Characteristics of submerged and partially submerged caves (habitat type 8330) in Romania.

Underwater sea caves form a relatively under-examined habitat type within the marine regions of Europe, although they provide unique physical conditions such as reduced light and wave energy, in addition to reduced temperature amplitude. This study aimed at revealing the characteristics of submerged cavities on the southern Romanian continental shelf where six protected areas exist. We used high-resolution bathymetry data and side-scan sonar imaging to identify limestone outcrops where cavities would be most probable to form and then performed visual observation during SCUBA diving activities.

Author Correction: Heavy reliance on plants for Romanian cave bears evidenced by amino acid nitrogen isotope analysis.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Heavy reliance on plants for Romanian cave bears evidenced by amino acid nitrogen isotope analysis.

Heavy reliance on plants is rare in Carnivora and mostly limited to relatively small species in subtropical settings. The feeding behaviors of extinct cave bears living during Pleistocene cold periods at middle latitudes have been intensely studied using various approaches including isotopic analyses of fossil collagen. In contrast to cave bears from all other regions in Europe, some individuals from Romania show exceptionally high δN values that might be indicative of meat consumption.

Angioedema associated with thrombolysis for ischemic stroke: analysis of a case-control study.

Background: Bradykinin-mediated angioedema (AE) is a complication associated with thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke. Risk factors are unknown and management is discussed.

Objectives: To clarify risk factors associated with bradykinin-mediated AE after thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke.

Adjunctive lacosamide for focal epilepsy: an open-label trial evaluating the impact of flexible titration and dosing on safety and seizure outcomes.

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lacosamide in a real-life setting with the use of a flexible dose titration schedule and individualised maintenance doses up to the maximum approved dose of 400 mg/day. Adults with a diagnosis of focal seizures, with or without secondary generalization, were enrolled in this open-label Phase IV trial (NCT01235403). Lacosamide was initiated at 100 mg/day (50 mg bid) and uptitrated over a 12-week period to 200, 300 or 400 mg/day, based on safety and seizure control.

Nanostructuring of GeTiO amorphous films by pulsed laser irradiation.

Laser pulse processing of surfaces and thin films is a useful tool for amorphous thin films crystallization, surface nanostructuring, phase transformation and modification of physical properties of thin films. Here we show the effects of nanostructuring produced at the surface and under the surface of amorphous GeTiO films through laser pulses using fluences of 10-30 mJ/cm(2). The GeTiO films were obtained by RF magnetron sputtering with 50:50 initial atomic ratio of Ge:TiO2.

Familial focal epilepsy with focal cortical dysplasia due to DEPDC5 mutations.

Objective: The DEPDC5 (DEP domain-containing protein 5) gene, encoding a repressor of the mTORC1 signaling pathway, has recently emerged as a major gene mutated in familial focal epilepsies. We aimed to further extend the role of DEPDC5 to focal cortical dysplasias (FCDs).

Methods: Seven patients from 4 families with DEPDC5 mutations and focal epilepsy associated with FCD were recruited and investigated at the clinical, neuroimaging, and histopathological levels.

DEPDC5 mutations in families presenting as autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.

Objective: To study the prevalence of DEPDC5 mutations in a series of 30 small European families with a phenotype compatible with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE).

Methods: Thirty unrelated families referred with ADNFLE were recruited in France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Norway. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 10 probands and direct sequencing of the DEPDC5 coding sequence in 20 probands.

Epileptic seizures in diffuse low-grade gliomas in adults.

Diffuse low-grade gliomas are highly epileptogenic brain tumours. We aimed to explore the natural course of epileptic seizures, their predictors and the prognostic significance of their occurrence in adult patients harbouring a diffuse low-grade glioma. An observational retrospective multicentre study examined 1509 patients with diffuse low-grade gliomas to identify mutual interactions between tumour characteristics, tumour course and epileptic seizures.

[Severe bouts of neuromyelitis optica: dramatic improvement after plasma exchanges].

Severe relapses are common in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Plasma exchanges (PE) were successfully used to treat acute demyelinating relapses resistant to corticosteroids. However, little is known about PE efficiency in NMO relapses, particularly in relation with the presence or not of specific antibodies.

Virologic and immunologic impact and durability of enfuvirtide-based antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected treatment-experienced patients in a clinical setting.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of enfuvirtide-based therapy in treatment-experienced patients in a clinical setting.

Method: Retrospective study of treatment-experienced patients receiving enfuvirtide-based therapy for a minimum of 2 months. Endpoints included virologic suppression, virologic rebound, immunologic response, and adverse events.

Arteriovenous brain malformations: is functional MR imaging reliable for studying language reorganization in patients? Initial observations.

Purpose: To determine whether the blood flow abnormalities frequently associated with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can alter functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging evaluation of language lateralization and whether reorganization of language function occurs in patients with brain AVMs.

Materials And Methods: Eleven patients with left-hemisphere brain AVMs and 10 age-matched control subjects were examined with 1.5-T blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional MR imaging.

Role of the supplementary motor area in motor deficit following medial frontal lobe surgery.

Objective: Patients undergoing surgical resection of medial frontal lesions may present a transient postoperative deficit that remains largely unpredictable. The authors studied the role of the supplementary motor area (SMA) in the occurrence of this deficit using fMRI.

Methods: Twenty-three patients underwent a preoperative fMRI before resection of medial frontal lesions.