This study evaluated the change in regional left ventricular myocardial function in rats following acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) by using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI). Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, a myocardial infarction (MI) group, in which 50 rats were subjected to LAD occlusion for 30-45 min, and a sham-operated (SHAM) group that contained 10 rats serving as control. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 1, 4 and 8 week(s) after the operation. High frequency two-dimensional images of left ventricular short axis at papillary muscle level were recorded. Peak systolic radial strain (PRS) and circumferential strain (PCS) were measured in the mid-ventricle in short-axis view by using EchoPAC workstation. Left ventricular internal diameter at diastole (LVIDd) and systole (LVIDs), fractional shortening (FS), ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular mass (LVM) were measured by anatomical M-model echocardiography. Infarct size was measured using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining 1 week and 8 weeks after the operation. Fibrosis of left ventricular myocardium was displayed using Van Gieson staining 1 week after the infarction. In terms of the TTC staining results, the left ventricle fell into three categories: infarcted, peri-infarcted and remote myocardial regions. Compared with those at baseline and in the SHAM group, (1) PRS and PCS in the infarcted, peri-infarcted and remote myocardial regions were significantly decreased in the MI group within 1 week after the operation (P<0.05) and the low levels lasted 8 weeks; (2) Compared with those at baseline, LVIDd, LVIDs, FS, EF and LVM in the MI group showed no significant difference 1 week after the operation (P>0.05). However, LVIDd, LVIDs and LVM were increased significantly 4 and 8 weeks after the operation (P<0.05), and FS and EF were decreased substantially (P<0.05). Van Gieson staining showed that fibrosis developed in all the three myocardial regions to varying degrees. It is concluded that 2D-STI is non-invasive and can be used to assess regional function of myocardium with different blood supply in rats following acute occlusion of the LAD, and can be used as a sensitive and reliable means to follow up the process of left ventricular remodeling.

Objective To explore the value of two-dimensional strain echocardiography for quantitative assessing the change of regional left ventricular myocardial function in rats following acute myocardial infarction. Methods Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 50 rats with occlusion of LAD for 30-45 minutes and the sham-operated group consisted of 10 rats without occlusion of LAD. Echocardiography were performed before operation, which was defined as baseline, and 1 week, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after operation. Left ventricular internal diameter at diastole ( LVIDd) and systole < LVIDs), fractional shortening( FS), ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular mass(LVM) were measured by anatomical M-model echocardiography. High frame rate two-dimensional images were recorded in the left ventricular short-axis views at the papillary muscle level. Peak systolic radial strain(PRS) and circumferential strain(PCS) of each segment were measured using 2-dimensional strain software. The rats were sacrificed and the infarcted size of each segment was measured using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) after echocardiography was performed. Fibrosis of left ventricular myocardium was displayed using Van Gieson stain in 1 weeks after infarction. Results Based on the TTC findings,the left ventricle of the study group was divided into three regions:infarcted,peri-infarct and remote myocardial regions. Van Gieson stain showed fibrosis existed in all the three regions. Compared with baseline and sham-operated group, PRS and PCS of infarcted, peri-infarct and remote myocardial regions of the study group significantly decreased within 1 week after operation ( P <0. 01) and persisted for 8 weeks. PCS and PRS of infarcted, peri-infarct and remote myocardial regions of the study group in 4 weeks and 8 weeks after operation showed no significant difference when compared with those in 1 week after operation ( P >0. 01). Compared with baseline and sham-operated group,LVIDd,LVIDs and LVM of study group all increased significantly ( P <0. 05) in 4 weeks and 8 weeks after operation,and FS and EF reduced significantly ( P <0. 05). Two-dimensional strain obtained in interobserver and intraobserver both showed high agreement. Conclusions Two-dimensional strain echocardiography can assess regional function of myocardium with different perfusion in rats following acute myocardial infarction, and provides a sensitive and reliable method to follow up the process of left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction.

Objective:To establish an HPLC method for the determination of patulin in health foods containing hawthorn to im-prove the quality control of patulin in related health foods. Methods:An Agilent TC-C18(2)(250 mm ×4.6 mm, 5 μm) column was used with the temperature of 30℃. The mobile phase consisted of 0. 8% tetrahydrofuran and the flow rate was 1. 0 ml·min-1 . The detection wavelength was set at 276nm. Results:The calibration curve of patulin was linear within the range of 1-20ng(r=1. 000 0), the average recovery was 92. 1% and RSD was 2. 2%(n=6). Conclusion:The method is simple, reliable and accurate, which can be used in the content determination of patulin in health foods containing hawthorn.

