Objective:To summarize the clinical phenotypes and genetic variations of children with epilepsy related to CLCN4 gene mutations. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 9 children with epilepsy who were diagnosed with CLCN4 gene mutations through whole-exome sequencing of family members. These children were treated at the Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital from December 2016 to March 2024. Their clinical manifestations, electroencephalogram, cranial imaging characteristics, and treatment follow-up were reviewed. Results:Among the 9 children, 6 were male and 3 were female. All cases involved de novo mutations. Three cases carried the c.823G>A/p.V275M variant, 2 cases carried the c.2152C>T/ p.R718W variant, 1 case carried the c.1630G>A/pG544R variant, and 1 case carried the c.2167C>T/ p.R723W variant. Two cases carried the unreported new variant c.848G>T/p.S283I and c.818G>A/ p.G273E. The onset age of epilepsy ranged from 55 days to 10 years, with a median onset age of 14 months. Seven out of 9 children had epilepsy onset before the age of 2 years. The types of seizures varied: 8 had focal seizures, 1 had generalized tonic-clonic seizures, 2 had myoclonic seizures, 1 had epileptic spasms, and 1 had atypical absence seizures. Three children experienced multiple types of seizures. All 9 children exhibited developmental delays to varying degrees: 8 had global developmental delay and 1 had cognitive developmental delay. Developmental delays were observed in 7 children before the onset of epilepsy. Clinically, 1 child was diagnosed with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, 7 with unclassified developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, and 1 with focal epilepsy with developmental delay. At the last follow-up, the age of the children ranged from 2 years and 5 months to 13 years and 9 months. Seizures had been controlled in 3 children for a duration of 4 to 12 months. Conclusions:De novo variants are common in CLCN4 variants. Most seizures onset in infancy, seizure types are various, and focal seizures are common. Most of them have developmental delay and drug-resistant epilepsy, and some of them have developmental delay before seizure onset, which is consistent with the characteristics of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

Objective:To analyze the genetic variations and clinical phenotypic characteristics of epilepsy associated with CSNK2B gene mutations. Methods:A case series summary study.Clinical data of 15 epileptic children with CSNK2B gene mutations diagnosed and treated at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and the Peking University First Hospital from February 2016 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical manifestations, genotypes, and electroencephalography (EEG) results were summarized. Results:Among the 15 children (8 boys and 7 girls), 14 cases had de novo mutations in the CSNK2B gene, and 1 case had hereditary variations.There were 5 missense variants, 4 splice-site variants, 3 frameshift variants, and 3 nonsense variants.Ten mutation sites had not been previously reported (c.326G>A/p.Cys109Tyr, c.485A>G/p.His162Arg, c.368-1G>A, c.464A>C/p.Asp155Ala, c.301T>G/p.Tyr101Asp, c.342T>A/p.Cys114*, c.198del/p.Asn67Thrfs*5, c.292-10T>G, c.573-574del/p.Lys191Asnfs*54, and c. 11C>G/p.Ser4*).The age of onset of seizures ranged from 14 days to 6 years, with 13 cases starting within 2 years old.The types of seizures included focal seizures in 9 cases, generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) in 5 cases, myoclonic seizures in 1 case, atonic seizures in 1 case, atypical absence seizures in 1 case, and epileptic seizures in 1 case.Three cases had multiple seizures, and 4 cases had cluster seizures.The EEG showed slow background activity in 1 case.Epileptiform discharges were observed in 13 cases during the interictal phase, including generalized discharges in 6 cases, multifocal discharges in 3 cases, and focal discharges in 5 cases.Two cases had normal EEG findings.Brain magnetic resonance imaging results were normal in 10 cases.The age of the last follow-up ranged from 1 year and 1 month to 13 years and 10 months.Seizures were controlled in 12 cases treated with 1 or 2 antiepileptic drugs, while seizures persisted in 2 cases treated with multiple antiepileptic drugs, and 1 case suffered no seizures for 1 year and 3 months, without antiepileptic drug treatment.Oxcarbazepine was effective in 5 cases (5/7), Valproate sodium was effective in 6 cases (6/8), and Levetiracetam was effective in 3 cases (3/9). Conclusions:CSNK2B gene mutations are mainly de novo mutations, and epilepsy triggered by them typically starts within 2 years of age.GTCS and focal seizures are the most common types.The seizures of most children are easily controlled with the effective treatment of Oxcarbazepine, Valproate sodium, and Levetiracetam.

