BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the first cohort of people in China treated with a responsive neurostimulation system (Epilcure TM , GenLight MedTech, Hangzhou, China) for focal drug-resistant epilepsy in this study. METHODS: This multicenter, before-and-after self-controlled study was conducted across 8 centers from March 2022 to June 2023, involving patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who were undergoing responsive neurostimulation (RNS). The study was based on an ongoing multi-center, single-blind, randomized controlled study. Efficacy was assessed through metrics including median seizure count, seizure frequency reduction (SFR), and response rate. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationships of basic clinical factors and intracranial electrophysiological characteristics with SFR. The postoperative quality of life, cognitive function, depression, and anxiety were evaluated as well. RESULTS: The follow-up period for the 19 participants was 10.7 ± 3.4 months. Seizure counts decreased significantly 6 months after device activation, with median SFR of 48% at the 6th month (M6) and 58% at M12 ( P  <0.05). The average response rate after 13 months of treatment was 42%, with 21% ( n  = 4) of the participants achieving seizure freedom. Patients who have previously undergone resective surgery appear to achieve better therapeutic outcomes at M11, M12 and M13 ( β  <0, P  <0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in patients' scores of quality of life, cognition, depression and anxiety following stimulation when compared to baseline measurements. No serious adverse events related to the devices were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary findings suggest that Epilcure TM exhibits promising therapeutic potential in reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures. However, to further validate its efficacy, larger-scale randomized controlled trials are required. REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2200055247).
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Drug Resistant Epilepsy/therapy* ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; China ; Adolescent ; Treatment Outcome ; Quality of Life ; Single-Blind Method ; Seizures ; Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods*

Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide. Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) accounts for up to a third of these cases, and neuro-inflammation is thought to play a role in such cases. Despite being a long-debated issue in the field of DRE, the mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation have yet to be fully elucidated. The pro-inflammatory microenvironment within the brain tissue of people with DRE has been probed using single-cell multimodal transcriptomics. Evidence suggests that inflammatory cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the nervous system can lead to extensive biochemical changes, such as connexin hemichannel excitability and disruption of neurotransmitter homeostasis. The presence of inflammation may give rise to neuronal network abnormalities that suppress endogenous antiepileptic systems. We focus on the role of neuroinflammation and brain network anomalies in DRE from multiple perspectives to identify critical points for clinical application. We hope to provide an insightful overview to advance the quest for better DRE treatments.
Humans ; Drug Resistant Epilepsy/metabolism* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/immunology* ; Animals ; Brain/pathology* ; Nerve Net/pathology*

BACKGROUND: Extreme temperature events, including extreme cold, are becoming more frequent worldwide, which might be harmful to pregnant women and cause adverse birth outcomes. We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to low ambient temperature in pregnant women and adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth, and to summarize the evidence herein. METHODS: Relevant studies were searched in PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase electronic databases until November 2021. Studies involving low ambient temperature, preterm birth, birth weight, and stillbirth were included. The guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses were followed to conduct this study risk of bias and methods for data synthesis. RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were included. First, pregnant women exposed to low ambient temperature had an increased risk of preterm birth (risk ratio [RR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.13). Subgroup analyses revealed that exposure during late pregnancy was more likely to induce preterm birth. In addition, only pregnant women exposed to <1st percentile of the mean temperature suffered increased risk of preterm birth. Moreover, pregnant women living in medium or hot areas were more prone to have preterm births than those in cold areas when exposed to low ambient temperatures. Asians and Blacks were more susceptible to low ambient temperatures than Caucasians. Second, pregnant women exposed to low ambient temperature had an increased risk of low birth weight (RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.03-1.12). Third, pregnant women had an increased risk of stillbirth while exposed to low ambient temperature during the entire pregnancy (RR 4.63; 95% CI 3.99-5.38). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to low ambient temperature during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes. Pregnant women should avoid exposure to extremely low ambient temperature (<1st percentile of the mean temperature), especially in their late pregnancy. This study could provide clues for preventing adverse outcomes from meteorological factors. REGISTRATION No. CRD42021259776 at PROSPERO ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ ).
Pregnancy ; Infant, Newborn ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Premature Birth/epidemiology* ; Stillbirth/epidemiology* ; Temperature ; Pregnancy Complications

Objective To investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on eryptosis.Methods Erythrocytes isolated from mice were put under the treatment of TNF-α at the dose of 1ng/ml for 6,12,24,48 and 72 h,or at different concentrations of 0.1,1 and 10 ng/ml for 24 h.The forward scatter (FSC),phosphatidylserine (PS)exposure and ceramide formation were determined by flow cytometry.Results Compared to control group,the decrease of FSC ((81.5 ± 1.02)％ vs (87.6 ± 0.55)％,P＜0.05),the increasment of membrane PS exposure level and ceramide content ((5.5±1.07)％ vs (2.7±0.17)％,(2.1±0.23)％ vs (0.7±0.26)％,P＜0.01) were observed in erythrocyte under the treatment of TNF-α for 24 h with more obvious tendency over time.Conclusions TNF-α can trigger cell shrinkage,and promote PS exposure and ceramide formation on the membrane of erythrocyte.

Objective To investigate the morphologic change and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure of erythrocytes in sepsis patients.Methods 30 healthy volunteers (control group)and 30 sepsis patients were enrolled in this study and were collected venous sampling.Monitoring included Wright's staining blood smear test,erythrocyte aggregation index and the ratio of PS exposure of erythrocytes.A flow-cytometric assay based on FITC-Annexin V was used to measure the PS exposure of erythrocytes.Results The morphological changes of red blood cells included acanthocyte,lachrymiform,rouleaux,spherocyte in sepsis patients,and the peripheral blood erythrocyte aggregation and aggregation index were significantly higher than that of the healthy control group (P＜0.05).The percentage of PS exposure of erythrocytes in sepsis patients were significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers (P＜0.001).Conclusion The PS exposure of erythrocytes were significantly higher in sepsis patients,and the morphology of red blood cells is obvious abnormal.

To evaluate the treatment effect of the late avascular necrosis of femoral head with concentrated autologous bone marrow and impaction autologous bone graft. The clinical data of 35 patients with late avascular necrosis of femoral head treated with the above methods was analyzed retrospectively with the University of Pennsylvania staging system, and evaluated with Harris hip score system. Among the 35 patients, there were 8 at stage Ⅲ, 23 at stage Ⅳ and 4 at stage Ⅴ. The preoperative Harris hip scores ranged from 43-72 with the average scores of 49. The patients were followed up for at least one year with the mean time of 2 years and 3 months. Two patients (preoperative at stage Ⅴ) had received total hip replacement duo to severe pain and ostarthritis. The imageology in 5 patients showed that the femoral head appearance collapsed little compared with that before operation, but their subjective feelings were well. All the femoral heads of left patients remained the shape after operation, complains of pain disappeared or lessened. The overall successful rate was 94% (33/35). In Harris scale, there was 1 patient with 92 scores, 17 with 80-89 scores, 3 with 70-79 scores and 2 patients