Objective To investigate the changes in myocardial deformation in donor and reeipient hearts in response to selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (SFLP) for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).Methods Totally 25 twin pairs before 24-hour and 1 week after SFLP had fetal echocardiography and digital dynamic two-dimensional four chamber views which were interrogated off-line using velocity vector imaging (VVI) software.Global longitudinal strain (S),systolic strain rate (SRs) and diastolic strain rate (SRd) were measured off-line in the left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles.Results In the donor,SFLP resulted in increase in cardiothoracic ratio ( CTR,0.29 ± 0.03 versus 0.34 ± 0.05,P ＜ 0.01 ),with development of new onset tricupid regurgitation ( n =7 ) and pericardial effusion ( n =5 ) and worsening of all measures of myocardial deformation in both systole and diastole for LV and RV [ LV-S:( - 19.24 ± 3.68 )％ versus (-13.78±3.64)％,P＜0.01; LV-SRs:(-2.28±0.53) versus (-1.43 ±0.41) s-1,P＜ 0.01 ; LV-SRd:( 1.67 ± 0.43 ) versus ( 1.15 ± 0.70) s - 1,P ＜ 0.01 ; RV-S:( - 20.20 ± 3.19) ％ versus (-16.10±3.07)％,P＜0.01; RV-SRs:(-2.03 ±0.65) versus (-1.72±0.38) s-1,P＜0.05; RV-SRd:( 1.71 ±0.30) versus ( 1.50 ±0.36) s-1,P ＜0.05].In the recipient,CTR decreased (0.42 ± 0.04 versus 0.37 ±0.04,P ＜0.01 ) and all parameters for both LV and RV improved substantially [ LV-S:( - 10.62 ± 2.72) ％ versus ( - 16.46 ± 3.23 ) ％,LV-SRs:( - 1.09 ± 0.30) versus ( - 1.60 ± 0.31 ) s-1,LV-SRd:(0.99 ± 0.34) versus (1.53 ± 0.32) s-1,RV-S:( - 11.66 ± 4.56)％ versus ( - 17.96 ± 3.97 ) ％,RV-SRs:( - 1.26 ± 0.39) versus ( - 1.74 ± 0.45 ) s-1,RV-SRd:( 1.15 ± 0.49) versus ( 1.63 ± 0.44 ) s- 1 ; all P ＜ 0.01 ].Conclusion Myocardial deformational mechanics improve in the recipient but worsen in the donor following SFLP for TTTS.

Objective To explore the value of nasal continuous positive airway pressure(nCPAP) in treating obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAHS). Methods According to the efficacy of nCPAP, 76 patients with OSAHS were divided into treatment success group(n=50) and control group(n=26), and indices before and after treatment were analyzed. Results The longest and average apnea duration as well as the lowest oxygen saturation(SpO 2) increased, while apnea-hypopnea index(AHI) decreased (P

Objective To investigate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS) and cardiac arrhythmia. Methods 160 snorers were recruited to undergo more than 7 hours nocturnal polysomnography(PSG) and 24 hours ECG monitoring, and were divided into OSAHS group (n=98) and control group (n=62) based on the results of PSG monitoring. Results There were significant differences in sleep apnea hypopnea index(AHI), SpO_2 and cardiac arrhythmia frequency between the OSAHS and control groups. Accompanying with the breath pause, SpO_2 decreased, and heart rate was periodic changes. The frequency of cardiac arrhythmia obviously increased when SpO_2 was lower than 80%. Conclusion During sleep the low oxygen saturations and fluctuation of autonomic nervous system play important roles in the cardiac arrhythmia in OSAHS patients.

Objective To investigate the level and correlation between Thioredoxin (Trx) and Thioredoxin interacting protein (Txnip) in aqueous humor of cortical cataract patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods The Txnip and Trx levels were determined by Elisa in aqueous humor of 60 cataract patients with type 2 diabetes,which were divided into group A (control group,HbA1c ＜5.5％),group B (5.5％ ≤HbA1c ＜6.5％) and group C (HbA1c＞6.5％),and each group contains 20 patients.Results The level of Txnip in group B was higher than that in group A,while that in group C was the highest,there were statistical differences (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group A,the level of Trx in group B was increased,while that in group C was the lowest,there were statistical differences (all P ＜ 0.05).The level of Trx was positive correlated with Txnip in group A (r =0.810,P =0.000),but negative correlated with Txnip in group C (r =-0.809,P =0.000) and degree of cataract in group C (r =-0.727,P =0.001).Logistic regression analysis revealed that Txnip and HbAl c were risk factors of cortical cataract.Conclusion Trx and Txnip may play an important role in the development of diabetic cataract.