Objective:To summarize the genotype and clinical phenotype of children with WWOX gene related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE).Methods:Case series studies. The clinical data of 12 children with WWOX gene related DEE who were admitted to the Neurological Department of Children′s Medical Center, Peking University First Hospital from June 2019 to December 2023 were analyzed. The children′s characteristics of gene variation, clinical phenotype, auxiliary examination results, treatment and prognosis were analyzed.Results:Among 12 children with WWOX gene related DEE, there were 7 boys and 5 girls, the age of seizure onset ranged from 10 days to 6 months (median 1.8 months). Multiple seizure types were observed, including focal seizures in 10 cases, epileptic spasms in 9 cases, tonic seizures in 4 cases, myoclonic seizures in 1 case. Among 12 cases, 9 cases had multiple seizure types. All 12 cases showed microcephaly and global developmental delay. Video electroencephalography showed slowed background activity in 6 cases, hyperarrhythmia in 6 cases, multifocal discharges in 6 cases, and focal discharges in 1 case. Epileptic spasms were detected in 8 cases, tonic seizures in 4 cases and myoclonic seizures in 1 case. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral frontotemporal subarachnoid space widening in 5 cases, deep sulci in 3 cases, bilateral ventricular enlargement in 2 cases, callosal hypoplasia in 5 cases, and delayed white matter myelination in 3 cases. The phenotypes of 12 cases were consistent with the diagnosis of DEE, and 8 of them were diagnosed with infantile epileptic spasm syndrome. All the WWOX gene variants in 12 cases were complex heterozygous variants, including 20 variants, 11 variants and 1 large intragenic WWOX gene deletion (p.Ala149Thr, p.Arg156Ser, p.R167Tfs*8, p.Leu186Val, c.605+5G>A, p.Trp218*, p.His263Arg, p.Leu275fs*19*1, p.N285Kfs*10, p.Ser304Tyr, p.Met326Arg, loss1 exon2-8) had not been reported previously. The age of last follow-up ranged from 11 months to 5 years and 3 months. During the follow-up, 1 case died at the age of 1 year and 10 months, 2 cases were seizure-free, and 9 cases still had seizures after multiple anti-seizure medications.Conclusions:The seizure onset age of children with WWOX gene related DEE is usually less than 6 months, and some of them in neonate. The common seizure types include focal seizures and epileptic spasms. Children usually have microcephaly and global developmental delay. WWOX gene related DEE usually has drug refractory epilepsy.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features of epilepsy and (or) developmental delay associated with KCNB1 gene variants in children.Methods:A case series study was conducted on 24 children with KCNB1 gene variants associated with epilepsy and (or) developmental delay who were treated at the Children′s Medical Center of Peking University First Hospital and the Department of Neurology of Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from July 2015 to June 2024. The manifestations of seizures, electroencephalogram (EEG) and genetic test results of those children were analyzed.Results:All the KCNB1 gene variants were de novo, involving 20 different variation, including 15 missense variations, 3 frameshift variations and 2 nonsense variations. There were 7 novel variations. Among the 24 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy children, there were 14 boys and 10 girls. The last follow-up age ranged from 9 months to 13 years and 9 months. Seizures were present in 21 children (88%), with onset ranging from 1 month to 7 years, and 76% (16/21) began before 2 years of age. The seizure types included focal seizures in 15 children (71%), epileptic spasms, myoclonic seizures, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in 6 children respectively, atypical absence seizures in 4 children, and myoclonic atonic seizures in 1 child. Seventeen children (81%) had a cluster of seizures and 5 had a history of focal status epilepticus with impaired consciousness. All 24 children had varying degrees of developmental delay, with 3 presenting solely developmental delay. EEG abnormalities were present in all the 21 children with seizures, including focal or multifocal discharges in 20 children, generalized discharges in 10 children, hypsarrhythmia in 2 children, and electrical status epilepticus during sleep in 3 children. Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were found in 5 of the 24 children. Among the 21 children with seizures, 57% (12/21) achieved seizure control.Conclusions:KCNB1 gene variants are predominantly de novo missense variation. Most affected children present with epilepsy, though some may exhibit only developmental delay. Epilepsy often begins before 2 years of age, with focal seizures being the most common type. About 80% of patients experience clustered seizures. Although most patients achieve seizure control, they still exhibit varying degrees of developmental delay, consistent with developmental epileptic encephalopathy.

