The use of seismically isolated buildings by urban wildlife in Japan.

Some wildlife species that have expanded their range into urban areas use various anthropogenic structures for breeding and resting. We investigated the use of seismically isolated buildings, with gaps between the structures and ground surface, by urban wildlife in Japan. Camera traps set in a building revealed that masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) continued to use the building for approximately 3 years. Civet feces and footprints were found in two buildings during field sign surveys. To ensure public health, civets should be prevented from invading seismically isolated buildings by covering gaps with elastic materials and avoiding placing pipes that could be used by the animals near these gaps.

Hippocampal damage after prolonged febrile seizure: one case in a consecutive prospective series.

The factors that contribute to hippocampal damage as a sequela, and its frequency, in patients experiencing febrile status epilepticus, remain unknown. Of the 472 patients with febrile seizures admitted to our hospital between February 2004 and August 2008, 77 had prolonged seizures. Among them, 59 underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 21-month-old girl showed hippocampal changes after her first episode of febrile status epilepticus. The seizure lasted about 35 min, with eye deviation to the right and ictal rhythmic discharges in the left hemisphere. MRI at 72 h after the seizure revealed high-signal intensities in T(2) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images of the left hippocampus. Left hippocampal volume diminished over the next several months suggesting the occurrence of neuronal cell death. In no other cases, not even those with longer seizure durations, did significant hippocampal changes develop. The frequency of hippocampal damage was 1.7% in this case series. The involvement of factors other than seizure duration merits further study.

Autofluorescence as a noninvasive biomarker of senescence and advanced glycation end products in Caenorhabditis elegans.

To assess the utility of autofluorescence as a noninvasive biomarker of senescence in Caenorhabditis elegans, we measured the autofluorescence of individual nematodes using spectrofluorometry. The fluorescence of each worm increased with age. Animals with lower fluorescence intensity exhibited longer life expectancy. When proteins extracted from worms were incubated with sugars, the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) increased over time. Ribose enhanced these changes not only in vitro but also in vivo. The glycation blocker rifampicin suppressed this rise in fluorescence. High-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that vitellogenins accumulated in old worms, and glycated vitellogenins emitted six-fold higher fluorescence than naive vitellogenins. The increase in fluorescence with ageing originates from glycated substances, and therefore could serve as a useful noninvasive biomarker of AGEs. C. elegans can serve as a new model to look for anti-AGE factors and to study the relationship between AGEs and senescence.

[Seizure characteristics in Kawasaki disease].

It is well known that convulsions may occur in clinical course of Kawasaki disease. However, the features of such seizures remain unclear. Recent reports have hypothesized that proinflammatory cytokines may contribute to the genesis of febrile convulsions (FC). In the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, proinflammatory cytokines are elevated in serum and CSF. If cytokines play a role in seizure phenomena in patients with Kawasaki disease, FC and seizures in Kawasaki disease might share some clinical features. To clarify the clinical features of convulsion in Kawasaki disease, we investigated 7 patients with Kawasaki disease with convulsions who were diagnosed and treated from November 2003 to November 2005. We found several features of the seizures, as well as the onset age, were diffrent among these clinical entities. The onset of Kawasaki disease was characteristically before six months of age in all patients. Seizure clustering was seen in 5 patients and partial seizures in 4. Prolonged unconsciousness after seizures was seen in one patient, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of ADH (SIADH) in one other. One patient had markedly elevated IL-6 in CSF. These observations led us to speculate that the convulsion of Kawasaki disease may be attributable to an encephalitis. The results of this study suggest that seizure pathophysiology differs between FC and Kawasaki disease.

Febrile seizures associated with influenza A.

To clarify the clinical impact of influenza A on the development of febrile seizures (FS), consecutive FS patients brought to our hospital between October 2003 and September 2004 were prospectively surveyed. Patients infected with influenza A (influenza A patients) and those uninfected with influenza (non-influenza patients) were compared with regard to clinical characteristics of FS. Influenza infection was determined by rapid antigen test and/or serologically. Associations of influenza A with atypical findings of FS, including partial seizures, prolonged seizures, multiple seizures during the same illness, and 30-min or longer prolonged postictal impairment of consciousness (PPIC), were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. A total of 215 patients (47 influenza A and 168 non-influenza patients) were enrolled in the study. Age was significantly higher in the influenza A group (39.85+/-22.16 months vs. 27.51+/-17.14 months, P<0.001). Of 42 patients aged 48 months or older, which corresponded to the 80th percentile for age, 15 (35.7%) were influenza A patients, with a significantly higher incidence of such patients than in the subgroup of patients aged 47 months or younger (32/173, 18.5%) (P=0.015). On multiple logistic regression analysis, influenza A was independently associated with PPIC (odds ratio: 4.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.52-12.95, P=0.006), but not with other atypical findings. The positive association of influenza A with PPIC suggests that influenza may affect state of consciousness at the same time that it induces seizures with fever.

