1.Spermine Synthase : A Potential Prognostic Marker for Lower-Grade Gliomas
Chen LIU ; Hongqi LI ; Xiaolong HU ; Maohui YAN ; Zhiguang FU ; Hengheng ZHANG ; Yingjie WANG ; Nan DU
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2025;68(1):75-96
Objective:
: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs).
Methods:
: A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway.
Results:
: The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased.
Conclusion
: High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.
2.Spermine Synthase : A Potential Prognostic Marker for Lower-Grade Gliomas
Chen LIU ; Hongqi LI ; Xiaolong HU ; Maohui YAN ; Zhiguang FU ; Hengheng ZHANG ; Yingjie WANG ; Nan DU
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2025;68(1):75-96
Objective:
: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs).
Methods:
: A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway.
Results:
: The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased.
Conclusion
: High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.
3.Spermine Synthase : A Potential Prognostic Marker for Lower-Grade Gliomas
Chen LIU ; Hongqi LI ; Xiaolong HU ; Maohui YAN ; Zhiguang FU ; Hengheng ZHANG ; Yingjie WANG ; Nan DU
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2025;68(1):75-96
Objective:
: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs).
Methods:
: A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway.
Results:
: The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased.
Conclusion
: High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.
4.Spermine Synthase : A Potential Prognostic Marker for Lower-Grade Gliomas
Chen LIU ; Hongqi LI ; Xiaolong HU ; Maohui YAN ; Zhiguang FU ; Hengheng ZHANG ; Yingjie WANG ; Nan DU
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2025;68(1):75-96
Objective:
: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs).
Methods:
: A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway.
Results:
: The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased.
Conclusion
: High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.
5.Needle electromyography of the genioglossus muscle in the detection of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Lei ZHANG ; Na CHEN ; Hua PAN ; Fan JIAN ; Ying WANG ; Shuo YANG ; Hengheng WANG ; Lin CHEN ; Zaiqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2019;52(6):452-456
Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of spontaneous activities in genioglossus of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Methods A retrospective analysis of 79 patients diagnosed with ALS from January 2014 to December 2015 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University was made.The patients were divided into two groups according to the clinical examination:with (44 patients) or without bulbar symptoms (35 patients).The course of disease,spontaneous potentials and ALS-Functional Rating Scale (ALS-FRS) scores were discussed,together with the association between semi-quantitative evaluation of spontaneous potential of the genioglossus and ALS-FRS score.Results In ALS patients,the overall positive rate of glossal spontaneous potentials was 69.6% (55/79),among which the positive rate was 82.9% (29/35) in patients with bulbar symptoms and 59.1% (26/44) in patients without bulbar symptoms,with statistically significant differences between the two groups (x2=5.206,P<0.05).While the positive rate in sternocleidomastoid was only 13.9% (11/79),and there was no statistically significant difference between patients with or without bulbar symptoms.Semi-quantitative evaluation of fibrillation potentials in genioglossus muscle was correlated with ALS-FRS score (r=-0.258,P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with sternocleidomastoid muscle,genioglossus muscle has a higher positive rate of spontaneous potentials and a higher diagnostic value in patients with subclinical bulbar symptoms.
6.The value of needle electrode recording facial nerve F wave and its related parameters in hemifacial spasm
Lin CHEN ; Hua PAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Na CHEN ; Fan JIAN ; Ying WANG ; Shuo YANG ; Hengheng WANG ; Zaiqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2019;45(10):577-581
Objective To optimize the method to elicit the facial nerve F wave and to establish its reference values and its related parameters, in order to provide an electrophysiological basis for facial nerve assessment in patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS). Methods Thirty-six healthy volunteers and 22 patients with HFS underwent this project. Compound muscle action potentials (CAMP, or M waves) and F waves were elicited by stimulating the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve and recorded with needle electrodes placed in the mentalis muscle. The association between F parameters and Cohen Grading of the HFS patients were analyzed. Results There were no significant differences in F parameters between men and women or between the two sides in control subjects. Minimal latency of F wave (Fmin) and mean latency of F wave (Fmean) had positive correlations with head circumference (Fmin r=0.449, P=0.013; Fmean r=0.391, P=0.033), but had no correlations with age nor height. Patients with HFS had prolonged duration of F wave (Fdura) in spasm side, compared with normal side (13.1 ms vs. 9.5 ms, P<0.01) and healthy subjects (13.1 ms vs. 9.7 ms, P<0.001), and increased ratio of F-wave amplitude and M-wave amplitude (F/M) in spasm side, compared with normal side (6.9% vs. 3.8%, P<0.001) and healthy subjects (6.9% vs. 3.7%, P<0.001). F/M exhibited a positive correlation with Cohen Grading (r=0.538, P=0.001). Conclusion A clear facial nerve F wave can be achieved by stimulating the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve, which provides an objective basis for evaluation of the facial nerve function in HFS patients with increased F/M and prolonged Fdura.