Objective To observe the value of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) in assessing regional myocardial viability of rats after acute myocardial infarction. Methods Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into acute myocardial infarction group and sham-operation group (each n=10). Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 24 h after reperfusion. High frame rate two-dimensional images were recorded from the left ventricular short-axis views at the papillary muscle level. Peak radial strain (PRS) and peak circumferential strain (PCS) of each segment were measured at systolic period. Left ventricular internal diameter at diastole (LVID_d) and systole (LVID_s), fractional shortening (FS), ejection fraction (EF), wall thickening rate (TR) were measured with anatomical M-model echocardiography. Area of necrosis (AN) of each segment was measured after triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Based on TTC staining, ROC curve was used to analyze the accuracy of two-dimensional strain and TR index in identifying infarcted segment. Results ①Compared with acute myocardial infarction group at baseline and sham-operation group after operation, LVID_d and LVID_s of acute myocardial infarction group after operation increased significantly respectively (P<0.05), FS, EF and anteroseptal wall TR reduced significantly (P<0.05). ②Compared with acute myocardial infarction group at baseline and sham-operation group after operation, PRS and PCS decreased significantly in anteroseptal, anterior, anterolateral, inferolateral and inferoseptal segments of myocardial infarction group after operation (P<0.05), especially in anterosepetal, anterior and anterolateral segments (P<0.05). ③ROC analysis showed PCS had the best ability to identify infarcted myocardium as defined by AN>50%. Using a cut-off of -6.14%, PCS had a sensitivity of 93.75% and specificity of 90.91% for distinguishing infarcted from viable myocardium. Conclusion 2D-STI can accurately quantify regional myocardial function, providing a sensitive and noninvasive means to assess regional myocardial viability.

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of the transforming growth factor-β receptor I (TGF-βRⅠ) expression in na?ve CD4 + T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods:Na?ve CD4 + T cells were purified using magnetic microbeads from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SLE patients and healthy controls. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect TGF-βRⅠ mRNA level, and flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of CD69 +CD4 + T cells. Data were analyzed by t test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:The level of TGF-βR Ⅰ mRNA in na?ve CD4 + T cells from SLE patients was significantly lower than that in healthy controls [(0.674±0.873) vs (1.445±1.112), t=2.301, P<0.05]. The TGF-βR Ⅰ mRNA level was negatively correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) ( r=-0.376, P<0.05), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ( r=-0.376, P<0.05), serum creatinine ( r=-0.323, P<0.05) and 24 h urine protein ( r=-0.331, P<0.05), and positively correlated with serum com-plement C3 ( r=0.528, P<0.01). The level of TGF-βRⅠ mRNA level in na?ve CD4 + T cells in SLE patients with renal involvement was lower than that in SLE patients without renal involvement [(0.525±0.536) vs (1.071±1.007), t=2.198, P<0.05]. The TGF-βR Ⅰ mRNA level in the na?ve CD4 + T cells in anti-dsDNA antibody positive group was lower than that in the anti-dsDNA antibody negative group [(0.344±0.315) vs (0.958±1.076), t=2.277, P<0.05]. The expression of TGF-βRⅠ mRNA in na?ve CD4 + T cells from SLE patients was reduced after 24 h stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads [(0.047±0.013) vs (1.008±0.129), t=14.38, P<0.01], which was partially reversed by dexamethasone treatment [(0.240±0.042) vs (0.047±0.013), t=7.845, P<0.01]. Meanwhile, dexamethasone significantly decreased the expression of CD69 in CD4 + T cells [(15.0±2.1)% vs(34.9±2.0)%, t=32.57, P<0.01]. Conclusion:The abnormally low expression of TGF-βRⅠ in na?ve CD4 + T cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Glucocorticoid treatment can upregulate the expression of TGF-βRI and inhibit the activation of T cells, This suggests suggesting that TGF-βRⅠ may be a potential target for SLE treatment.

This study evaluated the change in regional left ventricular myocardial function in rats following acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) by using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI). Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups,a myocardial infarction (MI) group,in which 50 rats were subjected to LAD occlusion for 30-45 min,and a sham-operated (SHAM) group that contained 10 rats serving as control. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 1,4 and 8 week(s) after the operation. High frequency two-dimensional images of left ventricular short axis at papillary muscle level were recorded. Peak systolic radial strain (PRS) and circumferential strain (PCS) were measured in the mid-ventricle in short-axis view by using EchoPAC workstation. Left ventrieular internal diameter at diastole (LVIDd)and systole (LVIDs),fractional shortening (FS),ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular mass (LVM)were measured by anatomical M-model echocardiography. Infarct size was measured using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining 1 week and 8 weeks after the operation. Fibrosis of left ventricular myocardium was displayed using Van Gieson staining 1 week after the infarction. In terms of the TTC staining results,the left ventricle fell into three categories:infarcted,peri-infarcted and remote myocardial regions. Compared with those at baseline and in the SHAM group,(1) PRS and PCS in the infarcted,peri-infarcted and remote myocardial regions were significantly decreased in the MI group within 1 week after the operation (P＜0.05) and the low levels lasted 8 weeks;(2) Compared with those at baseline,LVIDd,LVIDs,FS,EF and LVM in the MI group showed no significant difference 1 week after the operation (P＞0.05). However,LVIDd,LVIDs and LVM were increased significantly 4 and 8 weeks after the operation (P＜0.05),and FS and EF were decreased substantially (P＜0.05). Van Gieson staining showed that fibrosis developed in all the three myocardial regions to varying degrees. It is concluded that 2D-STI is non-invasive and can be used to assess regional function of myoeardium with different blood supply in rats following acute occlusion of the LAD,and can be used as a sensitive and reliable means to follow up the process of left ventricular remodeling.

