Parvalbumin neurons in the nucleus accumbens shell modulate seizure in temporal lobe epilepsy.

A growing number of clinical and animal studies suggest that the nucleus accumbens (NAc), especially the shell, is involved in the pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, the role of parvalbumin (PV) GABAergic neurons in the NAc shell involved in TLE is still unclear. In this study, we induced a spontaneous TLE model by intrahippocampal administration of kainic acid (KA), which generally induce acute seizures in first 2 h (acute phase) and then lead to spontaneous recurrent seizures after two months (chronic phase). We found that chemogenetic activation of NAc shell PV neurons could alleviate TLE seizures by reducing the number and period of focal seizures (FSs) and secondary generalized seizures (sGSs), while selective inhibition of PV exacerbated seizure activity. Ruby-virus mapping results identified that the hippocampus (ventral and dorsal) is one of the projection targets of NAc shell PV neurons. Chemogenetic activation of the NAc-Hip PV projection fibers can mitigate seizures while inhibition has no effect on seizure ictogenesis. In summary, our findings reveal that PV neurons in the NAc shell could modulate the seizures in TLE via a long-range NAc-Hip circuit. All of these results enriched the investigation between NAc and epilepsy, offering new targets for future epileptogenesis research and precision therapy.

Adult-onset idiopathic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome / Síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia idiopática de início adulto

ABSTRACT Purpose: Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome is extremely uncommon in adults with an autoimmune pathophysiology. Because of the rarity of the syndrome, international recognition of opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome needs to be improved urgently. Therefore, the goal of this study was to raise the awareness of the opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome and help doctors in better diagnosing and using immunotherapy. Methods: We present a case study of an adult-onset case of idiopathic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome characterized by spontaneous arrhythmic multidirectional conjugate eye movements, myoclonus, ataxia, sleep disorders, and intense fear. Additionally, we conduct a literature search and summarize the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome. Results: Immunotherapies successfully treated the patient's opsoclonus, myoclonus, and ataxia. Further, the article also includes an update summary of the opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome. Conclusion: The prevalence of residual sequela in adults with opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome is low. Early diagnosis and treatment may result in a better prognosis. Furthermore, combined immunotherapy is expected to reduce the incidence of refractory and reoccurring opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome.

RESUMO Objetivo: A síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia é extremamente rara em adultos e tem uma fisiopatologia autoimune. Devido à raridade dessa síndrome, o reconhecimento da síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia precisa melhorar urgentemente em todo o mundo. Assim sendo, este estudo visou aumentar a conscientização sobre a síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia e ajudar os médicos para um melhor diagnóstico e o uso correto da imunoterapia. Métodos: Este é o relato de um caso adulto de síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia idiopática com movimentos oculares conjugados, multidirecionais, arrítmicos e espontâneos, mioclonia, ataxia, distúrbios do sono e medo intenso. Além disso, foram pesquisadas as publicações recentes relevantes e resumiu-se a fisiopatologia, a apresentação clínica, o diagnóstico e o tratamento da síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia. Resultados: A paciente recuperou-se totalmente da opsoclonia, da mioclonia e da ataxia através de imunoterapia. O artigo também fornece um resumo atualizado sobre a síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia. Conclusão: Adultos com síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia têm uma baixa frequência de sequelas residuais. O diagnóstico e o tratamento precoces podem levar a melhores prognósticos. Espera-se que a imunoterapia combinada reduza a incidência da síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia refratária e recorrente.