7.Analysis of clinical, electromyographic characteristics in tremor patients with neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease
Ying WANG ; Hua PAN ; Fan JIAN ; Na CHEN ; Lei ZHANG ; Shuo YANG ; Lin CHEN ; Hengheng WANG ; Zaiqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2023;56(12):1381-1388
Objective:To analyze the clinical, electromyographic and tremor characteristics in tremor patients with neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID).Methods:From May 2018 to April 2023, 34 patients with NIID diagnosed in the Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital of Capital Medical University were retrospectively included. Sixteen patients with tremor of at least one limb and (or) head were in tremor group, and 18 patients without tremor were in control group. The clinical, electromyogram and tremor data of all participants were summarized, the clinical features and electromyogram differences of the 2 groups were compared, and the tremor characteristics of patients with NIID were analyzed.Results:The proportion of female patients in the tremor group was higher than that in the non tremor group (12/16 vs 7/18, P=0.045). The proportion of upper and lower limb peripheral nerve damage in the tremor group was lower than that in the non tremor group (2/16 vs 9/18, P=0.030), with statistical significance. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in higher cortex and autonomic nervous dysfunction. The amplitude of composite muscle action potential and sensory nerve action potential in all patients was normal or slightly decreased; some patients experienced a decrease in motor and sensory fiber conduction velocity. The proportion of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity slowing in the non tremor group was higher than that in the tremor group [motor nerve:41.7%(30/72) vs 17.2%(11/64), χ 2=9.64, P=0.002;sensory nerve:38.9% (35/90) vs 20.0%(16/80), χ 2=7.19, P=0.007]. The number of cases of postural tremors in different parts among the 16 patients was as follows: 13 in the upper limbs, 7 in the lower limbs, and 6 in the head; static tremor: 8 cases in the upper limbs, 3 cases in the lower limbs, and 5 cases in the head. At rest, the frequency of tremors in different parts of the body was as follows: upper limb (5.3±1.1) Hz, lower limb (4.2±0.4) Hz, and head (3.9±0.6) Hz. The difference in tremor frequency among the 3 parts was statistically significant ( F=3.92, P=0.047); Pairwise comparison showed that the frequency of head tremor was lower than that of upper limb tremor, with a statistically significant difference ( P=0.020). In a postural state, tremor frequency in different parts was as follows: upper limb (5.4±0.9) Hz, lower limb (5.0±0.7) Hz, head (3.9±0.7) Hz. There was a statistically significant difference in tremor frequency among the 3 parts ( F=6.65, P=0.005). Further pairwise comparison revealed statistically significant differences in tremor frequency between the patient′s head, upper and lower limbs ( P=0.001, P=0.022). Synchronous tremor rhythm was predominant, with occasional alternations or synchronous+alternations. There was no harmonic tremor spectrum was observed. Conclusions:NIID patients with tremors were more common in female patients.The degree of peripheral nerve damage was milder than those without tremors. The site and form of tremor were diverse, with a dominant frequency of 4-6 Hz, mainly synchronous rhythm, and no harmonic spectrum. Postural tremors were common in the limbs.
8.A clinical and electrodiagnostic study of peripheral neuropathy in prediabetic patients
Fan JIAN ; Lin CHEN ; Na CHEN ; Jingfen LI ; Ying WANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Feng CHENG ; Shuo YANG ; Hengheng WANG ; Lin HUA ; Ruiqing WANG ; Yang LIU ; Hua PAN ; Zaiqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2024;57(3):248-254
Objective:To explore the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of peripheral neuropathy in prediabetic patients.Methods:Subjects aged 20-65 years with high-risk factors of impaired glycemia enrolled in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from 2019 to 2022 were recruited to conduct oral glucose tolerance test, after excluding other causes of neuropathy or radiculopathy. Patients with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance were defined by American Diabetes Association criteria. These patients were divided into clinical polyneuropathy (PN) and clinical non-PN groups, according to the 2010 Toronto consensus criteria and the presence of PN symptoms and signs or not. Nerve conduction studies (NCS), F wave, sympathetic skin response (SSR), R-R interval variation (RRIV) and current perception thresholds (CPT) were performed and the abnormal rate was compared between different electrodiagnostic methods and between clinical subgroups.Results:Among the 73 prediabetic patients ultimately enrolled, only 20 (27.4%) can be diagnosed as clinical PN according to the Toronto consensus criteria. The abnormal rate of CPT (68.5%, 50/73) was significantly higher than those of F wave (2.7%, 2/73), lower limb NCS (0, 0/73), upper limb NCS changes of carpal tunnel syndrome (26.0%, 19/73), SSR (6.8%, 5/73) and RRIV (5.5%, 4/73; McNemar test, all P<0.001). With sinusoid-waveform current stimuli at frequencies of 2 000 Hz, 250 Hz and 5 Hz, the CPT device was used to measure cutaneous sensory thresholds of large myelinated, small myelinated and small unmyelinated sensory fibers respectively. CPT revealed a 21.9% (16/73) abnormal rate of unmyelinated C fiber in the hands of prediabetic patients, significantly higher than that of large myelinated Aβ fibers [8.2% (6/73), χ2=5.352, P=0.021]. Both abnormal rates of small myelinated Aδ [42.5% (31/73)] and unmyelinated C fibers [39.7% (29/73)] in the feet of prediabetic patients were significantly higher than that of large myelinated Aβ fibers [11.0% (8/73), χ2=18.508, 15.965, both P<0.001]. Compared with the clinical non-PN group, the abnormal rates of CPT [90.0% (18/20) vs 60.4% (32/53), χ2=5.904, P=0.015] and SSR [20.0% (4/20) vs 1.9% (1/53), P=0.016) were significantly higher in the clinical PN group. Conclusions:Peripheral neuropathies in prediabetic patients are usually asymptomatic or subclinical, and predispose to affect unmyelinated and small myelinated sensory fibers. Selective electrodiagnostic measurements of small fibers help to detect prediabetic neuropathies in the earliest stages of the disease.