PURPOSE: Various inflammation-based prognostic biomarkers such as the platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, are related to poor survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of the aspartate aminotransferase to neutrophil ratio index (ANRI) in ICC after hepatic resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 184 patients with ICC after hepatectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The cut-off value of ANRI was determined by a receiver operating characteristic curve. Preoperative ANRI and clinicopathological variables were analyzed. The predictive value of preoperative ANRI for prognosis of ICC was identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off value of ANRI was 6.7. ANRI was associated with tumor size, tumor recurrence, white blood cell, neutrophil count, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transaminase. Univariate analysis showed that ANRI, sex, tumor number, tumor size, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, resection margin, clinical TNM stage, neutrophil count, and carcinoembryonic antigen were markedly correlated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with ICC. Multivariable analyses revealed that ANRI, a tumor size > 6 cm, poor tumor differentiation, and an R1 resection margin were independent prognostic factors for both OS and DFS. Additionally, preoperative ANRI also had a significant value to predict prognosis in various subgroups of ICC, including serum hepatitis B surface antigen‒negative and preoperative elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 patients. CONCLUSION: Preoperative declined ANRI is a noninvasive, simple, and effective predictor of poor prognosis in patients with ICC after hepatectomy.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases* ; Aspartic Acid* ; Biomarkers ; Blood Platelets ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Hepatectomy* ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphocytes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neutrophils* ; Prognosis* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve

Objective:To investigate the value of ultrasonography in diagnosis of transposition of great arteries of the fetus at 11-13 + 6 weeks gestation. Methods:A prospective study was conducted on fetuses screened by ultrasound in the first trimester in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region between January 2015 and March 2022. Fetal heart structure was screened by three-section screening method. Fetuses with suspected transposition of the great arteries at 11-13 + 6 weeks gestation underwent followed-up ultrasound examination, chromosome and gene test results. The ultrasound characteristics and prognosis pregnancy outcomes were summarized. Results:Twenty-one cases of transposition of the great arteries were detected by ultrasonography, including complete transposition of great arteries (20 cases) and congenitaly corrected transposition of the great arteries (1 case). Two cases were miss diagnosed. Twenty-one cases showed parallel signs of two major arteries on grayscale outflow section at 11-13 + 6 weeks gestation. There were 6 cases with aneuploid ultrasonographic soft markers abnormality, 2 cases with extracardiac malformation. Chromosome and microarray analysis were performed in 13 cases. 4 cases with chromosomal abnormality. Four cases of chromosomal abnormalities were associated with ultrasonographic soft markers abnormality, and 1 case with extracardiac malformation.In the 23 cases, 20 cases were induced, 1 miscarried, and 2 delivered to term. Among the fetuses delivered at term, 1 case died before neonatal operation and 1 case survived. Conclusions:Standardized ultrasound scan at 11-13 + 6 weeks has high accuracy in diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries. And the incidence of chromosomal abnormality is high with ultrasonographic soft markers abnormality or extracardiac malformation.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate theretention capabilities of poloxamer-basedhydrogels for vaginal application with nonoxinol-9 as the model drug. Twohydrogel formulations, which contained 18% poloxamer 407 plus 1% poloxamer 188 (GEL1, relative hydrophobic) or 6% poloxamer 188 (GEL2, relative hydrophilic), were compared with respect to the rheological properties,hydrogel erosion and drug release. The vaginal retention capabilities of these hydrogel formulations were further determined in two small animal models, including drug quantitation of vaginal rinsing fluid in mice and isotope tracing withTc in rats. The two formulations exhibited similar phase transition temperatures ranging from 27 to 32 °C. Increasing the content of poloxamer 188 resulted in higher rheological moduli under body temperature, but slightly accelerated hydrogel erosion and drug release. When compared, GEL1 was eliminated significantly slower in rat vagina than GEL2, while the vaginal retention of these two hydrogel formulations behaved similarly in mice. In conclusion, increases in the hydrophilic content of formulations led to faster hydrogel erosion, drug release and intravaginal elimination. Rats appear to be a better animal model than mice to evaluate thehydrogel for vaginal application.