Focal cortical dysplasia: improving diagnosis and localization with magnetic resonance imaging multiplanar and curvilinear reconstruction.

Objective: To establish the contribution of multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and curvilinear reformatting (CR) to the MRI investigation of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD).

Methods: From a group of patients with intractable frontal lobe epilepsy, we selected patients with neuroimaging diagnosis of FCD. The diagnosis of FCD was based on the neuroimaging findings after a three step evaluation, always in the same order: (a) plain MRI films, (b) MPR, and (c) CR.

Acute psychotic disorders induced by topiramate: report of two cases.

We report on two epileptic patients who developed acute psychosis after the use of topiramate (TPM). One patient exhibited severe psychomotor agitation, heteroaggressiveness, auditory and visual hallucinations as well as severe paranoid and mystic delusions. The other patient had psychomotor agitation, depersonalization, derealization, severe anxiety and deluded that he was losing his memory.

Crossed cerebellar atrophy in patients with precocious destructive brain insults.

Objective: To analyze the frequency and pathogenetic factors of crossed cerebellar atrophy (CCA) in adult patients with epilepsy secondary to destructive brain insults of early development.

Methods: We studied 51 adult patients with epilepsy and precocious destructive lesions. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the topographic distribution of their lesions on magnetic resonance imaging: group A, hemispheric (n = 9); group B, main arterial territory (n = 25); and group C, arterial border zone (n = 17).

Improved method for the simultaneous determination of d4T, 3TC and ddl intracellular phosphorylated anabolites in human peripheral-blood mononuclear cells using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

There is still a need for direct determination (i.e. without dephosphorylation) of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) triphosphorylated nucleotides in the peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HIV-positive patients.

Mechanism-based suppression of dideoxynucleotide resistance by K65R human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase using an alpha-boranophosphate nucleoside analogue.

The amino acid change K65R in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-reverse transcriptase (RT) confers viral resistance to various 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside drugs in vivo. Using pre-steady state kinetic methods, we found that K65R-reverse transcriptase is 3.2-14-fold resistant to 2',3'-dideoxynucleotides in vitro relative to wild-type reverse transcriptase, in agreement with resistance levels observed in vivo.

Activation of anti-reverse transcriptase nucleotide analogs by nucleoside diphosphate kinase: improvement by alpha-boranophosphate substitution.

Nucleoside activation by nucleoside diphosphate kinase and inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase were studied comparatively for a new class of nucleoside analogs with a borano (BH3-) or a thio (SH) group on the alpha-phosphate. Both the alpha-Rp-borano derivatives of AZT and d4T improved phosphorylation by NDP kinase, inhibition of reverse transcription as well as stability of alpha-borano nonophosphate derivatives in terminated viral DNA chain.

Air pollution exposure monitoring and estimation. Part V. Traffic exposure in adults.

In Oslo, traffic has been one of the dominating sources of air pollution in the last decade. In one part of the city where most traffic collects, two tunnels were built. A series of before and after studies was carried out in connection with the tunnels in use.

Air pollution exposure monitoring and estimation. Part III. Development of new types of air quality indicators.

The temporal pattern of exposure to a specific compound may affect health in several ways. Exposure to pollution can have short-term effects or long-term effects. For some compounds there is a threshold under which there is no presumed measurable effect, whereas for other compounds, there is no presumed threshold.

Air pollution exposure monitoring and estimation. Part II. Model evaluation and population exposure.

The air pollution dispersion model EPISODE has been developed at the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) over the past several years in order to meet the needs of modern air quality management work in urban areas. The model has recently been used as a basis for exposure calculations of NOx and NO2 in order to assess the effects of different traffic diversion measures on health and well being for the residents in the Vålerenga-Ekeberg-Gamlebyen area in Oslo. Here we describe some results from the most recent evaluations of the model for NOx and NO2 at station Nordahl Brunsgate in Oslo for the period 1 October 1996-19 November 1996.

Efficacy of clobazam as add-on therapy in patients with refractory partial epilepsy.

Purpose: Clobazam (CLB) has an important antiepileptic effect and is less expensive than the new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), but still has not been considered as first-line drug in the treatment of epilepsy. We evaluated the efficacy of CLB as add-on therapy in patients with refractory partial epilepsy.

Methods: This was an open, retrospective study, conducted at the epilepsy clinic of our university hospital.

Late onset temporal lobe epilepsy with MRI evidence of mesial temporal sclerosis following acute neurocysticercosis: case report.

Unlabelled: The objective of this case report is to describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) in a patient with new onset temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and acute neurocysticercosis with multiple cysts. A 56 years old man with new onset headache, Simple Partial Seizures and Complex Partial Seizures underwent CT scan and lumbar puncture as diagnose proceeding. Multiple cysts and meningitis were identified, with a positive immunology for cysticercosis.

Epileptic manifestations induced by midazolam in the neonatal period.

Antiepileptic drugs may cause worsening of epilepsy by aggravating pre-existing seizures or by triggering new seizure types. There are several reports of adverse effects related to midazolam, but only a few authors reported epileptic manifestations. We report four newborns seen at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of our University Hospital, who developed seizures a few seconds after the administration of midazolam.

