Xenotansplantation has become a global focus because it may solve the formidable problems in allotransplantation, that is, the donor source. Hitherto clinical xenotransplantion has been in the stage of research with limited cases and unsatisfactory results. The difficulties which hinder the progress of xenotransplantation include: the ideal animal donor has not been found, it is rather difficult to control the rejections (hyperacute rejection, acute vascular rejection, perhaps acute cellular rejection and chronic rejection) after xenotransplantation compared with those after allotransplantation, some animal diseases might be transmitted to and do harm to human recipients, even the community. It is still unknown whether the functions of animal organs can substitute those of human organs permanently. Transgenic pigs on research and various measurements to suppress humoral and cellular immunity may be helpful in overcoming the problems of xenogeneic rejections. Animal diseases should be prevented, screened and treated, and animal models should be established to study the possibility of satisfactory working of animal organs in human body before clinical xenotransplantation is widely practised.
Homocysteine is an intermediate product of methionine and cysteine metabolism, and plays a key role in methylation. Epilepsy is one of the common diseases of the nervous system, long-term repeated seizures will not only cause damage to the brain tissue, but also cause cognitive impairment. At present, the clinical treatment for epilepsy is still mainly to control symptoms, the fundamental etiology of epilepsy still needs to be improved, to explore the etiology of seizures, fundamentally control seizures, is still our long-term struggle direction. High homocysteine is associated with many diseases. Epidemiological studies have shown that the serum homocysteine level of 10% ~ 40% of epilepsy patients is higher than that of the normal population. By exploring the relationship between serum Hcy and epilepsy,We expect to provide help for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical epilepsy.
Adenoid hypertrophy in children with epilepsy is rarely reported. This paper analyzes the clinical characteristics and incidence of adenoid hypertrophy in children with epilepsy.Methods The clinical data in children with epilepsy from December 2014 to April 2020 in Shenzhen Children's hospital were analyzed retrospectively.Results There were 449 cases diagnosed with adenoid hypertrophy (2.74%) in 16387 children with epilepsy. Among 449 cases of adenoid hypertrophy, 276 males (61.47%) and 173 females (38.53%). The age distribution was: 28 days to 1 year old, 8 cases (2%); 1-3 years old, 78 cases (17%); 3-6 years old 167 cases (37%); 6-12 years old, 153 cases (34%); 12-18 years old, 43 cases (10%). In 40 patients the IgG antibody were positive for EB capsid antigen in 25 (62.5%). In 56 cases of EB virus DNA were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR, 25 (44.64%) positive, and 21/44 cases (47.72%) were positive by general nucleic acid detection of enteroviruses. The neutrophil reduction rate in peripheral blood was 42.19% in 673 tests, lymphocyteincreased in 292 (43.38%), platelet count increased in 307 (45.61%), abnormal in platelet hematocrit in 311 (46.21%); the mean volume of RBC was decreased in319 (47.39%) tests. The content of \begin{document}${\rm{HCO}_3^-} $\end{document} was reduced in 20/55 cases (36.36%). 25-hydroxy vitamin D was 33 (44.5%) decreased in 74 cases. The blood glucose was measured in 146 cases, 60 (41.09%) increased, total cholesterol was 31 (40.78%) increased in 76 cases, serum C peptide was 12 (29.26%) increased in 41 cases.Conclusion Adenoid hypertrophy in children with epilepsy may be related to infection, inflammation or immune disorder, which may cause nutritional, metabolic or internal environment disorders. Therefore, there is need of nursing and health education, transferring to specialized centers for diagnosis and treatment.