Objective:To explore the effect of Qixian Tongluo Prescription fumigation on nerve function and rehabilitation effect in patients with hemiplegia after cerebral infarction of qi-deficiency blood stasis syndrome.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. Sixty-eight patients with hemiplegia after cerebral infarction of qi-deficiency blood stasis syndrome in the hospital were enrolled between October 2020 and December 2021. According to random odd-even numbering method, participants were divided into the control group (routine western medicine) and the observation group (Qixian Tongluo Prescription fumigation on basis of control group), 34 in each group. All were continuously treated for 8 weeks. TCM syndromes were scored before and after treatment. The severity of neurological impairment was evaluated by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The severity of limb movement disorder was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). The levels of central nervous specific protein (S-100β), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO), C-reactive protein (CRP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by ELISA. The clinical response rate was assessed.Results:There were significant differences in total response rate between the observation group and the control group [94.12% (32/34) vs. 76.47% (26/34); χ2=4.22, P=0.040]. After treatment, scores of hemiplegia, shortness of breath, palpitation and limbs swelling in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=3.44, 2.37, 2.72, 3.89, P<0.05 or P<0.01), NIHSS score was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=6.56, P<0.01), and FMA scores of upper and lower limbs were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t=2.17, 2.78, P<0.05). After treatment, levels of serum S-100β [(0.69±0.27) μg/L vs. (0.85±0.36) μg/L, t=2.07], NSE [(8.36±3.69) μg/L vs. (11.34±4.93) μg/L, t=2.82] and ET [(53.16±12.12) ng/L vs. (61.25±11.31) ng/L, t=2.85] in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), while NO [(82.26±14.53) μmol/L vs. (70.16±12.27) μmol/L, t=3.71] was significantly higher than that of the observation group ( P<0.01). The level of serum CRP in observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=2.74, P<0.01), and SOD activity was significantly higher than that of the control group ( t=2.49, P<0.05). Conclusion:Qixian Tongluo Prescription fumigation can promote the recovery of nerve function and vascular endothelial function in patients with hemiplegia after cerebral infarction, improve limb disorders and clinical effect.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features of developmental epileptic encephalopathy children with DNM1 gene variants. Methods:The genotypes and clinical features of 15 children with DNM1 variants related epilepsy in the Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital from June 2017 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Results:A total of 8 male and 7 female epilepsy patients with DNM1 gene variants with the age of seizure onset ranging from 15 days to 22 months were recruited, median age was 8 months.All cases belonged to de novo heterozygous variants of the DNM1 gene, including 13 cases of missense variants, 1 case of frame shift variant and 1 case of nonsense variant, 8 cases of ectopic sites have not been reported.Multiple seizure types were observed, including epileptic spasms in 15 patients, focal seizure in 9 patients, atypical absence seizure in 2 patients and tonic seizure in 2 patients.There were various types of seizures in 7 children.Nine cases occurred as infantile spasm for the first time.All 15 patients showed varied degrees of development delay, among them, 11 cases had developmental retardation before epilepsy.Three patients had slow rhythm of electroencephalogram background activity, the electroencephalography showed hypsarrhythmia in 13 patients; clinical seizures were detected in 8 cases, among them, epileptic spasms were captured in 7 patients, tonic seizure was captured in 1 patient.Widened frontotemporal subarachnoid space, cerebral atrophy, and corpus callosum dysplasia were examined in 6, 2 and 3 patients by cranial magnetic resonance imaging, respectively.All 15 cases were diagnosed as developmental epileptic encephalopathy, of which 13 cases were consistent with infantile spasms.The age of the last follow-up ranged from 1 year old to 7 years old.After multi-antiepileptic drug treatment, 2 patients were remission, 1 patient(small size of identical twins) died of severe pneumonia at the age of 2 years, and 12 patients still had intermittent seizures, of which 1 patient was transformed from infantile spasms to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Conclusions:The onset age of developmental epileptic encephalopathy caused by the DNM1 gene variant usually begins in the infantile period, the peak onset age was 8 months.The main types of seizures include epileptic spasms and focal seizures, developmental retardation can occur before seizures.The clinical manifestations are mostly infantile spasms syndrome, and some children can be transformed into Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Objective:To establish the normal reference value of lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) under quantitative CT (QCT) in Chinese healthy adult females and to explore the regional differences.Methods:Total of 35 431 healthy women who met the inclusion criteria of Chinese health quantitative CT big data program were selected in this study. The BMD of the central plane of L 1 and L 2 vertebrae was measured by Mindways′s QCT system, and the mean value was taken. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the BMD differences of lumbar vertebrae in women of different ages and regions. The subjects were grouped by an age interval of 10 years, and the level of BMD in different regions of the same age group were compaired. Results:The peak BMD of Chinese healthy adult women appeared in the age group of 20-29 years (Northeast China(183.01±24.58) mg/cm 3, North China (188.93±24.80) mg/cm 3, East China (187.54±27.71) mg/cm 3, South China (186.22±33.72) mg/cm 3, Central China (176.33±24.91) mg/cm 3, Southwest China(182.25±28.00) mg/cm 3), and then it decreased with age. The level of BMD in different regions decreased with the age. Before the age of 70 years, BMD in Central and Southwest China was always at a low level((176.23±24.91) to (90.38±28.12) mg/cm 3, 182.25±28.00 to (88.55±25.68) mg/cm 3), lower than those in Northeast China ((183.01±24.58) to (99.69±27.85) mg/cm 3), North China ((188.93±24.80) to (95.89±26.12) mg/cm 3), East China ((187.54±27.71) to (95.65±27.86) mg/cm 3). After 70 years of age, BMD tended to be the same in different regions ( P>0.05). The BMD values in Central China and Southwest China were similar in the age group of 40-60 years ( P>0.05). The BMD values in the health adult femles in the age group of 60 years in different regions of Chinawere all lower than those of bone mass abnormality (all P<0.05). The detection rate of osteoporosis in females over 50 years was the highest in Southwest China (25.65%) and it was the lowest in North China (17.30%). Conclusions:This study establishes reference values of BMD under QCT in healthy Chinese women, which can be used as a reference basis for identifying women with low BMD who are at risk of osteoporosis. The BMD value is the lowest in Southwest China and the highest in South China.

