Based on the analysis of heart rate variability(HRV),a prediction method for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PAF)attacks is proposed.A new adaptive filtering technique is used for smoothing and coarse graining of HRV,followed by entropy-based quantification of HRV complexity at multiple adaptive scales.After the features are normalized by Min-Max,feature subsets are selected by sequential forward selection method,and then input to support vector machine to identify HRV types and predict PAF attacks.Through 5-fold cross-validation on a set of 50 HRV sequences each lasting 5 minutes,the optimal prediction results are obtained:98%accuracy,100%sensitivity,96%specificity,demonstrating excellent performance.In addition,the experiment shows significant changes(P<0.05)in the complexity eigenvalues of HRV far away from and close to PAF at different frequency bands,reflecting alterations in nervous system regulation of cardiac rhythm and a decline in the ability to adapt to external environmental changes such as stress regulation.

Objective:To analyze the relations of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity with clinical features and their response to immunotherapy in patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE).Methods:One hundred and forty-seven AE patients confirmed in Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2015 to December 2021 were chosen; their clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively. In accordance with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) albumin/serum albumin (QAlb) value of 7, patients were classified into normal BBB group ( n=101, QAlb value ≤7.00) and damaged BBB group ( n=46, QAlb value >7.00). Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Clinical Assessment Scale for Autoimmune Encephalitis (CASE) were used to evaluate the severity on admission and 30 d after first-line immunotherapy; and good immunotherapy responsiveness was defined as CASE or mRS scores 30 d after first-line immunotherapy lower than those at admission. Differences of general data, clinical manifestations, CSF and peripheral blood biochemical results, and response to immunotherapy between the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results:The damaged BBB group had significantly higher proportions of patients with decreased consciousness level (58.7% vs. 37.6%), increased CSF protein, increased immunoglobulin G (IgG) and increased 24 h intramural IgG synthesis rate, and significantly higher fibrinogen in peripheral blood than normal BBB group ( P<0.05). On 30 th d of treatment, mRS scores of patients in damaged BBB group were significantly higher than those of patients in normal BBB group ( P<0.05), and the differences of CASE scores and mRS scores before and after treatment in damaged BBB group were significantly lower than those in normal BBB group (0.50±0.46 vs. 3.24±2.93, 0.70±0.62 vs. 1.15±1.04, P<0.05). In damaged BBB group, good immunotherapy response rate in patients receiving single immunotherapy was significantly lower than that in patients receiving two or three combinations of first-line immunotherapy ( P<0.05). Conclusion:BBB integrity is closely related to clinical characteristics and response to immunotherapy of AE; combined first-line immunotherapy is recommended for AE patients with BBB injury.

