Geographic Expansion of Japanese Encephalitis Virus to Australia: Neuroinflammatory Sequelae and Consideration of Immunomodulation.

We report a child from Southern Australia (New South Wales) who presented during a La Niña event with encephalopathy and acute flaccid paralysis. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested Japanese encephalitis (JE). Steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin did not improve symptoms. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) resulted in rapid improvement and tracheostomy decannulation. Our case illustrates the complex pathophysiology of JE, its' geographic expansion into Southern Australia and potential use of TPE for neuroinflammatory sequelae.

The ketogenic diet is effective for refractory epilepsy associated with acquired structural epileptic encephalopathy.

AIM: Ketogenic diet therapies have proven efficacy for refractory epilepsy. There are many reports of their use in the genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies; however, little attention has been paid as to whether the diet is also effective in individuals with an acquired structural aetiology. We observed remarkable efficacy of the diet in two patients with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. We then analysed our cases with refractory structural epilepsies of acquired origin to characterize their response to the ketogenic diet. METHOD: The classical ketogenic diet was implemented with dietary ratios of 3:1 to 4.4:1. Seizure frequency at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years was ascertained. A responder was defined as greater than 50% seizure reduction compared to baseline. RESULTS: Seven of the nine patients were responders at 3 months. INTERPRETATION: Somewhat surprisingly we found that the ketogenic diet was effective in patients with a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy due to an acquired structural aetiology. This cohort may not be routinely considered for the ketogenic diet because of their structural and acquired, rather than genetic, basis. The ketogenic diet should be considered early in the management of patients with acquired structural encephalopathies as it can improve seizure control with the potential to improve developmental outcome. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: The ketogenic diet was effective in children with epilepsy associated with an acquired structural aetiology.

Ictal unilateral blinking is an unreliable lateralizing sign in tuberous sclerosis complex.

OBJECTIVE: Ictal unilateral blinking is an uncommon but reportedly reliable lateralizing sign, indicating an ipsilateral seizure focus. We aimed to determine its lateralizing utility in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). METHODS: We reviewed the video-EEGs of 92 children with TSC and drug-resistant epilepsy. Eleven (12%) had seizures with unilateral blinking, of which 10 underwent epilepsy surgery. Lateralization of seizures was inferred from other semiology, ictal scalp EEG and outcome following tuberectomy. RESULTS: Seizures manifesting with unilateral blinking were focal motor in four patients, focal motor evolving into epileptic spasms in six, and epileptic spasms with focal features in one. Associated unilateral facial contraction was seen in five patients and arm jerking in four. Lateralized scalp ictal rhythms were seen in seven patients. Following tuberectomies, seven patients are seizure free and two had >90% reduction. Overall lateralization of seizures with unilateral blinking was contralateral in six patients and ipsilateral in four. When unilateral blinking was early in seizures, overall lateralization was more often contralateral (6/7 patients, PPV 85%). SIGNIFICANCE: Ictal unilateral blinking is not infrequent but unreliable in lateralizing seizures in TSC. Unrecognized seizure propagation to contralateral symptomatogenic regions and potentially different mechanisms may account for the variable lateralization.

Formulation and development of plasma volume expander using natural and modified starch from Solanum tuberosum.

BACKGROUND: To formulation and development of plasma volume expander (PVE) by using natural and modified starch from Solanum tuberosum. The function of blood circulation is to provide the needs of the body tissues and to maintain an appropriate environment in all tissue fluids of the body for the optimal survival and functions of the cells. Rapid restoration of the blood volume is necessary to decrease reduction in the amount of the blood. The PVEs are isotonic colloidal solutions, act by increasing the osmotic pressure of the intravascular compartment, which leads to the influx of the interstitial fluids through the capillary pore which, in turn, leads to the increase in the volume of the blood. Therefore, there is a need to discover the PVE with less side effects. The main aim of the present study is to use amylopectin as PVEs, fractionated from natural and modified starch obtained from S. tuberosum. METHODS: The starch extracted from the normal grains and the tubers of potatoes was selected for the production of starch. Statistical analysis includes in vitro characterization that involves viscosity studies, plasma-product interaction, osmotic pressure detection, molecular weight-viscosity relationship, determination of weight average molecular weight, enzymatic interaction, and in vivo characterization such as toxicity studies and the effect of the products on the blood coagulation. The isolated starch and fractionated amylopectin were analyzed for the physicochemical characteristics. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The amylopectin fractionated from isolated starch from grains and tubers of potatoes can be used as PVE, as per the outcome of the study.

Factors influencing habitat selection by arboreal pit vipers.

We studied factors influencing habitat selection by two arboreal species of pit viper, namely Trimeresurus malabaricus (Malabar pit viper) and T. gramineus (Bamboo pit viper). The macrohabitat of these species was classified as forest, forest edge, or open habitat. To determine microhabitat selection, a variety of features at every other snake location were measured. Whether or not the animal was found in a tree, the tree species, its height of perch, position on the branch (distal/ apical/middle), diameter of the branch, the tree canopy (thick/sparse) and vegetation of the area (thick/sparse) were recorded. Assessment of habitat was done to determine how patterns of habitat use vary seasonally. Shaded ambient (air) temperatures and humidity were recorded. Data pertaining to 90 individuals of T. malabaricus and 100 individuals of T. gramineus were recorded. Trimeresurus malabaricus selected home ranges that included areas with thick vegetation and were encountered at regions of higher altitude. Neither of the species was found in open habitats. Both of the species preferred diverse habitats and were spread over the entire available space during the monsoon; they did not show any preference for the perch height during different seasons. Males had a positive correlation between body mass and preferred perch diameter. The present study suggests that several factors play an important role in habitat selection by these arboreal pit vipers, thus making them highly habitat-specific.

Surgical approaches to treating epilepsy in children.

OPINION STATEMENT: Surgery for refractory epilepsy in appropriately selected children is effective. The key factors influencing a good outcome are careful selection of candidates, early referral to pediatric epilepsy surgical unit, underlying neuropathology and the completeness of surgical resection of the seizure focus. Although the primary aim of a surgery is seizure freedom, benefits are also seen in cognitive development. Early prompt referral is therefore desired to optimise outcome. Focal resections involving the temporal and frontal lobes are the common resective procedures in children, with cortical malformations the most common underlying pathology. Hemispherectomy or multilobar procedures are more commonly performed in children younger than four years. Seizure free rates reach 60-80 %. The availability of newer techniques for presurgical evaluation, along with invasive intracranial electroencephalographic (EEG) recording, has facilitated surgical consideration. Resective surgery may also be beneficial for children who may appear to have bilateral or generalised clinical or EEG features associated with focal lesions on MRI. Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and corpus callosotomy are employed for selected candidates not suitable for resective surgery with good results.

Superficial siderosis: A rare occurrence in children.

Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system results from deposition of hemosiderin in the subpial layers of the brain and spinal cord. Patients usually present after 40 years of age with progressive ataxia and sensorineural hearing impairment. We present the case of a twelve-year-old boy who had a surgery of the posterior fossa at the age of two years and then developed recurrent headaches, instability of gait, and hearing deficit at around ten years of age. Clinical examination revealed progressive ataxia and mild sensorineural hearing loss. He also had infrequent seizures with mild electroencephalographic abnormality. His serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) showed a progressive deposition of hemosiderin in the cerebellar folia and around the brainstem, confirming a diagnosis of superficial siderosis. This case report draws attention to this rare condition, usually seen in adults, even though rarely it can be seen in children as a chronic sequela of surgery of the posterior fossa.