Clinically, non-contrastive computed tomography (NCCT) is used to quickly diagnose the type and area of ​​stroke, and the Alberta stroke program early computer tomography score (ASPECTS) is used to guide the next treatment. However, in the early stage of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), it's difficult to distinguish the mild cerebral infarction on NCCT with the naked eye, and there is no obvious boundary between brain regions, which makes clinical ASPECTS difficult to conduct. The method based on machine learning and deep learning can help physicians quickly and accurately identify cerebral infarction areas, segment brain areas, and operate ASPECTS quantitative scoring, which is of great significance for improving the inconsistency in clinical ASPECTS. This article describes current challenges in the field of AIS ASPECTS, and then summarizes the application of computer-aided technology in ASPECTS from two aspects including machine learning and deep learning. Finally, this article summarizes and prospects the research direction of AIS-assisted assessment, and proposes that the computer-aided system based on multi-modal images is of great value to improve the comprehensiveness and accuracy of AIS assessment, which has the potential to open up a new research field for AIS-assisted assessment.
Alberta ; Brain Ischemia/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Ischemic Stroke ; Stroke/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective:To summarize the therapeutic effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for dystonia.Methods:Detailed clinical information and peripheral blood of children with dystonia at Peking University First Hospital from April 2017 to July 2020 were collected.The motor scores of Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale were recorded of the dystonia before and after the treatment of DBS.Whole-exome sequencing was performed on children with dystonia.Then the effect of DBS was evaluated.Results:A total of 32 cases of patients with dystonia treated with DBS were enrolled, including 16 males and 16 females.Twelve cases were treated with globus pallidus internus DBS, and 20 cases were treated with subthalamic nucleus DBS.Twenty cases (62.5%) with pathogenic gene mutations were detected.Pathogenic variants in PANK2 (9 cases), KMT2B(3 cases), GNAO1 (2 cases), GCDH (2 cases), PINK1(1 case), NDUFAF6(1 case), DYT27(1 case) and ADCY5(1 case) were found.The follow-up period was 1 month to 3 years and 8 months.Only 1 case had local infection due to improper home care.The postoperative improvement was 5.66%-95.92%. Conclusions:All patients have a certain degree of relief after DBS without obvious adverse reactions.DBS is an effective treatment for pediatric dystonia.

Objective:To explore the relationship between exposure to famine in early life and the risk of hypertension in adulthood.Methods:The medical data of Yichang Health Management Big Data Center from 2018 to 2019 were analyzed. A retrospective cohort study design was adopted, with hypertension as the study outcome, and different life periods exposed to the Great Famine in China were divided into groups. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between famine exposure in early life and hypertension in adulthood. At the same time, the interaction between gender and famine exposure was analyzed.Results:The age of 142 016 subjects was (60. 56±4.43). Among them, men accounted for 46.36% (65 845/142 016) and women accounted for 53.64% (76 171/142 016). There are 42 575(29.98%), 19 644(13.83%), 28 405(20.00%), 28 305(19.93%), 23 087 (19.93%) in non-famine exposure group, fetal famine exposure group, early childhood famine exposure group and late childhood famine exposure group, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was 17.57% (24 947 cases). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that after adjusting for related confounding factors, compared with non-famine exposure group, the risk of hypertension in fetal, early childhood, middle childhood and late childhood famine exposure group was higher and the OR (95% CI) values were 1.16 (1.11-1.22), 1.27 (1.21-1.33), 1.54 (1.47-1.60) and 1.84 (1.76-1.92), respectively. There was an interaction between sex and famine exposure group ( P<0.001). The above association is stronger among women than among men. Conclusion:Famine exposure in early life may increase the risk of hypertension in adulthood, and the risk of women is greater than that of men.