Objective:To summarize the clinical and imaging characteristics of anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) encephalitis, and improve clinicians' understanding of this encephalitis.Methods:The clinical data of one patient with anti-mGluR5 encephalitis admitted to our hospital from December 2020 were analyzed, and the data of 13 patients with anti-mGluR5 encephalitis reported in domestic and foreign databases were summarized and analyzed.Results:The main symptoms of 14 patients with anti-mGluR5 encephalitis included mental and behavior disorder (13/14), cognitive dysfunction (11/14), sleep dysfunction (9/14), seizures (8/14), decreased level of consciousness (6/14) and motor disorders (4/14). Four patients had abnormal brain MRI, including hyperintensity in the right mesial temporal lobe on T2 sequences, hyperintensity in the bilateral upper pons on T2 sequences, hyperintensity in the bilateral posterior parietal-occipital cortex on FLAIR sequences, and hyperintensity in the bilateral frontal lobes, right occipital lobe and cerebellum on T2/FLAIR sequences. Six patients had Hodgkin's lymphoma. Treatments included immunotherapy and oncologic therapy. Relapse was noted in 3 of the 14 patients, and symptoms improved significantly after immunotherapy. Except for one patient who died in hospital, 6 patients showed complete recovery and 7 patients showed partial recovery at the last follow-up (median 20 months).Conclusions:Anti-mGluR5 encephalitis is rare autoimmune encephalitis whose symptoms are not limited to the limbic system, and relapse may occur; immunotherapy has good effects; Hodgkin's lymphoma is often associated in these patients.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of adult abdominal migraine (AM), and improve the understanding and the accuracy of diagnosis of this disease.Methods:A case of adult AM diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in October 2019 was reported, and patients diagnosed with AM in the medical literature from January 2004 to May 2020 were searched and summarized.Results:A total of 634 articles were retrieved, among which 14 articles reported 17 adult AM patients,totally 18 adult AM patients (11 females),including the case diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Only two cases were diagnosed within one year after the onset, and the other cases were diagnosed several years later, of which the longest diagnostic delay was 37 years. The location and nature of abdominal pain were diverse. The median frequency of episodes was 2.5 times per month. Sixteen patients had a duration of 2-72 hours per attack, and the longest one lasted for four days. Fourteen patients had nausea, 13 had vomiting, and seven had headache. Fifteen patients had a personal or family history of migraine. Sixteen patients′ episodes were separated by weeks to months. Because nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were not beneficial to adults with AM, abortive triptan therapy was recommended and anesthetics were considered when necessary. All patients responded to prophylactic migraine therapies.Conclusions:Adult AM is a rare disease. Patients with unexplained, recurrent and moderate to severe abdominal pain, combined with headache, a personal or family history of migraine, are highly suspected of having AM. Early diagnosis and prophylactic migraine therapies could contribute to good prognosis.

Objective To investigate the changes of mitochondrial unfolded protein response in epileptic hippocampal neurons induced by Mg2+-free solution and the effects of mitochondrial autophagy inhibitors Mdivi-1.Methods Epilepsy model was induced in primary cultured hippocampal neurons of SD rats in vitro by Mg2+-free solution,and further treated with mitochondrial autophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1.Mitochondrial ROS production were detected by MitoSox.The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by Rhodamine123.The expression of C/EBP homologous protein CHOP,mitochondrial heat shock protein HSP60,mitochondrial protease ClpP,CytC release and caspase-3 activation were detected by Western blotting.Results (1)Compared with the control group,the expression of CHOP,HSP60 and ClpP in the AE group was significantly increased.Compared with the AE group,Mdivi-1 pretreatment enhanced the expression of CHOP,HSP60 and ClpP.(2)Compared with the control group,the production of ROS in the AE group increased,and the mitochondrial menmbrane potential decreased.Compared with the AE group,Mdivi-1 pretreatment significantly decreased the production of mitochondrial ROS and increased the mitochondrial membrane potential.(3)Compared with the control group,the release of CytC and the activation of caspase-3 in the AE group increased.Compared with the AE group,Mdivi-1 pretreatment decreased the release of CytC and caspase-3 activation.Conclusion Mitochondrial unfolded protein response is activated in epileptic hippocampal neurons,while inhibition of mitochondrial autophagy may play a protective role via enhancing mitochondrial unfolded protein response.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of the primary headache due to cervicocerebral artery dissection (CAD).Methods A total of 146 consecutive patients with CAD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2010 to 2017 were observed.There were 20 cases who complained of primary headache,of which the characteristics of pain were analyzed according to their clinical features that were collected face to face through questionnaire.According to whether complicated by primary headache,the 146 patients were classified into two groups:20 cases (13.7％) in the primary headache group,and 126 cases (86.3％) in the non-primary headache group.Results Patients in the primary headache group had a lower prevalence of transient ischemic attack or cerebral infarction compared with the non-primary headache group (30.0％ (6/20) vs 77.0％ (97/126),x2=18.338,P＜0.01).CAD patients in the primary headache group were more likely involved in posterior circulation compared with the non-primary headache group (85.0％ (7/20) vs 55.6％ (70/126),x2=6.214,P=0.013).Of the 20 patients with primary headache,40.0％ (8/20) had continuous headache and 60.0％ (12/20) had intermittent headache;70.0％ (14/20) presented with severe headache,25.0％ (5/20) with moderate headache and 5.0％ (1/20) with mild headache;For the nature of pain,60.0％ (12/20) was similar to migraine;11/17 of patients with posterior circulation dissection showed occipital pain.Conclusions The primary headache caused by CAD is a severe pain occurring suddenly,and different from those of previous experiences.The nature of headache is often similar to migraine,which can be continuous or intermittent.In addition,compared with anterior circulation,patients with posterior circulation dissection often have headache as the initial symptom.

