Objective To explore value of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) strain parameters in assessment of left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony and its relationship with cardiac function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).Methods Totally 25 patients with DCM and 25 age-matched normal controls were enrolled.The LV time to peak longitudinal strain (Tls) and time to peak circumferential strain (Tcs) were measured by 2D-STI,from which the standard deviations and maximal differences of the Tls in all 18 segments,6 segments at apical 4-chamber,3-chamber and 2 chamber views (Tls-SD,Tls-SD-4,Tls-SD-3,Tls SD-2,Tls dif,Tls-dif-4,Tls-dif-3,Tls-dif-2) were calculated,as same as the standard deviations and maximal differences of Tcs in all 18 segments,6 segments at mitral valve,papillary muscle,apical short-axis views (Tcs-SD,Tcs-SD-M,Tcs-SD-P,Tcs-SD-A,Tcs-dif,Tcs-dif-M,Tcs-dif-P,Tcs-dif-A) were calculated.Results Compared with the control group,the global and segmental strain parameters of the DCM group increased significantly (all P＜0.05).Except for Tcs-dif-P and Tcs dif,the residual strain parameters were negatively correlated with LV ejection fraction (all P＜0.05).Except for Tcs-dif-M,Tcs dif-P and Tcs-dif,there was a positive correlation between strain parameters and E/e in DCM group (all P ＜0.05).Conclusion In patients with DCM,LV dyssynchrony exists both in global and regional,which may aggravates the LV function damage.2D-STI strain parameters can objectively evaluate LV dyssynchrony and its relationship with cardiac function in patients with DCM.

Objective To increase the transfection of EGFP-N3 plasmids into 293T cells using ultrasound-targeted microbubbles delivery(UTMD) mediated a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) binding nuclear localization signal (NLS).Methods Antibody-targeted microbubbles were used in the experiments which can specifically recognize the SV40T antigen receptor.The SV40T antigen receptors were expressed on the membranes of 293T cells.The PNA containing the NLS were inserted in the EGFP-N3 plasmid DNA,which increased nuclear localization.Ultrasound-targeted microbubble delivery (UTMD) and the PNA binding NLS were utilized to improve the cytoplasmic import of plasmids and the nuclear intake of the plasmid from the cytoplasm,respectively.The study was divided into five groups:Contrast (group A),Common microbubble + DNA (group B),Antibody-targeted microbubbles + DNA (group C),Common microbubbles + NLS-PNA-DNA (group D),Antibody-targeted microbubbles + NLS-PNA-DNA (group E).Fluorescence microscope was used to observe the fluorescent light in each group;flow cytometry to test the transfection;RT-PCR and Western blot to detect genes' mRNA and protein expression level.Results Ultrasound and antibody-targeted microbubble delivery (UTMD) significantly enhanced the cytoplasmic intake of exogenous genes and maintained high cell viability(＞80％).Fluorescent microscope showed that the quantities of green fluorescence in cells were increased successfully.The transfection results of flow cytometry were 0,(9.30 ± 0.46)％,(26.46 ± 2.01)％,(29.54 ± 0.62)％,(45.72 ± 1.86)％,respectively,and the differences were statistically significant(P ＜0.05).The relative mRNA and protein expression in group E were greater than those in group C and D respectively (P ＜0.05).Conclusions UTMD combined with antibody-targeted microbubbles and a PNA binding NLS plasmid can significantly improve transfection efficiency of exogenous genes by enhancing both cytoplasmic and nuclear DNA import.

Objective To evaluate the left ventricular diastolic function in patients with uremia by two-dimensional speckle tracking technology ( 2D-STI ) . Methods Ninety-three patients with uremia ( serum creatinine value≥ 700 μmol/l) and 29 controls were included . Uremia patients were divided into group with decreased LVEF ( LVEF < 50％ ,group C ,19 cases) and group with normal LVEF ( LVEF≥50％ ) . The latter were divided into group with normal diastolic function ( group A ,31 cases) and group with diastolic dysfunction ( group B ,23 cases) according to the diastolic function;pulsed wave tissue Dopper imaging datas included:diastolic velocity e1′,a1′ and e2′,a2′ at septal or lateral sites of mitral annulus , average E/e′and e′/a′. 2D-STI strain and strain rate parameters included:the longitudinal peak systolic strain ( GLS) ,the longitudinal peak systolic strain rate ( LSRs) ,longitudinal peak strain rate in early diastole (LSRe)andE/LSRe.Results ①Systolicfunctionparameters:comparedwithcontrolgroup,LVEF decreased significantly only in group C( P <0 .05) ,while there was no significant difference among group A ,B and control group ( P> 0 .05 ) ;GLS in group A ,B and C decreased significantly and showed a decreasing trend among these three groups( P <0 .05) ;LSRs in group B and C decreased significantly ,while there was no significant difference between group A and control group( P > 0 .05) . ② Diastolic function parameters:compared with control group ,the average E/e′decreased significantly in group B and C( P <0 .05) ,while group A showed no significant difference( P > 0 .05) . Compared with group A ,the average E/e′increased significantly in group B and C ( P < 0 .05) . Compared with control group ,LSRe in three uremia groups decreased significantly ,which showed a decreasing trend among these three groups ( P <0 .05) ;however ,E/LSRe in three uremia groups increased significantly and showed an increasing trend among these three groups ( P < 0 .05 ) . ③ The correlation analysis showed that there were positive correlations between average e′ and LSRe and between average E/e′ and E/LSRe in uremic patients . Conclusions In patients with uremia ,left ventricular systolic and diastolic function impaired in the early phase . Strain rate parameters in diastole especially E/LSRe obtained by 2D-STI can be used as sensitive , early parameter for evaluation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction .

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) printing of mitral annulus with transesophageal echocardiographic volume images as the data source ,and to assess the accuracy of the 3D printing mitral annulus models based on three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography ( 3D-TEE) images preliminarily . Methods A retrospective study was performed in 25 patients with mild or slight mitral regurgitation and 10 patients with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation . All the subjects were underwent 3D-TEE . The 3D-TEE volume images of mitral annulus at the end diastole were post-processed by Mimics software to create images of the mitral annulus in standard tessellation language format . The STL file was output to the 3D printer and the 3D printing models of mitral annulus were obtained . The mitral annulus size parameters including the diameter between anterior and posterior ,the diameter between anterolaterior and posteromedial ,sphericity index and mitral annulus circumference were measured from 3D printing models and 3D-TEE images ,respectively . From which the absolute difference of the measurements between 3D printing models and the 3D-TEE images were calculated . Results All of the 3D-TEE images were successfully post-processed ,and the corresponding 3D printing models were acquired by high-precision 3D printer . It showed no significant difference in all the mitral annulus size parameters between 3D printing modelsand3D-TEEimages(allP >0.05) .Morever,thesizeparameterswereconcordantwellbetweenthe two methods ,all of the data points fell within the limits of agreement . It showed little absolute difference in value of the mitral annulus size parameters between the 3D printing mitral annulus models and the 3D-TEE images . Conclusions It is technically feasible to print 3D models of mitral annulus using 3D-TEE images as the data source . 3D printing mitral annulus models based on transesophageal echocardiographic volume images have high precision .

To evaluate the right ventricular systolic function in uremia patients and the effects of maintenance hemodialysis on right ventricular systolic function by volume and strain parameters obtained by 4D RV Volume . Methods Seventy‐six patients with uremia and twenty‐two controls were selected . According to left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) ,uremia patients were divided into normal LVEF uremia group and decreased LVEF uremia group . T hen normal LVEF uremia group was divided into maintenance hemodialysis group and non‐dialysis group . Conventional ultrasound parameters included :LVEF ,pulmonary artery systolic pressure ( PASP) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ( T APSE‐2D) . 4D RV Volume parameters included : right ventricular end‐diastolic volume ( RVEDV ) , tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ( T APSE‐4D ) ,right ventricular area change rate ( FAC ) ,right ventricular ejection fraction ( RVEF) and right ventricular free wall longitudinal systolic strain ( RV‐GLSfree ) . Results①Compared with the control group ,T APSE‐2D decreased significantly in the decreased LVEF uremia group ( P ＜0 .05) ,w hile there was no significant difference of T APSE‐2D in normal LVEF uremia group ( P ＞ 0 .05) . Compared with the control group and normal LVEF uremia group ,PASP increased significantly in the decreased LVEF uremia group ( P ＜ 0 .05 ) . Compared with the control group ,RVEDV increased significantly both in the normal LVEF and decreased LVEF uremia group ,w hich showed an increasing trend in these three groups ( P ＜0 .05) ,while T APSE‐4D ,FAC ,RVEF and RV‐GLSfree all decreased significantly and showed a decreasing trend in these three groups ( P ＜ 0 .05 ) . ② Compared with the control group , T APSE‐2D decreased significantly in non‐dialysis group ( P ＜0 .05) ,but there was no significant difference in uremia hemodialysis group ( P ＞0 .05) . Compared with the control group ,PASP and RVEDV increased and T APSE‐4D ,FAC ,RVEF and RV‐GLSfree decreased significantly in uremia hemodialysis group and non‐dialysis group ( P ＜ 0 .05 ) . Compared with non‐dialysis group , T APSE‐2D and T APSE‐4D increased significantly in hemodialysis group ( P ＜0 .05) ,while there was no significant difference in RVEDV ,FAC , RVEF and RV‐GLSfree in uremia hemodialysis group ( P ＞0 .05) . Conclusions 4D RV Volume could early and accurately evaluate the right ventricular systolic dysfunction in uremia patients . Furthermore ,w hen evaluating right ventricular systolic function in uremia patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis , indices such as right ventricular strain and volume parameters should be comprehensively considered .

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of three-dimensional printing atrial septal defect (ASD)models from three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(3D-TEE)images and to lay the foundation for the application of 3D printing technology in the diagnosis and treatment of ASD.Methods Twenty patients with ASD were analyzed retrospectively.2D-TEE and 3D-TEE were performed before ASD occlusion.The 3D-TEE data were post-processed by Mimics software and the volume images of ASD in STL format were developed.Then the STL file was output and the ASD 3D models were printed.The ASD size parameters included the maximal diameter(Dmax),the minimal diameter(Dmin),circumference(C)and area(A),which were measured from 2D-TEE images,3D-TEE images and 3D printing models,respectively. The absolute difference value of ASD size parameters between 3D printing models and 2D-TEE images,or 3D-TEE images were calculated.The sizes of occluder were recorded during the operation and the preoperative exercises on 3D printing models were performed.Results There were no significant difference in ASD size parameters among 3D printing models,2D-TEE and 3D-TEE images(all P > 0.05),the ASD size parameters were concordant well between 3D printing models and 2D-TEE or 3D-TEE images. Moreover,the absolute difference value of ASD size parameters between 3D printing models and 2D-TEE or 3D-TEE images were little.In addition,linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation in the Dmaxmeasured from 3D printing models and the sizes of occulder used in the operation(r =0.94,P <0.05).In the ASD 3D printing models the preoperative exercise had an impressive effect.Conclusions It is quite feasible to use 3D-TEE images as the data source of ASD 3D printing models.Ultrasound-derived ASD 3D printing models are of highly accuracy,which have the potential to provide evidence for the clinical application of 3D printing technology.