Objective To evaluate the alteration of left atrium function during left ventricular geometric remodeling in essential hypertension (EH) with real-time triplane strain rate imaging. Methods Totally 92 patients with EH and 50 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Base on Ganau, patients with EH were divided into 4 groups:normal geometry (A), concentric remodeling (B), concentric hypertrophy (C) and eccentric hypertrophy (D). Systolic peak strain rate (S_(SR)), early diastolic peak strain rate (D_(SR)) and atrium diastolic peak strain rate (A_(SR)) were measured at left atrium walls. Results Compared with normal group, S_(SR) and D_(SR) decreased in group A, B, C and D (P<0.01), A_(SR) increased in group A, B and C (P<0.01), then decreased in group D (P<0.01). Conclusion Left atrium function has changed before LV geometry changes in patients with EH. Real-time triplane strain rate imaging can assess left atrium function and its alteration correctly during left ventricular geometric remodeling in patients with EH.

Objective To explore the effects of core stability training on gross motor function and walking ability of children with spasticcerebral palsy. Methods 60 children with spastic cerebral palsy were divided into 2 groups. The control group (n=30) received routine rehabilitation.The experimental group (n=30) received core stability training for 15~20 minutes during exercise therapy training in routine rehabilitation.Before and 3 months after training, they were assessed with D and E domains of Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) andfootprints analysis. Results The scores of D and E domains of GMFM, the step length, the step width and the velocity were better after training(P<0.05), especially in experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion Core stability training combined with routine rehabilitation is effectiveon improving gross motor function and walking ability of children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) for esophageal carcinoma and identify prognostic factors in this patient group.Methods From May 2002 to Jun 2005,132 patients with unresectable or inoperable esophageal cancer were treated with 3DCRT in our hospital.Their chnical data were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe 1-and 2-year local control rates was 65.4% and 52.1% in the whole group,respectively.The overall 1-and 2-year survival rate was 50.7% and 32.2% ,respectively.The median survival time was 13 months.The 1-and 2-year survival rate was 56.7%and 36.7% in stageⅠ + Ⅲ ,respectively,with 35.2% and 14.7% in stage IV.The median survival time were 15 months and 9 months for stage Ⅰ +Ⅲ and Ⅳ,respectively(x2 = 8.17,P = 0.004). Of patients with stage Ⅰ + Ⅲ disease who were absent of perforation sign before radiotherapy,with lesion length less than 8.0 cm and whole course given by 3DCRT,the 1-and 2-year survival rate was 73.0% and 49.9%,respectively.Univariate analysis revealed that condition of alimentation,absence of perforation sign, short lesion length,early TNM stage were associated with good survival.Multivariate analysis confirmed that absence of perforation sign and lesion length were independent prognostic factors for survival. Conclusions 3DCRT is effective for esophageal carcinomas in terms of survival and local control.Further improvement could be achieved with muhi-modality treatment.Absence of perforation sign and lesion length are independ ent prognostic factors for survival.

Purpose To detect left atrial volume change and myocardial strain,and to evaluate left atrial (LA) function in coronary heart disease patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) by real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (RT3D-STI).Materials and Methods Eighty-eight patients with coronary disease were divided into non mitral regurgitation group (NMR group,n=30) and mitral regurgitation group (MR group,n=58),including mild MR (n=20),moderate MR (n=20) and severe MR (n=18).Thirty healthy participants were also included as control group.Using RT3D-STI,the global atrial longitudinal strain (GLS),global radial strain (GRS),global circumferential strain (GCS),LA maximal,minimal and pre-systolic volume (LAVmax,LAVmin and LAVp),LA passive ejection fraction (LApEF) and LA active ejection fraction (LAaEF) were measured,and the relationship between LA myocardial strain and left ventricular function was analyzed.Results ① The LAEF,LVEF,LApEF in NMR group and MR group decreased compared those with the control group (P＜0.05),and the LApEF in MR group were lower than those in NMR group (P＜0.05);② compared with the control group,the GLS and GCS in NMR group and MR group decreased observably (P＜0.05),and the parameters in MR group was lower than those in NMR group (P＜0.05);along with the severity of mitral regurgitation,GLS,GCS and GRS declined in varying degrees.③ The overall strain ability of left atrial myocardium (GLS,GCS,GRS) had a positive correlation with LAEF (NMR group:r=-0.810,-0.760 and 0.851;MR group:r=-0.680,-0.745 and 0.583;P＜0.05).Conclusion RT3D-STI plays an important role in assessing LA myocardial movement change and evaluating left atrial function of mitral regurgitation patients by nvestigating left atrial volume change,calculating LAEF and tracing myocardial motion,which provides valuable references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.