Objective To summarize the value of early mechanical ventilation plus continuous vacuum suction in treatment of serious pulmonary contusion.Methods Forty-eight cases of severe pulmonary contusion were assigned to mechanical ventilation plus continuous vacuum suction (observation group,n =20) and mechanical ventilation plus discontinuous vacuum suction (control group,n =28)according to the random number table.Modes of mechanical ventilation were synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV),pressure support ventilation (PSV),and positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP).Changes in blood gas analysis,mechanical ventilation time,and associated complications were compared between groups.Results At ventilation time of 6 and 24 hours,PaO2 in observation group was (100.36 ± 5.90) mmHg and (105.34 ± 7.40) mmHg respectively,with significant differences from (75.36 ± 8.95) mmHg and (76.36 ± 8.35) mmHg in control group (P ＜ 0.01).At ventilation time of 24 hours,PaO2/FiO2 was (283.50 ± 15.20) mmHg in observation group and (201.50 ± 10.20) mmHg in control group (P ＜0.01).Mechanical ventilation time and PEEP at ventilation time of 48 hours in observation group was (3.2 ± 1.1) days and (4.5 ± 2.3) cmH2 O,with significant differences from (6.5 ± 2.8) days and (8.5 ± 2.5) cmH2O in control group (P ＜ 0.01).Associated complications of the two groups revealed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Early mechanical ventilation with sustained vacuum suction is effective to keep airway clear,improve oxygenation index,decrease PEEP level,and control the duration of mechanical ventilation,but may not lower the risks of ventilator-associated pneumonia and pulmonary atelectasis.

Objective To evaluate the effects of 6-week atypical antipsychotics treatment on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)level,and the correlation between BDNF level and clinical efficiency in first-episode antipsychotic-na?ve schizophrenia.Methods We recruited 39 hospitalized patients with first-episode antipsychotic-na?ve schizophrenia that met with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—4th Edition (DSM-IV).Both Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)and the level of serum BDNF were measured before and after 6 weeks’treatment with atypical antipsychotics.We also studied 30 healthy controls.Serum BDNF was assayed at baseline.Results Pre-treatment BDNF level was significantly lower in the schizophrenic patients than in the controls [(6.82±2.1 5 )μg/L vs .(1 1.6 ± 3.32 )μg/L,t = 7.239,P < 0.001 ].Although BDNF level increased with treatment (t =2.349,P =0.021)in the schizophrenics,post-treatment BDNF level was still lower than in the normal controls (t =4.634,P <0.001).After 6 weeks’treatment for schizophrenia,the total score of PANSS,the scores of positive and negative symptoms,and the score of general psychopathology scale were all decreased (t =6.1 64,P < 0.001;t = 4.520,P < 0.001;t = 4.132,P < 0.001;t = 5.142,P < 0.001 ).Pre-treatment BDNF levels were directly correlated not only with the rate of decreased PANSS total score (r =0.348, P <0.05),but also with the rate of decreased negative symptoms score (r = 0.35 1,P < 0.05 ).However,pre-treatment BDNF levels were not correlated with improved positive symptoms,general psychopathology (r =0.204, 0.186,P >0.05),or duration of illness (r = - 0.058,P > 0.05 ).Changes in BDNF levels with treatment were correlated with the duration of illness (r =-0.345,P <0.05),but not with psychiatric improvement (r =0.036-0.1 74,P >0.05).Conclusion BDNF level is significantly lower in patients with first-episode antipsychotic-na?ve schizophrenia than in normal controls.It could be improved by using antipsychotics.Higher pre-treatment BDNF level may predict better response to antipsychotics.

