. pylori in asymptomatic employees was 35.8%. There were no significant differences in H. pylori seroprevalence among dyspepsia subgroups (reflux only, dysmotility only, reflux/dysmotility, ulcer-like and non-specific). However, individuals reporting severe dyspeptic symptoms were significantly more likely to be H. pylori positive (OR 2.09, CI 1.43-3.05). The seroprevalence of CagA and VacA was not significantly different among employees with NUD compared to referents or among employees with NUD compared to those with PUD. 330 (72%) of 458 employees with dyspepsia received eradication therapy, 128 persons refused therapy. Based on a 12-month follow-up of 402 individuals (300 of whom had received therapy), eradication success was 81.5% as judged by serology. Of the successfully treated employees, 33.2% reported a total absence and 42.8% reported a decrease in symptoms. Among the employees who refused therapy, the corresponding percentages were 37.3% and 16.7%, respectively. An increase in reflux complaints was not observed among treated employees. Conclusion: In a large active employee population, at most a very weak association was observed between the prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity and dyspepsia. Frequent and severe dyspeptic symptoms were associated with an increased rate of H. pylori seropositivity. The analysis of the virulence factors is not particularly helpful in discriminating PUD or NUD. Eradication of H. pylori infection leads to a decrease in dyspeptic symptoms after 12 months, but not more often to their complete absence compared to untreated individuals.     

Dopamine transporters, D2 receptors, and glucose metabolism in corticobasal degeneration.

Alterations in presynaptic and postsynaptic dopaminergic system and cerebral glucose metabolism in corticobasal degeneration (CBD) were assessed to evaluate the potential usefulness of different imaging methods for CBD. (123)I-FP-CIT/(123)I-beta-CIT SPECT and (123)I-IBZM SPECT as well as (18)F-FDG PET were performed in eight CBD patients. Decreased presynaptic dopamine transporter binding was found in all CBD patients while D2 receptor binding was reduced in only one patient. (18)F-FDG PET displayed a contralateral hypometabolism in cortical and subcortical areas in seven out of eight patients. Our results demonstrate that glucose metabolism and DAT are reduced, while D2 receptors may be frequently preserved in CBD.