Remediation of hexachlorobenzene in soil by enhanced electrokinetic Fenton process

The feasibility of enhanced electrokinetic Fenton process for the remediation of Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in low permeability soil was investigated. Kaolin was artificially contaminated with HCB and treated by electrokinetic and electrokinetic Fenton processes. beta -Cyclodextrin was used to enhance the solubility of HCB in pore fluid. Three tests were carried out, of which two were electrokinetic experiments to observe the suitability of beta -cyclodextrin as a flushing solution for these processes. The third experiment was the electrokinetic Fenton test using beta -cyclodextrin as an enhancing agent. Results show that the removal efficiency depends on the choice of a suitable flushing solution and physical parameters like pH, electric current and electro-osmotic flow.

Status epilepticus and tiagabine therapy: review of safety data and epidemiologic comparisons

PURPOSE

To determine whether an increased risk of status epilepticus (SE) and complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE) is associated with tiagabine (TGB) therapy.

METHODS

Thirteen cases in which an EEG, performed on patients with altered mental status taking TGB, was reported to demonstrate spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) were reviewed by a panel of experts. In addition, all cases of suspected SE from TGB clinical trials were reviewed. The occurrence of SE in four epidemiologic cohorts from Rochester, Minnesota, Turku, Finland, Bronx, New York, and New Haven, Connecticut was analyzed as an external comparison.

RESULTS

Review of the 13 cases with reported SWDs found that the majority had had prior EEGs with similar findings, and only three were thought to have electrographic evidence of SE. There was no difference in the frequency of SE or CPSE in the placebo-controlled clinical trials between the TGB-treated (1.0% SE, 0.8% CPSE) and placebo-treated (1.5% SE, 1.5% CPSE) groups. The 5% frequency of SE and 3% frequency of CPSE in the TGB-treated patients in the long-term safety studies, which included 2,248 patients, were very similar to the rates of occurrence of SE and CPSE in the four external cohorts. The major risk factor for the occurrence of SE and CPSE in all groups was a prior episode of SE (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Over a 3-year period, SE will occur in 5-10% of patients with epilepsy not in remission. At highest risk are those who have had a prior episode of SE. Treatment with TGB in recommended doses does not increase the risk of SE in patients with partial seizures.

Validity of the Dementia Rating Scale in assessing cognitive function in Parkinson's disease

Two studies examined the validity of the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) as a measure of cognitive functioning among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The DRS accounted for more variation in the level of cognitive functioning of PD patients than either the Mini-Mental Status Examination or a battery of tests selected to assess specific cognitive deficits associated with PD. Further, DRS subtests displayed strong convergent and discriminant validity with a comprehensive Criterion Neuropsychology Battery. The DRS subtests appear to be valid measures of attention, perseveration, conceptualization, and memory among PD patients. However, the DRS-Construction subtest should be supplemented with additional visuoconstructional items to provide a thorough screen of cognitive functioning in PD. Although about three-quarters of nondemented PD patients did not appear to have any specific cognitive deficits on the DRS, the remaining patients were impaired on the Construction or Initiation/Perseveration subtests of the DRS. In summary, the DRS is a valid mental status screening test of cognitive functioning for individuals with PD.