Objective To study the features of treatment on neurochemical metabolites in prefrontal lobe and thalamus by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in first-episode drug-naive patients with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS).Methods Forty-two EOS (study group) met with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-Ⅳ) were recruited.Prefrontal lobe and thalamus were evaluated by multi-voxel 1H-MRS before and 4-week after treatment with a single atypical antipsychotic.The levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA),creatine compounds (Cr) and choline-containing compounds (Cho) were measured.The patients also received Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).Forty normal controls (normal control group) underwent the same 1H-MRS detection.Results Before treatment,the NAA/Cr ratios in left prefrontal lobe,right prefrontal lobe and lefi thalamus in study group were lower than those in normal control group (1.45 ± 0.26 vs 1.60 ± 0.34,t =2.251,P =0.027;1.43 ±0.26 vs 1.60 ±0.35,t =2.505,P=0.014;1.48 ±0.27 vs 1.65 ±0.35,t =2.470,P =0.016).After 4-week treatment,the NAA/Cr ratios in both left prefrontal lobe and left thalamus of study group were significantly increased compared with those before treatment (1.58 ± 0.30 vs 1.45 ± 0.26,t =2.122,P =0.037;1.62 ± 0.32 vs 1.48 ± 0.27,t =2.167,P =0.033).After 4-week treatment in study group,the total score,positive symptom score,negative symptom score and general pathologic score of PANSS,and the total score of Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were significantly lower compared with those before treatment (59.1 ± 10.2 vs 82.0 ± 13.2,t =8.896,P=0.000;15.3 ±5.1 vs 22.9 ±7.1,t =5.634,P =0.000;16.4 ±5.2 vs 21.1 ±7.8,t =3.249,P =0.002;27.4 ±7.6 vs 38.1 ± 8.8,t =5.963,P =0.000;3.6 ± 0.4 vs 4.4 ± 0.5,t =8.097,P =0.000).There was no correlation between the changes of neurochemical metabolite levels such as NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr both in prefrontal lobe and left thalamus,and the clinical symptoms changes,such as total score and every score of PANSS,the total score of CGI in study group after treatment (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The ratios of NAA/Cr are decreased not only in bilateral prefrontal lobe,but also in left thalamus,and the ratios may increase both in left prefrontal lobe and left thalamus after 4 weeks' treatment with atypical antipsychotics in EOS.The treatment outcomes of NAA/Cr do not agree with the improvement of the clinical symptoms.

BACKGROUNDHemifacial spasm (HFS) is a facial nerve disorder characterized by episodic involuntary ipsilateral facial muscle contraction. Information on Chinese patients with HFS has not been well-characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical feature and the treatment status of HFS across China.

METHODSA cross-sectional study including 1003 primary HFS patients had been carried out in 15 movement disorder clinics in China in 2012. The investigated information was acquired from questionnaires and medical records including demographic data, site of onset, aggravating and relieving factors, treatments prior to the investigation, etc.

RESULTSIn this study, the ratio of male to female was 1.0:1.8, the mean age at onset was (46.6 ± 11.5) years. About 1.0% patients were bilaterally affected. The most often site of initial onset was the orbicularis oculi muscle. The most often affected sites were orbicularis oculi, zygomatic, and orbicularis oris muscles. Stress/anxiety and relaxation were most often aggravating and relieving factors, respectively; 2.3% patients had family history, 28.4% cases were combined with hypertension, and 1.4% patients were with trigeminal neuralgia. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection was the most commonly used treatment, followed by acupuncture and oral medication. BTX-A maintained the highest repeat treatment ratio (68.7%), while 98.4% patients gave up acupuncture. The mean latency of BTX-A effect was (5.0 ± 4.7) days, the mean total duration of the effect was (19.5 ± 11.7) weeks, and 95.9% patients developed improvements no worse than moderate in both severity and function. The most common side effect was droopy mouth.

CONCLUSIONSThe onset age of HFS in China is earlier than that in western countries. The most often used two treatments are BTX-A injection and acupuncture, while the latter kept the poor repeat treatment ratio because of dissatisfactory therapeutic effect.

Adult ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; therapeutic use ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hemifacial Spasm ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuromuscular Agents ; therapeutic use