Design and feasibility of a memory intervention with focus on self-management for cognitive impairment in epilepsy.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a self-management intervention targeting cognitive dysfunction to improve quality of life and reduce memory-related disability in adults with epilepsy. The intervention incorporates (1) education on cognitive function in epilepsy, (2) self-awareness training, (3) compensatory strategies, and (4) application of these strategies in day-to-day life using problem-solving therapy. In addition to the behavioral modification, formal working memory training was conducted by utilizing a commercially available program in a subgroup of patients.

Predictors for readmissions after video-EEG monitoring.

Objective: Identification of variables prognosticating 30-day readmission among adult patients admitted for video-EEG (VEEG) monitoring at a major epilepsy center.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, examining 865 consecutive admissions to the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) from January 2010 to June 2013. Data extracted from chart review included demographics, length of stay (LOS), seizure type(s), number of 30-day readmissions or emergency department (ED) visits and reasons for these, and patient and system/provider factors potentially contributing to the readmission.

Effects of age and R848 stimulation on expression of Toll-like receptor 8 mRNA by foal neutrophils.

The innate immune system plays a critical role in protecting neonates against infections early in life and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key components of innate immune recognition of pathogens. This study examined the effects of age and stimulation with a TLR 7/8 agonist (R848) on TLR8 mRNA expression by foal neutrophils during the first month of life. We also examined the effects of R848 stimulation on mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 at 1 and 14 days of life.

Identification of copy number variants in horses.

Copy number variants (CNVs) represent a substantial source of genetic variation in mammals. However, the occurrence of CNVs in horses and their subsequent impact on phenotypic variation is unknown. We performed a study to identify CNVs in 16 horses representing 15 distinct breeds (Equus caballus) and an individual gray donkey (Equus asinus) using a whole-exome tiling array and the array comparative genomic hybridization methodology.

Pharmacologic inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) promotes infarct resorption and prevents adverse cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction in mice.

Background: Phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma is upregulated in the heart during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) potentially contributing to the development and maintenance of heart failure.

Methods: CD-1 male mice were randomly assigned to pharmacologic inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma using AS-605240 (10 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally) or vehicle (NaCl 0.9% + DMSO 25% solution) for 14 days after experimental AMI induced by surgical coronary artery ligation.

Pharmacokinetics of gallium maltolate after intragastric administration in neonatal foals.

Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics of gallium maltolate (GaM) after intragastric administration in healthy foals.

Animals: 6 healthy neonatal foals.

Procedures: Each foal received GaM (20 mg/kg) by intragastric administration.

Evaluation of fecal samples from mares as a source of Rhodococcus equi for their foals by use of quantitative bacteriologic culture and colony immunoblot analyses.

Objective: To determine whether mares are a clinically important source of Rhodococcus equi for their foals.

Sample Population: 171 mares and 171 foals from a farm in Kentucky (evaluated during 2004 and 2005).

Procedures: At 4 time points (2 before and 2 after parturition), the total concentration of R equi and concentration of virulent R equi were determined in fecal specimens from mares by use of quantitative bacteriologic culture and a colony immunoblot technique, respectively.

Evaluation of a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for detection and quantitation of virulent Rhodococcus equi.

Objective: To evaluate a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) assay in the detection and quantitation of virulent Rhodococcus equi.

Sample Population: 1 virulent, 2 intermediately virulent, and 2 avirulent strains of R. equi and 16 isolates of bacteria genetically related to R.

Nramp1 deletion does not confer susceptibility to Rhodococcus equi infection in mice.

Rhodococcus equi is an intracellular bacterium that causes pneumonia in immunocompromised people and foals. The Nramp1 gene influences susceptibility to a variety of intracellular bacteria (including mycobacterial species), but not to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In this study, we demonstrate that mice functionally deleted of the Nramp1 gene were not more susceptible to infection with virulent R.

Effects of iron modulation on growth and viability of Rhodococcus equi and expression of virulence-associated protein A.

Objective: To determine the importance of iron for in vitro growth of Rhodococcus equi, define potential iron sources in the environment and mechanisms by which R equi may obtain iron from the environment, and assess expression and immunogenicity of iron-regulated proteins.

Sample Population: 10 virulent and 11 avirulent strains of R equi.

Procedure: In vitro growth rates and protein patterns of R equi propagated in media with normal, excess, or limited amounts of available iron were compared.