Interictal hyposexuality in male patients with epilepsy.

The purpose of this study was to compare the serum levels of androgens between hyposexual and non-hyposexual patients with epilepsy. Adult male patients with epilepsy were investigated. Serum levels of testosterone (T) and free-T, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured and the free androgen index (FAI) was calculated.

Seizure outcome and hippocampal atrophy in familial mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Objective: To describe the clinical, genetic and MR characteristics of patients with familial mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE).

Design/methods: The familial occurrence of MTLE was identified by a systematic search of family history of seizures in patients followed in the authors' epilepsy clinic. All probands and, whenever possible, other affected family members underwent EEG and MR investigations.

The valine-to-threonine 75 substitution in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase and its relation with stavudine resistance.

The amino acid change V75T in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase confers a low level of 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (stavudine, d4T) resistance in vivo and in vitro. Valine 75 is located at the basis of the fingers subdomain of reverse transcriptase between the template contact point and the nucleotide-binding pocket. V75T reverse transcriptase discriminates 3.

Predisposition to metabolic acidosis induced by topiramate.

Rationale: Metabolic acidosis induced by topiramate is a well documented but infrequent adverse event. The objective was to demonstrate the lowering of carbon dioxide serum levels, which is usually asymptomatic but may facilitate the occurrence of metabolic acidosis in patients using topiramate.

Methods: We evaluated, prospectively, the carbon dioxide serum levels of 18 patients seen at the epilepsy clinic of our university hospital, before and 3 months after introducing topiramate.

Cysticidal therapy: impact on seizure control in epilepsy associated with neurocysticercosis.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical features and seizure control of epilepsy related to neurocysticercosis.

Method: 18 patients with partial epilepsy and neurocysticercosis were treated with albendazol or praziquantel and followed from 3 months to 12 years. We analyzed results from the CSF exam, interictal electroencephalogram (EEG), head computerized tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging.

Congenital destructive hemispheric lesions and epilepsy: clinical features and relevance of associated hippocampal atrophy.

We studied the clinical, EEG and MRI findings in 19 patients with epilepsy secondary to congenital destructive hemispheric insults. Patients were divided in two groups: 10 with cystic lesions (group 1), and 9 with atrophic lesions (group 2). Seizure and EEG features, as well as developmental sequelae were similar between the two groups, except for the finding that patients of group 2 more commonly presented seizures with more than one semiological type.

[Familial partial epilepsies].

Objective: To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of familial partial epilepsies.

Method: Family history of seizures was questioned in all patients followed in our epilepsy clinics, from October 1997 to December 1998. Those with positive family history were further investigated and detailed pedigrees were obtained.

Bone mineral density, vitamin D and anticonvulsant therapy.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to assess bone mineral density and vitamin D metabolism in patients on chronic anticonvulsant therapy.

Methods: Sixty-nine men, outpatients on chronic anticonvulsant therapy, who had been treated for at least 5 years, were studied, comparing them to thirty healthy controls. Bone mineral density was measured as well as serum levels of calcium, ionized calcium, alkaline phosphatase, PTH, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

De novo psychogenic seizures after epilepsy surgery: case report.

The occurrence of de novo psychogenic seizures after epilepsy surgery is rare, and is estimated in 1.8% to 3.6%.

Structural basis for activation of alpha-boranophosphate nucleotide analogues targeting drug-resistant reverse transcriptase.

AIDS chemotherapy is limited by inadequate intracellular concentrations of the active triphosphate form of nucleoside analogues, leading to incomplete inhibition of viral replication and the appearance of drug-resistant virus. Drug activation by nucleoside diphosphate kinase and inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase were studied comparatively. We synthesized analogues with a borano (BH(3)(-)) group on the alpha-phosphate, and found that they are substrates for both enzymes.

Sexual dysfunction in epilepsy: identifying the psychological variables.

In order to evaluate the psychological variables that affect sexual dysfunction (SD) in epilepsy, where compared 60 epileptics (Group 1) with 60 healthy individuals (Group 2), through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1970), Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1974) and Sexual Behavior Interview (Souza, 1995). Sexual dysfunction (SD), anxiety and depression were found more frequently in Group 1 than in Group 2 and were not related to sex.

The mechanism of phosphorylation of anti-HIV D4T by nucleoside diphosphate kinase.

The last step in the intracellular activation of antiviral nucleoside analogs is the addition of the third phosphate by nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinase resulting in the synthesis of the viral reverse transcriptase substrates. We have previously shown that dideoxynucleotide analogs and 3'-deoxy-3'-azidothymidine (AZT) as di- or triphosphate are poor substrates for NDP kinase. By use of protein fluorescence, we monitor the phosphotransfer between the enzyme and the nucleotide analog.

Synthesis of AZT-alpha-Borano-5'-diphospho-hexoses.

3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine-alpha-borano-5'-diphospho-hexoses have been synthesized. Their diastereoisomers were separated by HPLC.