Classification of benign infantile afebrile seizures.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to classify infantile cases with benign seizures into known epileptic syndromes, thereby facilitating discussion of clinical factors that could play an important role in diagnosis. SUBJECTS: Fifty-seven patients with afebrile seizures fulfilling all of the following criteria were enrolled: (1) normal development prior to the onset, (2) no underlying disorders nor neurological abnormalities, (3) onset before the age of four and (4) normal interictal EEG and neuroimaging findings. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases (Group A) were characterized by an association of mild gastroenteritis. The remaining 18 cases were divided into two groups according to the seizure type. One group had partial seizures (Group B, 13 cases) while the other was suspected to have generalized seizures (Group C, 5 cases). Age at onset was significantly higher for Group A (19.5 +/- 5.5 months) than Groups B (5.3 +/- 1.8 months) (p<0.001) and C (5.8 +/- 3.5 months) (p=0.038). Positive family history of seizure disorder, seizure cluster tendency, and the efficacy of lidocaine against seizure clusters were common in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Features in Group A were consistent with benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis (proposed by Morooka) [Morooka, K., 1982. Mild diarrhea and convulsions. Shonika 23, 134-137 (in Japanese)], those of Group B with benign partial epilepsy in infancy [Watanabe, K., Yamamoto, N., Negoro, T., Takaesu, E., Aso, K., Furune, S., Takahashi, I., 1987. Benign complex partial epilepsies in infancy. Pediatr. Neurol. 3, 208-211], and those of Group C with benign infantile convulsions [Fukuyama, Y., 1963. Borderland of epilepsy with special reference to febrile convulsions and so-called infantile convulsions. Seishin Igaku 5, 211-223 (in Japanese)]. The distinction between these syndromes depends upon age at onset, association with gastroenteritis, and ictal symptomatology. In our experience, however, it was not easy to catch seizure type accurately in clinical situations. As far as the results of ictal video-EEG monitoring ever carried out concern, focal initiation of parxysmal discharges was demonstrated in all cases, not only of BPEI but also of apparent generalized seizures examined without exception. These observations led the authors to conclude that the identity of BIC is dubious, most probably it will represent a subtype of BPEI.

[Changes of electroencephalographic findings in a case of migraine with various neurological symptoms].

We report here an 1-year-old boy who was diagnosed as sporadic hemiplegic migraine demonstrated transient changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) background activity accompanied with migraine attacks. The attacks were associated with various neurological complications such as impairment of consciousness and hemiplegia and so on, which coincided with the changes of EEG findings. When his first headache developed with fever and impairment of consciousness, diffuse slow waves (1-2 Hz, 250-300 microV) appeared transiently. The slow wave gradually improved thereafter, and disappeared on the 24th day. On the 25th day, when he had the second attack with left hemiplegia and impairment of consciousness and sensation, slow waves, (2-3 Hz, 250-300 microV) appeared on right side of the brain. Constriction of the right middle cerebral artery was found on MR angiography at that time. The EEG change had improved to normal background activity 3 days after the episode. This unique case demonstrated that transient EEG changes seem to be correlated with the existence of unconsciousness and the laterality of the ischemic insult. We may assume that the changes of electroencephalographic findings may represent the cortical dysfunction caused by vascular constriction.

[Prospective study of first unprovoked seizure].

We prospectively examined the natural history of children who suffered a first unprovoked seizure (FUS). Forty-five children who suffered a seizure without any detectable precipitating factors were enrolled in this study. Absence seizure, myoclonic seizure, and epileptic spasms were excluded from this study. They were followed for at least 2 years without anti-epileptic medications in 43 cases (2 were given drugs). Thirty patients (66.7%) had another seizure during follow up. Of the 30 patients with recurrence, 11 suffered the second seizure within 1 month, 19 within 3 months, 24 within 6 months, 26 within 1 year, and 30 within 2 years. Occurrence of generalized convulsions, a past history and family history of febrile seizures, epileptic discharges on the EEG (especially a diffuse pattern), and developmental delay prior to the FUS were risk factors for seizure recurrence. Up to one third of the patients had no more recurrent seizures during the next 2 years, so it seems reasonable to follow FUS patients without medication.

NADH oxidase and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C (peroxiredoxin) from Amphibacillus xylanus form an oligomeric assembly.