Drug-resistant idiopathic generalized epilepsy: A meta-analysis of prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) is a common epilepsy syndrome with early age onset and generally good seizure outcomes. This study aims to determine the incidence and predictive risk factors for drug-resistant IGE. METHODS: We systematically searched three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) in November 2022 and included 12 eligible studies which reported long-term outcomes (mean = 14.05) after antiseizure medications (ASMs) from 2001 to 2020. We defined drug resistance as the persistence of any seizure despite ASMs treatment (whether as monotherapies or in combination) given the criteria of drug resistance varied in original studies. A random-effects model was used to evaluate the prevalence of refractory IGE. Studies reporting potential poor prognostic factors were included for subsequent subgroup meta-analysis. RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of drug resistance in IGE cohorts was 27% (95% CI: 0.19-0.36). Subgroup analysis of the risk factors revealed that the psychiatric comorbidities (odds ratio (OR): 4.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.97-7.98), combined three seizure types (absences, myoclonic jerks, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures) (OR: 5.37, 95% CI: 3.16-9.13), the presence of absence seizure (OR: 4.38, 95% CI: 2.64-7.28), generalized polyspike trains (GPT) (OR: 4.83, 95% CI: 2.42-9.64), sex/catamenial epilepsy (OR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.97-5.37), and status epilepticus (OR: 5.94, 95% CI: 2.23-15.85) increased the risk of poor prognosis. Other factors, including age onset, family history, and side effects of ASMs, were insignificantly associated with a higher incidence of refractory IGE. CONCLUSION: Drug resistance is a severe complication of IGE. Further standardized research about clinical and electroencephalography factors is warranted.

Adult-onset idiopathic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome.

PURPOSE: Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome is extremely uncommon in adults with an autoimmune pathophysiology. Because of the rarity of the syndrome, international recognition of opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome needs to be improved urgently. Therefore, the goal of this study was to raise the awareness of the opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome and help doctors in better diagnosing and using immunotherapy. METHODS: We present a case study of an adult-onset case of idiopathic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome characterized by spontaneous arrhythmic multidirectional conjugate eye movements, myoclonus, ataxia, sleep disorders, and intense fear. Additionally, we conduct a literature search and summarize the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome. RESULTS: Immunotherapies successfully treated the patient's opsoclonus, myoclonus, and ataxia. Further, the article also includes an update summary of the opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of residual sequela in adults with opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome is low. Early diagnosis and treatment may result in a better prognosis. Furthermore, combined immunotherapy is expected to reduce the incidence of refractory and reoccurring opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome.

Isolation and purification of salvianolic acid A and salvianolic acid B from Salvia miltiorrhiza by high-speed counter-current chromatography and comparison of their antioxidant activity.

Water-soluble salvianolic acid A (Sal A) and salvianolic acid B (Sal B) were successfully isolated and purified from the crude extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). The solvent system was n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (3:6:6:10, v/v/v/v). 4.27 mg of Sal A and 32.09 mg of Sal B were obtained from 260 mg of the crude sample. The purities of Sal A and Sal B were 96.67% and 97.43%, respectively. Their structures were identified by (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. Antioxidant activities of Sal A and Sal B were also evaluated and compared by the methods of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS(+)) radical cation decolourisation assay. Both Sal A and Sal B showed high radical scavenging activities with their EC(50) values being 1.43+/-0.09 and 1.81+/-0.01 microg/ml in DPPH radical method. The ABTS results showed that Sal A and Sal B exhibited high total antioxidant activities, their EC(50) values were 1.35+/-0.00 and 1.43+/-0.01 microg/ml, respectively.

[Relationship between photosynthetic characteristics and environmental factors in leaves of Pueraria lobata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between photosynthetic characteristics and environmental factors in leaves of P. lobata. METHOD: Photosynthetic characteristics and environmental factors were measured by using CIRAS-2 portable photosynthesis system. RESULT: The apparent quantum yield in leaves was 0.0173 micromol CO2 x micromol(-1) photon. The dark respiration rate was 2.9333 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1). The light compensation point of photosynthesis was 180 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1). The light saturation point was 1600 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1). The carboxylation efficiency was 0.0338 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1). The light respiration rate was 2.5 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1). The CO2 compensation point was 100 micromol x mol(-1), The CO2 saturation point was 1 600 micromol x mol(-1). CONCLUSION: Photo flux density and air temperature are major environmental factors influencing diumal changes of net photosynthetic rate.