Objective To investigate the differences in myocardial deformation between donor and recipient in twin-twin transfusion syndrome(TTTS) using vector velocity imaging( VVI). Methods Digital dynamic two-dimensional four chamber views were interrogated off-line using VVI software. Global longitudinal strain(S) , systolic strain rate(SRs) and diastolic strain rate(SRd) were measured in the left ventricles(LV) and right ventricles (RV) of 30 fetal pairs with TTTS and compared to 30 gestational age-matched normal controls. Results Donor LV-SRs was higher, while donor RV-SRd was significantly lower than controls. Recipient S, SRs and SRd were significantly lower for both LV and RV in comparison to controls. Conclusions In TTTS,donor LV systolic function is hyperdynamic while the RV diastolic function is low. Recipient RV and LV are both globally depressed with systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

Objective To evaluate regional right ventricular longitudinal function in fetus using velocity vector imaging(VVI),and establish nomogram of right ventricle,Methods One hundreed and seventy healthy fetuses were divided into 5 groups according to the gestational age.Dynamic digital views of four chamber view were collected and analyzed offline.Velocity,strain and strain rate were calculated in systolic and diastolic period,respectively.Results Normal systolic and diastolic values for velocity,strain and strain rate were established.Tissue velocity gradually decreased from the base segment to the apical segment(P＜0.05),whereas strain and strain rate were stable(P＞0.05).Tissue velocity was gestationalage dependent(P＜0.05),whereas strain and strain rate were stable throughout gestation (P＞0.05).Conclusions Fetal myocardial velocity,strain and strain rate measurements are easy to obtain and reproducible.Increase in tissue velocity throughout gestation probably reflects the growth of the fetal heart,whereas intrinsic myocardial properties as measured by strain and strain rate do not change.

Objective To assess the left ventricular(LV)segmental function by velocity vector imaging(VVI)in uremic patients with diffferent quantity of parathyroid hormone(PTH).Methods Sixty patients with uremia were divided into 2 groups according to the value of PTH:group A with PTH less than 3 times of upper normal limit,group B with PTH more than 3 times of upper normal limit.Normal control group was 30 healthy subj ects.All people were evaluated by VVI.The parameters,including the longitudinal systolic strain rate(SSR),diastolic strain rate(DSR),were analysed among the three groups.Results Compared with normal group,in group A and B,SSR,DSR in all segments were lower.Compared with group A,in group B,DSR were all significantly lower(P＜0.05),SSR in apex of laternal wall,medium of anterior septum wall,posterior wall,medium and apex of posterior septum wall and superior wall,base,medium and apex of anterior wall were significantly lower(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference of left ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusions VVI is a viable objective tool to quantitatively assess LV segmental function damaged by different quantity of PTH.

Objective To explore the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in obese middle-aged and older men. Methods We selectively recruited 154 obese middle-aged and older men matched for body mass index (BMI) and age. The polysomnography was performed for diagnosing OSAHS and for discriminating disease severity. The BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma glucose and lipid profiles were measured and analyzed in all subjects. Appropriate statistical methods were used to compare the components of MS in each group. Logistic regression was taken to elucidate the relationship between OSAHS and MS. Results Compared to control group, severe OSAHS group had significantly lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol level [( 1.03 ± 0.29 ) mmol/L vs. ( 1.31 ± 0. 38) mmol/L,P＜0. 05] and higher fasting glucose [(6.61±1.76) mmol/L vs. (5.47±0.64) mmol/L, P＜0. 05]as well as higher systolic blood pressure [( 133 ± 13) mm Hg vs. ( 125 ± 12) mm Hg, P＜0. 05] and diastolic blood pressure [(99±10) mm Hg vs. (80±5) mm Hg, P＜0. 05]. The prevalence of MS was significantly higher in OSAHS group than in control group (mild OSAHS group: 25.7%,moderate OSAHS group: 46. 5%, severe OSAHS group: 84.4%, control group: 16. 1 %, all P＜0. 01). OSAHS was independently associated with an increased prevalence of MS Odds ratio, 6.16).Conclusions OSAHS is independently associated with MS in obese middle-aged and older men.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of velocity vector imaging in the assessment of regional left ventricular longitudinal myocardial function in fetuses with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Digital dynamic four-chamber views of 98 fetuses with GDM and 135 normal fetuses were collected and analyzed using velocity vector imaging. The regional tissue velocity, strain and strain rate of the interventricular septum and left lateral wall were measured in systole and diastole. Results Two hundred and seven of 233 cases were analyzed successfully. Systolic velocity(Vs) and diastolic velocity(Vd)were age-dependent, Vs and Vd were both gradually decreased from the basal segment to the apical segment in the left ventricle( P ＜0. 05). The Va after 32+0 weeks and Vd after 28+0 weeks and systolic strain(S),systolic strain rate(SRs) and diastolic strain rate(SRd) in left ventricle of fetuses with GDM after 24+0weeks were obviously lower than the corresponding parameters of normal fetuses ( P ＜0. 05). Conclusions Velocity vector imaging can evaluate the fetal regional left ventricular longitudinal myocardial function.