The NADH oxidase-peroxiredoxin (Prx) system of Amphibacillus xylanus reduces hydroperoxides with the highest turnover rate among the known hydroperoxide-scavenging enzymes. The high electron transfer rate suggests that there exists close interaction between NADH oxidase and Prx. Variant enzyme experiments indicated that the electrons from ß-NADH passed through the secondary disulfide, Cys128-Cys131, of NADH oxidase to finally reduce Prx. We previously reported that ionic strength is essential for a system to reduce hydroperoxides. In this study, we analyzed the effects of ammonium sulfate (AS) on the interaction between NADH oxidase and Prx by surface plasmon resonance analysis. The interaction between NADH oxidase and Prx was observed in the presence of AS. Dynamic light scattering assays were conducted while altering the concentration of AS and the ratio of NADH oxidase to Prx in the solutions. The results revealed that the two proteins formed a large oligomeric assembly, the size of which depended on the ionic strength of AS. The molecular mass of the assembly converged at approximately 300 kDa above 240 mM AS. The observed reduction rate of hydrogen peroxide also converged at the same concentration of AS, indicating that a complex formation is required for activation of the enzyme system. That the complex generation is dependent on ionic strength was confirmed by ultracentrifugal analysis, which resulted in a signal peak derived from a complex of NADH oxidase and Prx (300 mM AS, NADH oxidase: Prx = 1:10). The complex formation under this condition was also confirmed structurally by small-angle X-ray scattering.

Oseltamivir treatment for children showing abnormal behavior during influenza virus infection.

UNLABELLED: We investigated the clinical courses of children with influenza infection, who showed abnormal behavior, who were treated with oseltamivir (Tamiflu). SUBJECTS: The subjects were 22 children, 2-15 (mean+/-SD, 6.6+/-3.2) years old, admitted to our hospital during the 2004-2005, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007 influenza seasons. Abnormal behavior appeared before treatment with oseltamivir in 13 children (pre-Tami group), and after administration of the medication in 9 (post-Tami group). All patients continued to receive oseltamivir for 3-5 days after admission. RESULTS: Meaningless speech and movements without a specific purpose were the most frequent abnormal behavior (16 children), while illusions, delusions, and misidentifying awareness were the second most common (14 children). Sensations of marked fear and excitement were recognized in 6 children. One child rushed up and down the stairs unconsciously, raising concern that a serious accident might occur. All patients showed a favorable clinical course, without worsening of neurological symptoms or the development of encephalopathy, and outcomes were good. The clinical course, number of recurrences of abnormal behavior, and outcome were similar in the pre-Tami and post-Tami groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that oseltamivir is not a prerequisite for the development of abnormal behavior and does not worsen the clinical manifestations of abnormal behaviors, although further investigations are needed to determine whether oseltamivir is necessary, or even useful, for patients with influenza virus encephalopathy.

Bactericidal actions of a silver ion solution on Escherichia coli, studied by energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy and proteomic analysis.

Bactericidal actions of the silver ion on Escherichia coli as a model microorganism were studied using energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). EFTEM observations demonstrated that the silver ion readily infiltrates the interior of E. coli, contrary to the early hypothesis that it resides initially in the cell membrane area. Furthermore, 2-DE and MALDI-TOF MS indicated that the expression of a ribosomal subunit protein as well as that of some other enzymes and proteins is affected by the silver ion. The present results demonstrate for the first time that one of the major bactericidal functions of the silver ion is its interaction with the ribosome and the ensuing inhibition in expression of the enzymes and proteins essential to ATP production.

Mutations of sodium channel alpha subunit type 1 (SCN1A) in intractable childhood epilepsies with frequent generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

A group of infant onset epilepsies manifest very frequent generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTC) intractable to medical therapy, which may or may not be accompanied by minor seizures such as myoclonic seizures, absences and partial seizures. They include severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI) and intractable childhood epilepsy with GTC (ICEGTC). They are commonly associated with fever-sensitivity, family history of seizure disorders and developmental decline after seizure onset. Mutations of the neuronal voltage-gated sodium channel alpha subunit type 1 gene (SCN1A) were recently reported in SMEI patients. To clarify the genotypic differences in this group of epilepsies, we searched for SCN1A abnormalities in 25 patients with SMEI and 10 with ICEGTC, together with the family members of 15 patients. Frameshift mutations in SCN1A were observed in four patients, nonsense mutations in five patients, missense mutations in 21 patients, other mutations in two patients and no mutation in five patients. SMEI patients showed nonsense mutations, frameshifts, or missense mutations, while ICEGTC patients showed only missense mutations. Study of both parents of 11 patients revealed that the mutations in these patients were de novo. However, two mothers had the same missense mutations as their ICEGTC children, and they had generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus. Here we suggest that SMEI and ICEGTC represent a continuum with minor phenotypic and genotypic differences.