ObjectiveTo explore the status of common comorbidities in adult epilepsy patients in western China, and to explore the related risk factors.MethodsThe Chinese version of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7, neurological disorders depression inventory for epilepsy (NDDI-E) scales, pittsburgh sleep quality index scale (PSQI) and epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were used to evaluate the 199 epilepsy patients between April 2017 and March 2018 in the Epilepsy Center of Neurology Department of Sichuan People's Hospital. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the risk factors of epilepsy comorbidity.ResultsIn the 199 adult epilepsy patients, 28.1% had anxiety, 17.1% had depression, 33.2% had sleep disorder, and 2.5% had migraine. 140 patients received monotherapy, including 15 patients with carbamazepine (CBZ), 20 patients with lamotrigine (LTG), 26 patients with levetiracetam (LEV), 31 patients with topiramate (TPM), 25 patients with oxcarbazepine (OXC), and 23 patients with Valproate (VPA).Multivariate logistic regression analysis of epilepsy patients treated with monotherapy showed that seizure occurring more than once a month, LEV, TPM, sleep disorders were independent risk factors for anxiety in patients with epilepsy (P<0.05). Unemployment, seizure occurrence in the last three months, sleep disorders were independent risk factors for comorbid depression (P<0.05). Anxiety, depression, daytime sleepiness, CBZ, LTG were independent risk factors for comorbid sleep disorders (P<0.05).ConclusionsAnxiety, depression and sleep disorder are common comorbidities in adults with epilepsy in westChina. For patients with affective disorder and sleep disorder, early identification and intervention may be important to improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients. In addition, patients treated with LEV or TPM monotherapy had a higher risk of anxiety than other drugs. Patients with LTG and CBZ monotherapy are more likely to comorbid sleep disorders.
Objectives To analyze the prevalence and clinical features of depression, anxiety, depression and anxiety in Tibetan patients with epilepsy and to improve the diagnosis and treatment. Methods 102 patients with epilepsy, who had been admitted to the Department of Neurology of the People's Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region from January 2017 to December 2017, were diagnosed according to the Chinese Standard Classification and Diagnostic Criteria for Mental Disorders (3rd Edition) (CCMD-3). The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD 24 items) and the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA 14 items) were used to measure depression and anxiety. Different genders, ages, durations, frequency of attacks, and seizures types were analyzed for depression, anxiety, depression and anxiety. Univariate analysis was used to screen the factors that may cause depression, anxiety, depression and anxiety in patients with epilepsy. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of depression, anxiety, depression and anxiety in patients with epilepsy. Results Among the 102 patients with epilepsy, 35 (34.31%) comorbid depression, 10 (9.80%) comorbid anxiety, and 54 (52.94%) comorbid depression and anxiety. Univariate analysis showed that there was a significantly statistical difference in the duration of the disease and the frequency of seizures in local patients with epilepsy (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of epileptic seizures and anxiety (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of anxiety in patients with a disease duration of ≤2 years was only 10.1% of those with a course >2 years [OR=0.101, 95%CI (0.012, 0.915), P<0.05]; and the frequency of seizures was not an risk factors for epileptic comorbid with anxiety (P>0.05). The rate of depression and anxiety in patients with seizure frequency >2 times per month was 4.853 times higher than that of patients with seizure frequency ≤2 times per month [OR=4.853, 95%CI (2.024, 11.634), P<0.05]. Conclusions Tibetan patients with epilepsy have a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, depression and anxiety. In the diagnosis and treatment, we should strengthen the understanding and provide the appropriate prevention and treatment to improve the diagnosis and treatment level.
Valproic acid can reduce the frequency of seizures through various mechanisms and is widely used in clinical practice as a monotherapy or adjunctive treatment for various types of epilepsy and epileptic syndromes. In addition, valproic acid has significant therapeutic effects on comorbidities associated with epilepsy, such as migraines and psychiatric disorders. It can also be effective in terminating status epilepticus and is commonly used as a broad-spectrum antieseizure medication in clinical settings. However, valproic acid has side effects such as teratogenicity, infertility, and menstrual disorders. Additionally, when used in combination with other drugs, the interactions between medications should be carefully considered. Therefore, in clinical practice, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the indications and dosage regimens for the use of valproic acid. This article provides a comprehensive review of the use of valproic acid in different types of seizures, epileptic syndromes, comorbidities associated with epilepsy, post-craniotomy cases, status epilepticus, and special populations. It also summarizes the combination therapy of valproic acid with other drugs, providing a basis for the rational use of valproic acid and individualized drug treatment selection for epilepsy patients.